Excerpt Jack and Bud jilted by the DNC

Time flies,

 it hardly seems possible that just three months ago Bud and I were summoned to the Washington Offices of Henry Baines Truscott, the head of the Democratic National Committee. We were happy Bud thought we were getting the call. Before the meeting we imagined all the possibilities of being officially endorsed by the party. It was the feather in our cap that could propel us forward. It would sure make things a lot easier lining up the party faithful.

"They want you to run," Bud whispered just before we were ushered into the corner office of the Chairman. "They’re making the right move they know you’ll bring a lot of votes in on your coattails. It was rare to see Bud this excited. There was a spring in his step, he literally beamed with anticipation.

Henry Truscott was a tall impish man of Scotch – Irish decent. He was young looking at forty-five, but the new Chairman of the DNC had a weak looking build. His most imposing feature was his shoe polish black hair worn slicked back over his high forehead. Henry had eager looking eyes exaggerated through the amplification of thick lens-end black rimmed glasses. He was driven to gain political power as a substitute for his lack of physical prowess. Everyone who knew him recognized at least that.

"Gentlemen," Henry beckoned us to a large antique conference table.

Speaking through his trademark toothy grin, "Jack so glad you could make it." He said, extending his hand forward.

"Bud it’s always good to see you, have a seat," motioning to the large high back leather chairs positioned evenly around the dark oak table, "of course you know the speaker."

The Chairman was joined by the former Speaker of the House Herb Farley, a white-haired three hundred pound bear of a man with a triple chin and double stomach. The speaker held out his meaty paw to shake our hands. I didn’t know the speaker personally, we’d met casually at a few Washington Parties, but our paths didn’t cross too often. I did know he wasn’t to be trusted, his reputation as an opportunist preceded him. But, that could be said of most the Hill, after all, who wasn’t looking out for their own ass in this town.

"Jack, I’m a fan of your work in the Senate," he boomed. The speaker’s forehead was damp with perspiration around the edges of his hairline. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe it.

"Thank you Mr. Speaker," I was guarded, but always friendly.

"Call me Herb, please Jack."

Excerpt Jack, Sandy and the racecar

Drive,” I said, and with both hands on the wheel at ten and two, I asked Sandy “are you ready?” Before she could answer, I pressed my foot down on the pedal. The tires spun, smoking for a second on the slick cement floor. I smelled the hint of burning rubber as we laid our first 10-foot strip.
We were off!
“Hold on Sandy,” I warned as we slowed quickly to negotiate the first turn.
“Please be car...eful,” Sandy pleaded as we tore through it. The thick rear of the car fishtailing, tires screeching, turn by turn we made it to the ground level. We tested the acceleration racing full throttle the entire length of the floor. I hit the brakes hard skidding right through the exit booth. The attendant raised the traffic arm just in time.
Ceramic Brake Pads built to withstand enormous heat allowed the car to stop faster than it accelerated 60 to zero in a mere 2.3 seconds…on this stop I could’ve used another tenth second for Sandy’s sake.
“Oh my God Jack you almost hit the bar, you’re the last guy on earth that should own a car that goes this fast.”
“Oh Honey, I knew we weren’t gonna hit the bar. This car was made for this type of handling.”
I really did know it as fact, in practice this morning, me and the kid worked it out. I slipped him a twenty.
“You think that was fast you haven’t seen nothing yet!”
“No I really have,” Sandy grabbed tight to the armrests.
Looking only to my left I hit the gas and we flew out into the street.
“Jack are you sure…?”
I answered by putting the pedal to the floor, “We’ll just take her around the block.”
We could feel only mild vibration as we tested the claim of zero to sixty in 2.5 seconds. We were momentarily pinned back in our seats.
“Wow!” I said. Driving as fast as I could barely stopping at one corner before speeding up to the next, each time announcing to Sandy how fast we’d gotten up to.
“She just kept saying “You’re gonna get us killed.”
“The last run was our best, Sandy sixty-eight!” I told her proud of myself. When we got back to our starting point we turned into the garage. I stopped briefly, thanked the attendant and grabbed a ticket.
Sandy said, “Pleeease Jack can we just take it easy now?”
The cockpit was relatively quiet, even with all the commotion we created. Tires screeching, rear end fishtailing, burning rubber all the way to the third level.
On the way up, I told Sandy, “It sounds worse than it is!”
“Off!” One final command and the powerful machine instantly fell into motionless repose.
“Jack! Driving with you feels like sitting in a rocket sled perched on a banana peel. I feel like I just lifted off in the space shuttle, you’re impossible! Really Jack, you try sitting in the death seat with someone driving like that! I nearly put my foot through the floor trying to stop the car myself.”
Sandy threatened with a look like she’d never get in my car again. This time I think she meant it.
“We have to take the elevator this skirt is too tight for me to climb stairs.” I was laughing exhilarated as we hurried towards the exit. Sandy was trying her best to keep up, one hand on my shoulder the other on my arm for balance. I pushed the button and showed her my watch, “See we made it.”
“Jack we’ve only made it to the elevator,” she said slightly exaggerating her out of breath. She was shaking a bit. I grabbed her by the shoulders and looked down deep into her eyes,
“Don’t worry I sent everyone a text before we left to hold off for 20 minutes, I just wanted to take you for a ride and have some fun. Wasn’t that an awesome adrenaline rush?”

