Into the Fire

Where is the . . . Signal Fire

Signal Fire by Dustin Stevens is Book 10 in A Hawk Tate Novel Series.

Getting an unexpected call from DEA Agent and friend Mia Diaz brings with it an unexpected invitation from the incarcerated "Angel of Death" (aka Angel Abarca) who Tate was responsible for putting there several years ago. It seems the former head of a dominant cartel (aka Lorenzo Gil) to whom the Angel of Death gave his allegiance has been assassinated and it's quietly suspected that his son (Marco) is responsible. Angel has faced two unusual attacks recently because no one crosses him unless they are unaware of the very real threat to their lives. Suffice it to say he's earned his nickname. He'll only speak with Hawk Tate.

Angel wants a deal. He has unlimited information in exchange for securing and protecting his younger sister and the niece he's never met. 

Reluctantly, Tate takes off for California's most southern office of the DEA to arrange a meeting with Angel through Mia and receives his temporary badge and papers to assist Diaz and the DEA in getting the information they need to find out what's happening with this cartel shakeup.

Tate is thrust into the kind of work he used to do almost instantly after the first meeting with Angel. As expected, it's an onslaught designed to tie up loose ends and eliminating the Angle of Death is top priority. Following that is pursuing those close to him and finally getting rid of the DEA members shielding him.

There is some graphic content as far as weaponry and how the different pieces are used and a bit of profanity, but the action is heated and heavy once the story really starts rolling.

I thought the build-up and description of the cartel activity in the beginning chapters, the thoughts and revelations of Marco Gil, were a bit slow and slightly tedious. This isn't an unusual tactic by many of us authors to lay the groundwork for the story, but, for me, the reason for the story is the hero or heroine, so I get impatient waiting for them to appear and get started. 

Hawk Tate is a confident, strong, and gutsy hero. This is an entertaining series, and I recommend it for those readers looking for a hero who doesn't really want to engage in his old ways but will unleash whatever it takes to defend himself or others when thrust into deadly danger. 

 

Father, please continue to provide the multiple stories you have just for Dustin to tell. Let him be fully aware from whom his talent comes. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

Throwback Thursday

A very long time ago that seems not so long ago. 

 

Father, thank you for protecting me along the way of my confusion and rebellion. Thank you is never enough for rescuing me from myself. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

The Casebook of Atticus Priest

 

These are the first two novellas of The Casebook of Atticus Priest by Mark Dawson. Not prequels to his first four Atticus Priest full-length novels but rather picking up after his recent hire of Jeremy, aka "Jez", who keeps a "casebook" of impressions and notes gathered from the unique abilities of Atticus Priest to solve seemingly unsolvable cases. 

As I've mentioned in my reviews of the Atticus Priest full-length novels by Mark Dawson, Atticus is one of my favorite characters. When creating a character who has unusual idiosyncrasies or traits, sometimes it's hard to make them "attractive" to readers. I think Mark has found the perfect construct for Atticus Priest. In the first casebook account, the timing seems a bit off because Jez wasn't around when Atticus was still entertaining his use of recreational drugs - at least I can't remember any recent novels with him smoking joints. Nevertheless, these two novels are typically great detective novels with a little murder thrown in for substance. Easily read quickly, "Jez's" first-person depiction of the cases is perfect from an observer's point of view. 

Both of them very different and very entertaining. I highly recommend the first four full-length novels (Atticus Priest, Murder, Mystery, and Crime Thrillers) before the "Casebook" stories, but either way you won't be disappointed.  

 

Father, you know all of our hearts. May you bless Mark's and keep him writing the stories you have just for him to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Tuesday Tunes

 

Great song! Jesus IS alright! 

Thank you, Lord, for being the same yesterday, today, and forever. In the Name above all names, the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Monday Musings . . .

I haven't written many novels. Eleven to be exact. Two are finished but not published. The twelfth one is in progress, although it's been dormant for a few months. 

I'm an indie author who's paid for the publishing of nine of those novels. 

I'm a terrible marketer.

