Into the Fire

Feeling . . . The Sky Beneath My Feet

                     

I almost chose not to review this novel. Not because it's poorly written or any of those kinds of reasons. Lisa Samson is a great storyteller and a gifted writer. The Sky Beneath My Feet, published by Thomas Nelson, is a contemporary novel which could be labeled Women's Fiction because of the first person telling by Elizabeth/Eliza/Beth of her predicament when her husband Rick is granted a month long vacation away from his duties as Men's Pastor at their large church. When Beth is given a key by a generous parishoner to a beach bungalow in Florida for their vacation, she is shocked to learn what Rick has planned for his vacation.

So, the reason I wasn't going to review this story is because I didn't really like Beth. Or Rick. Or their son Eli who turned 16 about midway through the book. Nor did I like the portrayal of their church because it depicted (and mocked) so many characteristics, problem areas, and Christian clichés of many churches today. However, part of those problems are personified in people like Beth and Rick. And although clumsy and selfish in his aim to remedy a problem, Rick at least attempted to find a solution. Beth chose to whine, complain, and pout.

When Beth's brother Gregory comes to visit seeking a dire favor, Beth accompanies him to a scary part of town to rescue a young girl who's addicted to heroine and staying at a ramshackle house called Mission Up. Somehow visiting this place causes Beth to find a purpose she discarded when she married Rick and had two sons.

There's a conflict between wealth and poverty, works and faith, and people who attend and do ministry in the church but appear unable to hear from God. This story seems to subtly point the finger at those who don't do ministry where it's greatly needed, but ignores the glaring problem of those who haphazardly seek after or randomly listen to the Lord. Admittedly, we all travel through the spiritual deserts of our making, experiencing an unquenchable dryness in our walks, but much of that is our own doing. We allow distance between us and the Lord because of so many variables that create it, all unique to personal situations. God is patient and uses whatever it takes to draw us back to Him. Purpose is what Beth and Rick needed to get their focuses back to what matters and this is where they were finally able to find some unity in their directives.

And this is why I wasn't going to review the book - because I just talked about the underlying message or agenda of the story rather than the story itself. I was distracted by the agenda, and the unraveling of the message took an unusual journey to arrive at its ultimate destination. The journey was only sometimes compelling because the individuals involved weren't really very satisfying.

This review is not to criticize Lisa Samson. She's a superior talent, and she always writes with purpose. Honestly, I just didn't feel like the means to the end worked to accomplish the intended agenda - or perhaps the story itself didn't work for me. Which is of course just my opinion. 

I'd still recommend any of Lisa's novels to readers who want a different kind of story from a very good writer who always looks at people and life from a unique perspective, creating unusual characters and meaningful, thought-provoking literature.     

 

Father, please watch over Lisa, minister to her heart and soul, renew her spirit, and keep her safe from all harm. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Remembering . . .

             

 

  

 

    

     And the writings of a young girl on a great adventure:

    

A long time ago. A girl who didn't know Jesus but believed in God. A girl naive in so many ways. A girl penning a note to an acquaintance who after so many years found these postcards stashed away and shared them. In order: from London, Luxembourg, and Sion, Switzerland.

 

God, what an amazing thing you've done. You find us. You love us. You save us. You use us. How and why is beyond my very limited imagination. I love you, Lord, and I remain desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.




 

 

Sunday's Offerings

 

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

 

Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

Looking forward to . . .

 

This film should be interesting, and I love watching Johnny Depp act.

 

Father, please save his soul. Nothing matters without you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Don't . . .

                              

I know. It sounds selfish. And ungodly even. But let me apply a little more reasonable explanation to the declaration in this snapshot.

Christians surrender their lives to Jesus Christ once the recognition of their sinful selves leads them to the ensuing repentance. From that moment on - with the understanding a genuine heart-cry has taken place - people yield the controls of their lives to God. No, it doesn't come easily or even naturally since we live in a body of flesh which wages war against our spiritual desires as a daily regimen. 

In fact, our lives still belong to us. And we can go by our own rules. However, we change after meeting Jesus, and therefore our rules change. Not because God gives us a bunch of ultimatums and threats but because we no longer desire much of the sinful conduct we lived by prior to friendship with the living God.

