Into the Fire

Perspective

                 

Did you know that the Merriam-Webster Thesaurus/Dictionary lists 38 synonyms for the word "perspective" along with several definitions? 

Did you know the perspective with which you view pictures, places, things, and ideas can change over time?

Perspective gives us a partial understanding of the world around us, but our perspectives can be incorrect because our information might be skewed, inaccurate, convoluted by outside influences, or lack confirmation of actuality. 

Perspective can also give us comfort when we examine something that might have upset us which "in the big picture" is rather small. Perspective allows us to regroup and adjust our outlook and/or attitude, making any necessary concessions or revisions. 

Perspective is a valuable asset when based on absolutes. 

 

Father, we're all desperate for you whether we know it or not. We need your perspective on and in this life. Thank you for however you provide it. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

 

 

Wednesday Whimsy

   

 

 

 

                           Springtime in the desert. 

 

Father, beauty belongs to you, and you left it everywhere for all to see. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Tuesday Tunes

         

Just one among so many great hits from The Supremes. Fabulous trio. Amazing songs. 

 

Lord, so much talent, so many gifts. Only you know hearts. May those with many talents know from whom they've been gifted. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

 

Who's next to die in . . . Belinda Blake and the Birds of a Feather

                               
 Belinda Blake and the Birds of a Feather is Book 3 of the Exotic Pet-Sitter Mystery Series by Heather Day Gilbert. 

There's a lull in Belinda's pet-sitting business when she learns of an older friend's death in her hometown, so she leaves her Greenwich, Connecticut, carriage house rental and the dashing Stone Carrington the Fifth who seems to be falling for her. The woman who died is her parents' neighbor in Upstate New York, and her son Jonas was her caretaker besides running their farm. Belinda loved the woman - plus she has all kinds of attraction to Jonas. When she arrives, she immediately takes over the care of his mom's homing pigeons until Jonas can find them a new home. 

After the funeral, Belinda takes a casserole over to Jonas and his visiting brother. Following dinner, Jonas points out an article in the local newspaper to Belinda about a college student who was killed in a hit and run. Jonas is convinced there's something suspicious about the death and asks Belinda to take a look at it knowing how good she is at figuring out odd circumstances. Between taking care of the pigeons and trying to see as much of Jonas as she can, visiting with her old friend Chloe who writes for the newspaper, she decides to investigate and gather information about the young man who was mowed down. She and Chloe want to know more. 

The mystery takes on a darker tone as Belinda discovers that members of a book club are being murdered, after the first one of them (Claire) was mysteriously hit by a train when the club met together one night a few years ago. As Belinda begins to add up what she's learned, it seems one person should be the definite suspect, but somehow she can't quite accept it. 

Belinda faces all kinds of emotional conflict as she sorts out her life during the hunt for a murderer. Should she go back to Greenwich and the wealthy, gorgeous Stone Carrington? Should she move back home and face the fact that Jonas has her heart? Does she have his? All these personal decisions run interference during the search for who is killing these kids. 

This Book 3 is a genuine murder mystery with a romantic thread amidst the darkness of the deaths. Heather ends it with just enough answers and solutions to satisfy the reader but leaves it open to more intrigue for a possible Book 4.  

This is a fun, interesting, entertaining, and unique Cozy Mystery Series. Definitely recommend it. 

 

Father, I ask that you continue to give the inspiration, time, energy, and all provision for Heather to continue telling the stories you have just for her to tell. Bless her in your abundance. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

     

Sunday's Offerings

 

     Dear children, this is the last hour, and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

. . . Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist - he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

 

1 John 2:18-19;22-23 (NIV)

Friday Five

                         

Five Fun Things:

Writing 

Reading 

Walking 

Riding a horse

Going to the ocean

(and Laughing, Vacation Drives)

 

Father, thank you for it all. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 
          

Are we having fun yet?

     

In this era of social media and cell phones, everything is recorded. Pictures, videos, selfies, you know the drill. Recorded for posterity or until new images are necessary to replace the ones from last year, last week, last night. Lives are suspended in the time it takes to grab that phone, catch that photo, pose for that picture, snap that event. The temporary memory logged. 

