Into the Fire

We remember. Thank you for our freedoms. May we never surrender them!

Father, touch the hearts of those who've lost so much and soothe their pain as we remember the  sacrifices of many. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Hebrews: 9:27-28 (NIV) 

Dead End by Nancy Mehl is Book 3 of the Kaely Quinn Profiler Series. 

A disgruntled husband finds a body in a deserted train yard. The problem for the police is it's not the only one. 

Unique and feisty Kaely Quinn, the banished from Quantico profiler, has somewhat alienated her partner Noah Hunter because of her hard-charging into danger on their last case in Nebraska. Noah has kept a professional distance from her since then because he doesn't want to care about her as much as he's been leaning to do. A widower, his heart has been broken once before – and in his mind, that's more than enough. He's mad at God and he's still a little mad at Kaely when they both get summoned to Special Agent in Charge of their home office in St. Louis Solomon Slattery's office. What happens next is beyond difficult for Kaely, but she finally agrees to do it. Noah cautions her unable to ignore his desire to protect her. 

Soon they find themselves on their way to Anamosa State Penitentiary where her serial killer father Ed Oliphant is held. It seems some of the bodies found in the train yard were old victims of his. Since Ed has refused to speak to any of the authorities who have questioned him about a copycat killer of a recent victim that included something that was never revealed about the corpses, they have enlisted Kaely to get information from him. She hasn't seen her father for 20 years and doesn't really want to see him now, but willing to do her job above all else, she sets up the meeting with him with certain stipulations from the jail's staff. She survives the meeting that ends badly and plans to talk with her dad one more time. However, more victims surface and an occurrence at the prison points to Kaely becoming the killer's specific victim. 

This final novel in the trilogy covers a lot of suspenseful emotional turmoil for Kaely and forces her to address deep trauma and spiritual truths that prior to this she wasn't ready or perhaps able to face. Caught between meaningful memories and horrific recollections, there is almost too much to overcome. Noah's reserves are tapped and he can no longer deny to himself how much he cares for her. When an unexpected attack occurs and Noah deciphers who the copycat killer is, the urgency to find him is expedited by the minimal clues he finds. There are unexpected twists and turns and a satisfactory conclusion to this well-done series.

Father, you are too amazing for our finite minds to imagine. You never cease to cause awe and wonder. Please continue to bless Nancy as she seeks to honor you with her stories and writing. Provide what she needs to keep telling stories. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

I don't know if this is actually a trend, but I've read more than one Christian novel lately that referred to knowing God but not once mentioned Jesus. Is this a thing? If it is intentional, I would have to ask why. And if it is intentional, could it possibly be to make the "Christian" part of the novel more "palatable" to a wider audience? Because, honestly, I can't see any reason not to mention Jesus in a story that addresses Christianity. 

Any thoughts? 

Father, you sent your Son to save us all. We're all desperate for you whether we know it or not. Forgive us, Lord, if ever our motives are self-serving and wrong. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Stay with Me by Becky Wade is the first book in the Misty River Romance Series. The prequel to this series is a novella titled Take A Chance on Me. 

There's a handsome, borderline angry, man standing there looking at the 30ish Genevieve Woodward when she wakes up in a strange room on a strange bed with a bare mattress and her various clothes strewn haphazardly over her body besides wearing her bathrobe backwards. Oops.

Chef, restaurant owner, and natural/organic farmer Sam Turner is not happy to find an unusual woman in his guesthouse. Once he decides she's not dead, he wants her trespassing body out of there. He sees through her story as she begins to tell her tale having examined the contents of her purse to determine who this stranger is.

Genevieve has returned home to Misty River in the Blue Ridge Mountains to catch up on her latest contracted Bible studies. A well known and loved author and speaker, she's overextended herself, convinced herself she still needs to take her OxyContin for the ankle surgery pain of a year ago, and can't seem to hear God's voice. Bottom line: she has an opioid addiction and now an attractive man who owns the cottage where she spent the night knows too. 

Mixed in with the challenges to Sam's solitude and Genevieve's addiction is a disturbing letter forwarded to her from her publisher which frames a threat for a secret about her and her older sister's (Natasha) parents who insist it's a prank letter when Genevieve allows them to hear its content. She and her sister decide to mine various city records to discover whether or not there's some truth to the ugly letter. 