Many people who don't know Jesus have the perception that religious do's and don'ts dominate this newfound life. On the contrary our relationship isn't about rigid adherence to rules but a real desire to live on a higher spiritual plane by learning to listen to the Holy Spirit as He instructs us on how to truly live our lives. Prior to our knowing Jesus, we lived according to what we assumed we wanted, needed, or liked. And while we may have been satisfied in the short term with our personal gains, that satisfaction usually soared briefly and toppled quickly after we set our sights on "the next big thing" we wanted to have or achieve. 

When someone other than the Lord wants to insist we do something we cannot do because of our heart's objection to the demand(s), we can testify: My life. My rules. It might require real conviction to remain steadfast, but it's a choice we must make.

I confess if you tell me I "have to do" something - especially if it makes no sense to me - my neck stiffens and I resist with a mule's reaction to an unfavorable command. In other words: Don't. Don't tell me "You have to." My instinctive reaction: "My life. My rules." We all know this doesn't always work out for us, but sometimes we proclaim it anyway. Silently or otherwise. Once in awhile we declare it with a spiritual bent because we need to stand for something. Something higher and better than the human condition.

 

Father, you are life. You are righteousness. And you are all that truly matters. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Words and Wishes

 

Pick one. You've probably used a few of these well-known clichés and/or phrases several times in your life to encourage yourself or others. Sometimes these words hit home and score what they were designed to do. Other times they serve as reminders of how clichés are formed. There is truth there, but it's been repeated so often the original intent has become smudged from overuse like fingered penciled notes.

Words mean things, and we need them. Words rub us raw. Words take us to emotional skies and drop us just as fast back down to earth. Words keep silent and run off in our heads. Words tumble out awkwardly and embarrass us or endear us. Words stop in our throats and won't commit. Words gush from insincere lips and create gauzy messes. Words make or break us.

We understand when told, "Let your words be few." Because sometimes words don't say what we mean or mean what we say.

May those words you need today be on your tongues and be released in beauty and grace.

 

Father, may we write or speak the words you give us. In spirit and in truth. With love. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

 

The answers in . . . Stone and Spark

                      

http://www.amazon.com/Stone-Spark-Raleigh-Harmon-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00J0ICY2A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395597500&sr=8-1&keywords=Stone+and+Spark+by+Sibella+Giorello

The prequel to the Raleigh Harmon Mysteries has arrived. All of you who love Sibella Giorello's writing will certainly not be disappointed to read Stone and Spark which introduces us to 15 year old Raleigh Harmon and the situation with her best friend, young genius and physics devotee, Drew Levinson. This is the stark account of the origination of Raleigh's love for geology, taught to her by the paraplegic teacher she calls Teddy - except in front of her southern gentleman father who is also a judge - and the development of her innate investigative skills inspired by her love of rock and earth.

Raleigh and Drew have a few things in common, but the prominent factor is their difficult home life. Raleigh's mother is mentally ill and floats in and out of lucidity, but mostly stays out, as Raleigh's dad does his best to avoid a strained and stress-filled balancing act in their home - without succeeding. Drew's mom is a divorced, self-absorbed, work-governed, position-climber by weekday, drunk on the weekend, parent while her dad is no less a self-absorbed, now banker-turned-free-spirit starving artist. So as best friends who forged their friendship from various feelings of alienation from the social-climbing twits at their private school and from their different kinds of intelligence, Raleigh and Drew meet every Friday evening at a former Atlanta Braves player's little burger joint for the staple of teen meals: burgers and shakes. Whoever arrives first earns a free milkshake from the owner Titus.

When Raleigh beats Drew to their hangout for the first time after securing a surprise to show Drew, Raleigh's elation soon fades to suspicion and doubt when Drew fails to show. After leaving the restaurant to go to Drew's house, she finds Drew's mother Jayne there, drunk, but no Drew. From this moment on Raleigh is determined to find her best friend based on everything she's learned about Drew and from her young instincts as to Drew's behaviors.

Raleigh's relentless pursuit and her rock-solid belief that her friend is in trouble convinces almost no one that Drew hasn't decided to just disappear to get much-needed attention. A few even believe Raleigh is involved in the conspiracy.

