Into the Fire

One of the Mamas and Papas greatest hits. They were a great group. 

Father, only you know hearts. We're all desperate for you whether we know it or not. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

I'm a reader. I'm also an author. I was a reader before I was an author. I can tell you all about my reading choices: my favorite authors in their genres, my favorite genres, etc.

What I can't tell you all about is the tastes of readers. 

Let me start with authors. We all have our "pet" words. We can't help it. I'm not going to mention one of mine because now (if you haven't already) you'll notice it in every novel I write. I love the word because to me it "means" exactly how it sounds in every situation. But enough about that. However, without restriction of the overuse of certain words and phrases, as a reader I'm prone to shaking my head, rolling my eyes, and closing the book or Kindle in disappointment. When these words or phrases are used as frequently as every other paragraph, it shows to this author that whoever (if anyone) is doing the proofreading has failed to notice or bring it to the author's attention when any sharp reader will become acutely aware of the repetition and the laziness of being unable to find any other expressive descriptions to cover the action, reaction, or situation. 

But then . . . the books keep selling, the good reviews keep showing up, and I can't help but wonder how other readers can ignore these same old, same old habitual and tedious repetitions. 

Are they AI novels? Are they rough drafts? (Some of them have to be. Seriously.)

I understand there will be some repetitive character traits or expressions in series novels – to keep the character familiar. But some of those are not worth continuing when the character has been clearly established. And when "fists are clenched," "knuckles are white from gripping -fill in the blank", and "adrenaline creates a jolt, excitement, a boost, and runs through the bloodstream" ad nauseum, I'm so done with it. 

My final complaint: the story is the same. I'll be the first to tell you that Solomon was correct: "There's nothing new under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 1:9) So when we as authors write a "new" story within the genre we choose, we acknowledge it's not going to be something that no one in this world has never heard of or experienced. And before I go on, I want to say we have to do something that's unique to us and our storytelling that will make the novel seem worthy of reading. And that, of course, is subjective and a matter of taste. But, when the story in the series seems to be exactly like the previous one using all those familiar phrases/terminology/images for the protagonist(s) and the antagonist(s), again: disappointing. Unimaginative. Offering nothing new from what started out to be enjoyable and entertaining. 

But, again, there's just no telling what readers will choose. 

Father, help me to be the one you designed me to be. And when I write, may each story you've given me provide something meaningful and unique to the readers you've given me. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

     she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,

     and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household

     and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed,

     her husband also, and he praises her.

Proverbs 31:25-28 (NIV)

Happy Mother's Day, Mom. "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." (Proverbs 31:29) Thank you, Jesus, for giving me the best mother I could ever have. Love her so much and miss her. One day . . . 

Sidewinder by L.T. Ryan and Brian Shea is Book 11 in A Rachel Hatch Novel Series. 

Rachel Hatch is a subdued version of the "Ham" character created by Dustin Stevens. Similar but different backgrounds both with great intelligence and mad skills. "Hatch" is working for a private security outfit that used to be something far less reputable than it is now. Having settled her debt with that firm, her familiar and well-liked boss and fellow employees provide the necessary link to her former skills and the confidence she needs to do what only a certain kind of people can do to protect others. 

What in the beginning seems to be a relatively easy assist to a friend of a former police detective (Harvey Linden), quickly devolves into multiple life or death situations – one of those lives being Hatch's. The road trip to Diamondback, Arizona, where it's a bit of a drive to the sight of an ancient jail built into the natural rock structures supposedly "under renovation" proves to be the holding place for two kidnapped females, one of them the wife of the former detective. 

The Belarus Norvik criminal brotherhood is willing to exchange the detective's wife for the jailed brother that Linden put away and just prevailed at his parole hearing to keep him where he's at. The demands are impossible without Hatch's partner on this case (Banyan). As their last hope he masters a near-miracle to make the exchange possible. 

Hatch has been away from the action for a season of time for several reasons, but she's learned enough about her inner workings to know that she needs this work to feel complete. It's harder emotionally than it used to be and having been away, she makes a mistake or two but vindicates herself to herself in the end results. 

Hatch shows her tender heart more than once in this story which only makes her more likable and easy to root for. She's a great character, written well, and this Book 11 in the series is a good one. 

Highly recommend this series. 

Father, please continue to bless this writing duo and may each one know from whom their talent comes. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

Blow Up starring David Hemmings, directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, with appearances by Vanessa Redgrave, Sarah Miles, and the super model Verushka was the primary inspiration that led to me talking a friend into working to save for a trip to Great Britain and Europe. A very long time ago . . . We worked, we saved, we went. On our final day in London before leaving for home, I got to see David Hemmings in person in his personal manager's office. He walked in and said, "Good morning," to me. Ahh, memories.  

Father, you guarded and protected two young, naive American girls during our exciting escapade. I can't thank you enough. Ever. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

Authors often picture certain individuals for their characters. Some even cut out pictures to post around their work spaces – kind of keeps them on target for who those characters really "are." 

When I wrote . . . in a love song, I was given a mental characterization of the protagonist rather than a visual picture of who he was. As many of you know, the story was created as a result of me imagining what kind of man would be singing the lyrics to The Marshall Tucker Band hit "Heard It in a Love Song." 

Well, as time goes along and we recall certain characters, every now and then a visual of a certain character takes shape as in a real person. Actor Max Thieriot (his latest hit TV Series Fire Country) would be the perfect Dale Rivers. 

