Guns Everywhere - Humble Ourselves, Heal the Land - The Final Climax to The Crooked Places Made Straight

 

I finished the last two chapters of this book yesterday. This was the second time for the chapter related to Guns... I found myself highlighting even more--indeed, I'd highlighted almost the entire chapter of words... Words about our children, Uvalde springs first to mind, although that is just one of the latest we all watched occur, isn't it? 

The thing is, as I finished reading, I immediately wondered... What could I say about the fact that Guns are Everywhere in America... in our schools, in our churches, in our grocery stores, theatres, musical events--everywhere... Many times when I come on YouTube, I see the picture of a young child with his father talking about how he came to die while he was in school...

My heart--our hearts immediately begin to swell in pain, in anguish, in the final moments though, we are always asking WHY? But it is a rhetorical question... A hopeless question because we all know the answer, don't we? Every attempt to do something is stopped through the use of big money in the business of selling guns. And guns proliferating faster than we the people! Yes, there are far more guns in the United States than there are people! Far more than in any other country in the world!

And we have mass shootings in our country every day...somewhere... Someone--more than one--dies every day here in the land of the free?????

Right about then I began to ponder whether it was worth sharing further... For, as most writers do, they build up to the important points as we move further into a book. And Reverend Warnock does indeed know the pain of somebody who has died from a gun... Just as many have...

And, of course, the question was discussed... What are we doing to our children??? What are we teaching those who must attend schools, fearing for their lives... Practicing for a potential attack...

And we know that, for our Black neighbors, death has been a part of their lives right from the beginning when they were brought to America to be slaves to white men. Some may have died on the ship and were tossed overboard with no thought of grieving... Black mothers know that they must quickly begin to explain about how they can "live" with the white people who will consider them "beneath" their attention... How? Why? One thing I have learned is that what the white man has created is a race of people who are now prepared to survive, even more, to fight back...

I have learned that this is a significant difference between the black and white people... In different ways, I admire them more than many of those of my own color.

But as I went on to read the next chapter regarding climate control, with a few specific cases, documenting how it is we the people who are destroying earth, once again I came to the same conclusion... These two issues have been around for decades. Guns used for hunting were then used for sports; e.g., sharpshooting... sharp shooting led to children being familiar--too familiar with guns--guns that could kill more than animals.

So, too, has man chosen to use more and more of the earth's resources so that ultimately they needed to look for other ways to obtain them... Oil being one of those resources which is now, right now, costing all the world because of lack of control and/or consideration for planning for the future, rather than just continuing to use, use, use... Wars being fought or resources stolen, such as from South America... by those who are rich but not rich enough to be happy and live well in world around us...

And you know what, folks, from a time when, as a poor single woman, I was working to make a living to help my own family, I began to learn of those in the United States and from other countries who had much worse living conditions than we had ever had... AND, during the last decade, I have taken time to listen to multiple news sources and have read books from people who had the qualifications to help me learn more about what and why things had reached the point where we could in 2016 vote in a television reality character who had a background of bankrupted corporations, and a history of getting federal funds, while not following laws related to renting to all people, et.al. I Now Know Stuff...

And one thing I know is that the republican political party is the reason in almost every situation when guns and climate are being discussed that they have refused to even negotiate--or they may play at it, even approve it, only later to also agree to overturn what improvements have been made... 

Then beginning in 2016, it was the now president who began to either pull out of what was already established as a working group planning for the future, or removing the regulations and laws that had been put in place by earlier presidents to respond to these two important needs.

Let's face it, these two issues result in the most deadly situations that can occur. Yet congressional republicans continue to not only not support, but in some cases refuse to even negotiate on these subjects!

You know folks when I listened to the above video, I hesitated to include it, even if what was said was true.  You see, it was using satire to spotlight exactly what and how the republican party is treating the majority of United States citizens. It has exploded during this last term of the Trump presidency... So, why and how do I, we, think that anything can be done. Decades have gone by and little has been done to regulate and control guns... Decades have also gone by when not only is nothing being done on the climate crisis. In fact, many of the safety regulations have been removed by this administration... And they actually try to deny any problems with our environment. While we all watch and see more and more signs of natural and man-made created problems... Isn't it time that we begin, again, listening to our experts in science related to future plans for wind or other options...

Isn't it time that we ignore the claims of conservatives pushing pro-life, while at the same time, that same party is allowing children to be killed in devastating ways? What can we do but assume that their moral code is either ignored or not even known to exist? Just trying to understand how to proceed within this, right now, badly damaged country...

You know, folks, I woke up to a wonderful dream this morning. I was back to a time when I was young, my mother was still alive and we were living in a little town called New Geneva. There was a small store there and a woman ran that store. It was a day that Bertha, the owner and a member of our church, had fixed a meal to sell as a special. Time had no meaning, so I was also working and had come home wondering about what to fix for supper so I stopped in that little store... It smelled wonderful. The meal was Baked Ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans and creamed new onions... I have no idea how that last item got on the menu in "my" dream since I don't think I've ever tasted them... But I woke up happy. I woke up knowing that I had been given freedom to be very specific about what the republican party is attempting to do to the United States... And to all God's children... I knew that the stuff I had learned was to be openly shared and documented and sent out to whoever wanted to learn more... Speaking Truth is our Freedom!

Because, you see, I had also had a song identified... Almost Persuaded. Some of you may know that this is one of the songs that can be used at a closing of the sermon where the pastor performs what is called an altar call. It is a time when individuals who have not yet decided might have been persuaded by what was learned on that day, and would choose to formally received Jesus as our Savior...

I never really liked the song, but now I ran through the words, especially as it ended... where the one singing might be in some way affected, but is not really ready to give up what he or she thinks a Christian life might mean to them personally...The individual decides that "some more convenient day..." may be the one... But not that day...

And I wondered just how someone else had gone about deciding whether to follow a god... And then in amazement actually, I wondered whether each of us has created their own god... How else can religions have been formed in so many ways and by so many different people, Yet assume or believe that their god is the one god... 