In this story we see and feel the tremendous burden and pain of a young girl, who should be enjoying discovering her skills and allowing herself the comfort and thrill of young romance, enduring an intense conflict with her mom's multiple faces of mental illness which cause her and her dad to guard every word, every action, almost every thought in their home. Raleigh feels she doesn't matter much in the heirarchy, especially since her mom always refers to Raleigh's older sister Helen (away at college) with such favor and looks at Raleigh with constant suspicion.

Raleigh's moral dilemmas face mounting challenges as her faith in God wears thin. Drew is missing, and the police seem handcuffed by unconvinced parents as to Drew's whereabouts. Raleigh's perseverance takes her into dangerous places physically, emotionally, and spiritually, but she won't give up the hunt. She runs, she bikes, in the cold dark after-midnight hours searching, escaping, finding, and fleeing. Risking it all for the friend she needs to prove her worth, to share her pain. To rescue each other. 

Sibella's writing continues to be at a high level, an inspiring example to those of us who write. Her wit, intelligence, and the perfectly organic presentation of faith remind us what Christian novels are supposed to be. This is a meaningful story of love and loss, mystery and mayhem, determination and devotion, all meshed together in a picture of a young girl's heart struggling with each one.

I'm a sap - that's no surprise - but there are a couple of emotional scenes in Stone and Spark which will gnaw at your gut and if you don't have Raleigh's practiced control, you will cry.

Stone and Spark by Sibella Giorello, published by Cool Gus Publishing, is a beautiful but painful story of the young Raleigh Harmon. A quick read that drives you to the next page but one you don't want to come to an end in spite of the hurt, the tears, the struggle . . . because you recognize Sibella has caught life in her words, and those words just won't let you go.

An absolute must read for lovers of mysteries and one of today's finest and superbly written characters: Raleigh Harmon.  

 

Father, all of us have struggles. It's the way of this world. You don't leave us behind in them but walk with us through them. I pray you would bless Sibella for her abilities to portray hardship and pain through her characters. I pray you would continue to give her meaningful stories and help her through any personal challenges as she strives to honor you in all she does. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

     

A slave to . . . This Quiet Tyranny

 

                 

http://www.amazon.com/This-Quiet-Tyranny-Jessica-Thomas/dp/0989880826/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_pap?ie=UTF8&qid=1395432457&sr=8-1&keywords=this+quiet+tyranny+by+Jessica+E.+Thomas

This Quiet Tyranny by Jessica E. Thomas is published by her indie creation Provision Books and is available in print, Kindle, and other E-book formats. A futuristic, fatalistic, dystopian story with a similar feel to The Book of Eli without the exorbitant violence, This Quiet Tyranny is a well-written but difficult read. As it should be.

Though the novel has changed since my first read-through in its formative stages a few years ago, the story retains the dark and oppressive feel which seems to usurp life itself from Laine Sutton as she medicates herself with various drugs just to get through her days.The chips ("C-chips") are already implanted in the hands of the people, something her now deceased mother resisted to her dying day. Laine's memories of her mother's life, beliefs, encouragement, and convictions have blurred and all but vanished under the haze and depression of life where the government rules and provides "everything" for its people using Isotek, where Laine's employed, as a vehicle to transport substance to the people. This means that when anything goes wrong, the provisions don't arrive, the cupboards are bare, and many times hunger prevails. But Laine has found a consistent vendor for the pills she needs to survive this dreary existence with a man she dislikes and disdains and her adopted son Hugh with whom she's severed any real connection.

When a man named Boyd intervenes in Laine's life promising an answer to her malaise, a terrible incident at home drives her to find him. When she does, she endures a procedure she's convinced is designed to kill her but actually frees her. From that point on she begins to remember pieces of her childhood and her mother's life during that time.

Laine and Boyd are desperate souls who need each other for more reasons than they can realize. Neither of them knows the other's intent, and the mysteries perpetuate while Laine suspects foul play, and Boyd discovers "the plan" on which he's based most of his decisions is wrong and must be overcome.

The cold emptiness displayed in this story is so well written, the loss of emotions other than depression and hopelessness captured to the point where we shudder at the choices and wince at the philosophies based on the ever-increasing depravity of mankind rejecting God.

The faint faith echoes in the emptiness, a distant draw in Laine's skeptical existence. Something too good to hope for, something too good to be true?

