Scribbles and Scrambles - Sarcasm Does Not Require Words.

Scribble and Scrambles ~ I'll See Your Challenge, XTA

So apparently some readers think I'm way too into the grand dogs and have gone so far as to loan out their children to pep up my life.

Thanks...but not so much.

In light of the need to get a more interesting and exciting life, I decided to devote the first Saturday in months wherein I did not have to leave the house until after dark to a creative day.

Yes, I should have done many, many other things. I should have written a few articles to send out for possible publishing...this would have pleased my accountant. He said something along the lines of "make money this year...blah, blah...playing around with a hobby...blah, blah....professional...blah, blah, blah."

I could have thrown together a proposal for three non-fiction ideas I have (which would probably have pleased me in some primitive part of my brain).

I should have cleaned a few closets, organized a few shelves, scrubbed some cupboards (which would have pleased the entire household, the dogs = stale cereal as treats, the others when not having to play "Guess the Gunk" with leftover containers). I did do a few loads of laundry. But the rest of the day was invested in making jewelry.

Oh, I didn't just make it. I was a woman possessed graduating on to greater strength magnifying eyeglasses and stopping only for a peanut butter sandwich when I couldn't stand one more stomach growl. My fingers are sore, my back is hunched, but the jewelry is done, Dude.

Serials and Scenarios ~ Through the Fire - Shawn Grady

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 Reno, 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.

Serials and Scenarios ~ Morrisey's Pirate Hunter

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.

Scribble and Scrambles ~More Random Scenes from Iowa

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?

Scribble and Scrambles ~ Eight-Legged Adventure of the Canine Kind

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.

Scribble and Scrambles ~ Forward Funnies

E-Mail forward ha-ha.

I got an e-mail called "Why Men Don't Live As Long As Women." and it was chock-full of stereotypical, tasteless, and often mean-spirited photos and comment. But since some of them made me laugh out loud....I must.

So here are a few of my favorites and I'll admit that a few of them seem like very clever, bad, but clever ideas that might even have hatched in my brain.