Into the Fire

Father, thank you is never enough. Jesus, we're still desperate for you. Please continue to rescue us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

(Originally published on March 24th, 2014, "The answers in . . . Stone and Spark".)

The prequel to the Raleigh Harmon Mysteries has arrived. All of you who love Sibella Giorello's writing will certainly not be disappointed to read Stone and Spark which introduces us to 15 year old Raleigh Harmon and the situation with her best friend, young genius and physics devotee, Drew Levinson. This is the stark account of the origination of Raleigh's love for geology, taught to her by the paraplegic teacher she calls Teddy – except in front of her southern gentleman father who is also a judge – and the development of her innate investigative skills inspired by her love of rock and earth.

Raleigh and Drew have a few things in common, but the prominent factor is their difficult home life. Raleigh's mother is mentally ill and floats in and out of lucidity, but mostly stays out, as Raleigh's dad does his best to avoid a strained and stress-filled balancing act in their home – without succeeding. Drew's mom is a divorced, self-absorbed, work-governed, position-climber by weekday, drunk on the weekend, parent while her dad is no less a self-absorbed, now banker-turned-free-spirit starving artist. So as best friends who forged their friendship from various feelings of alienation from the social-climbing twits at their private school and from their different kinds of intelligence, Raleigh and Drew meet every Friday evening at a former Atlanta Braves player's little burger joint for the staple of teen meals: burgers and shakes. Whoever arrives first earns a free milkshake from the owner Titus.

When Raleigh beats Drew to their hangout for the first time after securing a surprise to show Drew, Raleigh's elation soon fades to suspicion and doubt when Drew fails to show. After leaving the restaurant to go to Drew's house, she finds Drew's mother Jayne there, drunk, but no Drew. From this moment on Raleigh is determined to find her best friend based on everything she's learned about Drew and from her young instincts as to Drew's behaviors.

Raleigh's relentless pursuit and her rock-solid belief that her friend is in trouble convinces almost no one that Drew hasn't decided to just disappear to get much-needed attention. A few even believe Raleigh is involved in the conspiracy.

In this story we see and feel the tremendous burden and pain of a young girl, who should be enjoying discovering her skills and allowing herself the comfort and thrill of young romance, enduring an intense conflict with her mom's multiple faces of mental illness which cause her and her dad to guard every word, every action, almost every thought in their home. Raleigh feels she doesn't matter much in the hierarchy, especially since her mom always refers to Raleigh's older sister Helen (away at college) with such favor and looks at Raleigh with constant suspicion.

Raleigh's moral dilemmas face mounting challenges as her faith in God wears thin. Drew is missing, and the police seem handcuffed by unconvinced parents as to Drew's whereabouts. Raleigh's perseverance takes her into dangerous places physically, emotionally, and spiritually, but she won't give up the hunt. She runs, she bikes, in the cold dark after-midnight hours searching, escaping, finding, and fleeing. Risking it all for the friend she needs to prove her worth, to share her pain. To rescue each other. 

Sibella's writing continues to be at a high level, an inspiring example to those of us who write. Her wit, intelligence, and the perfectly organic presentation of faith remind us what Christian novels are supposed to be. This is a meaningful story of love and loss, mystery and mayhem, determination and devotion, all meshed together in a picture of a young girl's heart struggling with each one.

I'm a sap – that's no surprise – but there are a couple of emotional scenes in Stone and Spark which will gnaw at your gut and if you don't have Raleigh's practiced control, you will cry.

Stone and Spark by Sibella Giorello, published by Cool Gus Publishing, is a beautiful but painful story of the young Raleigh Harmon. A quick read that drives you to the next page but one you don't want to come to an end in spite of the hurt, the tears, the struggle . . . because you recognize Sibella has caught life in her words, and those words just won't let you go.

An absolute must read for lovers of mysteries and one of today's finest and superbly written characters: Raleigh Harmon.  
 
