For the last few trips, we’ve let our daughter Callie age nine, decide where we went, and the trips have been awesome. This time she wanted to go to Cuba.
I’d just returned home from a work trip to China, had hardly any sleep for twenty-four-plus hours, and had a few Mike’s Hard Lemonades, and agreed it would be an awesome trip.
The next morning, I woke up with a hangover (honestly not because of the cocktails) and emails that the Cuba vacation was booked! It looked like we’d have to go now.
Cuba one of the greatest places we’ve ever visited. The buildings were breathtaking and in ruins, just as I imagine the end of the world.
We stayed in the most famous hotel in Cuba, although at the time I didn’t know that it was, it was just the cheapest hotel, (I found out later it was on special detail! Looks like I’m even cheaper after a drink!)
Once we got to the hotel, I think my husband lost a few brain cells. He drank shampoo thinking it was mouthwash. He wore a kids swimming cap that looked like a fish and had the storekeeper and customers cracking up laughing. (I said we laughed a lot).
People rode in vintage cars. We rode in one which was over sixty-five years old and beautiful, and other people rode horses.
Callie and I took a trip around Havana in a horse and carriage. We went down the back streets and met the local people. Dogs and cats laid out in the sun or went shadow-hunting.
After the carriage ride we checked out the local artwork on the streets, I bought Callie a puppet, and we sat in the park playing with the puppet bring it to life.
People weren’t on their phones; they were hanging out together. It felt like we’d gone back in time.
I loved it there, but what I loved more was spending quality time with my family. We could be happy anywhere as long as we’re together.
Coming home from the trip made me think about our futures. If we don’t take care of it, we’ll end up in ruins like the buildings, but if we take care of each other, we’ll be like the vintage cars—together for more years than we can remember. (It was our wedding anniversary on the last day, and neither of us could remember if we’ve been married for twelve or thirteen years! We’ve been together for over twenty, so we lost count.)
It made my dream of being a full-time author even stronger, and every new book helps our family come closer to our dream—spending more time together.
I’d like to thank Michael for helping me make our dream become our reality.
I’m off now to work on book four, and hang out with my family,
Hayley Lawson
Author Notes - Michael Anderle
August 14, 2018
First, THANK YOU for not only reading this story, but also reading through the back to our Author Notes, too!
When Hayley and I started working together, it was a clash of loves.
I loved a good adventure story where the main hero is working hard to destroy the bad guys and Hayley liked to kill everyone.
I mean, EVERYONE.
So, a year later I’ve got her seeing a bigger picture, but I had a conversation with her earlier where I realize that she still loves the killing.
Case in point. We have either weekly or bi-weekly updates on our projects (we have quite a few) and since it had been a while, I asked if it was one week or two since we talked last. I was thinking two, but wanted to make sure I just didn’t lose track of days.
She explained it was two, that her family had gone on vacation to Cuba this last week.
“Cuba?” I wondered.
“Yes, it was awesome! One of the prettiest places I’ve been to I think, and I’ve been to many.” She goes on to explain the juxtaposition between new buildings, and others that are still lived in, but are crumbling.
This made me think of Madness, our zombie story that isn’t zombies (but totally is) and Cuba.
“You have GOT to see this movie, Juan of the Dead,” I explain to her. “It’s a zombie movie based in Cuba, subtitled.”
Her face is giddy with excitement and she calls to her young daughter mini-Hayley to explain there is a zombie movie based in Cuba…
Now, they are both practically giddy with joy.
I’m shaking my head, thinking I’ll never be excited like this to watch any zombie movie.
It is a comedy (I saw it in subtitles and enjoyed it). If you like comedy and like zombies (which you probably do, given that you’re reading this book) I recommend the story.
I realized that the desire to kill everyone never left Hayley, it just went underground for a while.
Ad Aeternitatem,
Michael
More from Hayley Lawson
If you loved, Live Free or Die series try out, Contamination (Invasion Survivor Book 1)
Humanity has one option.
Evacuate Earth.
After a wave of fear crashes over the world in response to a deadly virus. Fear intensifies when it's discovered that the virus is the first wave of attack by an alien race that wants Earth for themselves.
It's one day before Paige's eighteenth birthday, and the world is turning into the walking dead! Zombie-like people are seeking her out.
What the hell! Just Paige's luck.
Can Paige rescue her family and get off the planet before The Wave captures her?
Other books by Hayley Lawson
They Are Zillion here: https://www.amazon.com/Zapacolypse-They-Are-Zillions-Book-ebook/dp/B07CV373R6/
The horde moves, thinks, and learns as one.
But Hunter doesn't know this. He just knows that they are sick, he doesn't want to kill sick people.
He's not a murderer, he's just a sheriff.
The infected move together, destroying everything in their path.
The doc said they can't see, maybe that's why they keep tearing down buildings.
But Hunter doesn't have time to figure that out. He promised his wife he'd get the kids, then save her.
First, he has to save himself- and try not to kill
