Into the Fire

She was the best mom a girl could have. She loved me deeply, was so much fun and by her actions taught me how to take care of a family. I cannot remember her ever complaining even though she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when I was in high school. Dad was very protective of her but didn't infringe upon her natural independence. I could go on and on about her, but suffice it to say the Lord gave me the best possible mother for this girl, and I loved her beyond words. She passed away at the tender age of 62 from cancer and, honestly, Mother's Day kind of lost its meaning for me when she was gone.  

Have a wonderful Mother's Day with Jesus, Mom. I love you! 

I can never thank you enough for my mom, Lord. You made her extra special. Give her a real hug for me, Jesus. Please. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

He's a young widower who has been given the ability to instantly "see" into the lives of some people he meets or encounters. When he stops to eat at the truck stop where he usually grabs a meal after traveling over the mountains in his semi during the early morning hours for the deliveries he will need to make, a new waitress greets him. What he "sees" in his mind's eye almost makes him flinch as he tries to control his expression from the shock when she brings him coffee with cream. 

Her story is a sad one, and he will do everything he can to make a positive impact in her life. He's devoted to Jesus. She has no faith in anything. 

What's the plan? 

Father, thank you so much for this story. Only you could've given it to me. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

The Girl in the Sand by LT Vargus and Tim McBain is Book 3 in A Violet Darger Thriller Series.

From LT Vargus' own words after reading Red Dragon by Thomas Harris, she wrote that she wanted "to spend the rest of my life writing creepy stuff." The Girl in the Sand definitely reaches that goal.

The world hasn't heard from serial killer Leonard Stump since he escaped from a Carson City courthouse some 20 years ago. That is until a brief letter was delivered to FBI Agent/Profiler Violet Darger at the end of Killing Season. When law enforcement and fire trucks respond to a burned car in the desert not terribly far from the Las Vegas Strip, two bound females are found in the trunk. Special Agent Loshak has summoned Darger to come immediately. When she realizes he's come to Las Vegas for a different reason than he told her, she's furious with him and questions his trust in their partnership. He's able to gradually smooth it over by admitting his past vulnerabilities with this particular case. They both agree it has to be him (Stump) because it's exactly how he's done his killings in the past. However, convincing the Sheriff's Assistant Corby of Stump's resurgence proves to be difficult. Until another burning car is found but this time things are different. 

What it takes to make Loshak's and Darger's assertions stick is a morbid scene which explains why no one has heard from the killer for so long. 

When a female escort is reported missing by a friend, things start falling into place. A plan is put forward that unexpectedly puts Darger and another escort in terrible danger. 

A cunning, philosophical, and determined planner, Leonard Stump has the voice of the devil when reciting, justifying, and expounding his reasoning to his latest captive. Mixing a tiny tendril of truth with all of his deceptions, his monologues sound quite convincing – at least to himself. 

If you want a truly creepy thriller with a determined, violent killer, a strong victim, a vulnerable FBI Agent unwilling to give up, then The Girl in the Sand is the read for you. Again, plenty of profanity. 

Father, please continue to bless these authors and minister in their lives. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Oh yeah. One of the good ones from the Guess Who (1969). Part of the greatest music era . . . 

Father, only you reach people, but yet you give them such gifts and talents they often ignore. May each one know the source of all those wonderful gifts. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

On Friday's post, we mentioned novel genres and non-fiction possibilities for the readers of Christian literature. Endless choices.

Authors who write Christian Fiction face the inevitable marketing challenges for their work. May I just say especially in the genre I write?

Being an author of love stories, heavy on the romance, I need to stipulate and establish who my true audience is. Then I need to make them aware of my work. That "sounds" rather simple and definitely obvious. Obvious, yes. Simple? Not for me. I don't want to send people a bunch of emails about my novels, mentioning others' work in the genre, my favorite novels/authors/genres/etc. I. Don't. Want. To. Do. It. I do that here on this old blog. I do it on Facebook and X. 

