Into the Fire

The Alamo by Mark Dawson is Book 11 in the John Milton Series. 

It's unclear exactly why John decided to visit New York, but he's rented a tiny apartment in the defunct Coney Island area where there are numbers of Crimean and Russian businesses and inhabitants. It's cold and wintry with a heavy snow warning in the near future. He's got a menial job as another cook in a Russian restaurant with a boss who's mean and nasty but has decided not to mess with John after being at the other end of one of John's ice cold stares. Of course when trouble arises that requires John's undivided attention, he quits and is simultaneously fired. 

Finding an AA meeting, he meets a former soldier (Manny), single parent, who's worried about his neighborhood and its influence on his 13 year old son (Freddy) whose expensive sneakers were stolen from him. Manny can't afford to replace them. John single-handedly scopes out the neighborhood and takes care of the dope den across the street from his new friend. Then he replaces the sneakers with a made up story about a nephew he doesn't have. 

A Detective Polanski in Internal Affairs is working on cleaning up the 7-5 Precinct which used to have a bunch of crooked cops, was cleaned up, and now once again there are bad things going on in the precinct. There's a gangster (Acosta) who's got several cops on his payroll, buying their allegiance with hefty packs of money. When Polanski's CI wants to help nail both Acosta and those cops who do his bidding, trouble hits hard.

Somehow, the one night Manny has a major failure, his son has a horrible experience and realizes he knows something that the cops need to know. John happens to be in the area where Freddy is and convinces him to trust him, later learning he's Manny's son when John inquires about the sneakers he's wearing. 

Okay. The complex connections, the fear Freddy and his dad share because of what Freddy knows, John's critical advice and aid, twists and turns in the police department, John once again being in the thick of trying to make things right for this father and son and being a suspect by one ambitious detective, lead to all the favors called in and knowing the final decision can't be avoided.

Once all the pieces are in play, this thriller amps up. Mark's an author who gives specifics in locations, architecture, neighborhoods, weather, and means to an end which include identifying the types of weapons used, the incredible knowledge John uses to come up with his plans, while making John a type of Robin Hood replacing the rich royalty with the rich crooks and making those who are victimized by them the recipients of their "wealth". Once again at the conclusion of this story we see the other side of John – that one he's been suppressing for so long it surprises him every time it shows up again. 

I've been trying to figure out if I could give an example of a comparable character to John Milton and the only one I can think of who comes close as far as temperament is Jason Statham as "The Transporter". Or perhaps Lee Child's Jack Reacher. That's just my opinion and really John Milton is one of a kind.  

This is a truly enjoyable and compelling series no matter how many times John finds himself in a similar situation. His desire to do something good for someone invariably includes doing something bad for someone else who no doubt deserves it. 

Profanity present.

Father, only you know hearts, souls, and minds. Only you save us. Only you. Please continue to bless Mark's life and writing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Waiting to find the . . . Redeemer

Redeemer is Book 12 in Mark Dawson's John Milton Series. 

John has always wanted to go to Rio for their big music festival and an old friend from the Regiment (Shawn Drake) invites him to stay at his place with him and his girlfriend Sophie. Shawn is the owner/operator of a private protection agency and appears to be doing very well with his fancy Porsche and an elegant home. His beautiful girlfriend is considerably younger than Shawn, fun-loving, intelligent, and studying to be a lawyer. It isn't until Shawn gets roaring drunk at the festival the night before an important protection gig for a judge's wife and young daughter who plan to attend the child's recital that he admits to John he's in over his head financially. Added to that he can't get one of his men assigned to the detail to answer his phone so John volunteers. Shawn has no idea what followed John's life in the military so he can't see how John might be up for a protection detail. John assures him he can handle it without revealing his history with MI6 or Group Fifteen. 

A young mechanic (Paolo) who races his car on the side to try to add extra money to pay for his sick daughter's expensive treatment is sabotaged during a race and with that his hopes are crushed. His very last resort is what his incarcerated father told him never to do, but he sees no other way to provide for his little girl. Within a matter of hours he regrets his decision and realizes there's no way out for him.  

The intersection of these two lives proves to be valuable for both, but first John needs to find an old associate from his only other time in Brazil (Harry Marks) who provides John with everything he needs to gain access to the "Don" of the vast slums where Paolo lives and has been snared for employment. 

