Cathy Bryant's Blog: CatBryant.com ~ Journey Blog, page 95

FWC: "Black Madonna" by Davis Bunn

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!



You never know when I might play a wild card on you!





Today's Wild Card author is:

Davis Bunn

and the book:

The Black Madonna Touchstone; 1st edition (September 7, 2010) ***Special thanks to Libby Reed, Publicity Assistant, HOWARD BOOKS, a division of Simon & Schuster for sending me a review copy.***



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:







Davis Bunn is an award winning author who serves as writer in residence at Regent's Par College, Oxford University. His novels have sold more than six million copies in sixteen languages.



Photograph by I.D. Bunn



Visit the author's website.



Product Details:



List Price: $14.99

Paperback: 336 pages

Publisher: Touchstone; 1st edition (September 7, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1416556338

ISBN-13: 978-1416556336



AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:





FROM THE CREST OF THE Herodium dig, Harry Bennett could look out and see three wars.



The isolated, cone-shaped hill rose two thousand feet over the Judean Desert. Herodium, the palace-fortress built by Herod the Great, had been erected on the site of his victory against the Parthians in 40 BCE. Herod had then served as king of Judea under his Roman masters, but he had been utterly despised by the Judeans. When Herod's sons were finally vanquished, Herodium had been evacuated. Over the centuries, the city became a legend, its location a myth.



Modern excavations had begun in the sixties, only to be interrupted by wars and intifadas and disputes over jurisdiction. Harry Bennett was part of a group excavating the original palace fortress. The current project was supervised by a woman professor from the Sorbonne. She had fought for six years to gain the license, and nothing so minor as somebody else's war was going to stop her work.



The volunteers came from a dozen nations, to dig and learn and bury themselves in history. Most were in their twenties and tried to keep up a brave face despite the rumbles of conflict and the brutal heat. The day Harry arrived at Herodium, three Scandinavian backpackers had perished hiking above the Ein Gedi National Forest. With water in their packs. Just felled by the ferocious heat.



And here Harry was, huddled under the relentless glare of that same deadly sun, using his trowel and his brush to scrape two thousand years of crud off a stone.



Officially Harry and the other volunteers were restricted to the dig and their hilltop camp. With Hamas missiles streaking the nighttime sky, none of the other unpaid staff were much interested in testing their boundaries. But twice each week the Sorbonne professor traveled to Jerusalem and delivered her finds to the ministry. When she departed that particular afternoon, Harry signaled to the Palestinian operating the forklift. Ten minutes later, they set off in Hassan's decrepit pickup.



The angry wind blasting through his open window tasted of sand as dry as volcanic ash. Hassan followed the pitted track down an incline so steep Harry gripped the roof and propped one boot on the dashboard. He tried to ignore the swooping drop to his right by studying the horizon, which only heightened his sense of descending into danger. North and east rose the Golan hills and sixty years of struggle with Syria. Straight north was the Lebanese border, home to the Hezbollah hordes. To the southwest lay Gaza, provider of their nightly firework displays.



All West Bank digs were required to employ a certain number of locals. Hassan was one of the few who arrived on time, did an honest day's work, and showed a keen interest in every new discovery. On Harry's first day at the site, he had put the man down for a grave robber and a smuggler.



The West Bank was the richest area for artifacts in all Judea. There were thousands of sites, many dating from the Iron Age, others from the Roman era, and more still from Byzantium. Many sites remained undiscovered by archeologists but were well known to generations of Palestinians, who fiercely guarded their troves and passed the locations down from generation to generation.



Hassan's former job wouldn't have sat well with the Israeli authorities. But people like Hassan took the long view. Eventually things would settle down, and when they did, Hassan would return to his real trade. In the meantime, Hassan hid his profession from the Israeli authorities, lay low, and remained open to a little persuasion. In Harry's case, that amounted to a thousand dollars.



They arrived in Hebron three hours later. The city crawled up the slopes of two hills and sprawled across a dull desert bowl. Entering Hebron around sunset, in the company of a Palestinian smuggler, was an act of total lunacy.



Harry Bennett wouldn't have had it any other way.



Clustered on hilltops to the north of the old city rose the UN buildings, the university, and a huddle of government high-rises built with international relief funding. Other hills were dominated by Jewish settlements. These were rimmed by fences and wire and watchtowers that gleamed in the descending light. The rest of Hebron was just your basic war zone.



Sunset painted Hebron the color of old rust. The city held the tightly sullen feel of a pot that had boiled for centuries. Even the newer structures looked run-down. Most walls were pockmarked with bullet holes and decorated with generations of graffiti. Harry saw kids everywhere. They bore such tight expressions they resembled old people in miniature. Looking into their eyes made Harry's chest hurt.



The streets were calm, the traffic light. Which was good, because it allowed them to make it to the city center early. It was also bad, because the Israel Defense Forces soldiers had nothing better to do than watch Hassan's truck. Two IDF soldiers manning a reinforced guard station tracked the pickup with a fifty-caliber machine gun.



Hassan said, "This idea is not so good, maybe."



Harry nodded slowly. He smelled it too, the biting funk of cordite not yet lit. But he would trust his driver. "You say go, we go."



Hassan's gaze flitted over to Harry. "You pay?"



"The deal's the same. You get the other five hundred when we're done."



Hassan wiped his face with a corner of his checkered head-kerchief. "We stay."



Harry halfway wished the man's nerve would fail and he would turn his rattling truck around. "Better to come in twice than not go home at all."



"You know danger?"



"Some."



"I think maybe more than some. I think you see much action."



"That was then and this is now," Harry replied. "You're my man on the ground here. I'm relying on your eyes and ears. I can't tell what's real and what's just your normal garden-variety funk."



