An Aria for Nick (Christian Romantic Suspense) (Song of Suspense)
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M-9 — The Beretta M9, officially the "Pistol, Semiautomatic, 9mm," is a 9×19mm Parabellum pistol adopted by the United States Armed Forces in 1985. With replaceable 15 round clips, it fires a standard NATO supersonic 9mm machine-gun round at effective ranges of up to 100 meters in semiautomatic mode.
OGA — Other Government Agency; euphemism for "black" or highly covert government agencies or their agents (US Military jargon)
SAW — Squad Automatic Weapon (US Military); rarely refers to the venerable M-60 machine-gun but most often refers to the M-249 LMG
sitrep — Situation Report (US Military)
Computer Terms
CGI — Computer Generated Imagery
ID — Identification or unique identifiers
IDS — Intrusion Detection System (passive)
IP Address — a unique string of numbers separated by periods that identifies each computer using the Internet Protocol to communicate over a network.
IPS — Intrusion Prevention System (active)
GPS — Global Positioning System
MAC Address — A media access control address is a unique identifier assigned to network interfaces for communications on the physical network segment.
micro-SD card — extremely small Secure Digital: a nonvolatile memory card format for use in portable devices, such as mobile phones, digital cameras, GPS navigation devices, and tablet computers.
Other Acronyms, Jargon, & Allusions
BOLO — Be On the Look Out; a law enforcement notice
CAC — Common Access Card; a smart card issued to government employees and contractors used for identification, 2-factor authentication, and non-repudiation
DHS — Department of Homeland Security (US); see also "brown shirts"
DMV — Department of Motor Vehicles
DOD — Department of Defense (US)
DOE — Department of Energy (US)
DOJ — Department of Justice (US)
FBI — Federal Bureau of Investigation (US)
FDLE — the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (Florida's State Bureau of Investigation)
JPL — Jet Propulsion Laboratories
MI-5 — Military Intelligence Department Five, the internal security arm of the British Government (Great Britain)
NASA — National Aeronautic and Space Administration (US)
NISA — National Intelligence and Security Agency (Fictional)
NSA — National Security Agency (US)
RFC — Request for Change; a Change Request
RFI — Request for information
SBI — State Bureau of Investigation
the Troubles — euphemism for the bloody and violent ethno-nationalist and sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland which began in the 1960's and ended with Belfast "Good Friday" Agreement of 1998. At its peak, the British Army and the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) were deeply involved in the violence. The "Ballast" investigation by the Police Ombudsman confirmed that British forces colluded with loyalist paramilitaries on several occasions and were directly involved in murders, abductions, torture, and rape, and later actively obstructed investigations into allegations of those charges. Outstanding allegations of abductions and gang-rape of young Irish girls by British soldiers remain outstanding and sporadic violence as reparation is conducted against alleged perpetrators or their families in the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, England, and mainland Europe to this day.
Treasury — Department of Treasury (US); All Secret Service Agents are Treasury Agents
French words/phrases
communiqué — (both/either) the message and the means of communicating
en route — while on the way, while traveling
ganache — a buttery chocolate sauce
Spanish words/phrases
amigo — friend, buddy
brillante — brilliant
comprende — understand, comprehend
dónde está — where is
Hablo español con fluidez y Puerto Rico el acento de mi abuela. — I speak fluent Spanish with my grandmother's Puerto Rican accent.
Sí. Sambriento. — Yes. Starved.
Vamose a salir de aquí. — Hurry out of here.
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READERS' GUIDE SUGGESTED MENU
SUGGESTED luncheon menu to enjoy when hosting a group discussion surrounding An Aria for Nick, part 2 of the Song of Suspense series.
Those who follow my Hallee the Homemaker website know that one thing I am passionate about in life is selecting, cooking, and savoring good whole real food. A special luncheon just goes hand in hand with hospitality and ministry.
For those planning a discussion group surrounding this book, I offer some humble suggestions to help your special luncheon talk come off as a success.
When Nick first comes to Aria's house, she cooks him a steak dinner with roasted potatoes and seasoned green beans. Here are those recipes. You can pre-slice the steak and very easily feed 2 or 3 people from one steak at a luncheon.
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The Steak:
Sizzling Saucy Oven Skillet Steak
Nick has spent a decade in and out of third world countries. He's learned to appreciate any good, wholesome meal, and this steak certainly tops that list.
