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

  • Welcome Words

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    "Seeing… is a well written novel with emotional and spiritual depth that goes beyond mere sentiment when it comes to 'second chances'.”  BB

    "This story, set in Washington state, has it all: the supernatural, the romance, the sexual angst, the tension, and frustration that we all experience in our journey called life." GN

    "Nicole outdid herself on this one! I cried, laughed, and was captivated, not only by the storyline but with Nicole's ability to portray the character of Jesus Christ." LD 

    "Recently, I experienced a deep loss and struggled with similar emotions. . . . This book is a 'must read.' Highly recommend it." MR

     

    Father, thank you for each one who reads the stories you give me. May I always point those stories in your direction. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

  • Sunday’s Offerings

     

    On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea."

         I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I saw the seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man", dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

         When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

         Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven gold lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. 

     

    Revelation 1:10-20 (NIV)

         

  • When someone “gets” it . . .

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    It might surprise you to know that there are readers of Christian Fiction who can be some tough reviewers of the novels they choose to read. Brutal in fact. They've been known to give 1-star reviews to those stories where the author apparently doesn't support their legalistic theology or got a little too passionate in a scene or a thought in a romance novel (although never graphic), or the use of "hell" or "damn" was used in a circumstance (causing big meltdowns), or even if the book was longer than they liked (but they finished it – or didn't). Some of them are a tough crowd to please. I should note these particular readers are not the audience for my novels. 

    So when a reader acknowledges certain things about a novel that they loved, it makes an author's day. 

    "I appreciate the honest reality of the temptations many Christians experience and struggle with. This is a beautiful story of love, temptation, forgiveness and redemption!" HR

    "If you love Christian romance, you will love this book!
    Starting with the mystery of their meeting, it details how each character goes from God's forgiveness, to the forgiving of others, and ultimately, the forgiving of themselves." CN

    "The message of God’s love and mercies are included in such a unique way that all readers, regardless of their religious leanings, can read how kind and merciful God is." LD 

    Those who enjoy my work know they will be seeing the reality of the world as it is and experience the redemption Jesus offers. 

    A truly sincere thank you to all who've read and appreciated my work. 

     

    Father, thank you to you is never enough. Never was, will be, or is. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

  • Throwback Thursday

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    Way back in the day . . . This old photograph has been in faraway places. Lots of scratches and color changes as a result. 

     

    Father, you looked after me even before I knew your Son. You rescued me from myself. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

  • Excerpt . . . again.

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    From my latest WIP . . . This protagonist is a bestselling novelist, having migrated away from his former location and lifestyle in the middle of the hub of his publishing world.

     

    Chapter 10

     

    I hustled back to my house and into the room I’d dedicated for my gym. I jerked off my shirt and went to the treadmill. Warming up at a brisk walk, I did my best not to contemplate my behavior, but it was no use. As I turned up the speed to a jogging pace, I realized this attraction was more than casual lust for me. That terrified me. Because I had no idea why or how I was supposed to act realizing that this woman I barely knew was wrecking my concentration, inspiring a new novel in the middle of another one I had to finish first! Things couldn’t have been more chaotic in my mind as I increased the speed to a run.

         Completely sapped, I shut down the treadmill without looking at all the read-outs, dripping sweat. Grabbing the towel I kept nearby I wiped off most of it and walked over to my weights.

         I did every lift I could handle, put the last of my weights back on their rack, and walked over to the portable fridge to grab some electrolyte water, chugging the entire 16 ounces. I kept one straight back chair in the large room and I plopped down on it with the empty container still in my hand while I stared at the bamboo flooring.

         Something was up with me – something I didn’t recognize. Unfamiliar, and for sure nerve wracking. I honestly felt like change was sneaking up on me, and I had no idea why or what it was supposed to look like, be about, or what it intended for me. Change was not a good thing in my world unless I determined I wanted it, unless it was my idea. And this? This was like being tied to the proverbial train track with six locomotives roaring toward me from a distance.

     

    Father, again and again I thank you for every inspiration, character, words, all of it. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

     

     

  • Tuesday Tunes

     

    This brother duo was tremendous back in the day with multiple hits. Great voices, harmony. Were just as good live as in the studio. Loved these songs. Enjoy!

     

    Father, thank you for all the days, people, artists that contribute to our lives in some way. Help me to appreciate each day you've given me. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

  • Taking A Stand

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    By the title of this post, you might be expecting something shocking, vital, or profound. The only thing that might "shock" readers is what I will be "standing" on in my article. "Vital"? Well, yes, to me it is. "Profound"? At the heart of it, yes, and I'll do my best to explain my reasoning. 

    First, let me say Monday posts don't often generate a lot of traffic on this blog. I have no idea why one day is more "productive" than another. I chose Monday for this post because there are things I need to say, and I don't want to wait to say them. So let me begin . . .  