Sandy and Jack

Spent the entire weekend from 5 a.m. to midnight on the final edit - will blog about the process - here's a brief excerpt: 

“Great Jack, I’ll put together a tentative list and we’ll go over it when you can focus.”
Sandy turned and did an exaggerated one foot crossing the other walk, accentuating her hip movements as she left the room. If she wasn’t getting my attention in the room she was determined to get it going out.
Bud shook his head, “She’s a tease.”
“She’s right Bud, you don’t give her much credit, remember she graduated cum laude from Boston.”
“In journalism, for Pete’s sakes Jack, get real.”
“You just don’t like reporters.”
“No really, don’t you think it’s odd that in all the years you’ve known Sandy she’s never had a boyfriend. Hell, I don’t ever remember her having a date?”
“What are you getting at?”
“She’s a beautiful women Jack, where I come there’s a line around the block for a girl like that.”
“Well for one thing she never stops working, you know sometimes she’s texting me late into the evening.”
“She should put herself out there, get married.”
“I’ve begged her to take some time off but she never does.”
“What a waste.”
Bud was right Sandy didn’t have much of a personal life, it was my fault, I had her managing both the Campaign Administrative Staff and the Senate Office.
“I never thought I’d say this, but we may be working the girl to hard Jack.”
“I’ve taken her out a couple of times after work for Martinis.”
“Does she ever mention her personal life?"
“Not really, we talk mostly about work and me being President. She really wants it for me.”
Sandy usually accompanies me on business trips to help me stay organized. She’s a kindred spirit and knows first hand the difficulties of being a Senator.
“Jack running for President can rip you apart if you are not ready. I just hope she understands that we’re in a dogfight, any misstep in this arena and they’ll eat us alive. You know how I worry.”
“Relax she knows we’ll do whatever it takes to win.”
“But can she keep it to herself?”

Brief Excerpt Jack Canon's American Destiny

Sandy Collins, my assistant, sticks her head in, peeking around the door, "Morning Jack, how you doing?"  Check out my Website to read more...   www.gregsandora.com

Working hard on the Edit and about my blog

My Blog is meant to be fun, informative - I'm going through a new process and learning - it's so much fun. Those who know me understand my humor - so take the blog with a grain of salt and laugh along when I rant - Speaking of editing it's  Hard work though - got my instructions from the Chief Editor what to look for and corrections, then stayed up late into the evening to get the job done.  I work full time and write usually 10 PM after our shows until midnight or 1 AM.  Sometimes this blog will be raw because you can get a little punchy late in the evening.  I am so grateful to God for the opportunity.  Thanks to all my friends old and new who have watched the video book trailer - where I'm from a small town in Maine just outside Portland it means a lot.  Anyway If you're reading this you are part of the making of Jack Canon's American Destiny.  Named for my Grandfather who proudly made his way through life raising three beautiful daughters, who then raised four of their own, each prettier than the next. And, for my son Canon - smart, handsome, caring - he doesn't care now - but, I'm hoping it means something to him later.  I've used names of some of the most prominent people in our lives - Casie my stunningly beautiful little girl is the nurse and her wonderful friend Becca inspired the mission worker who devoted her life to the children.  The list goes on and on - Bill and Steve Mitchell - we discussed it - in addition to our plans to walk the way someday soon - which Kathy and I are looking forward to.  The story has tenderness, love, danger, murder, betrayal, fantasy, cruelty, lust, and all the emotion I could pack into 334 pages.  The woman are beautiful just like in my real life - the men take action are decisive, make no apologies - and don't look back.  I Love to write, and am greateful to everyone who follows this blog...do me a favor and watch the trailer and like  it on youtube or link to friends on facebook - it means alot...

