Into the Fire

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. 

Redaction is Book 12 of A Rachel Hatch Novel Series by L.T. Ryan and Brian Shea. 

And I don't know how I missed it! I read and reviewed Mirage (Book 13) here before I realized I'd missed Book 12.

Rachel Hatch is given what seems like an odd assignment by General Thorne who personally steps into a Talon conference to organize this special directive. (Talon is Hatch's workplace/a private security firm which holds a unique history for her.) Oddly enough it's to assist the already appointed security for a senator who's speaking in a smaller town meeting where there's been some serious property and water issues caused by a company who's been making threats to its citizens to acquire land and water rights. Once Hatch arrives and introduces herself to the cold shoulder of the head of the senator's security, she notes that the whole scene and venue seem off. When she makes a quick visit to see it for herself the night before his appearance, a strange individual not fitting the mode of everyone else currently present makes a quick exit after she spots him. When she walks outside to see where he went, she takes in the surroundings and finds the dangerous locations giving sightlines to an easy target for a sniper. 

The morning of the event Hatch mentions her concerns and is basically ignored. The crowd that gathers is a hostile audience, feeling the threats of their properties and water rights being commandeered by an outside company. When the senator doesn't give the reassurances they need, things get heated and the senator is rushed toward his vehicle. Hatch hears the unmistakable shot and the senior aide to the senator goes down. Hoping to save him, Hatch applies pressure to his wound but the shot was perfect. His last word is "Maggie." 

This sets the stage for the local Sheriff Tuck and Hatch to form an alliance and a private search for the sniper. Hatch's orders change and the intel she gets from two of her Talon associates collide with the narrative she was originally given. Since she trusts them more than she trusts Thorne, everything in the search changes. 

Intensity, struggles, surprises, and a great ending follow all the deceptions about who's who and what's really going on.

Highly Recommend the A Rachel Hatch Novel Series. 

(Some profanity.)  

Father, as I always say, you know hearts and minds and only you save us. Please bless L.T. and Brian and give them more stories you have just for them to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.