I had a Konica 35 mil. camera that I loved. I got it for my 20th birthday. It went with me to Europe and recorded roll after roll of film shots. Some were made into photographs. Others remain on slides. This was a long time ago. That camera many years later was stolen out of our home along with other possessions that could never be replaced including a silver pocket watch with horses etched on it and engraved inside to my husband, and my mom's wedding ring set. Irreplaceable. 

Well, that information took a downturn from the "fun" facet of this post . . . The point being: fun has many faces. What's fun for me might not be even close to registering on your fun meter. Fun is fleeting and sometimes meaningless in the big picture, but fun can also be remembered as one of the most important days in a life. Recollections of genuine fun can sustain a person in times of melancholy or bring a renewal of energy to pursue happier times.

Not all fun things need to be recorded in imagery other than the pictures in the mind. Some fun things deserve that lingering memory that only an individual's thoughts can capture. A feeling, a scent, a sound, a sigh. That special thing remembered as fun. 

 

Father, you've given me so much fun in my life. And I know you will continue to bless me with more. I treasure all that you've given me and am thankful beyond words for all that you've done for me in my life. Thank you for rescuing me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

More fun?

Yeah, driving a 65 Pontiac LeMans, yellow with a black rag top. Man, I loved that car. I used to drive it down I-5 at 100 mph at around 4:30 AM on my way to the racetrack. That is until one very rainy morning when I ended up doing about 3 donuts and managed to not hit the concrete bulkheads of the freeway as they passed in and out of my vision. I slowed down to 80 when I got straightened away. 

 

Father, you protected me even when I was lost. I can never thank you enough for all you've done for and given me. Blessing upon blessing. Forgiveness. You rescued me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Just for fun . . .

 

 

When I need a break from reality, an escape that brings a smile, just for fun, yeah, I watch a couple scenes from the "new" Magnum PI just because. We can all agree this isn't the "real" Magnum PI, but it's an enjoyable substitute and each new season has improved with the cast of characters growing into their roles. So there. 

 

Father, the reality is we all need you above all else. I pray that each one with amazing creative abilities recognizes from whom their talents and gifts come. Thank you for all of them. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

 

In hope . . . Send Down the Rain

                                           

With most authors you will find readers who are die-hard fans or are die-hard critics. I'm amazed at how some people choose to review novels they don't like. And when those critics expound on those things they didn't like in direct contrast to how the majority of other readers perceived the story, its characters, and nearly everything else about the novel, it does tend to mystify me. The few (in comparison to the 5-stars) one-star Amazon reviews for this novel were utterly baffling.

Send Down the Rain by Charles Martin is a love story at its core told in first-person by his protagonist "Jo Jo". But it's also a picture of lives that went haywire for all kinds of different reasons and consequently experienced crushing pain deep within their souls. It's a story of coping and not coping with the damage done and fearing any real rehabilitation from that pain is doubtful. It's a story about confessions and revelations, betrayals real and perceived, failures at every emotional level and successes where it's least expected. It's about sorrows and horrors and rescues and resurrections. About lies and truths. It's about death and life and guilt and shame. 

One thing is certain: if you're going to read a Charles Martin novel and you happen to be either fairly emotional (as I am) or somewhat sentimental (which I can definitely be), prepare to be incited to tears, heart-wrenching, gut-level sadness, and hopeful relief at the end. Because it's gonna hurt at different points of the story, and Charles can definitely bring the pain. With exquisite writing, deep character development, unusual deep-dive plots, and unique structure to his storytelling, it's an experience which won't pass quickly once you come to "the end". 

Faith fades in and out in a haze like watching something at a distance in the sunshine.

Five stars. 

 

Father, you've given Charles incredible talent and many appreciative readers for his work. Please continue to bless his life, his writing, and the supply of stories you have just for him to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

 

 

Sunday's Offerings

 

"There is no peace," says the Lord, "for the wicked."

 

Isaiah 48:22 (NIV) 

Tread lightly . . .

           

There is much evil in the world. This isn't new. It goes back to the Fall of Man. The end of perfection and serenity because of disobedience that came in the form of an incredibly selfish desire to be "like" God. The first to demonstrate that impossible task was kicked out of heaven. His name was changed from Lucifer, meaning "day star" or "son of the morning", to Satan which means "accuser" or "adversary". Using his own fallibility (pride) to convince Eve and subsequently Adam to eat from the only tree in the garden (out of many) from which they were instructed not to eat, they sinned against their loving Creator and the two of them were banished from the perfect life they lived in the Garden of Eden. And with them they took sin and all of its consequences with them. 

