Into the Fire

Matthew Iden's Book 5 The Wicked Flee in A Marty Singer Mystery Series. 

Marty Singer's younger friend in the force (Chuck Rhee), doing undercover work with the Gangs Special Unit (HIDTA), pounds on his door in the very early morning hours with a critical emergency concerning his 16 year old sister Lucy. Singer's only half awake as he listens to Chuck's claims but before too long Singer is dressed and accompanying Chuck to a crook's nightclub. Embarrassing Lucy's two friends who are there after they've been given a special invitation by the seamy owner to his upstairs private digs, Chuck wastes no time getting information about where Lucy might be. 

When they arrive at the decrepit house where Lucy's former "boyfriend" lives, what they learn is chilling. This begins a focused and desperate search for young Lucy with next to nothing information-wise. 

Marty sees Chuck is on overload emotionally and does his best to talk him down from the ledge, but it's not easy. Both of them have seen the horrific underbelly of sex trafficking and it seems this is what's in store for Lucy. 

Joining them in their search is a rookie State Trooper (Sarah) who's doing it off the books because  her similar case was handed off. Now she's out of her jurisdiction and disobeying her boss but determined to help. 

The obstacles are immense, the information is hit and miss, Lucy is fighting the battle for her life, and it seems like they're all losing it. 

The Wicked Flee presents a snapshot of the sex trade network, one of the most perverse and cruel avenues of sinful man. Matthew does a succinct and well-written job of bringing it up close and personal in this story and provides an ending with a kind of justice most people would want to exact.

Father, you know all hearts. Only you can truly touch those hearts and turn them to you. Please bless Matthew's continued work and inspiration. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.   

     "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide  you into all truth. He will not speak on his own, he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you."

John 16:12-15 (NIV) 

What was your favorite thing to do as an elementary age child?

Do you remember what you used to watch on TV when you were a child?

Was there a movie you saw as a child that made you cry? As an adult? 

Did you have a favorite actor when your were a child? 

Do you remember your best friend(s) as a child? 

Did you ride a bike when you were a child? Do you remember what kind and color? 

Did you ever read The Black Stallion novels when you were young? 

Do you remember a particular injury you got as a child and how you got it? 

What was your favorite year of elementary school? 

Did you have a "worst year" in your years of school? 

Is the elementary school you attended still there? 

Did you play an instrument? 

Did you do sports? 

In all of your years of school, what was your favorite event? 

Father, thank you for getting me through school. You helped me to do well and have fun even though school was never my favorite thing. I'm sorry it took me so long to find you, Jesus, but thank you for rescuing me. I'll always be desperate for you. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

I have wondered why: when I read primarily mysteries, thrillers, police procedurals, and suspense, why is it I write love stories and romance? It's not that I don't read romance or love stories or romantic suspense. It's that I rarely read one that just grabs me and sticks with me. Therefore, they don't occupy much of my time. 

I can tell you Francine Rivers' The Masterpiece grabbed me and didn't let go. And I truly enjoyed My Stubborn Heart (and others) by Becky Wade. And I loved Kristen Heitzmann's Secrets and Unforgotten. I believe those two were the first two novels I ever reread. And others of Kristen's were amazing. And I loved the understated romance that developed between Raleigh Harmon and Jack in Sibella Giorello's Raleigh Harmon books. 

I can say I admire those authors who write compelling mysteries, etc. My lone effort at a mystery/police procedural was the most difficult to write of all my novels. It took me several starts and stops over a long period of time to finish it. I had a wonderful source for my investigative parts who encouraged me along the way, but I was so afraid of making a stupid, extremely noticeable mistake that I'd freeze up and stop writing. 

But, I can do romance and love. I can do those stories. It's how I'm wired. And when I can't get what I need from most of the romances in the Christian Fiction market today, I can write a story that I think will capture some hearts – of course not everyone who loves romance will love my stories. But that's okay. I love my stories because they're authentic. "Raw Romantic Redemptive" encapsulates the simple truth of what they are. 

So there you have it. Thursday's thoughts . . . 

Father, again and again, I emphasize: apart from you, I can do nothing. Not one single thing. Thank you for all the stories you've given to me. May I always honor you with my writing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The Spike is Book 4 in A Marty Singer Mystery Series by Matthew Iden. 

Learning the intricacies of the Washington DC real estate wheeling and dealing is possibly the last thing former MPDC detective Marty Singer expected to address after witnessing the ultra-shocking murder of a woman by a subway train. Facing the shock of watching it happen in split-second time, Singer gathers himself and pursues the man who pushed her into the oncoming train, but he's too fast and too fit and Marty loses him in the chase. However, after giving his statement to the police which he knows is vague because he never saw the man's face or evaluated him from any near distance, he is asked by the family of the woman to find her killer. All he knows for sure is the guy was athletic. 

