Two Dates

Each summer, ever since 2015, my family takes a week’s vacation together, all staying in the same house. Sometimes we invite extended family to join us, and sometimes we invite friends. Each time, whether it is just us or with family and friends, the vacation is memorable. 

There have been three favorite destinations together. The most recent, and probably our favorite, is the Outer Banks of North Carolina. But right behind OBX was our trip to Charleston, South Carolina and to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. We loved all three and a few others, but OBX is probably our favorite. It is at least for me.

We share cooking duties and grocery bills, and we share many of the same activities together. We try to stay in a house with a pool. It’s nice to step out of the house and wade into the pool, but the beach is always there for long walks and laying in the sun. Sometimes, we catch dolphins playing off the coastline. One ritual that has become a staple of our vacation is our week-long game night. Competition mixed with plenty of laughter is constant. All good-hearted fun. 

While on the vacation, the first date we celebrate is Kim’s and my anniversary. We were married on July 11^th in 1992 in her small village of Valders, Wisconsin, in the small church that is shaped like an up-side-down Viking ship. Appropriate, because the village is filled with Norwegian and German folk. The house she grew up in is directly across the street from the church. Of course, her hometown is small enough that everything is within walking distance. 

Our family grew. Hannah was born in November 1993, two weeks before my birthday, and William, who was adopted at age seven from Guatemala, came to us one month and one day later in December of the same year. In some respects, it was like NASCAR or the Indy 500 when the announcer says, “Gentlemen, start your engines!” Our little family took off and grew. Emily was born in 1998, one month before we made the move from California to Wisconsin. Two weddings and the birth of our first grandchild, Mason William, added to our happy family. 

On the night of July 11th, Kim and I spend the evening doing something together. This year, we went out to eat at a restaurant made famous on a show hosted by Guy Fieri. We enjoyed it, but I think we enjoyed our time alone just as much. There is nothing like family, but spending the time, just the two of us, is pretty special, too. 

The second date we honor- not celebrate- is July 12, the day after our anniversary. One date is joy and the other date is painful.

 In July 2014, Kim and I traveled together for a school conference to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I was a high school principal and was asked to attend by the district, and fortunately, Kim came along. During the day, I’d attend my conference sessions, while Kim would explore the city.

On July 11^th, we celebrated our anniversary with a night out of dinner and sightseeing. Honestly, I remember little of what we did that night. It was completely and totally overshadowed by what took place on July 12^th. 

At 12:33 AM on the very early morning of July 13^th, Kim and I were awakened by a phone call. We thought it was someone trying to reach a friend at the same hotel, but we were wrong. It was the sister of my daughter-in-law calling to inform us that our son, Wil, was shot and killed at 3:38 PM on July 12th, a bright, sunny Saturday afternoon as he innocently walked down a Chicago street. Wil was unaware he was caught between one gang, determined to kill a rival who walked just ahead of our son. In fact, the intended victim used Wil as a shield in order to get away.

Wil had no chance against a .45 with an extended magazine, but it only took one bullet to rupture a vital artery. Wil died two blocks away from his new apartment. 

Vigils, interviews, and Wil’s celebration of life consumed the rest of the summer, and to this day, neither my wife, a PE/Health teacher, nor I, as principal of a large high school, can figure out how we functioned in the new school year. That year was completely, totally lost.

So, two dates: on July 11^th, we celebrate our anniversary, and happily so. On July 12^th, we honor Wil, sadly so. Two dates inescapably entwined in our family’s life history. One happy, one sad. One joyous, one horrific. Inescapable from one to the other. Something to think about …

Live Your Life, and Make A Difference!

For My Readers: 

If you like what you’re reading and find a benefit from it, you can check out my other posts on my Website at https://www.jrlewisauthor.com under the Inspirational Blog tab. You can find all nine books, their descriptions, and links for purchase at the same site. 