This steak recipe is best done in an iron skillet and is a featured recipe in my upcoming cast iron cookbook. This method is an absolutely foolproof, quick and easy, and simple way to prepare a perfect steak indoors, in the oven. No propane grill or charcoal briquettes required. This method takes 15 minutes, tops. It turns out a beautifully juicy, medium-rare steak with crisped and crunchy edges, and so much flavor you will simply feel amazed!
The SECRET to this recipe is to put the salt away and don't touch it until the very end, if then. Trust me. No salt. Seriously.
There are three really nice ways you could serve this steak depending on your audience. 1) You can serve the steak on a serving tray and let your best carver slice and serve directly at the table. 2) You can slice and serve in a lovely presentation of fanned slices of about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch thick strips either on a serving platter or directly onto each plate next to attractive side items. Or, 3) you can do either of the above with the addition of a heavenly skillet sauce reduction either served in a gravy boat with a ladle or poured directly over the sliced steak just at serving time.
If you choose the third option, once the steak is resting (see directions), you can whip up a delicious skillet sauce in no time at all using the steak drippings still in the pan.
Follow these directions: Bring a burner to medium heat. Put the skillet over the medium heat burner and add about 1/2 cup of (preferably homemade or organic) beef stock and about 1/2 cup of red wine (see note) to the skillet.
NOTE: If you abstain from alcohol even in cooking, you can substitute a 100% pure grape juice (ensure there is no apple juice in it) and one teaspoon of distilled vinegar to approximate the same flavor and properties while cooking.
Scrape up any small bits of steak still clinging to the skillet and whisk until well mixed. Bring to a boil then lower heat and simmer until the liquid volume is reduced by at least half, whisking occasionally.
Once the steak has rested, and just before carving, THEN you may wish to add a dash of Kosher salt to taste. To serve, either let your best carver slice and serve directly at the table, or, using a very sharp knife, slice the steak against the grain.
Slice into 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch thick strips. Fan these slices out onto your serving platter or onto each individual plate next to your side items.
Pour the skillet sauce reduction into a gravy boat if carving your steak at the table, or, pour the sauce directly over the sliced steak in a nice drizzle just before serving.
Then serve immediately.
Here's the steak recipe.
A single high quality lean ribeye steak, cut 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick and about 1 pound in weight (boneless or bone-in makes no difference, though I prefer the flavor of bone-in)
extra virgin olive oil to coat (g
rapeseed oil, butter, or tallow can substitute)
1 TBSMontreal Steak seasoning mix as a steak rub
Instead of store bought, check my website for a great and easy recipe at:
http://www.halleethehomemaker.com/homemade-montreal-seasoning
10 to 12 inch diameter cast iron skillet
Very thick, well-padded oven mitt or pad
long sturdy kitchen tongs
bowls and/or ramekins
timer or egg timer
aluminum foil
whisk
Let your steaks fully reach room temperature through and through. Dry them completely with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
Place the 10 to 12 inch diameter cast iron skillet in the oven. With the skillet inside, set the oven to broil, or bring to about 500° degrees F (260° degrees C).
1) While waiting for the oven and skillet to reach full heat, reserve about 2 TBS extra virgin olive oil in a small bowl or ramekin.
Mix up a generous amount of Montreal Steak seasoning mix.
Brush the oil all over the steak, coating it generously on both sides and on the ends. Once fully coated, generously "rub" the steaks evenly with more Montreal Steak seasoning, covering both sides of the steak, patting it into each steak so that it sticks.
2) When the oven with the skillet inside has reached broil, turn on a stove burner to High heat.
Using your thickest and most reliable oven mitt or pad, very carefully remove the piping hot cast iron skillet from the oven and place it on the High heat burner.
3) Use long, sturdy kitchen tongs and place your steak into the center of the hot pan. It should sizzle immediately.
Cook the steak for 30 seconds on one side, then flip it over. Cook the steak for an additional 30 seconds on the other side.
Turn off your burner.
Immediately, and once again using your thickest and most reliable oven mitt or pad, carefully place the skillet with the seared steak in the middle back in the oven.
4) Using a timer if needed:
*For a perfect MEDIUM-RARE steak, broil the steak in the skillet in the center of the hot oven for exactly 2 minutes. Open the oven and quickly but carefully flip the steak onto the other side using the long, sturdy kitchen tongs. Close the oven and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
**For a perfect MEDIUM steak, add just 1 minute to the cooking time for each side for a total of 3 minutes per side instead of 2 minutes.