I've written stories since I was a child, but it wasn't until I was well into adulthood that I wrote that first novel which turned out to be a 400+ thousand-word saga about horse racing as per the Lord's very explicit instruction to me. It took 8 and 1/2 years to finish because I worked 7 days a week in horse racing, home-schooled a few of those years, and did some lay ministry at church. If I'd written it now, having learned so much more than I knew then, it would never have been that long. 

I admire those authors who are structured and disciplined and keep those stories coming according to a plan. I'm not really wired that way. One year I wrote three novels, all over 90K words. That hasn't happened since.

Just some of my "author" thoughts I contemplate now and then. 

Amazon.com : Books by Nicole Petrino-Salter 

 

Father, thank you for every one of those novels. Apart from you, I can do nothing. That's the truth. Help me to continue to follow your instruction and inspiration. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

 

Sunday's Offerings

 

     See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. 

Colossians 2:8 (NIV)

Friday Fare . . .

Reading is a pleasure, a joy, a gift for me. 

Lately, I've run into a few people who don't enjoy reading. One explained because of her dyslexia, she found it frustrating which is certainly understandable. The other didn't give a reason for not liking to read. 

I've loved reading since I learned to do it, and while I read a lot of non-fiction books as a young girl - explicitly on horses, horsemanship, and any true stories about horses - novels are my absolute favorites. No surprise to those who follow this blog. 

The inherent value in novels is the beauty of truth being told in story form. No matter the genre, truth shows up somewhere - even if it's an ugly truth about how people can be at their worst.

Those who show disdain for fiction have failed to realize the value found within their pages. I will say, in order to truly enjoy a story, the reader needs to find the genre(s) and author(s) they appreciate. From romance to science fiction, there are books for everyone out there. Never devalue the importance of novels. Written well, they can change your soul, uplift your spirit, and touch your heart. 

 

Father, thank you for stories, for authors that honor you with their creativity that you've given them, and please bless readers in the process. Apart from you, we can do nothing. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Throwback Thursday

Ever had one of these kind of days? Yeah, well . . . 

 

Father, thank you for watching out for me my entire life. Thank you is never enough. You've been so gracious to me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Wednesday Whimsy . . .

This is a different kind of excerpt this Wednesday. The first page of . . . in a love song:

              “Heard it in a love song . . . can’t be wrong.”

                                       The Marshall Tucker Band

              Many waters cannot quench love;

                  rivers cannot wash it away.

              If one were to give

                  all the wealth of his house for love,

                  it would be utterly scorned.

                                       Song of Songs 8: 7 (NIV)

Now the foreword:

Foreword . . .

There are myriad inspirations cited by novelists when asked to discuss the motivation for a particular novel. Readers repeatedly ask, “How do you come up with your ideas for a story?” Answers will range from the mundane to the spectacular.

. . . in a love song  is a unique romance novel for me for a number of reasons.

First of all, it was inspired by the song “Heard It in a Love Song” by The Marshall Tucker Band on their Carolina Dreams album. I’m a lyrics girl so as I listened to the words of this tune, I couldn’t help but picture the “narrator” as a character in a love story. What kind of guy would he be? And of course from there Dale Rivers came to life with several exceptions to the man in the song. And what kind of female would it take to capture his heart and make him want to settle down? Enter Patricia Edison. And how would life change for them if . . . ?

In the second place I’m not a fan of the typical stack of conflicts often woven into romance novels. There is only one primary conflict in this story of two 30-somethings facing love for the first time in their lives.

Thirdly, this story features everyday life with abundant dialogue as if you’re experiencing conversations externally and internally with them. It’s flirty, romantic, and raw at times, not to “offend” but to be real. There are a few unexpected turns in the story, but really it’s all about the “Big Three”: love, romance, sex.  

Finally, I write Christian Fiction. Unashamedly. One thing you will always find in my novels is the contrast of life lived in the world without Jesus as opposed to life lived knowing Jesus personally. The two main characters in this story have a vague awareness of God but it’s not personal in the beginning.

Having said all of that, if you love straight-up romance, I think you’ll fall in love with Dale Rivers’ and Patricia Edison’s love story. 

Raw, Romantic, Redemptive

 

 

Father, only you can help me, inspire me, encourage me, and direct me. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Tuesday Tunes

 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Halleluuuujah! 