But mostly I wonder just how religion and politics can ever be interactive without Love...without truth?

Or, at least, a basic moral code that would be acceptable to all people...

There wasn't a thing about this book that I didn't agree with. That was a confirmation needed at this particular time when the days have one thing said only to hear that it has been changed by the next day or even the next news program. Life in such chaos is not only confusing, but is not sustainable, given that there is no way any of us can really be secure in hearing, or, stating what they consider facts...

On the other hand, Reverend Warnock has opened my eyes to the value of the Book of Isaiah, and perhaps more, in helping to deal with today's world... For we know that the Bible has been interpreted to mean one thing while another might believe some other meaning... Or perhaps we just need more people like Raphael Warnock explaining how and when the old testament words reflect on today's world...

Because right now, many still believe that Trump was chosen by God... And, at least in one way, perhaps I agree... Because he certainly has opened the eyes of millions of people across the world and we can see why scripture says that the rich man will never find a home with God...

Key to this book, therefore, is finding the proof of Truth AND Love in Reflecting on the Moral Code of America... Confirming that something extreme has happened to create an atmosphere where words of our citizens have different meanings based upon a political party which is using criminal actions to try to stay in power and recreate a nation in the image of male white supremacists who are paying for their political officials to do what is best for the rich rather than for the majority of the United States citizens... Wow! That's a long sentence, but it seems to be accurate. LOL

Warnock ends with a CODA telling about a little country called Liberia--Land of the Free. It is a location where Reverend Warnock visited on a mission trip. It was formed at a time when some who lived in America were going back to Africa after slavery had been abolished, or at least, proclaimed by the government. This small place was working hard to create some part of the freedom known in America, even naming their capital city in honor of James Monroe, who supported repatriation. But this small location has had similar problems of civil unrest as has occurred in America... Yet they continue to believe... Warnock spoke at the local Baptist church about how the two areas have seen similar pains of separation of people. But our Senator confirmed there and now that he continues to support our country--even one which is now so divided. He urges us to recognize the dangers of our divisions. Of allowing demagogues* with no vision to deepen the differences and tear down what has been built with blood and sacrifice.

Urging for a future of hope for everyone, as Isaiah shared so clearly:

As the book closes, the Reverend shares that if the earth cannot sustain us, still those who are the least of these shall be with him... but to ensure that freedom shall survive, we must all work to raise the valleys, those of us who are in the lower "classes" of society, while the mountains--those at the top of society, the rich, shall fall lower... I've tried to share my understanding of this scripture... so I hope I've at least given you sufficient info to conduct your own research... For our Lord is stating that we must work to support the lowest in our land through voter selection and working against those who've corrupted out nation's government... 

I believe this book should be on your bookshelf and read before November...

God Bless

Gabby

*a political leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument.

"a gifted demagogue with particular skill in manipulating the press"

Chapter 1 - A Spark of the Divine - The Crooked Places Made Straight

 

When we consider having a Spark of the Divine within each human, it boggles the imagination, doesn't it? And yet, I believe this is true. This morning when I began to wonder how to open this post, I was, of course, thinking of a song. One came to mind and almost immediately it was replaced with the one that you've now listened to. A God Incident? Yes, I think so, because this song is so old that it comes way back from my childhood days of singing in church and I don't think I've used it before... and yet once it came into my mind, I was able to sing the words of the first stanza as I got up and began my morning tasks... Over and over...

Breathe on me Breath of God... Fill me with life anew... Crossing my mind was the issue of my having a heart procedure next week, but I'd already decided that God will decide when my life here on earth will end, and I'm alright with that plan of action... Still, having God Breathe on me surely is a blessing that we would all cherish, right? Or would we? If we say yes, then we surely must go on to the next phrase... That I may live as Thou Wouldst Live... And Do What Thou Wouldst Do...

One God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all...

 That's from the pledge of allegiance that, hopefully, is still used in our schools across the land... At least I hope it is? Because it includes very important words and phrases which don't seem to be acceptable in our divided country at this time... But how did it become so divided?

Certainly I still believe in one country, under God... And, to me, that means one country with all of its citizens. Yes, All... My life has been a fairly simple one... Living in a small community in a small rural area. Attending school with those who lived in the surrounding areas... Then graduating and looking to the nearest employment available, which happened to be West Virginia University within driving distance of my home... Although I never moved from this area, on that land-grant campus I met people from all over the world. I met them as they were hired and began working, or I met them as students as they came and went to classes or events with which I was involved... Not once did I think those individuals didn't belong here in the United States...

I had memorized the first words of a symbol of liberty that another country, France, had recognized about the United States. "Give me your tired, your poor, your hungry masses yearning to be free..." And I knew that I was a member of that mass of people who had either been born here or had come from somewhere else to find the freedom that everybody yearns for...

Bible Hub

When I started reading this chapter again, I discovered that I'd already referred to some issues yesterday. I'm not quite sure, but it seemed to me that I was to spend more time on the Spark of the Divine than on the politics of all that's happening... Some of you may remember as I do what occurred in Georgia when the Black Pastor Raphael Warnock decided to and was running for the Senate. Thankfully for our country, he won... For the majority of we who live in the United States, never could have anticipated exactly what began as this term of office for the president started. Many are still disbelieving that this could have happened in America. Yet it has... 

And, sadly, religion has become a major factor in the center of it all...

Raphael Warnock, himself, could not have planned on facing the attack on the Black History--and, indeed, the attack on anything that was to be selected by one party with the aim for elimination--for destruction... Having the first major attack be on USAID as a main source of support from America to the world was immediately catastrophic as children and people began to die from not having the stability of food and medicines that were in storage but were burned instead.

