Into the Fire

Passionate thoughts about the world of writing and the Power of God

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Passionate: right or wrong. Writes love stories with a passion. Raw Romantic Redemptive

  • Book shopping? Part Seven

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    To conclude our book shopping spree, once again for your readers of romance, I'm going to suggest you take a long look at my love stories and one mystery/police procedural. Race (my mystery with a thread of romance) can also be purchased in audio book form narrated by the great author and voice of many novels Joseph Courtemanche. 

    Love stories are – or can be – different from straight romance novels. They'reperhaps less formulaic – and by that I mean they can stay more focused on the hero and heroine's development instead of on their conflicts. That could be a matter of opinion, but it's mine.

    I'm going to boldly state my novels are Christian Fiction, but they will not appeal to those Christians on your list that insist there should be no words such as "hell" or "damn" or references to those 4-letter cuss words that are never spelled out. Also, if the real – but never graphic – description of sexual attraction is not acceptable in their reading experiences, you definitely do not want to purchase one of my novels for them. I write real. Real men and Real women. Christians need to remember that sexual attraction is a real thing – and those who make it dirty do not have the things of God in mind. The world has polluted and corrupted sex and sexual attraction, but that does not mean it doesn't exist. My work contrasts the way the world views love, romance, and sex with the way God views and created it to be. So there you have it.

    Raw Romantic Redemptive & Love Stories with a Passion. 

    Highly recommended.  

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    Thank you, Lord, for every inspiration, every word, everything. Apart from you, I can do nothing. Nothing. My words of gratitude for each of these stories doesn't cut it, nor can they ever be enough. Thank you is all I've got, inadequate as it is. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

  • Book shopping? Part Six

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    Continuing in the mystery and other genres, we'll be concluding our "shopping" for this week tomorrow. I've given you some great prospects for the readers on your lists. Double check to see what they like and definitely consider the books I've shown you in these soon-to-be seven posts. 

     

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    The Double Barrel Mysteries Series by Barbara Ellen Brink is a set of solid, entertaining mysteries to keep you engaged with her characters and searching for solutions. Truly enticing stories for outright mystery lovers. Highly recommended. 

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    Author Mark Dawson is the creator of the thrilling John Milton Series, but he is also the author of two Atticus Priest mysteries. The John Milton books are definitely habit-forming in their stories which take the reader all over the world with John. The Atticus Priest novels give the reader a totally different but brilliant character who combines his vast intuitive and people-reading skills with solving murders. Mark's a terrific writer who's able to take his readers on fascinating journeys. Both series and others of Mark's: Highly recommended.  

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    J.B. Turner has written a good series with a rebellious hero (Jon Reznick) who doesn't take kindly to orders that don't comply with his hardcore approach to problematic situations. Pictured above is Book 10 in the series. J.B. writes exciting stories with an interesting set of characters. Highly recommended. 

     

    Father, please continue to bless these authors as only you can do. Provide all that they need to continue to do what you've called them to do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

                                         

                                                     

     

  • Book shopping? Part Five

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    Featuring a mishmash of genres for readers of many kinds. Books that should always be considered for gifts. Let's begin:

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    Needless to say, pictured here are two from the Mitch Rapp Novel Series, one by the man (the late Vince Flynn) who created the iconic, unequaled character of Mitch Rapp, the second by the man (Kyle Mills) who's continuing the incomparable legend of this series. No thriller reader should ever be able to say they haven't read these books. If you have a new thriller reader on your list, this incredible series is the one for them. Highly recommended. 

                                       Broken Together (The Mosaic Collection) by [Brenda S. Anderson, Sarah S. Anderson, The Mosaic Collection]

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    Now these two authors will tell you I'm no fan of Women's Fiction, but every now and then I will read one or two because of who wrote them. That would be these two ladies, Brenda S. Anderson and Normandie Fischer. If you have lovers of Women's Fiction on your list, these two are: Highly recommended. 

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    Few authors pack an emotional well-written punch with unique characters and circumstances like the noteworthy Charles Martin. I picked this novel because I think the cover is exceptional and the story especially redeeming. It's difficult to recommend a favorite because there are so many good stories in his repertoire. His latest trilogy (The Water Keeper, The Letter Keeper, The Record Keeper) is an amazing and heartbreaking account within the pages of these novels of the burgeoning contemporary sex/slave trafficking. Highly recommended. 

     

    Father, please continue to bless these authors with more stories that you have just for them to tell. Encourage them, speak to their hearts, supply their needs. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

                                      

                                 

                       

     

  • Tuesday Tunes . . . at Christmas

                             

     

    For your mellow listening pleasure at Christmastime. 