Hassan skirted a pothole large enough to swallow the neighboring Israeli tank. "Say again, please."



"Let's assume for a second that you and I can do business together."



Hassan pointed at Harry's shirt pocket holding the five bills—the rest of his fee. "This is not business?"



"I'd call it a first step. Say your man shows up like you promised. Say he's got the goods and the buy goes well. What happens next?"



"If the first buy goes well, you trust me for more."



"Right. But I need someone who can sniff out traps and see through walls. There's so much danger around here, my senses are on overload."



The man actually smiled. "Welcome to Hebron."



"I didn't go to all this trouble for just one item, no matter how fine this guy's treasure might be. I need you to tell me if we're safe or if we should pull out and return another time."



Hassan did not speak again until he parked the truck and led Harry into a cafÉ on Hebron's main square. "What you like?"



"You mean, other than getting out of here with my skin intact? A mint tea would go down well."



Hassan placed the order and settled into the rickety chair across from Harry. "There are many Americans like you?"



"I'm one of a kind."



"Yes. I think you speak truth." Hassan rose to his feet. "Drink your tea. I go ask what is happening."



All Harry could do was sit there and watch the only man he knew in Hebron just walk away. From his spot by the bullet-ridden wall, isolated among the patrons at other tables who carefully did not look his way, Harry felt as though he had a bull's-eye painted on his forehead. Even the kid who brought his tea and plate of unleavened bread looked scared. Harry stirred in a spoonful of gray, unrefined sugar and lifted the tulip-shaped glass by its rim. All he could taste was the flavor of death.



AFTER SUNSET, THE HEBRON AIR cooled at a grudging pace. Harry watched as the city square filled with people and traffic and shadows. The cafÉ became crowded with people who avoided looking Harry's way. Across the plaza, the Tomb of the Patriarchs shone pearl white. Beside the cave complex stood the Mosque of Abraham, a mammoth structure dating back seven hundred years.



The caves had been bought by the patriarch Abraham for four hundred coins, such an astronomical sum that the previous owner had offered to throw in the entire valley. But Abraham had insisted upon overpaying so that his rightful ownership would never be questioned. He had wanted the caves as his family's burial site because supposedly they were also where Adam and Eve had been laid to rest. Besides Abraham himself, the caves also held the remains of his wife, Sarah, along with Rebecca, Isaac, and Jacob.



The guy who made his way toward Harry's table resembled an Arab version of the Pillsbury Doughboy. The man waddled as he walked. His legs splayed slightly from the knees down. His round face was topped by flattened greasy curls that glistened in the rancid lights of the cafÉ. He walked up, slumped into the chair across the table from Harry, and demanded, "You have money?"



Harry kept his gaze on the square and the crawling traffic. "Where's Hassan?"



"Hassan is not my business. He is your business. You must answer my question. You have money?"



Harry was about to let the guy have it when he spotted Hassan returning across the plaza. When he reached the cafÉ's perimeter, Hassan seated himself at an empty table, facing outward toward the plaza, placing himself between Harry and any incoming threat. Harry relaxed slightly. It was always a pleasure doing business with a pro.



Harry said, "Let's take this from the top. I'm—"



"I know who you are. Harry Bennett seeks treasure all over the world. You see? We meet because I check you out."



"What's your name?"



"Wadi Haddad."



"Wadi, like the word for oasis?"



"Yes, is same." He wore a rumpled linen jacket, its armpits wet and darkened with sweat. He reached in a pocket and came up with a pack of filterless Gitanes. "You want?"



"Never learned to use them, thanks."



Wadi Haddad lit the cigarette with a gold lighter. The stench of black tobacco encircled the table. "I have much interesting items. Very nice."



"I didn't come to Hebron for nice, Mr. Haddad. I came for exceptional. You understand that word?"



"Exceptional is also very expensive."



"One of a kind," Harry went on. "Unique. Extremely old. And I have always been partial to gold."



Wadi Haddad revealed a lizard's tongue, far too narrow for his globular face. It flitted in and out several times, tasting the air. "How much money you have?"



"Not a cent with me."



"Then I also have nothing. Business is finished." But Wadi Haddad did not move.



"Here's how it's going to work," said Harry. "You show me the item. I photograph it."



"No. Photographs absolutely not to happen."



"I show the photographs to my clients. If they like, they transfer the money to an escrow account at the Bank of Jordan in Amman. You understand, escrow?"



"I know."



"Good. Then you bring the item to Jerusalem and we make the exchange."



"Not Jerusalem. Too much police everyplace."



"Okay, Mr. Haddad. Where would you prefer?"



"Petra."



"Too small. I like bright lights, big city."



"Then Amman."



Which had been Harry's choice all along. Even so, he pretended to give that some thought. "Okay, Amman. Hotel Inter-Continental. You got an account at the Bank of Jordan?"



"I make one happen."



"Then we're ready to roll. All we need is the merchandise."



"No photographs."



"Then no business. Sorry, Charlie."



"My name is Wadi."



"Whatever. I don't shoot, I don't buy."



"Photographs cost you a thousand dollars."



Suddenly Harry was very tired of this two-step. "Fine. But I take the thousand from the final purchase price. And don't even think of arguing."



Wadi Haddad did not rise so much as bounce from the seat. "Okay, we go. Not your man." He nodded toward Hassan. "Just you."



"Be right with you." Harry walked to Hassan's table and squatted down beside the man's chair. "You find anything?"



"Hebron is one tense city. People very worried."



"Yeah, I caught that too." Harry liked how the guy never stopped searching the shadows. "Where'd you see action, Hassan?"