Book Types: mine: "Raw Romantic Redemptive"  "Love stories with a passion"  "Love stories, heavy on the romance" 

Do you want to read about characters you can relate to or can recognize as real? Do you want to see the world portrayed realistically without judgment? Do you want to get an unmistakable redemption message within the story, presented organically? Do you want to see Christianity in honestly imperfect people? 

My one murder mystery Race gives a clear portrait of horse racing and the diverse personalities of those who live it. The Famous One tells the life story of a lonely kid who grows up in a dysfunctional home but is "discovered" and gets thrust into a life of fame. Seeing . . . shows what happens when a young widower who has intimate visions of people he meets is directed to offer his home as a refuge for an abused waitress. You can meet an architectural designer and film reviewer in Sweet Release, an accountant who accidentally kills a man in Destination, a construction worker who falls for a woman who wants love and commitment before sex in the story . . . in a love song, the account of a bitter and divorced, otherwise successful, man who meets a lovely woman and falls hard even though their lifestyles have been polar opposites in Breath of Life, and my latest Then . . . you: He's a recluse. She's seeking refuge. 

None of the above novels give graphic sexual descriptions, but sexual attraction is clear and evident. None of the novels above give graphic vulgar language, but that language is implied in certain situations. I do not label my Christian fiction as "clean," but I certainly don't classify it as "dirty." It is not. Redemption is clear and in every one of the stories. The people in the stories are not perfect, Christian and otherwise. So. That's my book type. If it's yours too, try one. 

So much for marketing, eh? 

Father, only you. That's it. Only YOU. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

     May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 (NIV)

We all recognize the vast reach of all kinds of books. We acknowledge that not all people enjoy reading – especially since it's not being taught in public schools, but we won't go there. 

Those who love novels have a wonderful array of genres from which to indulge their reading pleasures. 

Since I write Christian Fiction, I prefer reading it, but, sadly, my favorite genre to read is not well-represented in the current Christian Fiction market.

Many Christians prefer non-fiction, and, without accusing them of demeaning the importance of novels, there are huge numbers of self-help, devotionals, testimonials, memoirs, biographies, and Bible studies, past and present, from which to choose. 

I can tell you there are several novel genres I don't read as my preferences are succinct and 99% locked in. I rarely make exceptions, but occasionally I will because of an author I respect. I can also tell you that those non-fiction categories listed above will rarely occupy my reading time. I am a rare non-fiction reader. 

Whatever you prefer to read, there are literally millions of books. The menu is endless. 

There is a point to this, but I'll explain more on Monday's post.

Father, thank you for novels and for any and all books that draw people to you and closer to you. Apart from you, we can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

A very long time ago at the now defunct Longacres Racetrack, Barn 4B. Memories . . . 

Father, thank you is never enough for rescuing me from myself, for allowing me to arrive at that place where you could reach me. Best thing that ever happened to me. Thank you, Jesus.  

Sometimes reviews are helpful. Of course, the good ones are encouraging, often discerning and/or insightful, usually uplifting, and clearly enjoyable. The mediocre reviews can be an indication that the reader might not be the correct audience for your type of story or the way you've told it. The bad reviews are generally not helpful but do definitely state that the particular reader that just trashed your book is not your preferred or suggested audience. The only good part about that is they won't be reading and reviewing any more of your novels. 

The "catch-22" in an author's world is that we need reviews, but we don't want bad ones. 

I'm a firm believer that if you read a novel and you don't like it but feel compelled to review it, be fair enough to simply state the book isn't your type or style and leave it at that. 

Father, thank you for readers of novels. May each one find the books that fit their styles of reading. May my novels glorify you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

One version of the late 60s and early 70s – lyrics and music typify the diverse means of scoring a hit. Rock on . . . 

Father, you love deeper than we can ever understand. You reach people who have no idea who your Son is – until they do. Thank you for them all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.