Nothin', don't mean nothin' hon' if it ain't free...

Janis Joplin's version of a Kristofferson song

About a year ago, I finished writing my first novel. Portugal's long, rainy winter gave me all the time I needed to try to stretch my creative energy in a new direction. Many people say they are going to write a book someday; not everyone does.

My experiences as an expat in Portugal gave me inspiration for mood and place. Coimbra’s ancient magic imprints pretty quickly on an American’s blank slate. An old university city, it spills down a steep incline to the River Mondego, Portugal’s longest internal river, painting a classic old-world reflection on your soul.

My wife, an inveterate bookhound, encouraged and critiqued my writing, and my imagination surprised and entertained me. I hope the story will entertain you. It's been available on Amazon, but they hide it pretty well. You must search in Amazon’s "Books" category to find it. If you want a hard copy or for your Kindle, it's there if you look hard enough.

But if you are just curious and want to try it, I've made it available for free on a site called Wattpad.com. You can read the complete book, not only the first few chapters. Log on; you don't even have to create an account. You have to search the title, A Lie Never Dies, and it pops up. It’s in serial form, so to mark your place and return to where you left off, I guess you have to register, but it's free.

The funny thing about my writing journey is I can't seem to stop. Now the sequel is written; Russian Ashes, Money to Burn is finished and soon to be published. I also write here on the Substack platform in a series called Dante's Descent. I invite you to join me; I think you will be entertained. If you like it, tell a friend.

And many thanks to those adventurous souls who already purchased the book. Your support and encouragement help keep me afloat.

A Lie Never Dies on Wattpad.com