Into the Fire

Passionate thoughts about the world of writing and the Power of God

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Passionate: right or wrong. Writes love stories with a passion. Raw Romantic Redemptive

  • Finding . . . No Safe Place

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    No Safe Place is Barbara Ellen Brink's latest release available in paperback or as an ebook.  

    Agoraphobiac and bestselling mystery novelist L. E. Stanfield, whose real name is Liya Sharapova, lives alone in her amazing smart home where AI "Nikita" makes Liya's every whim happen. When Liya gazes out the sliding glass doors into her back yard that borders a lake, she yearns for the courage to walk down to the small pier at the edge of her property, knowing it won't happen. She's been paralyzed with fear since the tragic murder of her fiancé and has lived alone within the confines of her stately gated home and property for some time when she receives a call from her new editor named Carson assigned to her after another tragic death of her former editor Mary.  

    While actually enjoying her conversation with Carson after the shocking news of her editor's death, a friendship forms between them. Shortly afterward, Carson is approached with an unusual "request" he can't refuse but wishes he could. 

    As the story moves along, we learn the history of Liya and her family, who are all gone, and how much she misses them. We can feel the intensity of her fear with each new thing that challenges her. Carson turns out to be a brief respite from her normal/abnormal life, and she's able to respond favorably to his editing and repartee and gets her manuscript to her publisher on time as promised. But then weird glitches start occurring within her home, an injured young dog turns up outside on the patio, and she briefly loses Nikita to a British AI. It's all disturbing, but she tries hard not to add any additional fear to her "safe" domain when she experiences something from her latest novel that shocks her to her core. 

    Meanwhile, Carson is struggling to right his wrong, to have the courage to make things right for Liya, and he knows he desperately needs to live out his faith in the process. His prayers for Liya, who's estranged from the Lord, become the impetus to dare to confront the danger head-on. 

    Barbara writes a compelling story with some terrific insights into agoraphobia, making Liya very real in the process. The "twist" works well in this context, and Barbara provides a worthy ending to the tale. 

    Good story, definitely recommend this one. 

     

    Father, thank you for Barbara and her writing. Please keep giving her those stories you have just for her to tell. Bless her with all she needs to do just that. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

  • Throwback Thursday . . . A Compilation

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          Images from a long time ago – some of my favorites. 

     

    Father, you kept me safe in spite of me until I was ready to hear and respond to your Truth. I can never thank you enough for your patience and redemption. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

     

  • Covered like . . . Shade Grown

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    Shade Grown by Heather Day Gilbert is Book 8 in The Barks & Beans Cafe Mystery Series. 

    It's the annual Lewiston home and garden tour and Macy and her former DEA-coffee executive-now Mayor-brother Bo are attending the tour together. One of the new places on the tour is the home being renovated by famous movie star Cody Franklin. Although because of the ongoing renovations the home itself is not available for viewing, the lush garden area around the house is on the tour. As Macy walks over to the Memorial Shade Garden where a plaque honoring a Civil War soldier stands, she admires beautiful Hosta plants laid out behind it. However, upon closer inspection, Macy discovers that's not all that's laid out behind it. She quickly summons her brother, and he immediately goes into investigator mode telling Macy to call Detective Charlie Hatcher.  

    With a cast of characters worthy of a movie, the plot thickens as they say, and the quiet behind the scenes investigation that Macy conducts apparently warrants some scare tactics used by a drug dealer that hasn't been seen in Lewiston for some time. Between a without-remorse career manager, a somewhat suspicious (to Bo) half-sister, who by Hollywood standards – or lack thereof – has something to gain, possible drug deals, and some unknown history that isn't available until there's yet another murder and a book that leads to, and ultimately reveals, the shocking solution to the mysterious deaths. 

    This is a good cozy mystery with all the right elements. I especially liked the recurrence of the elusive cold-blooded killer from Bo's past continuing to remain somewhat in the background. Heather writes good series' stories with returning characters and their relationships and contributions to the storylines making readers feel connected to them and their individual purposes. 

    You'll want to start at the beginning of this series for the full benefit and background, but each one can stand on its own. Well done, Heather.  

     

    Father, you know each author's heart from the inside out. Please direct Heather to the next story you have just for her to tell. Bless her and her family as only you can do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

  • Tuesday Tunes

     

    An oldie but goodie . . . Are you "reelin' in the years?" 

     

    Father, you know who serves you, our hearts and minds. Help us to be faithful and obedient. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

     

  • New Year Arrives

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    The road that leads to this New Year is one we can't foretell. It's taking off whether or not we're ready for it, expect it to be better or worse, welcome it or not.