Pleases Connect with Me on Social Media: 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557592103627

Author Blog https://www.jrlewisauthor.blog

TikTok @josephlewis5566  

Tribal @jrauthor85  

Substack https://tinyurl.com/2m5ckdvh     

I was a featured guest on the Meet The Author Podcast with Rob and Joan Carter this past week. In case you missed it, here is the link to catch up:

Video: https://youtu.be/vw9LoS2E2t4

 Audio: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/caught-in-a-web-episode-165-joseph-lewis--60723992

I have completed two edits on my newest book, Black Yéʼii (The Evil One). The cover is almost done, and I can’t wait to share it with you. I’ve received three prepublication reviews, each giving it 5 Stars! The release is scheduled for January 2025, but it will be available for preorder in a few months and I will have author copies for sale and signing. I’ll keep you posted.  

Here is the synopsis for Black Yéʼii (The Evil One): 

The police fabricated a story about the night four members of MS-13 died in a tiny home on a quiet city street almost two years previous. George Tokay and his friends were not supposed to share the secret about what really happened that night. No one was to know the truth. But someone talked, and now MS-13, ruthless and wanting revenge, is back in town, and people are dying. 

Can Detectives Graff, O’Connor, and Eiselmann find the killers and put a stop to the killing before anyone else dies?

While you wait, check out my earlier book, Caught in a Web because Black Ye’ii (The Evil One) is a sequel of sorts. 

Caught in a Web  

“This important, nail-biting crime thriller about MS-13 sets the bar very high. One of the year’s best thrillers.” –Best Thrillers 

“…the right blend of tension and intrigue …” -Midwest Book Review 

A PenCraft Literary Award Winner

The bodies of high school and middle school kids are found dead from an overdose of heroin and fentanyl. The drug trade along the I-94 and I-43 corridors and the Milwaukee Metro area is controlled by MS-13, a violent gang originating from El Salvador. Ricardo Fuentes is sent from Chicago to Waukesha to find out who is cutting in on their business, shut it down and teach them a lesson. But he has an ulterior motive: find and kill a fifteen-year-old boy, George Tokay, who had killed his cousin the previous summer.

Detectives Jamie Graff, Pat O’Connor and Paul Eiselmann race to find the source of the drugs, shut down the ring, and find Fuentes before he kills anyone else, especially George or members of his family.

https://amzn.to/2GrU51T

Photo Courtesy of Lewis Family

 

   

 

 

It's Okay

I enjoy watching shows like The Voice, America’s Got Talent and American Idol. I secretly wish one of them would showcase old, fat, balding guys, and if one did, I would consider auditioning. I don’t know if I’d win, but I’d give it a go.

I was in a rock and roll band in middle school and we were pretty popular competing and doing well in Battle of the Band competitions. I started out as the drummer and singer, but because I was doing more of the lead vocals on songs, I moved to the front and we brought in a different drummer. I didn’t mind, but it took some time getting used to being without sticks in my hand and sitting behind my red sparkle drum kit. 

In high school, I was a soloist for the school chorus and did a commercial or two. I even cut several demos for a recording company, but because I didn’t write music, they took a pass. However, that didn’t stop me from singing. 

I sang for weddings and funerals, and throughout my years in administration, I performed in school talent shows. For commencements/graduations, instead of giving a “principal’s address” I would pick a song that fit the class or the time period or a song that meant something to me, and I would sing it to the grads. Often, I did this with students who accompanied me and who sang backing vocals. Kids and parents would greet me on the street or in a grocery store or gas station and remark about how they still remembered “their song” from their commencement.

If I appeared on Idol or one of the other competition shows, I doubt I would ever reach the level of glory or fame Carrie Underwood or Kelly Clarkson did after their appearances on Idol, but there have been other winners of those shows that did little, either. The music industry is a rough and tumble world and the road to stardom is paved with dashed hopes and broken dreams. 

