Last Days by Nike Chillemi

/ Gail Johnson / 4 Comments

Nike Chillemi’s latest story is filled with mystery and intrigue. I love the characters, especially the quirky ones. And yes, I do have a favorite. Nike hears it every time he shows up on the page. LOL. I also love the scenes with food. Let me tell ya, I’m always hungry after reading a chapter. Last Days is Nike’s best book so far, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

Here is what others are saying about the book.

I could almost feel the ocean breezes and taste the local cuisine along with detectives Katerina Andruko and swoon-worthy profiler Dimitri Garmonin as they try to solve what seems to be a simple case. – Naomi Musch, multi-published historical romance author

In the Sunshine State, a mysterious death and perplexing circumstances put both justice and love on the line for Detective Kat Andruko. Don’t miss this tension-laced, twist-filled detective story from Nike N. Chillemi. – H.L. Wegley, multi-published thriller and suspense author

Blurb

A spry elderly woman has died mysteriously in a Florida coastal town, and the head of a clandestine organization in Washington D.C is interested in the case. All evidence, or lack thereof, points to accidental death, but Detective Katerina “Kat” Andruko has nagging doubts. She also has doubts about a mysterious phone call profiler Dimitri Garmonin, PhD, her intended, took and hid from her.

As if that wasn’t enough, Kat’s former fiancé and fellow law enforcement officer gleefully taunts her, predicting the demise of her relationship with Dimitri. Her future mother-in-law thinks she’s less than demure and not suitable marriage material for her son.

Meanwhile, all leads on the elderly woman’s death go nowhere. Old enemies at the local TV station are calling the police incompetent. They air an unfavorable segment about Dimitri. Just as Kat and Dimitri reluctantly begin to believe the death was accidental, the woman’s neighbor goes missing.

YOU CAN READ the first chapter here.

About the Author

Nike N. Chillemi has a passion for crime fiction. She writes detective stories and mysteries with a national security twist. Some have called her novels “classic whodunits,” while others think they’re “cozy thrillers,” loaded with taut suspense with a healthy dose of wry humor. She’s known for compelling main characters, zany and quirky secondary and tertiary characters, and dangerous villains. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and is the founding board member of the Grace Filled Fiction Spotlight (formerly Grace Awards).

YOU CAN LEARN more about Nike at the following:

Website Amazon Page Facebook

Let the People Rejoice!

/ Gail Johnson / 10 Comments

Psalm 147:1-20

Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. 
The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. 
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. 
He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. 
Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. 
The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground. 
Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: 
Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. 
He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. 
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. 
The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. 
Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion. 
For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee. 
He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. 
He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. 
He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. 
He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold? 
He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. 
He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. 
He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.

Rejoicing and Reflection

According to The Pulpit Commentary and F. B. Myer’s Through the Bible Day by Day, this psalm was written in Nehemiah’s day for the dedication of the wall. When I read Psalm 147, I hear rejoicing and reflection as the writer remembers all that God has done and is doing, still.

Those acquainted with the story know the heartaches, delays, and challenges they faced while rebuilding the wall. At one point, they had to work with a sword in their hand!

Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows (Nehemiah 4:13).

BUT GOD…

So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days (Nehemiah 6:15).

Jacob’s children did not allow their circumstances to dictate their lives. They fought and worked until the job was finished. They gave thanks and rejoiced for the great things He had done. So should we!

Giving Thanks

I awoke with praise on my lips and the following chorus playing in my heart. I had to laugh because I’m not a fan of the music. Curiosity sent me to my hymn book for the verses. After reading the song, I searched for a video containing the words to share with you. I hope it puts joy in your heart too!

I love that Crosby took the focus off the singer and placed it on the One worthy of all praise and glory.

To God Be the Glory, Great Things He Hath Done

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, 
Let the earth hear His voice! 
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, 
Let the people rejoice! 
O come to the Father thro' Jesus the Son, 
And give Him the glory, great things He hath done. 
Words by Fannie J. Crosby. Music by William H. Doane

This Is Love

/ Gail Johnson / 17 Comments

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13: 34-35 KJV

When thinking about a Valentine’s Day post, I decided to talk about love for one another. After this past year, I think it would be a good idea to review what the Lord’s definition of love truly is by revisiting the Gospels and reading about His love, life, and sacrifice.

How are we to love?

In the above scripture, the Lord states, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

We find His example, “as I have loved you” in the 34th verse.

The world will know we are His disciples if we love one another as He loves us.

Not by knowledge of scripture.

Not by piety.

Not by miracles.

Not by good works.

But by our sacrificial love for one another.

I’m not saying we should turn a blind eye to wrongdoing but conduct ourselves as His children in word and action.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32 KJV

Winning Others

The disciples were fishers of men. If we are to win others, then we must love and forgive one another as Christ loves and forgives us. Men, women, and children must see a united people (John 17:21) filled with the gifts of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). I don’t know about you, but I do not want to be a noisy nuisance (1 Corinthians 13:1).

May we be true disciples of Him during this month and the months to come!