Father, all of us have struggles. It's the way of this world. You don't leave us behind in them but walk with us through them. I pray you would bless Sibella for her abilities to portray hardship and pain through her characters. I pray you would continue to give her meaningful stories and help her through any personal challenges as she strives to honor you in all she does. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

I'm a sap for these beautiful commercials that play to my romantic and over-sensitive heart. Love this.

Father, please lead those who create such beauty to the perfect beauty of this season. Jesus is the reason for the season. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The beauty of deliverance. Unequaled. Thank you, Jesus.

Father, we're desperate for you and always have been. Always. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Heather Day Gilbert gives us Book 2 in the Hemlock Creek Suspense Series. Undercut features Molly McClure, the girly girl who's never forgotten Isaiah "Zane" Boone from high school. He went to Afghanistan and she became a wedding planner at the posh Greenbrier Country Club.

Zane is back, divorced from a wife who gives him no respect or sympathy for his bouts with PTSD. He doesn't dare mention he's sure he's being followed but has no idea by whom. She's picked out the counselor she insists he sees in order to be allowed to continue seeing his beloved daughter, but Zane has no confidence in her choice.

Molly is smitten again by Zane and contrary to his ex-wife, she does respect him and how he's faring. He's running the lumber business his family started and doing well in spite of the pesky business end of it when he'd really rather be doing the cutting.  When Molly is surprised in the parking lot after work, Zane is sure this has something to do with whoever is following him. He finds out just what's happening to him at the absolute least opportune time.  

Undercut is smartly written, a quick read, and creates solid suspense and danger for this polar opposite couple who are deeply attracted to each other in a "meant-to-be" kind of way.

Top it off with a stunning cover. 

Father, please continue to bless Heather and her career. As she honors you, please provide all she needs to continue the stories you have just for her to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

     This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

     But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

     All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel – which means, "God with us." 

     When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home to be his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)

(Originally posted on August 31, 2014; "Deciphering . . . The Source")  

"An FBI agent’s obsession with his late father’s secret sets him on a collision course with a past he has carefully avoided, shadowy enemies he never suspected, and a most unlikely friendship with an autistic man who sees reality in ways no one else can. Will Jackson Barrett’s determination to unlock secrets his father took to the grave save or ultimately destroy one he only knows as — The Source?"

My friend Tim George debuted his first novel The Source this month (August) on Kindle, a bargain at $2.99. It's a complex tale of secrets, codes, murder, an autistic savant with a direct connection to God, and that amazing camaraderie which results from unidentified extreme danger and having only a handful of friends and colleagues to trust.

The Source is a unique story about two sons, FBI Special Agent Jackson Barrett, Jr., and "Manny", the autistic savant. Jackson seeks to unwrap the secret message left by his Special Agent father, and Manny proves to be the only one who can unlock the code. Mysterious and unidentified forces want Manny because of his capabilities, but Jackson knows Manny is the key to deciphering what his father left him. Jackson thinks it's all about dangerous things in this world. Manny knows it's all about a much more important place where things don't "smell bad". Following the journey of the trustworthy and devoted players in this mystery to find "the source" proves enlightening to each one and dangerous for all of them. In the end Jackson knows that Manny knows. And that's what Jackson had to learn. 

Good characterization, dialogue, voice, and portrayal of this particular autistic character. The Source by T. E. George is a worthwhile read, a tale of confusing interpretations, desperate actions, noble sacrifices, and major conflicts. 

Father, you know Tim and all of his needs. I pray your blessings to pour down upon him. I pray you would continue to fill his mind with stories you have just for him to tell. I pray your divine protection upon him. Bless him in every way. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Retro and always beautiful. Always.

Thank you, Father, for each and everyone who celebrates the birth of your Son, the Savior of the world. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

This contemporary Christmas song makes my Top Five. I cannot listen to it without crying. Michael English sings it to perfection. The story of Jesus Christ in a haunting melody that should rock the soul. 

Father, there is no gift like Jesus. None before, since, or ever. Thank you, Jesus. It's never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.