In June 2021, there was one performance among many I’ve watched over the years that still stays with me. It came from a thirty-year-old woman from Ohio, who showed up alone and sang an original song titled, It’s Okay. She performed under the name Nightbirde. When asked if she has been performing lately, she smiled and said, “No, not much.” Howie asked her what she did for a living, and she said told them she has cancer, but that she’s doing well. When pressed further, she explained that cancer was in her lungs and in her liver, but that it was “okay.” 

“It’s okay.” 

Simon wished her well, and she performed her song. Her voice was sweet, warm, and enduring, and it was surprisingly strong. She moved the judges to tears, even Simon. When the judges went through their critique, in response to a positive comment from Simon, Nightbirde said, “You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.”

That’s such a powerful statement, so I want to repeat it: “You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.” 

That statement could have come from several biblical characters, most notably Job, Jeremiah and Paul, and their writings point to it, but they never came out and said it that bluntly. Rather, it came from a smiling thirty-year-old woman who sang a wonderful song of hope and joy and self-realization, and who also had cancer. Simon gave her the golden buzzer. 

Nightbirde performed well on the show, but decided to withdraw before the quarter-finals due to worsening health. Sadly, she passed away in February 2022, not even a year from her audition. And her statement, “You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.” that was important. She said something else that almost went unnoticed. She said, “It’s important that everyone knows I’m so much more than the bad things that happen to me.” 

“It’s important that everyone knows I’m so much more than the bad things that happen to me.” And “You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.”

In my mind as I write this post, I picture Nightbirde sitting on a blanket under a tree playing her guitar and singing her song, It’s Okay. She’s smiling and happy and her voice is soothing and strong, sweet and warm. There’s a bird or two above her head listening and encouraging her. Warm sunshine and a blue sky with fat puffy clouds float overhead. Yes, Nightbirde. Sing it. I’m listening. We’re all listening. And yes, you are so much more than any bad thing happening to you. Like Nightbirde said, “You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.” Something to think about …

Live Your Life, and Make A Difference!

To My Readers:

If you like what you’re reading and find a benefit from it, you can check out my other posts on my Website at https://www.jrlewisauthor.com under the Inspirational Blog tab. You can find all nine books, their descriptions, and links for purchase at the same site.  

Pleases Connect with Me on Social Media: 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557592103627

Author Blog https://www.jrlewisauthor.blog

TikTok @josephlewis5566  

Tribal @jrauthor85  

Substack https://tinyurl.com/2m5ckdvh    

I will take part in a podcast, MEET THE AUTHOR with Rob and Joan Carter Wednesday, July 17 at 7:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. They can be found on LinkedIn. Look for the promo and the link as we get closer to it. 

For those of you in the Fredericksburg, Virginia area, I will be selling and signing my nine books at the 4^th of July Fredericksburg Craft Fair in Downtown Fredericksburg from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. I hope to see you there. When I receive my booth site, I will post an update on Facebook and on my other Social Media sites.

Later this month, my newest book, Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) goes into publication production. The release is scheduled for January 2025, but it will be available for preorder in a few months and I will have author copies for sale and signing. I’ll keep you posted.  

At the end of Caught in a Web, an agreement was made between law enforcement and four victims who were the loan survivors in the house that was overrun by MS-13. The agreement was to be a secret kept so that MS-13 wouldn’t seek revenge and come back to do harm to those four survivors. 

Here is the synopsis for Black Yéʼii (The Evil One): 

The police fabricated a story about the night four members of MS-13 died in a tiny home on a quiet city street almost two years previous. George Tokay and his friends were not supposed to share the secret about what really happened that night. No one was to know the truth. But someone talked, and now MS-13, ruthless and wanting revenge, is back in town, and people are dying.

Can Detectives Graff, O’Connor, and Eiselmann find the killers and put a stop to the killing before anyone else dies?

I will keep you posted on its publication progress and date.