"Nowhere. I see nothing, I do nothing. In the West Bank there is only IDF and terrorists."



"Wadi's taking me to check out the merchandise. He says I've got to do this alone. You think maybe you could watch my back?"



"Is good." Hassan held to a catlike stillness. "I see something, I whistle. I can whistle very loud."



Harry rose to his feet, patted the guy's shoulder, and said, "You just earned yourself another five bills."



WADI HADDAD MOVED SURPRISINGLY FAST on his splayed legs. He led Harry deep into the old city. The West Bank crisis was etched into every Hebron street, every bullet-ridden wall, every building topped by an IDF bunker. The streets were either dimly lit or not at all. But walking behind the wheezing Haddad, Harry had no trouble picking his way through the rubble. Behind him, the mosque and the cave complex shone like beacons. And up ahead loomed the wall.



The barrier separating the Jewish sector from Hebron's old city was thirty feet high and topped with razor wire. Searchlights from the guard towers and nearby IDF bunkers serrated the night. The wall gleamed like a massive concrete lantern.



Somewhere in the distance a truck backfired. Wadi Haddad froze. A searchlight illuminated the man's trembling jowls. Harry said, "You're not from here."



"My mother's family only. I live sometimes Damascus, sometimes Aqaba."



Aqaba was Jordan's portal to the Red Sea, a haven for tourists and smugglers' dhows. "Must be nice."



Wadi Haddad started off once more, Harry following close. But when Haddad entered a dark, narrow alley, Harry dug in his heels. "Hold up there."



"What's the matter, treasure man?"



The buildings to either side reached across to form a crumbling arch. The windows fronting the street were both barred and dark. The alley was black. Harry had spent a lifetime avoiding alleys like this. Then he saw a cigarette tip gleam. "That your buddy down there?"



"Is guard, yes. In Hebron, many guards."



"Ask him to step out where I can see him."



Wadi didn't like it, but he did as Harry said. The man emerged and flipped on a flashlight. In the dim rays reflected from the walls, Harry could see a face like a parrot, with too-narrow features sliding back from a truly enormous nose. The man's eyes were set very close together and gleamed with the erratic light of an easy killer.



"Ask him to light up that alley for us."



The man smirked at Harry's nerves but did not wait for Wadi's translation. The flashlight showed an empty lane that ended about eighty feet back with double metal doors. "What's behind the doors, Wadi?"



"Where we go. My mother's cousin's house."



Harry motioned to the man holding the light. "Lead on, friend."



The guard spoke for the first time. "You have guns?"



Harry lifted his shirt and turned around. "Make business, not war. That's my motto."



"He can search you?"



"Sure thing." Harry gestured at the doors. "Inside."



• • •



THE DOORS RATTLED IN ALARM as the guard pushed them open. Wadi called out and, on hearing no response, stepped into a neglected courtyard with Harry close behind. The dusty compound appeared empty. A pair of plastic chairs sprawled by a rusty outdoor table, their upended legs jutting like broken teeth. From inside the house a dog barked. In the distance Harry both heard and felt the grinding tremor of an IDF tank on road patrol.



Wadi led Harry to a flat-roofed side building of unfinished concrete blocks and opened a door with flaking paint. The interior was an astonishment. The front room was a well-appointed display chamber about twelve feet square. Two walls were stuccoed a light peach. A third wall was covered by a frieze of mythical birds carved from what Harry suspected was olive wood. The fourth wall held a narrow steel door with a central combination lock.



"Looks like I found the guy I've been looking for," Harry said.



Wadi held out his hand. "Thousand dollars."



Harry was about to insist he see the item first, then decided there was no reason to get off on the wrong sandal.



Wadi counted in the Arab fashion, folding the bills over and peeling the oily edges with his thumb and forefinger. He slipped the money into his pocket and motioned with his chin to the guard.



The steel door swung open on greased hinges. The guard stepped inside and emerged with a black velvet stand shaped like a woman's neck. What was draped on the stand took Harry's breath away.



The concept of women's ornamentation was as old as civilization itself. The earliest forms were fashioned as temple offerings and were considered to have magical properties. Many ancient cultures revered such jewelry for its talismanic power either to ward off evil or bring good health and prosperity.



In the very earliest days of Christianity, new believers drawn from Hellenistic temple cults often brought with them such ideas about the powers of jewelry. The necklace dated from the second century AD. The chain was a series of gold tubes, each stamped with a Christian design. It ended in an emerald the size of Harry's thumb. The gemstone had been sanded flat and carved with the Chi-Rho symbol.



Without asking, Wadi handed Harry a pair of white gloves and a jeweler's loupe. Closer inspection only confirmed Harry's first impression. This was a museum-quality piece.



The problem was, Harry could not identify it as a fake. Which was troubling, because Harry knew for a fact the item was not genuine.



Harry Bennett had nothing against a little smuggling. He would certainly not have helped anyone track down another treasure dog.



Counterfeiters, though, were a different breed of lice.



After nearly three years of roiling conflict, the Israeli Antiquities Authority had basically lost control of smuggling in the West Bank. In the past, the IAA had nabbed about ninety thieves each year for pilfering tombs, ruined cities, palaces, and forts. Since the latest political troubles began, however, arrests had slumped to almost nothing. The IAA knew without question that the worst culprits were getting away. The international arts market was being flooded with ancient Hebrew treasure. What was more, a growing number of these items were bogus. Extremely well crafted, their workmanship often able to fool museum directors and other supposed experts, but phony just the same.



The Israeli government had needed somebody with Harry Bennett's credentials, known throughout the world as a dedicated treasure dog. Somebody capable of infiltrating the system and identifying the source of the fake artifacts.



