Into the Fire

Romeo's Justice by James Scott Bell is Book 8 in the A Mike Romeo Thriller Series. (Originally posted on 10/30/23 as "Seeking . . . Romeo's Justice".)

Mike Romeo isn't looking for trouble, but if it comes to him, after trying to calm and distill it, he will finally decide to "bring it". In his quest for justice as his friend, attorney, rabbi, and former Mossad Ira Rosen's investigator, nothing is ever simple in their cases. Romeo's attempt to render justice often comes with violence interfering with his hard work. And their present case is no exception. 

A grieving mother who can't afford Ira Rosen has been told that her only son (Steven) has committed suicide in his room at a "spiritual" school that is clearly of the "woke" variety, making environmental robots of students with their man-made climate change dogma and other freakish "spiritual" gobbledy-gook theories. Ira insists on taking her case and Romeo sets out in his classic Mustang "Spinoza" to either confirm or deny that the boy killed himself.

His welcome to the school is "interesting" and he asks to see the dorm room where Steven was found. During his inspection he meets the janitor who appears to be handicapped, scared, and nervous. Romeo does his best to put him at ease.   

New leads pop up resulting in some more violence and back to Square One, but finally after Ira doing his "thing" with his research, a real lead starts to actually lead somewhere. Perhaps to a kind of justice?  

The Romeo Series is labeled a thriller, and there are definitely parts of these stories that are matched with that genre. However, there is yet to have a genre label to fit these amazing stories. Maybe "Sardonic Thrillers" or "Witty Noir Investigative Thrillers". I know: ridiculous. But the absolute wit and intellect of James Scott Bell shines to the max in these books, especially between him and Ira. I've read hundreds of thrillers, mystery, suspense, procedurals, and no author I've read can come close to duplicating their repartee in these novels. Romeo is as unique a character as can be found in any story, any era. And the only fault I can list in these stories is the moment I finish one of them, I can't wait for the next one which can't quite get here soon enough with Jim's multiple other writing diversions. 

Highly Recommend. Although each novel is essentially a "stand-alone", to get the ultimate experience of Mike Romeo's story, I do strongly suggest you begin with Book 1. Believe me when I say, they're quick reads and well worth the time it takes.

Father, you've blessed James so incredibly. Please continue to shine your face upon him and fill him up with the stories you have just for him to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Pick one to stay in for one week or pick them in the order you prefer. 

Father, thank you for grand designs and those to whom you give them. Thank you for sharing your amazing and endless creativity with your creation. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Good group with some great songs. This is one of them. Enjoy "The Lovin' Spoonful." 

Father, you save souls after looking at hearts. We're all desperate for you whether we know it or not. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

What makes you want to read novels? Do you really have a favorite author/novelist? Did you ever read any of "the classics" – and who exactly determined their "classic" classifications?

Some people prefer non-fiction. I definitely do not. So much of it is based on individual's lives or opinions or interpretations or assumptions. There's great value in reading some and a waste of time in reading others. 

Value and waste are determined by the reader.  

Stories can provide great value in versatile ways, genres, styles, with serious or humorous views and characters. The anticipation of a new novel by a favorite author is like waiting for Christmas. 

That's all for my Monday Musings . . .  

Father, thank you for my love of reading and writing novels. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the name of Jesus, Amen. 

The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked,

   but he blesses the home of the righteous.

He mocks proud mockers

   but gives grace to the humble.

The wise inherit honor

   but fools he holds up to shame. 

Proverbs 3:33-35 (NIV) 

In The Name Of by Candace Irving is Book 2 of 4 in: A Hidden Valor Military Veteran/K-9 Suspense.

In Book 1 The Garbage Man we meet Deputy Kate Holland, former Army CID, a courageous but deeply scarred young woman – and not just on one side of her face and body. PTSD is ravaging her sleep and as she tries to cope with the severe anxiety of certain images and reminders of what she's endured in her past, her wrist is raw from where she twists her former deceased love's watch. We find Kate in Book 2 finally submitting to "a shrink" from the VA Hospital with whom she became familiar during her previous case. 

Her older therapist (Dr. Manning) seems like just the right man for the job because he recognizes her habits from her raw wrist, handles her quick responses and translates them easily, continues to address her worksheets and problems therein, and concludes with asking her for a favor that surprises her and one she thinks she will deny. Her plans are to quit her job because of what's been ingrained in her thinking. However, other deputies are doing the same. Seth, her lovable and good deputy friend, had enough on the last case and is suffering as she is from that one. He's given his notice. Her therapist asks her to consider staying two more weeks before making this critical decision and to wrap her wrist with an elastic bandage. 

