Help For An Opinionated, Stubborn Woman

I am pleased to present an article by Author Nike Chillemi.

Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God ; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled...

In the second novel in the Sanctuary Point series, GOODBYE NOEL, heroine Katrina Lenart has been called the most attractive young woman in the village. But she has one big problem, she's opinionated and stubborn. In fact, at one point, she wants to push hero Ian Daltry, the stalwart village detective, into a snow bank. I thought I'd write a devotional tailored to Katrina's needs...and to my needs as I've been known to be opinionated and stubborn. I also have a few friends who might benefit as well.

In our lives, we face many difficult situations. My husband and I were foster parents early in our marriage and those two precious little girls came to us filled with anger, disappointment, and hurt. Later in our marriage, we adopted our daughters and they came with their own resentment, a number of remedial issues, and a few deep wounds. I had a choice to make in each situation with my foster daughters and with my adopted daughters. I could get bitter about the hand these children had been dealt, or I could get over it and help these girls move on and heal.

I wish I could say I handled every situation perfectly, but that's not the case. I stumbled and bumbled through raising these girls, making many mistakes. Yes, and as some of my dearest writer friends know, sometimes I complained bitterly. However, with the love and support of my husband and of many friends, I didn't stay bitter. I prayed, sought wise counsel, cried on many shoulders, and got on with raising these girls as best I could, knowing I was far from the perfect parent. But I was the mother God had placed in their lives. I had a job to do and I did it. I've been called at times, a funny lady. I used humor more than once in real life to defeat bitterness.

I've also used humor in my novels as momentary relief from the mounting tension in a thriller. Of course, in a romantic thriller, the suspense comes back and with a vengeance. I'd like to give an excerpt that provides a glimpse into Katrina Lenart's stubborn personality.

GOODBYE NOEL, Chapt 5, scene 1  

Long Island, New York

Late December, 1946

Katrina wanted to throw Detective Daltry into a snow bank. The nerve of him, barging into their house twice in two days, demanding she bundle the baby up and take him into the cold. How could that man not recall their harrowing, nighttime drive through the storm of the decade? She tossed her hair back over her shoulder, and with great difficulty held her tongue.

Momma apparently had no such reservations. "Detective, what you are doing is very wrong."

Katrina came up beside her mother, to show a united front. "This is outrageous." Her eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms over her chest. She hated the tone of her voice, but this baby wasn't a ping-pong ball to be batted back and forth as the detective moved forward with his murder case.

He ignored her and continued addressing her mother.

"I'm sorry, ma'am." He removed his fedora. "Chief Ferguson has already made the necessary phone calls and arrangements have been made. I must take Leslie Janos Bauer with me to the home of his aunt in Bay Shore. The chief would prefer your daughter come along in an official capacity as a nurse. It's up to her, but I have to take the baby."

Momma's face flushed beet-red, a sure sign she'd become enraged. "This is not good for him… this hustle from place to place."

"With all due respect, ma'am, a child belongs with his family, if at all possible." The detective took a step toward Katrina. "Now, will you please fetch the baby." It wasn't a request.

Katrina made sure she stood tall. "Yes, I'll get Leslie." She clenched her fists at her side and jutted her chin. "This is disgraceful. You are using this infant to solve your murder case. Perhaps your own tragic life experience clouds your judgment?"

His mouth fell open and he took a step back.

"If you have it within your heart, give me one minute. I'll get him ready and get my coat and boots on." Without giving him a chance to reply, Katrina turned and stormed up the stairs.

Leslie lay sleeping in the baby-doll cradle Poppa had made for her when she was a little girl. Poppa had that kind of talent. He could make anything. In her heart she knew, he'd figured it would be her baby's bassinet. At least now, it had a real purpose. She ran a finger over the hand carved leaves in the headboard.

"Milachku, time to wake up." She took the infant into her arms inhaling the smell of baby, sweeter than the most expensive imported perfume.

Leslie yawned and she snuggled her nose in the soft folds of skin between his head and shoulder, kissing his neck. He cooed, so safe in her arms.

She brought him to her heart, holding him, rocking him and spoke softly to her reflection in the mirror above her bureau. "Fat chance I'll ever walk down the aisle or have a family of my own with the man shortage since the war." Something deep in the core of her female-self rebelled, a throbbing turbulence, from which deep hunger erupted.

She stroked Leslie's cheek and made a funny face. The softness of his skin melted her heart. 

He smiled at her and kicked.

"I'm so sorry. I promised I'd protect you and I can't." She forced a smile and made clucking noises.

He grabbed her hair and yanked.

"Ouch." She laughed, removing strands of her hair from his little fist.

A tear escaped and ran down the side of her cheek. "I can do this." She lifted her chin, sucked in a long breath, wrapped Leslie in a heavy quilt, and picked up his tote bag.

Nike Chillemi has been called a crime fictionista due to her passion for crime fiction. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers (Ning). She was an Inspy Awards 2010 judge in the Suspense/Thriller/Mystery category and a judge in the 2011 Carol Awards in the suspense, mystery, and romantic suspense categories. She is the founding board member of the Grace Awards, a reader's choice awards for excellence in Christian fiction. She writes monthly book reviews for The Christian Pulse online magazine. Burning Hearts is the first book in the crime wave that is sweeping the south shore of Long Island in The Sanctuary Point series.

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