Into the Fire

Tracking Justice by L.T. Ryan and C.R. Gray is Book 2 in A Maddie Castle Thriller Series. 

Maddie Castle was a cop/K-9 Handler who lost her beloved "Bear" (specially trained K-9) and the normal use of her knee, forcing a replacement, by finding a serial killer known as The Country Killer. She's now a Private Investigator living in a trailer park trying to make ends meet. Her new dog "Tempest" belonged to another detective who was shot and killed. Tempest required significant retraining, but Maddie was determined to make the necessary behavioral reforms in the dog as the alternative was to put this smart but improperly trained canine to death. That would've been a waste of a very intelligent and willing partner who became unexpectedly affectionate with a fun personality under Maddie's adept regimen. 

Maddie's former close friend, a very good friend which makes what they've become more painful, recommends Maddie to a wealthy woman who owns a car dealership and has just lost her daughter with little help in finding out how this happened from local law enforcement. Since the brilliant young college woman who was very close to her mom was found on her bed OD'd from a party drug, the cops labeled it a suicide and closed the case. At first, that's what Maddie thought too until she interviewed her on and off boyfriend, former best friend, and searched her room. What she discovers tells a completely different tale. 

As Maddie wrestles with the possibilities, the victim's mom wants to be informed about everything, but there are some things about her daughter that Maddie must confirm before revealing anything because what she's learning will be painful for her mom to hear. In the process of the investigation, there is an obvious attempt on Maddie's life, but no one at the police department wants to take it seriously. 

Mixed in with the difficulty of discovering leads and feeling threatened by an invisible pursuer, Maddie wrestles with her feelings for her best friend, Bentley. Is there more for them? 

This is a good mystery with plenty of twists and some thrilling action – usually at Maddie's expense. The mom is a good client and generous to Maddie because as far as the mom is concerned, Maddie is the only one who has taken her daughter's death seriously enough to prove it wasn't a suicide.

This is a good series with a worthwhile tough heroine and an amazing partner in her K-9 Tempest. 

(Profanity present.) 

Father, you know it all, hearts and minds, all of it. I pray you would minister to L.T. and C.R. and give them the material they need to keep writing good stories. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

I know many of you are familiar with this picture. I post it frequently on Throwback Thursday because it's one of my favorites of those days so long ago. My friend Rick in the picture with me died young of cancer. He was a good young man, and, as you can see in this picture, a lot of fun. "Those were the days, my friend. We thought they'd never end." 

Father, thank you for allowing me to see Rick before he left this earth and for his willingness to let me pray for him. Only you know his eternal destination. Thank you for him. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Another enticing cover with a superb title and subtitle. So tempting for those ready to read Book 2 in The Immortals War Trilogy by S.C. Kellogg. 

"Being the second book of the series, I found it to be the best so far. The plot moved at a good pace and the author kept me intrigued from the beginning to the end. Overall it is a great read."  A.K. 

Father, thank you for great imaginations and creativity. Please bless every effort and goal set forward by S.C. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

The most unusual version of "Stand By Me" you might ever hear – or see.  

Father, bless your musicians and may they discover their talent comes from you and yet you allow them to use their talents as they please. May they learn to honor you with all of it. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

I so rarely feature these special novels, so for all you sci-fi, fantasy, and just plain good story lovers, here is Book 1 of the Immortals' War Trilogy by S.C. Kellogg. 

"Long a sci-fi fan, I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning of this innovative new series. Looking forward to finding out what happens in this fascinating new universe!" S. T. 

I love the title and the cover. 

Go for it! 

Father, you know the busy-ness of S. C. – her life is full! Please guide and protect her and keep her safe from all harm. Help her to complete this trilogy as she balances all of the challenges she faces daily. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

May those who seek my life

  be disgraced and put to shame;

may those who plot my ruin

  be turned back in dismay.

May they be like chaff before the wind,

  may their path be dark and slippery,

  with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.

Since they hid their net for me without cause

  and without cause dug a pit for me,

may ruin overtake them by surprise —

  may the net they hid entangle them,

  may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.

Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord

  and delight in His salvation.

My whole being will exclaim,

  "Who is like you, O Lord?

You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,

  the poor and needy from those who rob them." 

Psalm 35:4-10 (NIV)

We haven't done the 5-thing for a while. What are five of your favorite miscellaneous "things" . . . Here are five of mine in no particular order:

         Mitch Rapp, favorite novel hero. 

      2. I love the smell of fresh-cut alfalfa.

      3. My favorite boots were soft black leather and went all the way up to the top of my legs. Awesome boots. Wish I still had them. 

      4. The oldie song "What does it take (to win your love for me)?" 

      5. Early autumn mornings just before dawn with a good novel in front of the fireplace. 

Pretty random. How 'bout you? Got five? 

Father, the multiple, innumerable, endless blessings you've provided – thank you is never enough. Please help me to always give you the glory for it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Available for e-books only. 

"Love is just a four-letter word until its true revelation hits hard in the hearts of six people who have yet to experience it in its purest form. The journey these individuals make to realize the origin and reality of genuine love is both gut-wrenching and rapturous, searching to find the sweet release to love freely. A film critic, an architectural designer, a rape victim, a computer wizard, a lonely divorcée, and a longtime bachelor pastor discover love is far more powerful than anything they’ve experienced in their pasts."

Father, thank you for every word in all of my novels. Thank you for the characters and stories. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

We're able to see both of these views of Mt. Rainier from our home. I call it "The Chief" because if you look closely from this side of the mountain in the second photo, it looks like the Chief is lying in repose with the small "bump" on top being his nose just above his chin, and the widening part of his head on the left is his headdress. Anyway, it's a gorgeous mountain and view, and part of God's magnificent creation.

Father, thank you for the beauty. Amazing. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen 

Remember this one? I loved it. Must be the romantic in me. Hahahaha! 

Father, you know us, you knew us, you knit us all together in the womb. May we all recognize who you are. Every knee will bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.