Into the Fire

Amazingly talented man. Phil Collins in concert. Two of his very best tunes.

Father, you kept him performing. You gifted him. May he truly know that. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Midsummer Madness is the third book in the Double Barrel Mysteries by Barbara Ellen Brink.

A missing boat, a murder, a past scandal, and an affair? A smile and request from the ice queen of Port Scuttlebutt, a dramatic conclusion to a magnificent theatre conversion, two unlikely heroes, a mad detective, a wounded librarian, a love story writer's foil to an underhanded deal, all combine to infiltrate the touristy midsummer madness of small town Port Scuttlebutt on Lake Superior.

While the Drunken Sailor Bed & Breakfast fills its rooms, Blake and Shelby realize their missing boat investigation is far more complicated than it seems with lying confessions, misguided assumptions, and life-changing news for the Double Barrel private investigators.

There's lots going on in this third episode of life in Port Scuttlebutt, and Barbara will keep you guessing throughout the story. Another "simple" case which turns out to be anything but - with the infusion of Shelby's apt Shakespearean quotes and movie/actor references infiltrating her inner dialogue. The Double Barrel Mysteries are all entertaining, well-developed, and provide new insights to their established characters while adding fresh faces to the little town. Good series.

Father, please continue to lead Barbara in your established plan and bless her as she follows what you have just for her. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)

Five questions:

What are you reading right now?

Would you rather have five days of snow or five days of rain?

Would you prefer cake, pie, cookies, or ice cream? What kind?

Would you rather walk or participate in specific exercise(s) or a conditioning program?

Do you prefer cats or dogs?

Father, thank you for each one who visits here. Please bless them for their thoughtful, clever, kind, and interesting responses. Encourage them as only you can do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

                          
(Originally posted on December 1st, 2013 as "The ruse at the . . . Strait of Hormuz".)

Strait of Hormuz is the third novel in the Marc Royce adventure series written by Davis Bunn and published by Bethany House. Beginning with The Lion of Babylon and progressing to Rare Earth, Strait of Hormuz is supposed to be the final book in this series although the ending left the door open for more.

Marc Royce is no longer officially working for the United States government, but that doesn't stop the requests for his clandestine services from the ambassador who fired him for staying home with his wife when she fought and lost the battle with cancer. From the Middle East to Africa and now to Switzerland and beyond, Marc Royce is assigned to uncover a plot involving the sale of masterpieces and other art to fund possible transport of Iranian nuclear material via containers which have disappeared.

Introduced to the operation through an explosion in an art gallery, Marc barely escapes. Without authorization in Switzerland he is led to the ambassador's "friend" who will assist him in the confusing ordeal to discover who's doing what and how it all fits together to move the containers to wherever they're suspected of going. From fake masterpieces to authentic Rodin sculptures, there are millions and millions of dollars involved in the transference of different pieces. At the head of this dark plot is a man with a manufactured past.

Marc is reunited with his love interest, Israeli Kitra, from Rare Earth, and the romantic tension from their separation brings them both sadness and discomfort. Before long there are several very different personalities involved in this critical endeavor, one of whom must feign continued assistance to the mysterious man who has heretofore terrified her even though she felt forced to work with him to eventually accomplish her own agenda.

Uniting international characters from very different cultures and religions under the banner of Christianity, this clever, ingenious group uses their faith and wit to pursue the dark goals of the mystery man and his lot transporting weapons. Will the evil scheme lead them through the Strait of Hormuz to ignite a war with the USA or will the wicked schemers find another alternative to decimate their arch-enemy Israel?

A complex plot of international terror, Strait of Hormuz by Davis Bunn is a contemporary thriller/adventure with a likable, accomplished former military man and intelligence operative who vacillates between the requirements for the love of duty and being in love.

Father, continue to provide the storylines for Davis, leading him on the path you have just for him. Encourage him as only you can do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

What does it say about us when we laugh out loud at the guy who just gets his car crushed by a tree and then falls horribly on his icy walkway flipping his pizza to the ground? Can't call it a good commercial but it definitely proves its point. 

Father, may those who demonstrate their creativity, their humor, their talents, know from whom they come. We're all desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

A little change of pace. I love the sweet trumpet sounds of Chris Botti. He's fabulous in concert and so generous with his guests.

Father, only you give good and perfect gifts like this. Thank you for each one who uses their gifts. Thank you for your gifts of beauty and your amazing grace. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Much Ado about Murder is the second book in the Double Barrel Mysteries by Barbara Ellen Brink.

Blake and Shelby are busy preparing the boathouse at their Drunken Sailor Bed & Breakfast to be their Double Barrel Investigations office. Blake's longtime friend Tucker (aka Skeleton) presents a proposition for them concerning a good old friend (Pete) of his dad's. Tucker is the go-between offering the friend's services as a carpenter/contractor in exchange for proving his innocence since his dog showed up with a human finger and the body of his ex-wife turned up in a shallow grave under his wood pile.

The local Port Scuttlebutt police think Pete is their prime suspect and Blake can't legitimately rule him out until certain other factors become evident during the investigation – like Pete's new young girlfriend Cynthia who happens to be an old flame of Blake's from high school.

When Blake and Shelby take a trip to Pete's ex-wife's place hoping to discover something meaningful, they do, and it causes Shelby a trip to the hospital.

Former high school competitors slip into the investigation as the danger amps up and new crimes are added on to the murder.

Suddenly the librarian's brother comes for a visit, the FBI gets involved, and Blake isn't quitting his investigation. With much going on around this initial murder, the suspects are multiplying and escalating.

Much Ado about Murder presents a simple murder investigation that expands into a complex horrific crime ring. Well written with a promising ending, Barbara does a good job of keeping Blake, Shelby, and their friends in character throughout the trials of this new venture. A definite success with this second edition of Double Barrel Mysteries.

Father, please watch over Barbara and continue to give her what she needs to do what she does. Help her to honor you in it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Related articles

Just so much . . . Roadkill

May God arise, may his enemies be scattered;

     may his foes flee before him.

As smoke is blown away by the wind,

     may you blow them away;

as wax melts before the fire,

     may the wicked perish before God.

But may the righteous be glad

     and rejoice before God;

     may they be happy and joyful.

Psalm 68:1-3 (NIV)

Five most important features of fiction:

Characters. If I can't relate, don't understand, don't like, admire, respect, or find anything engaging in them, the chance of me liking the novel are slim.

Plot. It doesn't have to be complex or trouble/conflict-laden as most traditional publishers insist, but it does have to matter and give purpose to the writing. Emotion plays an important role in creating a meaningful plot yet it doesn't have to be overdone.

Emotion. The emotional part of the story must vary and serve the characters. Each of them must be true to their created personalities and goals throughout the story. Without significant emotion a story will be flat and unimaginative.

Dialogue. There's no substitute for good dialogue. It's got to be real, fit the characters, clever when necessary, and poignant. Slang, even clichés, can be incorporated according to the set up of certain characters. Sound dialogue is critical to any good story.

Scenery, location, environment. Whether or not I've been wherever the story takes place, as a reader, I want to feel like I'm there. As a writer, I want to portray the place to invite the reader into the midst of it, taking them on the journey with the characters.

These are the critical five that come to mind – not stipulating to genre. 

Father, thank you for making it feel real when I'm writing the stories you've given me. Thank you for each one. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.