Into the Fire

Another good one from long ago. Fun remembering. And we never forget the words of these old songs . . . 

Father, you're the Author of Life, the only One who can save us all. Thank you, Jesus. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The Last Patriot is Brad Thor's seventh book in the Scot Harvath series. 

If you're an early American history buff and particularly interested in Thomas Jefferson's unique capabilities and experience with the Muslim Barbary Coast pirates, The Last Patriot is the thriller for you. The unique premise presented in Thor's story is of his making, but mixed in with much fiction are some fascinating facts. In the Author's Note at the end of the novel, Brad separates the facts from the fiction for his readers. 

Scot Harvath and his recovering love Tracy are celebrating their days together in Paris while Scot attempts to leave behind his counterterrorism efforts for a less dangerous and nomadic lifestyle, but Tracy knows he'll never be able to accomplish leaving that life behind. Besides being too talented, skilled, and wired for the superior talent it takes to be a supreme operative in an ever-threatening hot-plate of terror, proving that point Scot cannot believe what he's viewing from a café and dashes to stop what he thinks could be a critical situation. He's right of course and while saving a man's life, he, Tracy, and the man have inadvertently stumbled into their personal cauldron of evil.

As the three Americans learn who each other are, the danger escalates when their pursuit involves getting possession of an original copy of a Don Quixote book. The peril brings Tracy to her knees as the crippling headaches she failed to sufficiently acknowledge to Scot and her desire to see Scot do what he does best in a crisis situation cause her to do the unthinkable while Scot is out securing answers.

You might wonder how all of this could possibly involve Thomas Jefferson, but this little mystery is quite complex and the details spread from Rome to Paris to Washington DC. Once again, Scot Harvath cannot escape his training, his ingenuity, his bravery and bravado while trying to keep people safe – except for those who must be killed. Devoted to justice and defending his country's welfare around the globe, he finds a way to do the right things in spite of the difficulties and dangers.

The fascinating facts incorporated into this work of fiction make for a history-buff's dream novel. Another entertaining read from Brad Thor.  

Father, again I pray you would continue to inspire Brad with more stories just for him to tell. Let him know how much you love him and please guide his every step. Keep him and his family safe from all harm. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

". . . Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." 

John 17:3 (NIV)

Prelude

She could make smoking a cigarette look elegant, seductive . . . and dangerous even. Chic. Cool. And somehow romantic. Of course she could make anything look good. She appeared taller than she was, standing flat-footed at maybe 5’ 7”. It was probably the shoes. Often those very high skinny heels somehow lifting that lithe, narrow frame. I saw her in the summertime out there against the building with her cigarette, her skin nearly bronze and not one bit unnaturally enhanced. Standing there in the rain of late winter under the generous overhang, well, leaning really, against the coarse white brick of the building, it was almost the color of ivory. So fair. I wondered how she didn’t burn in the summer sun. On the one occasion when I saw her smile in the last year, her teeth were a dazzling white—right out of a toothpaste commercial or a mailer ad from a dentist for the new Zoom 2 whitening method. No smoker’s stain on those pearly whites.

Anyway . . .

That’s basically how the whole thing began. By casually, unintentionally, watching her smoke . . .

Father, thank you for characters, words, stories, true inspiration. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

 (Originally published on May 17th, 2015 under "Enclosed in . . . Memory Box Secrets".)

Memory Box Secrets by Brenda S. Anderson is the third book in the Coming Home Series preceded by the prequel Pieces of Granite and the first book Chain of Mercy.

Familiar characters Richard and Sheila have married and are looking forward to making a family and forgetting their pasts, but it's never quite that easy to discard those places where hurt and pain were the norm and the ability to absolve oneself of guilt is a trial all its own. Well aware their mistakes have been forgiven by God's grace, their enjoyment of one another and their future together looks golden.

Richard's business is flourishing, and Sheila has always exceled at her work. Their common objective is to raise a family. Sheila wants to be the loving parent she never had, her mother an ice queen, her dad distant. Her new in-laws are near perfect in the family department, and she's grateful for their loving acceptance.

When Richard's former employer in Manhattan calls asking him to return, not only is he shocked at their offer, he's afraid to even consider it. The fast, indulgent New York lifestyle had been his undoing and those personal memories from that season of his life bring only heartache.

Before I say anymore about this story of hope and heartbreak, forgiving and unforgiving, joy and pain, I would like to say Memory Box Secrets is Brenda S. Anderson's best work yet. Handling difficult issues with tenderness and insight, Brenda takes the reader on an emotional journey through the excruciating pain of adults and young people forced to make impossible decisions.  

Memory Box Secrets examines the "befores" of several lives and their consequences which lead to the "afters". Besides these circumstances, the different kinds of pain embodied in the past desperately need healing in the present. While I've never been particularly fond of Sheila, she displays some endearing qualities in this episode of her life. Having her early past revealed more clearly in a stunning scene with her mother, she is ill-prepared for what she learns. When trauma happens, she reverts to her closed-off self-preservation, pushing away the man who loves her while not allowing God to ease her pain.

