Into the Fire

This was the third novel published in print, but it was not the third one written. It came later after the three others that followed The Famous One. It was my first effort at writing my protagonist in first person male point of view. 

I'd asked an author friend to do the back cover blurb. He was kind enough to read it and I loved his response: 

"A bestselling novelist hiding her loneliness behind a pen name, Shay is more of an innocent than her stories let on with only two vices: shoes and cigarettes. When one of them attracts the attention of another lost soul looking for love, Shay's story takes an unforeseen turn. In Breath of Life, Nicole Petrino-Salter proves to be a minute chronicler of the human heart. She imbues her tale of second chances with a quiet emotional intensity that builds page after page." 

                   J. Mark Bertrand, author of Back on Murder and Pattern of Wounds

Breath of Life is currently not available for e-readers. 

Father, thank you is always the way my prayer starts when it comes to writing these stories. My gratitude is never-ending. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

I am Nicole Petrino-Salter. I write love stories with a passion. Raw Romantic Redemptive. 

I could say that's all you really need to know, but I won't. I'm also a bit of a rebel in that if you tell me not to do something, I just might do it anyway if I disagree with the instruction. Especially when it comes to my writing. As you can tell, I like sentence fragments. I like italics. I like real romance and sexual attraction in my stories – all without graphics – because I think this approach makes a story and the characters authentic. Occasionally I will use the words "hell" or "damn" and allude to a character cussing – also because in the context of the story, it will be authentic for the character(s). 

If anything in the above paragraph offends you, you probably would criticize my work. However, if you can read with a clear heart, you will find the gospel within the pages and a story that exudes redemption. The world is not kind nor is it clean. Sometimes as an author we must show it as it is and hopefully display the transformation that Jesus can make. 

This is the continuation of my introduction for marketing purposes . . . clumsy as it might be.

Because Then . . . you is coming soon, and I'd love for you to read this one.

Lord, you know how much I love this story that you've given me – the unusual inspiration, the fun in writing it, the characters, everything about this one touched me deeply. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

Continuing my binge reading of the great Charles Martin and his story about a devoted Texas Ranger in Thunder and Rain. 

On his way to see his wife – soon to be his ex-wife – Tyler Steele, aka Cowboy, mostly retired Texas Ranger due to serious injuries he'd acquired, "accidentally" bumps into a woman Samantha (Sam) and her 9-year-old daughter Hope along the highway. They're desperate for some help but skeptical of getting any even though they accept "Cowboy's" assistance. 

Things happen that make it obvious these two are in serious trouble, and Cowboy, being the Ranger at heart and recognizing the severity of the situation offers them a place and way to start over where he doubts they will be found – at least for a while: his home. Their need overrules their concerns and questions so they agree to his offer. 

This begins the journey for Sam and Hope, Cowboy and his son Brodie. Cowboy knows at some point the guy responsible for his guests' pain and desperation will be looking for them and with the resources to eventually find them, he figures it won't take too long. Being a Ranger for life, he makes arrangements for the possibility of that unwelcome visit. 

Brodie is still hurting about the divorce and wishes his dad and mom could find a way to make things work instead, but he faces the reality when he figures it all out. He befriends Hope and shows her around school, and gradually accepts Sam because he does like her. Sam can't help herself where Cowboy's concerned – she's never known a man like him. 

Charles Martin's heroes are real men, mostly humble and almost bumbling when it comes to women-speak, protective, and willing to march headlong into danger when necessary, take the fall if needed. Most are men of few words, but what they say matters. The women seem to always need rescuing even though they're strong at heart but vulnerable to trouble. 

As I've taken to doing when I review one of Charles' novels, here's another passage from page 205 of my hardcopy: 

     "Anyway, the point is that we still buy into the fairy tale. We love them. They are the stories that feed us and thank God they do. Lord knows we need something to feed on 'cause the nightly news sure ain't doing the trick." . . . "Cinderella ain't wrong to want to dance, to be swept off her feet, live inside the castle. I just think she should be able to do so without being raped or murdered or made to fear.