Only when Harry looked up did he realize he had been holding his breath. He handed the loupe and gloves back to Wadi and unsnapped the case of his pocket camera. "Okay if I shoot a few?"



Wadi smirked as he pulled the cigarettes from his pocket. The man knew a buyer's lust when he saw it. "Sure, sure, many as you like. You want tea?"



DICKERING OVER PRICE TOOK UNTIL well after midnight. Even so, when Harry stepped through the compound's steel door, the city remained noisily alive. Such was the manner of every Middle Eastern city Harry had ever visited, and it was one of the reasons why he relished the Arab world. These lands were full of pirates and their love of dark hours.



Wadi Haddad wore his sourest done-in-by-the-deal frown. "You give me no profit. My daughters starve."



Harry clamped down on his first thought, which was that this guy definitely hadn't missed a lot of meals. "Phone you in four days, right?"



"Four, maybe five. These days the border is very tight."



"Then maybe you ought to bring out the other items you're holding here for sale."



"You buy more?"



"If they're as fine as what you just showed me, sure, I think I can find buyers."



"Not same price," Wadi complained. "Too much hard bargain."



Harry was about to say what he thought of Wadi's poor-boy tactic when, from the distance, he heard a shrill whistle pierce the night.



The guard stood at the alley's mouth, searching in all directions. Wadi remained intent upon business, sucking on his cigarette and grumbling through the smoke as he walked past where Harry stood tense and rooted to the dusty earth. "Next time your price plus thirty percent. You pay or I go find—"



Harry leaned forward and gripped Wadi's shoulder and pulled him back. He slammed Wadi onto the alley wall, placing himself between the trader and the road. Wadi's breath whooshed out in a fetid cloud. His eyes registered surprise and rising protest. But Harry kept him pinned where he was.



Then the world of Hebron roared in rage and flames.



© 2010 T. Davis Bunn



For more information please visit www.SimonandSchuster.com





My Review:

Davis Bunn once again brings a page-turner in this latest story featuring antiques dealer Storm Syrrell, treasure hunter Harry Bennett, and Emma Webb, chief of her own investigative task force within the Department of Homeland Security. Like Gold of Kings, this book reads like an modern-day Indiana Jones, full of mystery, intrigue, suspense, and even romance. With exceptional writing, Davis Bunn paints vivid pictures of many different locales--Palm Springs, London, the Middle East, Europe and more. I can't wait to read more of the adventures of Storm, Harry, and Emma.

Facebook Launch Party For "A Path Less Traveled" - Nov. 4, 2010

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Yay! A party! This cyber-party will be hosted at Facebook, and I'm looking forward to it soooooo much! The grand prize is a Kindle!!!



Please share the event with others you know who might be interested, since the number of some prizes is determined by the number of participants. You can send it as an e-mail, a tweet, a Facebook status update, or if you have a blog, share it in a post and/or copy the HTML code for the button in the sidebar of WordVessel and share that on your blog.



DATE: November 4, 2010

TIME: 6:00-9:00 p.m. (Central time)

LOCATION: Cathy's Facebook Author Page Under the Notes Tab(I'll be adding updates to this Note on Facebook, so check back often for more details)

PRIZES: ~1 Grand Prize - a Kindle! ~Autographed copies of "A Path Less Traveled"  (Number of prizes depends on number of entries)~eBook copies of "A Path Less Traveled"  (Number depends on number of entries)~bundles of both books in the Miller's Creek novels ( Texas Roads & A Path Less Traveled )~eBook bundles of both books~Box of Books giveaway (for "Heart For Home" newsletter subscribers and WordVessel e-mail subscribers)

FUN: Online Scavenger Hunt, Miller's Creek Trivia Contest, Q&A Chat, The Story Behind the Story, and much more!

I can't wait for the fun to begin! Now on to this week's book giveaway winner!



The winner of The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund is . . . Dawn! (Dawn, I'll send you an e-mail later this weekend. Please reply with your mailing address, and I'll forward it on to Jody!)



Thanks to everyone who participated, and a big thanks to Jody for the giveaway! =)



Until Monday...

Pathological Characters

Believe it or not, in the madness of trying to launch Book 2 in the Miller's Creek novels, A Path Less Traveled , I'm already beginning the process of plotting Book 3, The Way of Grace . (I'm telling you, this writing business is addicting!) =)



Anyway, the villain in the story is a pathological character, so I've spent some time researching these kinds of people. Fascinating and scary at the same time!



Thought some of you other writers out there might be able to also use my research, so I'm including it in this post.



TYPES OF PATHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS

The first thing I learned that there are three versions of pathological characters: the narcissist, the sociopath, and the psychopath. They all have similarities, but here are the clinical descriptions in a nutshell.



Narcissism is classified as a personality disorder in which self becomes the center of their world. (I used to think that narcissists were just people in love with themselves. It actually goes much deeper than self-love, though that is part of the disorder.)



Sociopaths tend to fly under the radar and usually haven't become criminal. There are psychologists that believe that sociopathy is created from social environment, but there are also those who believe that sociopaths and psychopaths are virtually the same thing.



Psychopaths have taken their mental problems into the world of criminal activity. Some believe that this psychological problem is genetic. These people "railroad" everyone who gets in their way.



PATHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Rules don't apply to them, nor do they take responsibility for their behavior. They're masters of passing the blame. They will also deny wrongdoing, even if it means lying or telling partial truths.
Jekyll-and-Hyde-type behavior; unpredictable. This ping-pong behavior throws others off, making it impossible to figure them out. When recruiting, they can be the nicest people, but once they have you in their web, they flip and become dictatorial and tyrannical.
External appearances are often pulled-together and charming. They can be very persuasive. Often they are in positions of influence, which makes them difficult to remove from power or to place blame on them. Because they are often upstanding citizens, others tend to disbelieve any reports of abusive behavior. They are great actors.
Their whole agenda is based on compulsive power and control over others. All exhibit violence of some sort, though it's not always physical; most often the violence/abuse is psychological and emotional. Because of this, they are often referred to as "emotional vampires." Though not all pathological characters are murderers, they can all turn violent in one form or another.
Condescending, proud, haughty, arrogant, smug, patronizing, critical. (This characteristic is often the pathological's greatest weakness. Because they believe they're invincible and more intelligent than others, they can make mistakes that lead to their exposure.)
Demanding, dogmatic, rigid, and aggressive.
Cruel, punishing, and heartless. In order to exert power/control over their victims/enemies they can resort to public humiliation, ignoring and devaluing other people, berating others, and other such tactics to "put them in their place."
They have no conscience, nor do they have the ability to feel guilt or remorse.
Exploitive. They look for people's weaknesses, and use those weaknesses as a means of power/control.
Sense of entitlement, especially as it deals with adulation and special treatment from followers. They feed off the constant attention and admiration, and go ballistic without it.
Highly emotional, with lots of intensity. They can go from 0 to Rage very quickly.
Dismissive to those they perceive to be a threat, and/or those that aren't necessary for their personal agenda.
Because of their need for power/control, these people are often leaders in their mini-cults that they create around them. They demand complete obedience from their flock, their spouses, their children, and even friends. Everyone is expected to be subservient to their needs and cater to their wishes. They enforce their own rules, teachings, goals, etc., though they seldom practice what they preach.
Brain-washers and indoctrinators. In fact, the less accomplished they are in reality, the more stringent they are and the more pervasive the brain-washing.
Micro-managers. They have to make the decisions, because they believe they're the only ones capable of doing so. Those who fail to obey are punished and become instant enemies.
They don't respect the boundaries of privacy. They treat others as objects, rather than people.
They disapprove of independence of any kind. Isolation is the way they promote dependence among their mini-cult. That is why their spouses are often cut off from family and friends. Everything, including relationships, career choice, hobbies, etc., requires their permission and approval.
Widely unrealistic in expectations. In this way, if their rules aren't followed, they can justify their caustic conduct.
They reinterpret reality to fit their fantasy.
Their motto is "comply, agree, accept," and they actually seek out "victims" who fit this MO.
They force those in their power to be hostile to those who don't comply.
They're always on the lookout for people to add to their mini-cult. They are very intuitive, and almost have sixth sense when it comes to finding those who will submit to them.
They view relationships as a competition to be won. They don't see their significant other as a partner, but as an adversary.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THOSE TAKEN IN BY PATHOLOGICALS

Empathy
Compassion
Concern
Tolerant
Low self-esteem; feel unworthy and unloved
Selfless/sacrificial
Tuned in to the needs of others
Shyness
Perfectionists
Trusting of those in power
Fearful
(Pretty disgusting that pathologicals feed on these kinds of people, huh?)



RESULTS FOR THOSE CAUGHT IN A PATHOLOGICAL POWER STRUGGLE

Devastation (financial, emotional, mental, physical)
Trauma (some even suffer from PTSD)
Obsessive and intrusive thinking
Stressed to the point that they can't function
Hopelessness
Depression
Unable to feel (numb)
Fearful
Often others can't or don't understand the severity of what they've been through
EXTREME aftermath
HELP AND HOPE FOR HEALING

Pathology education (especially learning that "you didn't break them--you can't fix them").
Medical/Psychological help in dealing with PTSD and obsessive/intrusive thoughts
Learning not to "mirror" back to the pathological the behavior sought; learning not to capitulate to their wishes
No contact when possible.
Hope you find the post helpful. I know some of you may be able to share insights that I wasn't able to glean from my research. Feel free to post a comment!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Renee Allen McCoy (& Book Giveaway!)

Welcome to WordVessel, Renee. Tell us about your latest book.

My latest book, The Kiss of Judas (third edition), is about a young, successful CEO, Isaiah Johnson, and a savvy ad executive, Justine Dasant. The pair has been in a relationship for just over a year when Isaiah feels the pull to draw closer to God. Justine is used to living a worldly relationship with her boyfriend and doesn't understand why things must change now. She's adamant on keeping things the same, regardless of Isaiah's protests. As the story unfolds, Isaiah finds the strength to step out on faith, but at what cost will he say no to the world and yes to God?







What accomplishment are you most proud of, writing-related or not?





I am most proud of being accepted into the body of Christ. I believe that is the most important decision anyone will ever make… at least I know that to be true for myself. Becoming a child of God has allowed me to see Him for who He truly is—a loving God that gives so freely. He created us for His workmanship and all we have to do is let Him lead us. After all, He does know best.



Where do you get ideas for stories?

Proverbs 16:3 NKJV, "Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established." The stories I write deal with real-life issues and I build upon the concerns of the average person. Many struggle with shedding the "old man" in order to live a godly lifestyle so I try to deal with issues of infidelity, betrayal, and unforgiveness, to name a few, while weaving in mystery and intrigue to spark a lively entertaining piece of work.



Favorite scripture:

My favorite book in the Bible is Matthew 5 (so far), so if I had to choose a verse I would say Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God." This scripture tells me that those who will see God have a pure heart, those with a pure heart love God, and those who love God will obey His commands.



What are some ways that readers of your books can help you as an author?