     

    Father, thank you is never enough. You sent your Son to rescue us. Thank you, Jesus. Holy Spirit, lead us on in this sinful world and direct our steps to honor you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

     

     

     

     

  • It’s Christmas Commercials Time!

               

    Believe in the Reason for the Season. Jesus is the Reason for the Season. His love for us brought Him here for our rescue from Satan's power "when we had gone astray." It's our lives, our choice. Choose the One that made the way for your eternity in heaven. 

    Father, thank you for rescuing me when my heart was ready to hear the Truth. Only you save us. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

     

  • Sunday’s Offerings

     

         Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;

              He rises to show you compassion.

        For the Lord is a god of justice.

              Blessed are all who wait for Him!

     

    Psalm 30:18 (NIV) 

         

  • Book shopping? Part Four

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    Day Four of Christmas book shopping for the fiction readers on your list. There are a number of Cozy Mystery readers who appreciate them in series form. So here are my featured authors for two specific Cozy Mystery Series for those who love them. 

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    Pictured here is Book 1 of 12 in A Juniper Grove Mystery Series by the amazing Karin Kaufman who writes in multiple genres. The characters are fun, determined, and engage in all means of sleuthing, eventually establishing a kind of cooperation with the Sheriff in solving murders in their small-town community. Shocking murders and ingenious detective work comprise these well-written, humorous, but deadly serious stories. Cozy Mystery lovers on your list will thoroughly enjoy these books. A Juniper Grove Mystery Series: Highly recommended.

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    No Filter by Heather Day Gilbert introduces you to The Barks and Beans Cafe Mystery Series where coffee and pastries draw a crowd, and dogs hoping to be adopted have their own addition to the shop where customers can visit with them if they choose. What is least expected in this small town are the murders which occur. The brother and sister proprietors of this cafe get pulled into finding out the whodunnits and it's never easy. Heather is another talented author writing in multiple genres. Cozy Mystery readers – especially those who hold a special love for dogs – will enjoy these unique stories and will want to read all 7 of them. The Barks and Beans Cafe Mystery Series: Highly recommended. 

     

    Father, you know all the needs and desires of Karin and Heather. Please meet those needs beyond what they might expect or hope to receive. Bless them in your abundance. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

  • Book Shopping? Part Three

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    Into Part Three of your book shopping for Christmas. Today we're doing mystery and/or thrillers. While definitely not the same, some mysteries have a bit of the thriller in them, and thrillers always include a mystery.  

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    A Mike Romeo Thriller Series by James Scott Bell gives you one of the most unusual and striking characters in Mike Romeo you will ever read. Ever. Pictured here is the first one in the 7-book series. James is one of the most intelligent and witty authors, a master of noir, and a truly brilliant storyteller. I know that's high praise coming from me, but I mean every word of it. If you want that noir feel to your mystery/thriller and know someone who would want to read that kind of book, this is the series for you. The Mike Romeo Thriller Series: Highly recommended. 

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    Okay, this takes you into pure thriller mode. The Terminal List by Jack Carr is the first in the James Reece Thriller Series of 5 books so far. Normally, I'd say this series is perfect for your male readers, but I loved it. Must caution you with profanity warnings and violence aplenty. I'm not going to spoil it with any information. You can look it up. This is a well-written thriller series. James Reece Series: Highly recommended.  

     

    Father, please continue to bless those to whom you've given exquisite literary gifts. Watch over them and continue to fill them with stories. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 
     

  • Book shopping? Part Two

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    There might be novel readers on your shopping list. Here are two love stories for the romance lovers on your list. 

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    This love story by Francine Rivers is one of the best I've ever read. Few novels equal this one for me regardless of genre. Her outstanding study of the hero in this story and the sweet heroine desperate to provide for herself and her child are two of the best characters you will ever read. Needless to say, I loved this book and your love story readers will also. The Masterpiece: Highly recommended. 

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    Turn to Me by Becky Wade is the final entree in A Misty River Romance Series and my personal favorite of the group. When you've got that hero with the "bad boy" vibe being released from prison, forcing himself to carry out a promise to a woman's dying father on the inside, and the woman turns out to be a very attractive but free-spirited animal rescuer, well, need I say more? Tragedy hardened Luke and it takes a rambunctious dog to set him straight. It's a great story with lots of romantic pop and touching resolutions to a slew of emotional rescues. A Misty River Romance Series: Good recommendation; Turn to Me: Highly Recommended. 

     

    Father, you are the Author of Life, and you bring life to the pages of novels through your authors. Thank you is never enough for what you've given them. Bless those who pass along to us the stories you've inspired. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

  • Tuesday Tunes

       

    A very well-done rendition of this classic Christmas song. Love this one. 

     

    Father, you are the impetus and designer of this talent. No one can exercise these gifts without you. Bless those who acknowledge from whom their talent comes and who use it accordingly. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.