Fireman Dad by Betsy St. Amant

The Book:

Fireman Dad (Love Inspired) by Betsy St. Amant


"Mommy, I Want To Be A Fireman."

Widowed mother Marissa Hawthorne's little boy wants to be like his new hero—firefighter Jacob Greene. But Marissa and her son lost too much to the profession of firefighting already. She can't possibly let either of them get close to the man, no matter how noble he is. Especially because her own father is Jacob's boss. But when Jacob hires her to plan a special birthday party for his niece, Marissa soon learns that Jacob is a hero in many ways. And that taking risks for love is what life and faith are truly about.

The Author:

Betsy St. Amant has a heart for three things - chocolate, red polka dot shoes, and sharing the amazing news of God's grace through her novels. She resides in northern Louisiana with her husband, Brandon, and they are currently expecting their first child. Betsy has a bachelor's degree in Christian Communications from Louisiana Baptist University and is actively pursuing a career in inspirational writing.

Mindy’s Musings:

It amazes me how everything seems to come full circle. I put my writing life on the backburner while I grow my art and beautibusiness. But it calls to me. Each and every day. Reading this book by my friend Betsy was a blessing.

This is a time in my life where I am learning to use my singleness to grow closer to God. I’m learning to be less selfish and more in tuned with others through service. I’m learning how to be Me, only better.

I’m learning that when there are lessons to be learned from Him, they seem to come at you from every angle. The sermon somehow applies to you. The commercial while you are working out is a message for you and you alone. In regular conversation with a stranger, their comment is geared toward whatever you are working on in life.

Did you write this for me, Betsy? You have a spiritual gift, a lovely gift, and His words reach out loud and clear.

Betsy’s book was a lesson for me. Here's why: I’m doing a bible study about how I’m “worth waiting for.” The first line made me say, “Hold up. You took the words right out of my mouth.” The lesson that things happen in God's timing not my timing proved to be a biggie for me. And the fact that no one gets in my own way better than I do.

I must say I am hooked. After finishing this story, I’m adding her to my “must read” stack. Betsy’s writing is compact and precise. Her descriptions true to life. I can smell the smoke and taste the hotdogs.

Thank you Betsy for writing such a heartwarming story. I look forward to the next one, because I will be reading it the second it finds its way to stores.

Learn more about Betsy and her newest book on her website at www.betsystamant.com .


My Lesson of the Day: I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

True Blood Fever!

What can I say, “sugar and spice and everything nice” was never the quote for me. Give me tall, dark, and dangerous. Fangs and blood in dark nights by the light of the full moon. Throw in a howl or a growl, and we have the makings for my kind of story. As Halloween fast approaches, I figured I would get with the program, or at least a little more in the spirit, of all things spooky.

I force my friends to read my work, and most of them aren't ashamed to admit that they don't read a lot, especially paranormal. But they love me, and they read each and every one of my stories anyway, helping me with countless corrections and versions as I critique the stories to death. I love my dear friends to pieces.

My critiquer/friend Shavonne, got hooked on a new TV series (and I'd like to think that the reason she was so open to watching such a show was because of how interesting my own stories are - lol). Anyway, she said I had to check it out; so last night I celebrated having the night off with a TV Marathon at her house watching nearly 6 hours of what has become my newest addiction: True Blood, the HBO Original Series based off of the novels of one of my favorite authors, Charlaine Harris.






Taking place in Bon Temps, Louisiana, waitress and mind-reader Sookie Stackhouse, played by the lovely Anna Paquin, lives in a time where Vampires are trying to integrate themselves into society becoming citizens with the same rights as humans. A unique woman with her open-mindedness towards the Vampires’ plight, Sookie is ready to befriend the first vampire she meets, the handsome William Compton. Weird and deadly happenings occur soon after his arrival to Bon Temps, including deaths of Sookie’s nearest and dearests. Surrounded by a “colorful” team of friends, Sookie will have to use her special abilities, instincts, and smarts, resulting from her life as a backwoods waitress no doubt, to find the killer, and save the people in her town, all while being awakened to her first experiences of love and passion.





The southern accents leave much to be desired. Tera and Sam’s accents are okay during some episodes, but I have no idea what accent Rene’ is supposed to be pulling off. I guess the idea was for a strong Cajun accent but it sounds more like a mix of Jamaican, Cajun, Latin, I don’t know. (But the actor is kinda hot – in that special way of Cajun men). My favorite part of the show is the particular brand of stupid some of the characters are portrayed as, from the crack team of local law enforcement, with their ‘Uh Miranda rights? (scratching forehead) Yeah, we forgot about those’ to the ignorant townsfolk. But its Hollywood and television and fiction, right?

But seriously, my fav part is Sookie and her little love triangle. I’m currently in a weird Bill-Sam debate. I just can’t decide which one I want for her (depends who is on the screen, I guess). Her BFFs, Lafayette and Tera, are fascinating characters, and I can’t wait to see more of them. And her brother, Jason Stackhouse is headed for trouble; however will he get out of jail this time.


Despite the horrible accents and hilarious “fangs,” I’M HOOKED. Which is exactly what happened a few years ago. When I first started my paranormal addiction, I flew through the series by Charlaine Harris; I stopped at the 6th book because life got in the way. But there are 8 books in the series, with book 9 coming out soon, and I can’t wait to start them from scratch and refresh my memory on the escapades of that Sookie Stackhouse.

This is a great series for anyone who loves Paranormal/Fantasy or anyone who may want to get their feet wet in the genre. Look for the Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire Series and start with Book 1 today! And Sunday nights at 9:00PM ET, if you’re tired of reality TV (yuck) and looking for something different to watch, check out HBO.

Mood: Happy (though a bit bummed that I'm missing VooDoo Fest '08)
Drink: Hazelnut Hot Chocolate from Starbucks
Song: Right to Be Wrong by Joss Stone