Life in Wellington – May 2022

04/06/2022 Peter 0 Comments

Peter Kozmar June Newsletter

Introducing you to two fellow authors

David Hickson

and

New York Times Best Seller Michele Scott

Plus, I’ll share what I have been doing during May

May was a quieter month for me, though I felt an earthquake and spent four days in Malaysia at the end of the month.

In this newsletter, it’s my privilege to introduce you to two exciting authors, David Hickson and Michele Scott, a New York Times Best-Selling author.

Author David Hickson

David is a South African with a career in film and television as a director and screenwriter, which ended when the South African Broadcasting Corporation went bankrupt. They had a three-month-old baby at the time and visited family in Italy for a few months and reinvent themselves. Twelve years later, they are still there. He loves walking and cycling in the hills of Italy, drinking the local wine, and telling stories that entertain and stir the emotions of his reader.

David had some ideas for thrillers that he’d done some work on and finally sat down and published the first three last year (fourth hopefully coming out in August this year).

Book description:

The new president is hiding a dark secret.

The journalist who discovered that secret is dead.

Now there is only one man who can do anything about it …

Ben Gabriel’s life is falling apart. He has been discharged from the British Special Forces… fired from a job in military intelligence… his girlfriend has disappeared… and now he might be the only person who can stop the country from falling into the hands of a corrupt killer.

That country is South Africa, where Gabriel is struggling to build a new life. It is a country clogged with corruption and abuse of power. Here it takes someone willing to step outside the law to discover the truth…

And Gabriel is that someone. Because the path he treads is more than a little crooked.

Click here to purchase your copy of Treasonous

What do some of David’s reviewers say?

Compelling thriller action… Chuzpah

I thought I would give this book a try because I like reading thrillers. This book is unique because it takes place in South Africa, unlike most thrillers I’ve read in the past. The book is action-packed and gets the blood pumping from the start. I couldn’t relate to the political aspects of South Africa. Still, I found it didn’t matter because the author does an excellent job of adding any missing elements in the narrative. The book has a satisfying ending, and I wanted more! I will pick up the next one in the series to continue the adventure. I haven’t been to South Africa, but after reading David Hickson’s Treasonous, it’s on my list of future travel destinations. If you are looking for pulse-pounding action and don’t mind learning about events in other countries than the United States, then this book is for you.

A Thriller You Have to Finish! A Must Read… Valor3

Treasonous is book one in the Gabriel Series and I’m looking forward to the next book. The author has a way of using words to evoke emotion, suspence, and paint a picture that make the book come to life in a vivid way. I “fell for” Gabriel, the flawed hero who’s drawn into a tangled web on intrigue and governmental cover ups in an African nation. An all-around satisfying read!

Heart pounding!! … Rossana Cuebas

Such a thrilling read. I pictured myself in SAfrica – which is something I look for in a book. I truly want to escape into the pages and this book delivered. I was at the edge of my seat wondering about the gold stash, and the politics & secrets. Highly recommend.

Do you want a free book from David?

Just subscribe to his newsletter.

https://dl.bookfunnel.com/2a48vcleud

Author Michele Scott

Michele Scott is an American author and the CEO/owner of equestrian sports medicine company Professional’s Choice, Inc. She has written over forty novels in various genres including thrillers, mysteries, young adult mysteries, fantasy, and women’s fiction. Her thriller Daddy’s Home from her Holly Jennings’ series written under her pen name of AK Alexander has sold over one million copies and was the #1 bestselling book in the UK Amazon. Her thriller Mommy, May I? and was number 2 on the Amazon list.

Michele is a lifelong equestrian, having horses since she was five-years-old. If you don’t find her at her desk writing, you’re sure to find her at the barn!

Book description: (Written under the pen name A K Alexander)

A KILLER STALKS HIS PREY… A calculating and deadly killer is in search for what he terms as his perfect family. Preying upon single mothers and their innocent children, the police have dubbed him “The Family Man.” HE WATCHES THEM…HE TAKES THEM… He plays out his role as the perfect father. When things don’t go so perfect in his insane fantasy world, the family man kills. HOLLY JENNINGS IS ON THE CASE… Crime Scene Investigator Holly Jennings of the San Diego Police Department is determined to track him down and see that justice is served. With Holly being a single mother herself, this man’s crimes are deeply personal to her, and turn more so when a friend and her daughter become the latest victims of “The Family Man.” Along with tracking an evil killer, Holly is dealing with her own internal demons. She is raising her daughter Chloe alone after the death of her husband–a death she feels guilty for. To complicate her life further, Holly is doing her best to avoid possibly falling in love again with charming veterinarian Brendan O’Neil. As Holly delves deeper into solving the murders, she finds herself being sucked into a game of cat and mouse by “The Family Man,” that may lead her down a dark path too horrible to bear. One that may cost her gravely-her family, her new found love, and even her life.
Fans of James Patteron’s Alex Cross series will LOVE Holly Jennings.

Click here to download your copy of Daddy’s Home

What do some of the reviewers say?

Very suspenseful… Liz

I always read the negative reviews of a book before I decide if I should it. This book was free and there were only a few bad reviews, so I got it. I must say that this was the first book I read by this author and I completely disagree with the negative reviews.
I think this book was incredible, it had me completely on the edge. The psychopath in this book was so demented that I kept thinking that people like that really do exist in real life and that their way of thinking is actually normal to them. He was unbelievably sick and twisted. The female main character was a bit whiney and at times annoying but got better after a while. The story flows real smooth and easy, it is very well written in my opinion. Yes, there are cuss words in it, so if you are one of those who take insult to that, don’t read it, to me it’s an every day thing and normal. Overall I was very impressed with the story. Very dark, twisted and evil.

