Into the Fire

I just read a romance in the Christian fiction genre, the first book in a series. I usually don't read romance novels except for a very few Christian authors – I think three to be exact out of the whole gamut of Christian romance writers. I'm not sure why I decided to read this particular novel, but it doesn't matter. 

What I can tell you is this: for what I consider the average Christian romance reader, this is an enjoyable story. To prove that, the author has sold millions of her multiple novels, won awards for her books, teaches writing and mentors hopeful writers.  

I consider myself a love story writer heavy on the romance. Picky, perhaps, but there is a difference between the two classifications. Nevertheless, the reason I chose not to review it is not because it's a bad story or poorly written. Not at all – which are the usual reasons when I don't review a novel I've just read in any genre. 

Here's the deal – and I wonder if other authors feel this way about their writing – I write the way I want to read a story in my genre. I write what I want to read. 

I was not the preferred audience for this type of novel. That's all. Perhaps, my novels wouldn't be her type of novels either. 

Fair enough? 

Father, thank you for your wonderful authors. Keep supplying all they need to keep writing. Help me to keep going on what you have for me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Dad and Mom, how I miss you two. So much. Dad, it's your birthday! I know Jesus will give you a hug for me! And, Mom, you eloped with this guy on his 21st birthday – you were only sixteen! You two almost made it to your 50th, but cancer took Mom away. Jesus said, "It's time Colleen. I've got you." Best Mom and Dad in the world. Again, miss you! Happy Anniversary! 

Father, I couldn't have asked for more loving parents. Thank you is never enough. Hold them close for me and let them know I'm thinking of them. Thank you, Jesus. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

(This is a post from 10/05/2011) (And mostly still personifies the journey 8 novels later . . .)

Along for the ride . . .

. . . or my journey to "publication."

Let's face it, there's still very little "respect" associated with self-publishing. If a writer proclaims – sheepishly or proudly – that they're self-published, most royalty published authors (and wannabes) form a condescending smile and their immediate thoughts rush to "She's impatient" and/or "No one would publish her work because it's inferior". The success of The Shack stunned some writers because it's no secret the little story that sold millions demonstrated that less-than-perfect writing sometimes has little to do with selling novels.

I wrote my first novel because God told me to write a Christian novel about horse racing, the industry in which my husband and I worked for over 30 years. It's a not so inside joke to professionals in the Christian publishing industry when they hear the mantra, "God told me to write it." This little phrase makes the Top Ten Things of what not to say at conferences or in any communication with professionals, the reason being that the instruction itself does not insure the individual who speaks it can actually write. And my first novel is very much a first effort. A huge tome that took 8 and 1/2 years to write through seven days a week of working at the track, homeschooling our son some of those years, and lay ministry at church. There would be six to ninth month periods of no writing whatsoever. All the writing I managed was longhand in spiral notebooks. When it came time to decipher my handwriting and transport the story to the new computer my son received from my parents for graduation from high school, the "editing" began. Obviously that process only refined Hope Of Glory (yes, the o in of was capitalized on purpose) to a point since the saga wound up being 744 pages in a very tight template. Lots of unnecessary words in there.

Then the search for publication ensued, thinking once the book was written it could get published. Uh-huh. Silly girl. And very unschooled in the "biz". I don't know how to describe the sense that lurked in the background about self-publishing. Now some of you are laughing out loud. How else could a 744 page Christian novel about horse racing ever get any kind of attention from a Christian publisher – or any publisher for that matter? You're right. Not gonna happen. So I found an outfit that advertised in a Christian publication and followed up on it. As I look back, I figure they'd publish just about anything. I'm sure they've grown in their business practices since then, but suffice it to say, the end result was much inferior (with the exception of the cover) to my two novels produced by WinePress (The Famous One and Breath of Life). I won't wave the pricey tag in your face for Hope of Glory because I don't want anyone accusing me of giving them heart palpitations. And this was after I received 1000 novels with two critical errors in them which the Lord showed me the next morning after they were delivered. I can't describe the sick feeling after all the jubilation. Those 1000 novels ended up at a recycler and the book took years to pay off. Hope of Glory holds some interesting testimonies for all its clumsy construction, and I give away copies as ministry novels to racetrackers, friends, and strangers.

My second novel came as a result of a powerful prayer burden for an actor. Simultaneously with that heavy prayer for his salvation, The Famous One formed. When I'd learned significantly more about the biz, I submitted it to a well-known Christian literary agency and the story made it into their final process for acceptance or rejection. Since it eventually ended up self-published, you know what they decided. A few years later I inquired at WinePress and purchased a package for the book which I should mention exceeds the norm for CBA novels in length (word count) which is why it's more expensive than most. To participate closely in the process after having the work edited by a professional (and surprisingly left mostly as it was) proved to be rewarding. The marketing factor is the only downside to the experience.

And so it happened that before WinePress changed their packages, my latest [then] novel Breath of Life got locked into an inexpensive package, and the process began again. And also again I'm in the uncomfortable position of attempting to market my work. Believe me, by this time I've heard all the positive reasoning for selling one's books. However, I've never heard any concrete facts given for what truly works – other than word of mouth which can take a very long time if you write a niche novel.

