May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
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We all recognize the vast reach of all kinds of books. We acknowledge that not all people enjoy reading – especially since it's not being taught in public schools, but we won't go there.
Those who love novels have a wonderful array of genres from which to indulge their reading pleasures.
Since I write Christian Fiction, I prefer reading it, but, sadly, my favorite genre to read is not well-represented in the current Christian Fiction market.
Many Christians prefer non-fiction, and, without accusing them of demeaning the importance of novels, there are huge numbers of self-help, devotionals, testimonials, memoirs, biographies, and Bible studies, past and present, from which to choose.
I can tell you there are several novel genres I don't read as my preferences are succinct and 99% locked in. I rarely make exceptions, but occasionally I will because of an author I respect. I can also tell you that those non-fiction categories listed above will rarely occupy my reading time. I am a rare non-fiction reader.
Whatever you prefer to read, there are literally millions of books. The menu is endless.
There is a point to this, but I'll explain more on Monday's post.
Father, thank you for novels and for any and all books that draw people to you and closer to you. Apart from you, we can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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A very long time ago at the now defunct Longacres Racetrack, Barn 4B. Memories . . .
Father, thank you is never enough for rescuing me from myself, for allowing me to arrive at that place where you could reach me. Best thing that ever happened to me. Thank you, Jesus.
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Sometimes reviews are helpful. Of course, the good ones are encouraging, often discerning and/or insightful, usually uplifting, and clearly enjoyable. The mediocre reviews can be an indication that the reader might not be the correct audience for your type of story or the way you've told it. The bad reviews are generally not helpful but do definitely state that the particular reader that just trashed your book is not your preferred or suggested audience. The only good part about that is they won't be reading and reviewing any more of your novels.
The "catch-22" in an author's world is that we need reviews, but we don't want bad ones.
I'm a firm believer that if you read a novel and you don't like it but feel compelled to review it, be fair enough to simply state the book isn't your type or style and leave it at that.
Father, thank you for readers of novels. May each one find the books that fit their styles of reading. May my novels glorify you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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One version of the late 60s and early 70s – lyrics and music typify the diverse means of scoring a hit. Rock on . . .
Father, you love deeper than we can ever understand. You reach people who have no idea who your Son is – until they do. Thank you for them all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Killing Season by LT Vargus and Tim McBain is Book 2 in A Violet Darger Thriller Series.
A sniper shoots from a hillside and kills drivers on a freeway. Although it's the same sniper that moves through a supermarket parking lot shooting people dead with a handgun, no one knows it's the same man. They only know fear. Driving, shopping . . . what's/who's next in this deadly assault? And why?
FBI Agent Violet Darger is on her way to Atlanta where the heat and humidity is stifling and the fear is escalating. Her partner and mentor of sorts, Special Agent Loshak, are joined with Special Agents Dawson and Baxter who have been appointed to lead/share this investigation. As time and efforts unfold to identify this killer, the particular handgun left at the second scene leads to an unexpected source.
There's a lot of back and forth in this story, flipping from the killer's perspective to Agent Darger's evaluations as to the character of the killer partially from reading a serial killer's memoir. New information comes as a surprise and with that a hectic struggle to uncover the next target. In between all of this chaos, there is tragedy and eventual hope.
Not easy to review this novel because it's difficult trying not to deliver spoilers. Well-written story and plenty of action between the investigation and discoveries.
The epilogue concludes with a startling cliffhanger.
Plenty of profanity. Apart from that, this is a good mystery/thriller with plenty of books to keep readers busy with this series.
Father, please bless LT and Tim in their collective writing endeavors, giving them the stories you have just for them to tell. Encourage them as only you can do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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"If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever — the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. "
John 14:15-20 (NIV)
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People have different feelings about TV. Some love it. Some don't. And, yes, there are some that enjoy particular parts of it and shun the rest.
As an author, I love good drama. And since there are fewer and fewer good films being produced by a self-aggrandizing politically inclined Hollywood, it's refreshing for me when I can watch a good series on TV. Whether it's mystery, a police procedural, a family drama, an action show, or a "dramadey," if there's good writing and acting involved, I'm all in.
For me, good writing in novels, films, or a television series, inspires me to write and to continually direct my writing to be more effective, expressive, etcetera.
When we find a medium we enjoy, we always hope to see it improve and offer us a means to disengage from our reality for a time and re-engage in other situations and characters that provide us with something of value – even if it's a good laugh, a moment of emotional release, a shared experience caught in a fictional encounter. The beauty of creativity capturing our heartfelt reactions can give us moments of real satisfaction. At least it does for me.
Father, thank you for allowing me to write and create. Characters, stories, words. I truly can never thank you enough for all of it. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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Nicole by Nicole. Long before selfies, this young woman experimented with self-photography to become familiar with her new 35mm Konica camera received for her birthday just before leaving on the trip of a lifetime with a good friend. We made our own tour of Great Britain, Ireland, and most of Europe for almost 3 months. Came home two days before Christmas. Wrapped presents in a huge hurry and delivered some on Christmas Eve. I remember the dress I bought for my mom in a small ladies' boutique-type shop in Florence, Italy. It fit her perfectly! Such fun memories . . .
Father, you've been so gracious to me, protecting me from all kinds of dangers, some unintentional, others not so much. And yet, you waited patiently. I can never thank you enough. I love you, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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The Famous One was my second published novel. I got my first one-star review(s) on Amazon after it had been out for a while. Getting a one-star review is how you determine who your audience definitely isn't – in case you didn't know already. The Famous One is one of my favorites so of course the one-star diatribe was not fun to read. I still maintain that one-star reviews say more about the reviewers than they do the novels they've executed with their words. Many people did enjoy the story of Joey Parr, and it actually touched some hearts. "To each his own" as "they" say.
"Joey Parr’s journey from a troubled childhood and rebellious adolescence leads him into a career in film and reluctant celebrity. The Famous One chronicles his life and allows the reader to share in his beginnings, his awkward fame, and the love which finally finds him when he least expects it. As his dream of having a family unfolds, he is stunned to learn something is still missing from his near perfect life.
The Famous One takes an introverted yet passionate character of few words and deep running emotion and puts him into the spotlight of fame where he is hungry for value, substance, and real love but struggles to find them."
Father, I can never thank you enough for these stories. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
