Where we're headed for a couple days.
Father, beauty belongs to you. Thank you for sharing it with us. You didn't have to – but you did. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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That seductive voice of Grace Slick so many years ago in one of the many dynamite hits of the late 60s. Yes, you'll see the dark influences of the day no doubt performed "under the influence". Such talent in the darkness.
Father, only you save souls. Only you know hearts. Only you love all of your creation. Please lead those whose hearts are ready to the Truth. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Can you state five of your favorite thriller authors (in no particular order)?
Mine:
These guys know how to write thrillers.
Father, you know hearts and minds. Bless those who seek after you and help those who don't know you find you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
"'I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'"
When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord: and who were appointed for eternal life believed.
Acts 13:44-48 (NIV)
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What I want from a series of novels is to know who this series will feature. If it's a hero, i.e. Mitch Rapp, then I want him to be interesting enough to carry however many books are written about him. Same with a heroine. If the series features a family, each member getting the role of main character interacting with the other members to be revealed later, I want to know what to expect in the future.
With long-running series it's not easy to keep the hero in constant focus. Authors of my favorite series have veered off with strong peripheral characters to change it up once in a while. The hero is present in the story and is either a friend or an enemy to the character, but his presence is diluted until a critical occurrence. I admit those are usually my least favorite stories in the series – especially if the hero/main character is a stand-out and he's the reason you're buying the book.
When family series are written, an author must make each member a potent enough character to carry the reader to the next family member. That's not an easy task. Readers form favorites quickly – I know I do – and might become unattached to the next in line. Just as authors often love a challenge, so do readers. If a reader likes that first story, they'll follow up until one of the characters disappoints or bores them.
As an author, I haven't considered doing a series although I've heard a few requests for one. As a reader, my devotion to series-reads lies mostly within the thriller genre where several impressive heroes reign. Top of that list is the hero Mitch Rapp. No hero has yet to topple Rapp from the top of the pile. Doubtful anyone will.
I want my heroes and heroines to be strong enough to carry the load of series novels, interesting enough to reveal nuances of who they are as they continue to grow, and to give me that certain something – whatever it is – that keeps them separate from the rest and unique enough to remain there.
Father, I continue to thank you for your writers/authors. Thank you for allowing me to write. Direct me, my words and stories. May I always honor you with what you've given me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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So. I'm an author of 11 novels. Two of those remain unpublished, one of which might become an ebook. It took me a long time to be able to call myself an "author" even when it was true. I've been a writer for most of my years. But tagging that author name to it? Wasn't easy.
Why? I guess because it implied some kind of notable success. Like I was "somebody". The fact is in terms of being an author, I'm a nobody. Not famous. Not well-known. Not sought after for interviews. Nothing like that.
But, I am an author.
Authors are as diverse as the novels on shelves. Some are social, some are reclusive, some are well-spoken, and some would prefer not to be heard verbally. Some spend hours per day writing, others run from it at times and wait until they've got what they need in their mind's eye and then they run to get it down, others set wordcount goals on a daily basis and allot time for their scheduled breaks. Some are rigid, some are loose in their writing habits. Some use methods that others couldn't attempt. Some are great teachers and encouragers, and others insist they've got nothing to impart or choose not to: they just write.
Some are cynical, condescending, unapproachable. Others love to engage with those who are trying to break into publishing with their first novel. Some are easy and willing to instruct. Others figure they don't have time for "fans" or "wannabes".
Some come off as philosophers, others as aloof snobs, others you'd expect to see on your next trip to the grocery store and be able to visit with them for a few minutes before you both go your separate ways.
Are we an odd bunch? Some of us, definitely yes. Some of us, not even close. And others of us are somewhere in between.
Father, you made us all. Some know it and honor you in their writing. Others don't. I thank you for giving me stories. Apart from you, I can do nothing. I'm so grateful. Please help me to keep growing in you and in your mighty power. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Matt Coyle's Book 1, Yesterday's Echo, of The Rick Cahill Crime Series is the noir tale of a former cop who has a history of disfavor and a passel of regrets.
The first several chapters of the story introduce us to the professional part of Rick Cahill as he attends to all the managerial duties in the restaurant "Muldoon's" which he eventually hopes to own. In a single evening of consecutive events, he assists the very drunk mayor's wife in getting a cab home before she completely embarrasses herself, spots a gorgeous dark-haired beauty sitting at the bar having an unpleasant conversation with a man who came in to speak with her but quickly exits when another man dressed to the nines with an evil vibe walks into the restaurant. Little does Rick know when he makes eye-contact with the pretty lady, his world gets complicated in no time flat and brings back all the memories of a painful past with so many levels of self – and others' – condemnation.
Matt Coyle's writing is perfectly suited to the noir storytelling of old. Expressions, cynicism, a broken heart, melancholy, and a raging volcano under the surface of his protagonist's lifestyle. Twists and turns, good cops/bad cops, murders, and evil peripheral characters who salt and pepper the story along with a faithful old girlfriend who still thinks the best of him until he finally opens up to her.
With a hopeful ending while keeping that noir feel, having set the stage for the conclusion, Rick Cahill is about to try some positive change in his life. I look forward to reading more of The Rick Cahill Crime Series.
Father, only you know the hearts and minds of us all. May each one you've gifted know from whom their talent comes. Thank you for Matt's talent and please bless him with more stories just for him to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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This woman had such an amazing range, a lovely voice, and did such a fabulous job with this song. To borrow a line from another tune: "This is dedicated to the one I love."
Father, thank you for the beautiful gifts you've given to each one. May we all recognize that apart from you, we can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Sometimes you can tell a book by its cover. I love book covers. They hint of the story within. And if they're not done well, I have zero interest in checking out those stories.
Covers seem to trend just like stories. You see the same "backs" of men on the covers of thrillers, some similar colors used. On the covers of mysteries with a female protagonist, you see a lot of her from the back with red clothing like a coat and contrasting colors. It would seem they're using stock photos and altering backgrounds, hair colors/styles, and color combinations for them, but they have been trending.
Do covers influence your selection of the novels you choose to read?
Father, you give such amazing talents. Thank you for all those who acknowledge your gifts. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
Jude 20 (NIV)