Where was the words from those in the government who spouted scripture but didn't remember those that Jesus had clearly stated

World Relief

The New Senator, one of the two new Georgia representatives was excited as he began his new activities, being invited to speak on news programs and even to talk with Whoopie and others on the View! But his new life was drastically changed when, on January 6th, he watched as the attack began on the Capitol and the people there to certify the election were held captive... Warnock refers to those there as the "other sides of our complicated American Family's story which was being presented to the world... He then notes that it was being "goaded" by the president, and that it resulted in the death of nine people... More importantly, he notes that, afterward, he would hear statements like, "That's not who we are as a country..." And, as both a pastor and a new senator who had been a witness, Warnock promptly proclaimed, "but I disagree. If we’re honest, January 6 is exactly who we are, and who we have always been. Here’s the thing. Like all families, our America is complicated. Our beloved country is both the hope of January 5 and the horror of January 6. Both the miracle of democracy and the oppression that runs counter to democracy are right there in our charter documents. Our Declaration of Independence, our Constitution, and our Bill of Rights are all evidence of the enormous possibilities we represent, as well as of our brutal human flaws and failures. Both days are at the very core of who we are, and who we might yet become.

For me, and perhaps many who read this, we have not experienced the reality of the United States in toto. Our relationship with others has been within a certain area of the country and our experience does not include the type of heartbreaking episodes for those who are the least bit different from who our neighbors think we are... It is only through my reading that I have learned of the reality of those who are...not... white... Many of you may have learned of discrimination on the job, as I have, or even in our religious environment... But nothing prepared us for what is now taking place... Warnock, as well as those of his race, had been prepared. I've talked with Jewish people and they have written or shared how they've had to be prepared... But, no matter how we've lived, I don't think any of us were prepared to see the United States return to the time of the feudal period when the rich did whatever they wanted...

Know your history? You may not want to listen to the entire video above, but the first few minutes will ensure you begin to feel that what it speaks of is, more or less, exactly what is going on right now as the U.S. government attempts to work within this exact framework of identification of classes of people by income! And, even worse, to continue to fire people or place non-white people in illegal prisons where owners care nothing about their care, including babies who are dying in these facilities...

Warnock points out that the line is clear--that we allow this country to be controlled by the rich who, like recently, create wars so that they can seek power and recognition while resulting in further loss of use of OUR taxes for what is really needed by our citizens... And he is willing to point out to us that, if we are honest and do our research, that our government is working against us, pulling control further and further into the hands of those who are not only incompetent, but who do not care, as long as their pockets are enriched further!

"The very idea of diversity, equity, and inclusion" is being cruelly advertised as radical, controversial, and in some cases illegal. We the people must wake up from the illogic pretense that on one day we were fine and the next a high number of our citizens are worthy of being fired, imprisoned, sent to other countries, or denied food, health care and more that were previously approved by Congressional action. Let's face it, when Congress is being bypassed, when actions are being approved by the Supreme Court by those who are working for one party, claiming to be conservative, while knowingly accepting financial payments which are against the law, we must stop and question what is going on!

Warnock as a pastor has shared that he feels we each have a spark of the divine which is being used through a democracy that gives us a right to vote and a voice to work toward our future. I say to you, that, in my opinion, that spark has been diverted, on purpose, and is being used to manipulate many of us as we hear lies and the use of religion to speak against people who were once just members of another political party, but who are now being used to spread unspeakable statements for the sake of hoping you believe their lies...

I just stopped for a little breakfast and listened to what was being done to a man running for election in Texas... His opponent hits darkly on this man's religion, using AI to run ads so ridiculous that it's not even worth talking about it... Yet, millions are being spent by groups who are funded by rich billionaires... So why have they chosen to call democrats demons? Why have they used religion to attack their opponents? And why has an entire new group, Christian Nationalism, use violence as a main way to ensure compliance and support for their beliefs. Surely this is not the God of Truth and Love who created such a "spark" within some U.S. political activists?

Senator Warnock points out that "The rank authoritarianism that created so much repression, destruction, and devastation in the twentieth century has come raging back like a mutant strain of a deadly virus in the twenty-first. The story of that fight is being written in real time, ironically as our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of this grand experiment. The outcome cannot be taken for granted."

And, we cannot overlook the fact that during those 250 years, much has been changed to the original document that some claim to be the only one to pay attention to... Americans had saw what was needed and worked to keep on moving forward. Warnock points out that those who pray will often also be those who use their feet to keep walking to add daily, if necessary, to what needs to occur... Right now, we have already lost much from actions implemented illegally through the executive branch as opposed to Congress. 

Civil Rights, Women's right to vote, and so much more have been added to the specifics of what rights we are to be afforded as members of a democracy. And, may, our feet keep moving forward on the day, July 5th, 2026, to ensure that we never allow a few people to manipulate the system to the degree that has been happening since the beginning of this presidential term.

Violence against those who walk to move forward in successfully winning our rights has often been quickly ignored. Or as mentioned yesterday, had been "disappeared" by illegal actions, such as was tried at the Smithsonian within the last two years...  You can be sure that this type of interference in attempting to hide truth is based upon a drive for power, rather than a walk to move freedom forward...

It was the legendary Ruth Bader Ginsberg who wrote a strong vote of dissent when actions by the Supreme Court began to move to restrain voting rights... And These Fights are Even Worse Right Now with Gerrymandering being permitted... And more, happening...

...opened the floodgates for a torrent of voter suppression measures. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote in a powerful dissent that “throwing out preclearance when it has worked and is continuing to work to stop discriminatory changes is like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet.”

The book covers a case in Quitman, Georgia, that gives us another example of just how ridiculous--but scary--life can be... The results of a group of Black women who saw that things weren't getting done at the local level, chose to act. The end result was not only preventing what they tried, but placing these women in jail! They were facing 120 felon counts, for simply having the audacity to question what the all-white group was doing to meet the needs of their children...

Readers, when you reach the point in a supposed democracy that anybody and everybody can be charged with a crime and have it acted on by politically appointed individuals... That's when we all should know that we are in a mess of Trouble... Let's fight back with Good Trouble!

So we leave this chapter with a message from Senator Warnock when he quotes Ben Franklin, when asked about the Constitution that had just been signed. He responded:

I’m reminded of Ben Franklin’s warning about the fragility of our democracy. If you can keep it.

