Z is for Zero Mercy #atozchallenge

WE MADE IT! 

Thank you for coming by, reading and commenting and making this a successful challenge for me!

Z is for Zero Mercy: The Evolution of Pierce Wellington III

Zero Mercy: The Evolution of Pierce Wellington III is the story of Pierce and why he is who he is.  You can't buy Zero Mercy. It's available for free. All you have to do is sign up for my newsletter. No spam. I won't sell your email. I'll just let you know when there is something cool going on in the world of Scarlett Braden.  You can read a short insert here and below you can join the newsletter list if you like. I will email you the Zero Mercy: The evolution of Pierce Wellington III file. 

Copyright © 2016 Scarlett Braden   

 On the 25^th day of September in the year of our Lord 1968, I was liberated from the womb. As I burst forth into this world, my Army camo was so effective no one noticed it, and they damn sure didn’t pick up on the army blood running through my veins. But it was there, I’m truly certain it was there.

I’m Pierce McCord Wellington the III. I was born Army, I lived Army and I’ll die Army. The good Lord saw fit that I didn’t die on a battlefield, but to my way of thinking that just means I have more missions to complete.

My ancestry goes all the way back to the pilgrimage and every man in my family has served. Hell, I even have a niece serving now. I always knew I would be a soldier. The first twelve years of my life were like most every other military brat, moving from base to base. I say most because all of our moves were between bases outside the borders of our fifty states.

When I reached the eighth grade, my father, now a four-star general, decided it was time to begin my military education. He never said so, but I always felt he was a little disappointed that out of his three children I was the only son. And in his mind the only one worthy of military duty. My father was of that generation who believed a woman didn’t belong on the battlefield. In a MASH hospital was okay, but short of being a nurse, no woman belonged there.

So at the tender age of twelve, I was enrolled in the McArthur Military Preparatory Boarding School. It was the first time in my life I actually lived in the United States. I lived there 345 days a year until I graduated. I visited with my family for ten days at Christmas and ten days in the summer. That first year, I felt abandoned. Alone. My mother sent me a letter once a month. My sisters wrote me more often and told me Momma cried every time she wrote that monthly letter and cried all the way to the mailbox. I didn’t quite understand. I thought I was the one who should be crying. Of course, that was strictly forbidden in a male gendered Wellington, but I sure didn’t understand what she was upset about. I was the one who was sent away.

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~*~
Scarlett Loving life in Cuenca!

Y is for Yancey #atozchallenge

Y is for Yancey, and I'm Yancey. Not many folks know my real name, I tend to be called by what you would call a trade name, but we won't get into that here.

I'm originally from Memphis, but after acquiring my Master's degree in chemistry I spent some time traveling and making connections. I wanted to go into business for myself and I needed to build a network of suppliers as well as a distinctive sort of clientele.  These days I live on a ranch of sorts outside Mesquite Nevada.

A ranch of sorts because the only thing growing there is cactus and the only animals there are the few wild animals that can survive the climate.  It's a big open place where I can work in peace and quiet and never worry about disturbing the neighbors. It's a tri-state area, too.  In a short distance, I can be in any one of three states. That can come in handy if one ever finds themselves running from authority.

These days I work for a couple of families from the Las Vegas area. But recently I got a call asking for my services back home in Memphis. For a while, I'll be renting the unoccupied side of my brother's duplex.  I just hope he doesn't come snooping around my side of abode.  I would hate to have to kill my twin brother. You know come to think of it, I don't really know what my brother Winston does for a living, except he works with computers, from home and he has a fortune in equipment in his home office. Maybe he's into something just as unmentionable as I am.

Hmmm, I wonder. I think I might do a little snooping of my own. Do you suppose there might be a way to combine his business and mine and we could be the twins again?



We hope you have enjoyed the A to Z challenge. All of us, the characters of Scarlett's books, have had a great time talking with you. I'm the last character. Tomorrow there is a big reveal and a surprise, just for you, our loyal readers. So, don't forget to drop by tomorrow for the Z special event!


~*~
Scarlett Loving life in Cuenca!

X is for Xyloh Maden #atozchallenge

Hi, welcome back to our A to Z challenge. It was inevitable I would be chosen to talk to you because there aren't many people whose names start with X.  But leave it to my mother.  I'm Xyloh, it's pronounced like Shiloh.

My mother went on a field trip in high school to the Shiloh National Military Park where the Battle of Shiloh took place. It was supposedly on said field trip that she fell madly in love with my father. I suspect madly in lust is a more accurate description, at least for my father anyway.  When it came time to choose my name Mama was scrolling through one of those baby name books and ran upon Xyloh. I think it's from some native american tribe. It was just perfect she said. I wouldn't call it perfect, but it's my name.



