Into the Fire

Long Way Gone by Charles Martin, published in 2016 by Thomas Nelson.

In Long Way Gone it seems to me that Charles Martin goes back to his writing roots. There's a hunger in this book that pours off the pages expressing a true and real need for honest, gut-level redemption. 

A contemporary tale of a gifted prodigal son, who creates an explosive and bitter split from his preacher dad, the 18 year old Cooper O'Connor races off to Nashville to fulfill those dreams all the pressing voices told him to seek.

Once there, it's not his talent that faces reality – it's his humanity. He soon realizes he's not an exceptional person, even though his musical gifting definitely is, and when he loses everything he needs, his desperation leads him to a job and then to a superstar who becomes the love of his life.

After life takes a turn to the fabulous, it isn't long before it careens into hopelessness, leading to a somber return home for Coop.

If you love the power , emotion, and the richness of music on so many levels, and if you appreciate the beauty, sound, and craftsmanship of fine guitars, Long Way Gone plays the words to make you feel it all. Charles Martin's wordsmithing and colorful descriptions are often exquisite.

There is plenty of heartbreak – some of it deserved – lots of Martin's trademark pain in these pages, but the ultimate truth sets a couple of captives free and brings resurrection glory to counter the sorrow. The supernatural element is divine and well done, the symbolism subtle, and in the end truth with a twist prevails.

Another beautiful cover. Love this one.

Highly recommend. There might be occasional tears. 

Father, you direct the words for Charles and be his inspiration to continue using the gift you've given him to tell meaningful stories. Bless him in your abundance and keep him safe from all harm. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

      In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 

     So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 

Luke 2:1-7 (NIV) 

Five random novels I've loved (in no particular order):

The Masterpiece (by Francine Rivers); Dogwood (by Chris Fabry); Comes A Horseman (by Robert Liparulo); The Mountains Bow Down (by Sibella Giorello) Consent to Kill (by Vince Flynn); This Present Darkness (by Frank Peretti)  

Five random things I love about Christmas:

The obvious is the celebration of Jesus Christ coming to earth "to save us all from Satan's power". Hallelujah! Christmas lights on homes, at malls, everywhere. Christmas décor that doesn't emphasize Santa, etc., themes. Christmas music – the carols. Buying gifts – trying to find just the right things for loved ones.  

(I know: I cheated on the first "five". I could've added so many more.)

Father, so many wonderful "things" to be thankful for, to love, to enjoy, to celebrate. But nothing's better or more sacred than Jesus rescuing us from our sins. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

(For you Christmas shoppers who want to give your cozy mystery lovers a series to die for [pun intended], Karin's series is the one for you. Entertaining with some lovable – and a few despicable characters – the Juniper Grove Mystery Series is a must gift for those who love those short and cozy mysteries.) 

Karin Kaufman presents the first book Death of a Dead Man in her new Juniper Grove Mystery Series, and you cozy mystery fans are going to love this one.

Mystery writer Rachel Stowe leaves the hectic environment of the Boston publishing world and settles into Juniper Grove in Colorado hoping to enjoy the small town atmosphere and make new friends while continuing to write her mystery novels. Her twitchy neighbor Julia turns out to be a lot less twitchy and more of a feisty older friend who's being harassed by the local pushy managing editor of the newspaper everyone calls a rag but everyone seems to read. Rachel's other mutual friend to Julia is the owner of a bakery (Holly) where Rachel can feast upon the best cream puffs she's ever eaten.

The court has just declared Julia's missing bank heist husband dead after 12 years of no contact or sightings. His partner in the robbery was found dead in the river rapids immediately after the deed but no one ever saw Julia's husband's body – or the money from the heist. Coinciding with the declaration, notes appear on people's doors implying there's someone who knows about their guilt those many years ago when the two men got away with the money.

Police Chief Gilroy has his hands full with the case and the treachery going on behind his back, and he doesn't really want to add three ladies trying to figure out the mystery of who the note-leaver is, but that hope becomes impossible when Rachel finds the supposed dead man freshly dead in her back yard.

There are multiple suspects, lots of treachery, vandalism, threats, embarrassing moments, a few laughs, some tears, and an awakening in Rachel's heart regarding the hunk who happens to be the steely blue-eyed Chief of police. Will these amateur sleuths discover who killed Julia's husband in spite of being instructed to leave it alone? Read this fun adventure with the perfect title to find out.

God, you know the multiple trials Karin has faced in the last several months, and you've been with her all through them. I pray you would continue to bless her life, her writing, her hopes and dreams. Provide what she needs to do what you have for her to do. Encourage her, Lord, as only you can do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The beauty of Christmas when the Light of the World arrived . . . 

