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Angela’s Bookshelf: The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill

It has been said that there is a novel inside of everyone. I do not know how true this is, except the publishing houses are still able to produce books each year whether digital or print. Bookstores still exist. There are still readers still hungry for words. So, maybe, there is some truth to the saying. I do believe there is a desire that wells inside a person to write. It burns from somewhere deep within. And it is unshakeable. Sometimes a single class or a single book is all it takes to light the fuse or for the bug to bite.

Theodosia Benton is in this class. She knew she wanted to write. The trust her grandfather had set up for her and her brother, Gus, was an obstacle. The trust existed for them to attend law school. If they chose another path, the trust was forfeited. Her brother, Gus, completed his law degree. Theo had tried, but she left law school and went to her brother’s home in Kansas.

Theo found, however, that Gus needed some domestic help. She needed to treat her writing as any other day job. She needed to find an office outside of his house. She found Benders. A bar by night and a café by day. It became a haven for other writers. It was here she met Dan Murdoch. Dan was another writer, but one of success and fame. They quickly formed a friendship, and he became her mentor.

When she finishes her novel, she asks Dan to introduce her to his agent. He refuses saying they aren’t right for her. Dan did not appear at Benders the following morning or throughout the day. Theo tries to contact him but can get no answer. At his house, door is ajar, so she goes in calling for Dan. She slips and falls and, in the darkness, realizes that she has slipped in the blood of the dead Dan Murdock.

The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill is a fast paced novel full of twists and turns. It follows the publishing path of Theodosia Benton and her interaction with published author Dan Murdoch. When she is accused of his murder, her brother, Gus Benton, does everything to stay ahead of legal battles to keep Theo out of jail.

I loved this book. The plot was original. It is not the simple murder mystery. Theo gets caught in a web of deception that takes time to untangle. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh and original mystery. There is some sex and some use of language that may be offensive; however, it is not overused.  This book is suitable for ages 16 and up. This is a top shelf read. Four and a half out of five stars (4.5 out of 5) because of language.

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Angela

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Third Verse Devotion: A Mighty Fortress is Our God

(Note: All scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible unless otherwise indicated.)

This “Battle hymn of the Reformation” has a basis on Psalm 46:1. God is our shield and our defender. He is our refuge and our help. Since this is true, all the schemes and plots of our enemy the devil are doomed to fail. This is the theme of Luther’s hymn. The driving melody and rousing words bring this song out from the quiet corner and into the front lines marching fearless and confident into whatever battle we face knowing God is our fortress. I want to look at verse three especially.

And though this world, with devils filled,

Should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed

His truth to triumph through us:

The Prince of Darkness grim,

We tremble not for him;

His rage we can endure,

For lo! His doom is sure,

One little word shall fell him.

This stanza is filled with the truth of scripture. The first stanza of the hymn refers to our “ancient foe” who “seeks to work us woe.” It is echoed here with “this world with devils filled,” When Satan rebelled against God he took angels with him. Now Satan and his demons are at work in this world and have been since the Garden of Eden. And he’s not done. He was not content with just his own rebellion and that of angels. Satan would destroy us. In fact, he looks for the opportunity. The Bible tells us in 1Peter 5:8 that “…Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” He wants you. He wants me. Yet, this never was God’s plan for us.

The next line reminds us that we will not fear. I know that sounds easy to say but harder to do. If we watch the news or walk in someone else’s shoes for a while there may be much to fear. But I want to remind you, Christian friend, that, God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7) The word timidity can also mean fear. Discipline is self-control. He has given us boldness and self-control, not fear and trembling, and running here and there. When we have the spirit of God dwelling in us, we have nothing to fear. We can stand firm. He is our refuge, our very present help in trouble. Why is it that we will not fear? Because God’s truth will triumph! How wonderful it is to note that God wins. His truth wins. We don’t need to worry. There is an answer. God has a plan. Jesus tells us in John 8:31-32: “…If you continue in My word, then you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  He also says, John 14:6 , “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” Luther writes that “for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.” Freedom from the attacks of the evil one, and triumph, victory, is found through Jesus. When we surrender to Jesus, when we obey Him, when we make His desires our own, God’s truth triumphs. When we learn to love like Jesus did. When we forgive like Jesus did. When we tell others the truth of God’s love, God’s truth triumphs.