So. Here we are today. 

Taking a different look, let's translate that to art. Since I'm a writer, I'm going to go in that direction. You might have had the opportunity to read some of Mike Duran's work (both fiction and non-fiction) or maybe have read some of his posts on Facebook and elsewhere regarding the Christian Fiction genre. He explores the horror genre and how it pertains to Christian fiction. Often demonstrating his ability to teach by inspiring conversation and exploration, Mike's opinions make excellent points about the various reactions to novels which have been classified as Christian but might reside outside the box that so many Christian readers demand that Christian authors never escape.  

What inspired this post today is my irritation with Christian readers who slur the authors of novels regarding their stories which might be contrary to their religious doctrine, offend them with authentic examples of real romance, fail to see the redemptive quality of a story over their objections to it not being "clean" enough to suit their rigid demands. Now, let me say this before I proceed: they have every right to feel the way they do, to comment on either circumstance, but, as Christians, it seems to me they could reduce the harsh criticisms, slurs, contempt, and, yes, self-righteous pontifications in their 1-star reviews and simply say, "This novel didn't work for me. I adhere to a different theology, less romance." Something that would explain their stance without offering an opinion that reeks of "my opinion is more valuable than this author's" or "this author should be ashamed." 

I'm overstating this point because it deeply bothers me. When I read some of those 1-star reviews given to extremely valuable novels with wonderfully redemptive stories, I'm greatly disturbed that some of what is written in those reviews does not reflect well on a part of the Christian reading audience.

It's Friday. Go have a good weekend in spite of "it" all. 

 

Father, you know hearts. You know minds. Nothing escapes your knowledge. Thank you for being the Creator and for your incredible patience with us. Please help me to be the one you designed me to be. Still working on it, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

 

Something fun this way comes!

   

Well, I'm not going to tell you what it is yet, but I will tell you this much: It involves my novel Race. 

                         

                           Wait for it . . . coming soon!  

 

Father, you've given me so many wonderful long-distance friends that I really hope to meet in person before we all get to heaven. Please pour out your Spirit upon them and bless them in ways they could never imagine. And one in particular concerning this thing. Only you, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Confessions of an author . . .

   

Romance novels constitute the majority of the fiction market. I argue I write love stories heavy on the romance. My solo mystery has a romantic thread within its pages. I don't write them because they're the most popular stories. I write them because the dance of love captured my heart at a very young age. 

May I say this - the bald, laid bare truth: I write good romance. It has spark and fire, passion and emotion - raw depth and all without graphic sexual content. If you love to be consumed within the pages of a romantic love story, have I got a few books for you . . . 

I don't market them well. I don't pound them into all my posts, or on the few social media sites I keep a place. I mention them occasionally, feature them on a few posts once in a while. I'd love to sell more books, but mostly because I want others to experience the characters, their changes, growth. I want readers to relate to them and share in their stories. To appreciate the redemption. 

I don't know why they languish . . . in obscurity. 

Raw Romantic Redemptive  Love stories with a passion. 

 

Father, apart from you, I can do nothing. Thank you endlessly for every word, every character, inspiration, and story. Please give me more to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Tuesday Tunes

       

                      Great song. Tellin' it like it is. 

 

Father, you are Love. You're the only One who can show us what love is, how to love, and to whom we can give our love. Only you. Thank you for first loving us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

 

Operating under a . . . False Pretense

                                              

False Pretense by Heather Day Gilbert is the final segment in (Book 4) A Murder in the Mountains Series. 

Tess Spencer is wife to running-for-Prosecutor Thomas Spencer, mom of two, and works at the police station as Detective Zeke's "office" assistant. Her innate ability to deduce certain motivations of the criminal types often brings Zeke to discuss cases with her. This latest one presents a dramatic twist when a legendary "Mothman'' creature familiar to the area's folklore appears to one of the locals in the woods bordering her home just prior to a missing girl's last seen whereabouts. When the search for her lengthens, people can't help but wonder if the Mothman is responsible.