    I have a profession. I'll be the first to admit and tell you that few people recognize me as having it. I'm an author of 11 novels, 9 published, 2 not, with one work in progress – that's what we authors refer to as our "WIP". No one will recognize me on the street and ask for an autograph or want to take a selfie with me. I'm just another person going about my day. But, I'm taking a stand as an author who would love for more people to read my work, and I'm willing to explain the precise reasons for that. 

    The primary reason why this is "vital" to me and worth this drama of "taking a stand" is because, although what I write only affects a certain element of our reading public, it's the way it's written that makes it important to those who do choose to read the love story/romance genre. Christian Fiction is that segment of literature that gives a picture of a love bigger than our secular human version of romance, love, and sex. It provides a more intimate look at the origin of and deeper meaning to the dance of love. Does that imply that romance and sex are unimportant and/or unnecessary? It most certainly does not. To deny their value is to deny the gifts of God given specifically to the human race He created.  

    The tagline for my work is Raw Romantic Redemptive because it presents the worldly characters as they really are. Christians who prefer those stories with the "clean" labels might consider some of my characters undesirable – how they act and how they speak – because they are. Life is messy and unclean. I present both the ugly and the precious. It's critical to note here that I don't do "graphic" in sensual scenes. It's also critical to note that the undesirables are definitely in need of the redemption Jesus provides. Readers will not fail to see that choosing that redemption is a solution even the fictional character can make – or not – within the boundaries of the story. The vital choice within a love story.  

    Which brings me to the "profound" part of this message and stance. I spent 30 years in the world believing in God but not knowing His Son. Having been a person who's been writing since I was a child, it's no surprise that eventually I stepped into my calling after meeting Jesus and experiencing redemption. I had many regrets and sorrows to confess, particularly for the 9 years preceding my salvation. Having truly sampled what the world had to offer gave me a perspective some Christian authors haven't personally lived – and that's to their credit.

    The profound love of God is often mocked, but in the end we know God cannot be mocked. The gospel message is one of deliverance from a sinful mindset, lifestyle, outlook, living in the flesh and ignoring the spiritual aspect of our 3-part creation. It took a tremendous sacrifice for it to be offered to us, a debt we could never pay resolved on a brutal cross. Why bother with this rebellious human race? The answer in all of its complexity is simple: "For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

    My novels demonstrate not only the beauty inherent in the dance of love, but the redemptive Love God offers in the process. Take Him or leave Him. It's a choice He gives His creation. The humanity of love cannot compare to the love of God. It would figure then that if you see the contrast between the world's version of love and God's design for it, you'd be more equipped to make the choice in an eternal matter of the heart. 

    So. The stand I'm taking is this: If you read love stories, romance novels, and/or Christian Fiction, I'm asking you to pick up one of my books to investigate, to decide if my writing appeals to your sense of what you want from the genre. I know they won't appeal to all of you, but some of you, hopefully, will decide my stories are worth your reading time. Then get back to me. If you enjoyed it, share your thoughts. If you don't, please don't. 

    Just a concluding side note: Men, I have a few novels that might interest you. My one and only mystery Race has been enjoyed by men as has The Famous One and Seeing . . .

    My stand is I believe my work has something to offer readers of the genre. I want those readers to find my novels. So that's what all this drama is about. 

    Raw Romantic Redemptive  . . .  Love stories with a passion 

     

    Lord God Almighty, thank you for every word, every inspiration, all of my characters, the beauty of your design for love. Nothing equals what you do. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

  • Sunday’s Offerings

     

         For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

     

    Colossians 2:9-10 (NIV)

  • Romance vs. Love Story

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    As you know, I write love stories, heavy on the romance. I prefer love stories to general romance. Why? We've been over it in prior posts, but to reiterate the reason for my preference: In most of today's romance novels, there is a formula that is followed somewhat religiously.

    It goes something like this: Guy meets gal and they either have this instant chemistry or they hate each other. Next, there's this conflict which somehow throws them together or they're already attracted to each other and they fight the conflict together or they create a conflict between each other and they part company, suffer the separation, realize their stupidity, get back together — you get the drill. Different characters, same story. 

    Love stories go deeper into relationship and deeply into the characters in the story. There isn't always a complex plot or necessarily a lot of conflict. It's the story of how love happens and what those people do with it. 

    Each of these "definitions" is simplified, but I'm merely stipulating the differences are subtle, but they're real. 

    Having said that, if you're a romance reader, chances are you also enjoy love stories. However, if you prefer love stories, you might not appreciate the pure romance genre. 

    That's it for Friday. I will close with this recommendation at a terrific price right now in print if you're a lover of love stories:

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    Father, apart from you, I can do nothing. Thank you for it all. Always desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

  • Throwback Thursday

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    In the shed row at the now defunct Longacres Racetrack my first year. Sometimes there are still those days in life when you just don't feel like coping. Know what I mean? 

     

    Father, you brought me through all of them and still do. Thank you is never enough. Thank you for rescuing me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.