Into the Fire

It is better to take refuge in the Lord 

   than to trust in man.

Psalm 118:8 (NIV) 

As authors, we admire other authors. As authors, we do our best not to operate in the comparison game. As authors, we can strive for certain characteristics we admire in other authors' writing. As authors, we invariably slip into the "I wish I could write like that" mode but we never say it out loud. As authors, after thinking that, we usually fall into a writing funk. As authors, we then attempt to rebound with a rush and relish of colorful language and magnificent metaphors, or at least we try to do that. As authors, only our habitual need to write forces us to abandon admiration and just attempt to do the best we can. As authors, will we ever be completely satisfied with our work? Completely? As an author: highly unlikely. 

So let me leave you with this interesting quotation: 

     "Admiration is the daughter of ignorance."         

                             Thomas Fuller 

Father, I would ask that you would help me to write to the abilities you've given me, that I would not be lazy in using this gift, that I would persevere through the hard parts, and that what I ultimately give way to would make you smile. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

That girl and that guy would meet many years later and eventually . . . 

. . . they would marry. Now, we're celebrating 42 married years together on this date 09/24/20. (A few more than that together.) Just wow!

God, you kept us and built us and we owe every year to you. Thank you sounds so terribly small and it is. We are incredibly grateful for your longsuffering and grace and mercy. You're the reason we've come this far. And we simply cannot thank you enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

                                   Okay, let's hit it!

Reading preference(s): Fiction, Non-Fiction, Both (Bible not included as example of non-fiction) Fiction

Genre preference(s): List all that apply. Thrillers, Mystery, Suspense, Romantic Suspense, some Romance/Love Stories   

What genre(s) do you prefer not to read? (And I don't mean the secular "specialty" genres – i.e. porn, etc.) Fantasy, some Speculative, most Sci-fi, Women's Fiction, Chick-lit/Humor 

Do you like taking pictures (doesn't matter of what)? Used to love it, would love to again

Do you mind having your picture taken? Yes

Do you now or did you ever write in a diary or journal? Eons ago: a diary; I have several lovely empty journals (gifts)  

Do you like chocolates? What flavor(s)? Yes: milk and white chocolates

If you could only have one, which would it be: Pie, Cake, Cookie, Candy? Pie

Do you like steak? How do you like it cooked? Love steak. Rare and Medium Rare

What's the farthest distance you've driven from home? (If you don't know the mileage, you can state the city to city.) Renton, Wa. to San Mateo, Ca. – straight through

Do you like bike-riding (not motorcycles)? When I was a kid. Now? No.

Now: do you like to ride motorcycles? What kind? No – I always lean the wrong way as a passenger.

What type of music do you like (i.e rock 'n' roll, country-western, classical, contemporary Christian and/or hymns, smooth jazz, opera, etc.)? List all. Rock 'n' roll (oldies), contemporary Christian and some hymns, smooth jazz, some orchestrations and movie themes 

If you had to go to one, which would you prefer: doctor or dentist? Dentist

What is the one athletic thing you wish you could do but never have? Krav Maga (marital arts)

Have you ever slapped someone across the face? Yes

Do you have an absolute favorite song? Movie? Can't do absolutes here – too many

What is/are your all-time favorite(s) TV series, past or present? Past: JAG & the original Magnum PI; going way back: Fury Present: NCIS, LA, New Orleans

List three favorite beverages. Coca Cola, 2% Milk, Spice Chai Tea

If you could shop for any piece of clothing to enjoy, what would it be? Shoes/Boots

Do you wear jewelry? If so, what do you wear primarily? Not so much anymore. Wedding band; just got a brand new ring from my husband with a "Larimar" stone only found along a single mountainside in the Dominican Republic! (Happy Birthday to me!)

Do you wear a watch? I'm out of the habit, need new batteries for my beautiful watches. : /

Do you have a hobby? What is it? Hmm. Reading is more of a passion than a hobby. 

Are you a smart phone addict? No. 

If you were given your choice of going anywhere in this world, all expenses-paid, with no threat of any disease/terrorism/etc., where would you go? (You may list 3 destinations.) Hawaii – the Big Island, maybe back to Aix en Provence, France, Tuscany, Italy

Have you been on a cruise? Where would you like to go on a cruise? No. Nowhere on water. 

Father, thank you for all those things that make our lives unique yet similar. You are the Author of Life and creativity. Amazing God. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Great song, great group. The Four Tops made some good music. 

Father, we all need you. Thank you for your musicians and their wonderful talents. May they know who you are and be grateful for what you've given them. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Lisa Phillips presents Book One in the Last Chance County Series. 