I had fun making the trailer to Jack Canon's American Destiny

Check out the Book Trailer and leave a comment.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iZWIKjmKMA

Excerpt from a story I'm working on...

Galloping through the English Countryside Elizabeth could feel the warm breath of her Royal White Steed snorting the wind. She didn’t know this would be their final picnic together. Jumping from her prize mount she ran into a meadow clutching her basket.

Go to www.gregsandora.com to read the rest. 

My Publisher is Itoh Press

www.gregsandora.comwww.itohpress.com

My New Website

Hi Everyone - Check out the Cover of American Destiny on my website - Also the Synopsis -  www.gregsandora.com

Hi Everyone - Exciting Day - Check out my New Cover  AMERICAN DESTINY being released by Itoh Press this Month.   Please let me know what you think?  And, If you would like to review the Book let me know - Readers?  http://www.itohpress.com/authors--books.html

Excerpt Jack Canon's American Destiny This Time He's All In

It's the steamy summer of 2016 in Washington, D.C. just days before the Democratic National Convention. A long and painful recession has left ordinary Americans suffering, spawning the hottest Presidential Contest in history. Jack Canon, a man born into privilege, a witness to great social injustice is going to be President of the United States--no matter what! Desperate and corrupt, the leader of the free world orders a hit to slow him down. The plan backfires--the wrong people are dead--a manhunt points to the unthinkable--The President of the United States.

Rewind one year, Jack's focus on redistribution of wealth and energy has made him powerful enemies. Once his friends, Rogue Billionaires, Oil Sheiks, the Mob, all want him gone. The current President wants him alive--thinking he can win against an unabridged liberal. A Universal Raw Nerve of wealth vs. poverty is exposed becoming a thrill ride as deep machinations of espionage, geo-politics and deception, even murder play out. Kind and charismatic, Jack's just naughty enough to have you falling for him like one of his loving circle of loyal friends. Of course he's flawed, a dedicated family man, faithful to one woman, but in love with two. Is it his fault his best friend is impossibly jaw dropping beautiful? Think the crime and passion of the Godfather meets the romance and innocence of Camelot. A story that could spark a movement, a book that can seed a revolution. A heart thumping climax so shocking you'll pull the covers and draw the shades! One things for sure, through all the drama and suspense, you'll be pulling for Jack!

He doesn't live by going through the motions--Jack Canon's  American Destiny, this Time He's All In 

Excerpt Jack Canon - American Destiny

"Ok Jack, so you took Lisa to the mall, how did you end up shopping with Lisa’s hairdresser of all people? You hate shopping."

"That’s the great part about the afternoon, I didn’t have to shop. I only had to carry a few Juicy Couture bags to the car." When we were in the salon while Lisa was getting her hair done, I mentioned to Jean Claude that she was going on a trip and that we came to get her a new outfit. Right there he offered to shop with her, he said he was born to shop. I lucked out. I wouldn’t have been much help anyway."

"You took Lisa to get her hair done?"

"Ya its funny we weren’t planning on it but when we got to the mall the first thing we saw was this fancy salon. I’ve always thought Lisa’s hair was frumpy, it was right in front of us like a sign so I offered to take her in there."

I had actually nudged her in that direction with my body but I left that out. I was going to add, you always say that hair is important, but thought that would only irritate her so I kept it to myself, saying only,

"To make her feel better I made a deal to get her hooked up within a year and I was feeling the pressure, I didn’t have a moment to waste."

"It’s your responsibility to get her hooked up with someone, that’s gotta be a joke. Are you still in high school? The Commander in Chief doesn’t have the time to be matchmaker. How could you promise her something like that?"

I thought if she only knew what I had been asked she would flip out.

"So your telling me that you just walked into a salon, I can’t get you near a salon with me."

"You’re gorgeous and you don’t want me with you while you’re getting your hair done. Plus this just came up over lunch, I figured why not help her out."

"Well this is actually a good thing Jack, maybe you can take your daughters next time they need a trim."

"Adjusting my pillow I said in the most tired sounding voice I could make,

"I’ll take them next time, I don’t mind."

