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So, I had a chance to read this book twice. But I had such a stack of books teetering over my side of the bed that I had to turn it down. (The fact that I was dealing with a firefighter concerned me....fire codes and all that.) But now, I read the first chapter (which you can do, too) and read a few reviews and I'm crabby that I didn't have someone send me the dang book. Shawn was kind enough to humor me with some Dregs Q & A though....
About Shawn:
Shawn Grady signed with Bethany House Publishers in 2008. He was named “Most Promising New Writer” at the 39th Annual Mount Hermon Writers Conference. Through the Fire is his debut novel.
Shawn has served for over a decade as a firefighter and paramedic in northern Nevada. From fire engines and ambulances to tillered ladder trucks and helicopters, Shawn’s work environment has always been dynamic. The line of duty has carried him to a variety of locale, from high-rise fires in the city to the burning heavy timber of the eastern Sierras.
Shawn attended Point Loma Nazarene University as a Theology undergrad before shifting direction to acquire an Associate of Science degree in Fire Science Technology as well as Paramedic licensure through Truckee Meadows Community College.
Shawn currently lives in Reno, Nevada, just outside of Lake Tahoe. He enjoys spending time in the outdoors with his wife, three children and yellow Labrador.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Firefighting burns in Aidan O'Neill's blood. The son of a fireman, O'Neill has a sixth sense about fire and often takes dangerous risks. When one act of disobedience nearly gets a rookie killed, O'Neill is suspended. His weeks off are supposed to be a time to reflect but instead he escapes to Mexico, where another rash act of bravery actually kills him. But only for a few minutes.
Called back to R
eno, he's now haunted by visions of hell and paralyzed in the face of fire. And at the worst time, because an arsonist is targeting Reno. With a growing love interest with one of the investigators complicating everything, Aidan must discover where his trust rests as the fires creep ever closer.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Through The Fire, go HERE
If you could ask any person, living or dead, a random question -- what question would you ask of whom?
Maybe Paul the Apostle- what was the thorn in his flesh.
Favorite turn of phrase or word picture, in literature or movie.
There's many- but how about: "Punch it, Chewy."
How does something worm its way into your heart? Through tears, truth, humor or other?
As far as fiction goes, books that feel genuine and real and resonate eternal truth can really impact me.
Where would you most like to travel ----- moon, north pole, deep seas, deserted island, the holy land or back to a place from your childhood, somewhere else? – and why.
Oh, hands down the moon. You get to take a rocket through space to get there.
Which compliment related to your writing has meant the most and why?
Today I was told by someone that a part in Through the Fire made her cry. That's one of the biggest compliments because I know that the words transcended the page and moved her spirit.
What is your favorite word?
Today? Anthropomorphism.
Superhero you most admire and why?
I like Spider-man. I like how he's not indestructible. I think he's easier to relate to then most other super-heroes.
Super power you'd love to borrow for awhile?
Flying.
Favorite chore
I love to season my cast iron dutch oven.
Tom Morrisey promised a new novel and he has delivered. Read more about him and from him during previous Dregs visits here.
Description:
High Seas Adventure Meets a High-Tech Quest for Pirate Gold West Indies, 18th century Young Ted Bascombe is rescued by notorious pirate Captain Henry Thatch, finding himself caught up in a world of crime, adventure, and a daily fight for freedom.... Key West, 21st century Marine archaeologist Greg Rhode embarks on a treasure-hunting expedition in the turquoise waters of the Florida Keys, but he's as beguiled by a beautiful diver with different-colored eyes as by the lure of pirate gold...The Hunt Is On! Interweaving these two stories, pro deep-sea diver Tom Morrisey spins a multilayered tale of two young men's quests to escape their past by losing themselves to adventure on the high seas. Romantic and thrilling, this unique novel explores the timeless truth that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
If you would like to read the first chapter of Pirate Hunter, go HERE.
My Review:
Tom Morrisey torques up the tension, tackles bitterness and rolls out an extremely readable and fascinating story in Pirate Hunter. Interconnected eras meld as heroic, but broken, men face weather, revenge, greed, evil and redemption. Tom Morrisey has secured his spot on my favorite author shelf.
Morrisey writes rock-solid and often beautiful prose while creating characters that are believable and plot lines that snap, zing and crackle with intensity. Man, woman, Christian, undecided, I can't imagine anyone feeling like a few hours with Morrisey is anything less than a very satisfying and well-spent chunk of time.