    What it holds, offers, reveals, encompasses, is all up to the One who created it, not the one trying to destroy it. What the Lord allows is a mystery to us all, although He has given glimpses of the present to some, and the endgame has always been His to tell. And in His Revelation, there has always been a choice: Are you with Jesus or without Jesus? He gives the consequences of each choice so that each and every one can make an informed decision. 

    I do wish you a Happy New Year with the footnote: 

         Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  John 14:6 (NIV) 

     

    Father, you know every heart, every mindset, every hair on heads. No one sees what you see. Please, Lord, give us one more season for this One Nation Under God until you say it isn't. Thank you is never enough. Apart from you, we can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

  • Sunday’s Offerings

     

         Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

                      "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

                        you now dismiss your servant in peace.

                      For my eyes have seen your salvation

                        which you have prepared in the sight of all people,

                      a light for the revelation to the Gentiles

                        and for glory to your people Israel."

         The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." 

     

    Luke 2:25-35 (NIV)

  • Friday Five

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    Five of my favorite novels in different genres – and just a few here because there are so many. 

    The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers 

    Chasing Angels by Karin Kaufman 

    Comes A Horseman by Robert Liparulo 

    Consent to Kill by Vince Flynn 

    Secrets; Unforgotten by Kristen Heitzmann 

    Can you name five of your favorite novels? 

     

    Father, you know there are many more to add to my list of authors and books. I thank you for each one and every one of them who writes to honor you. Bless them as only you can do, individually and abundantly. Please meet their specific needs. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

  • Throwback Thursday

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    Reflecting on some of the comments made by readers of my novels. Thank you is not enough, but it comes from my heart. These are from my second novel. 

    The Famous One 

    "It wasn't the constant overnight thunderstorms responsible for only 3 hours' sleep last night, I was with Joey Parr! At first it was because he reminded me of someone I know in the dysfunctional family, "artsy" personality, even the scarf!"

    "Petrino-Salter creates a three dimensional man that each reader can understand and relate to. I felt his frustration and depression and yearned for him to find the true love of his life. I cheered his successes and mourned his losses."

    "Nicole Petrino-Salter has crafted an exquisite story of redemption, with well-written true to life characters that will inevitably remind you of somebody you know. The book is written so viscerally, it seems so real, that oftentimes I had to remind myself that it was a work of fiction. The dialogue is crisp and precise; the plotting is tight and controlled. Though the book covers a series of circumstances that ultimately leads to the climax, not one scene can be seen as extraneous or out of place."

    I can't thank these readers enough. Truly blessed me then and now. 

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    Father, I can never thank you enough for those you've allowed to appreciate my work. Thank you for each one of them and please bless them for their insights and kindness. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

  • Not just another . . . Hard Exit

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    Hard Exit by J.B. Turner is Book 11 in the Jon Reznick Series. 

    The tough, Dexedrine-popping, former Delta, CIA, FBI "consultant", assassin Jon Reznick is called by the ex-wife of a former Delta operative who is dying. Jon leaves his vacation in Florida to go see him and is shocked by what his friend happens to say about Jon's wife Elisabeth who died in the Twin Towers on the infamous 9/11 date, leaving Jon a broken man with their infant daughter Lauren. Jon figures it's the morphine talking, but what his friend insists is true will not leave Jon's psyche. He turns to his ace hacker Trevelle and explains what and why he needs the information. After hearing from Trevelle, Jon is on his way to Switzerland. 

    Things get complicated quickly, and to add to his shock, Jon is joined by his now FBI Special Agent daughter Lauren, necessitating his having to reveal why he's really there.

    To further complicate the entire scenario, an upper echelon Swiss IT guy Hans Muller, who has skills like Trevelle and works for the Swiss government in the highest compartment of international espionage, makes his break and becomes a traitor selling his incomparable intelligence knowledge to the Russians – intelligence that exposes operatives from the USA and all other countries putting their national securities at risk and blowing their covers which undoubtedly will lead to their capture, torture, and death. 

    Now there is no way to make what Jon must do simple, and it's an all-out race for him and his daughter to find the one person in Switzerland that just might need his skills when all of these lives intersect. 

    Hard Exit is a fascinating tale, tightly wound, sizzling with danger, betrayals, and running for their lives. The emotional conflicts for each character play out well for the most part in spite of the tedium of excuses offered for past choices. 

    I highly recommend this series for thriller lovers. Jon Reznick is an anti-hero of sorts but very enjoyable as a protagonist in his no-nonsense approach to solving critical problems. Solution is always his goal. 

    (Substantial profanity present.) 

     

    Father, I pray your blessing over JB and his writing. Please meet his needs and supply the inspiration for the stories you have just for him to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

     

     

  • Tuesday Tunes . . . at Christmastime

       

     

     

                                                        Enjoy!