We know the battle we are in, and we know who the enemy is. God has given us many weapons for our defense. (see Ephesians 6) Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 10: 4-5, “for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…” Because we know our battle, we can endure what the enemy throws our way.

 We do not have to be afraid of the days to come. God is our very present help in times of trouble. He is our refuge and strength. He is with us. We only need run to Him. We can sing this song as a battle hymn of faith in the darkness. It brings us encouragement and assurance when things don’t make sense. I want to leave you with one last bit of hope. Satan is on a very short timetable. Revelation gives us the truth. Revelation 12:12, “For this reason, rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you with great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.” He only has a little while. Did you see that? His time is short. He is very angry, it is true, but the scripture reminds us that his anger stems from the fact that his time is short, while believers have eternity. Believer, cling to that hope today, rejoice and be glad. If you aren’t a believer yet, take today to make Jesus your Savior. You will find in him a friend, a help and a strength. Don’t delay. He is a Mighty Fortress.

Angela

Posted on by Angela

NAME THAT HYMN: THIRD VERSE DEVOTIONS

Martin Luther penned this hymn between 1527 and 1529 following his excommunication from the Catholic church in 1521 at the Diet of Worms. There was no diet of actual worms involved. The name comes from the location, Worms, Germany. It was here that Luther had been summoned by the emperor and the Catholic church. He refused to recant his belief in the Bible and the need for individuals to interpret the scriptures for themselves. This hymn became a battle hymn for the reformation. Protestant denominations became more popular, and the Bible became more assessable to the common man. The words reflect Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very ready help in trouble.” Be sure to check out the Third Verse Devotion page to find out what hymn I’m referring to and what it means for us now. Can you guess the hymn? Comment below.

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Notes do not Equal Action

I am a note maker and a list maker. I can make a list as long as my arm about the things I need to do or the things I want to do. I can make all sorts of notes about plans and plan about those plans. But. The problem is that until I take the first step there is no difference. Until I start to check off my list the list is not accomplished. Until I put the plan into action it is only thoughts on paper.

You should see the files and notebooks I have of stories and books I have started. I have the idea and put it down then another idea comes along and I chase after it. Somewhere I have to stop and make one story come alive and then the next and so on.

This is where this blog comes in. A place where everything comes together. You see, God did not call us just to watch the race and make notes about the race. He called us to join the race. He called us to run the race.

Whatever he is calling you to do, the dream you keep making notes about. Whatever you keep making lists about, it’s time to take action. Maybe it’s time to join the race.

Is All for One perfect? Certainly not. I still need to add some sparkle. But I have joined the race of writing that I believe God has called me to. This is a part of the race. A part of the journey if you will.

I will be here to encourage you as you begin your race. Maybe you have stumbled on your race. That is ok. Get up. Brush yourself off. Start running again. The race isn’t over.

After all its All for One.

Angela

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Improvement is not always better

So, I was working on the site today. I was trying to tweak a few things here and there to make it more appealing and user friendly. You know easier on the eye. What happened instead? I ended up messing it all up.

Isn’t that the way it goes sometimes? We try to make things better and sometimes just make them worse. Sometimes we just need to leave well enough alone.

We have all seen the packaging “New and improved”, but is it really? It’s just rebranding. Trying to make the same thing more appealing. Its an attempt to reach a new audience.

Well, yes, I want to reach more with what I’m doing here. But I’ve only managed to create more work for myself by messing up what I’ve already done. Sometimes we just need to sit back and not worry about the mechanics as much as the content. I know I’m still learning that, what about you?

Angela

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Welcome to All for One

All for One is a place where I host my writing, book reviews, Bible studies, and other interests in one place and ask you to come along. I call it All for One for two reasons. One,because it is all of my interests all rolled into one place, and two because I want everything I do to be for an audience of One.

In the pages here you will find Angela’s Bookshelf, my book reviews and news page. I enjoy reading and there may be books from all genres, from Christian and non-Christian. Times like These is my Bible Study page. I will post what I am learning from God’s word. Third Verse Devotions is where I bring to life the old hymns and meditate on what the writer might have been trying to say about his or her belief in God, the Bible and life.

I hope you will join me in these pages. I am just getting started. There is more to come.