Go Holly…Go Holly…Go Holly Jennings… MzDii

Let me just say…..THA BOMB!!! Holly Jennings is a bad girl….meaning good! She is a detective, single, and widowed mom! This book had me from the first page and hated to see it end!!! Holly thinks of only two things in life, her job and her daughter Chole! She is trying to find a serial killer that preys on single mom and their children! Please read on how this page turner begins and ends!!! A.K. ALEXANDER is a excellent author, can’t wait to READ more from this author. “The Family Man,”is a sick, demented, psychopath that is in serious need of help and apparently his family, too! Read to see how this novel takes you on a journey of a detective that doesn’t play games, how she finds most of the answers she is looking for, how she finds herself and love….all in one!!! Action packed and full of surprises…..PLEASE READ THIS, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!!!

Intense… Adparrish

There were moments I had to put it down and step away but it was so good. Holly is strong but has room and need left to grow. The romance is an important part of the plot and Holly’s character growth but it doesn’t overtake the story. Full of twists and intense moments that leaves you reading until the end.

What’s been happening during May?

My most exciting news this month was securing a booking for the Milford Track Great Walk for next year. There is a backstory here.

Five years ago we should have walked the Milford Track as a family, however, Cathy was recovering from a stroke, so I walked it with my kids. It was a great experience, but one I wanted to complete with Cathy when she regained her health and fitness.

Heading down from Mackinnon Pass

Amazing waterfalls on each side of the hanging valleys…oh and lots of rain

Three years ago, we’d been lucky enough to secure a slot for the two of us, but then had to cancel when the dates clashed with our daughter’s university graduation. However, that was cancelled because of COVID. Hence, even if our daughter didn’t have a graduation, we wouldn’t have been able to walk it.

This year the walks were reopened and we were told in the national media that the on-line booking system would be highly subscribed to the new season as there is a small, fixed limit on hut places available. The day prior, I logged into the booking system and checked that my account was okay and could quickly gain access. On the day, bookings would open from 9:30am. To be ready, I was there at 9:15am and couldn’t yet book anything. At 9:30am on the nose, I was in. However, the dates over Easter which I wanted were already taken in those tenths of seconds…WHAT!!! I saw the website booking dates were already quickly filling with red as the huts were becoming fully booked out. I switched dates to another convenient time. The screen refreshed, this time it was a sea of red. Back, back, back I went, all the way to January. Only two dates were available, however, the system advised the number of spaces available was less than eight. “Go for it!” I said to myself as I clicked to reserve two spaces. “Too many people for the spaces available… Try another date.” It was now 9:32am, I was beginning to panic. The huts on the Milford Track close for bookings towards the end of April, the Department of Conservation (DOC) then winterize the huts and remove the bridges to protect them from being damaged by floods and avalanches. Quickly scrolling to the end of the walking season. I found one date which looked available. I clicked on it. Bingo! I’d secured dates and for the two of us. By 9:33am, all spaces for the walking season were taken. A record for DOC. Naturally, I was excited as I got on with organising the ferry to get to the start and the water taxi from the end. Then flights, accommodation (before and after) and finally the shuttle bus to / from Queenstown. Something to look forward to for next year.

On Sunday 15th May, I experienced an earthquake, just before eight fifteen in the morning. I heard the approaching rumble, which sounded like a heavy truck approaching. I figured an earthquake was about to hit as we’ve experienced this type before. Then the house wobbled and creaked. When these events happen, you don’t know how long they’ll go on for, or if they will get worse. I thought this wasn’t just a ‘jolt’ and could go on for longer and jumped out of bed to head for the doorframe, the event was over before I got there. The earthquake was identified as having a magnitude of 4.7, 25km off the coast of the north island (west of Paraparaumu) at a depth of 28km. I quickly checked the house, fortunately no damage.

We’ve also continued with helping our community with checking, rebaiting and resetting traps as part of Predator Free New Zealand. The numbers of predators we’ve caught have been lower than previously, however, that is because of an abundance of food, hence they don’t get so tempted by the lures we use in the traps.

While it’s still the rugby season, during May we attended two Hurricanes rugby games at the Sky Stadium in Wellington, which made for nice evenings out for us. Fortunately, the Canes won both their games.

During the month, I was asked by my employer if I wanted to attend a company meeting in Malaysia where we have a small team of software engineers. It would give me the opportunity to meet some of the company Execs and the Malaysian team as well as hear about the strategy for the next few years and of a restructure. The restructure doesn’t affect me, nor did it affect the Malaysian’s. As by chance, there was also a need to meet with one of our business partners who is in Malaysia and the timing coincided. For me, the quickest route was from Wellington to Sydney, Sydney to Singapore and finally, Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. Which meant a 3am start to my day as I headed to the airport for my first flight.

Above is a picture taken from the end of one of the terminal buildings in Singapore.

It was a long day and by the time I arrived in my hotel room; I was ready to sleep after being on the move for 23 hours.

Above is the view from my hotel room on the 24^th floor in Kuala Lumpur.

What was unusual for me was seeing tall buildings. We have probably one tall building in Wellington; the rest are low level in comparison. So being surrounded by these tall structures was unusual and something different for me.

I believe the Malaysians like their massive digital billboards. They are plastered across many, many buildings. Again, the handful of relatively small electronic billboards we have in Wellington just doesn’t compare. Also, the traffic at night was crazy busy.

A traffic jam at night. They have them during the day too! A true 24×7 society.

With my meetings over, it was time for an observed COVID test by a medically certified person and to complete my New Zealand Travel Pass. I’d already completed my Australian Travel Pass which I need to transit via Australia (even though I don’t leave the terminal building).