Friday, April 1, 2016

A - ANAKTUVUK PASS


A IS FOR ANAKTUVUK PASS



"Anaktuvuk Pass (Uhn-uk-too-vuk) was named after the Anaktuvik River. Anaktuvuk is the English way of spelling annaqtugvik place of caribou droppings in Inupiaq, the language of the Inupiat." Wikipedia

While Alaska attracts people seeking adventure, it also attracts those who need a place to hide. The wilderness is a great place to lose oneself, and to lose those in pursuit. Just as one criminal does in my latest release Murder & Obsession! Detective Quaid, with the help of his uncle, tracks the culprit to Anaktuvuk Pass. 

A beautiful place, Alaska, but a dangerous place too!



Murder & Obsession

Excerpt:

Anaktuvuk Pass, just north of the Brooks Ranges, was a remote village of Nunamiut Eskimos. Flying in during October, early November meant below zero temperatures, a frozen tundra, and few places to hide. Steven knew if Gayln Southwick was there, ferreting him out would not be hard.

. . . Steven crossed the room in two strides. His hand clamped around Gayln’s neck. "Remember me?"

Grasping at Steven’s hand, Gayln struggled for air and words. Steven threw him against the door. Gayln’s head bounced with a sickening thud. “Going somewhere, Gayln?”

Gayln tried, but couldn’t move his head. “No,” he croaked.

“No, you aren’t, unless it’s a quick trip to meet your maker. You want that, Gayln? Are you ready?”

Gayln nodded, then immediately shook his head.

“Give me a reason. Please, just one little reason. You've no idea the rage I’m holding. What-Have-You-Done?”

Gayln moaned. His face turned an odd shade of blue, his eyes bulged.

“Are you going to talk or do I have to show you the entrance to Hell first?”

Gayln's face was almost purple. “I’ll talk,” he gasped.


*****


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Murder, Madness & Love
Memories of Murder
Murder & Obsession

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Murder & Obsession on Amazon.
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Remember every comment during the A to Z will be an entry to win a 
paperback copy of the trilogy!
(signed if I can send by mail)


FYI!
The winner of the A to Z Challenge Giveaway 
held on the 21st is
Bish Denham!
Congratulations!

89 comments:

Michelle Wallace said...

Hi Yolanda!
What an unusual name for such a frozen place. I'm wondering how the word Anaktuvuk is pronounced. I love the sounds of words...
Great excerpt too.
Enjoy the madness of the A to Z...I'll definitely pop in again!

Writer In Transit

Nicola said...

Happy April!!! I'd love to visit Alaska at some point.

Nilanjana Bose said...

All that's beautiful is also dangerous, in my experience :) African bush is the same, so is the desert. Beautiful pic, and awesome excerpt. Alaska is definitely on my bucket list, it sounds divine.
Have fun this A-Z.
Best always,

Nilanjana.
Madly-in-Verse

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Beautiful spot!
I'd think hiding would be just as dangerous. A bear could attack you and no one would be there to help or even know where to find your body later.

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Michelle, thanks, I'll add that (Uhn-uk-too-vuk) great idea. Visiting soon! Enjoy your April fools day!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Nicola, I hope you have the opportunity!

Yolanda Renée said...

So true, Nila, thanks, you have fun too! See you on the flip sile

Yolanda Renée said...

Good morning, Alex, and the fun has begun. But you're right, lots of places to disappear, and folks do!
Happy April Fool's Day!

Stephen Tremp said...

Yolanda, best wishes to you for your latest and greatest!

I’m exploring different types of dreams and their meanings during the #AtoZChallenge at Stephen Tremp’s Breakthrough Blogs

Christine Rains said...

This is going to be a great theme for me! :) And I've got your book loaded up read to go on my Kindle right now. Can't wait to start!

Yolanda Renée said...

I'm thrilled, Christine, that you have it. You've made my day! I do go on and on about Alaska, some would say I'm obsessed. I'd have to agree! :)

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi Stephen, thanks. I love your theme and will be back to see the meanings. I'm a dream oriented person!

Rosa Temple Writes said...

Congrats on the book release, Yolanda and an intriguing excerpt!
Rosa
@RosaT_Author
Rosa Temple writes...

Pat Hatt said...

Hiding there would be easy to do but deadly to you. I'll pas if I'm ever on the run lol

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Rosa, thanks for stopping by. Thanks!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Pat, yeah, not a good place for cats - too many wolves!

Bish Denham said...

This is going to be interesting reading, particularly since I just won a copy! Thanks, Yolanda!

Bish Denham said...

This is going to be interesting reading, particularly since I just won a copy! Thanks, Yolanda!

Sally said...

It does look rather wild and dangerous. I'm not brave enough to venture there although I love the thought of wildness and nature at its best.

Sophie Duncan said...