Expired Refuge begins with ATF Special Agent Mia Tathers showing up at her dad's place to heal up from injuries sustained in a take down of a criminal who she was forced to shoot dead. Technically she's on vacation, but her dad's off hunting or something, and she has his house to herself. Not that she's happy to be back in the hometown she couldn't wait to leave. In fact, she can't wait to get away once she's whole and cleared of the necessary shooting. Last Chance County holds bitter memories of her older sister's death and now her younger sister is hooked up with the area's number one dope and weapons peddler (Ed Summers) who both she and the Interim Chief Conroy Barnes hold responsible for the death of her sister Mara back in high school. But really Mia holds Conroy Barnes directly at fault for Mara's death since he was Mara's boyfriend,  and Mia's giant grudge shows no signs of weakening even when Conroy does his best to talk with her about a lot of things. 

Suddenly it seems both of their lives are in immediate danger with an explosion, a home invasion, a terrible attack by a drugged dog, and a kidnapping. Still, Mia bites at Conroy every chance she gets in spite of his efforts to keep her safe which get harder by the minute. Finally they have to put their heads together to figure out exactly which one of them is the target and if it's Ed Summers or someone else behind these deadly attempts. 

Mia's determined not to trust Conroy no matter how hard he tries to keep her safe. Her ATF associates back in Seattle proved to her that her value with them was limited, and since she blames Conroy for Mara's death, it's always in the forefront of her thoughts and reactions. What she doesn't know is critical to adjusting her attitude, and to Conroy's credit, he keeps trying to reach her in spite of her cutthroat words. 

Turns out her younger sister Meena is a mess and certainly can't be trusted. It's painful for Mia to realize, but it's only when she comes to terms with her unforgiveness that she's able to fall back on her Christian values and figure out how to forgive. 

The back and forth drama of the developing relationship between Mia and Conroy is filled with the prickly personality of the ATF Special Agent's stubbornness and determination to do what her physical injuries won't allow her to complete. Her endangerment brings her dad home and causes Conroy more difficulties than he expected. His admiration for her develops into more than he anticipated while taking the jabs she hurls at him repeatedly. 

Expired Refuge is a good story and well written. Perhaps the internal thoughts during critical moments might have interrupted for a bit too long, and the extenuated doubts about motives concerning Conroy seemed a bit misguided, but that didn't take away from the grit and narrative required to provide those intense moments of real danger. Lisa created interesting and unique characters injecting them into a battle of wills and a whole bunch of dangerous episodes. 

Father, please continue to bless Lisa and her stories. Fill her up with inspiration and provide what she needs to write for your glory. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death,

    my eyes from tears,

    my feet from stumbling,

that I may walk before the Lord

    in the land of the living.

I believed; therefore I said, 

    "I am greatly afflicted."

And in my dismay I said, 

    "All men are liars."

How can I repay the Lord

    for all his goodness to me?

I will lift up the cup of salvation

    and call on the name of the Lord.

I will fulfill my vows to the Lord

    in the presence of his people.

Psalm 116:8-14 (NIV) 

Should I be . . . UNASHAMED? 

You decide. I know who my audience is, and it's not those who prefer what has been referred to as "clean" and/or "innocent", "family-friendly" (not sure exactly what that really means) fiction, or with similar descriptions for the stories. 

Bottom line: I write for adults. Although I portray the world accurately and specifically in my novels, the worst words that will be written out are "hell" and/or "damn" and they're used infrequently. Other cuss words are inferred and implicated because whether we like it or not, care or not, this is how much of the world speaks. It is reality. And if I do nothing else in my writing, I strive to make it authentic. Although there are definite sexual attractions and desires, characters' sexual histories if any or if necessary, there are no graphic sexual scenes in my novels.   

Every novel I've written is classified as Christian Fiction or Inspirational Fiction and rightly so. They are all redemptive. The gospel is an organic part and purpose of the story. It's not negotiable and by that I mean there's no question it's there in differentiation to some novels by Christian authors who write with Christian themes, might mention prayer in an intense scene, or imply faith in the story. Like all the rest of my writing, Christianity is "in your face" at some point. Take it or leave it. 

I do enough things wrong in my life where repentance is absolutely necessary. Most of the heavy duty things – but certainly not all – are in my past. In my opinion, and I'm not saying this with a brazen or self-righteous attitude, my writing is not one of them.

Which is why when it comes to my novels . . . I am UNASHAMED. 

Father, you give me every story, every word, every inspiration. Apart from you, I can do nothing. Literally: nothing. And thank you is never ever enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Nothing like a just-turned-20 drama queen practicing "selfies" with her new camera biding her time before her trip to Europe. I debated whether or not to post this one, but in the end it really doesn't matter how silly this young girl was, does it? 

God, it would be awhile before you rescued me, but I remember "defending" you (as if I could or needed to) to my "agnostic" friends in London and then almost dying in Aix en Provence, France. You saved my life then and many times since. About 10 years after this photo was taken, you were able to reach through this lost life and redeem me. Thank you is never enough. I love you, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.