While you wait, check out my earlier book, Caught in a Web because Black Ye’ii (The Evil One) is a sequel of sorts. 

Caught in a Web  

“This important, nail-biting crime thriller about MS-13 sets the bar very high. One of the year’s best thrillers.” –Best Thrillers

“…the right blend of tension and intrigue …” -Midwest Book Review 

A PenCraft Literary Award Winner

The bodies of high school and middle school kids are found dead from an overdose of heroin and fentanyl. The drug trade along the I-94 and I-43 corridors and the Milwaukee Metro area is controlled by MS-13, a violent gang originating from El Salvador. Ricardo Fuentes is sent from Chicago to Waukesha to find out who is cutting in on their business, shut it down and teach them a lesson. But he has an ulterior motive: find and kill a fifteen-year-old boy, George Tokay, who had killed his cousin the previous summer.

Detectives Jamie Graff, Pat O’Connor and Paul Eiselmann race to find the source of the drugs, shut down the ring, and find Fuentes before he kills anyone else, especially George or members of his family.

https://amzn.to/2GrU51T

Photo Courtesy of Unknown- Nightbirde Website

 

 

 

All Those Memories

 

 One of the best things that happened at my youngest daughter’s wedding last Saturday was having family there to celebrate it with us. My family traveled from Wisconsin, Florida, Ohio, and South Carolina, and Kim’s family came from Wisconsin and Kentucky. We had friends there from even more states. It was a joyous weekend. 

There was laughter and smiles and tears- happy ones, and there was joy. We shared stories, many of which we had heard before, but it was all good. I enjoy listening to them.

 

At one point, the subject turned to my mom and dad, their lives with the ten of us. We talked about our big yard next to the river, the woods and the cave, and camping in the old green army tent without a floor, and how difficult it was for mom. It wasn’t a vacation for her. Not with the diapers to tend to, cooking and tidying up the site. As my older brother, Jack, said, he has a different perspective on mom. The difficulties, struggles she bared. Both mom and dad, I guess. 

I remember one thanksgiving meal with all of us gathered around the table. Mom insisted on the neck because she enjoyed it. As I got older, I understood there isn’t much to like about the neck. Not much meat on it and not much taste to it. And I recognized she wanted her family to have the best parts of the bird, the ones with the most meat. 

As we got older, we don’t understand how small our yard really was. We played softball and football in that yard. How could it be small? The woods? It was small by any standard. Only a few trees here and there. And the cave was only a dugout. It wasn’t a cave at all. The river has disappeared to a stream at best because the city closed off the dam. So many changes. Or at least, a change in our perspective. 

As we shared our meals this past weekend and camped out in our hotel rooms or the small conference room the hotel kindly opened up for us because of our numbers, we agreed we need to get together more often, to talk more often. We’ve made this suggestion before, and yet … time passes and it is only the next big event, a wedding or a funeral, that gathers us together. 

As time passes, we become less. Not quite a year ago, my sister Mary passed away. One less of the Lewis clan. Judy, our now oldest sister, is still trucking along in her mid-eighties. Kathy, who couldn’t make it to the wedding, is our only other sister remaining. The four boys, Jack, Jim, Jeff and me are still around. We better be for a long, long time. 

I don’t know how many more ways I can say this, but we need to make certain those who are near to us, dear to us, know how we feel about them. We need to let them know we care, that they are loved. We need to spend more time with old and new stories and with each other’s company, before they, too, are gone. 

I watch my daughter Hannah and her husband Alex raise their firstborn, Kim’s and my first grandchild, Mason. I know they are slowly building memories for him and for each other. I’m happy Kim and I are a part of those stories and those memories. I know Emily and Quaevon will eventually have kids of their own, and Kim and I want to be a part of those memories and those stories, too. 

We need to make sure we don’t wait for the next event to let people know how important they are in our lives, because the next event might not bring us all together again. One or more might be missing. We need to share the stories, to share our love for each other, and, importantly, let our loved ones know how we feel about them. Don’t wait. Do it now before it’s too late. Something to think about … 

Live Your Life, and Make A Difference! 

