Into the Fire

More self-portraits with my Konica 35mm from eastern Washington a very long time ago. 

Father, I can never thank you enough for rescuing me. Jesus, thank you is never enough. Holy Spirit, apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Last Dog Out by Candace Irving is Book 4 in A Military Veteran/K-9 Suspense Series.

In Last Dog Out Candace Irving created her usual multi-faceted, complex mystery/suspense/thriller. Her heroine Katie Holland, "Kate," is now an official Special Investigator appointed by the governor for high profile cases with special attention to those involving the military/veterans. Ruger, her devoted and talented German Shepherd, is also her official K-9 partner.

When a man is found in a ditch by the side of the road with ugly injuries and a particular tattoo, it's learned he's one Jared Williams, only to discover that's not who he is at all. Needless to say, when Kate inquires about who the man truly is, using her NCIS contact, she begins to figure out this entire murder is not as it seems.

A unique and well-known CAD (Combat Assault Dog) "Baka" is given to the parents of his handler (Paxton) when their son is killed in action. The Malinois is depressed and mourning the loss and spends almost all of his time in the bedroom where their son's scent remains. When Paxton's father dies suddenly, his mom continues to do her best with Baka but one day discovers upon returning home from her weekly grocery shopping that Baka's been stolen. 

That's when all the puzzle pieces begin to connect but are still scattered and in disarray.

*****SPOILER ALERT***** 

Candace has done her research to be able to portray the parts of this story that are truly heart-rending. This is a genuine tear-jerker in places due to the underlying subject matter of dog-fighting. It's educational for those who've never given it much thought or perhaps assumed because it's illegal that the problem is solved which it is NOT. 

*****Review Resumes*****

The suspects continue to amplify but clarification comes via an unexpected visitor to Kate's place. When she and her deputy friend Seth get closer to their solutions, people are turning up dead in a hurry. 

There are several twists and definitely unexpected turns in the story as the hunt for the initial murderer ties into all the rest of the mystery surrounding that first death and the theft of Baka. Each page brings intrigue and finally the evasive final piece to the massive puzzle. Ruger is sensational in his new job and amazes Kate with a final grandstanding effort. 

Toward the end of all of this, Kate receives some shocking news.

Some of the worst of humanity is portrayed accurately in this story and is a reminder of the depraved psyches of some who engage in the worst of behaviors and activities to gain wealth and power. 

In spite of considerable tears on my part, this is a 5-star novel for Candace Irving's fourth book in the series. 

(Profanity present.) 

Father, you know all hearts and minds. You define good and evil. May you bless Candace and her family and continue to provide what she needs to tell the stories you have just for her to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

*A postscript to this story and its review. These are hard times for many people. I'm positive because of the degraded state of our Union, charities have taken financial hits. However, if you're a dog lover and you have a little extra to contribute to aid those who seek to destroy this terribly cruel "sport," here are two very hard-working organizations doing their best to combat and rescue dogs from these evil places:

Ring Dog Rescue

Wounded Paw Project 

Mylon LeFevre & Broken Heart was one of the best Christian bands to ever play. I love this song. Mylon almost gave up music when he committed his life to Jesus. God had other plans. He is missed. 

The Lord's plans are always the right ones. 

Father, thank you for your musicians and singers who make music from their hearts to honor you. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

If you've read one (or more) of my novels, how would you describe the "right" audience for them? Is that a tough question to answer? 

I would appreciate it if you would leave a comment here or on Facebook or X. Thank you! 

Father, you know exactly who would enjoy my novels. Please direct those readers to them. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

The law of the Lord is perfect,

   reviving the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,

   making wise the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right,

   giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the Lord are radiant,

   giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is pure,

   enduring forever.

The ordinances of the Lord are sure

   and altogether righteous.

They are more precious than gold,

   than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

   than honey from the comb.

By them is your servant warned;

   in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his errors?

   Forgive my hidden faults.

Keep your servant also from willful sins;

   may they not rule over me.

Then will I be blameless,

   innocent of great transgression.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation

   of my heart

be pleasing in your sight,

O, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. 

Psalm 19:7-14 (NIV) 

I guess it's my book week this week. Here's a part of Chapter Thirteen of Sweet Release.

