Voice catches.
The pen refuses.
The keys spell letters
disconnected.
Words falter,
lisp, lean,
struggle in the throat,
strangle the sound.
No cadence
story
wit
rhyme.
Mute.
Father, your inspiration is the only voice I know. Speak to me, Holy Spirit. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Under the pseudonym Mark Owen, this newly retired Navy SEAL, member of SEAL Team Six among other elite groups represented by acronyms, writes of the intense and specific training and development of the most elite forces in the world. Although No Easy Day is presented as the actual account of the killing of Osama bin Laden, it is so much more. To this group of specialized fighing men the actual operation which resulted in bin Laden's death was no more or less typical in preparation and training than other rescues or kill orders. The only thing that separated the mission from others was the extreme secrecy and selection of individual SEAL team members and the resulting execution of orders within the borders of Pakistan where bin Laden lived apparently unhampered.
The first chapter sets the stage for the dangerous situation confronting the Chalk One group as they approach the target compound. Leaving the reader on the precipice of danger, the account then moves to the training for other missions and the graduations of levels for SEALs to get to yet another specialized group. If nothing else, these next chapters reveal the hearts and souls of "the brotherhood" of extremely talented, courageous, and team-oriented men called to be SEALs. Those whose philosophy and motto is "The only easy day was yesterday." repeatedly train and go on unique missions. Train and go on unique missions. Over and over again. Always in the "readiness" and combat state of mind, these men only know "vacation" in an abbreviated form. Giving additional credit to Army Rangers and Delta Force in this book, the reader realizes these soldiers are special, elite, brave, multi-talented, and every other form of superlative that could be applied to those who do the most dangerous missions, the dirty work under the radar, the hidden things that keep our nation safe. They deserve all the acclaim and notoriety that accompanies the moniker Navy SEAL and Special Forces, but they prefer anonymity.
What provoked the inherent risks and the inspiration for No Easy Day were the multiple incorrect accounts of what really happened on the mission which resulted in the death of al Qaeda terrorist Osama bin Laden, known to them as UBL. Not only was the government responsible for publicizing incorrect information but also, of course, the media claimed to have the inside story. Mark Owen decided to expose some of the false reports and give a general and careful reckoning of the events preceding and involving the death of bin Laden.
Accompanied in the writing of this novel by Kevin Maurer, the author of four books about Special Forces who spent many years embedded with the Special Forces in Afghanistan, the account reads as smoothly as a story even without the contractions in the dialogue. It's well told and good reading.
My only complaint is the use of and tribute to "luck". Luck had nothing to do with some of the amazing occurrences noted in this book.
Most of the proceeds from No Easy Day will go to honor the fallen and the families of slain SEALs lost since 9/11 listed in the final pages of the book.
Buy it. Read it. For them.
Father, you know each one's heart and soul. All of us. All the time. I pray for each member of our Special Forces, for "Mark Owen" and Kevin Maurer, asking you to reach them for you. May they know you the way you want to be known. May they see your divine hand in all they do. May they give credit to you for preserving their lives. May they experience the joy and profound meaning of who you made them to be. And may the deep joy that comes from knowing the true Savior belong to them for the rest of their lives. I ask it all in the Name of Jesus, Amen.
I do like order, and I don't like clutter. Or at least I thought that was the case. But I'm forced to admit that my "desk" which is really the conversion of the dining room table is only orderly once in a while when I decide it's time to straighten things up. And even then it's not really neat and tidy. There's a lot of "stuff" on this table.
How about your desk? Do you have your own office or special area where you write? Or do you occupy various space in your home? Or do you prefer a laptop and a coffee shop?
Do you need to be a neat-nick to write well? Or are scraps of notes, a stack of books, pens, and other paraphernalia more conducive to your inspirational moments?
Lord, you built us all. Help us to use what you've given us to honor you no matter how we do it. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
The righteous detest the dishonest;
the wicked detest the upright.