Sound like Gayln didn't run far enough!
Sophie
Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles | Wittegen Press | FB3X

cleemckenzie said...

I love that your book is set in such a magnificent place on this planet. I love Alaska. It's a perfect spot for mystery and beauty.

Yolanda Renée said...

He seldom does. LOL Thanks Sophie!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks, Lee. I agree 100%!

Yolanda Renée said...

It's beauty belies it's danger. But it is a heaven on earth too! I was so privileged to see so much of it! Hi, Sally, thanks for stopping by!

Yolanda Renée said...

So cool! You got it! I'm glad, can't wait to hear what you think!

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I suppose anyplace is dangerous if you're touring it with a murderer.

I wonder why they changed the spelling...certainly not to make it easier to pronounce. LOL

Samantha Bryant said...

That's a gentler translation of Anaktuvuk than I've heard before :-)

@mirymom1 from
Balancing Act

Yolanda Renée said...

No, of course not. Easier. LOL When we first moved to Washington State. A city, Puyallup, we called puuyloop for the longest time. Well, until we heard the proper pronunciation, still we liked puuyloop. Pew-al-up is the right pronunciation. If I've done it right. Not good at this at all. :) Hi, Elizabeth!

Yolanda Renée said...

Oh dear, did I get it wrong? Fill me in! LOL Hi, Samantha!

Julie Flanders said...

Ooh, I love your theme! I am thinking about trying another Alaska story and can't wait to read your posts about the state. I'm so inspired by it even though I've never been.
Enjoy the A-Z!

Unknown said...

I've never been to Alaska, but the idea of it is so intriguing--and not just to me--look at how many shows on Alaska there are!

Deborah Drucker said...

Interesting setting. I can see how the Alaskan wilderness and native population could add to a story. Steven sounds like a pretty tough guy. Makes me wonder what Gayln did. Interesting start to your A-Z challenge. :)

L.G. Keltner said...

The Alaskan wilderness is a beautiful and fascinating place. I can understand your fascination.

@LGKeltner from
Writing Off the Edge
Parallels

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Laura, it certainly is. And yes, I am obsessed. LOL

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Deborah, Steven is part Tlingit and Irish. I think, an interesting character. Thanks!

Yolanda Renée said...

I know, they seem to have popped up over night too. Blew me away. LOL But they still don't show it's true beauty, although our favorite is the one with the teams that have to survive the wilderness. Can't remember the name. LOL

Yolanda Renée said...

You have to go, Julie. I wish I could too. Hubby keeps promising, but I don't know if it'll ever happen now. LOL I think he's afraid if I ever get back I won't come home. :)

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

What a setting, a setting that becomes a character onto itself.

Susan Says


Pat Garcia said...

Very nice setting. After that beating, I would talk also. Your setting description drew me in.
All the best for the Challenge.
Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange

David Macaulay said...

sounds intriguing - like Alaska - really is the far frontier

Cathrina Constantine said...

I'd love to visit Alaska. Intriguing snippet!!!

John Holton said...

Mary and I are fans of the show "Alaska State Troopers" on The Justice Network. I don't think they've visited there yet (or maybe at all; they're rerunning the shows), but I can just imagine the characters they'd run into there.

John Holton
Blogging from A to Z Challenge Co-Host
The Sound of One Hand Typing

Jeffrey Scott said...

Great start to the AtoZ challenge.
I love the Excerpt provided.
I've always wanted to visit Alaska. I keep telling myself, "Maybe this year."
I'd love to catch the Aurora when on display.

Clare said...

Excellent start to the challenge, Yolanda. Alaska looks very beautiful indeed, and I loved that excerpt from Murder & Obsession. What did Gayln do to make Steven so angry?!

Clare Dugmore from Clare Dugmore Writes.

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks, Susan, glad you enjoyed it!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Clare, thanks. I hope it fosters interest! LOL He took part in the 'killing' of Sarah, Steven's fiancee! The worst part is that he 'was' a friend.

Yolanda Renée said...

Then you'll have to visit in the winter, but it too, is a beautiful season! Thanks, Jeffrey!

Yolanda Renée said...

I'm not sure they have yet, either. Alaska is full of 'characters'! Thanks for stopping by John!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Pat, I think most of us would. LOL

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi David, nice to see you this A to Z go around! It's a very intriguing place!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks, Cathrina! I hope you get the chance!

Donna McDine said...

Intriguing thanks for share a snippet of your book! I'm anxious to learn why Steven is so ticked off!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Donna, I hope you do learn why. :) Thanks for stopping by!

Unknown said...

I love this excerpt! Alaska is on my list of places to go. I'm hoping to do an Alaskan cruise!

Colin Smith said...

I'd love to visit Alaska someday. It seems unusual to see a green field--not the way I would imagine Alaska. Very pretty, though.