Can the United States recover from all the damage that has been done during the last decade? I include the full decade because of all that was accomplished by President Biden has been mostly been cancelled, or the credit of accomplishment has been usurped by today's president... Who has done so very much worse... Will we survive? Will we keep on praying but ensure our feet, and fingers, keep on working to move past what has once again been destroyed? Do we have the courage and strength to do so? I believe we do... We have seen the millions of protestors out ensuring that what they know is wrong, is declared as wrong... We have also seen young politicians that are working to speak truth across the room and work together rather than obeying the demand that only one individual can make final decisions... Especially when the entire world has seen what has happened to the United States at this politically charged time.

One final point... When more of the voting shenanigans occurred in George related to his being elected to the Senate, Raphael Warnock chose to sue through the courts and won... What does that tell us? That this administration has cut off all methods by which the average person can find support for their concerns in the United States. Most of us don't have the funds to sue through the courts. I found that out when I attempted to find support for what was happening to me on my job. My lawyer admitted that I probably couldn't afford her to be able to learn all of the history of what had happened to me and be able to represent me in a professional fashion...

In the meantime, we are watching every single action that should be routinely addressed by government action, being held up in court case after course case. Often just in order to stall any kind of progress from occurring on the people's behalf... When we lose control of our legal system, we lose control of what makes America what we once were...

Every vote matters. Voting is such a sacred, noble right. One person. One vote.

...we must not allow it to discourage us or dissuade us from the fight. That fight is sacred. So I have continued to fight, introducing the bill again in July 2025. I refuse to give up. The stakes are too high. The vote is the call-and-response of citizens gathered together in the grand cathedral of our democracy. It is a kind of prayer for the world we desire for ourselves and our children. We must continue praying with our lips and our legs, our hands and our feet, because progress is hard-fought, and in America it has always come in fits and starts. There are times when democracy’s promise of “justice for all” expands and times when it contracts. Contractions are painful, but they create the conditions for new birth. May we learn the lessons of the last few years and find the strength to dig deep and push toward a brighter and more inclusive America. In our movement is a spark of the divine. May we find it, and may it strengthen us to push and press on...

 

 

Watch for Chapter 2

Squeezing Out the Least of These

Gabby

Spotlight on Trilogy--Malt Shop Milestones - Book 1 - Vicky's Victory by Nadine C. Keels - Honoring Martin Luther King Day...

 

Come on over to the Book Setting!

8 years ago-scoping out plan of action...

And remembering my very first Black girlfriend, Marian Davis, in the 7th grade when we both started going to junior high school... And the many Black friends I have found through their books, including Nadine C. Keels... We must fight for freedom...again!

God Be With Our Black Neighbors

I've been a fan of Nadine Keels for many years. I follow her on Amazon and had picked up books when they send a notice they've been published. So I had read one and discovered it was a trilogy. I then read another I already had, and finally went out and got this first book that I'd missed... After reading I knew I wanted to spotlight this trilogy, for so many reasons...

First, it is set soon after the end of WWII--I was born about that time, LOL... My mother had made it clear to me, when I asked, that I was an America. Even then she disassociated herself from Hitler and his war against the Jewish people. And, I wanted to learn more about that era just as Nadine had done to add a historical perspective to these books... 

And its music, of course.

Nadine provides a short historical perspective for each of these books, varying. In this case, she talked about what was called "race music." Yes, there has always been discrimination, hasn't there? (As far back as Jesus Himself...) The local radio stations at that time refused to play what, essentially, was the Blues. 

That was the decision by which the Malt Shop owner installed a jukebox... The Malt Shop became the central setting as the book progresses... And it was normally packed, especially by teenagers, who would come in, go immediately to the jukebox and put in some coins!

Nat King Cole was known as a trio at that time, and, of course, you all will find Cole on my blog from time to time with historical or seasonal books (Autumn Leaves is so beautiful). Nat surely was on the Jukebox... Some of the town's soldiers had never returned... The Black community was still mourning their loss...

Vicky was known as The Brain of her school, something which she didn't really enjoy, but the kids did tend to give nicknames, and Vicky was one of the smartest students in the school. She was also interested in writing, already planning for a career in Journalism, hopefully at her local newspaper so that she wouldn't have to leave town...

But Vicky was really a young girl who had not yet found her way... Even though she was 16, she had never dated anyone, even though one of her best friends already had a steady boyfriend (you'll meet her later). But then there was a day--a very special day... And there was a boy, a special little boy she had once played with when her parents had come together. They would go outside to play and leave the grownups to do what they did, and they'd run, run, run everywhere, having fun, as children do...

But, this day, she was alone at the Malt Shop and ready to place her order, when the son of the Shop's owner...well, let's just say, there was an incident. A very special incident for Vicky and, it seemed, for...him...

Now Vicky, when she dreamed, she thought of somebody she could be interested in, who'd consider maybe going to the library as a date... at least she thought that would be a wonderful way to spend time together. But when she was matched with a new student at school for a two-person project, she really learned what that "could" mean. Whew, she even had to spend time talking to her mother about that situation! LOL Let's just say he was a black sexist pig... And I have no idea whether that was known as a phrase in the '40s...

More and more Vicky remembered the incident. An incident that she had never shared with her best friends... It was too precious...

And with that she could keep it close to her heart secretly, at least she could keep the secret until he had made and given her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich... She had to share!

Willie, the teenaged son of the owner of Bro Brown's Malt Shop, had been talking with friends when he turned around--and the incident occurred... Yes, he was the little boy with whom she'd run through the house and yard as a child... Now he was the most important football player on the team and their lives, for the most part had gone separate ways until that day... She hadn't been looking for a beau, but, still...

Willie had held Vicky that day, to save her from falling. But they held in that position much longer than needed. And, their eyes had held, neither wanted to move... She wasn't sure what to do. He certainly didn't... Willie, we can plainly see, is really somewhat shy. There is no indication whether he'd had a crush on Vicky when they were much younger, but their time at that time, obviously had stayed with each one as time had gone by...

