Newest Novel, Burnt Offering

     A modern tale set in ancient times, Burnt Offering contains suspense, romance, and a problem found still today, the sacrifice of children through neglect, abuse, and murder.
      Judah, 8th Century BCE, King Ahaz sat and watched his own infant placed in the hands of a red-hot bronze idol. He heard the child’sscreams over the beating of 100 drums. He watched the child turn red, then black as it burned alive. He smelled the odor of burnt skin. Yet, he and his followers did what Moleck wanted, killing their own children.

     After two years of in-depth research and over four years of writing, re-writing, editing, revising, I sent the manuscript to six different editors, all who set high standards. I revised the manuscript after each edit. I found other places that needed tweaking and polishing. A year later, the imprint editor did her final edit, and I did the final revision. The manuscript went to the design department, and a few weeks later, I had a proof for final editing, and few changes were needed. The files for the cover and interior uploaded at the printer. 

     I held the book in my hands and thought, "How powerful." The cover, created by Aidana WillowRaven couldn't be called beautiful, but it was powerful. The amount of work to make the idol reflect the fire, the effect of evil she created with her art work took my breath away.

     Reviews of the manuscript by William Bernhardt and Stan Toler encouraged me, and the reviews since gladden my heart. The reviews posted on Amazon make me feel that readers are enjoying my book. 

Copies can be ordered on the 4RV Online Bookstore, through brick and mortar bookstores, and other online providers.

     

   

Being a parent

Being a good parent isn't an easy job, but it is a necessary job so that our world will have decent people in generations to come.

I wasn't a perfect parent, just as I'm not a perfect person, but I tired to do the best job I could. I loved and love my children unconditionally. I did my best to show them right from wrong, not just tell them. I hoped to instill good morals and a good work ethic in them. I stressed the importance of being honest and of being educated, of learning.

Did I succeed? I can only hope I did, but none of my children has been in trouble with the law. They all work hard and continue to learn. They don't believe the world owes them anything except an equal chance to be what they are willing to be. If they needed help, they accepted it. However, as soon as the help wasn't needed, they made their way again. In fact, sometimes they won't ask for help no matter how much they need it. I don't know where they got that streak of independence, maybe even stubbornness. (heheheh)

I never misused drugs around my children, or at any time. I didn't smoke or drink -- not only did I not want to have to worry about stopping (we are of Native American ancestry), but I wanted to be a good example. I hope I was.


Did I make mistakes? Of course I did. I suffered from RA and Lupus, which caused extreme exhaustion all the time. I couldn't make it to some of their activities, even though I wanted to. At least when the kids were in high school, we could attend many out of town games because we rode the pep bus as chaperons. However, the school never took a pep bus to band competitions. One night, my daughter appeared in a concert at college. By the time I finished the school day and arrived home, I had thirty minutes to dress and drive across Oklahoma City. I took the easy way out: I stayed home. With what I know now, I would have gone anyway. I would have worried about the exhaustion later.

At times, I made the wrong decision, but never because I didn't care, usually because I didn't have all the facts or didn't take time to find out all the details. I sometimes may have been too hard, but it was because I did care and wanted the best for my children.

I see parents abdicating their responsibilities all the time, and I don't understand. Children, then grandchildren, and finally great-grandchildren are gifts to be treasured, not thrown away. Parents don't want to hear their children aren't doing well in school, not because they want to help, but because they want to blame. Heaven help the person who dares suggest the parent hold the child responsible, or that the parent should take action to solve the problem. No, someone else is to blame. Ish.

I'm not perfect, nor are my children, but they are productive members of society (unless they have failed to let me know something). I hope they in turn are molding the next generation of good people.

Family - God's gift

The past week has been a time of joy, sorrow, and hard work, all revolving around family.

My son Bob and his wife Brenda (a daughter by marriage) flew down from Colorado Springs, the first time we've seen then in two years. Both have jobs which demand much time. Then of course their daughters, one who is planning a wedding, take them in different directions than Oklahoma. But they came to here for two reasons: for Bob's grandmother's funeral and to help with our house. Whatever the reasons, Robert and I were delighted to see them.

Randy, Janelle (our first daughter by marriage), and their boys (Ryan, Colby, and Shane) worked with Bob to tear out our shower that didn't work. They needed to be preparing for their move to Austin, but they took time to help us.

Our granddaughters Macayla and Keri also came to help with the house, and Kurtis, Macayla's son, helped, too. Thanks to Brenda, Janelle, Keri (who worked for two days), and Macayla, the kitchen and big bathroom are clean, the living room is almost completely dusted (big job with 50 some oil lamps), and what is left is manageable, or, if not, won't be done.

Everyone worked hard, but we had some fun, too. We went to dinner together Monday evening, were together at the family lunch after the funeral, and visited every chance we could. We shared many hugs.

Watching Bob leave was hard (Brenda stayed at Randy and Janelle's Wednesday since she was under the weather), but we know he's just a phone call away. Plus, they will return.

Randy and Colby finished up the last of what could be done on the shower before they loaded in my van to go to Norman and pick up the rest of the family and head for Austin. They, too, will return from time to time.

Macayla and Keri left Tuesday evening to return to family, lessons, and job. However, they, too, will be back, and they are close enough we can visit them occasionally, which we always enjoy.

Many hugs and I-love-yous were exchanged. Some tears were shed, in private. The house seems extra empty and quiet now. But, oh, how glorious, I got to see most of my family.

I love all of you, more than words can tell. I am blessed, even if at times I forget.

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Wonderings and thoughts

A few thoughts popped into my mind yesterday and today. I wonder what would happen if ...

What if everyone who knew or knew of a person sent her one dollar? What might she accomplish?

What if everyone completed one kind act a week? Would society be improved?

What if everyone treated his parents with respect and love, and every parent did the same for his child? Would fewer parents be left alone in their old age and fewer children abused?

What if everyone stood up (backed by research and morals) for something right or against something wrong? Would the world be a better place?

Just a few thoughts from a wandering mind.


Oh, coming tomorrow - Photos from the OKC Zoo Animal Author Expo.



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