     Millie unlocked the door to Eric’s condominium and took a deep breath before walking inside. The place was immaculate. Obviously, he’d used a cleaning service. She’d collected his mail from the condominium manager’s office before coming upstairs and reminded herself to contact the post office. 

     “I always liked Eric’s taste,” Bill said, his tone somber.

     Millie smiled as she realized much of the furnishing was the style of things they’d looked at in magazines in the first two years of their marriage. She looked around the living room of the large condo and felt like a stranger.

     “Are you alright?” Bill came up beside her and gently touched her arm.

     “It is a little strange. I feel like an intruder,” she admitted.

     “Well, I don’t know if it’s any help, but I know Eric would’ve wanted you here,” he offered.

     “Thank you. It’s just hard to believe, you know? That he would’ve. I have to remember his letter to allow those feelings to sink in. But, yes, according to the way he was, you’re right.” She tried to smile.

     “Uh—what can I do?  I’ll bring the boxes up, and maybe we can start in the . . .”

     “The bedroom, Bill. Let’s do the hard part first. Okay?”

     “Whatever you want, Mil. I’ll go get the boxes.”

     Millie went into the kitchen and sat down on one of the chairs set up at the kitchen island. I’m here, Eric. And I’m feeling so weird. I’ll do this the best I can, but I wasn’t a part of this life. Yet I don’t know how to do it without feeling like I was somehow attached—maybe estranged, you know, like on the outside looking in. Sometimes it all seems unreal. Our life. Your death. Everything.

     Millie got down from the chair and walked further into the kitchen, opening a cupboard and staring at the glassware. Lord, I don’t know if I can do this.

     You need me, Millie. You can do nothing in your own strength. This isn’t easy, but it will complete your release. Let me be near, Millie. I am your Savior.

     Millie closed the cupboard. She was shaking. Thank you, Lord.

     Bill walked in with several boxes piled high in his arms.  He took them directly to Eric’s bedroom. Millie followed him into the room. She jolted when she saw her framed high school senior picture on his bedside table. A blush followed as Bill walked over and picked it up and smiled.

     “Who’s this gorgeous young lady?” he teased.

     “One of Eric’s many girlfriends,” she quipped.

     “The one who mattered most,” he said to her as he set the picture down.

     “Thank you,” she whispered as the tears came and fell down her cheeks.

     Instinctively, Bill walked over to her and took her in his arms just as he had when they’d learned of Eric’s death. Millie allowed herself the comfort of his arms as she quietly sobbed. Then she gently pulled away.

     “I just don’t understand why this is so hard for me,” she said, wiping her eyes with her fingers. 

     “Because you loved him. Because he deeply hurt you. And when you can’t let go of the love, it’s hard to let go of the hurt as well,” he explained kindly.

     “Well, it’s time I did,” she said resolutely. “After all, he’s happy now. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t find peace in that and go on with our lives. Right? Isn’t that what God intended for us who stay here, Bill?”

     “That’s correct,” he agreed, his voice quiet.

     For a minute she was silent as she surveyed the room. “Well, I want to, Bill. I want to live my life now. This part of my life died with Eric. It’s time I started over.”

     Ask.

     Bill knew the voice only too well. He hesitated, and it must have shown on his face.

     “What?” Millie asked with concern.

     “Uh, does the word ‘released’ mean anything special to you?” His awkwardness had to show.

     The blush seemed to work its way up from her very toes leaving a heated trail all the way up her body, causing her cheeks to feel the red flame.

     “Why?” Her voice shook.

     “Honestly?” His embarrassment evident.

     “What do you think?”

     He took an obvious deep breath. “Alright, Mil. I was praying, okay? I was having one of my sessions with the Lord where He allows me to yell and act stupid and then he gives me advice or comfort or instruction or a stern rebuke. This particular time he spoke to me about my personal desires, and he gave me a word. The word was ‘released’. He told me to go ask what this word was about—He said I’d know who and when to ask. Just now, He told me to ask, so I did.” He looked away when he finished, but then he looked directly into Millie’s eyes and found the recognition of the Lord’s participation in this moment. “Can you tell me what this is about?”

     “I could, but—” 

     “But what?” He reached and put her hands in his.

     “I don’t know if you’ll want to hear it.”

     “I can guarantee I want to hear it.”

     “Can we go out there and sit down for a minute? How ‘bout the kitchen? I’m thirsty,” she said.