Jessica E. Thomas has written a somber reminder of a plausible futuristic existence where people are mere puppets operated by an uncaring and cruel government exercising its power over many. Those working behind the scenes as opposition members to the government's control prove to be equally as evil. This Quiet Tyranny demonstrates the multiple kinds of slavery people adhere to when they have no moral compass, no spiritual life, and are dead to the knowledge of true freedom.

The story takes some twists toward the end. A bit of confusion late. Although the ending gives resolution, there is no satisfaction - just a glimmer of hope . . .

 

Father, you know Jess's heart and soul. You know what drives her, what she hopes for, and how hard she works. Please direct her steps, give her hope and joy. Please bless her for all she does to honor you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.   

Sunday's Offerings

 

"So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven."

 

Matthew 10:26-33 (NIV)

Runnin' on . . .

  

Yup. Runnin' on empty today. Thus the graphic which displays it all. Feel fine. Just bankrupt of energy and creativity.

 

Father, fill me up with your good stuff. Thank you for all you do for me. My gratitude is never enough. Thank you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Excuses, excuses . . .

           

And, although, this young lady is considerably younger than me, this picture says it all about what I was doing from late afternoon until this morning. No fun. My pregnancies were made up of this activity from conception to the eighth month so this is one of my most hated and dreadful activities.

Although I thought it was a touch of food poisoning because I didn't have real flu symptoms, my son ate similar food when we were at the mall and fortunately had no signs of sickness.

But then, me being who I am, I got in a spiritual "discussion" yesterday on Facebook. One of those where you're emphasizing the spiritual aspects which are left out of their reasoning and where I basically declared God was infallible and far more believable than man's calculations and theories. Of course, they didn't understand what I was saying. All they heard was how I was "against" science, etc.

As I lay in bed in the middle of the night contemplating the state of my condition, I was reminded of what happened to me many, many years ago in France after "defending" God in my discussion with a group of girls who were agnostic at best. I wasn't yet a Christian, but I knew there was a God, the God. I knew very little about Him, but I knew He was greater than mankind. Shortly after that discussion, in Aix en Provence, I was almost asphyxiated because I closed a window in the bathroom of the home where we were staying while I took a long shower with next to no water pressure. It turned out the window was open to dispel the leak from the propane gas. I didn't know about the leak.

The spiritual side of things is inarguable for me. Our enemy wants to kill us in order to shut us up. Not that my argument was so scintillating that I was presenting any danger of "conversion" for these individuals, but standing up for our supernatural and superior God is sometimes necessary - at least for me - regardless of our technical knowledge or ability to debate.

So. Whatever I endured from late afternoon until this morning I consider an interesting circumstance. Not a welcome one by any means, but I'm feeling better at this point, and that's my excuse for no blog post before now. Such as it is.

 

Father, thank you for my recovery and for reminding me of my experience in France. I love you, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Wednesday Wisdom

  

 

Thank you, Jesus, for giving those who love you a platform to testify. There is none like you. Thank you for dying for me. I pray you would continue to bless your son Russell Wilson as he honors you in what he does. Keep him safe from all harm and keep him strong in you and in your mighty power. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

What would it take?

  

In a recent post by Rel Mollet at RelzReviewz, she asked about the opinions and influences of book endorsements: http://relzreviewz.com/bookish-question-of-the-week-13/#more. Comments ranged from appreciation to disdain and much in between.  

What would it take for you to give an endorsement of someone's novel? Would you look forward to writing the recommendation of a friend's story if given the opportunity? Would you be honored if it showed up in the "credits" or possibly on either the front or back cover?

What would you do if you didn't like the novel you were asked to endorse?

 

Father, help us to help each other and to be honest and kind in the process. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

Why'd ya think this would happen?

  

Publishing is changing. The monopoly of name publishers is disintegrating and independent (indie) publishers are making their "end around" play for status in the industry. And succeeding. Yes, the big publishers still have a stronghold with their well-known NYTimes Bestselling authors, but those authors are carrying them. And through the years I've become convinced that several publishing houses aren't quite certain what to do with their "middle-grade" or "newbie" authors.