Praise the Lord God Almighty. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Monday Musings . . .

I've just finished three novels in a series written by a familiar author (to me) who I'm sure is writing under a pen name which encompasses many other authors. An indie published author(s) of many series books, some of which are at the 22nd, 18th, and so on number of novels in each series, cannot be accused of mistake-free or edited literature. Popular stories that borrow from the mystery genre as well as sometimes using the characters or at least their names from some mystery television series.

But let's face it, some readers pay little attention to what would be considered "good" writing and tend not to notice when the author writes about their main characters getting a tingling up their spines nearly every paragraph or that their hearts are beating out of their chests in every third paragraph during a discovery moment or "scary" interaction. For those of us who take great pains not to use such obvious repetition or cliched descriptions, it definitely gets eye-rolling tedious. 

However, why, you ask, did I bother to read three of these novels? Because at first, I was interested in the heroine's story and the restoration of her reputation. And although the actual writing was annoying at times, I wanted to see how she was developed in the series. Beyond that, I don't have much to say because the third book just became frustrating, and I started not to like her for the way she handled "things." 

Anyway, these multiple series have sold thousands, maybe millions, of copies, and sometimes that in itself is a mystery to me.  

 

Father, thank you for the stories and characters you've given me. May I honor you with each one. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

 

Sunday's Offerings

 

     "If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever -- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."  (Jesus) 

John 14:15-21 (NIV) 

Friday Fare

                        From my unfinished manuscript . . . 

Chapter 10

I hustled back to my house and into the room I’d dedicated for my gym. I jerked off my shirt and went to the treadmill. Warming up at a brisk walk, I did my best not to contemplate my behavior, but it was no use. As I turned up the speed to a jogging pace, I realized this attraction was more than casual lust for me. That terrified me. Because I had no idea why or how I was supposed to act realizing that this woman I barely knew was wrecking my concentration, inspiring a new novel in the middle of another one I had to finish first! Things couldn’t have been more chaotic in my mind as I increased the speed to a run.

     Completely sapped, I shut down the treadmill without looking at all the read-outs, dripping sweat. Grabbing the towel I kept nearby I wiped off most of it and walked over to my weights.

     I did every lift I could handle, put the last of my weights back on their rack, and walked over to the portable fridge to grab some electrolyte water, chugging the entire 16 ounces. I kept one straight back chair in the large room and I plopped down on it with the empty container still in my hand while I stared at the bamboo flooring.

     Something was up with me – something I didn’t recognize. Unfamiliar, and for sure nerve wracking. I honestly felt like change was sneaking up on me, and I had no idea why or what it was supposed to look like, be about, or what it intended for me. Change was not a good thing in my world unless I determined I wanted it, unless it was my idea. And this? This was like being tied to the proverbial train track with six locomotives roaring toward me from a distance.

     I leaped up and stripped, walked over to the shower in the bathroom I had installed in a corner of the room. I must’ve stood under it for 20 minutes, first very warm, then lukewarm, trying to right my wrong mindset. But was it wrong? Or was it just confounding me because it introduced something I wasn’t expecting and consequently attempting to resist?

     I stepped out of the shower and wrapped the towel around my waist without drying off.

     “What?!” I shouted, my voice cracking from the volume.

     It was then I heard the front doorbell chime. My clothes were too sweaty to throw on so I walked to the front door to see if it was the UPS driver leaving a package. He always rang the bell to let me know he’d delivered one. When I looked out the tiny peephole, I frowned and threw open the door so hard it hit the door stop and bounced back nearly hitting me.

     “What the hell are you doing here?”

 

Father, only you make stories happen, give me words and characters. You know how I'm struggling with this one even though I like it. Help me, Lord, as only you can do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

January 2nd . . .

It's a brand new year. What lies ahead? There are two trails, one with hope and one with despair. 

The last four years have been draped in despair. 

In spite of the horrors, terrorists, and tragedies, we will search for and cling to hope. 

The only true and real hope in this world comes through Jesus. He's the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Find Him, find hope. 

Only You, Lord. Thank you is never enough. 