Half-brothers, traitorous friend, a Judge and his wife, a gang kingpin/Don, and a desperate father all find out just how dangerous John "Smith" truly is when he determines what must be done. If you help him, he will honor your commitment. If you cross him, there's really no hope for you. 

As is the case for laying the groundwork in a novel, authors sometimes run the risk of getting enough of the details right without making it tedious for the reader. Mark's excellent at providing those specific details and descriptions of locations, characters, main and peripheral, even the weather makes its appearance felt. In Redeemer he comes fairly close to the edge of tedium but pulls it out quickly and zaps the story into thriller mode. With occasional observations in the story of the famous statue of Redeemer Christ, Paolo seeks the Lord's assistance through his fear and summons bravery when he least expects it. 

Of course a fan of this series knows John's only hope is placed in his reliance on the 12 Step Program and AA manual that he clings to when things threaten to go south in his life. He seems to be realizing that in order to seek his own redemption as defined by himself, he must use the skills and brain power that was trained into him in his multiple years in the military, in SAS, and as Number One. Being the supreme operator/assassin taught him those things he's been forced to rely upon while trying to redeem himself from the memory of his past. I do hope he realizes in one of these stories that he's unable to accomplish that redemption on his own.

Profanity present.  

Father, thank you for gifting your writers/authors. It's a special joy to create with words. Please continue to bless Mark's multiple abilities. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For,

                 "All men are like grass,

                    and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;

                  the grass withers and the flowers fall,

                    but the word of the Lord stands forever." *

1 Peter 1:23-25  *Isaiah 40:6-8 (NIV)

Very successful and bestselling British author Mark J. Dawson has inadvertently become one of my favorite authors even though I have disagreed with certain characterizations and inferences in a couple of his John Milton Series stories. Regardless of that, he's given me hours of fun reading, intense scenes, a truly remarkable and unique in many ways character in John Milton but also in his other creations of Beatrix Rose and her daughter Isabella and his latest protagonist: private investigator Atticus Priest who is perhaps the most unique character of them all. 

Every author has a style, a voice, and a few characteristics in his or her writing. Since I deal with fiction primarily, I look for both the similarities and differences between authors. Personally speaking, I like a fair amount of description in characters, locations, actions, and most everything. However, I acknowledge description can be overdone to the point where it becomes tedious to read. Mark is specifically descriptive of locations which only occasionally can border near tedium. He also gives his characters the practiced, professional eyes of quickly assessing people, places, and things so we're presented with a different way of receiving descriptive information. His action sequences are intense with pain-inducing cringes in some cases which speaks highly of his ability to recreate them for the reader. 

I believe in order to make a great story and build on it for a series, you've got to have that dynamic hero/heroine to carry it, stuff it with meaningful peripheral characters trying to avoid clichés in the antagonists – which, let's face it, in this day and age is incredibly hard to do – and round it out with scenes that touch, exhilarate, stun, provide options even if all bad, and include good or great writing in the process. That's no small list of requirements. Not all authors can successfully do this – because any writer/author will tell you it isn't easy. 

Some stories require a lot of research especially if the story or series takes a person all over the world as the John Milton novels do. I'm amazed at the authenticity transmitted in Mark's stories down to the street names in out of the way places. Has he been there himself? I have no idea but it sure seems so. That's authenticity. Yes, authors can take liberties with locations. I know I do, but I tend to venture to places I've actually been so I can create a reasonable picture that might resonate with someone who's been in the vicinity of where I've placed the story. From Marrakech to Sienna it has felt like Mark and hence his characters were intimately familiar with the areas. 

Of all the reasons to like an author's writing and appreciate an author's stories, Mark Dawson accomplishes and fulfills the list. He's a fabulous writer and well worth the time I've spent reading his work. 

Father, please continue to provide the inspiration and incentives for Mark's abilities. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Originally posted as "Why Christian Fiction Matters" on 12/02/2012. (Some additions to the original post.)

If you read a steady diet of general market fiction, you're probably familiar with generous portions of worldly philosophies associated with secular humanism which include erotic/graphic examples of those philosophies.

We know there are Christian authors who write for the general market, some who've chosen this career path from the beginning and experienced success. Other authors started their publishing careers in the Christian fiction industry but crossed over to the general market.

