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

  • 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!  

  • Merry Christmas!

     

         In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

         So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in strips of cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them at the inn. 

         And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger."

         Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 

                        "Glory to God in the highest,

                           and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." 

         When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 

         So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 

    Luke 2:8-20 (NIV)

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  • He Is

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         In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

         Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

         There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through Him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. 

    John 1:1-9 (NIV)