Can't quite figure out the ceiling but love the rugged beams. Interesting when they go with a different countertop for the island. Purple lovers: what do you think?
Father, again and again, thank you for all the beauty you dispense. Keep us thankful, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Or when we want to stay where we are. Like out in the sunshine on a lawn chair . . . or on a blanket at the beach . . . or in a comfy place inside . . . or wherever you happen to be that's conducive to getting away in the world of story.
What are you reading at this time?
Father, thank you for the pleasure of being able to read. It's a wonderful thing to read a good story and quite a blessing to write one. Help me to write the stories you have for me to tell. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat snd drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Luke 5:27-32 (NIV)
So we talked about voice, but there's something that contributes to voice yet stands on its own. A writer's style can eventually be recognized. I recently read an author's latest novel and was surprised when I didn't hear her voice or see her style. Because of that, I didn't really care for the book. For me, it wasn't "her".
Style is formed by the construction of sentences, the uses of verbs, adverbs, adjectives, and things like dashes, ellipses, sentence fragments, and generally whether or not a writer sticks to the more formal grammar or opts for the relaxed and rule-bending choices. Between voice and style, authors can become recognizable in their work even if they vary their genres. A good example of an author who I think has successfully established both his voice and style in different genres is Travis Thrasher. If you've read his rather large scope of differing types of novels, you know what I mean.
Another author who writes thrillers and has a distinctive voice and style is Robert Liparulo. His breakneck speed of thrilling plots only slowed slightly for one of his adult thrillers. It's his style to keep the action moving fast, and he does it well.
Have you determined what styles of writing are your favorites? I enjoy many styles and voices, and I love those that break the norms provided they tell a good story and don't write to show off their literary skills.
Father, we all need you. To use our gifts/talents for your glory, we need your direction. Please direct my writing. I'm desperate for you. Always. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Writers discuss voice frequently. Definitions can be found on most writing blogs. Complex or simple conversations about voice often occupy conference classes.
Here's the thing about voice. If you're a novelist, you've got one. Not everyone will like it. Some will love it. It's not particularly predictable because there's the element of story that weighs heavily upon judgment. Is it possible to have a great voice but not be able to write a good story? Possible? Yes. Probable? Who knows?
How do you describe – not define – a favorite writer's voice? If you write, how do you describe your own?
Father, you've given us the desire to write stories. We do it because our soul longs to tell stories. May what we write bring you pleasure. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Okay. Some of you won't like the ornate cabinetry and off-white wood. It contrasts with the dark wood of the large island which from this picture doesn't appear to complement the flooring. I like the brick back-splash behind the range and that section of counters. Is it possible to have too big an island? This doesn't appear to be a small kitchen but maneuvering around that island might prove to be tricky on the stool side.
Lord, there truly is something for everyone in the designs created. You know all hearts, wants, desires. Your creativity knows no bounds. Thank you for beauty that speaks to all hearts. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
The sensuous cover picture of Cassy Rivers, sister to former Marine Sniper Nicollette Rivers of Atonement fame, depicts the same spunk and sass although not quite as tough a demeanor as her older sister. Cassy survived her harrowing experience from Atonement but is still suffering the effects of having to go near the woods to investigate a tragic incident involving a co-worker. Added to that is the appearance of her former lover FBI Agent Boyce Hunt who is called in to investigate the unusual bank robberies in small town Eider in the McIntire County Series, Book 2 by Winter Austin, published by Crimson Romance.
Inside Born to Die we get a close-up of "Nic's" little sister in action, the lingering fear factor of her past experience, the intense pain and anger she harbors over her relationship with Boyce Hunt, and the inability to resolve her feelings toward her father.
We explore Agent Hunt's deeper motivations, his attachment to Cassy Rivers which he can't completely ignore anymore, why he abandoned her in her time of deepest need. As the contemporary phrase states, "It's complicated."
Grisly murders and unheard of bank robberies seem to be linked which means Agent Hunt might be around for longer than originally planned until he's called back to Tennessee regarding a case of personal concern. His partner Liza takes over while Cassy assumes Boyce will once again leave her behind in spite of his telling her it'll be different this time.
There are twists, turns, profanity, sexual tension and passion in this exciting novel which accelerates the plot as it moves along through each character's emotional crisis. Something's gone terribly wrong in this small town and county, and the FBI, Sheriff's and Eider Police Departments are on full alert. It's Christmastime, and some families clearly won't be celebrating this year.