The reasons for crossing over to the general market range from the desire for a larger market for their particular style or genre to the imposed restrictions by CBA publishers which interfere with an author's creative choices.

Primary complaints regarding Christian fiction appear in both legitimate commentary and from those who simply don't prefer the strong spiritual content. The legitimate commentary is less critical, more observational, and usually formed after reading a considerable amount of all kinds of fiction. Other criticisms have been offered after reading a significantly limited amount of Christian fiction with a seemingly built-in resistance or prejudice to anything that portrays honest spirituality. However, what both of these types include as their common thread is the "preachiness" of Christian fiction.

I've read widely in the Christian fiction market, and I write Christian novels. I know what it is to read and write preachy fiction. In reality I think it can be done well and poorly. And I've read both kinds. One point that is ignored by some who read in the general market is that sometimes those authors also get preachy concerning their views within the secular humanism "theology".

Christian authors write to entertain, minister, give hope, and add meaning to simple and difficult life subjects. Each one recognizes the purpose of committing words to the page and mostly takes their instruction from the Lord of his or her life. These authors write in many different genres, styles, and voices. Christianity shows up demonstrably or quietly. Bold or covert. In a few CBA novels the gospel isn't really present, and in others conversion is explained.

Christian authors in the general market often state their worldview permeates their stories without making the "God-thing" obvious. They insist they can reach a lot more unbelievers with subtlety. And who can argue with them? No one can say for sure exactly what and how writers will be used. The important thing is to obey whatever God has for each one of us.

But I think it's important to emphasize the case for Christian fiction, why it matters in the world of the publishing industry. There are many excellent authors who pen Christian fiction. They deal with life issues, hard ones. They offer hope in the midst of tragedy, both overtly and covertly. Some of these books can be given as gifts to the lost – preferably with the Lord's direction. Giving Jesus a place in fiction by portraying who He is and what He offers must be done organically within a story and meaningfully with the best of prose. Because there is nothing more valuable in this hard life than offering Jesus Christ as the only true lifeline in a lost world filled with secular philosophies that add nothing of eternal value. This is why Christian fiction matters.

Father, may all your authors and writers be obedient to your desires for them above all others. That's my desire. Help me to be just that. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

                          It's summertime, and I love it. 

Thank you, Lord, for the beauty in each season. You could've left the earth desolate but you chose to give it life, renewal, and beauty. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Another unique sound back in the day. One of their most well known hits.

Father, only you give talent and gifts that are worthy. Thank you for them all. May each one know from whom they are given and enjoyed. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Blackout by Mark Dawson, Book 10 in the John Milton Series, begins at the cook shack for taxi cab drivers in London.

John Milton (aka John Smith) has resumed his graveyard shift as a cook in the nook provided as the rest stop for weary taxi cab drivers who need a bite and a cup of tea as they continue to wait for customers. As he's closing up shop one evening, a man approaches to tell him of a woman John once knew intimately. She hopes to meet him in Manila to introduce him to the son John never knew he had. Their association was many years ago when he was an operator in Group Fifteen. A conversation is arranged between them and John agrees to meet her in the Philippines. 

Admittedly, John's actions seem a bit reckless for him, but he can't deny his affection lingers for the woman (Jessica). When a meeting place is set, John's slightly suspicious at the chosen locale, a dive bar, but it's refreshing to see her again after all this time until he awakens in his hotel room with two emptied bottles of vodka and what looks like a struggle took place with a dead person in his bathroom. No memory at all of anything after their initial meeting. It appears and feels like he's hungover, but the last drink he remembers consuming was a glass of orange juice. 

Things only get worse from that point as he slowly begins to realize he's been set up, and his only help depends on the honest female cop (Josie Hernandez) who arrested him, but there's no information he can supply for her until he can figure out what's happening. As he learns who's behind it all, Josie has begun to realize just how deep the corruption goes in her department and suspects that John isn't guilty of this murder. But if she can't get him the help he requests, it's only a matter of time before he's dead. 

In Blackout John is finally joined by Hicks and Ziggy in a treacherous scheme that could go wrong in so many ways. Josie desperately wants to survive this situation within the law's parameters, but it seems no one in law enforcement is of the same mind. When her little boy is threatened, things change for Josie. 