Marketing fiction is difficult, but e-publishing has flung open the doors to "cheap" novels and allowed for avid readers to purchase all kinds of books for their e-readers at little expense and lots of convenience. The emphasis to give away product(s) for promotion and all sorts of pushy hoopla has been diminished because just getting the word out about a new author's novel for sale from 99 cents to under $5 is a major prompt for readers to take a chance. So little to lose if they don't like it.

So what did you think would happen to the staid publishing industry? E-books have revolutionized the approach and dashed all the clichés about only "the best writing" making it into their publishing houses for production. Now anyone who can afford the nominal costs to produce an e-book can find multiple outfits to accommodate their desires. Not only that but independent publishing groups/presses are loading up on new clients, actually not demanding submissions via agents, and enjoying their new niches in the publishing market, producing both print and e-books. And no one is happier than the authors they represent.

Sometimes change is good, and the changes in publishing have shaken up the traditional publishing industry. They needed it.

 

Father, please guide all of us who write to the place where you want us to be. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.    

Sunday's Offerings

 

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

 

Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)

Where are you right now?

     

The current state of affairs in this world can definitely lead to the directions the above signs indicate. Any one of them is an undesirable place to be, and what person hasn't "been there, done that"?

In addition to the condition of this chaotic world, publishing can present the very same lack of direction and emotional disturbances for writers. In today's failing economy successful authors have been abandoned by their publishers and for the first time are contemplating self-publishing. Much of the stigma - although not all of it - has been removed precisely because of "name" authors using it to further their careers.

The productivity and profitability of e-publishing bloomed into the real deal, giving all kinds of writers new opportunities for their work (good and bad). Regardless of the quality of the writing, this puts the responsibility for determining the value of a story square in the lap of the reader where it belongs. Does Amazon refund the purchase price of an e-book as is done in bookstores if a customer decides they don't like a book after reading it? I hope not.

I once again admit to being confused, baffled, and bewildered by some - or many - current CBA publishing decisions, but it's the name of the game. And at this present time I'm not playing it.

 

Father, your directions all have purpose, are all correct, and, although we might be confused or baffled by them, it doesn't change their value or their right nature. So, forgive me please when I question or complain. I'm near-sighted. Help me always to see more clearly and trust more deeply. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

 

Down the road again . . .

  

It looks like Spring will be here soon. In the meantime please visit me today at Novel Rocket and don't hesitate to comment . . .

 

Once again, Lord, thank you for the opportunities. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Not good enough . . .

              

Probably every writer who's ever constructed a story has gone through the self-accusations of not being good enough. And, hey, there are always times when we're not good enough. Maybe those times come at the beginning of the writing journey when we haven't gained our best stride, or we fumble around with our voice, or we've yet to fully understand the craft of putting all the pieces of story together to form a real novel. Or perhaps we've written a few stories after overcoming the foibles of the learning process and we get stuck at some point in a story we thought we were going to nail.

If you've ever been through the querying process and experienced rejection, the tendency is to assume your work wasn't good enough. Although that's not always the case, sometimes those who receive your manuscript in fact think you're not good enough for their specific tastes, needs, or desires.

I've never watched a single episode of American Idol. The original commercials featuring totally untalented contestants making a mockery of the competition never inspired me to get involved. Those embarrassing "performances" clearly demonstrated people who were not good enough to compete in their field of choice. They left no doubt they never would be. Their personal evaluations of themselves proved they could not clearly determine what was required to be good enough.

There comes a point where you must face your writing skills and evaluate them with a measure of comparison in mind. By that I mean to make sure you understand where you are as a writer. Are you skilled in the craft - do you understand the objectives of your story? Are you proficient enough grammatically to break rules without coming across as ignorant of them? Are you familiar with enough admirable and talented authors to realistically assess your work? Have you gained confidence in who - what kind of reader - will appreciate your voice, style, and genre?

There is also another point where you conclude you either are or are not good enough.You know there will always be a steeper climb, but between gripping and notching that next position, some satisfaction must exist. You must be able to differentiate whether or not criticism has merit or is merely a subjective expression of different tastes.

So where are you honestly? Good enough or not good enough?

 

Father, help us all to live fully, to act in obedience, and to reach our potential under your hand of mercy. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.       