I live in Memphis, with my husband.  My father-in-law was just sent to prison. They say he's a crime boss here.  I'm not sure about all that. In the Maden family, women aren't supposed to worry "our pretty little heads" about such things.  My best friend and sister-in-law, Valerie seems to think we can take over the family business. I don't know about all that. I think that's going to be an uphill battle and we are going to be dealing with some pretty unhappy husbands.

To be honest with you, I feel pretty bad complaining about my life. I don't have to work, all my needs are met, I have a beautiful home, a sports car. But I'm bored to tears with shopping and lunching with the girls. I need a little excitement in my life. Maybe this is one way to get that. I'm not all that concerned with the outcome of things, just that there's a little drama. Sounds like fun to me. A lot more fun than planning another charity luncheon that's for sure.

Valerie is taking me shopping today, not for a new sofa or dress, but for a gun. Then we will attend our first shooting lesson. Ta-ta for now!

~*~
Scarlett, Loving life in Cuenca!

W is for Dr. Wesley Newome #atozchallenge

Blogging through April and the alphabet with the characters of the Providence in Ecuador series and today brings us to W and Dr. Wesley Newsome.

I'm Dr. Wesley Newsom and I appear in Peril in the Bayou. You can call me Wesley since I'm now retired. My daughter is Sarah Frances and my granddaughter is Lily Grace. Those two girls mean more to me than a golf game on a sunny day.

I recently retired and I was really having a hard time knowing what to do with my days.  My lovely bride Camille was still involved in her social groups and charities which occupied her time for so many years. But due to pressing circumstances we recently relocated to a new town. We needed to stay in the South. Things are just different in the south and it's comfortable for us at our age. So we moved to Texas.

It's true what they say about Texas. Everything really is bigger. We bought a house, a fixer-upper and it's given Camille and me an outlet and something to do. I'm not far from the golf course and I've made a few friends there. I still play about once a week and I believe that's really enough. I always thought when I retired I would play every day, but that would make it boring before long I believe.

I talked to Sarah Frances the other day, she mentioned she's thinking about writing a book. Maybe that's something I could try. Camille and I joined a book club here. She's always been a reader but for the past forty years about all I've read are medical journals. I'm enjoying reading mysteries and thrillers. It seems there are lots of writers in Texas.  Who knows, maybe it's not impossible to teach an old dog a new trick. Maybe Camille and I could be one of those writer couples. What do you think? Is it crazy to start writing books after retirement?

I hope you are enjoying the A to Z challenge, though it's coming to a close. Have a great humpday!

~*~
Scarlett, Loving life in Cuenca!

V is for Valerie Franks #atozchallenge

Hello, I'm Valerie Franks.  Welcome to Memphis and the Providence in Ecuador Suspense series characters edition of the A to Z Challenge.

I'm from Memphis, born and raised.  I have a cameo role in the book titled Terror on the Bluff and I suspect the "terror" may apply to my father.

Growing up I knew two things to be true. My father worked hard and everyone respected him. At least that's what I thought then. Now I know, what I thought was respect was really fear.

I went to college, got a degree and passed my CPA exam. I thought he would be proud. I thought I too would have the respect my father always had if I worked hard. Boy, was I wrong. It turns out my father didn't respect me, my efforts or my hard work. It's my belief it's because I had the misfortune of being born a female. No amount of work or success was enough for my father to want me to join the family business.

I married and I have two children. I don't want them to grow up in a world of discrimination, hate, or bigotry.  Now that Daddy's in prison, I plan to make my move, and prove to this family of chauvinistic men, that women are  just as capable if not more so than they are. I bet the women in this family can run the business without ending up in prison. We just have to form a plan to take over from my brothers, uncles, and brother-in-laws. It may be the most hostile corporate take over Memphis has ever seen.

It was nice to meet you, thanks for coming by. Only four more days of the A to Z challenge and I hope you have enjoyed it.



~*~
Scarlett Loving life in Cuenca!

U is for U.S. Attorney Colleen McAllister #atozchallenge

Hello, I'm Colleen McAllister and I'm here on the U day of the A to Z challenge because I'm most often referred to in print as U.S. Attorney Colleen McAllister. And to be honest there are no other characters in the Providence in Ecuador series who's name begins with U.

