Passionate thoughts about the world of writing and the Power of God
This woman had such an amazing range, a lovely voice, and did such a fabulous job with this song. To borrow a line from another tune: "This is dedicated to the one I love."
Father, thank you for the beautiful gifts you've given to each one. May we all recognize that apart from you, we can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Sometimes you can tell a book by its cover. I love book covers. They hint of the story within. And if they're not done well, I have zero interest in checking out those stories.
Covers seem to trend just like stories. You see the same "backs" of men on the covers of thrillers, some similar colors used. On the covers of mysteries with a female protagonist, you see a lot of her from the back with red clothing like a coat and contrasting colors. It would seem they're using stock photos and altering backgrounds, hair colors/styles, and color combinations for them, but they have been trending.
Do covers influence your selection of the novels you choose to read?
Father, you give such amazing talents. Thank you for all those who acknowledge your gifts. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
Jude 20 (NIV)
Kyle Mills continues the Mitch Rapp saga created by the late Vince Flynn in Oath of Loyalty, the 21st book in A Mitch Rapp Novel Series.
Anthony and Catherine Cook have taken the White House by storm, determined to "transform", to use an old familiar political term, America by manipulating the people they consider easily swayed by Anthony's charisma and faked concern for them. Of course, they want what's good for the people when in fact, of course, they could care less, their lusts are for the control their position has given them. There are only two problems: they need to eliminate Irene Kennedy and Mitch Rapp to feel completely comfortable to proceed.
In the beginning of their "reign" it's the two of them collaborating on decisions with Catherine usually the mastermind who knows how to keep "Tony" turning on the charm to his adoring followers (reminiscent perhaps of the Clintons). Her hopes are to follow his two terms as POTUS with her own two terms. When Irene is fired from her position as CIA Director, she's replaced by a sorry excuse for the job, Darren Hargrave, who idolizes Anthony "Tony" Cook and plots to create a separation of sorts from his wife. Catherine sees right through him, but Darren is gaining more of her husband's attention, suggesting that Rapp is a huge danger to Tony which puts a special kind of fear in the man.
Irene is able to manufacture a truce between Rapp and Cook which Catherine thinks is wise, but Darren gins up all kinds of fear by stating that he doubts Rapp will stick to the oath. Tony becomes obsessively afraid of Rapp, and security is upgraded to the highest levels with the FBI surveilling Rapp's and Claudia's home in South Africa, Rapp's team wherever they are, and having Rapp followed wherever he goes.
This is the premise for the story.
When Rapp's and Claudia's home is attacked by what look like unprofessional killers which Rapp manages to handle, Rapp, Claudia and Anna escape. This is only the beginning of a bizarre network of murderous plans that have an unusual origin.
I have to admit that Kyle Mills has made Claudia somewhat likable in this story for the first time since she became Rapp's love interest. We got to see a deeper, more emotional Claudia, one whose regrets are real and tangible. She's well aware she's used her skills for evil and is grateful that they can combat some of what she's done before it catches up to her and her family.
The two characters hired from Irene's and Rapp's past to make their offbeat, twisted plan to gain the knowledge of and draw out what is thought to be an assassination team provide both comic relief and real frustration for Rapp as he's forced to endure their idiosyncrasies to ensure their talents are used in this crazy op.
The concluding scene in Chapter 48 is sterling. This is the classic, real Mitch Rapp we've all come to love and admire, written perfectly. And Chapter 49 is exquisite, particularly the final two paragraphs. Bravo, Kyle!
Father, I'm sure to the unbeliever, my prayers seem pointless, silly, or amusing. You use foolishness to confound the wise. May each of those you've gifted with the ability to write and tell stories realize from whom their inspiration and dedication come. Bless them, Lord, with that knowledge. And please continue to bless Kyle as he creates the stories you have just for him to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
My first year at the truly beautiful but now defunct Longacres Racetrack where my dreams of being around horses came true. The top picture is of Dutch Holt holding a one-eyed filly I groomed by the name of Evil Curse. She was very fast and very nervous. Dutch took her to the paddock for me when she raced. The picture below hers is of me and the first 2 yr. old stud horse I groomed by the name of Perpetual War. His nickname was "Spooky" because most things "spooked" him. You can't tell by this picture – he probably had just come out of his stall for the picture – but he was a beautiful colt. Not a lot of talent but very pretty. I was just learning that first year, trying to grasp it all. That first year led to 30+ more.
Father, thank you is never enough. In spite of me, you watched over me before and after my years in horse racing. So gracious and benevolent to me. No words will ever be enough to state my gratitude. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Novelists are just actors writing out their own roles. Playing out the multi-characters in their mind's eye and writing them down in their conflicted scenes with or without happy endings.
I've always wanted to make my novels read like a movie. When readers have told me they can picture my characters and scenes, that it feels like watching a movie, it's the affirmation that touches my soul.