Perhaps a new song flipped up on the jukebox, but finally the incident moved on... Vicky went on to meet her friends. Willie might have gone back to his Dad and said something about Vicky needing a new drink... Perhaps his Dad had perked up with how his son was talking, maybe a little nervous, his eyes wandering around the kitchen... His Dad warmed inside... Since his wife had died, he had been the only parent and was often too busy working to spend time with his son...just...to...see how he was doing...

And when Willie's Dad suggested he have a small group of friends in, Willie agreed--he wanted only to have Vicky come! So he suggested she invite her friends too... And Vicky did come, but was quiet and sat watching others dancing. When Willie came and asked, worriedly about her, she finally admitted for the first time that she didn't know how to dance...

Willie took her hand and pulled her to her feet, guiding her into his arms... They danced to Nat Cole again...and when they didn't break at the end of that song, Willie's friend just played the song over again...

And the rest, as they say, is history... Willie began showing the town that Vicky was his girl, simply by pointing the football toward her after he's made a goal...and plans were made... And gossip spread throughout the school... the town... Willie and Vicky!

And the Jukebox continued on...

Watch for Book 2 Next... 

In the meantime, More History vs. Today

 

Note: I got lost in the 40s era... Some songs have been remade and/or in different eras on the same videos... So I decided to choose the songs that seemed best to match what was happening in the book... 

Also, When I planned on starting the spotlight today, I had not realized that it was a holiday (hopefully that will continue!), I'm sorry, Nadine, I had not planned on bringing in so much history versus today's madness... Folks, these books are both fun, as well as informative... Teenage love is just plain sweet to read about, in my opinion... Grab the trilogy for your own children!

GABixlerReviews

Charity Shane' Presents A Novel Christmas - Loved the "Second Time Around" Theme - And Playlist

 

Because Santa Claus is so small, the Warriors consist of players from here and from three neighboring towns: Mariah Hill, Lincoln City, and Buffaloville. Because they are rivals in high school, it’s important to always bring them together as a team on this field. A divisive team never truly wins.

“Find some Christmas cheer, play Boyz II Men’s ‘Let it Snow’ on repeat, and write the book,” I tell her. What other options do I have? Frustrated, I add, “I need to call my ride. I’m headed back to the airport.”

 

“I don’t know why I’m here, love. I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to run and ended up here,” I admit, then sigh. Mya and I were always one hundred with each other. So, I’m not going to start lying now. “That’s not true,” I retract. “I ended up here because I didn’t dream about you last night, and that shit freaked me out. I never want to stop thinking about us or what we had. “I miss you—a lot. I’m not supposed to live without you, but I’m trying. It’s hard, though. I still can’t spend too much time in the house. Again, I am trying. I try every day to do what you wanted: live, be happy, and find love again,” I say, repeating her final wish for me. She told me those words daily. “The last part is the hardest,” I admit. “It threatens what we had, and I don’t like that. How can I find something that I gave all to you?” The sound of a lawn mower interrupts my words. I glance around and see two groundskeepers on riding mowers. One approaches me, riding in the row in front of me. He kills the engine. “Sorry, sir. I didn’t see you. I can come back later,” he apologizes. “You’re good. I’m heading out,” I tell him because I’ll return on Christmas Day and bring tulips. “See you on Friday, love,” I say to Mya, then nod at the groundsman.

My head tilts down, and her face lifts up. Our eyes meet. I think I’m losing my mind because everything in me wants to kiss her. I mean, I really want to possess her lips with mine, and this pull is definitely a first. I haven’t felt this strong of a pull to any woman since my wife. “My bad,” I utter, then drop my hands. “You don’t have to,” she starts, but she suddenly stops, then turns around. She steps back to the chair and grabs a bag of marshmallows. “So, how do I do this?” she asks. Crystal stands, then steps closer to Saira. She grabs two sticks. “The only thing that goes on the fire are the marshmallows,” she begins. “You got to get it good and hot.” “And melty,” Devyn adds. She stands too, and the three women work together to make the s’mores. “Baby, I’m about to go get me a drink,” Keith yells out. “You want something?” “If there’s some more hot chocolate in the carafe, then a cup of that with my Kahlua. It’s in the refrigerator,” Devyn replies as she places two large marshmallows on a stick. “That sounds good and warming. Can you get me one of those too?” Saira says. “Me three,” Crystal adds. “Aye. Y’all Negroes come with me. I ain’t got that many damn hands,” Keith huffs. I definitely need a damn drink. I’m all off of my square around Saira. I’m doing stuff that I usually don’t do. I was all up in her space, uninvited, rubbing her arms. What the fxxx! “Let’s go,” I say, then start trekking to the cabin. I need to put some distance between us so that I can clear my mind. Halfway to the cabin, I realize that I’m walking solo. “Damn, Negro!” Keith yells. “Slow the fxxx down,” he says. In my haste to get away from Saira, I’m power walking, and Keith and Mike are steps behind me. So, I stop and wait for them to catch up. “You good, man?” he asks. “Yeah.” “You sure? The way you just took off without us, ion think so,” he says seriously. “Miami got you shook?” he asks. “A little,” I sigh. “Shit! I don’t know. I’m not supposed to be,” I start, then stop. While shaking my head, my mind drifts to Mya. A heavy wave of guilt rushes my entire body. “I’m drawn to her, and I don’t know what to do,” I admit out loud. “What the hell you mean? Shoot your shot, Negro,” he barks, and my eyebrows furrow. I sigh again. Picking up on my hesitation, he takes a step back, then says, “Oh. Right. My bad. This is different. She’s different. You’re really feeling her?” “I am.” “Then the same advice applies, man. It’s time, and it’s okay,” he says. I met Keith right after Mya died. When I finally joined the SCFD, he was the first person I talked to at the firehouse. He was adjusting to the small town, and I was adjusting to my new life without her. We bonded quickly, and he was a good friend on those hard days when I needed one. “Coach, she’s feeling you. We can all see that,” Mike adds. “Man, Ray Charles can see that shit.” Keith slaps my back. “Don’t overthink it,” he adds. “Bet. You’re right,” I say. “I always am,” he jibes. “Now, can we go get my Yak and kill this girl talk?” 