I knew it would never happen. None of the women in my family would trust me for hair advice

. I turned over and closed my eyes. I was proud of myself for having the will power to close my mouth and leave out some details about the day.

Like earlier

, when Lisa and I walked into the salon the young women who walked over to greet us made quite an impression. Her movements caught my eye as we entered and I secretly hoped she’d be interacting with us. Walking like it was an art form she slinked her way toward the front reception area and strangely unlike most people the closer she got the better she looked. An all black mini dress barely covered her. From a high collar it scooped ultra low backless loosely draping her bottom revealing some of her sides and lowest back.

I could make out a couple tattoos without trying to hard. They were both in handwritten script; one across the exposed part of her foot read butterflies. The writing flowed beautifully at the angle of her heels. The other – four lines of a story centered across her ribs. Normally I don’t even like tattoos,  (section left out of preview) - Once upon a time a girl got her heart broken…

Her hair was gorgeous, she wore it mid back length, stick straight, with bangs just touching the top of her softly brushed brows. Crazy, I’ve never liked black hair before, but I was fascinated by the shine.

Close up her face looked smooth as silk, like it was in soft focus. Her delicate features reminded me of a new fawn with giant eyes and a turned up nose. I thought the lighting must be magnificent in here so I looked over at Lisa to test the theory.

Lisa shot me a look like don’t you dare compare me to her. It wasn’t the lighting.

Face to face I focused on her steely blue eyes under large lids covered in smoky dark charcoal.

Her body language was saying no, quickly twitching her head. She looked Lisa up and down like she was nothing, and then briefly turned a dismissive glance towards me.

Through high gloss lips, that were a perfect match for a hot pink scarf she wore, she asked,

"What can we do for you today?"

I hadn’t heard a tone that condescending in years. I wasn’t used to being treated like that. The problem was, she had an attitude like we couldn’t believe. I thought, how can something all wrong, be so perfect.

Lisa seemed a little uncomfortable too. Then, I remembered, with my Boston Cap and Ray-Bans, I’m as invisible as any other middle aged guy would be to a girl her age.

As I was removing my sunglasses and cap, Lisa said sheepishly,

"Do you have anything available now for a walk in?"

"Right now?" Over a look like you can’t be serious.

"Well we’re on our lunch hour," Lisa managed.

During the verbal exchange I was scanning the salon for eye contact with anyone in charge. A man came quickly over,

"To what do we owe the pleasure today?"

The pink lips said, "I was just telling them we have nothing avail…"

"Nonsense," he said. Bumping her aside with his hip he moved directly to the middle of the counter.

"I’m Jean Claude, I’ll take it from here Daphne!" Shooting her an if looks could kill glance, he turned to us,

"Daphne does not realize that she may have just told the next President of the United States that we can’t help him. That will never do!"

Jack Canon American Destiny in Editing

It's Official the Editor for Jack Canon American Destiny has the manuscript.  The cover art is being created, spoke with the publisher Itoh Press yesterday.  As soon as the cover is ready I will post, Look for the book later this month.  I am currently completing the second installment in the series titled Jack Canon Clean Sweep.  Please see an excerpt below:

Sandy sat on her usual perch at the edge of my desk - sipping seven am coffee - going over the day’s schedule, our morning routine." Uncrossing her legs just enough to nudge me with her bare foot.

"I can’t believe it either, the times flown," speaking the words while her perfectly manicured teal toes brushed tenderly at my leg. Rolling her ankle, nearly slipping out of her remaining black and white checked heel, sat the perfect vision of Marilyn Monroe, but for the office. Balanced leaning back on her arms - a smarter version with classy black frames accentuated through dazzling platinum blonde hair. A look I enjoy and she works it.

"Jack?" Pouting through pink gloss lips.

"What honey?"

"How come you wouldn’t text me back last night? Gosh… I kept trying you. You know I can’t sleep when I don’t hear from you." Soft and alluring, Sandy’s voice was a combination siren’s song and something an angel might sound like. I pictured her with radiant white wings stretched out behind her.

"Honey I couldn’t break free - last night was complicated. I had a situation to deal with."

"Was it National Security, Jack?"

Bio Posted to the Itoh Press Website

Bio Posted to the Itoh Press Website

Hi Everyone My Picture and Bio made it to the Itoh Press Website Check it out and let me know what you think. Jack Canon American Destiny

 

http://www.itohpress.com/authors.html