With diver and pirate lingo, historical bits and pieces, and three-dimensional characters, Morrisey unfurls two distinct yet silmilar tales. I grew to respect and admire the pirates as much as the modern day hunters. I also appreciated the soul-searching struggles of the main characters as they became open to the truth that wanted to set them free. Strongly spiritual, but not overtly preachy, plenty of adventure and a bit of blood without extremely gruesome scenes, heavy emotion without the trickery to pull emotion from the reader, Morrisey handles the story with excellent wordsmithing and storytelling. The only folks who may not dive fully into this story are folks who want blow-by-blow relational details where love is involved and those who don't want to deal with any technical details.
Pirate and Morrisey fans are going to want to check into this one.
Creaky and crooked little bridge we crossed on our two mile walk. Perfect night for a stroll. Nice breeze. Low humidity and great scenery.
I'm reading a book I hope to post and review tomorrow. So far, very good, but I want to finish it.
Lily gets her turn in the "bathtub." Can you tell she really LOVES bath time?
The dogs met their "vacay-nanny" today. We can't take them with us to the lake, so they have to stay home. The dog mommy asked around and found someone who might be the perfect stand-in.
Lily and Lola warmed right up to her. Lola spun around and chased her tail because she didn't have one of her skin-ripping, shin-splitting bones to ram into the patient might-be-the-next-best-thing-to-mommy. Lily sidled over and eventually ended up, belly exposed and tongue lolling, on her lap.
The home where they'll be staying has two resident boy dogs. A golden and a lab. We didn't meet them, but the scent-retrieval experts did not sound any alarms. As a matter of fact, both Lily and Lola spread out on the hard wood floors and snoozed while the grown-ups talked.
There was discussion regarding treats and plenty of them, car trips with the boys, and walks. I guess Lily and Lola get to have their own vacation while we're gone.
In case you're wondering, the picture is at the base of the walking bridge. Water jets shoot randomly out of the ground. Wet dog smell x 2! Got to love that.
Heard (and seen) around town.
Warning: Don't read too close to dinner. Not for the squeamish.
Scene: Mall parking lot.
Muffled and then increasingly loud voices. Unknown direction. Heads are not visible.
"I'm going to lose it." Spoken fully in Gaggle. The gurgly and intense 'I'm going to hurl voice' one uses when attempting to keep the contents of the stomach intact. "Cough. Cough. Cough." Wet with promise.
"You need to wipe his face off." Low guttural groan.
"I can't unless you hold his hands." Female voice, more controlled.
Intense gagging. Loud coughing.
"You need to hold his hands. Hold his hands."
Followed by, "I'm going to be sick!" "I'm going to lose it!" Extreme gagging.
We come upon the scene, two aisles over, wherein a female stands working away with a canister of wet wipes. A car seat is perched on the trunk of the car. A child, standing in only a diaper, is barely held onto by bending man. More gagging.
As we drive away man holds child and ralphs projectilely next to the vehicle.
Oh, the glamor of parenting.
My Review:
I almost didn't watch this movie. One of my friends detested it and I trust her judgment and consider her tastes and mine to be pretty similar. However, she has read the book and loved it while I have not read any of the Kinsella novels.
I'm writing my review from cluelessness over how the story played out in the book and without comparison between book and film.
I loved this movie. Aside from a handful of a-words, several oh God's, I believe an s-word and a scene of a couple in bed (just there, not doing anything) this is a clean and charming movie. A scene of credit card bill totaling performed while tossing back shots of tequila ended up being a bad idea when a wrong letter is mailed to the wrong person -- which could make for a great discussion opener on the consequences of drinking. I think I can recommend it for family viewing, not only because of what it lacks (sex and over the top innuendo and crudeness) but for what it portrays. The main character (Fischer) has a big problem that she has to come to grips with once her life falls down around her darling half-off boots. She struggles and lies and makes some really poor choices but sucks it up and chooses to grow up, becoming an excellent and charming role model in the process.
Isla Fisher is an expressive actress and her character Rebecca Bloomwood reminded me of Elle from Legally Blonde, a smart-cookie bubblehead with a big, sweet heart. Hugh Dancy is aw-shucks with a British accent hunky. The elements of romance aren't totally believable, this is chick-lit translated to chick-flick after all, but sweet and fun. The plot line has predictability since it follows those genre guidelines. A lot of physical humor, some fun special effects (talking/gesturing mannequins), and lots of color and textures make it visually appealing. We rented it because my daughter wanted to see it. I liked Confessions so much that I watched it a second time when she invited friends over to view it. Out of four picky females and one male, the consensus was that there will be some copies purchased for personal film libraries, including us, we will be buying this movie.
Bottom line. If you've read the book, keep looking at reviews to determine if this novel to film will work for you. If you haven't read it and are looking for a fun, sweet film reminiscent of Legally Blonde, you could do far worse.