The peripheral characters are well-designed and add substance to the story. The faith factor is always present but blends organically with the characters. There are hard moments in this story, the kind that elicit tears, but each moment is well-worth the emotional investment of this very well-written story of sinful pasts and healed futures, of abandonment and rekindled love, of personal sorrow and renewed hope. Brenda's unforeseen twists add depth to the complex situations in play.

Highly recommend Memory Box Secrets in this Coming Home Series by Brenda S. Anderson.  

Father, please continue to bless Brenda with meaningful stories designed just for her to tell. Encourage her and give her what she needs to keep this part of her life thriving in you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Who knows why some of us are more emotional than others? Only God. Emotion is essential to writers because they have to be able to convey it to a reader in diverse circumstances. Some of us automatically display our emotions and others of us have learned to – or naturally do – conceal our emotions while still others of us aren't easily prone to emotional responses to many situations. 

Writing emotional moments in literature requires a deft touch. How much is too much resulting in sappy prose? How little is too scant resulting in a bevy of non-reactions from readers which tends to disengage most from the seriousness or importance of the scene?

I confess to my sappy nature – crying at certain commercials, almost anything military or having to do with animals, saying goodbyes, demonstrations of real love, and not the least of which is sheer gratitude to God for his graciousness and benevolence to me. And the list goes on. No wonder I write love stories, huh? Because I feel deeply, I do my best to make that emotion (those kinds of emotions) roar off the pages of my novels where necessary. I can't tell you whether or not I accomplish it without being sappy or sentimental or even melodramatic. I could say the evidence of my own tears at some of the scenes I've written is inconclusive because of my ability to cry – and feel it deeply – at any given moment. 

Romantic notions aside, the emotions created from rage and anger, resentments and bitterness, jealousy, lust, power-seeking, whatever one might experience, all of them must pack the proverbial punch on the page of a book. They must take the reader to that place in their emotional makeup which puts them in the middle of the conflict with the character(s). 

There can be no hard and fast rule for conveying these emotions regardless of what they are. Instruction can add insights as to what might work on a page such as short sentences, phrases, or halting one word expressions. Designed to create or assist with emotional revelation simply by the structure of the words must also carry the impact because of the specific words used. 

Sometimes it's a daunting task: getting just the right amount of emotion to take the readers on the journey you intend for them and hope they have. Not an easy road to write but a necessary one.

Lord God, thank you for giving me this emotional makeup. I feel deeply but I know it's not even close to what you feel. The pain you endure to save the human soul – I can't imagine it. Thank you, Jesus. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

One of their truly great songs. I remember being young and in love . . . 

Lord, your principles are truth. They're still valid and real. Their value will never end. Thank you for giving me a part in your Kingdom. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The Tom Clancy legacy continues with multiple authors. Mike Maden headlines Point of Contact featuring Jack Ryan Jr. and his escapade in Singapore. 

When a former senator working for a defense contractor requests the specific "borrowing" of Hendley Associates' Jack Ryan Jr. and forensic accountant Paul Brown for a vetting of a Singapore high-tech company (Dalfan Technologies), Gerry Hendley sends the reluctant employees together on the mission. Jack is upset because he prefers the "black" missions over the "white" missions within Hendley Associates, but there's no turning this down for either Jack or Paul Brown.

The particular company playing host to the two men provides a home close to their facility, a car, and heavy-duty security. This puts Paul Brown in a deep bind because the former senator has given him a secret thumb drive he needs Paul to implement into the company's hardware to insure there are no hidden problems within the business. At least that's the story he gives Paul requiring him to keep it a secret just between them. The tight security which includes putting a tail on Jack agitates him and makes him wonder why it's necessary.

When Jack and Paul are introduced to the family who owns and operates Dalfan, Jack sees the tension between the father and son but none between the father and the beautiful daughter who now both operate the company. As the examination and investigation get started, Jack is given a tour of the amazing facility where innovation and technology have merged into impressive displays. Paul Brown feels the pressure when he realizes it will be near impossible to insert the thumb drive into Dalfan's computer, so he secretly seeks private instruction and assistance from another professional stateside.

The intrigue increases through an odd encounter with three Aussies after Jack and the daughter share some time out together. Instances keep occurring which make Jack suspicious of the son, and he starts doing some private investigation of his own. However, a rare typhoon is headed their way complicating Jack's concerns and the timeline for their stay.

Suffice it to say there are multiple searches, dangers, suspicions, and covert activities going on before the real criminals are discovered. And although the beauty of Singapore is described and accentuated throughout the story, there is a truly "big-brother" type of surveillance taking place all over the island. 

An entertaining read with Jack Ryan Jr. displaying his Spec Ops instincts and his youthful stubbornness. 

Father, you supply the talent. It's up to us to use it. Thank you for your many writers. I pray they would ultimately honor you with their work. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

     "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message . . ." [Jesus]

     John 17:20 (NIV)

Everybody has personal quirks. Here are five of mine.

I will go switch lights on and off to make sure the dual switch plates are in order (making sure they're both facing up or down).

I will go around tucking chairs into tables. 

I will not drink any other kind of cola. Only Coca Cola. 

I have several sunglasses and am always tempted to buy more, but I usually only wear a couple of them.

I can cry over most anything – and do. Frequently.

Lord, it's a relief to know you love me anyway. Thank you for rescuing me. I'm desperate for you always. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.