Into the Fire

Fun one from 1959. The Clovers. You might've also heard it done by The Searchers. Both versions done well.

Father, so much talent, so much gifting. Thank you for it all. May each one know the One who gives it to them. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

(What is it with me reading stories about incredible freezing storms and appalling survival conditions – in the summertime?!) 

Dustin Stevens' Fire and Ice, Book 3 in the Hawk Tate Novels, surprises Hawk with an unusual request from the Glasgow (Montana) sheriff where Hawk is staying in a motel because of the destruction to his cabin home from Cover Fire (Book 2).

During a severe untimely mid-April snow storm, there is an unusual kidnapping just outside the local hospital, and small towns being what they are, everyone knows something about what had happened to Hawk in his town – notably, the sheriff who is keenly aware that his two deputies are definitely not up to the task of finding these kidnappers and bringing them to justice. His humble but urgent request for help in the dead of the storm is something Hawk can't refuse, and this begins a frustrating search for the perpetrators of this strange crime.

When a meth lab explodes in the outskirts of Glasgow, the three men associated with it are put in dire straits from their out-of-town boss man. The "cook" barely survived and is unconscious which causes the leader of the three to make a critical decision.

The last thing young Dr. Yvonne Endicott expected, as she took a brief break from the near empty hospital to breathe in some fresh air, was what the two men pulling up through the snow delivered.

With little to go on in the investigation, the snow demolishing most tracks within minutes, the sometimes uncomfortable alliance between Sheriff Rake Ferris and Hawk moves slowly into a mutual respect and processing of what they learn. Time threatening with the weather conditions and with hard to dig out clues finally yielding useful information, they pursue their only solid lead. What happens next is almost deadly for them both.

Fire and Ice displays the helpless, hopeless, urgency of the search for the kidnapped victim while switching back and forth to expose the mindsets of the criminal elements involved and to depict the terrible plight of the young physician. Hawk gives his first person narrative of what he knows, his determination under pressure, his disgust and anger at a belligerent deputy, and his innate sense of how to take his best shot – or die trying – to rescue the victim. A bona fide low-key hero, himself a victim of unbearable tragedy, and a bit of a melancholy philosopher, Hawk is likable and a good protagonist.

Good series. Some profanity.

Father, you're the anchor of our souls. May each one of us know that any good and perfect gifts come from you. Bless Dustin and may he know the source of his talent and gifts. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.   

" . . . For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Luke 14:11 (NIV)

Social media has given those of us with a presence in it a bit of empowerment. We can write our opinions on most any subject where the opportunity to comment is given. Some people not only embrace the empowering that it presents but they take it to another level and allow it to become emboldening. Where they might not say a word on any given issue in their personal "real" life, somehow the anonymity of the worldwide web presents them with the chance to strut their stuff. 

As an author/writer, I've had to decide if my opinions on certain issues were necessary, important, and/or damaging to prospective readers of my work. To some individuals that might sound like an inconsequential factor, but no one who writes stories desires to purposely alienate potential audiences. 

In the end it's a decision many authors opt out of doing, sticking to writing their novels and focusing on the promotion and hard work of producing them, essentially using social media as a friendly business tool. 

As we've discussed before, some reviewers seem to exercise their empowerment in negative reviews of the novels they've either read or quit reading before finishing. The motivation to write insulting reviews escapes me, but I do understand if a reader chooses to express – respectfully – why they didn't care for a book. 

Social media is a useful means for communication between families who are spread all over the earth, for long-distance friends, for anyone who wishes to form/join groups with like-minded people, to share commentary on various skills, hobbies, travels, and to advertise products – such as our books.

However, it can be destructive when it's used to degrade, disrespect, and discourage others from maintaining a presence that disagrees with their own. The best advice to us all: Use it wisely.

Father, help us to be respectful and to act wisely. Apart from you, we can do nothing. And certainly nothing of any value. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Love is just a four letter word until its true revelation hits hard in the hearts of six people who have yet to experience it in its purest form. The journey these individuals make to realize the origin and reality of genuine love is both gut-wrenching and rapturous, searching to find the sweet release to love freely. A film critic, an architectural designer, a rape victim, a computer wizard, a lonely divorcée, and a longtime bachelor pastor discover love is far more powerful than anything they’ve experienced in their pasts.

Father, you are Love. Until we find you we can only guess at what love is. Thank you for every inspiration, every word for expressing it. We can't come close to experiencing love, but you provide the incentive to try. Thank you for loving us in spite of us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The cars I drove early in my life. Took my driving test in the 1963 Grand Prix pictured first. Next I got to drive the 1965 LeMans which looked identical to the one in the picture. And, last, I drove a 1969 LeMans. These colors match the cars that first belonged to my parents. I was very fortunate to get to drive them. 

Just a side note. I was driving the yellow LeMans when I started working at the racetrack. At that time there was literally no traffic on I-5 early in the morning. (Those who live in the greater Seattle area nowadays would find that hard to believe.) I would head to the track going . . . very fast. I have to admit it was so fun until it rained one morning and at the gentle curve of the freeway my car went into donut-mode. Several of them right down the middle of the freeway before I got it straightened out. Fortunately no other cars were there. Yes, it was scary. Suffice it to say I slowed down to 80 MPH. I know, what does that tell you?

Father, you protected me from so much even before I knew your Son. Thank you is never enough. You rescued me from it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

                     A beautiful tune: Let It Go. 

Father, only you know our hearts. Only you. Thank you for the talented musicians. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Backlash, Brad Thor's latest release, is a thriller from the first word. Thrill-er! 

It's not what you'd expect, it's worse. Extreme tragedy, near hopelessness, and conditions deadly in every way possible.

Scot Harvath is thrown into survival mode after being forced to endure the worst of experiences. Knowing he must attempt to focus on the here and now of somehow making it to a place of safety, only one emotion pushes itself to the forefront of his mind in his efforts to survive: impure, unadulterated, feral rage which translates to a horrid vengeance.

Giving away too much of this story will serve only to ruin the gut-wrenching ordeal of Scot Harvath's journey in the epic Backlash. I actually took breaks from my reading – and that's not easy to do with a page-turner like this one – but it was at times hard to take, disturbing. The reasons being: the terrible endurance required and the emotional depths to which Harvath sank like a stone created a certain uneasiness, a discomfort. For him, it demanded more than his training and experiences as a supreme operative provided, more than he could almost bear. 

Writers of fiction are instructed to keep the conflict(s) coming – especially in thrillers. Well, readers, Backlash has more brutal conflicts than you can imagine and each with seemingly graduating difficulty. 

Those familiar with the Brad Thor series know of Nicholas (aka The Troll) and his closeness to Scot. He is instrumental in this story of shock and tragedy, suddenly thrust into a new role at their elite employ (The Carlton Group).

This is truly a major thriller and definitely earns the 5-star recommendation. Considerable profanity in this one.  

Father, you're the only who can truly provide rescue. Please continue to provide spiritual insight to Brad in all he does. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

     For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:

     "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;

      the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."

     Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (NIV) 

I loved writing Destination (available as an e-book only). "Grams" is one of my favorite characters who really wrote herself. I know that sounds crazy, but she inserted herself in every meaningful situation in this story, and she's a truly amazing woman. If you've read it or plan to read it, I hope you love her as much as I do.  

Father, you give me far more than I could ever hope to have, more than I could ever deserve, and provide inspiration and words when I can't find either. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.