Into the Fire

I would assume every author has his/her opinion about the covers of their books. As always, I'm referring to novels. Even those who aren't necessarily "artsy" know what they like in/on a book cover – especially when it comes to their stories. 

Although I like all of the covers of my books, there are a few things I am fairly vocal about in their creation. One: I don't want my name to be the most prominent and eye-catching part of the cover. Two: There is a distinct item included on all of my novels except for Hope of Glory. Some of you know what it is and look for it on new releases. Three: I really prefer that full faces don't appear on the covers. However, with my new Kindle-only book . . . in a love song I had to settle for a partial face appearing on the cover. 

If you have a spare moment, please vote for your favorite of my covers in the comments. It won't be long before I introduce my latest to you. 

Father, as always, thank you for every word, every story, every design. Thank you is never enough. Always desperate for you and apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

If this doesn't move you, by the mere lyrics, you can't be moved. I'm not a big fan of choirs, but this is spectacular.

And His Truth Is Marching On. Amen. 

Thank you, Lord God Almighty. We will always need your rescue. In the Name of your Son Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Left to Lapse is Book 7 in the Blake Pierce An Adele Sharp Mystery Series. 

There's a murder on a train in France which at first glance does not seem like a murder, but when another death occurs on a different train, different country, which makes the possibility of a third one soon to take place on a train in Germany, Executive Foucault sends Agent Sharp and Agent Renee to investigate. This is their first "reunion" since Adele unjustly treated John with contempt after he elected to save a victim instead of going after Adele's mother's killer. It isn't a warm and fuzzy reunion. Instead, it's mostly silent and awkward.  

Enter Agent Leoni from Italy to join their case which inevitably makes this threesome even more awkward. Adele can't help her attraction to the investigator with the movie star looks and genteel ways, but John doesn't warm up even a little bit to the man. And though John's ways are often completely the opposite of Leoni's, John's got everyone's backs no matter what. And Adele knows there's no one better for that part of the job. 

This bizarre case calls for daring action, and there's no one better to plan for such things than Agent John Renee. "Daring" doesn't quite cover it and results in a serious injury to Agent Leoni but the three of them persevere and barely in the nick of time manage to figure out not only who the killer is but why he made his choices. When Adele speaks to him privately after he's captured, she finds they have a thread of commonality which both saddens and terrifies her. 

Before the final scene, there's a touching and defining moment between John and Adele. It's raw, honest, melancholic. 

The final critical semi-cliffhanger scene is ugly and sorrowful. 

I was surprised to read no follow-up to Adele's call to Agent Christopher Leoni following her tirade against John in Book 6.

I don't think it's a coincidence that the prominent placement of crows on the covers of An Adele Sharp Mystery Series is because a flock of crows is known as a "murder". What do you think? 

Profanity present.  

Father, continue to bless Blake in writing and in life. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

. . . Yet Saul [Paul] grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ. 

Acts 9:22 (NIV) 

We've all heard it, used it to describe that indescribable "thing" known as "writer's block". The definition of it basically means a writer/author reaches sort of an impasse in their article, story, book creation which "feels" like or "seems" like the words, the inspiration, the process that leads to those words forming and being propelled to continue has stopped for no good reason or maybe for "some" identifiable or unidentifiable reason. 

I've had major lapses in production of my novels, but I never felt like I was experiencing "writer's block". Maybe that was naïve of me but nonetheless true. For me, it was more like "a break", a "rest", a "renewal", a scripted waiting for the creative part of me to return to the story.

When I froze up on my singular mystery (Race), it was from fear of making a glaring mistake in the procedural part of the story – one that would be horribly obvious to any random detective who might happen to read the novel or those die-hard mystery readers who don't tolerate inexcusable, foolish errors in investigations. Since I had an actual detective helping me with those parts, the last thing I wanted to happen was to somehow embarrass him by my stupidity in some faulty procedure – even with the normal and natural disclaimers which allotted any and all of the blame for that to fall on me. 

But during that "freeze", I started two other novels, the first of which was Seeing . . . and the second of which will soon be in production titled . . . in a love song. So no real writer's block, just the fear of making a serious mistake in one story. 

I marvel at authors with careers of a prolific number of novels who never seem to waver in production. Novel after novel after novel. Truly astounding careers with that many books. If you don't like one of their series, try another or another! It's incredible and remarkable. Those who've written some of the novels I've read and reviewed here don't just stick around one area. Their stories take place in multiple parts of the world, giving the reader detailed glimpses of places they most likely will never see for themselves. And generally speaking, most of those I'm referring to here write mysteries and thrillers which do tend to be the quicker reads but with complex plots. 

