Into the Fire

Romance novels follow a distinct formula and to love romantic fiction is to love that staid formula. And of course many, many women do love a good romance and totally embrace the formulaic pattern of romance novels. So what makes one of those stories unique, startling, heart-rending, and special?

Maybe the setting/location contribute to that rare experience or perhaps the occupations of the protagonists, but really most would agree that thing that sets one story apart from another and makes it terrific is the characterization of the hero and heroine. If they don't grab you in a good way, chances are the book is just another boy-meets-girl, they experience hot sparks, they miscommunicate and trouble goes crazy on them until finally they straighten out their circumstances and tumble into each other's arms. You know the drill. 

So. The challenge it seems for all of us who dabble in the romance genre - or write love stories as I prefer to call mine – is to create characters that draw the reader into his and her world. Okay, okay, most people would agree that characters must be effective, dynamic, or curious enough to present that unusual sensation readers experience when they absolutely love a character or characters in a story. The Lord knows how many characters I've almost hated through my years of reading. Some of them I just wanted to put out of their misery or slap them up-side the head or across the face. Seriously. And maybe even worse: they bored me with their attitudes, behaviors, rigidity, blandness. Something has to set them apart to make a romance meaningful. 

And along with effective characters, the trauma, chaos, trouble – whatever ushers in the difficulties – all those things must seem somewhat reasonable because if they're trite and petty, silly and pouty, I'm so not there for them. Shallow characters and self-induced distress make for really poor reading.

Let's not forget the strength of realistic dialogue that snaps, crackles, and pops with whatever's needed between two people who are attracted to each other. There's no substitute for real potent dialogue. It often fills out the characters and cements them, secures them in an unforgettable entanglement that sparks when they talk to each other. Never underestimate the power of dialogue.

Within that restrictive formula we writers know there is "nothing new under the sun" (Solomon) so we're forced to the ends of our creativity to give readers the heroes/heroines to make them think they're almost real. Not an easy challenge.

Father, help us all to write the best characters we can. Inspire us, Lord. Light us up! Help us to honor you with our writing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

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Cozy mystery lovers, the Anna Denning Mystery Series is for you. Karin Kaufman writes the perfect little sleuth escape in Bitter Roots, the fifth book in this series.

Anna Denning and fiancé Gene are given a glorious gift from Gene's father at a luxury hotel in the mountains where they hope to lie back and enjoy doing nothing but what they want. Occupying separate rooms to honor their faith commitment to each other before marriage, the couple looks forward to the tranquility of this mini-vacation by themselves. However, there's a huge snowstorm that traps the guests and the few employees during this offseason adventure, eliminating land lines and cell service while threatening to eliminate the electrical grid. The manager keeps the massive stone fireplace stoked with plenty of wood and there's a kitchen full of food, but before too long there's a brutal murder.

As in these kind of mysteries, there's a diverse collection of characters, some with obvious nefarious agendas, and others who are just plain irritating. Anna and Gene do their best to keep to themselves, but it becomes impossible after the murder. A young female reporter (Kate) from a local - and disrespected - newspaper is on a secret mission to investigate the hotel manager and an employee for fraudulent activities, but things change - as they always do – when the person murdered is a friend of sorts.

The power goes off and the action accelerates. It's not good. Anna is thrust into action and Gene is the anchor in the mess.

With lies, Vodou weirdness, suspicions rampant, Anna must figure out who can be trusted and where there is a connection to what's happening at this isolated hotel. The instant the snow subsides enough to make contact, the Sheriff is summoned and the real investigating begins. It takes Anna, her web-reporter friend, and the rookie reporter Kate to dig deep enough to find the missing links.  

Karin Kaufmann always writes a good mystery and keeps readers guessing along the way. Read the entire series if you love cozy mysteries. And you won't be disappointed in Bitter Roots.

Father, Karin relies on you for all that she needs to accomplish what you ask of her. Please continue to bless her life with your abundance and many more stories to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

     People were bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom like a little child will never enter it."

Luke 18:15-17 (NIV) 

God, there are so many denominations in the Christian faith. How do you feel about those divisions?

Well, let me answer your question this way:

     Catholics – They make some mistakes, but they really understand and embrace the concept of helping others.

     Baptists – They make some mistakes, but they really understand and pursue the need for preaching salvation.

     Methodists – They make some mistakes, but they're methodical in their practice of applying my Word.

     Nazarenes – They make some mistakes, but they keep and employ the simplicity of the Gospel.

     Presbyterians – They make some mistakes, but they practice an administrative application of faith.

     Lutherans – They make some mistakes, but their love of regal rituals is to honor me.

     Pentecostals – They make some mistakes, but they love that I share my power with them in my Son's name, and they want to experience the fullness of my Spirit's ministry in their lives.

     Of course I don't like the divisions nor do I approve of the unnecessary mistakes. I wrote my Word through my servants' varied expressions, anointed them to instruct clearly, so there would be unity in pursuing me. But man is often driven by his flesh and refuses to see what's right in front of him. Sometimes he wants things to be different to suit himself, and sometimes he can't help his arrogance. These things, wrong as they often are, don't disrupt my love for mankind, but I speak only Truth so mankind must understand I cannot and do not tolerate sin. My Son died a purifying though brutal death to ransom the souls of mankind. There is only one way to redeem them. I make it very clear in the book John wrote in chapter 14, verse 6: Jesus answered them, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." His death was not in vain. He is the Savior of the world, but they get the privilege of choosing to follow Him which leads to me in heaven or to follow the devil and experience the horrors designed for him for that choice.

Thank you, Lord. 

     Talk to me anytime.