To My Readers:

If you like what you’re reading and find a benefit from it, you can check out my other posts on my Website at https://www.jrlewisauthor.com under the Inspirational Blog tab. You can find all nine books, their descriptions, and links for purchase at the same site.  

Follow Me on Social Media: 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557592103627

Author Blog https://www.jrlewisauthor.blog

TikTok @josephlewis5566  

Tribal @jrauthor85  

Substack https://tinyurl.com/2m5ckdvh    

I will take part in a podcast, MEET THE AUTHOR with Rob and Joan Carter Wednesday, July 17 at 7:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. They can be found on LinkedIn. Look for the promo and the link early next week. 

Later this month, my newest book, Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) goes into publication production. The release is scheduled for January 2025, but it will be available for preorder in a few months and I will have author copies for sale and signing. I’ll keep you posted.  

At the end of Caught in a Web, an agreement was made between law enforcement and four victims who were the loan survivors in the house that was overrun by MS-13. The agreement was to be a secret kept so that MS-13 wouldn’t seek revenge and come back to do harm to those four survivors. 

Here is the synopsis for Black Yéʼii (The Evil One): 

The police fabricated a story about the night four members of MS-13 died in a tiny home on a quiet city street almost two years previous. George Tokay and his friends were not supposed to share the secret about what really happened that night. No one was to know the truth. But someone talked, and now MS-13, ruthless and wanting revenge, is back in town, and people are dying.

Can Detectives Graff, O’Connor, and Eiselmann find the killers and put a stop to the killing before anyone else dies?

I will keep you posted on its publication progress and date.

While you wait, you might want to check out my earlier book, Caught in a Web because Black Yéʼii Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) is a sequel of sorts. 

Caught in a Web  

“This important, nail-biting crime thriller about MS-13 sets the bar very high. One of the year’s best thrillers.” –Best Thrillers

“…the right blend of tension and intrigue …” -Midwest Book Review 

A PenCraft Literary Award Winner

The bodies of high school and middle school kids are found dead from an overdose of heroin and fentanyl. The drug trade along the I-94 and I-43 corridors and the Milwaukee Metro area is controlled by MS-13, a violent gang originating from El Salvador. Ricardo Fuentes is sent from Chicago to Waukesha to find out who is cutting in on their business, shut it down and teach them a lesson. But he has an ulterior motive: find and kill a fifteen-year-old boy, George Tokay, who had killed his cousin the previous summer.

Detectives Jamie Graff, Pat O’Connor and Paul Eiselmann race to find the source of the drugs, shut down the ring, and find Fuentes before he kills anyone else, especially George or members of his family.

https://amzn.to/2GrU51T

Photo Courtesy of Various Family Members

 

You've Got A Friend

This past weekend, our youngest daughter, Emily, got married. She is the last of our family, and the last of the Lewis clan to get married. Ironically, she married Quaevon Sutton, who is the first of his family to get married. They are now Quaevon and Emily Sutton, and my wife and I are thrilled.

What was remarkable about this wedding is that it was marked by friendship: Emily and Q; Emily’s friends, most of whom were in the wedding; and Q’s friends, most of whom were in the wedding. It was a joyous weekend. Like Emily did in her older sister’s wedding, Hannah served as Emily’s Maid of Honor. The two of them are so different, yet so much alike. More importantly, they are best friends beyond being sisters.

 

Emily and Q wrestled with what song they wanted Q’s mother and me to sing. Kim suggested Carole King’s, You’ve Got a Friend, and after listening to it, they chose that song as their song. Both Q’s mom and I have been singers, so even though the only time we practiced was the afternoon before the ceremony, it went fine. Carole King might have enjoyed our rendition, too.

 

As I said in my opening reception toast, the day was about friendship.

