More wintertime beauty.
Father, we treasure the beauty you've left us on this earth and cannot imagine the extreme beauty heaven holds for those who accept and know your Son Jesus Christ. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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I know it's crazy, but I loved this song, and I cried my eyes out even now when I heard it. This is the long version with a magnificent piano introduction. What can I say? I'm a ridiculous sap.
Father, you made me. Help me to honor you and make good use of the emotions you've given me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Told You Twice is Book 2 in the Told You Series by Kristen Heitzmann.
There are a select few authors in the Christian romance genre who can do romance right – and by that I mean realistically. Kristen Heitzmann is one of the premium authors who can do it so well. Told You Twice starts out with a "chick-lit" flavor but quickly morphs into an unexpected and critical suspense.
Actor and Giorgio rep Bo Corrigan surprises himself with his attraction to the quirky and beautiful Alexis (aka "Exi"), engaged to Mr. Perfect-yet emotionally challenged-Jeffrey (not Jeff!) who wants, of all things, a "Grace Evangeline Wedding". Successful romance novelist Grace Evangeline is married to Exi's cousin Devin Bressard, a successful playwriter/director who has a standing intense grudge against the playboy Bo because of what happened in Book 1 (Told You So) of this series. Although Devin doesn't think much of Exi's choice of the "safe" Jeffrey, he thinks far less of her getting involved with Bo Corrigan.
Grace tries to run interference between Exi, Bo, and her husband, but Devin isn't backing down in his angry resentment toward Bo, and Devin's protective streak over Exi proves to be overbearing as far as Exi is concerned. Yes, she's made some bad choices in past relationships, but Bo's proposition provides potential promise and allows her to see what she was seeking but didn't really have with Jeffrey.
Just when romance begins to take shape for Exi and Bo, chaos erupts and causes grave danger to them both. This is where the story turns and everything concerning Bo and Exi implodes with Devin's assistance. The multiple conflicts rage and there are plenty of losers in the mix before reality makes its multi-faceted presence known. Tragedy and trauma eventually lead to a subdued triumph, and real peace emerges in the end.
Kristen Heitzmann always gives the reader a cast of interesting, unique, and complex characters in challenging situations. When romance asserts itself, she's on it with her portrayals of how real people interact. It's a pleasure to read her work, and Told You Twice is no exception.
Father, please continue to bless Kristen in your abundance and keep her safe from all harm. May you continue to provide her with all she needs to write the stories you have just for her to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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"Woe to the obstinate children," declares the Lord,
"to those who carry out plans that are not of mine,
forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit,
heaping sin upon sin;
. . .
Isaiah 30:1 (NIV)
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Recently I had yet another discussion with an author whose similar viewpoints to mine regarding realism in Christian Fiction romance beg the question: "Why does it cause such an uproar from some readers who feel they alone hold the judge's gavel concerning what is 'acceptable' for Christian literature?"
I know this topic has been a frequent – yes, even repetitive – subject on this blog. It's because I find it unbelievably annoying that any Christian reader can criticize an author for depicting romance in a way said reader might not have experienced or even wanted to. The reason for my irritation is because there are literally unlimited sources of novels with precisely the kind of romance those readers prefer. Unlimited! It's not like they're being forced to read some kind of smut slid under the label of Christian romance.
Romance is not only emotional, it is physical, and spiritual. Romance wasn't created by mankind just as sex wasn't. God gave the human race the multiple senses, the ability to learn to love romantically and, yes, sexually. He created lovemaking. Sometimes I think that comes as a shock to some Christians.
The point being: If you happened to stumble upon a novel that portrays romance in a way you don't prefer to read, find another novel. It's simple really. And remember, it's your opinion if you think the romance is too racy (and I reiterate here: I'm not talking about graphics), so withhold your judgmental one-star reviews, carry on your disgusted conversations with those readers who feel as you do, and leave the true judgment to the One who knows the author's heart.
Father, help me to always honor you with my writing and tell the stories the way you want them told. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Destination is available on Kindle only for $2.99.
What is it with us authors loving our stories? Just kidding. If we're not going to love them, why write them?
Father, apart from you, I can do nothing. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Magnificent winter beauty in all of its glorious power.
Lord, all beauty comes from you, and you left us some for after the fall of man. In each season you made sure to include your signature. Thank you for it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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No question this guy has one of "those" voices. You know the kind: recognizable, unique, and so good.
Father, bless your singers and musicians that honor you with their music. Let them know who's the real Giver of Gifts. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Fire Storm is Book 2 of the Kaely Quinn Profiler series by Nancy Mehl.
In the latter part of Book 1 Mind Games, Kaely Quinn (aka Jessica Oliphant) experiences a positive reunion with her estranged brother Jason. Being the wife, daughter, and son of a serial killer broke up their family with their mother becoming distant after moving the three of them away from their home because of the community's reaction to them. The question that followed Kaely through the years: "How could they not have known what their husband/father was and had been doing?" The nightmares she experienced over the years were laid bare in her final near-death experience at the end of that story.
In Fire Storm Kaely's filled with anxiety after receiving a distress call from her brother regarding the serious illness of their mother (Marcie). On her way driving to her mother's house from St. Louis to Darkwater, a small town in Nebraska, she's consumed with dread since her estrangement from her mother has never been mended.
When Kaely arrives, things are just as she imagined between her and her mother, and her plans not to stay at the house are thwarted when Jason explains he needs a bit of a break from the constant care he's been giving their mom. With no encouragement from her mom, she's not looking forward to her stay at the house. And it appears her mom feels the same about her visit.
Kaely discovers there have been a series of fires in Darkwater not attributed to arson, but her analytical mind immediately spots a pattern and gets pulled into the scenario. However, her FBI creds hold no authority or jurisdiction in Darkwater, and it isn't until a volunteer firefighter neighbor of her mom's shares her concerns that she is able to speak to the local fire chief.
Through the emotional rollercoaster of Kaely's family dynamic accelerated by the addition of her partner Noah Hunter and an assignment to assist in a drug cartel case 100 miles away, Kaely is forced to assess how much her job defines her.
Returning to Darkwater, credible evidence, danger, and revelation regarding the fires result in another life and death situation for Kaely while Noah is sidelined.
Nancy Mehl has written another compelling mystery with plenty of suspects and twists. There's unexpected conflict at the conclusion between Noah and Kaely, setting the stage for Book 3 Dead End coming in March of 2020.
Father, please provide all that Nancy needs to write the stories you have just for her to tell. Encourage and uplift her as she does what you have for her to do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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The Lord says:
"These people come near to me with their mouth
and honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship of me
is made up only of rules taught by men.
Therefore once more I will astound these people
with wonder upon wonder;
the wisdom of the wise will perish,
the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish."
Woe to those who go to great depths
to hide their plans from the Lord,
who do their work in darkness and think,
"Who sees us? Who will know?"
You turn things upside down,
as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!
Shall what is formed say to him who formed it,
"He did not make me"?
Can the pot say of the potter,
"He knows nothing"?
Isaiah 29:13-16 (NIV)