Sandra Cox said...

Yikes! I'd talk too!

Yolanda Renée said...

You'll love it and want more. I took the ferry from Seattle to Haines once, it's beautiful! Thanks for stopping by Megan!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Colin, a lot about Alaska will surprise you! It unbelievable. Thanks for stopping by, Colin!

Yolanda Renée said...

Me too, Sandra, LOL
Thanks for stopping by!

Rhonda Albom said...

Great start to the Challenge. I love Alaska, and am now sucked into the book. Do I want to start with book one of the trilogy? I am heading over seas soon - 15 hour of consecutive air travel and hadn't picked a book yet. BTW - I am also one of Alex's minions.

Unknown said...

A remote area to be sure. Hope you enjoy the A to Z challenge this year - cheers.
I'm A to Zing from: Fill the Cracks and Moondustwriter's Blog

Yolanda Renée said...

Hello, fellow minion! Hi, Rhonda. I hope you choose the murder trilogy, it will fill those 15 hours. Each is a stand alone, but the love story is what ties them together.

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Leslie, I'll be wandering over. LOL Thanks for stopping by!

Unknown said...

Hi Yolanda! I've long wanted to visit Alaska, and now thanks to you, I'll know to skip Anaktuvuk Pass if I know what's good for me!

Shilpa Garg said...

Anaktuvuk looks so beautiful and sounds so intriguing too. While it's good place to hide, but if somebody needs help... OMG! he will be left all alone for wild animals! :D

Shilpa Garg said...

Anaktuvuk looks so beautiful and sounds so intriguing too. While it's good place to hide, but if somebody needs help... OMG! he will be left all alone for wild animals! :D

Elizabeth said...

I would love to visit Alaska someday, preferably in the summer! It would be a good place to escape to, if you knew what you were doing, but it doesn't sound like Gayln did ;)

Guilie Castillo said...

Alaska, oh Alaska... She's been in my dreams for as long as I can remember. I don't know if I ever mentioned it, Yolanda, but I have a friend who lives for six months every year. He loves it. One of these days I'll make it up there :)

Thanks for the visit over at Life In Dogs earlier! Your neighbor sounds like someone I'd have lots to talk about with :D

Unknown said...

Alaska is one of the places in the list I want to visit. And the excerpt is awesome. And the picture looks tempting. My travel bug has bitten me and I may turn into a travel woman soon😃😋

Yolanda Renée said...

LOL, it's safe honest! Have a wonderful trip! Thanks for visiting!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Shilpa, They do have an airport! LOL Thanks for stopping by!

Yolanda Renée said...

Gayln was way over his head. Hi, Elizabeth. Thanks for stopping by!

Yolanda Renée said...

I'd give anything to live there for 6 months of the year. Wonderful. I hope he invites you soon! Love you blog, I know Karen and you would hit it off!

Yolanda Renée said...

I hope so Ramya, You would enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by!

Deborah Weber said...

What a fun beginning to the challenge. You've intrigued me.

Ravyne said...

Wow, Yolanda! Why am I not reading your books? I will have to rectify that in upcoming months (I have a limited allowance for books *laughs* otherwise I would have no money for food *winks*). This place would chill me to the bone! Love your descriptive writing.
Have a great weekend!
Lori

My A2Zs @ As the Fates Would Have It & Promptly Written
Follow Me (Ravyne) Twitter|Facebook

Unknown said...

Interesting! Looking forward to the next :) The Truck Traveller

Tasha Duncan-Drake said...

A beautiful place for a confrontation. Steven sounds like he has a lot of pent up anger.
Hope the book sales are going well.
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)

Debbie D. said...

"Anaktuvuk" sounds a lot better than "caribou droppings". ☺ I wonder why Stephen is so enraged? Great teaser, Yolanda.

Kalpana said...

I'm intrigued both by the name of the place and this book. I'd love to read it. Good luck for the A to Z Challenge.

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Debbie, thanks for stopping by! Yeah, he's pissed, and for a very good reason. :)

Yolanda Renée said...

Thank you Kalpanaa, I hope you'll take the time to find out! Good luck to you too1

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks, Deborah. I hope you come back every day!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Ravyne, I'd love to know what you think! But food or books, I know what I'd choose. :)

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks Zeljka, I hope I keep surprising you!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Natasha, I think it's his anger that gets him most of the way through the book! :)

Jeffrey Scott said...

I'm from Wisconsin, so the cold is normal to me. To be honest, I'd love to visit in Winter more than Summer.

Melissa Sugar said...

Intriguing teaser. Loved reading it. I'm just now getting around to commenting on all the blogs because I was traveling over the weekend. Thanks for visiting my blog. I can see how Alaska would attract criminals & others as it offers a plethora of options for hiding out.

The Happy Whisk said...

Good luck and fun to you during the A/Z game.