So...I'm in a "sneaky" mood today. Everyone's stuck at home--either working, finishing up school, or simply being bored. Which means I'm writing.
Which means the third novel in the Daughters of the Sevens Seas series, Bound and Determined is on its way.
I've made it to Chapter 12 with a total of--approximately--40,200 words. My story is coming to life. My characters are starting to experience some of their greatest hardships. (I'm starting to get overly giddy about this book, because it is crazy amazing! And I'm biased, so...)
I felt it was time to share a little piece of the fun.
Here's a tentative summary:
It has been two years since Rina Bennet has stepped foot on board her ship, and all she expects is a smooth return to the norm. Cloudless skies, still waves, a happy crew, and plenty of ships to plunder, she hopes. A mysterious stowaway whose very presence lifts her spirits and sends her hopes plummeting into the sea, is what she receives.
Whilst struggling to obtain balance upon her ship, Rina's good friend Keaton is revisited by a ghost from his past and her husband is caught in a precarious situation that he hadn't planned for.
If all goes well, Rina will be able to help her stowaway, restore her quartermaster's faith, plunder a few ships, and return to Port Royal in time to birth a baby.
But if not...her husband could lose a great opportunity and lose his life, she could lose her unborn child or her freedom, and a new friend could lose her sister and her life as well.
So. Yes. Drama. Action. Adventure. A lot of good stuff I really don't want to spoil...
It's all here. And, you know what? An earlier part of this story--within the first few chapters--reminded me of our situation now. Rina and her husband Xavier have to make a very important decision, one that could cost them dearly. They're praying for guidance and scouring the Word for wisdom, but even Rina does not hear God's Voice giving clear direction. Where do they go? What should they do?
Then Xavier is reminded of this: "There is always calm in Christ. No matter where it is that you go or what it is that you do. He will be glorified. He will watch over you. His will shall be done. In Him, there is peace."
Whether you're making a monumental decision or are stuck in quarantine, we know this to be true, that God is in control. Always. And that His Will shall be done, His Kingdom shall come, He will be glorified. Even in the good, and especially in the bad.
We just have to remember, like the hero in Bound and Determined, everyone's favorite Keaton Clarke, to look toward God.
I always choose a couple verses to go on my dedication page--verses I make a reference to in the book or verses that simply fit the story. Isaiah and the Psalms have been my go-to, because of their passages of forgiveness and the cleansing of sins. But for Bound and Determined and Keaton specifically, this scripture in Matthew 14 fit all too well...
"And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"
We've all heard this famous story of Jesus and Peter walking upon the water. But do we realize just how pertinent this passage is to our walk?
I also put together a soundtrack of songs that fit the characters' stories--whether personal philosophies, spiritual beliefs, or the romance. "Beautiful Things" by Gungor was the "theme" for Prisoner at Heart. So far, Bound and Determined has a crazy amount of songs--two of which are the "themes" for Keaton's past and his spiritual journey.
(I'd share the whole list, which is comprised of a smattering of Jeremy Camp--"I Still Believe" being one of the main ones, of course--Relient K, of course, and pretty much every single Lifehouse song EVER written, but it is SO long.)
The most important song on this list, however, is "Storm" by Lifehouse. It perfectly fits the above scripture and the story to a T. I'm crazy in love with it.
Check it out on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn7pWm4i0ZU&list=OLAK5uy_mY2fHQSE0WF8RZV7DZ_yfUAj3ml-bZCyE&index=13&t=0s
Here are the lyrics too...
How long have I been in this storm?
So overwhelmed by the ocean's shapeless form
Water's getting harder to tread
With these waves crashing over my head
If I could just see you
Everything would be all right
If I'd see you
This darkness would turn to light
And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
I know everything will be alright
I know everything is alright
I know you didn't bring me out here to drown
So why am I ten feet under and upside down?
Barely surviving has become my purpose
Because I'm so used to living underneath the surface
If I could just see you
Everything would be all right
If I could see you
This darkness would turn to light
And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
I know everything will be alright
And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
I know everything will be all right
I know everything is all right
Everything's all right
Yeah
Everything's all right
Need I say ANYTHING?
So. Yes. I have enjoyed this extremely long sneak peek. I hope it makes you hungry for more, of course.
I also hope you remember Who to look toward in every situation, good and bad.
(Lyrics Source: LyricFind
Songwriter: Jason Wade
Storm lyrics © Round Hill Music Big Loud Songs)
(Originally published May 4th, 2020.)