Readers can share with others their experience in reading my work. Oftentimes, word of mouth will strike another person to read a story they otherwise may not have. I consider it an honor when my audience tells their friends, family, and coworkers about my books which are ultimately pointed back to God.



How can readers get in touch with you?

I would love for readers to contact me at renee@reneeallenmccoy.com and learn more about upcoming projects at www.reneeallenmccoy.com. Other websites include: http://renee-mccoy.blogspot.com and http://renee-straightup.blogspot.com, devotional and newsletter respectively.



Renee, thanks so much for taking the time to visit WordVessel today. We loved spending this time with you!



Readers, Renee is graciously offering one of you a copy of "Kiss of Judas." Just leave a comment (with a way for me to contact you if you're the winner) to be entered in the drawing. The winner will be announced on Friday, November 5, 2010.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Renee Allen McCoy

Welcome to WordVessel, Renee. Tell us about your latest book.

My latest book, The Kiss of Judas (third edition), is about a young, successful CEO, Isaiah Johnson, and a savvy ad executive, Justine Dasant. The pair has been in a relationship for just over a year when Isaiah feels the pull to draw closer to God. Justine is used to living a worldly relationship with her boyfriend and doesn't understand why things must change now. She's adamant on keeping things the same, regardless of Isaiah's protests. As the story unfolds, Isaiah finds the strength to step out on faith, but at what cost will he say no to the world and yes to God?





What accomplishment are you most proud of, writing-related or not?





I am most proud of being accepted into the body of Christ. I believe that is the most important decision anyone will ever make… at least I know that to be true for myself. Becoming a child of God has allowed me to see Him for who He truly is—a loving God that gives so freely. He created us for His workmanship and all we have to do is let Him lead us. After all, He does know best.



Where do you get ideas for stories?

Proverbs 16:3 NKJV, "Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established." The stories I write deal with real-life issues and I build upon the concerns of the average person. Many struggle with shedding the "old man" in order to live a godly lifestyle so I try to deal with issues of infidelity, betrayal, and unforgiveness, to name a few, while weaving in mystery and intrigue to spark a lively entertaining piece of work.



Favorite scripture:

My favorite book in the Bible is Matthew 5 (so far), so if I had to choose a verse I would say Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God." This scripture tells me that those who will see God have a pure heart, those with a pure heart love God, and those who love God will obey His commands.



What are some ways that readers of your books can help you as an author?

Readers can share with others their experience in reading my work. Oftentimes, word of mouth will strike another person to read a story they otherwise may not have. I consider it an honor when my audience tells their friends, family, and coworkers about my books which are ultimately pointed back to God.



How can readers get in touch with you?

I would love for readers to contact me at renee@reneeallenmccoy.com and learn more about upcoming projects at www.reneeallenmccoy.com. Other websites include: http://renee-mccoy.blogspot.com and http://renee-straightup.blogspot.com, devotional and newsletter respectively.



Renee, thanks so much for taking the time to visit WordVessel today. We loved spending this time with you!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Elisa Maria Crites

I'm delighted to welcome author Elisa Maria Crites to WordVessel today. Here's her bio:

Elisa Maria Crites lives in interior Alaska. The mother of three and grandmother of nine is a member of ACFW. Secrets Under the Midnight Sun is her first novel and comes out in November 2010. A few of the things she enjoys are meeting people, time with friends, biking, cooking and reading. To contact her, you may write to elisa@elsisamariacrites.com Her website is under construction, but please stop by and say hello. www.elisamariacrites.com



Cathy, thank you so much for the opportunity to be with you today. It's my joy to be able to share with you.



You're welcome! It's definitely my pleasure. Tell us, how did you come to be a writer?

I began telling stories that entertained and amused my family long before I could write. Through my school years writing was a favorite topic. In fact a grade school teacher sent one of my stories to the local newspaper where it was published. In the mid 80's I took a creative writing class at the university and my professor asked me when I planned to write for a living. Three years ago I was going through a difficult time and met with a woman from church to pray. Writing came up and she posed the question, "So, God has been telling you to write for twenty five years and you haven't because..?" My response was that I wish God weren't so subtle sometimes, but that he'd just knock us in the head when he wanted us to do something.



I've often felt the same way! What do you have within reach as you write?

You mean aside from Randy, my twenty-pound Maine coon that thinks I need his constant supervision? I have shelves of books next to my computer table and piles of sticky notes. My laptop is covered with yellow squares, as is most of the surface of my work area. Pictures of and drawings by my grand-kids mingle on the erasable board along with lists. I confess, I'm a list maker.



What are you currently reading?

In the last couple of weeks I have read The Healer's Apprentice, by Melanie Dickerson, The Brides of Alba Healer, by Linda Windsor, Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers, and am currently reading The God Hater, by Bill Myers. And I might add that I recommend all of these books.



What one thing about writing do you wish non-writers would understand?

We have to experience things so we can write. A number of years ago we built a house and lived without electricity for a year. We didn't have running water in the house for four years and used paraffin lamps and candles for light. I loved the lifestyle and treasure that experience. On the other hand my husband did not and does not.



Sometimes writers laugh when you aren't saying anything funny. We aren't laughing at you. Please understand that our characters are always hanging around and sometimes they just do and say funny things even when you're talking. Don't blame us. We didn't raise them.



And for crying out loud, don't look in the pantry when the door is closed. I'm doing research. I know it looks like I'm just filling my mouth with Cheerios and talking as they fall out, but I'm trying to discern how a word sounds while that is happening.



Favorite scripture?

This varies because life does. Right now the sticky note on my laptop is Psalm 90:17.

And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,

And establish the work of our hands for us;

Yes, establish the work of our hands.



Why did you choose to write this book?