A final . . . Reckoning

 

  "Death will have a reckoning, and for Cody and Remy it could mean the end of everything they’ve loved."

 

Winter Austin has written a stunning conclusion to her Degrees of Darkness Series, published by Crimson Romance, having begun with Relentless, followed by Retribution, Revenge, and now the final book Reckoning. Each novel presents another addition to the horrifying evil besetting Detective Remy LeBeau and  "cowgirl" Cody Lewis. Thinking all had been resolved in Remy's past in Revenge, there's a whole new wickedness come to town and this time Cody's father Logan Lewis and Remy's partner Detective Heath Anderson share knowledge hidden from Remy and Cody.

I really don't want to create *spoilers* for this series if you haven't read each one in order, so this review will skim details and focus on the characters. This is a powerful, strongly-written romantic suspense series which deserves to be read from start to finish. Each story connects to the next one taking the readers deeper and deeper into the characters' psyches and motivations.

Cody is the only one who doesn't undergo much change. She's a feisty, hot-headed little spitfire redhead who acts and talks before thinking things through, and this habit inevitably causes problems between her and Remy. Between the two of them, they need a solid course on how to communicate. Instead they maintain secrets from each other in order to protect one another based on past pain. It never works.

This is where Heath usually intervenes. He's able to see through both of them, but he's only able to really communicate with Cody, understanding things from observing her behavior, words, and attitude when difficult subjects erupt under stressful situations which always seem to throw them together, causing Remy grief and jealousy.

Remy can't pick up on the subtleties of Cody's irritations because she disguises them rather than dealing with them outright. In Reckoning there are multiple issues which rage to the forefront of Cody's life, none of which she wants to discuss with anybody, especially Remy because of how she thinks he'll react.

Logan Lewis, Cody's beloved father and only remaining parent, finds himself in a more prominent role in this story, knee-deep in a hurtful past which goes all the way back to his military days in Vietnam, none of which Cody knows anything about. When an unexpected package arrives on the porch of Logan's ranch dwelling, he is sickened by the contents. Determined to find the sender and confront the dangerous possibilities, he leaves the ranch with no explanation about his sudden trip.

Opening with a grisly murder in progress performed by a sadistic killer, Reckoning continues on full tilt until the Epilogue. With unknown history about Cody's mom and dad pushing its way to the forefront of several different murders, Heath's secretive knowledge about the way a victim was murdered, and Cody's abusive ex-boyfriend out of jail, there is suddenly fear on more than one front.

Reckoning is a taut, complex, fast-moving thriller with a twist you won't see coming while it still manages to include a little hot romance, relational drama (and silliness), and characters who work very hard to protect each other yet somehow cause each other to end up in life or death situations. A bittersweet but satisfying conclusion to this well-done series, Winter Austin ends it with a bang.

Faith remains in the background of the story, and there is some profanity.

One insignificant complaint: I wish they would've used the face on the cover of Retribution for this one. 

http://www.amazon.com/Reckoning-Degrees-Darkness-Crimson-Romance-ebook/dp/B00IV3Q7ZU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394404759&sr=8-1&keywords=Reckoning%2c+winter+austin

http://www.crimsonromance.com/upcoming-releases-romance-ebook/reckoning/

Highly recommend the Degrees of Darkness Series by Winter Austin  for those who love romantic suspense. Coming soon at the end of March.

 

Father, please continue to provide those stories for Winter to write. Bless her efforts to honor you in all she does. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

 

 

 

Related articles

Being . . . Relentless

Partial . . . Retribution

Set for . . . Revenge

Speaking with Alton Gansky . . .

 

If you're unfamiliar with the author Alton Gansky, you've missed out. He's written some fabulous novels filled with adventure, mystery, outrageous imagination, and good writing. I reviewed his latest exciting novel Wounds and his collaboration with Jeff Struecker in Certain Jeopardy. I highly recommend you visit him here.

I had the privilege and pleasure of doing an interview with Al, and he made it easy to converse. If you've ever wanted to see me "unmasked", this is the place.

If you manage to sit through the interview, let me know your thoughts.

 

Father, I pray you would continue to bless Al's many talents. Open doors for him, increase his opportunities, and showcase his abilities done to honor you. Thank you for the privilege of spending a little portion of time with this gifted man. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.