Cassy outdoes herself in a scene where she and Agent Hunt are held captive in Cassy's home. We see the professional Cassy in action, the woman who's taken charge of her life since her terrifying escapade with a serial killer.
Winter links the crimes effectively, shows the intensity of a relationship that just won't die, incorporates a meaningful auxiliary subplot, and ties up the loose ends with an unexpected and satisfying ending. I highly recommend Born to Die (and Atonement) for those readers who can forge through a bit of bad language and some sexual episodes.
Father, only you can effectively direct our steps as writers. I pray that you would continue to show Winter where you want her to go with her writing and provide exactly what she needs to get there. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd right in front of Jesus.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend your sins are forgiven."
The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?
Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . ." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."
Luke 5:17-26 (NIV)
*A reminder of Book 1 in the McIntire County Series before reading Born to Die.
Another fabulous cover from publisher Crimson Romance and another sharp story from author Winter Austin. It's been pointed out here, and some of you agree, the full-face covers don't appeal to us with few exceptions, but this one is so attractive and fits the heroine's persona so well, it's hard not to like it.
Former female Marine Scout Sniper Nicolette Rivers is the talk of the town when she's called upon to keep her aim on a man threatening to kill his family in their home. Another deputy is sent away from the scene since it's his cousin holding the rifle on his family. While she waits for Sheriff Hamilton to give the order, distracting memories attempt to interfere with her focus. Fighting her way through their effects on her, she reluctantly readies herself for the shot.
"Atonement" is the word which keeps surfacing in the notes of supposedly suicidal deaths of several people. The expansion of Deputy Nicolette Rivers' (Nic) and Detective Conlan O'Hanlon's (Con) investigation into the rash of suicides in their small town is caused by the unwelcome intervention of FBI Special Agent Hunt. He adds more information, some forthcoming, some not so much.
The first chapter of Atonement is dynamite, intensity-laced, done perfectly, revealing PTSD symptoms in combat flashbacks, pushing immediate conflict, and exemplifying trained discipline. Winter Austin is noted for her smart, sassy, and traumatized female protagonists. Nicolette Rivers is no exception. She's barely likable at times, utterly out of control at others, and deeply hurting inside allowing no one to penetrate her vulnerability . . . most of the time. But Con has his sights set on those big time walls, intent on bringing them down, enduring her rejections to overcome the obstacles to her heart, all the while working overtime to discover who is really at the center of these suicides.
Because her father is a retired Marine who'd advanced high up the military ladder, there's been some sort of forced agreement over Nic's discharge. The remaining opinion of her father, who she calls "the General", is somewhere between sheer hatred and how she identifies him to her associate as "a cold-hearted bastard". Two events in her life have contributed to her strong feelings but it isn't until late in the story that we learn of them.
Nic's sister Cass adds to Nic's messy conflicted life when she shows up to monitor Nic's "condition". She receives Nic's wrath, but eventually Cass's connection to Agent Hunt and her cop instincts assist with the case until Cass's and Hunt's plan goes terribly awry.
Atonement gives the reader an intense, conflicted, and romantic story with a "red-herring" thrown in for good measure. Multiple peripheral characters make it interesting along with workplace agitation and small town suspicions of the unfamiliar. Taking a fair look at PTSD, Winter Austin invokes sympathy for her protagonist in spite of her sometimes irritating and cynical personality.
The only portion of the story which at first seemed to be abruptly inserted without a backdrop and as an afterthought, but eventually proved useful, was the initial appearance of Nic's horses. I love horses so any inclusion of them into a story is fine with me, but they weren't mentioned as needing care or being a part of Nic's life until their sudden introduction. It felt a bit awkward to me but that's no big deal.
I recommend reading any and all of Winter Austin's novels if you like romantic suspense with good action, serious plots, troubled heroes/heroines, and satisfying conclusions. Atonement fills the bill. A worthwhile read.
Some profanity.
Available May 18th, 2015
Father, continue to use Winter's talent for your purpose and glory. Give her the stories only she can tell. Bless her and her family with your direction and abundance. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
NCIS fans will no doubt welcome this handsome addition to the series while still mourning the departure of Michael Weatherly as Very Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo. The show will definitely not be the same, but let's hope there will be some redeeming episodes to usher in the newcomer and soften the blow of Tony's exit. The pressure is on for the writers.
Lord, please direct those to whom you've given this talent. Holy Spirit, lead them to Jesus. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