Readers often ask authors if they put themselves in any of their characters. Some will answer as I do: "Every single one of them." Pieces we don't want to admit we have in us and others that are peculiar or silly, expressions, habits, looks, all of these characteristics with which we're familiar will show up somewhere in our characters. We do stretch ourselves creating those with whom we have no experience, but usually something from within us, maybe deeply installed, will show up in them. All of these touches come from who we are, who we've known, who we've seen, who we've imagined others to be. Impressions, observances, experiences, imaginations, and emotional connections.
Now you know . . .
Father, apart from you, I can do nothing. You know that. I know that. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
And so it is, Tuesday Afternoon! Moody Blues with one of their many hits.
Father, thank you for your singers and musicians. May each one know from whom their talent originates. And may each one be grateful. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
You've just finished reading a novel. You liked it. Weren't crazy about it, but you don't feel like you wasted your time by reading it. Would you say that description fits the bulk of your novel reading? Does it motivate you to be more selective?
You just finished writing your novel. You're satisfied. You like it. You're asking yourself, "Do I love this story?" Does it make you want to hurry to get it published however you do that? Or do you think you'll sit on it for a while longer before you go full throttle on it?
Of the nine novels I've published, I have two more that were finished some years ago, some editing still to do. I haven't addressed them in a long time. One of them might become an ebook, and the other, which is longer, might not go any further than the pages of this computer. I "like" them both.
What makes you love a novel – that you read or wrote?
Father, I can never thank you enough for the stories you've given me to write. I pray for my fellow authors that you would continue to bless them with more of the stories you have just for them to tell. We're all desperate for you – whether we know it or not. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
See, the Name of the Lord comes from afar,
with burning anger and dense clouds of smoke;
his lips are full of wrath,
and his tongue is a consuming fire.
His breath is like a rushing torrent,
rising up to the neck.
He shakes the nations in the sieve of destruction;
he places in the jaws of the peoples
a bit that leads them astray.
Isaiah 30:27-28 (NIV)
I'm halfway through Oath of Loyalty by Kyle Mills, the continuation of A Mitch Rapp Novel Series created by Vince Flynn. With that in mind this round of Fan Fiction is probably coming to an end. The timing for this mini-story of the woman I've created for Mitch Rapp comes well after Oath of Loyalty takes place. Since the new Mitch Rapp novel has just released this week, it's probably time to stop the "fantasy" of Raven Christine Wilson. Hope you've enjoyed it because I've had so much fun writing these snippets. We'll conclude for now with this short entry and a brief recap from last week.
His final words confirmed what she’d suspected but had never admitted to herself prior to reading them: he suspected he might be heading into a potentially deadly situation. That 21st birthday celebration where he’d taken her to dinner, made a concentrated effort to listen to everything she probably babbled about that night, presented her with the engraved ring she wore on her right ring finger with a stunning birthstone sapphire arranged between two diamonds on a platinum band: Forever, Dad.
She placed the letter on her desk and stared away into her memories as the tears dried.
When she heard the knuckle tap on her door again, she pushed away from her desk and quickly covered the distance once again to see Rapp on the other side.
After she quickly pulled it open, he leaned against the jam, folded his arms, and with that almost smile in place, he said, “I figured you might need a friend.”
She outright laughed and losing all sense of decorum, she put her arms around that solid body and embraced him. “I do.”
Realizing quickly how presumptuous she’d been, she pulled back. “I’m so sorry, Rapp.”
“You said you had the rest of the day,” he said without reacting to her hug or her apology.
“Yes.”
“I know a place. You want to go?”
The gratitude she experienced from his offer threatened tears again. She forced herself to get control. “I’ll get my purse.” Pull yourself together now! She grabbed it and walked out the door in front of him.
Rapp knew better than to start something he never intended to finish. Why he’d come to her office in the first place was still a mystery to him other than to placate Irene. He and Irene had survived some treacherous things through the years but not without the residual pain and scars.
As a tribute to Daniel Wilson, he would help Raven if ever she got in over her head, but why was he inviting her now to do this? Hadn’t those scars and that pain been enough in his life? Hadn’t the regrets piled up to an untenable pile of memories he couldn’t seem to diffuse?
These useless thoughts assaulted him as they walked to his car. As he opened the door for her, she looked directly at him and spoke quietly.
“I can almost physically feel the conflict you’re experiencing with having invited me to go with you. I won’t be insulted if you want to withdraw your invitation, Rapp. I don’t want to contribute in any way to your adding unnecessary relationships or infringing upon your hard-earned freedom from the weights of this life.”
He returned her direct stare, noticing the blue of her eyes and the sincerity they divulged.
“Not a lot gets by you, does it?” he finally said.
“More than I care to admit, I’m afraid.”
“Get in,” he said gently.
Father, you know it all, everything. You know. Thank you for rescuing me from myself. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Into the Fire 