We start back to the cabin. When we enter, Mike heads to the bathroom, and Keith and I stay in the kitchen. After washing our hands, he checks on the hot chocolate, and I grab the Kahlua and my bottle of 1942 out of the fridge. Mike starts talking as soon as he walks into the kitchen. “Crystal just texted. She said to bring the whole bottle of Kahlua.” I slide the bottle over to him, then search the cabinets for cups. I find the to-go coffee cups with lids and grab the pack. “Is there any hot chocolate in the carafe?” I ask Keith. “It’s half full,” he answers. “You might as well grab it too,” I suggest. “Bet.” With our arms full, we trek back to the fire. The ladies are sitting in the chairs, which are now closer to the fire. I rejoin Saira. Keith hands Devyn the carafe, and I open the pack of cups and distribute them. When I pour my Don Julio into my cup, Saira holds her cup in front of me. “Can I have a splash, please? I think I want that in my hot chocolate instead.” I put the spout over her cup. “Tell me when,” I say, then start to slowly pour it. She taps her cup on the bottle. “That’s enough,” she utters, and I raise my bottle upright. After closing it, I put the bottle on the ground next to our chair. Then I reach for her cup, and she hands it to me. I pass it to Crystal, and she fills it with hot chocolate. As soon as it’s back in Saira’s hands, she sips it and smiles. “You got enough tequila?” I ask her. She nods her head as she sips in response. My eyes travel the length of her, admiring all that is her again. That’s when I notice that the ingredients for the s’mores are gone. Even though I didn’t want any, I ask teasingly, “Where’s my s’more?” She stops drinking from her cup, but her lips stay glued to the rim of it. With raised eyebrows, she utters, “I didn’t know you wanted some. After making one, we gave the rest of the stuff to them.” She tips her head over to the others around the other fire. “Did you like it at least?” After placing her cup on the arm of the chair, she responds. “It was okay.” All the excitement that she had when we got the ingredients has faded. “I don’t know what I was expecting, but that wasn’t it,” she shrugs. Her beautiful eyes drift up to my face. “Did you really want one?” “No. I’m good,” I say, and her face quickly relaxes. Then her lip does the little curl thing. Damn, she’s so pretty.

~~~~

Folks, it's been a long time since I got excited about a purely romance story... I don't know why this one did it for me. Perhaps that, from my older age, I've noticed that our black neighbors are deeply involved within their own community. I've always assumed is was because of the racism that so many have voiced against them by my race... But this story revealed a depth of love between man and woman which I've not seen before. You're right, I'm not a fan of romance books... I need a mystery or a problem to solve in most books to keep me happy. But...I have to say, the characters in this book were so finely drawn, that I was pulled into the story just because of each of those characters!

It was kinda interesting, too, that the title, A Novel Christmas was a perfect choice for the plotline... You see, the main character, Saira, is an author who has received a "slight" warning from her publishing company that they'd like to see her write books geared to the holidays as well as what she was writing. Saira had purposely avoided that for her own reasons, but her agent made it quite clear that there was no longer a choice... She was to write a Christmas story--or else!

Saira was not happy, but if she had to do it, she figured she better find some way to actually get into the holiday spirit... She realized she needed atmosphere to do that... So she started searching for towns that naturally emphasized Christmas and found a small town called Santa Claus! Checked out possible accommodations and without any further delay, was on her way...

The only concern she had about the town was whether or not there were any black people living there. If not, she wasn't sure how to get past that to get to know the town... But that turned out not to be a problem since a young sista caught her attention and immediately headed for her as she arrived... And

immediately bought what she was selling for the local Fire Department... A Christmas calendar... And the cover--and Mr. December was... a gorgeous man... so immediately, I had an image... based upon what I'd read so far... Shemar is known for many TV shows, but this picture showed the kind of serious man who you will meet. He is a widower whose wife had died from cancer 3 years ago... He had been devastated, but had been coaxed into becoming a voluntary fireman and had begun to come out of the shell he had placed around himself...

Saire was to be the first woman for whom Dorian has developed an interest... and he was having a difficult time, often finding himself feeling guilty for these new feelings...

The book goes back and forth for first person between Dorian and Saire... Readers will experience both the excitement...and the frustration... of each of them as they don't know how to relate to each other... Saire only has a week to be in town... Yet, the pull toward each other forces intimacy, simply because it turned out that Saire had rented a side of a duplex...from... yes... Dorian! 

Readers will enjoy the fun Saire displays as snow comes to town... Saire had never seen snow that accumulated in inches! So she was gung-ho to build snowmen, make snow angels...and all the things that come with winter weather... But she quickly learned that her body had become attuned to Florida's temperature where she lived, and was freezing most of the time... The fireman knew that when she brought lighter fluid to use on her fireplace, he would have to be watching her and teaching her a lot of stuff just to make sure she didn't burn the duplex down. LOL!

So was this to be love at first sight? NOT! Saire had been burnt before and still not over how she had been treated. She was not willing to fall in love and have her heart broken again... Dorian was still taking flowers to his wife's grave weekly, to spend time with her, telling her about his life now--by the way, he'd become a coach as well! What is that old saying? The heart's going to do what the heart wants to do... And they soon became a couple attending all the festivities happening in a town call Santa Claus as Christmas drew near... And there was really no way they could ignore how both were feeling...

“Then amuse me, beautiful. If I was in your book, how would you write me?” he challenges. He may be the athlete, but I’m competitive as well. So, when challenged, I gladly accept. I sip my hot chocolate, then lean back in the booth. My eyes inspect him again as I gather my thoughts. When my words come together, I begin. 

“Sitting in this diner, I can barely finish my drink because I’m mesmerized by him, all of him.  His deep amber eyes and flawless ebony skin captured my attention first. His manly, sexy, spicy essence trapped me next. However, his chiseled chin and beautiful smile took me over the top. He’s sexy, handsome, and fine. How can I forget the chiseled arms and strong, muscular legs that are all apparent even though he’s fully dressed? I can’t. I won’t. He’s etched in my brain, scribbled in my thoughts, and imprinted on my soul. He’s a landlord, coach, firefighter, and to me, a hero. He kept me from setting myself on fire, and he rescued me from the brink of death at the hands of deadly creatures. He’s everything, but if I must simplify him, I can just call him . . . Dorian.” 

“Damn,” he utters. 

While smiling and internally patting myself on the back, my mind temporarily drifts to Marle, my publisher. Forget her! I still got it!

~

But soon it was time for Saire to leave and write the book she was committed to before the publisher's deadline... Time...went...on... But, the ending allowed me to add this to my, last, perhaps, 2025 Personal Favorite!

GABixlerReviews

With a personal Christmas Thanks to Charity Shane' for her Lovely Story...

from Gabby...

Carol Denise Mitchell at her FINEST Presents INTERRUPTED! A Personal Favorite for 2025