Would you believe I didn't choose to? Well, not initially. I woke one morning three years ago thinking about another book I was in the process of outlining. A visitor who called herself Freddy, showed up in my room and the funniest thing happened. When I tried to shut out her voice, her story appeared on the bedroom ceiling. Talk about writing on the wall…er… uh, ceiling. I got up and went about my business for the day. That afternoon I began feeling convicted for running from this girl. I apologized to God for not immediately getting up and taking notes. I told him that if the story was truly from him, he hadn't forgotten it and it had already been deposited in me and would he help me recall. As the story came back, I dutifully took notes. In the following weeks I sometimes had to pull my car over to write down what Freddy was sharing with me. The more she took up time in my life, the more she endeared herself to me. And I realized she was a survivor. This twelve-year-old kid was facing some terrible circumstances, but she didn't feel sorry for herself. She was searching and deserved to be heard.



What would you like readers to take away from your book?

In a word? Hope. We live in a world that desperately needs hope. Churches are full of broken people, just like hospitals are full of sick people. All of us, kids and adults alike, know someone, (or maybe are someone,) who longs to be loved or has been hurt by someone important to us. I wrote Secrets Under the Midnight Sun geared towards young teens, but many women that have read it see a little bit of themselves in Freddy.



Thanks so much for being with us today, Elisa Maria! We enjoyed getting to know you better!

Need Direction?

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." ~Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)



I don't know about you, but I constantly crave direction. My hubby has referred to me as "can't-make-a-decision-Cathy." And I know what the problem is.



Fear.



I'm so afraid of making the wrong decision that I end up in the sad condition known as the paralysis of analysis. 



Praise the Lord that there is hope for me (& people like me)!



TRUST IN THE LORD

The best cure for fear is trust in God. However, an untested faith isn't faith at all. I can trust a chair to hold me up, but until I actually put my weight on the chair, my faith isn't proven. In our daily lives, we must live in such a way that proves our trust in God. Lean on Him.



WITH ALL YOUR HEART

In an age when so many people and things vie for our affection, it can be challenging to have an undivided heart when it comes to God. But it's more than a suggestion. It's a command. When a Pharisee asked Jesus which commandment was the greatest, Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (Matthew 22:37, NIV)



LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING

This is where I falter the most, and I don't think I'm alone. Our society is big on going with your gut instinct. The only problem with that philosophy is that our guts can be dead wrong. We can't follow our based-on-human-understanding plans and expect God to bless them. In every decision we face, no matter how big or small, we need to seek God. We can't see the big picture. He can.



IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM

Admit that He is, always has been, and always will be. Recognize His sovereignty and authority. Express your gratitude for all that He is. Know Him and make Him known.



HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT

This path-straightening is the benefit of an undivided trust in God, seeking after Him, and acknowledging His Presence in our lives. His plan will prevail. He alone can clear obstacles from our paths and allow us to move forward. He alone--if we follow the truths in these verses--can truly direct our paths.



Why fear? Instead trust Him, seek Him, acknowledge Him. He'll make our paths straight.



Dear Father,



Thank You for being trustworthy. Help us to lean on You, confident that You will hold us up. Give us undivided hearts, Lord, to love You with all that we are. May we seek after You and Your desires in every decision we face. May You be glorified through our acknowledgment and confession that You are our God. Thank You for the abundant blessings that are ours because we belong to You.



In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Updates & Weekly Winners

Happy Friday, everyone! =)



Just a few updates before we get to our weekly giveaway winners.



First of all, A Path Less Traveled is at the printers! Yay!!!! (Can you tell I'm excited?) I'm waiting on my proof copies. Once those arrive, if everything looks okay, we'll be in print and available for public consumption.



The book is also out in various eBook formats (Kindle, iPad, Nook, Sony Reader, and others). Here's the link: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/27280



To celebrate the launch, I'm offering the eBook versions at $1 off--$2.99 instead of $3.99. To get this discount, click on the link above, choose the eBook version you prefer, then at the checkout, type in this code: CH92Z. (Feel free to forward this code to your friends and family if you think they might be interested.)





Texas Roads is finally up at Amazon (http://amzn.to/coXfzY), and A Path Less Traveled should be up soon. I also finished the book trailer for A Path Less Traveled. Enjoy!







Just a reminder: I'm offering a discounted price on pre-orders of A Path Less Traveled. The regular price is $12.99, but for pre-orders postmarked by November 1, the price is $10 plus tax and shipping (total $14), and I'll even autograph it if you'd like. =)



On a more serious note, please pray for my oldest son, Josh. He's on a mission trip to the Middle East this week. Pray for safety, rest, and souls for the Kingdom. Please also remember his wife, Megan, and son, Harrisen. Thanks!



On to our winners!



The winner of Red Ink by Kathi Macias is . . . Barb!

The winner of Lady in Waiting by Susan Meissner is . . . Robin!



Congrats, ladies! I'll send you an e-mail later this weekend. Please reply with your mailing addresses, and we'll get your books on the way!



A BIG thanks to everyone who entered and to our awesome authors!!!



Until Monday...

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Jody Hedlund (& Book Giveaway of "The Preacher's Bride")

I'm delighted to welcome Jody Hedlund to WordVessel today! Here's her bio:

Jody Hedlund is a debut historical romance novelist who was a double finalist in the 2009 ACFW Genesis Contest in Historical Romance. She received a bachelor's degree from Taylor University and a master's from the University of Wisconsin, both in Social Work. Currently she makes her home in Midland, Michigan, with her husband and five busy children.



She's represented by agent Rachelle Gardner and her debut book, The Preacher's Bride, is currently available for order on Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, and other internet sites. It's also for sale in most bookstores.