Let me begin by saying you can't believe everything you hear about me. I'm a little different, so there are a wealth of stories and rumors floating around about me.  They think I don't hear them, but I do. Sure, things used to bother me, but they don't anymore. Now I get a good laugh out of most of the "stories" going around about me. You can't be too sensitive and be a U.S. Attorney. I live in Memphis, Tennessee now and I appear in the third Providence in Ecuador book, Terror on the Bluff.

Let me tell you a little about me that you might not hear on the rumor mill. I grew up on the East coast with two older brothers and two older sisters. I've enjoyed being the baby of the family---well most of the time anyway. I met the love of my life in college and we are still together today.


My favorite television shows are NCIS, Scorpion, Hawaii Five 0, Blue Bloods, Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago PD, Madam Secretary, and Good Wife. My friends and co-workers tease me about bringing my work home on the television.  I guess it just means I picked a good career for me. I also get teased a lot about my shoes.

I can't help it. Don't all women love shoes?  I just happen to love stilettos. Yes, I know most women usually only buy the basic colors and wear them with everything. I don't have children so I spoil myself with a pair of shoes to match every outfit.  Is it a sin?  I sure hope not. Not with the things I see in the world.

My passion? I have three of them. The love of my life, my Bear, my husband. I still adore him, more every day.  My dogs, Lucy and Jake are my second passion. And putting criminals behind bars is my third passion. I've done a lot of research and studied to try to understand what makes people do these heinous things to their fellow human beings. I know the science behind it, but I still can't understand it. All I can do is try to take them off the streets so they can't harm again, one criminal at a time. I work hard to make sure I win cases, because if I don't, someone else will pay for my lack of effort. I can't have that on my conscious.

I have to get back to work now, I'm leaving soon for Chicago to investigate my next case. It was nice to meet you and I hope you enjoy the last week of the A to Z challenge.



~*~
Scarlett, Loving life in Cuenca!

T is for Trent Dumas #atozchallenge

Welcome back to the A to Z blog of characters from the Providence in Ecuador suspense series. Today we are  75% complete with blogging our alphabet. We've made it so far and we are in the home stretch.
Today's letter is T and I'm Trent. Scarlett wanted me to begin today with a sincere thank you to all of you who have come and read and commented. It sure means a lot to her! So on with the show!

I am Trent Dumas, and I never imagined I would be starring in a book about Ecuador. I wasn't even 100% sure I knew where Ecuador was, much less anything about it. If someone handed me a plane ticket, though, I would go.  That's just how I am. I love learning new things, new adventures, and places. Sure some places are not comfortable, some are down-right scary, but I'm game!

I'm not the one who went to Ecuador though. My best friend went. Abby. She's been my friend for years.  I didn't call her my best friend because that was my wife. But as Abby was escaping from her secretly bad marriage, mine was falling apart. We were alike in that way. I never expected to find myself that divorced guy. I expected to be married forever. Divorce happened to other people, not me. But I was wrong.

Now I've found myself not only with my best friend living on another continent, but I keep finding myself in the middle of terrifying situations. I mean really, it's kinda like Murder She Wrote around here. I've never been in the middle of any police action in my life, well except that one speeding ticket, and now I've gotten caught up in three entirely different situations involving local police, State police, U.S. Marshals, FBI, Swat teams and Bomb squads. Folks, I work in business development for a steel mill. This just isn't right, but when your friends are in trouble...you go where the trouble is.

I've met some mighty fine people along the way, though. And I've had some out of this world experiences. Maybe I even found the perfect woman for me. So come join in on our fun and adventure and let's see where we end up next.



If you are looking for other participants in the A to Z challenge the list is here.

P.S. Ecuador Earthquake:

As many of you have heard, we suffered a devastating earthquake in Ecuador Saturday evening. I am in the Andes and though we felt the quake and it was quite unsettling, we are safe and haven't suffered any damage or loss. Our friends on the coast are another story. This is typically a poverty stricken area. The people are hard working, but now their homes and businesses and places of employment are all gone. There is virtually no such thing as insurance for the people in the area. If you can find it in your heart to help, even $5 will help a lot. Hearts of Gold is a local charity organization which is very well run where almost every penny of donations is used for the intended causes they support. You can donate with a credit card or Paypal and we sure will appreciate it here. Thank you for your prayers and support and your donations if you can help.

View and Donate Here.

Thank you with all my heart.

~*~
Scarlett Loving life in Cuenca!

S is for Sarah Frances Newsome #atozchallenge

Hello, it's a real pleasure to be here and I'm tickled plum pink to meet you.  I'm Sarah Frances Newsome. I used to be Sarah Frances Campanel, but I divorced a couple of years ago and took back my maiden name.  Mostly because my husband, ex-husband, was the mayor of New Orleans at the time.  I felt really bad when people still called me the city's first lady after the divorce. I assumed changing my name would make it clear that Phillipe and I were no longer married and thus I relinquished the title. It didn't work, they still call me First Lady. I'm not even sure if there is another town in the world where the Mayor's wife is called First Lady.