That's a wrap! 

Father, thank you for inspiration, words, pictures, ideas, and novels. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

The great Supremes in this hit-filled album. Truly awesome threesome. Loved their music. 

God, you know all hearts and minds. May each one you've gifted look to you with heartfelt gratitude. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Deal is A Ham Novel, Number 6 in the series by Dustin Stevens. 

As with all of Dustin Stevens' "Ham" novels, the aftermath of her assignments leaves a brutal mess. Not that those she's assigned to haven't earned what's coming to them, but it's always a lethal dose of reality for them before their final breaths are taken.

"Mikey" is Ham's "boss" although neither of them really regard him as her boss because she normally works independently. Having served together, they know and respect each other. Ham's opinion of Mikey is he was the best operator she ever worked with. Now he runs a serious, sophisticated, security operation out of a fake mechanics garage. Basically, they take care of the desperate needs of people who can't take care of their serious problem(s) themselves. 

In this case, a friend (Talia) from a long time ago on the battlefield calls Mikey, desperate for him to rescue a 9 yr. old boy (Trey) she knows is in imminent danger while being aware her life is about to be terminated. She was a wartime journalist who both Ham and Mikey knew, but Mikey had gotten close enough to Talia to tell her if she ever needed him to call. When Mikey calls Ham from out of town for this emergency rescue, Ham's on it. From that moment on, this case belongs to both Mikey and Ham. 

There is utter chaos when Ham arrives at the boy's house. She's forced to convince a traumatized boy to trust her to get him out of his house before the horror he's already witnessed happens to him.

Once the difficult process of securing Trey is accomplished, the hunt for multiple killers is on, not to mention how to figure out exactly who's conducting all of this murder and mayhem and why this 9 yr. old boy is a target. Mikey and Ham have to discern how to get more information which proves to be convoluted and slow-going until Ham inadvertently discovers an important clue. 

Having read all of the books in both the Ham Series and the Hawk Tate Series by Dustin Stevens, Deal is some of Dustin's best (if not the best) writing by the author. Characterizations and images/descriptions are very well done and what had seemed habitual in the books I've read, the errors in this one were minimal. My only concern was the ending. It felt incomplete in spite of a touching moment shared between Ham and Trey. If you read this story, you might understand why I felt that way. 

If you enjoy a heroine who's as tough and sharp as the tomahawk she carries as her weapon of choice, and you can stand the avenging brutality that courses through her at times with just brief glances at the tender heart she's buried deep within her psyche, the Ham Series are the books for you.  

Father, thank you for all of your writers and authors. May each one know from whom their talent has been given. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said:

     "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;

         wisdom and power are His. 

     He changes times and seasons;

         he sets up kings and deposes them.

     He gives wisdom to the wise

         and knowledge to the discerning.

     He reveals deep and hidden things;

         He knows what lies in darkness,

         and light dwells with Him.

     I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers:

         You have given me wisdom and power,

     you have made known to me what we asked of you,

         you have made known to us the dream of the king."

Daniel 2:19-23 (NIV)

Chapter Two from my novel Race – my only mystery/police procedural. 

TWO

A long day ahead presented itself accompanied by the gut feeling this was indeed a homicide and it wasn’t going to be an easy solve. My partner Jesse Davidson called to tell me he was en route. The ME arrived shortly after Jesse’s call. Doctor Loren Walsh set the initial estimate of time of death at sometime between midnight and 3 AM., a fairly precise window, putting the girlfriend at the top of my suspect list if natural causes were ruled out.

     Racetrack security, our patrol officers, and Detectives Phil Phelps and Mark Griffin helped keep the group outside the tape from crowding the scene and separated and contained those who first arrived because of Carmella’s frantic screaming. At my request they’d contacted the particular guard who manned the gate during the shift when Carmella supposedly arrived back at the track and sent a replacement to relieve him so he could come and talk to us.

     We needed to notify the owner of the racetrack and inform him of our investigation. No doubt he wouldn’t want this publicized and neither did we, but word always manages to get out. I’d send Detective Griffin to do this after we got done with the preliminaries.

     The official cameras flashed recording the scene, and the two other detectives converged to get interviews after discouraging those with cell phones attempting to take pictures although the crime scene itself was not visible.

     Jesse arrived looking a whole lot more refreshed than anyone should at this hour. I’m obsessive about how people dress so I notice Jesse’s attire. Dapper dude that he was, he’d elected to wear pressed Levis and some kind of Redwing boots with his professionally cleaned button-down pale yellow shirt with the one button undone at the neck to expose the tight-curving collar of a blinding white T-shirt, and his black leather jacket which he tossed into his car to don his ballistic vest. The brisk morning air sent a shiver more than once under my light POLICE windbreaker, my polo shirtsleeves not providing much warmth in spite of the extra layer my vest provided.

     “So. Guy dies in his sleep? Girlfriend can’t remember if she’s in bed with him? Convenient, huh?”

     “Looks that way.”

     “That her over there?”

     “Uh-huh.”

     “Kinda hot, huh? How ‘bout him? He a looker too?”

     “Oh yeah.”

     “Okay. We find the other guys and gals these two’ve been sleepin’ with and we got a suspect pool. If we need one.”

     “Pretty much.” 

Father, you kept after me to write this one. Thank you for providing what and who I needed to do it. I can never thank you enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.