 Interrupted, that was supposed to be their beginning of forever...

Interrupted, all of it had only been a dream...

 

"Lord, maintain my spirit as it is, but transform me in ways that will most benefit my child. I do not wish to be the mother who shares a series of sorrowful tales with my child. I am weary of being the one who plays second fiddle to every man. When Shun called, I felt a
sense of relief. "Mommy, I miss you. When will you return home?" he inquired. "I am currently on the plane, sweetheart. I will be home shortly," I replied, attempting to create a sense of tranquility. I was 
beginning to descend into despair. "Is Munday coming with you, Mommy? I love him dearly," Shun lamented. "We will discuss it later. I assure you we will," I responded. After the call, I felt a burning sensation in my chest. My head began to spin, and I started to dry heave. A kind older woman seated beside me attempted to assist me in coping with
this distress. "It appears to be love. I have experienced it myself, dear. It is not as terrible as it seems. Love that is lost can be rediscovered in the
future when we possess the necessary tools to improve it," she remarked. Heavily burdened by Munday's actions, I could only nod in agreement with the kind woman's comforting words. Moments later, I
hurried to the private restroom. There, I experienced a complete nervous breakdown like the ones you hear about in an insane asylum. I sat down on the low toilet seat with the engine noise covering up the veracity of my screams." My affection for you is immense, my dear. How could you betray me in this manner? What about the love we once shared? How could you do this to me, Munday? Carla assured me she would inform
Malasia that I was alright for this family. She cared for me deeply. I had feelings for her as well. What mistake did I make?" I sobbed, striking my fists into my palms until they turned red. Tears streamed down my face, shifting from cold to hot, initiating this emotional turmoil that resonated in my neck and deep within my soul. My throat became parched, as the tears transformed into painful scratches in my dry throat, intensifying my suffering. "Money never prevented your family from destroying her life. That woman sacrificed her partner and child solely for the Kouris family to preserve its reputation. No one ever recognized me except for you, Munday. Am I too Black to bear the Kouris name? Why didn't you inform me that I failed the inheritance test, Munday? Oh, how I adore uttering your name. Monday with a 'u'—I love you. Is a Black woman unworthy of the Kouris name? What about love? I love you without the
typical samples of scorned lovers. What is it like to make love to Munday? I will never experience that. Ask Melinda," I yelled, gazing up at the blinding sunroof of the plane. No one else has penetrated this
deep into my heart, you bastard! I screamed. "How could you be with her?" I cried. "How am I going to live on this earth without you?" I screamed as I banged both fist into the cheap panel above the toilet. 
Soon after I vomited, I received Munday's last call. I was glad it had come out of the presence of such kind hearts on this plane.

"I am pleased that you answered the phone this time. You are a woman, not a child, Karise. Everyone makes mistakes. It is essential for you to rectify this situation. Get off of that plane and return to me
immediately. I needed to process the ordeal that woman caused me in order to be a good husband to you and a father to Shun. Life is not merely composed of sweetness and ease. Perfection is an illusion, and you must not allow a single indiscretion to dictate your feelings to the extent that you abandon me forever. Stop all of this crying, girl. Act like my woman and return to Santorini at once," Munday insisted. 

"Are you done?" I inquired. "Proceed," he replied. The other betrayals I have experienced in my life will not facilitate this for you. I could agree to your request. I could reverse this flight and be with you immediately, but you do not merit that. Here is the situation. I love you Munday with every grain of my being and would prefer to depart from here cherishing you for the remainder of my life than to allow you to take advantage of me. I am returning home on Monday. I intend to transform my life for
my child and for myself. My love for you surpasses what you will ever comprehend, and if this love is to endure, I require time to feel, endure pain, weep, and determine whether all of this justifies our being together whether it be, today or tomorrow. Ultimately, it is God who will determine the outcome of this relationship. At this moment, neither of us holds the reins," I concluded. I remember how I forcefully hung up the phone. I wept more intensely, realizing I had committed the gravest error of my life. Later, when one of the flight attendants pulled me from the restroom, I settled into the recliner and slept throughout the journey back to San Francisco. I was resolved in my decision to move forward from all of this with changes that no one would believe.

Malasia

"I cannot believe you did that to her, Munday. Before you returned home to Greece, all you spoke of was Karise. We all owe that girl a significant apology for what we subjected her to," Malasia stated sincerely. "I love her, Mom. My baby broke down on the plane alone with no one there to comfort her. I am sick behind it. I don't care how long it takes; I will make this all up to her and Shun no matter how long it takes. She has been away for a week, and I have not encountered Melinda since, because I love Karise and I told Melinda so. I have destroyed our relationship," Munday wept. His loving mother was hurt ten times more over all of this than he was. "You will win her back, Munday and when you do we will make it up to her. However, it will take some time. Why on earth did you heed Johnathan's advice? Your father is a scoundrel with ill intentions and lacks a moral compass. "I can only hold myself accountable. I love her, Mom. Perhaps in time, she will recognize that and return to me," he concluded.

Michelle
When Karise’s mother Dina called her to tell her what happened to Karise in Greece, Michelle was beyond herself in grief. She recalled having Munday’s phone number in her black book. She dialed the number several times. Each time the call was routed to voicemail. "If I had not known Munday well, I would never have permitted you to travel all the way to another country to be deceived by a 24-year-old boy,"
Michelle remarked. A few months after her return home, Karise vacated Munday's Penthouse. She returned his keys to the front office in trade for the keys to her previous apartment. She obtained a new and superior position at a financial firm and retained the black and gold Mercedes as a form of collateral for all the damage that Munday had put her through. Despite still being in love with him, Karise changed her phone number and instructed Shun's school to remove Munday from the permission list to see her son. The only silver lining in ending her relationship with Munday was that they never engaged in sexual relations. It seemed that whenever they were about to make love, some obstacle always arose to interrupt it. God was merciful. This served as a sign for Karise to
concentrate on raising her son and advancing her new career as an accountant in downtown San Francisco. Her sole desire was to nurture her son into a good man who would not engage in the types of games she had consistently faced with men. When mail was received, or when gifts were brought, Karise disposed of Munday's presents in the trash. For her, it was over. Learning from experiences is an excellent way to
become stronger in life. At times, Shun found it more difficult than she did, as Munday had acted more like a father to her son than his biological father. Munday set up a college fund for Shun prior to his departure for Greece, which was valued at over $500,000. For this, Karise was forever thankful. However, it was not sufficient for her to compromise her principles. She still needed to serve as a role model for her son, who
always came first in her life.