While grudgingly doing her best to continue to follow Dr. Manning's suggestions, there is another case of a grisly murder of a young military wife that has the "feel" of an honor killing from an irate Muslim husband in the military. Working with a detective she knew from her former case (Arash) who has an Iranian heritage but is not Muslim, he uses his local Islamic contacts to attempt to gather information or rumors about what will become more similar deaths. When the husband seems to have disappeared, he becomes the prime suspect until wife #2 shows up laid out in the same manner and her husband is also military and missing. There is a unique commonality between the victims that Kate discovers involving a female doctor who Kate might have encountered briefly after her personal trauma in Afghanistan.

There is much consternation when the doctor is totally uncooperative, and the leads seem to dissolve without her assistance. Kate recognizes fear and trauma when she sees it, and the doctor definitely shows signs of genuine terror. 

The last thing Kate wants to do is what she must do to get a name, but will the former incarcerated partner who betrayed her cooperate? 

Kate and Arash work what they have and come to some of the same conclusions. What happens as the story progresses is Kate's resolve to get to this killer while fighting through the old panic attacks and anxieties. Learning she is actually improving both bolsters and surprises her, and, against her better judgment, she decides to do what she feels must be done to solve and end the murders – much to the objections and disappointment of Arash.

Both of Candace's novels are sterling stories of the effects and actions caused by PTSD. Amazing descriptions that resonate as to the challenges faced by intense personal trauma when the desire is to not address those feelings or be reminded of the horror that introduced them. Exceedingly important visuals created in Candace's stories of the valiant heroine doing all she can to survive what happened to her. In the Name Of gives you a solid story, a wicked antagonist, and plenty of reasons to move on to the next one in the series: Beneath the Bones. Can't wait.

Ruger is back in his full personality – and you will love him even more. 

(Some profanity.) 

Father, once again I ask that you would bless Candace with the stories you have just for her to tell, guard and protect her, and minister to her needs. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Still my favorite novel of Karin Kaufman's in spite of all the truly good ones to choose from. This one is tops for me, and I love the cover. 

Father, you know every one of Karin's needs. Please continue to answer her prayers. Keep her safe from all harm, and bless her big time, Lord, with stories to tell and the stamina and comfort to write them. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

It's a rare commodity in many places of late but so necessary for everything right and good to prevail. Truth has a way of making its presence known, sometimes in subtle ways and other times boldly. Here's the thing about Truth. Not everyone wants to know it up close and personal. Hard to believe but a very real statement. 

Talk is cheap. Lies are easy to construct and jet out of some people's mouths like a fire hose at full force. 

I have known a couple of people in my life who would rather tell a lie when the truth was plain and cost them nothing. 

God has written His word so that every person can know the Truth. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

Truth enables real freedom. Once you know it, freedom is available. Seek it. Search for it. Settle for nothing less.

My Wednesday Wanderings . . . 

Father, you've shared so much in and with your creation. Apart from you, we can do nothing, and that's the Truth. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Personal opinion: This is one of the best of the The Beatles' songs.

Father, only you know hearts and save souls. Please call those whose hearts are searching for Truth. Thank you is never enough for rescuing me from myself. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 
  

"Gut it out." Have you heard that expression? How 'bout: "Dig in" or "Tough it out"? I'm not commenting on their origins but rather what they express or imply. 

Determination when you feel anything but, perseverance when you want to give up, keep going when every part of you wants to pack it in. That's the gist of those meaningful phrases. 

Most of us have access to those demands at least once in a while. For some, it's a daily requirement which can make getting out of bed in the morning a chore. 

Bottom line: I would imagine that one or a couple things came to mind upon reading those expressions. That one thing you've been putting off because it's become huge in your mind – even if it's not. Those few things you just really don't want to do because they're difficult, boring, painful (physically, emotionally, or spiritually), or all of those combined. 

The problem always lies in the assessment of their necessity to get done. Somehow they must get done. 

That's an assessment only you can make. 

My Monday Musings . . . for this Monday. 

Father, you know everyone's areas of demand. You know everyone's capabilities. You know you will help those willing to do anything you ask of them and those who simply ask for your help. You are generous, benevolent, loving, kind, and helpful. You know my areas. Please help me to be obedient. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.