Into the Fire

I find more bitter than death

   the woman who is a snare,

whose heart is a trap

   and whose hands are chains.

The man who pleases God will escape her,

    but the sinner she will ensnare.

Ecclesiastes 8:26 (NIV) 

James Tarr wrote Failure Drill as Book 1 in his John Phault Series. 

If you're not into guns, you might not appreciate that James Tarr is also a gun writer for major gun/shooting magazines. This is pertinent because there is mucho fire power of all kinds in this entertaining story which is really more geared toward the male audience although I found it quite entertaining – except for the abundant profanity. 

Private Investigator John Phault is asked by his cop friend to look into the missing son of a friend of his. John hates missing person's cases and wants to refuse, but ultimately takes the case. When he inquires of the 20 yr. old's friends about him, they're suddenly on alert and will not allow John to proceed without them. Ron and Steve and then Bob are all bound by their strong friendship and kindred spirits to find the missing Jerry who they insist is in big trouble, danger, or dead because he would never just disappear. As much as John does not want their assistance, he ends up needing them while they end up shocking him with their incomprehensible skills, knowledge, and composure. 

After accepting the assistance of the young men he views as just past teenagers, things get real. When John's wife is put in the hospital by thugs and his life threatened more than once, he's on a vengeance trail. People have been showing up dead, and now one of them is going to wish he was. Soon the group realizes somehow Jerry's absence is related to all of this, and when they figure that out, they know they have to get to whoever's orchestrating the chaos before Jerry becomes a resident at the morgue. 

The real mystery is discovering where Jerry could have gone to disappear. Once John surmises what probably happened, the group aims toward possibilities. An unusual occurrence when John visits the ATM where Jerry visited after he disappeared finally leads them in the right direction. 

It's an occasionally bloody battle to retrieve Jerry and it's one where you have to accept the end justifies the means. 

If you can ignore or get past the grimacing at the abundant profanity, it's an entertaining storyline. John Phault is the typical private eye stereotype to a degree, dark humor, quick witted, but ominous when he realizes his wife's been hurt. There are some hardcore scenes involving John and these young men in their pursuit of the missing Jerry, but James portrays them as both typical young men and as smart, intuitive, and somewhat exceptional young men. At times, the story will catch you shaking your head. 

There was only one detail I found somewhat unbelievable involving a Kevlar vest at the end, but, hey . . . 

(Sidenote: I learned one of James Tarr's occupations is a gun writer after I'd made my new protagonist's brother a gun writer in my WIP.) 

Father, only you save souls and give talents and gifts. Only you see the hearts of mankind. May each one know from whom their gifting comes. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

After my debut novel Hope of Glory, a comprehensive story about middle echelon horse racing, I started a sequel to that book. When it looked like the sequel was going to be as long as that first saga (700+ pages), I stopped writing it and started The Famous One. 

The Famous One is written like a fictional biography from the omniscient point of view gradually morphing to third person. I did some research for the novel since the story tracked the life of a young man from a dysfunctional home who was "discovered" at a bar where he sang the blues with a band who smuggled him in to sing with them since he was underage. I'm sure by this time things have changed in Hollywood dare I say "dramatically"? However, the real story is about Joey Parr's life . . . 

Some review comments of The Famous One:

Petrino-Salter creates a three dimensional man that each reader can understand and relate to. I felt his frustration and depression and yearned for him to find the true love of his life. I cheered his successes and mourned his losses.

It wasn't the constant overnight thunderstorms responsible for only 3 hours' sleep last night, I was with Joey Parr! At first it was because he reminded me of someone I know in the dysfunctional family, "artsy" personality, even the scarf! 

Beautiful development of a troubled life. Joey is such a reflection of today's society. The Author took us into the soul of this child to adult, the pain, the fear, the emptiness, the joy the love and finally the meaning of life.

A great look at a life that is messed up on the inside but looks like he has everything on the outside. Makes a Hollywood superstar into a relatable person.

The lessons he learned and that I learned through his life were very powerful and unforgettable. This is the kind of book you don't rush through, it's one that you savor.

Make no doubt about it: this book is the story of Joey Parr. It begins with his childhood and progresses throughout his life and career, oftentimes reading like the most intense, gripping, and intriguing biography I had ever read.

In The Famous One, Nicole Petrino-Salter digs into the heart of a man who's continuously searching for meaning in his life. Even when he has everything, there's a hole, a sense of worthlessness. Salter deftly takes us through Joey's entire life. We see him grow and change, but it's so subtle the reader is unaware that it's happening. And on this journey, we learn to love this passionate man and root for him even when he's making terrible choices.
Now that's excellent storytelling. 

I loved writing this novel. It was one of those experiences where you were inside it, feeling the joy and pain. Maybe you might too. 

Special deep gratitude to all who've read it and enjoyed it and took the time to write such generous reviews.

Father, thank you so much for each story. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Black Ice by Brad Thor continues the adventures of Scot Harvath in Book 20 of The Scot Harvath Series. 

Scot Harvath watched his wife, mentor and friend, and others get murdered in cold blood by ruthless Russians who planned to give Harvath a violent torturous death, but they were unsuccessful in their efforts. However, he was almost eaten by wolves while nearly freezing to death. After surviving that ordeal, he attempted to drink himself to death but was unsuccessful at that. 

In Black Ice he's been enjoying and developing his relationship with a Norwegian equivalent to a CIA operative (Solvi), but he and she know soon he will have to return to the USA to his job with the Carlton Group. As it turns out, work comes to him sooner rather than later in the Norway area. It seems the Russians and the Chinese have formed an unusual partnership to launch a clandestine project to thwart any interference with their nefarious plans from the USA and others. The name of this specific device developed to do this is called Black Ice. 