Marty really doesn't want to take the job, but Amanda is facing a serious medical bill for her broken arm received after chasing a guy who tried to harass his former girlfriend at the women's shelter where Amanda works, and Marty intends to pay for it. With so little to work with, Marty starts with the well-to-do family. Next, he visits her well-known firm of real-estate attorneys. Suddenly, the dead woman isn't the only body to turn up murdered and there seems to be something telling about a deal facing difficulty in a development deal. Marty has to learn all the ins and outs of DC real estate development and discover who "the spike" is for this failing deal that both dead people were working on. 

Underlying his search for the killer using unlikely sources to zero in on the reason(s) for these murders and his former partner from his days at MPDC, his suffocating fear of getting his cancer checkup after receiving the reminder in the mail keeps him agitated and uneasy. Plus, the woman he felt betrayed him by withholding information on a case they were investigating keeps turning up in his thoughts and now in person at the women's shelter, helping the shelter with some pro bono work. 

If you enjoy mega-information about how DC works in its real estate hustles, this is the story for you. The payoffs, the political rewards, the enormous tax breaks, and campaign donations – all of it gets detailed attention in this story to expose the complex and unexpected "purpose" of the elimination of certain individuals. 

Marty Singer is the typical east coast cynical former cop with a tender heart and a normal fear regarding his mortality. Cancer is an ugly word for all of us, and Matthew does a great job of portraying his character's personal challenges in facing the possibility that it's returned. He's back to full strength, things finally seem right again, and having the threat of it lurking in his body causes him real fear.   

Some vivid characters in this story, some likable, some detestable, but entertaining just the same. This is a good well-written series with some stories more in the police procedural model and others more in the freelance investigation of a mystery mode. Marty Singer will definitely draw you into his world. His sarcasm, dry humor, exaggerations, and determination will keep you engaged in each book, and you'll feel glad to have made his acquaintance. 

A Marty Singer Mystery Series is definitely one you should consider. 

Profanity present. 

Father, please continue to bless Matthew, encourage him, and keep him and his family safe from all harm. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  
        

My dear friend Dayle Arceneaux debuts his new songs. Well done! Great voice. So cool!

Father, bless Dayle in all of efforts. He's one of yours. Encourage him and pour out your Spirit upon him. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

One Right Thing, Book 3 in A Marty Singer Mystery Series by Matthew Iden.

One Right Thing was inspired by an actual billboard seen by this author but of course unrelated in facts to the story. I always find it an extra bonus to learn what inspired an author to write a particular story.

In this adventure for retired MPDC homicide detective Marty Singer, he's traveling home from visiting friends on his first trip away after successful cancer surgery. His young friend Amanda is babysitting his house and cat so he's taking the trip at his leisure. When he spots a huge billboard along the highway in rural Virginia, he pulls over to be sure of what it says. And that's the impetus for his desire to do the one right thing if he can. 

Marty Singer has a history with the man on the billboard by the name of J. D. Hope. He's not surprised to learn he's dead, but he is surprised that someone cared enough about the man who spent 20 years in prison for a murder – like many convicts – Hope insisted he didn't commit. Singer jots down the phone number on the sign and discovers Hope's sister is responsible for the billboard much to J.D.'s snobbish mother's distaste. This begins the odd adventure of investing in a criminal's history who was put away by a former coworker. Nothing's falling into place, and Singer is basically warned to get out of town by the Chief of Police in the small town.

The bullying Brewer brothers and their cohorts provide the minimal lawbreaking in the town, but for some reason nothing sticks to them. Singer recognizes they aren't smart enough to do what he's just discovered so there's a mastermind operating the system somewhere. He calls his friend Bloch from the case he recently worked with him and shares some details. Bloch agrees to check into what he can for him. 

The frustration of the search, the conflicts Singer faces, and the continuous dead-ends discourage him until Singer finds an unexpected ally when something disturbing causes that unlikely alliance, and Bloch comes through with shocking information at the last possible moment. 

One Right Thing continues to develop Marty Singer for the reader, giving a fuller picture of his bull-headed determination and his necessity to find answers and, if possible, solutions. With this novel, the frustration lingers for the reader experiencing it right along with Singer as slim leads and no progress prove daunting. By the time it's over, the result leaves the reader as deflated and disgusted as Marty Singer when he leaves this small town behind after accomplishing the "one right thing" only to find how wrong everything leading up to it was.   

Father, please continue to give Matthew the stories you have just for him to tell. Bless him and his family. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Evil men do not understand justice,

   but those who seek the Lord 

      understand it fully.

Proverbs 28:5 (NIV)

                        Where would you rather be? 

Father, beauty appears far and wide. Thank you for leaving us with glorious sights and places in this sin-stained world. Thank you for rescuing us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who took the time to vote on your favorite(s) of my cover designs. I truly appreciate your opinions, your thoughts, and your comments. And they were all very gratifying and affirming. Sincere thanks for participating. Soon I will introduce you to the latest cover of my newest e-reader only release . . . in a love song. Hope you will like it too. 

Father, thank you for all of your novel readers, authors and writers. It's such a privilege and joy to create stories but apart from you, I can do nothing. Thank you for filling in the blanks and giving me new beginnings. Thank you for it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.