     He gestured with his arm for her to lead the way.

     She pulled two glasses from the cupboard she’d previously opened and held one up for his approval. He nodded. She walked over to the refrigerator, used the icemaker to fill the glasses before getting water. She handed him a glass of water and they sat down at the counter. He waited for her to speak.

     “Wouldn’t you think at almost 47 years of age things wouldn’t be scary anymore? I mean things between adults—normal things?” She floundered. 

     He waited.

     “Well, I wish they were!”

     He smiled. “Millie, just tell me what you mean. You can talk to me. I’ll listen. Honest.”

     She heaved a sigh and assigned herself to the task. She got up and walked over near the sink, he studying her body language which finally declared her resolve.

     “Okay then. Here’s how it is.” She set the glass of water on the counter and leaned back folding her arms across her chest. “The last part of Eric’s letter to me dealt with the possibility of him leaving this earth.” She looked down at the expensive tile floor and dared a quick glance at the pastor who was leaning over the counter intently listening to her. “He said he wanted me to be free to love again. He said he knew I didn’t need him to tell me that, but even so he gave me his ‘release’ to love again. He said I deserved some happiness in this life. Then at church after the service right after you checked with me and told me you’d be a few minutes, I heard as clearly as I’ve ever heard anything the word ‘released’, and I knew it was the Lord’s voice.” Her voice near a whisper. “I went outside to get some fresh air because, quite frankly, the experience made me light-headed. When I got out there and looked back inside, I saw your eyes looking out at me. Then when we went to lunch, I had the best time since I can’t remember when, Bill. And I was looking so forward to today, trying to kid myself that I wasn’t excited about seeing you again this soon. Alright? That’s what ‘released’ means to me.” She took a drink of water and looked over at him. “Now it’s your turn.”

     The pastor laughed.  “You aren’t going to let me slide, are you?”

     “Not on your life.” And she managed a smile.

     “Alright then.” He folded his hands on the counter, sitting up a little straighter on the stool. “If you must know, I was yelling at God because I considered myself to be a despicable man. I told him my best friend was barely in the ground and I was having designs on his wife. I told him I thought I should have a little happiness—and then I folded like a $2 watch—and rebuked myself for thinking I deserved any shot at anything good. Basically he told me I couldn’t hide the desires of my heart from Him and that it wasn’t good for man to be alone. Then he gave me the word ‘released’ with the instructions I told you about earlier.” He paused. “That’s a fairly accurate account of what took place in my study late last night.”

     “Ex-wife,” Millie said quietly.

     “That may be, Mil, but I can’t deny how much he loved you,” he said just as quietly.  “And I can certainly understand why.”

     Without warning the tears erupted again. Bill got off the chair and walked over to her, once again taking her in his arms to comfort her. Only this time she slowly put her arms around him. After a moment, he gently took her face in his hands and gazed into her tearful eyes. Tenderly he reached down and kissed her lips. 

     “I’m falling hard for you, Mil, and it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before,” he admitted, his voice quiet but deliberate. “I can’t pretend I’m not.”

     “I don’t want you to pretend,” she said, trying not to hold her breath.

     “Life is short, Mil. I’m not one for wasting time. I need to know what you’re feeling, what the Lord is telling you, how CM might react to this—I need to know if there are obstacles between us.”

     “None that I know of—other than fear, I guess.”

     “Fear is not of God, Mil. I know that much. Fear keeps us from taking the risks that faith produces. You said it yourself in so many words—shouldn’t things at our age be easier? Well, they can be. We can be straight with one another right off the bat. Tell me what you’re afraid of, Millie. See if I can’t put you at peace. We’ll pray about everything we’re experiencing. Together and separately.” He couldn’t help himself—he reached down and kissed her again.

     The sensation of being kissed by this man reminded her of being a teenager again— the pounding heart, the goosebumps, the weak knees, the sheer physical pleasure surprised her. But what surprised her more than all of it was the way she responded to him—she leaned into his kiss and held onto him, and she discovered just how much she wanted more of him.

     “Whoa,” he said finally. “Whoa. I’ve never felt like this, Mil. My Lord,” he said, stepping back from her. “I’ve never been tested like that in my entire life.”

     She couldn’t help herself—she giggled.

     “What’s so funny?” he laughed, trying to compose himself, putting his hands at his waist.