Proverbs 29:27 (NIV)
I know the whole political scene is getting old, filled with hyperbole in some cases, and it's no fun to attempt to keep up with the assertions. It's tedious to see these links and dredge up the desire to click on yet another informational site. However, these particular links will give you important details on critical issues. If you can, take the time to see what's really going on.
The Big Lies:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFf0dUH3OtU&list=UU5bEfSFTYQVfLCwkhBt8NtQ&feature=player_embedded
http://michellemalkin.com/2012/10/07/obamas-crooked-campaign-cash-o-matic-machine-revisited/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGstgDx1r2U&feature=youtu.be
It takes Univision to reveal the truth of Fast And Furious:
http://hotair.com/archives/2012/10/01/univisions-bombshell-fast-furious-not-just-in-arizona/
Father, we are truly desperate for you. We take to heart your words urging us to repent for our evil ways as individuals and as a nation. We long for your touch on and replenishing of our country. Apart from you, we can do nothing. Please hear and heal our nation. Please. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Almost finished with No Easy Day by Mark Owen with Kevin Maurer.
Next up is Placebo by Steven James.
Five books staring at me right now impatiently waiting their turns:
the making of isaac hunt by Linda Leigh Hargrove
The Telling by Mike Duran
Borders of the Heart by Chris Fabry
Wrapped in Rain by Charles Martin
40 by Travis Thrasher
Waiting on Kristen Heitzmann's new one The Breath of Dawn.
My fifth point is a question for you: Do you use reviews to decide if you want to read a particular novel?
Father, you've blessed me so much in so many ways. I'm so grateful. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Once again, please come visit me here.
God, I continue to ask your perfect gifts for those who bless me. Your abundance for them. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
One of the primary requirements of a book proposal is stating the author's provision for marketing his/her book. If it's non-fiction, the platform from which to sell it better be spectacular or carry a guarantee of a niche group who will gobble up the tome.
But we mostly do novels here. Fiction. And nobody yet has figured out how to "successfully" market fiction. I know. I know. A zillion ads for bestsellers, the TV commercials for James Patterson novels, and the hoopla and films for Harry Potter and the Twilight novels flood the screens of your minds. But for the lesser known authors and some debut authors the standard fare of giveaways and social media advertising doesn't cut it.
We've heard over and over again how we authors are the only ones who can sell our novels. That we must troll the market for readers, establish our tribes, clubs, niches, you-name-its. Word of mouth, reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, Christian Book Distributors, all supposed to draw people to our work. ACFW, RWA, and multiple other various groups designed to unite and combine like-minded writers with similar goals and tasks.
Some authors rave about their publisher's marketing role and others hint at little support from their publisher. It's a given that some marketing must be done by an unestablished author, and in recent times even well-established authors must resort to tapping on the virtual shoulders of social media readers to gain recognition and fandom. "Like" my author page. Find me on "Goodreads". "Follow me" on Twitter. Etcetera.
As a writer and reader, I've become "tainted" in my approach to it all. For readers I doubt any of it is "troubling" or annoying. But for this writer, it often personifies overkill, and I do find it troubling and annoying. I respect authors who must do their best to promote their work, who absolutely must have sales to keep those contracts coming and to keep their livelihoods established. Who doesn't want to do everything possible to sell books? Or establish "friends" and fans? But, geez, the constant promotion, mention, pictures, news, requests for everything mentioned here to help them sell their work? Does it bother anyone else?
Many who do this rarely reciprocate what they require of others. Maybe this bothers me most of all.
I'm not suggesting there's one way to market fiction, but why do publishing houses bother to hire marketing teams if they have no prolific ideas or real contributions to that endeavor? Of course there are exceptions to this, people who do what is required for promoting an author and even beyond the norm. But not many judging from the whispered concerns – and, yes, complaints – of many other authors who stumble and struggle to figure out how to effectively advertise their work. And it shows.
Sometimes the results are embarrassing.