     "Greatest trick ever played on mankind is that somewhere, somebody sold us a bill of goods convincing us that evil ain't real." . . . "Evil's got a face. I've seen it. Many a time." . . . "It's walking around – wearing white collars and tattoos, SWAT vests, badges, standing behind pulpits, hiding every manner of disguise. Evil is as real as that cactus right there and it wants your head on a platter. My daddy described it as a roaring lion, prowling around looking for someone to devour, and in my experience, that is true."

The lines that follow are equally impressive and equally insightful and no less touching in their context. Charles is a wordsmith and can use slang, common or refined language, and elegant descriptions in the same paragraph while making an important point about life in this world.  

As this story concludes, you'll see how the young character Hope, who throughout this story writes her letters to God, lives up to her beautiful name. 

The faith element is more pronounced in this one, mostly through the young Hope's perspective. 

Every Charles Martin novel is worth reading for those who love a good story filled with emotion, potential heartbreak, for some who like a good cry, and for those who just appreciate great writing. There's an opportunity for all of these possibilities in Thunder and Rain. 

Father, I know you'll continue to bless Charles in his writing because you gave him the talent to do it. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

May you see the Risen Christ for who He is. Jesus died for us all. He paid the price for our sins, individually and corporately. Think about his cruel death that meted out the punishment for sin. Think about how He overcame the sins of the world. Think about why you're either for Him or against Him. There is no in-between. Your choice. 

May this Resurrection Day be your awakening and rebirth. God Bless You in your search for Jesus: the Way, the Truth, and the Life. John 14:6 

Five different, odd, weird, unusual things I do:

I will watch certain scenes I love from TV episodes or other recorded entertainment over and over again (without re-watching the entire episode).

Occasionally when re-reading an emotional scene in my manuscripts or published novels, I'll break down and cry all over again.

I gave up balancing our checkbook. As long as the bank says we have more than my checkbook says and everything's checked off, I'm good. 

I walk fairly fast – which isn't necessarily different – but none of my friends can keep up and even my family doesn't want to walk as fast as I do.

We have several two-switch panels for lighting in this home. I will walk to whatever panel I need to make sure the switches are either both up or both down on the same panel. 

And there you have a glimpse of my confessed idiosyncrasies. Care to confess any of yours? 

Father, you make all things unique. You love your creation. Thank you for redemption. We can never thank you enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

This is the novel that came second after Hope of Glory. It reads like a fictional biography and begins with an omniscient POV but morphs into third person. 

Those who've read it had their favorite parts, some said they had a person in their lives sort of like the hero "Joey Parr". Others loved the cat that appeared occasionally. 

The Famous One is definitely one of my favorites. Some just touch us in a unique way to write them. This one did. 

This novel got to the very end of the querying process at a well-known agency but was ultimately rejected after receiving high marks. And so the independent, self-publishing, vanity publishing journey continued. Soon it will be nine novels indie-published. 

Trivia: I was writing the sequel to Hope of Glory, which was to be called For His Glory, but I had to stop because it threatened to become as long and large as my first one! So I quit on it which was painful because I loved the entrance of some new characters. Shortly after that I began The Famous One. 

Father, you are the giver of gifts and talents. I've always written, and I'm so thankful for all the stories and characters you've given to me. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Chapter 1

She showed up with a bewildered look on her face, having braved the tree-shrouded gravel drive to the isolated cabin I occupied on my heavily forested 30 acres. Dressed in classy black slacks and a crisp white shell underneath a double-breasted jacket to match those slacks, I caught a trace of fear in her eyes when I responded to her firm three knocks to my lacquered black oak door.

     I could say it was love at first sight for me, but really it was closer to lust. Love had evaded me for many years so I never once expected to find it again. I made no effort to disguise my once-over from her face all the way down to her black high heels with small silver buckles on the toes which matched more or less the buttons on her blazer.

