Into the Fire

       Miscellaneous meanderings of an author's mind . . . 

If you don't like a novel, don't review it. If someone asks you if you like a particular book and you don't, tell them the truth but conclude with you were not the intended audience. It's a simple courtesy to the author. And especially don't review it if you've enjoyed all of their previous stories, but this one didn't appeal to you. To tear down a book in a review is not classy, and you have no idea how much harm you could be doing to that author. 

I have insisted over the years that there is a real difference between a love story and a romance. Love stories are the development of not only the characters but of how their love occurs and what that love means to each of them. Generally, it doesn't have the constant conflicts between the love interests woven into the romance novels. I always say I write love stories heavy on the romance because in my stories there is a lot of that zing that romance creates. No one who's experienced romance can deny the sexual attraction involved. How it's handled in a love story can be different from the way it's shown in a romance novel. Maybe the differences are subtle, but they're there. If I had to pick one of my books to call more of a real romance novel than a love story, I'd pick . . . in a love song.

There have been two consistencies in my life: I've written stories since I was a child, and I've loved horses my entire life. Results: over 30 years in Thoroughbred horse racing and working on book #12 (two remain unpublished by choice). 

Feel free to add any comments or questions as to writing and authors. 

Father, I can't thank you enough for my life. You rescued me from myself when the time was right, and I will never be able to thank you enough. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.