God, we're all desperate for you whether we realize it or not. We're limited. You are not. We're short-sighted. You see the end from the beginning. We're impatient. You tell us to wait. We're sometimes ungrateful. You tell us to always be thankful. Help us all to do what you have for each of us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
I don't know about "most", but I do think "many" writers hold out hope for their ideal publisher, editor, and/or agent in the industry. Some want slick and accomplished New York agents and publishers to insure their work gets worldwide – or at least NYTimes Bestseller List – attention. Of course in their saner moments they realize there are no guarantees in the publishing biz.
So, how about you? Is there a particular agent and publisher you would regard as your dream team? How about an editor? A few of them have earned some stellar reputations.
We in Christian fiction have our favorites. (I should quit including myself in this category or should at least make up a name for my version of Christian fiction.) You don't have to name names, but do you have a favorite in any of these categories? What would be your ideal qualifications if you could choose your people?
We always hear about what the professionals expect from authors. Well, if you like, what do you expect from the pros?
Father, we need your direction at all times. Lead us. Help us to follow. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Due up for the CFBA Tour is bestselling author Dee Henderson's long awaited and much anticipated new novel Full Disclosure, published by Bethany House. Probably best known for her O'Malley and Uncommon Heroes Series, Full Disclosure comes after a five year absence from the publishing ranks. This romantic suspense includes characters from Henderson's previous novels with the heroine of Full Disclosure portrayed as the author of their stories.
FBI Special Agent Paul Falcon meets MHI (Midwest Homicide Investigator) Ann Silver in his Chicago office when she brings him a solid lead to a cold case of 30 murders done by a killer tagged simply as "The Lady Shooter". He listens intently to her "story" of how she came by the evidence he'll need to re-open the case, and when she's finished with the detailed account, he's not only intrigued by her thorough report and intelligent, informed presentation, he's a bit taken with her as a whole. Quickly discovering they have many mutual friends in common, he's stunned at how high her sterling credentials go.
Ann Silver flies planes wherever she needs to go, is recognized professionally by high-ranking officers of the law in all branches and the former Vice President. Her job uses her to give fresh insights to some of the worst murders around the country, and she lives alone with her dog Midnight who she calls Black. Added to all of that, she's an author of multiple novels which are based on love stories of Paul's and her mutual friends.
As their lives criss-cross with crime and friends, Paul gets serious about pursuing this woman who seems content to stay single and unattached from a serious relationship. Paul slowly reveals his intentions and inches himself into attaining her trust – a monumental task – all while attempting to gain ground in discovering and capturing The Lady Shooter.
Full Disclosure is divided into eight titled parts, the first five parts focused more on a particular character, the last three on particular revelations. It's a complex story that meanders a bit, juggling Paul's and Ann's histories between investigations, but comes together at the end in multiple ways. The title provides multi-level implications.
Written in a style which seems comfortable to Dee, she draws her characters well, but I must admit I didn't entirely warm up to them. Ann seemed too perfect and her demands too steep. Paul was too benevolent and nearly perfect himself. Ann held onto herself tight, Paul opened up without hesitation. Ann's friends – even the ones in high places – presented her as flawless and were ultra-protective of her, creating this paradox of a fiercely independent woman who "needed" their guardianship. Both characters easily display their Christianity.
Speaking personally, it felt a little too slick to make Ann the author of Henderson's previous novels, like slipping in an extra marketing tool to promote them along with the new release.
Paul's and Ann's "romance" didn't quite do it for me. Trying to capture "unique" in these two different characters, it came off more as "odd", but that's me. The strengths of the story came in the hunt for "The Lady Shooter" and the ties to other events which gave it a nice twist. However, the complacency of a certain character at the end worked too easily.
Dee Henderson's fans will love this story, and since she has a lot of them, I don't see this novel being anything but successful. It's a good thing to see a new release from her.
The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764210890
Father, I pray your continued blessings upon Dee Henderson, trusting you to supply more stories for her to tell. Please give her all that she needs to honor you in what you have for her to do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