But it's New Orleans. I doubt there is any other place like New Orleans. It's so charming and loveable and downright eccentric. Kind of like a favored grandmother, don't you think?  So I guess you know by now, if I'm from New Orleans that means I'm in Peril in the Bayou. After my divorce, my daughter Lily Grace and I bought this charming little house and then we made it our own.  Of course, then Lily Grace went to college, so I was there alone most of the time.

I have to say, old friendships sure are priceless. If it wasn't for my old college sorority sisters, I might not be here talking to you today. Well, both of my old best friends. Missy and Abby.  After my divorce, I pretty much thought my life as part of a couple was over. I was in my late fourties, and lordy I haven't dated since big hair and satin jogging suits were popular. I don't think I would even know how. Some of my co-workers have signed up for those internet dating sites. And I don't know about you, but my momma always said dating should never require a power cord. I didn't know what in the world she meant by that, but I suppose using a computer to meet people would qualify.

One thing my friends have taught me is to never give up. You never know what's around the next bend.  Have fun, be happy, and always have dessert. Life is too short to eat yucky food or deny yourself those guilty pleasures.  Granted some of those pleasures you have to pay for with some walking, running, dancing, swimming, whatever your own personal choice of torture might be, but they're worth it.



I hope you can come back soon and stay for coffee. I'm sorry, I don't do tea. See the paragraph above. Hugs and kisses and ya'll come back soon. If you are dropping in on the A to Zers, here's the map.

P.S. Ecuador Earthquake:

As many of you have heard, we suffered a devastating earthquake in Ecuador Saturday evening. I am in the Andes and though we felt the quake and it was quite unsettling, we are safe and haven't suffered any damage or loss. Our friends on the coast are another story. This is typically a poverty stricken area. The people are hard working, but now their homes and businesses and places of employment are all gone. There is virtually no such thing as insurance for the people in the area. If you can find it in your heart to help, even $5 will help a lot. Hearts of Gold is a local charity organization which is very well run where almost every penny of donations is used for the intended causes they support. You can donate with a credit card or Paypal and we sure will appreciate it here. Thank you for your prayers and support and your donations if you can help.

View and Donate Here.

Thank you with all my heart.

~*~
Scarlett Loving life in Cuenca!

R is for Rafael Lopez #atozchallenge

What sup? I'm Rafael. I'm your local neighborhood economist. I study supply and demand.  Whatever you demand, I can supply if you get my meaning.

I live in New Orleans and I understand somebody wrote a book about me. Ha, I didn't know I was that famous.  Well, okay, I did, I just didn't know anybody would write about it.  I'm told the book is called Peril in the Bayou.

I'm not sure why a book about me would be called Peril in the Bayou. I do know the bayou can be a scary place, but as far as anyone knows, I ain't got nothin' to do with the bayou. There for damn sure ain't no evidence about me being anywhere around that swampy gator infested water.

I think a book about me should have been titled New Orlean's Hottest Latin Bachelor.  Don't you think that would be a good title? Hell, maybe they should make a movie.

My family owns a little restaurant. I guess you figured out by my name I'm Latino. So we own this little Mexican restaurant. All my business is completely and totally legit. You hear what I'm saying?

Anyhow, if you come down to the Big Easy, look me up at the Lopez Family Restaurant. I can help with whatever you need while you visit the crescent city. If you are looking for other A to Z folks, click here.

P.S. Ecuador Earthquake:

As many of you have heard, we suffered a devastating earthquake in Ecuador Saturday evening. I am in the Andes and though we felt the quake and it was quite unsettling, we are safe and haven't suffered any damage or loss. Our friends on the coast are another story. This is typically a poverty stricken area. The people are hard working, but now their homes and businesses and places of employment are all gone. There is virtually no such thing as insurance for the people in the area. If you can find it in your heart to help, even $5 will help a lot. Hearts of Gold is a local charity organization which is very well run where almost every penny of donations is used for the intended causes they support. You can donate with a credit card or Paypal and we sure will appreciate it here. Thank you for your prayers and support and your donations if you can help.

View and Donate Here.

Thank you with all my heart.

~*~
Scarlett Loving life in Cuenca!

Q is for Quinn Miller #atozchallenge

Happy hump day and welcome back to Frankly Scarlett where the A to Z challenge is about the characters from the Suspense novel series Providence in Ecuador.