 

 

There's a new day dawnin' . . .

                                                                 AND

Tuesday Tunes

 

Rockin' out with the Doobie Brothers for New Year's Eve. "Without Love, where would you be now?" 

We know who Love Is: the Lord Jesus Christ gave it all for you. Let Him have your life. Without Him, you know where you'd be now. 

Monday Musings

Many people make resolutions in hopes of keeping them, inspired by the dawn of a new year. No harm in that. Many people need to set goals, make lists, and determine by so doing to conquer lethargy, fears, laziness, or whatever keeps them from advancing in their daily lives.

My goal is the same every year, every day, every moment: Listen to the Lord's Spirit, discern His voice, and obey His requests. Christians often fail to remember His desires for us - whether they come via difficult tasks or simple endeavors - are for our good. Anything, any action, that brings us closer to Him will always prove to be an improvement in the way we live. Sometimes we're so engrossed in our selfish wants that we make the Lord's requests secondary to ours. That rarely works out well for us. 

As the New Year approaches, if you haven't had the absolute pleasure, privilege, and/or thrill of meeting Jesus, the Savior of the world, I pray you will. Nothing in this world offers a better way to live.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  - John 14:6 (NIV)

Sunday's Offerings

 

     Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

          "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

           you now dismiss your servant in peace.

          For my eyes have seen your salvation,

           which you have prepared in the sight of all people.

          a light for revelation to the Gentiles

           and for glory to your people Israel."

     The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." 

Luke 2:25-35 (NIV)

Friday's Fare . . .

From Chapter 32:

REMINDER

Jean July had the luxury of being born into a holy house with two parents who managed to praise God’s love and provision in spite of her father’s disability and eventual amputation and even when the young and vivacious Jean was told there was nothing that could correct her heart condition at such a tender age.

     He heard her words of explanation after she took him to their favorite spot up above their hideaway homes, high in the evergreens with an occasional pine, alder, or maple draping over them like a primitive shelter. They called it Eden—this place of beauty and stillness. This place where their lips first touched.

     She huffed and stopped along the way, and he asked if she was okay. She just smiled and pushed herself to get there.

     “Micah,” she said, settling into the seat of an ancient root system of a long-fallen fir. “We know God. You’ve even seen our Lord.”

     He remembered she labored over the words, reaching for more air as she spoke. “We don’t have much time left together. They—” She stumbled then. “The doctors can’t help me. It’s my heart.”

     The tears came fast then, and he panicked. He almost lunged for her but pulled her gently to himself and started to tell her they didn’t know what they were talking about. She was too young to die, and no way would he allow it. But as he struggled to speak, the Lord made sure he understood this would not be compromised. Jean July belonged to Him and what He intended for her was more and better than anything Micah or anyone else could provide. Micah wept as he held her and made no grandiose statements of her miraculous healing.

     When he could find his own oxygen and stop his wretched sobbing, he found a way to whisper, “Marry me.”

     She pulled out of his embrace and looked with wonder at his statement. “I’m going to die, Micah.” She said it so sweetly as if bestowing some noble gift upon him.

     “I know. So marry me.” He grabbed her hands. “I love you, Jean. I’ll always love you.”

 

Father, thank you is never enough for all the inspiration, the desire to write, the words, characters, all of it. Please help me to continue it. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

The day after . . .

   

Gifts given, presents opened, sized up, returns ready. The day after Christmas when inventory is taken. Leftovers ready to roll on repeat. 

Some return to work, others finish the week off.

Hope your Christmas was beautiful and wonderful and definitely meaningful. 

The real reckoning comes with the continuation of realization about who Jesus Is and that super holiday that just celebrated His coming to earth. In the big picture, that's all that truly matters. Does the adoration of our Savior continue? Do we continue to walk in His ways and listen to His voice, His instructions? Or do we fall back into a pattern of life that leaves Him on the outside of it? That's the must-answer question of our intentions. 

I pray that as the first of 2025 gets closer that more people would decide to find out who Jesus really Is. There's no comparison to living life with Him. I've lived both ways: in the world and saved by the Lord Jesus Christ. Redemption is everything. 

In the Name of Jesus, Amen.