EMBERS OF COURAGE - Diane and David Munson - One Free Book

Welcome back, Diane and David. Why did you become an author?(Diane) Writing has been in my bones since I was a young girl. In the second grade, a friend and I wrote and staged a play for the neighborhood kids. We made a theater out of cardboard and puppets with string for hair. As a lawyer, representing clients involves telling their story to a judge, the jury, or the opposing side. I enjoy bringing voice to everyday heroes and making their dreams and struggles come alive on paper. In crafting Christian suspense with my husband David, we want to highlight God’s love through Jesus.
(David) Diane asked me to type her first historical fiction, which she’d written by hand onto legal paper. Helping her realize her dream led to publishers wanting Christian suspense written by both of us. It’s been a fun ride taking cases from my career as a federal agent and spinning stories with Diane.
If you weren’t an author, what would be your dream job? (David) I had my dream job before I was an author. Most people want a job that provides satisfaction and that has the respect of others. For twenty-seven years, I was a criminal investigator for the Federal Government. As a Special Agent for NCIS and later DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), I faced the challenge of outwitting criminals who would take advantage of society. As an undercover agent, I sometimes infiltrated their criminal organizations, recorded their criminal boastings on tiny recorders taped to my body, and traveled with them to foreign countries. There was great satisfaction when these persons were sentenced to prison as the result of my testimony. Not only was it a great career, it also provides endless fodder for our suspense novels.
(Diane) As with David, I had my dream job before I became an author. After practicing as a lawyer, I was appointed by President Reagan to his Justice Department. That assignment gave me the opportunity to interact with the White House and Congress as we worked on policy issues affecting the nation. Then I served as a Federal prosecutor in Washington, DC, bringing to justice those who committed crimes. What more could a girl want? I met such an assortment of people whose identity can be disguised when they’re written into our novels.
If you could have lived at another time in history, what would it be and why?(Diane) Without a doubt, it would be when Jesus lived. How precious to have known Him, to sit under His teaching and know Him face-to-face. Because of His sacrifice, one day I will bow before His throne!
(David) While the question suggests past history, I am a creature of modern comforts so it’s hard to imagine living in the past. I would like to be alive when the rapture occurs and in the twinkling of an eye, Christ returns for those who’ve put their faith in Him.
What place in the United Stateshave you not visited that you would like to?(David) The coastal region of Maine.
(Diane) It would be wonderful to tour Alaskaand visit God’s creation near Denali. David and I love to go walking and bird watching.
How about a foreign country you hope to visit? A mission trip to the Amazon River basin, would be great.
What lesson has the Lord taught you recently?We live in an age of uncertainty more than ever before. Trusting in God is all the more essential. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to trust the Lord with ALL our heart. The emphasis is ours. God has shone us what it means to trust Him completely and not to hold back a portion of our hearts, even a tiny bit. Fear, worry, doubt, can creep in, but He is faithful in every circumstance and is trustworthy.
Tell us about the featured book. Embers of Courage is the culmination of a fifteen-year effort. Years ago, Diane began writing a novel set in the fifteenth century, including Johann Gutenberg’s printing press and what it was like for her early ancestors in the Netherlands to possess one of the first Bibles. After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, a publisher asked us to write a suspense thriller. Demand for historical fiction was waning at that time. Eight thrillers later, in Embers of Courage we return to Christians being targeted now and in years past.
Federal Agent Eva Montanna is plunged into a daring rescue operation when Egyptian terrorists capture her taskforce partner, NCIS agent Raj Pentu. Eva puts her life in danger to defeat tyrants oppressing Coptic Christians. Meanwhile, her teen-age daughter Kaley faces discrimination in school for her Christian beliefs. Eva’s ancient family Bible, mysterious ashes, and fifteenth century persecution collide, revealing her courage in trying circumstances. The cover design shows that weapons of humans will turn to ash in the power of Jesus’ return and symbolizes how the embers of courage from past martyrs brings strength to us today. Our ninth thriller is the third in which we highlight history (See also: The Camelot Conspiracyand Stolen Legacy).
Please give us the first page of the book.April in Fairfax County, VirginiaFederal Agent Eva Montanna hadn’t been home from church more than five minutes before her husband Scott and their three kids became glued to the TV. A roar coming from an auto race was so thunderous, it shook the plates she’d set on the dining room table. How could she ever tune out such earsplitting noise?
Her job as a special agent with the Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) was hectic, and often carried over into the weekend. But this Sunday she had off. An idea spun in Eva’s mind as she hustled to the raucous family room.
“Let’s all head to the exhibit for veterans at Patriot Park,” she announced.
It was as if her clan hadn’t heard a word. They were hooting too loudly. Her son Andy tore open a bag of chips and plopped next to Scott, who reached in the bag.
“Thanks, buddy.”
As Scott shoved a fistful of chips in his mouth, Eva left the room to Scott’s cries, “His tire’s goin’ down!”
Eva opened the fridge, noticing a leftover chicken casserole among the purple containers. Her family didn’t act as if they wanted to sit around the table, so she took down five bamboo trays. She would go support the local veterans by herself after lunch. Because of their sacrifice, she and her family could live and worship freely.
Another idea gripped her. She and the kids could help the church youth group place American flags on graves of fallen soldiers. She turned back toward the race zone.
“He hit the wall!” Andy blurted.
At fifteen, he loved all kinds of action. Dutch, their youngest, sat on Scott’s other side, and Kaley, her seventeen-year-old daughter, looked precious wearing a cap from her favorite driver. Eva left them to enjoy their fun time, and sped to the small antique desk in the far corner of the living room. She wrote a quick note to the pastor. On the way back to the kitchen, something sparkling on the mantelpiece caught her eye.
The sun shone through the picture window, its rays brightening an ornate metal container. Eva did a double take. Inside that round container rested a pouch of unexplained ashes. Up until now, she’d blocked those ashes from her memory. How come?
Last summer, she and Grandpa Marty found a deerskin pouch at his farm in Zeeland, Michigan. All he could remember was that his Dutch aunt had given it to him at WWII’s end. Eva had secured the pouch in the container several months ago. The ashes had apparently rested undisturbed for centuries. She now traced the filigree with her finger.
“Who are you?”
I’m sure my readers can hardly wait to find out who it is as well. How can readers find you on the Internet?Website: http://DianeAndDavidMunson.comNCIS Critiques and News Blog: http://DianeAndDavidMunson.com/blogOur Author Page on FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Diane-and-David-Munson/143446772367345

Thank you, Diane and David, for sharing this new book with us. Your stories are so authentic, they pull me right into the story.

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 - Amazon
Embers of Courage - Kindle

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