Getting back to "writer's block", I would think an author would recognize it when it comes without being ready to admit it. I guess I've always felt there's a purpose during the breaks of story writing for me. Not that I always identify what that purpose is at first and maybe not at all. Guess I'm just not ready to admit that it could be writer's block. 

Father, it's simple really. You provide the inspiration in your timing. Apart from you, I can do nothing. Period. Thank you for every word and story. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

QUESTION/SURVEY: 

When do you want to see the cover for a new book? 

Shortly before its release?

At the same time as its release?

A month before its release? 

Anytime – doesn't matter if you see it before or at time of release? 

When? 

Father, thank you for all aspects of book production and for each author who chooses to write for your glory. Bless them with good stories to tell. Help us all to be the best we can be. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Those of you who know me well know I love long stories. In all of my years of reading I've never liked short stories. Ever. And, although of late I've read several series novellas, I definitely don't prefer them. Not taking anything away from those authors who write these enticing-for-the-busy-reader stories – because it definitely takes talent to condense a good story into something with fewer words – but if I have a strong preference, it's definitely a full-length novel.

I don't consider 60 thousand words a full-length novel. It's a minor extension of a novella. And, quite frankly, I resent the prices often charged for them in print copy and some even for electronic readers. Over-pricing is a deterrent for me. 

No one needs to tell or attempt to remind me that producing a book is pricey. I've had to do that for all of my novels. And I've diligently tried to keep the retail price low, but today's printing, cover-design, typesetting, and other costs have made that difficult for manufacturing books. 

Not to mention the competition is fierce. Traditional publishers place a huge burden on their lesser known authors to market their wares with consistent plans. The problem with marketing is that no one has truly figured out an absolutely successful marketing scheme for novels. One size does not fit all types of novels and their authors. So the indie author not only has to figure out a plan for marketing their work but foots the bill for all of it – including paying for marketing if they choose. 

One can see the reason behind writing novellas, and it's true that many readers love them because they can read those novels in a short time and move on to the next one at a reasonably quick pace in their demanding lives where free or reading time is in short supply. For the author there can be quicker production, possibly quicker returns from maintaining a flow of these shorter novels if the inspiration sets up for their continuations.

Bottom line: to each his own! 

Do you have a preference?

Father, thank you for your writers, for your inspirations, for your giving us the opportunity to write for your glory, and to keep writing stories. We're all desperate for you whether we know it or not. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

I absolutely loved this song – still do. I believe they're a Swedish twosome who used to have more in their band. Not sure they're still a "band". The lyrics are captivating although "sad". Loved this song.

Father, only you know hearts. May you keep those of us you've rescued close and continue to rescue those who are lost in this sinful world. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

 Blue Blood is Book 2 in A Marty Singer Mystery Series by Matthew Iden. 

Marty Singer is contemplating his surgery for colorectal cancer after getting the report that while the Chemo helped, it didn't do enough. However, when even a delayed scheduling can reduce his life expectancy, he's involved in a serious case with a Detective Bloch who wants – and needs – his help in finding out who's killing cops – particularly undercover cops. The most recent death was indicative of a brutal torture before its fatal conclusion. 

Singer travels to the ugly and dangerous Southeast section of DC, a den of iniquity occupied by gangs and one of the dead cop's family, to interview the wife of the deceased man. What he learned is this particular cop and his family lived in the heart of the neighborhood/area they were trying to help. He'd gained the respect of neighbors and some of the kids he rescued from going the gang route. 

Singer also visited the wife of the latest cop victim whose son Paul (who served in the military in both Iraq and Afghanistan) insisted the family knew nothing of his undercover work because the man always wanted to keep it separate from his family life. The cop's wife really was clueless, but Singer suspected Paul, because of his service, probably/maybe suspected certain things about his dad's work. 

The more Bloch and Singer learn, the more the puzzle pieces start to mesh, and that's definitely because of Singer's research and hands-on approach. 

What the puzzle leads to is an onslaught of a select group which includes Singer to perform a raid. What happens after the raid back at the station is a shock to everyone and takes Singer and Bloch to wrap up the loose ends which is even more of a surprise ending in sadness. 

As Marty realizes he must attend to the surgery, he's relieved and rewarded to know he'll have the help he needs to recover. 

This story is definitely more in the "police procedural" style of a mystery, which I enjoy, and Marty Singer continues to be the character I can get hooked on. A bit of an insightful cynic with a love for justice and police work, his retirement status has proved to be "fluid". So far, a good series with enjoyable writing. 

Profanity present. 

Father, thank you again for the creative talents you disperse. May those talents somehow be used for your glory. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

     Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. This is the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 

Acts 10:34-36 (NIV)