Into the Fire

Before we get into "series" suggestions, we'll do some random choices in different genres for your reader gift list. 

For the Young Adult genre: I wholeheartedly recommend Gypsy by Shelley M. Headley. This is a wonderful story for horse-crazy girls. I loved this story. 

Chris Fabry is one of the more literary authors in Christian fiction. The Promise of Jesse Woods is an older novel of his, but like most of his books, it lingers. His unique characters and plots touch the soul. I'm not sure where this story or others of his belong genre-wise. I just know they're worth the time it takes to read them. 

This novel with the gorgeous cover tells a wonderful story of its own. I'd probably categorize The Sea Prayers as a gift for your lovers of Women's Fiction. Another touching story by an author who's literally traveled "the seas" and writes from the heart. A very good story from Normandie Fischer. 

Charles Martin always captures the utter depths of emotion in high quality writing. Long Way Gone is just one of the amazing stories from this contemporary author. 

These are just a few of the incredible choices of fine literature waiting to be read by lovers of these genres. Add them to your list of choices for meaningful gifts. 

Merry Early Christmas! 

Father, giving is so fun and rewarding, meaningful and fulfilling. May we do it right to honor you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

May all who gloat over my distress

   be put to shame and confusion;

may all who exalt themselves over me

   be clothed with shame and disgrace.

May those who delight in my vindication

   shout for joy and gladness;

may they always say, "The Lord be exalted,

   who delights in the well-being of his servant."

My tongue will speak of your righteousness

   and of your praises all day long. 

Psalm 35:26-28 (NIV) 

Here's my annual Merry Early Christmas: Shopping for Readers, Segment One!

We're starting backwards this time since it's the end of the week. Usually, I post my novels last. This time we're doing them first. Not to be obnoxious or over-hype my work, it's just if you're looking for real love stories for that romance reader in your sphere of friends or family, those are what I write. You can visit here to read their reviews. Three of them are only available for e-readers, and all of the Kindle or e-reader prices are fair and inexpensive. 

If you've read any of them, please feel free to comment here for recommendations for early shoppers.

These are the current books from my repertoire for this year. Hope you can find one or two to enjoy yourself or for gifts this Christmas. 

Merry Early Christmas Shopping! 

Father, you provide the inspiration and give me the words for them all. Apart from you, I can do nothing. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Girl got 'tude. Chubby little thing I was. Thinned out at school age. These make me laugh. Two years old and obviously full of it. I had it good. Loved my parents and brother. Near perfect childhood. Born blonde. Wish I would've stayed blonde! 

Thank you, Jesus. I'm so sorry it took me so long to find you. I'm desperate for you always. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

You know you want it! Your early Christmas shopping book selections are coming soon! Get ready to shop for the readers on your list!

Father, thank you for gift-giving. You gave it all to us. The greatest gift: Jesus is the Reason for the Season. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Great song! You cannot beat the oldies. Just can't. 

Father, many creative artists speak your truths without knowing it. Others speak it knowing from where Truth comes. Lord, may more and more of your creation find you and be rescued. Thank you for saving me. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Book 5 in Heather Day Gilbert's cozy mystery The Barks and Beans Cafe Mystery Series definitely anticipates Trouble Brewing. 

Macy Hatfield's good friend and widow Della has been the caretaker for an elderly woman for some time. When the woman dies suddenly, Della has this nagging suspicion that she's been murdered. To add to the mystery of her death, Della received a private note from the woman promising her a valuable gift she doesn't want her greedy children to own, but she's hidden it "right under their noses" at the inn her daughter and son-in-law run. Della proposes a "ghostly" weekend getaway with Macy to snoop around for the item and maybe discover some evidence of foul play in the woman's death. 

One thing Heather does particularly well in this series is her ability to casually catch the reader up with the history of the characters. It's not obtrusive, repetitive, or annoying in case a new reader picks up one of the later books in the series without having read any of the others. It creates a stand alone cozy mystery with a revealed history. 

The getaway at the inn is just as expected. Not a lot of immediate success in Macy's and Della's snooping when suddenly: murder! There's plenty of tension going on between family of the deceased and the guests, odd conduct from everyone there except for Macy and Della, and no one in their eyes is free from suspicion in this murder. When the police arrive, the husband of the victim is taken in for questioning, but Macy's convinced he didn't do it. 

And so goes the latest "investigations" of Macy and her friends in this Book 5 of the series. Cozy mystery lovers will be enthralled with solving this one with plenty of strange behaviors from easily suspicious characters and enough twists to confound even the shrewdest readers.

Father, please continue to bless Heather's writing endeavors and provide all that she needs to keep writing the stories you have just for her to tell. Bless her and keep her safe from all harm. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.   

A greedy man stirs up dissension,

   but he who trusts in the Lord will prosper.

. . . 

When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;

   but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.  

. . . 

A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes

   will suddenly be destroyed – without remedy. 

Provers 28:25,28  Proverbs 29:1 (NIV) 

Authors take risks all the time. As I pointed out here, every story's been told many times over. Making characters unique, likable, credible – whether good or evil – and consistent throughout the story until something profoundly changes them – and even the outcome of the change has to be believable with that character- in all of these instances, the author takes a risk. Will readers like the character(s)? Will the character perform to the readers' expectations? Will the hero be too perfect? Will the heroine be too whiny? Will the bad guys be too stereotypical (how can they not)? 

Having said all that, I confess to taking a major risk in my new novel. My hero in this story is not perfect, but he's close. 

The blurb:

                         He's a recluse. She's seeking refuge.  

He's eliminated almost everyone from his life except his friends from his military career cut short by injury and his family's occasional visits. He's converted a 3-bay garage into his self-contained unit where he mostly lives and conducts his cyber forensics businesses. He rarely uses his three bedroom home attached to this garage except for occasionally indulging his skills in the kitchen and enjoying a fire in his huge fireplace. Other than those things, he spends his time alone. Until one early morning hour his monitor above his terminals beeps and exposes someone from his camera on the porch pounding on his screen door.  

I'm willing to make this hero . . . a real hero. I'm taking that risk. 

Father, thank you for all the inspiration. Apart from you, I can do nothing. I got nothing. I am nothing. Always desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Many years ago one of several self-portraits: Nicole by Nicole. What can I say? This was me back then. 

Father, only you know hearts and minds. You waited until mine was ready for you. Thank you for rescuing me from myself. Apart from you, I can do nothing. Thank you, Jesus. Holy Spirit, thank you for sustaining me in spite of me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.