Thank you, Jesus. It's never enough.

Going traditional with a very old tune whose lyrics are meaningful and touching sung by the crooning voice of Bing Crosby.

Father, we honor the birth of Jesus Christ, celebrating your goodness and grace. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

So I was wondering . . . what kind of marketing do I, as a reader, like? When an author introduces a new release or debuts their first novel, what do I expect, what do I want to see, what don't I want to see?

With indie publishing it's more difficult to get a book into the world of readers. Word of mouth or relationship must exist between the reader(s) and the author in order to make people aware of the novel. Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, are a few places where readers can find their new and/or favorite authors. If they hear of a new writer, they can check out Amazon or other places for reviews.

If you prefer not to read reviews, where do you choose to look for new reading material? Are you subscribed to various book promoter notices? Do you receive Book Bub suggestions?

Your . . . musings?

Father, help me to be what you want me to be and to do what you want me to do. In the present and in the end that's all that matters. Thank you is never enough for what you've done for me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

       "But you, Bethlehem Ephratah,

          though you are small among the 

            clans of Judah,

         out of you will come for me

            one who will be ruler over 

            Israel,

         whose origins are from of old,

            from ancient times."

Micah 5:2 (NIV)

In today's world of literature many authors become responsible for selling their wares or purchasing packages to do it for them. While some authors are very good at marketing themselves and their work, just as many are terrible at it – and that would include me. So those of us who stink at marketing must beg for reviews and hope they're good enough to draw positive attention to the story we've written. 

Personally, I love how Karin Kaufman presents the dilemma. She states how the need for reviews is essential in today's marketplace and then goes on to request that those who enjoyed her books would write just a few sentences to state why the reader(s) liked the story(stories). Simple. Easy. Necessary. With thanks. 

Brenda S. Anderson has posted articles for her readers concerning the need for reviews.

With unlimited novels to choose from no matter where you shop, there must be a reason for you to select the story, to pick it out of a crowd of others. Promotions featuring groups of books lead you to the selections, but something drives you to choose one or two over the others. For some, that defining element is the number of reviews and what they have to say. Personally, I rarely read them until I've finished a book. It's the blurb that draws me – and I must admit it is also that dynamite cover which sells it for me.

As a reader, how do you feel about reviews? Do they sell a book for you? Do you or will you write a review for a novel you particularly enjoy? Knowing how important they are to authors, perhaps especially for indie authors, will you jot a few sentences down on Amazon or Barnes & Noble sites to express your satisfaction – or dissatisfaction – with a book you've read?

As an author, do you make a point of posting reviews for other authors? What are your feelings about reviews? 

This is just another circumstance of the publishing game for "needy authors" . . . 

Father, help me to do what you ask. That's all that truly matters. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
            

Henry and Agnes work together. He's a sous chef, a "former" addict, a new Christian, and lives on his old sailing craft he's slowly restoring. She's a waitress who inherited her estranged mom's lovely Carolina home, a single mom of a beautiful mixed race precocious soon to be 12 year old Brisa – the product of a teenage fantasy gone wrong when Agnes was the victim of a drugged date rape. Henry's falling for Agnes. Agnes is attracted to Henry. Brisa wants a daddy. 

When a threatening letter arrives for Agnes, all hell breaks loose in her life. As if that isn't enough, the famous force behind that letter shows up on her doorstep demanding to meet "his" daughter.

Forgiveness feels impossible, hatred can run deep, God waits, and life explodes with cursed challenges. Henry works to free himself and falls in love. Agnes works to hold onto her daughter and the hardness in her heart. All the while, the entire Beaufort community offers up prayers for God's resolution to the crisis at hand and the heart changes needed for the players in this mess. Henry takes authority and begins to relinquish his suffocating lifestyle while keeping his "sea prayers" constant. 

The Sea Prayers by Normandie Fischer is a touching story displaying God's handiwork even when some refuse to acknowledge it but eventually must bow down to its outcome in spite of themselves. Forgiveness and real redemption occupy major roles in this lovely story of lifestyles and wasted emotions gone awry. Organic faith and some lovable characters stay prevalent while other decadent personalities intrude on decency. Lost souls search themselves to recover from what they've made of their lives and find the better part of themselves in the faith of others. 

Some of Normandie's best writing and deepened characterizations, The Sea Prayers is a wonderful read. Thoroughly enjoyed this novel – even when I wanted to smack Agnes upside her ever-lovin' head until she came to her senses. And I must mention this beautiful cover is sensational.

Father, I pray you would bless Normandie in every area of her life, lift her up to your presence when trials press, show her your glory, and keep her and her family safe from all harm. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.