     “It’s totally bad,” she said, but she started laughing a little harder.

     “Are you going to tell me or what?” He smiled at her glee.

     “I’m kissing you in Eric’s apartment. It’s kind of ironic—that’s all,” and she laughed even harder. “I mean, I wasn’t trying to get even or anything—it’s nothing like that. In fact, when you kissed me, I forgot where I was altogether. I’m sorry—sick sense of humor, I guess,” she said with embarrassment. 

     “Poetic justice—is that what you’re saying?” and he smiled over at her.

     “In a way.” She grinned.

     He walked back close to her. “Did you really forget where you were?” he asked, gently gripping her arms.

     “Altogether,” she said, reaching up to kiss him again.

     The kiss that followed was filled with passion, years of yearning, and a total desire to try their hands at love again—to take the risk and follow the lead after being released.

Lord, Thank You is never enough. The words, the characters, the stories. Thank you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

From 11/07/2012:

And the beat goes on . . .

The "beat" twangs and strikes a painful chord. The music isn't lively, pretty, sultry, rockin', or solemnly beautiful. It's off key. Sounds wretched.

The sun shines, the rain falls, whispers of snowfall dot landscapes, and wind blusters here and there. Routine follows people, silence tracks many.

Troubling times lurk, get ignored, glossed over, disregarded. Celebrated cheering accompanies vain attempts at resurrecting something from nothing.

Evil sits quiet in the shadows, howling laughter unheard by the masses. Triumph! it gloats.

Holiness lies pushed to the ground, spit upon, kicked and trampled.

But high above, the watchfulness monitors the wickedness, waits for eyes to search for truth and freedom but finds souls relishing their successful immersion into the vile vomit of the death of virtue.

One day the beat will go on again. Perfectly. In tune. Lovely in melody, powerful in chords of joy. One day there will be songs of life.

God, you reign. Over all. Overall. You reign. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Thank you is never enough, Lord. For words, for stories, for characters, for it all. Thank you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Someplace it's a beautiful morning! Enjoy this one of The Young Rascals' hits.

Thank you, Lord, for music. It must be fabulous where you are, untainted by sin's stain. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Capture or Kill is Don Bentley's first entry into Vince Flynn's legendary Mitch Rapp Series. 

Don Bentley takes Mitch Rapp fans back to the time of discovery of the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden, the architect of the 9/11 attack on the United States of America. Finally, there is a lead on his location, but it hasn't been confirmed. An Iranian (Ashani) has been able to share information with Mitch's boss – Irene Kennedy, CIA Director. Believing it can benefit both what he considers his beloved country by allowing the U.S. to undermine those who are ruining it and keeping them engaged in wars and as an enemy of the U.S., he is willing to meet with Rapp to give him much-needed urgent information in exchange for the care of his wife and daughters since Ashani is dying. 

Rapp has a multi-faceted mission which takes him to Afghanistan and Pakistan, but the timeline for each endeavor is shrinking fast and real evidence is needed before the bin Laden raid can happen. The mounting pressures of each engagement is felt from the POTUS to Kennedy while Rapp is trying to do what Rapp does. There's increasing intensity as the clock keeps ticking. 

One thing Don Bentley has done superbly well in his Matt Drake Series is to keep the conflicts coming – in fact, Don's a master at creating conflict. He continues his expertise with Rapp. So many obstacles, so little time. 

The average reader has no idea what it takes for an author to take over a series – especially one where Vince Flynn created the iconic Mitch Rapp. There's no way Vince's writing voice can be duplicated, but the essence of Mitch Rapp can be captured with the author's contribution to the character and "voice" of Mitch Rapp. Kyle Mills had to do it, and now it's Don's turn. They each had to interpret Mitch's character with all of his personal internal struggles and his one-way of doing things according to snap decisions with the presented variables. I think Don handled it well.  

Although I haven't been particularly fond of Mitch's "aging" in the stories even though that's of course realistic, it was a bit strange to go back in time with him. It didn't take long to adjust, and I appreciated being back with his "younger" strength and absolute refusal to take "no" for an answer. 

Capture or Kill starts us off on the new adventures of Mitch Rapp written by Don Bentley. Looking forward to whatever he's got for us. 

Father, you know all hearts and minds. May you bless Don's abilities that you've given him and encourage him all along the way. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.