What kind of planning do you do before writing a novel?



Since I write historical romances, the planning phase of my novel is almost as important as the actual writing. I  spend a concerted 6 to 8 weeks researching the time period of my book, reading biographies of people who lived during that time, and gathering as many interesting facts as I can.



I compile a special research binder for each new book and divide it into several categories: characters, settings, period details, and misc. Then anytime I run across information (especially on the internet, I print it out and store it in my binder). (Incidentally, keeping track of this information has come in handy during in-house copy-editing.) I also use a blank spiral notebook to take notes from all the books I read.



Once I have a good grasp on the overall historical details I need for my book, I get to know my characters by filling out an extensive worksheet (see my blog for my free Character Worksheet). I also spend quite a bit of time organizing my plot ideas (see my blog for 4 Ways to Organize Plot Ideas into a Novel).



How long does it normally take you to write a book?



I'm not a super-speedy writer. My next book (releasing in 2011) took me exactly five months to write. I started chapter one New Year's Day and typed The End over Memorial Weekend in May. My first draft was very close to 100,000 words (which is the length of The Preacher's Bride).



Do you edit as you go or wait until completing the first draft? How many drafts do you normally do for each novel? Do you have a certain editing procedure that you follow?



After I finish the weeks of researching and then the months of writing, I delve into my editing. For self-editing, I follow three simple steps. First I look for substantive edits—the big picture things. Second I do a copy-edit—check for smaller things like sentence flow, sensory details, scene transitions, etc. And then finally, I do a line-edit where I check for repetitive words, historical accuracy of words, etc.



Once I'm done with my self-editing, I pass my manuscript along to a couple of fellow writer friends for their critiques. After I get their feedback, I make even more changes. Then finally, I turn it in to my in-house editors at Bethany House. And of course, after they finish reading it, I have even more edits!



How many books do you write per year?



Currently, at this stage in my life, as a busy mom of five kids, I've committed to writing one book a year. If I finish a book sooner than I'd planned, then that's just a bonus.



Where do you write?



My lovely office is smack-dab in the middle of my house, at my kitchen table. From there I can see everything and everyone. With five beautiful children ranging in ages from 5 to 13, the word "quiet" doesn't exist in my house. Amidst the chaos, I somehow manage to eke out my daily word count.



What is a typical writing day like for you?



I usually find my writing time in the wee hours of the morning and then for a couple of hours in the afternoon when I'm done schooling my children. If I'm not able to meet my daily word count goals during those times, then I head back to my laptop after the kids are in bed and finish it up before I let myself hit the sack.



What do you have within reach as you write?



In the mornings, I MUST have a cup of coffee within hand! In the afternoons, I usually have chocolate of one kind or another at my fingertips. (Because we all know, real writers eat chocolate, right?)



Can you give us one do and one don't for those aspiring to be a writer?



DO believe in yourself and your writing. Dream big, work fiercely.



DON'T wait for inspiration to strike. Some days the words gush and other days they trickle. Either way a writer must keep the words always moving.



How can readers get in contact with you?



I'd love to hear from you! Find me in one of these places:



Website:  JodyHedlund.com

Blog: jodyhedlund.blogspot.com

Email: jodyhedlund@jodyhedlund.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJodyHedlund 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/JodyHedlund



Question For Readers:



What's your favorite snack food? If you'd like to sign up to win a free copy of The Preacher's Bride, please tell us your favorite snack food! And don't forget to leave your email address.



Thanks for being with us today, Jody! We enjoyed getting to know you! (The book giveaway will continue until Thursday, October 28th. I'll announce the winner in the post for Friday, October 29th.)

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: "Red Ink" by Kathi Macias (& Book Giveaway!)

About the Book:



Red Ink from New Hope Publishers is the third book in the Extreme Devotion international fiction series, following the popular No Greater Love ( South Africa ) and More than Conquerors ( Mexico ). In Red Ink ( China ), wife and mother Yang Zhen-Li is given the harshest possible prison sentence of ten years of hard labor for the simple act of evangelizing children. But though they take her freedom, her family, and even her unborn child, they cannot take her faith…

A young Chinese woman, Zhen-Li—raised to observe the party line, including its one-child-per-family doctrine—falls in love with and marries a Christian, and adopts his faith. Though the couple downplays their Christianity in an effort to survive, Zhen-Li's family is appalled, and she and her husband are ostracized. When she becomes pregnant for the second time and refuses to have an abortion, the persecution begins in earnest. Zhen-Li's parents, under pressure from the government, pay to have Zhen-Li kidnapped and the baby aborted.



It is then Zhen-Li decides she must live up to her name—"Truth"—and take a firm stand for her faith, regardless of the consequences, and so she begins to regularly teach children about Zhu Yesu ("Lord Jesus") and to distribute Christian literature every chance she gets.



Based loosely on the life of Christian magazine editor Li Ying, currently serving a ten-year prison sentence in China, the story of Yang Zhen-Li tells the desperate tale of her incarceration and separation from her family, as she continues to minister to other prisoners, and even to her guards.

About the Author:

Kathi "Easy Writer" Macias (www.kathimacias.com; http://kathieasywritermacias.blogspot.com) is an "occasional radio show host" (www.blogtalkradio.com/communicatethevision) and an award-winning author of more than 30 books. She and her husband, Al, live in Homeland, CA, where they spend their spare time riding Al's Harley--hence, Kathi's "road name" of Easy Writer. 





Readers, Kathi is generously offering a copy of "Red Ink" to one of you. Please leave a comment (with a way for me to reach you if you're the winner) to be entered in the drawing. I'll announce the winner in Friday's post.