~~~~

I've been reading Books by Denise since 2008 when she wrote, What Happened to Suzy? and have read her books whenever I had a chance... But, her latest, I must say, is her best! In fact, she set out to do just that--write her best! And she even explains:

INTERRUPTED, explores love, resilience, and redemption, set against the backdrop of Greece and the complexities of family and fame. Carol writes not just to entertain, but to inspire. Her books are a gift to future generations, reminding readers that beauty, strength, and purpose can rise from even the most interrupted paths.

Readers will never know what her next book will be about. Her first book was about child abuse, while the last one I read was about investigating what really happened to a favorite singer of hers... Do type in her name in the right column and discover one or more of her books you might be interested in... She writes about things she is passionate about--I guess that's why I just keep on reading her--as you might have guessed, I get passionate about things too... especially injustice...

This book is no different, but, for me, there was a different vibe coming from Carol's writing this time... But no matter what, she stands and speaks for women and her race... In this book, she is confronted with a Greek mother who sees only her daily life as a mother--trying to take care of a child alone, not really caring about keeping herself presentable... All you young mothers know what I mean! But, a young boy/man saw her caring for her child. They lived in the same building and he would watch her. He saw her kisses of that child at every turn... He saw the natural love she gave and he responded to it... Thinking that her love was much like he had received from his own mother...

But it was, later, his mother, who didn't see her as her son saw her... Rather, she saw her as a rich and proud Greek who didn't identify with the young Black mother she saw in a few pictures...

That was not the first time that Karise had met a man with questionable motives...

But she had found that out only after she had married him and had his child, Shun, and then having him decide he didn't want to stay married or have a son... He had already found another woman he wanted to marry... Yeah, his payoff of $1M was enough, but it never alleviated the pain and suffering of a rejected new mother.

Munday was another rich man, but had made his life as an actor the main part of his life. He was young and very good looking, of course, and even was dark enough for Karise to wonder whether he had Black roots in his body... In any event, they began a mutual "stalking" of watching from their apartment windows to see when the other went outside... Soon Munday spoke to her and they became neighborly ...and slowly... more...

It was a lovely and fun part of the book that delighted me in the simplicity of it all...

But Munday's mother, and aunt, had Huntington's disease, and he was contacted to be with his mother during this latest event. It happened that Munday had to leave just before their planned "connection" was to happen... And months went by...

But Munday kept in touch with Karise and talked about her with his family while he was in Greece. Soon, however, his mother decided she had to do something--which led to a conspiracy which included paying Munday's past lover to come back to tempt him away from Karise...

Years passed and Munday's fame continued to rise. He was busy, but so was Karise... Thinking of her future she returned to her education and soon began working and doing well... She had begun to dress for her success and soon was being courted by many other men, but she was loyal to Munday, still hoping, still planning...

But his mother's plan had been devastating to both Karise and Munday... But, when he decided he had to "wash that woman out of his hair," he went to talk to her where she promptly started stripping... Yeah, you guessed it... until...six years later...

Munday, six years later:

Six years after she left him looking lost and disheveled at the Santorini Hotel, Actor Munday Kouris snagged an Academy Award for his incredibly convincing performance in Director Armando Polizo’s film, Twice-Denied. His portrayal of a blind painter who falls for his stunning Italian teacher shattered box office records. Blogs and influencers nationwide were curious about the source of the deep pain he expressed in that film. Still hurting from the loss of the only woman he ever absolutely loved, Munday Kouris walked the red-carpet solo. He had dated his co-star from "Twice Denied," but there was no romantic connection. On the night he received his award, the actor thanked his mother for her unwavering love and support, as well as his sister Marta who was in the audience, and a woman he met in San Francisco named Karise who would forever hold his heart. “I love you, and I’m sorry for how things turned out in Greece. Our love took a different path, but I still hope that somehow, someway, we’ll find our way back to each other. I can still feel your fingers on my face, and I cherish the wonderful moments we all shared in San Francisco...

But can Karise ever stop crying? Especially when her first husband came, seeing his son and admiring his life, then tried to become involved again? She has created a professional life that she is proud of. Her son is looking toward college some day... Where is her life heading? What do you think? Has her life been INTERRUPTED too many times? Does Love continue through time? Highly recommended!

GABixlerReviews

Thank you for reading. Thank you for feeling. And thank you for being my friends for all of my writing journeys.

With love, Carol Denise Mitchell