Written in first person, Heather brings Tess alive with her perceptions, empathy, devotion to her husband and children, and deep concerns for her beloved mother-in-law. I love the inter-action between her and Thomas - it's real, flirty, full of love and mutual respect. Tess is tough, but she's likewise fragile when it comes to threats to her family. The Mothman sighting is beyond strange but not far-fetched in that "he" appeared to the local woman who reported it - but what is "he" really? 

It's a deadly, fantastical story where the motive is difficult to discover and makes operating under a "false pretense" a given. Once Tess realizes the source and reason for this deadly "game", the only mystery left concerns the reality of the Mothman. And he's definitely real.

False Pretense is the perfect conclusion to this series. I recommend you start at the beginning to understand Tess and her family's dynamic. It's a wonderful series for mystery lovers who enjoy "real" characters experiencing unusual situations that cause harm and require determined efforts for resolution. From the beginning, this series depicts the growth of family and friendships when prior pain has inhibited those crucial elements. I recommend A Murder in the Mountains Series from start to finish. 

 

Father, you know the trials Heather's faced recently. You've made her tough and given her the strength she needs to continue to write the stories you have for her to tell. Please continue to bless her body, soul, and spirit, and give her all that she needs to do what you have for her. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.      

  

Sunday's Offerings

 

     Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. 

 

Galatians 6:7-10 (NIV) 

Friday Five

                                     

Five unusual things you've done in your life: 

I ran for Senior Class Secretary and won at my high school. To this day I don't know why I did. 

As a sophomore in my history class, we had a young male trainee who invited me to his family's ranch when he learned I loved horses. I talked my friend into going with me, and my parents and hers said okay, so we took the train from Seattle to Ellensburg where we road horses on his cattle ranch. 

When a friend and I went to Europe, while in London I called the British actor David Hemmings' agent and made an appointment to see him (his agent) since I'd learned David Hemmings was looking to invest into other art venues, i.e. music, writing. I spoke with his agent about potentially publishing some of my poetry, and he invited my friend and I to a party at their newest musician's flat. So we went and there were several people there, the musician was performing somewhere, but his wife welcomed us. Nothing came of it, but it was interesting. On our final day of our grand adventure, I stopped by Nigel's office to give him a small gift. While I was waiting to give it to him, David Hemmings walked in the office and said "Good morning" to me. I returned his greeting and gave Nigel his gift. End of story. 

I accidentally almost suffocated myself in Aix en Provence, France. We stayed with our new American friend studying in France and while my friend and she went into town, I decided to take a shower, wash my hair, etc. I noticed the window was open a bit so I closed it. Little did I know it was because there was a propane leak and it was left open for ventilation. The water pressure was a trickle and I had long hair. It took forever to finish. When I got out of the bathroom, I felt like I couldn't breathe, my heart was racing, and I really wondered if I was going to die. I went downstairs and struggled out to see if the retired teachers in the other part of the duplex were home. They were but couldn't speak English, and I couldn't speak French. Getting fresh air must have helped, and somehow we communicated the problem. They went back with me and noticed the closed window and opened it. Anyway, it definitely felt like a near death experience. The Lord protected me because I hadn't met Jesus yet. 

I "interviewed" for my first racetrack job in a mini-dress, sunglasses, and high heels but got hired anyway. When I reported for work, I wore jeans, boots, and a flannel shirt - no one had to tell me to do that. 

 

Lord, you've guarded me through all my stupid and frivolous endeavors, and I'm so glad you rescued me from myself and forgave me from so much. Thank you is never enough. Please continue to help me be the one you designed me to be. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

 

Throwback Thursday

                                     

(Originally posted as "The final . . . Reckoning" in March of 2014)

"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, 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.

Highly recommend the Degrees of Darkness Series by Winter Austin for those who love romantic suspense.

 

Father, please continue to bless Winter in all of her endeavors and inspire more stories just for her to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

                                                      

Wednesday Whimsy

     

   

   

   

Time is close to welcoming springtime. Let this beauty reflect that each season has its own color, creation, and majesty.

 

Father, you left us beauty on this sin-stained earth. I suspect it's to remind us of who you are and that you are forever. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.