Q’s childhood, high school, and college friends served as groomsmen and ushers. Emily’s college soccer teammates and her best childhood friend (along with Hannah, her sister) served as bridesmaids. Attending the service were high school and adult friends of both Q and Emily. And Kim and I had our friends and family there, too. As I said, it was all about friendship.

Isn’t that the way marriage is supposed to be? Two friends getting married and living a life together? For good and bad, in sickness and in health, good times and bad- a lifetime of memories and joy, ups and downs. All of it. Sorting it out together. Leaning on each other and learning from one another. Marriage.

So raise your glass with me one more time as we toast Quaevon and Emily Sutton! Thanks for doing that. Something to think about … 

Live Your Life, and Make A Difference! 

To My Readers:

If you like what you’re reading and find a benefit from it, you can check out my other posts on my Website at https://www.jrlewisauthor.com under the Inspirational Blog tab. You can find all nine books, their descriptions, and links for purchase at the same site.  

Follow Me on Social Media: 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557592103627

Author Blog https://www.jrlewisauthor.blog

TikTok @josephlewis5566  

Tribal @jrauthor85  

Substack https://tinyurl.com/2m5ckdvh   

I will take part in a podcast, MEET THE AUTHOR with Rob and Joan Carter Wednesday, July 17 at 7:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. They can be found on LinkedIn. Look for the promo and the link early next week.

Later this month, my newest book, Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) goes into publication production. The release is scheduled for January 2025, but it will be available for preorder in a few months and I will have author copies for sale and signing. I’ll keep you posted. 

While you wait, you might want to check out my earlier book, Caught in a Web because   Black Yéʼii Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) is a sequel of sorts. 

At the end of Caught in a Web, an agreement was made between law enforcement and four victims who were the loan survivors in the house that was overrun by MS-13. The agreement was to be a secret kept so that MS-13 wouldn’t seek revenge and come back to do harm to those four survivors. 

Here is the synopsis for Black Yéʼii (The Evil One):

The police fabricated a story about the night four members of MS-13 died in a tiny home on a quiet city street almost two years previous. Angel Benevides and his friends were not supposed to share the secret about what really happened that night. No one was to know the truth. But someone talked, and now MS-13, ruthless and wanting revenge, is back in town, and people are dying.

Can Detectives Graff, O’Connor, and Eiselmann find the killers and put a stop to the killing before anyone else dies?

I will keep you posted on its publication progress and date.

Caught in a Web  

“This important, nail-biting crime thriller about MS-13 sets the bar very high. One of the year’s best thrillers.” –Best Thrillers

“…the right blend of tension and intrigue …” -Midwest Book Review   

A PenCraft Literary Award Winner

The bodies of high school and middle school kids are found dead from an overdose of heroin and fentanyl. The drug trade along the I-94 and I-43 corridors and the Milwaukee Metro area is controlled by MS-13, a violent gang originating from El Salvador. Ricardo Fuentes is sent from Chicago to Waukesha to find out who is cutting in on their business, shut it down and teach them a lesson. But he has an ulterior motive: find and kill a fifteen-year-old boy, George Tokay, who had killed his cousin the previous summer.

Detectives Jamie Graff, Pat O’Connor and Paul Eiselmann race to find the source of the drugs, shut down the ring, and find Fuentes before he kills anyone else, especially George or members of his family.

https://amzn.to/2GrU51T

Photo Courtesy of Taylor Maine Photography

The Phone Call

There are times in my life, too many, actually, when Kim or I receive an early morning or late-night phone call from family or a friend. Typically, these kinds of phone calls don’t bring good news.