I'm Quinn Miller and welcome to Q is for Quinn! I'm from Memphis, Tennessee and am a former city councilman.  I love Memphis, and I live on the bluff.  In case you aren't familiar with Memphis, that would be the bluff of the Mississippi River.

My condo overlooks the river and Tom Lee Park. The park is the site of numerous city-wide activities throughout the year.  Cybil Shephard used to be my neighbor, but she recently sold her unit.

My family has been in the hardware business here for four generations. Everyone knows the Millers are synonymous with hardware. But with the big box stores coming in the family hardware stores weren't doing so well, so my brothers got into the distribution business. At the time, I was a councilman and truthfully couldn't be bothered with the family business.

Now I'm looking for a way to supplement my income. I appear in the book Terror on the Bluff. Some important things are happening in Memphis, and I think I just might have found my own new niche. But I can't tell you about it. Both because I'm not supposed to talk about the story and because I have to stitch up my market if you get my drift.

I'm having to get my hands a little dirty and working with some seedier types to make sure everything comes out in my favor. But a guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do. I think my new venture will be right profitable and that will show my brothers. I look forward to the day they come crawling to me for a loan.

I gotta run to a meeting now, so you have a good day!  If you are following the A to Z, the list of participants is here.

P.S. Ecuador Earthquake:

As many of you have heard, we suffered a devastating earthquake in Ecuador Saturday evening. I am in the Andes and though we felt the quake and it was quite unsettling, we are safe and haven't suffered any damage or loss. Our friends on the coast are another story. This is typically a poverty stricken area. The people are hard working, but now their homes and businesses and places of employment are all gone. There is virtually no such thing as insurance for the people in the area. If you can find it in your heart to help, even $5 will help a lot. Hearts of Gold is a local charity organization which is very well run where almost every penny of donations is used for the intended causes they support. You can donate with a credit card or Paypal and we sure will appreciate it here. Thank you for your prayers and support and your donations if you can help.

View and Donate Here.

Thank you with all my heart.

~*~
Scarlett Loving life in Cuenca!

P is for Pierce Wellington III #atozchallenge

Good morning!  I'm Pierce Wellington and I'm here because P is for Pierce. I'm a supporting character in all three of the Providence in Ecuador books and I love being the go-to guy for Abby and her friends.

They think that I help them with their troubles.   They don't realize it is them, Abby and Sarah Frances and Colleen who help me.  When I took the job investigating Cole, Abby's ex-husband, I was just retired from the military and I wasn't sure what I was going to do with the rest of my life.

Through Abby and Trent and the rest of the gang, I have developed friendships and my life has a purpose.  Although I'm not really sure what I got mixed up in because every time I think my job is done, and I have to figure out what I'll do next, another of Abby's friends ends up in some kind of trouble.  Maybe it's time for her to find some new friends.

But I really hope she doesn't.  I love my life right now. It's also quite possible that one of her friends just might provide me with that romantic interest that's been missing in my life.  Of course, I would have to fall for someone who lives in Ecuador, when I'm finally living in the United States.

The United States has always been my home, but I haven't spent much time living here. I'm enjoying getting to see this beautiful country and living a civilian lifestyle. I've been a fortunate man in many ways. I have a great family, but because of the nature of my life, my family has always been the men and women I work with. These days, I feel richly blessed.

And I just got the word, that I now have my own book!  Well, at least my own short story. It will be available soon for FREE!  All you have to do is sign up for Scarlett's newsletter and you get a copy. That means only the most special people will get to read my story. I hope you like it. I think Scarlett did a good job capturing why I am the man I am.

It's back to work for me, I hope you are enjoying the A to Z challenge and it was a real pleasure to meet you.  If you would like to read other A to Z participants click here.

P.S. Ecuador Earthquake:

As many of you have heard, we suffered a devastating earthquake in Ecuador Saturday evening. I am in the Andes and though we felt the quake and it was quite unsettling, we are safe and haven't suffered any damage or loss. Our friends on the coast are another story. This is typically a poverty stricken area. The people are hard working, but now their homes and businesses and places of employment are all gone. There is virtually no such thing as insurance for the people in the area. If you can find it in your heart to help, even $5 will help a lot. Hearts of Gold is a local charity organization which is very well run where almost every penny of donations is used for the intended causes they support. You can donate with a credit card or Paypal and we sure will appreciate it here. Thank you for your prayers and support and your donations if you can help.

View and Donate Here.

Thank you with all my heart.

~*~
Scarlett, Loving life in Cuenca!