Author Ray Blackston’s books entertain me. They also challenge me in unexpected ways. While some of his characters believe in God, they aren’t copycat Christians unless they are A Pagan’s Nightmare! (check that one out for sure!)

Last Mango in Texas cracked me up – Blackston has a way of getting me to laugh at myself. Sheesh.

While not the main character, Chang is my favorite in this bumpy romantic adventure from the oil fields of Texas to the oil slicks of Alaska then on to France and Kenya.

The author enters the “green verses oil” arena and shows the inconsistencies on both sides. I like that in a book – no one is perfect and the causes we support are only as good as their supporters. No easy answers are given by the way, but the author allows the reader to think it through and reach his or her own conclusions. The book shares this issue as a discussion. Very refreshing.

The romance angle caused me to grin too. Instead of the guy rescuing the girl, Kyle Mango is rescued by Gretchen and his ego isn’t damaged. His fascination with her is so great, his insecurities (and he has plenty!) are not as important as his discoveries. 

While I enjoyed Kyle Mango as the main character, my real favorites were Chang and Sam. I found myself glad when either this young Korean or this old New York bookie stepped on to the pages. And wait until you find out who Bullion Betty is! I was surprised and delighted. Ray Blackston knows his characters and she fits this story perfectly.

If you’re looking for a fun read with serious undertones but no preaching – check this guy’s writing out. Teens and young adults will enjoy his books too.

So far, if he’s written it, I want to read it.

As a writer, I enjoy his humor, the clear “voices” he gives his characters, and the funky plots. 

You can learn more about the author and his books at:  www.rayblackston.com

Readers beware. This is a policial opinion blog entry.

I’ve been asked several times if I’m going to apply for non-profit status for my company, believe, inc. My answer? No. Way.

Non-profit status allows the government to put a “gag order” on anyone taking this tax benefit. I’ll pay my taxes and say whatever it is I need to say. Going non-profit is like giving away part of my freedom of speech. The government has enough of it’s fingers in enough pies…it doesn’t need to be governing my beliefs or what I want to say about those beliefs.

If I choose to back a certain candidate, I want the freedom to “stand up” here on my blog or anywhere else and say who that is. If I disagree with a candidate and decide not to support him or her I have the freedom to say so and I want to protect that freedom.

I’ve also had people say, “But you’re a religious business.” My response to that? Sort of. I’m a believer who believes that all of us can be ourselves, we are loved (by God), and we can believe what Gods says is true. That’s why my brand statement is: be you…be loved…believe. I want people who read or hear my words to know they can choose to believe in God, in His love for them, and in their abilities/talents. So for that I shouldn’t pay certain taxes and should have my verbage governed by say…President Obama or Nancy Pelosi? I don’t think so. Not voluntarily. I didn’t want G. W. Bush controlling my words wither so don’t draw any big conclusions from my Obama/Pelosi comment. I’m not willing to give any government official the right to censor me.

Besides, I charge (most of the time) for what I do. I’m a for profit business woman who loves the Lord Jesus.

So, do I believe churches should give up their non-profit status? Yes. I am convinced we should pay the taxes and say whatever we’re given to say without government restrictions and suppression. Non-profit status allows the government and any policitical action group who disagrees with biblical standards to shut down a church if a pastor or leader publically endorses a candidate and as the guidelines tighten, even speaking about the rights and wrongs of an issue will be enough to close the doors.

Don’t you find it curious that the government who demands seperation of Church and State willingly offers non-profit status as a “benefit” to churches? I’m not believing it. This so called benefit is the bait that holds the Church in bondage to the State.

Ten years ago, I started writing a cute kid’s book. I wrote some stanzas of poetry and put those words together with some photographs. I kept working on it but two other kid’s books came into my heart and I knew they were to come before this first book. I kept refining the first story while I focused on the others. For a long time, it wasn’t the right time.

This year, that’s changed. Raccoon Tales is in the process of publication. It is a story born of personal experience. Yes, we rescued, raised, and released five baby raccoons. Looking back at the first verses and those photos, this is a story whose time has come because of the constant refining the writing went through. Every time I picked it up to cruise through it just one more time, I found a way to make it better. I picked it up dozens of times and I have the print outs to prove it.

Each word sifting brought about an improvement in the book and in my process as a writer. I’m thankful for every single minute I spent on this project. Praying. Editing. Praying. Re-writing. And then, praying again.

I also had the privilege of living the surprise of becoming a raccoon mom for a time and the sweet sorrow of letting them go when they were ready. I watched them disappear into the woods and realized, my prayers for their lives had been answered, and my dreams for them had come true. They were free.

A certainty pressed itself into my heart. God watched us take care of these wild ones we loved so much. He trusted them into our temporary care. Words cannot express the privilege it was.

Now, there’s another release taking place before the book itself is released. I’ve let it go to the publisher – it is done. I am content with it’s content.

Writing is a series of letting go experiences. Soon, I will set the words of this story free for readers. It leaves my care covered in prayer. I am no  longer day dreaming about how it will sound or look. Now, I’m day dreaming about little children enjoying it and understanding the most important fact of all. God loves them and wants a relationship with them.

These little raccoons came to us wild and we returned them to the wild certain both were God’s plan for us and them.

I’m thankful for these little tales and for the little ringed tails that inspired them!

 My publisher (Sheaf House) asked me to share with readers why this new cover is so important to me. Here’s what I wrote…Covers say a lot about a book and are designed to draw a reader in without a word. When first discussing a cover design with my publisher I was delighted when she shared her vision. She understood the story and knew her idea represented more than a marketing tool.  

The little girl on the front cover gives you a glimpse of Jonica.  While I write about her as an adult in this novel, I know as a little girl, puddle-jumping was fun for her – a way of expressing her joy after the sun chased away a cleansing rain. She is also the picture Jonica carries in her heart of the little girl she never had. A child who, like her mother would have found pleasure in dancing in the rain. This pixie-girl lives only in her dreams.  

The little boy on the back cover has a dual representation as well. He is the little one Staci aborted and the boy named Jonathan she later gave birth to – her nightmare and her dream come true. Eventually, like his mother, this little boy will learn to let the rain race down his cheeks and see the promise in the rainbow. He will puddle-jump with the best of them…usually Jonica. But, that’s part of another story.  

As the author, these little ones also reveal a bit of my heart. I can’t resist puddles, love walking in the rain, and rainbows thrill my soul.