Into the Fire

There is no good reason for my life being blessed – other than the God who created me somehow decided I would be born in the USA, given the best parents a child could ever hope to have and a wonderful protective older brother, go astray as a young 20 year old, spend over 30 years working with race horses which was a dream fulfilled, meeting the Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 30, and because of Him somehow managed to climb out of self-induced difficulties, to triumph in spite of foolish and hurtful mistakes. I am blessed by the Creator of the universe. Not because of who I am but because of His forgiveness and tremendous grace. No other reason.

I have a loving family, miss my parents and brother who've gone on to be with the Lord. Came through heart surgery with every prayer answered. I love deep, receive much, and try to be generous. I'm flawed and imperfect, undeserving of these spectacular blessings, but I'm filled and overwhelmed with gratitude to the King of Kings.

Sometimes you just have to remember, to speak out, to acknowledge to God: "Apart from Him, I can do nothing." I love you, Jesus. Thank you is never enough. And I remain desperate for you.     

     For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:

                    "Wake up, O sleeper,

                      rise from the dead,

                    and Christ will shine on you."

Ephesians 5:8-14 (NIV)

Five things I love about summer:

Sitting in the sun reading a novel

The early morning sunshine

The smell of heat

The cold drinks

The tan

Thank you for this beautiful season, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Is it summer yet? Not according to the calendar. However, my June post is over at Novel Rocket today. Just some observations from my writing life.

Father, you know my heart, and I'm thankful. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The defunct 2014 CBS summer replacement series Reckless truly was so well done that it was a real puzzle and travesty to cancel it after one brief season. The program was not well marketed and promoted, had its airing nights switched around a couple of times, but in every episode the viewer was treated to superb writing, magnificent photography, tailored soundtracks, perfect casting, great acting, and wonderful direction. Quality from start to finish with captivating characters. The question remains as to why the CBS executives set up such a well done series to fail. A total waste of excellent talent and production.

This is a smokin' hot scene with characters Jamie Sawyer (Defense Attorney) and Roy Rayder (Charleston, SC, City Attorney).

Father, if only we would all surrender to you and find the truth of who you are and who you designed us to be. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The computer screen can stare down any writer. When the words are nowhere to be found, the fingers at the ready to no avail, yes, it's always a challenge. It's not like the mind is empty, but there's a rhythm that accompanies creating, and when it's good, it's very good, and when it's not, it's . . . terrifying, worrisome, difficult, anger-inducing, frustrating, and so on and so on.

Some authors can write out of sheer discipline and give instructions – which can come off as flippant – for the cure of what has been conveniently labeled "writer's block". I have my own interpretation of that term. Sometimes writers need a break. To step back from those words on a page. Some writers aren't afforded that "luxury" because they've been set up with deadlines they must meet without a lot of leeway.

When I was on a writing tear several years ago, I noticed after a considerable time spent creating, there would come a time when words were scarce, inspiration took a time-out, and I had to learn it was "break time". Sometimes it was for a few days, other times for a couple of weeks. The fervor returned, not always predictably, but I learned to trust the rest time. And for a believer, we know it's God's way of saying, "Take a break." I've never been able to force my writing, so all the disciplinary instructions are just words in the wind to me.

However, once I get away from story-writing for any length of time – and still it can be the Lord's timing - I can be undisciplined in my return. After a long, long break I need to reread. And when I get to the end of what's been written, a slight fear emerges testing me with the what ifs, i.e. What if you can't finish it? You really like these characters and this storyline, but what if you just can't find your way? What if . . .

I'm grateful for every novel I've written. Thankful for the process and everything about the coming together of those books. I've learned to trust the Lord for the continuation of the creation process. It is, after all, up to Him what He wants me to do. I need to follow His lead even when it doesn't feel like I can. That's when He does His best work.

Father, apart from you, I can do nothing. Help me to do it when you want me to. Help me with my lack of self-discipline. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.    

A Dangerous Stage is the second novel in a two book series (Protection for Hire) by Camy Tang published by Zondervan in 2012. Go to her website for links to all of her novels and all kinds of information about Camy.

In this book we pick up with Tessa Lancaster after her stint in prison for a crime she didn't commit, even though she'd committed other crimes for her Yakuza Uncle Teruo Ota. Her many skills have landed her in the position of bodyguard, and once she's able to secure the effective safety of a client and her child from a rabid ex-boyfriend, not without sustaining some injuries, she now must protect a favored singer entered in the reality show "Grab the Mic". He and his daughter have come up against some threatening circumstances since his 13 year old too-smart-for-her-own-good computer geek daughter managed to discover some clandestine numbers while hacking into the show's producers' computers.

The role of bodyguard expands beyond what's expected when Tessa learns the serious threat to her clients because of what the daughter has amassed. And somehow it involves the attractive attorney who put Tessa away for the maximum amount of time, thwarting their budding romance. Although she regularly stays in touch with his mother, she can't quite arrive at forgiveness for his hurtful actions and instead wishes she could inflict that same pain on him.

This romantic suspense bounces around between geek-speak, adults attracted to each other who act like high-school kids, the Yakuza underground, hired assassins, rigged gambling on winners in the reality show, family squabbles and underlying love, cancer, marathons, heroics, faith, and forgiveness. It's a busy story with teenage whining, family drama and theatrics, martial arts fetes, and constantly checking for tails while driving and taking public transportation.

A little humor, some sadness, and quite a few sustained injuries, A Dangerous Stage by Camy Tang is a plainly written romantic suspense for a quick summer read escape.

Father, please continue to supply the stories you have just for Camy to tell. Help her to always hear your voice and do what you ask of her. Bless and encourage her along the way. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.      

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

1 Timothy 4:1-4 (NIV)

This is an old review, but I just had to post it. Sometimes writers need a jumpstart to continue. I need affirmation even if it's years old. So I looked back to my favorite in-depth, wise beyond his years, reviewer Josh Olds. As an author, I long for readers who "get" me, what I'm saying – or trying to – what my purpose is in telling the particular story the way I did. Josh always has.  

When I write my love stories, mostly they're about ordinary people who enter into the arena of love. My stories are about the process: the emotion, the pain, the temptations, the failures, the laughter, the spirituality or lack thereof. Those readers who enjoy all kinds of conflict and action to keep the pages turning aren't my typical audience.

So with a new love story waiting to be released as an e-book in June, I'm reflecting on the past and hoping the very near future will provide good endings to the three new novels in process. The cover is done, and the formatting is started. Soon . . .

Father, thank you for every word, every character, every moment dedicated to producing the story you've given me. As always, thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

If you've ever been young and in love in a crazy world, you'll identify with this Fleetwood Mac remembrance.

Father, I've been lost and found. May others know you're there always and they're desperate for you just as I am. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.