Covert Ops (Saint Squad series Book 12) by Traci Hunter Abramson suspense romance. The newest in the Saint Squad series. What a wild ride. Beloved characters, gripping story, answered questions, and though it could end the series, rumor has it another book may be in the making.
The patriot who feels himself in the service of God, who acknowledges
Him in all his ways, has the promise of Almighty direction, and will
find His word in his greatest darkness, a lantern to his feet and a lamp
unto his paths. ~ Francis Scott Key
Matthew 9:6
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
I loved Robert Hansen's story "The Pebble."
https://mygodmymusicmylife.com/2023/05/10/the-pebble-4/
Michael A King presented "How Real Servants Act - Day 33"
https://kingsgospelonline.wordpress.com/2023/05/11/how-real-servants-act-day-33/
God bless.
June 16, 2015 ·
What Do I Write?
Perhaps this is long overdue. I've spent a great deal of time endeavoring to find an "elevator pitch." The idea is to create something you could say to an agent or editor that would interest them in your book if you managed to hop on an elevator at the same time, such as at a convention.
I read my first romance novel when I was 19 years old. I read avidly for years, but I missed the faith aspect. Christian romances were difficult to find, at the time. To be honest, I wasn't impressed with them when I could find them.
I found a few authors I loved, Janette Oke and Elizabeth Mansfield. Mansfield didn't write Christian, but she did write clean Regency romances. As much as I enjoyed them, I had trouble identifying with the characters.
Christian romances were so...clean. I'm an abuse survivor. My life's messy.
I quit reading romances for a number of years. Picking up a romance novel after so many years was like finding an old friend. As I read, I wished there were a little more faith in God.
As I struggled to decide where I wanted to take my own stories, I drifted closer and closer to Christian romances. I knew it would be an uncomfortable fit, but less uncomfortable than attempting to cut my faith from the stories in my heart.
I checked the parameters of writing Christian romance and ran into trouble right off. Heroes and heroines are required to be honest. It's all right if they tell lies before they fully embrace Christianity and even to tell the occasional white lie if there's a good enough reason.
Among other things, abuse survivors lie. Lying is a necessary survival tool.
I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior at an early age, long before the abuse ended.
I was in my 40s before I realized how much I lied.
There were the every day lies that most people tell: How are you? "Fine." Not fine at all, but I wasn't willing to explain.
Then there were the lies I didn't even know I was telling: Everything from, "If I were more patient, more understanding, less judgmental, everything would be good," to "I'm stupid," "I'm useless," "I'm not lovable." Delving into those lies unearths an endless supply.
I think denial was probably the most common lie I didn't recognize.
My lying did not exclude me from growing in faith, but it was a stumbling block.
I wanted stories that reflected the journey of abuse survivors, the fight for self, the fight for the truth, the fight to be healthy. The ultimate adventure of finding healing for self and finding someone with whom to share the quest for love of self, sweetheart, and God.
I chose to write the Christian romances I wanted to read. Being Christian isn't about a life of sweetness and nice; choosing Jesus promises hope.
The weakest flame is still stronger than the dark.
A great attitude does much more than turn on the lights in our worlds; it seems to magically connect us to all sorts of serendipitous opportunities that were somehow absent before we changed.
~ Earl Nightingale
1 Thessalonians 5:8-10
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Elizabeth Maddrey, over at Inspy Romance, shares "The Care and Feeding of Authors":
https://www.inspyromance.com/the-care-feeding-of-authors/
Jeff Rab, over at RabBits, often makes me laugh. This one made me think. Do I see who is in front of me?
https://jeffrab.com/2023/04/26/blue-plastic-egg/
God bless.
The Sacketts series by Louis L'Amour, Westerns. Louis L'Amour is one of my favorite authors. He's a wonderful storyteller. My dad and I collected most of the books. I would always recommend him.
Every writer feels like a fraud, sometimes. Rather than trash everything, it's a good idea to take a break.
Jeremiah 32:17
Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:
Song Dog Journal reminds me to be grateful for the gifts God gives that I might complain about:
https://songdogjournal.com/2023/04/02/ranch-wife-musings-mud/
Robert Hansen shared "Your Rose Garden," over on My God, My Music, My Life. Touching.
https://mygodmymusicmylife.com/2023/04/11/your-rose-garden-3/
God bless.
Anne of Green Gables series by Lucy Maud Montgomery. I read it for the first time in college, my return to college, when I took a children's literature class. I enjoy the movies, too.
Sometimes, you have to accept the imperfections and move on the best you're able. It's still beautiful.
How do you move on? You move on when your heart finally understands that there is no turning back.
~ J. R. R. Tolkien
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Susan Loves Books shares book reviews and little thoughts that make me smile:
https://susanlovesbooks.wordpress.com/2023/04/01/happy-saturday☕☕-8/
Suzanne Askham shared magnolia insights:
https://suzanneaskham.com/2023/03/31/wellbeing-notes-teachings-from-an-ancient-flower/
God bless.
More Than This by Staci Stallings Christian contemporary romance. Staci tackles tough subjects, helping me gain insights and greater understanding. I always come away from one of her books feeling like I've learned something about myself. She's a Must Read for me.
Not music but a 45 minute walk around the Pleasant Hill Shaker Village with Bit of a Wander.
Sings to my soul.