My journey in self-publishing satisfies my independent spirit but really it's all about the road God has chosen for me. And don't expect me to tell you why because I can't. Marketing is not my best suit. In fact, marketing makes me feel like I'm standing exposed in my underwear. I can tell you I love the stories I've been inspired to write. I can talk about why they don't fit comfortably into some of the current CBA publishers' requirements. I can discuss the characters with you because I love them. But push you to buy a copy of one of them? Not so easy for me.

So why do it? Because nothing in this life is incidental. The Lord has His reasons for our directions even when they don't necessarily make sense to us. Apart from Him, I can do nothing. I've completed seven novels and have three more in progress. I keep going because He gives me characters and words to accommodate their lives. This is my journey. For what it's worth.

Father, it's still the same "story." Apart from you, I can do nothing. Help me finish the one I'm working on. Please. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

I LOVED this song so much! Ahhh, fun memories. 

Father, thank you for memories, for the learning, for the people past and present, for great music. Thank you for being patient with me. Only you, Jesus. Thank you for rescuing me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

               
Again, I bought this magnet for me. And once again all credit goes to Shannon Martin Design. So cool. 

Ah, Lord God, I know you've had your hands full with me. Many eye-rolls and exasperation later, here I am. Still working on who you designed me to be. Thank you for your endless grace, forgiveness, laughter, and love. Apart from you, I can do nothing. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

     The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

1 Timothy 4:1-2 (NIV) 

Ricochet by L.T. Ryan and Fiona Ryan is a prequel to the Rachel Hatch Series, taking place right after "Hatch" is discharged from the service. 

Hatch is scheduled to see a therapist to get signed off on the legal stuff after her discharge. She's angry, uncomfortable, a bit anxious, and completely void of what to do now that her primary job of serving in the military has been ripped out of her life due to a fatal explosion which killed her friends and associates and fried her right arm. In spite of her injury she was able to re-qualify for special service but was denied. Not only that, she blames herself for the reason her friends are dead. 

When she shows up to her appointment, there's a disturbance outside in the adjacent alley. As quickly as she assesses it, she knows she has to intervene. That and a phone call from a "friend" she hasn't heard from in awhile makes her slightly tardy for her appointment, but her objectives in the alley, with the shrink, and even concerning the phone call prove to have been worth her time. 

Since she hasn't a clue what to do, the opportunity presented to her from the phone call is worth checking out although she has no real compulsion for the job. But first, extenuating circumstances are wrapped up not-so-tidily at the motel where she's been staying. 

Meeting the former SEAL who runs a bank and the security team proves interesting and after her accompanying him to watch the armored service he uses deliver $4 million to a warehouse, he gets his first look at Hatch's makeup.  

This is an entertaining novella about Hatch's first take at life outside the military. She worked so hard for all she's done, and you can feel her remorse, regret, anger, and vulnerability emotionally. Those of you who know my reviews, know that Rachel Hatch is one of my favorite heroines, maybe second only to Sibella Giorello's Raleigh Harmon. 

Highly Recommend the Rachel Hatch Series. 

Father, only you provide the talent and gifts. May each one know from whom they receive those talents. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Never forget who you were and always remember who God designed you to be. Keep working with Him. 

Father, you've blessed my life beyond expression. I can never thank you enough. Help me to keep doing whatever it takes to be the one you designed me to be. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

close call by Blake Pierce is Book 2 in A Kari Blackhorse Mystery Series.

Kari Blackhorse has moved into her deceased mother's house (Anna Chee) on the Navajo Reservation where Kari is one of the detectives in the Navajo Nation Police Department. She and her partner Detective Ben Tsosie are called out to a murder site at a defunct uranium mine (Sleeping Dog Mine) which hasn't been active for years due to its environmental damage done associated with the radiation poisoning causing many deaths from cancers. Between the three bodies at the scene, ceremonial symbols, and heretofore supposedly unknown petroglyphs, it appears there will be significant tribal conflict ahead with the company that owns the mine. 

Kari's mother has done great amounts of research on this mine with multiple files in her office including a locked desk drawer that Kari has never felt compelled to unlock until now. As per the situation in Book 1, the FBI must be called in to lead the investigation. This time her father's FBI friend, who was like a fun uncle to her as a child, has learned to respect her and her partner's insights and contributions from the first case and is far more flexible with them this time around. 

After considerable investigations with those who've recorded meticulous notations of the mine's corporate ownership's conduct regarding the tribal deaths from the radiation cancers, Kari and Ben finally figure out an obtuse but viable lead which quickly leads to a confrontational climactic moment in the mine.

close call is an entertaining mystery, well-written, while incorporating much of the spiritual aspects of Navajo beliefs. For me, as a Christian, much of their religion runs parallel with Christianity without acknowledging God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. They include demonology, but not identifying it as demonic, as having locations where there is a thin veil – which makes those places dangerous – between this world and the spirit realm with issued warnings to basically leave those places and whatever encompasses them alone. In my faith, we war against them, reminding them that Jesus has overcome their world. 

Father, thank you for authors, their work and research. May each one learn from whom their talent is given. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

This is a great song. If the truth be known, what it sounds like is another case of someone cheating on their guy, but it was revealed the lyrics really were about the guitar player being "courted" by another band. Such is that life. Loved the song anyway. 

Father, you give the talent. It's up to us to honor you with it. We fall short so often. Please keep me steady in your desire for me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.