     Hey, I’m a writer. I notice everything just in case I want to use anything about the person, place, or thing in one of my future novels.

     But back to the woman who stood before me, no doubt now terrified that I hadn’t spoken a word to her before or after examining with an appreciative appraisal of her body parts, evaluating what her clothes said about her and her body.

     “Mr.,” There was a tremor in her voice before she cleared her throat. “Mr. Cardiff? I’m Sara Bristol.”

     “Married, divorced, or single?” I said it more abruptly than I needed to.

     Her expression flashed a moment of confusion, but then she seemed to gain her momentum and answered somewhat firmly.

     “Divorced a long time ago. Single.” A pause. “Does that matter?”

     “It matters to me. I don’t need any drama from a husband or boyfriends or anyone else for that matter. You do the job and there’ll be no drama from me either.” I opened the door wider and invited her inside with my extended arm.

     Warily she stepped inside. I said, “Not exactly what you expected?”

     I could tell she contemplated her response because it took her a moment to answer as she followed me into the open living area of my rustic but elegant 2-story cabin.

     “No.”

     She answered simply and honestly, and I think that’s what clinched my attraction to her.

This is an excerpt from the first chapter of what might be a future novel. That remains to be seen . . . 

Father, I love the stories, the words, the characters you inspire me to write. I can never thank you enough, but I will continue to give you thanks every day of my life. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

             The best of Christian rock. The. Best. 

God, you brought Mylon through all kinds of hard trials, and he could've chosen to continue his rebellion. But . . . when you reached him, he became sold out to you and has served you ever since. Thank you for his talent and using it for your glory. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

The Letter Keeper by Charles Martin is Book Two so far in A Murphy Shepherd Novel Series. Book Three to follow in June, 2022.  

The Letter Keeper is as much a prequel as it is a sequel in that there's far more background given to the man Murphy Shepherd, aka David Bishop, Bestselling Author Extraordinaire, his experience with his mentor "Bones", the origin and intensity of his love for Marie, and the beginning of his writing. It touches on the guilt he experiences when his love for the woman "Summer" develops, who he rescued as she fought to chase those who'd kidnapped her daughter. But it focuses on the forgiveness that needs to happen in his relationship with Bones, the long recovery he experiences after a near-death attack on him accompanied by the destruction of his island, the welcomed closeness to his daughter Ellie, the identity and locale of those who tried to kill him, and the fear of the inevitable when it hits home and those he loves. And nearly ends his life. 

In many ways this is vintage Charles Martin – the continuation of unique, meaningful, wounded characters from and/or in hard places with so many obstacles to overcome both emotionally and physically as a result of many unresolved conflicts. The spiritual battles seep to the top but often go unaddressed. Martin is a student of emotion and not afraid to go there.

Let me give you another example of his exquisite writing on page 57 of my hardcover copy: 

      If that summer taught me anything, it was this: girls need their father. Period. And I couldn't really tell you why other than it's the father who tells them who they are. Until he does, they're just floating in the earth like that tooth [shark's tooth from the ocean]. Buried in some trash mound. Waiting to be discovered by somebody with a shovel who won't crack it or crush it.  

The Letter Keeper reminds the reader of the travesties forced upon the victims of "flesh trafficking". Victims are nothing more than commodities to be used and sold to the highest bidders who often play with their wealth to engage in every kind of perversion with the ones they "purchase". There's no "clean" way to make this subject appear less demonic, filthy, and vile than it is. And that's important because so many have no idea the huge international and local "trade" this has become, pitched on the Dark Web for wherever money flows. 

This story ends with an expected cliffhanger of sorts but with a shocking twist. Buckle up for the next entry in A Murphy Shepherd Novel Series. 

Father, you've blessed Charles in innumerable ways that he's well aware of and thankful for all of them. I pray you would continue to fill his heart with more inspiration and stories that only he can write. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.