Father, thank you for always being accessible even when we fail to realize you truly are. Thank you for your indefinable love, grace, and mercy. Apart from you, we can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

      From September, 2012, the supremely talented thriller writer Steven James with his Patrick Bowers prequel.                               

Opening Moves by Steven James is the prequel to the Patrick Bowers Series (The Pawn, The Rook, The Knight, The Bishop, The Queen; The King is due out in July 2013). Published by New American Library, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., Opening Moves has been released in Mass Market Paperback.

Steven James tells readers in the first sentence of his foreword that he had nightmares while writing this novel. He'd have to be one cold-hearted beast not to have had some kind of adverse reactions while composing this work. This is the introduction to the young Patrick Bowers, homicide detective, the one who can't escape recurring nightmares of his teenage discovery of a young female victim of a terrible killer in a tree house and that of another little girl buried alive by the same man.

If you've read this series, you're well acquainted with the talented Steven James. The master storyteller, the complex plots, the literary prowess . . . and the dark natures of the savages he portrays so vividly. This is the story which gives us a less cynical Patrick Bowers, a man who still considers and contemplates things like heaven and hell, justice and reckoning, love and hate, good and evil, God and . . . He examines his own demons clawing at him to escape their boundaries when certain situations arise and he wants unmitigated justice and wants it immediately. Opening Moves blows off all restrictions on the evil of villains. Readers are methodically guided into the darkness of multiple characters which will chill most souls. The TV series Criminal Minds has nothing on Opening Moves. Steven connects all the dots in this masterful plot. 

It seems there is a killer who kidnaps victims and threatens to kill them if their loved ones refuse to follow precise acts which require them to deposit others at specific markers in the city. These markers are significant because they note the locations of crimes committed by some of the worst serial killers. Even though the instructions are followed, one of the victims experiences a gruesome mutilation.

Detective Bowers is joined by the gigantic Ralph Hawkins from the FBI, and as they bicker and joke about who's leading the investigation, they cement a solid trust and friendship. Those who've read the series will note this is where we meet the astute Dr. Werjonic who implements the geographic profiling into Patrick's repertoire and is added to the investigation as a consultant leading Patrick to the location of another terrible crime and killer.

Most of the time we're in Patrick's head as his first person accounts of the goings-on in the investigation keep us on edge. Alternating with Patrick's growing knowledge and perspectives, we listen to the demonic logic of the killer, learning of his demented childhood, his "normal" double life, and his compulsion to do what he does while wondering if redemption can cover his deeds.

Plus we are introduced to the brilliant and excoriating young nemesis who has gained the dubious and infamous nickname of "Maneater" in the most literal sense of the word. It's a familiar character to readers of this series, and now we know his origin.

A true crime thriller novelist, Steven James has written his darkest novel yet. Recalling true stories of evil serial killers and adding fictitious ones to the mix, this is not a book for the squeamish. However, for devoted Steven James' fans, prepare for a harrowing ride through the pages of Opening Moves, a portrayal of the darkest threads of humanity, contrasting them to those who struggle to do right and good in the midst of horror. A quick, pulsing read with sinister philosophical implications, a touch of faith, and a cast of dedicated pursuers of incredible evil: some to embrace it and others to extinguish it.      

Father, you have given us all a purpose in our writing. Please watch over Steven as he goes to the depths to expose evil for what it is. May he honor you in all he does and all he writes. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

This is the view through just about any window in the Northwest this spring. And pretty much all you'll hear about it is this: "Well, that's why it's so green around here." Uh-huh. Well, as for me and my house, it would be green anyway without quite so much moisture. Sigh. Ready for summer!

Father, and yet thank you for the rain which you cause to fall on the righteous and the unrighteous – rain being a great thing in the desert. You made this place where we live beautiful, and I know part of that comes from the rain. Thank you for the beauty of every season. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

If only you believed like I believe, baby. If only . . .

If only it was that simple. Beautiful song but such typical lyrics of those days . . .

God, if only we all could believe in you and your Truth. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

A stunning cover that conveys the elegant wealth of the Theodore "Tuck" Massey fortune built on betrayal. After a stark Prologue, Kellie Coates Gilbert presents the Massey family in all of its glitz, glory, and attitudes to open the story of A Woman of Fortune.

A Woman of Fortune is an interesting tale of greed, fraud, ignorance, wealth, privilege, snobbery, and the pressures to maintain a certain elegant lifestyle leading to terrible actions and betrayals. Capturing the sudden demise of a Texas cattle brokerage empire with shock and awe of the devastating kind, Kellie paints a quick jolt of judgment in a powerful and debilitating chain of events.

While it's a story of betrayal, it primarily focuses on the love between Claire and her cattle baron husband Tuck and how his crimes tear their family's lives apart and nearly destroy that love. Prior to the destruction of everything they'd gained, faith is merely an exercise in dutiful church attendance while redemption and forgiveness lurk unnoticed in their lives.

The problem for me was I didn't like the primary characters although I preferred Tuck over Claire in spite of his terrible choices. Their two older of three adult offspring, spoiled and "entitled", garnered no sympathy from me as the youngest stepped up in the crisis and grew up in the process. I loved their housekeeper Margarita and vacillated over Claire's best friend Jana Rae. When a male "friend" meets Claire, her shallow me-centered life becomes all about her "deserved" happiness.

Claire isn't a bad person and learns some painful things about herself and her family in the heartbreak of the downfall. Ultimately she makes the choices she needs to make and finds true fortune in her decision.  

Father, you know Kellie's heart and exactly what she needs. Please provide those things which fill her up with your inspiration to continue to do just what you have for her to do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

     The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the Lord's command. So the Lord said to Solomon, "Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates. Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son. Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen."

1 Kings 11:9-13 (NIV)

                                   Coke is it!

Lord, life is filled with simple pleasures. And I thank you for them. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.