There was one stretch of four such phone calls that began in October 2013 when my sister Judy called to tell me my nephew died in a freak car accident. On April 1^st of 2014, again, my sister Judy called to tell me my mom passed away at the age of 99. Then, the absolute worst phone call came at 12:38 AM on July 13 from the sister of my daughter-in-law letting Kim and me know our son, Wil, was shot and killed in the afternoon of July 12. The last of that four phone call stretch occurred in August 2014, when the son of a dear friend called to tell Kim and me his father had passed away after a fight with cancer. That four phone call stretch was brutal. More than brutal. Like a gauntlet. I honestly don’t remember much of anything that took place in 2014. I don’t even know how I got through the year. 

Lately, I’ve received text messages or phone calls or posts on my messenger app letting me know this friend, family member, former staff member or colleague is not doing well or perhaps, is now deceased. It isn’t easy. It’s never easy. 

Most recently, a dear staff member who had retired received sad news about her husband’s cancer diagnosis. And to compound the feeling of sadness, I received a message and then a call from my niece, whose father has serious health issues. This niece and her two sisters and brother had just lost her mom this past September. My sister. And if that wasn’t enough, my wife received a phone call. Her brother is in the hospital dealing with health issues related to his heart and his back. 

It’s never easy, but such is the way of life, isn’t it? I know many of you reading this are ticking off the various phone calls you’ve received throughout your life, and perhaps, like me, have received recently. As I said, it isn’t easy. It’s never easy. 

I’ve written over and over in this blog about not wasting time, about not using time purposely and impactfully. I’ve urged you repeatedly to let those who are near to you, dear to you- friends or family or both- that you love them, that you value them. For you to reach out and simply say hello, to say I was thinking about you. 

And more importantly, I’ve urged you to let those who are dear to you know you love them, that you care about them, that they are important to you. That would be a much better phone call to receive, don’t you think? And it might make the next phone call less impactful because you took the time beforehand to take care of the necessary and important business of letting him-her know you love them and that you care. Something to think about …

Live Your Life and Make A Difference! 

To My Readers:

If you like what you’re reading and find a benefit from it, you can check out my other posts on my Website at https://www.jrlewisauthor.com under the Inspirational Blog tab. You can find all nine books, their descriptions, and links for purchase at the same site. 

Follow Me on Social Media: 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557592103627

Author Blog https://www.jrlewisauthor.blog

TikTok @josephlewis5566  

Tribal @jrauthor85  

Substack https://tinyurl.com/2m5ckdvh  

Later this month, my newest book, Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) goes into publication production. The release is scheduled for January 2025, but it will be available for preorder in a few months and I will have author copies for sale and signing. I’ll keep you posted.

While you wait, you might want to check out my earlier book, Caught in a Web, because Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) is a sequel of sorts. 

At the end of Caught in a Web, an agreement was made between law enforcement and four victims who were the loan survivors in the house that was overrun by MS-13. The agreement was to be a secret kept so that MS-13 wouldn’t seek revenge and come back to do harm to those four survivors. 

But in Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) someone broke the secret, MS-13 comes back, and people die. Can law enforcement find out who is behind the deaths and prevent any of the other survivors from being murdered?

Caught in a Web  

“This important, nail-biting crime thriller about MS-13 sets the bar very high. One of the year’s best thrillers.” –Best Thrillers

“…the right blend of tension and intrigue …” -Midwest Book Review   

 

A PenCraft Literary Award Winner

The bodies of high school and middle school kids are found dead from an overdose of heroin and fentanyl. The drug trade along the I-94 and I-43 corridors and the Milwaukee Metro area is controlled by MS-13, a violent gang originating from El Salvador. Ricardo Fuentes is sent from Chicago to Waukesha to find out who is cutting in on their business, shut it down and teach them a lesson. But he has an ulterior motive: find and kill a fifteen-year-old boy, George Tokay, who had killed his cousin the previous summer.

Detectives Jamie Graff, Pat O’Connor and Paul Eiselmann race to find the source of the drugs, shut down the ring, and find Fuentes before he kills anyone else, especially George or members of his family.

 

https://amzn.to/2GrU51T

 

Photo Courtesy of Jae Park and Unsplash