Way back in Genevieve's history is the trauma of being a survivor of the Miracle Five with four other kids on a mission trip who lived in fear for many days in a collapsed building after a horrific El Salvador earthquake. Snatches of diary-like notes from each of those surviving kids are scattered throughout the story and lend some background to Genevieve and Natasha while hinting at the next stories in the series. 

The subplots of Stay with Me aren't nearly as entertaining as the Sam and Genevieve conflict and firestorm. Sam's painful past has led to his carefully constructed and adamantly observed solitude. Color him brown and gray with a formerly crushed tender heart. Genevieve sparkles wherever she goes with unbidden admirers of her Bible studies showing up to gather around her and praise what her studies have meant and/or done for them. Color her "technicolor" with an unquenchable urge to payback God for his miracle in saving her life. Awash with opposition, they struggle through their rules until their undeniable draw to each other begins to unravel all their restrictions and a fragile trust begins to form.

Two delightful – but frequently exasperating – characters both with delicate psyches battle an unexpected attraction to each other. Stay with Me tackles romance, some humor, a little mystery mixed with family drama, and survivors' guilt. The flame of romance burns the hottest. 

(Those of us who are fanatics about covers – like me – think this image of Genevieve works but of Sam? Not even a little bit.)

Father, please continue the blessings in Becky's life, the stories she's going to tell, and keep her safe along the journey. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Such a talented group back in the day and clearly haven't lost much in all the years since. The lyrics are typical of the era and are clearly indicative of the lack of morality which began to penetrate the culture of that time. Can't deny the gifting of musicians and vocalists. God blesses all of His creation. It's what we do with it that ultimately matters. 

Father, you search hearts and lead those willing to follow. Thank you for your rescue. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The Traitor's Pawn by Lisa Harris begins with a serene scene just before sunrise in Corpus Christi, Texas. Detective Aubrey ("Bree") Grayson enjoys the quiet time just before the booms of her duck hunting trip begins. She and the former senator, her father-figure substitute from her youth, get to spend her days off together with his sons. The serenity is soon shattered by a gun shot – and it is in no way from an errant duck hunter. 

FBI Special Agent Jack Shannon arrives in Corpus Christi on a case but is meeting his brother Adam for breakfast. There's been a long-standing estrangement between them based on a many years ago event involving Jack's best friend (and more) Bree Grayson. Adam seems to know the reason for it, but over the years since their early college days they've never discussed it. Jack has just been absent more than he's been present – and he's come to the place of regretting that absence.

Adam arrives with the news that the former senator is shot and in critical condition and Bree is missing. The hunt is on for her, but her kidnapper has a 20 minute lead. During this emergency, Jack's feelings for Bree surface with a rush and he's forced to tamp them down and get right to the business of finding her. The bizarre connections to Jack's case unfold with a complicated and sad overtone that forces Bree to confront the past she thought she'd put behind her. 

Through it all, the two wrestle with their private past together and finally must confront it before heading back to their separate destinations. Reflections of their deep connection will determine the outcome of their set-aside friendship.

Two individuals separated for years after being inseparable for the better part of their youth confront their fears, their bad decisions, their emptiness, face their challenged faith, realize the skills, stubbornness, courage, and determination to risk it all in their lines of work. A complex story with plenty of deep pain, regret, and renewal.

Father, please continue to bless Lisa as she writes stories to honor you. You know what she needs and when she needs it. Encourage and uplift her. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

   and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

. . . 

If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you,

   if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer."

Proverbs 9:10,12 (NIV) 

I'm a female author/writer of "Love Stories with a Passion", one saga, and one mystery.

All of my stories reflect life in the world and life in Jesus Christ and the contrast that encompasses.

I've completed nine (9) novels with two (2) of those unpublished.

Currently, I have one Work-in-Progress. 

I've written two in "first person" point-of-view, both of those from a male viewpoint. 

(The picture used here is a famous line spoken by Jack Webb playing Sergeant Joe Friday in the old TV police drama "Dragnet".)

Father, thank you for every story, every inspiration, every word. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

With a bunch of black and white photographers back in the day . . . playing with our 35mm cameras at any given time. 

Father, you were kind and protected me even when I failed to acknowledge you. I know you've forgiven me for my past. Thank you is never enough. I'm desperate for you, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.