Harvath's mission is to find the device and bring it in for examination before it can be moved and/or put into full operation. In order to do that, he needs his team who are immediately dispatched to help him. With their help he can snare the Chinese operative (Han) and the Russian (Sarov) sent to accompany Han and extract the information he needs. With the Russian it's easy – he wants a deal to live out his life in California. With Han he's willing to take incredible abuse before Scot is able to convince him to make a deal for his information. As soon as Harvath has what he needs, his team takes care of the two prisoners, and Harvath is on the mission in the Arctic area to confiscate the Black Ice. 

Maybe it's because he's getting older, maybe it's because he wants some happiness in his life again, or maybe it's because he's finally facing his own mortality and even possible retirement, but Scot Harvath wants the new love he's found to have some permanence. He's still the same operative, still the same ruthless opponent when necessary, and he's still got that desire for the hunt to eliminate evil ones and itching to get started again, but he can't deny his desire to make a go of it with Solvi, someone who returns his love and has a complete understanding of his profession. 

In Black Ice Harvath is reminded of who he is as a man and as an operative. As a man, he's fallen hard for this woman, and as an operative he's still in the game, the take charge, do anything and everything it takes to get whatever is necessary, and where failure is not an option. This inevitably leads him into real danger, chaos, "Murphy's Law", and seemingly the worst case scenarios where all of his past training and experience is used to the max. But it's what he knows and where he thrives. 

After reading Black Ice, you will have a fresh appreciation for summer heat and mild weather. Major change for Scot Harvath at the end of Book 20. What that means for the next story in The Scot Harvath Series will be an interesting choice for Brad Thor. 

(Some profanity.) 

Father, only you know hearts and minds. Please continue to provide the inspiration for Brad that only you can give. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Back in the day, their show was fun, they weren't political, and they had some good songs. 

Father, the best we can ask for anyone is that they know your Son, the Savior of the world. As long as they have breath here on earth they have the chance to soften their hearts and receive Him. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

I can't put into words how much I loved, and still do love, my beautiful mom. She's pictured here at 16 years old which is when she eloped with my dad on his 21st birthday. They were married until her death did them part, she having gone at the young age of 62. She loved me with her whole heart even when I went through a very rebellious time of my life between the ages of 20 and 30 until I met Jesus. Happy Birthday, Mom. Still miss you so much.

Father, thank you for the best mom I could've ever hoped to have. She demonstrated unconditional love, immense strength, and a quiet faith. She was incredibly fun, clever, kind, and protective. Please hug her for me, Jesus. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

     The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them because God has made it plain to them.

Romans 1:18-19 (NIV) 

One thing you can count on from much of general market (code for secular) literature is profanity and graphic sex.

Let me just say I understand the use of profanity. I don't like it. Am not a fan of it. However, if it's used minimally and at the perfect timing from a character who would be expected to exclaim these words or one that simply loses it for a moment, then at least it fits the story. It rarely offends those in the world so strictly from the standpoint of authenticity, it figures that profanity would appear in these books.

Graphic sex is a no-go for me. I can see zero reasons for defining how foreplay and sexual intercourse are explicity portrayed other than to titillate a reader which is equivalent to pornography. Creating the visuals with words might seem "hot", "sensual", or any of the other words on a cover which elude to the sex act being visibly enacted on the pages of these "steamy" stories, but it's nothing more than writer porn. 

Both profanity and graphic sex can take away from a good story. Used in excess, they can definitely detract from the plot, distract from the real story, and simply be used as a ploy to potentially ignore other weaknesses in the book.

Both profanity and graphic sex serve a story better when eluded to other than writing a textbook description of foul words and various sexual antics.  

Those are my thoughts on the uses of profanity and graphic sex in fiction. 

Father, humankind has perverted your beautiful act of love and created words to rage and rant. Forgive us, Lord. We're desperate for you whether we know it or not. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

This is one of my all-time favorite pictures of myself from many years ago. First year at Longacres Racetrack. My Longacres' friends will recognize the Barn Pass button on my hat (which I bought in Europe the year before I went to the track). I'm driving a yellow LeMans convertible with the black top down. 

Father, those years were ripe with a rebellion that was new to me. Thank you for forgiving me and introducing me to Jesus. Nothing stays the same after knowing the Lord. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

It's Wednesday . . . 

I wonder what percentage of fiction readers notice or care about the actual writing or word crafting, character development, realistic dialogue, or how setting is used in the books they read. Do most readers just want a good story to pass the time? Do they judge the novels by a character they like or by the plot? 

Most of the people I relate to as readers are serious about what they read. They want well-written, entertaining stories with meaningful characters and really don't want to settle for less. We each have our favorite authors and preferred genres although some will read almost any genre if you can promise them the previously mentioned qualifications. 

Here's my latest dilemma as a reader: my favorite Christian authors are currently not producing books for whatever reason. So, as those of you know who read my reviews, I've been reading series novels from the general market. And while I've loved the stories and the writing from these wonderful secular writers, there is still that nagging emptiness from the lack of a faith factor. Plus, although my favorites don't use a lot of profanity, it's still present and expected but I also must note it does suit the character(s) and/or the circumstance(s) when it's used. These are worldly characters who've seen and done hardcore things in their careers as operatives/special forces. Most of them have relied upon their years of accumulated training, skills, and fortitude to survive life or death situations to live to tell about them – which of course they don't "tell about them". 

Feel free to add your random thoughts today . . . 

Father, reading and writing are major enjoyment and entertainment. I'm grateful for it all. Please help me to be the one you designed me to be and to do as you ask. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.