The interesting part about John in this story is his beginning to recognize how much of his past is in his present, that what he was so good at and what it took to be that man – Number One in Group Fifteen – surfaces as necessary. That icy cold stare that's become his trademark was earned death by death. He was – and is, or can be – a killer. And when he decides that death is the reward for evil, he takes care of that evil. Remorse isn't part of it when the person deserves the end he receives. Making peace with it all has proven impossible for John even as he realizes the facts. 

Blackout is a bona fide thriller with a torturous path to vindication and justification. Another good one from Mark Dawson.

Profanity present.

Father, please keep blessing Mark and seeking those whose hearts are willing to see what you've given to us all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Humbles yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 

1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)

Can you think of five movies you paid to see that you didn't like or hated? Here are mine:

Carnal Knowledge (hated)

Dances with Wolves (hated)

Before Sunrise (didn't like)

Catch-22 (It was like a movie with two halves – hated the second half)

Old Yeller (broke my heart) 

These are all older movies. I make sure I want to see a film now before I waste money on it. And now there are simply too many from Hollywood that I have no desire to support or watch.

Father, you give talents and gifts. We often abuse them. Forgive us, Lord. We've no excuse. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

I've now read all the John Milton novels by British author Mark Dawson and am waiting for the next one just like I do for Mitch Rapp's next stories. I'll save my overstated love for Mitch Rapp – still my Number One – for another day. John Milton is a British type of Rapp although he's much different in many ways.

John's mom and dad died when he was eight, and he was raised by an aunt. He didn't find himself until he'd fooled around at university and then joined the military where he obviously excelled, advanced, worked in the Regiment and with the SAS before he was recruited into the spy game. 

John Milton was eventually the premiere Number One of Group Fifteen which meant his career included triple digit kills (assassinations) of all kinds for the secret side of the British government among many other incredible missions. However, the killing began to get to him and he found that the operations assigned to him could no longer be done without ensuing nightmares, blackouts from over-indulging in drink to dull those nightmares, and real attacks of conscience. When he learned of the corruption and intent of his immediate boss "Control" after John's effort to quit Group 15, he was forced to leave the country and watch his back.

Although John will not believe in the "Higher Power" of the AA 12 Step Program, he finds peace at the meetings and the inspiration to stay sober for another day. Desiring more than anything to figure out a way to "atone" for his many deeds while Number One, he tries to help those in need along his life's path. Inevitably that requires yet another "neutralizing". 

Okay, that's his background. John Milton is intelligent, savvy, clever, innovative, strong-minded and willed, is remarkably tough, prefers to be alone most of the time but occasionally gets attached to certain people for two reasons. One, he needs a team to accomplish a mission of his own design and knows those well who he can trust. Or two, he finds that silent part of him that longs for connection. The second reason is the most infrequent, seems to always surprise him when it shows up, and is the most difficult for him to fulfill. This is because he doesn't feel worthy of that kind of deep connection, and he feels it can never be his reality due to the innate danger for someone being in his life.

Like Mitch Rapp, John Milton has a meter that registers good and evil and has no qualms eliminating evil which is why when he's trying to help someone who's being hunted, abused in some way, in terrible trouble at the hands of another, John will use his skills to eliminate the problem. 

Physically, he's handsome even with the fine-lined scar across his face, around 6' tall, well-muscled, fit, but hides it all well – except for the scar. He has ice blue eyes and near black hair, and his death stare is infamous to those who've been on the other end of it – if they live to tell about it. He has a huge tattoo of an angel on his back mixed with all of his scars from gunshot wounds and stabbings. 

Tell the truth, if you needed bona fide protection, wouldn't you want John Milton near you? And if you're female, wouldn't you like to make it a worthwhile challenge to see if you could establish a connection with him? Yeah, think about that. 

Mark Dawson has created a morose but fascinating character in John Milton who can sink to the depths of soul-searching when his guilt overpowers his reasoning. If only he would choose the One who made the atonement for all sin . . . now that would make an unforgettable story. 

Anyway, I love the character of John Milton. One of the best in thriller literature – even when I don't always agree with his creator. :) 

Father, your gifts are plentiful in Mark. May he recognize from whom they are generously given. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.