Turn off the oven and immediately, using your thickest and most reliable oven mitt or pad, quickly but carefully remove the steak from the oven.
Using the tongs, remove the steak from the skillet and place it on a large cutting board. Cover with aluminum foil and let the steak rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
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The Roasted Potatoes:
ROASTED FINGERLING POTATOES
Nothing pairs as nicely with a perfectly cooked steak as a potato, and Nick knows it. This is a wonderful and simple, hands-off side dish. A light olive oil with the simple seasoning of salt and pepper is all you need.
About 12-15 fingerling potatoes
1 TBS extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp Kosher or sea salt
1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
1 TBS dried parsley
sharp knife/cutting board
measuring cups/spoons
medium bowl
pan
aluminum foil
Slice the potatoes into bite-sized pieces, leaving the skin on.
Preheat oven to 350° degrees F (175° degrees C)
Toss the potatoes with the oil, salt, pepper, and parsley.
Put in pan.
Cover with foil.
Bake at 350° degrees F (175° degrees C) for 30 minutes.
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The Green Beans:
ALLSPICE GREEN BEANS
Aria kept the meal for Nick simple … steak, potatoes, and green beans. This recipe is wonderful - fresh green beans with a surprising flavor of allspice. They'll pair perfectly with steak and roasted potatoes.
1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and snapped
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
½ cup water
2 teaspoons ground allspice
Dash Kosher or sea salt to taste
Dash fresh ground black pepper to taste
good sauce or frying pan with a lid
Wash and snap beans
Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Cook and stir garlic until lightly browned.
Mix in green beans and water, and bring to a boil.
Stir in allspice, salt, and pepper.
Cover, and simmer 20 minutes, until green beans are soft.
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READERS' GUIDE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
SUGGESTED questions for a discussion group surrounding An Aria for Nick, part 2 of the Song of Suspense series.
When asking ourselves how important the truth is to our Creator, we can look to the very reason Jesus said he was born. In the book of John 18:37, Jesus explains that for this reason He was born and for this reason He came into the world. The reason?
To testify to the truth.
In bringing those He ministered to into an understanding of the truth, Our Lord used fiction in the form of parables to illustrate very real truths. In the same way, we can minister to one another by the use of fictional characters and situations to help us to reach logical, valid, cogent, and very sound conclusions about our real lives here on earth.
While the characters and situations in the Song of Suspense series are fictional, I pray that these extended parables can help readers come to a better understanding of truth. Please prayerfully consider the questions that follow, consult scripture, and pray upon your conclusions. May the Lord of the universe richly bless you.
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Staff Sergeant Thomas Ahearne trained Nick for battle with his father, but he did not actively evangelize him. In fact, the first time Nick ever held a Bible was when Aria gave him one.
1. Do you think Nick would have been receptive to the Word of God if Ahearne had evangelized him?
2. What did you think when Aria gave Nick the Soldier's Bible before he went to Basic Training?
3. Have you ever gifted someone whom you cared about with a Bible?
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In Matthew 5:44, Jesus says: But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
Even so, Nick struggled with the idea of praying for his own father.
4. As Christians, how difficult do you find it to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you?
5. This is a common theme running through the book. Nick could not fathom praying for his father, even after he became a Christian. How do you think that affected his walk with Christ?
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The Bible teaches us to love our enemies and to not murder. Yet, Ecclesiastes 3:3 says there is a time to kill, and the Bible is full of tribute to warriors from David to Deborah.
6. How do you think Nick's career could be reconciled with a Biblical walk?
7. Do you think soldiers who are following orders on the battlefield have broken God's laws or commandments?
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Nick realized that Aria was reaching the end of her proverbial rope, and offered to pray with her in an attempt to help center her. It worked.
8. Can you recollect a time when you used prayer as a means for centering yourself in a stressful situation?
9. What is it about prayer that provides a centering, calming affect?
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Aria worked through her broken wrist and the end of her career because Raymond sobered up, came to know Christ, and ended up helping hundreds of boys over a decade of sobriety.
10. Would you have been able to "find the bright side"?
11. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 t
ells us to give thanks in all circumstances. How did Aria model this to us?
12. Do you think Aria and her family's love and acceptance of Raymond had a direct impact on his lasting sobriety?
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SONG OF SUSPENSE SERIES
The Song of Suspense Series…
A MELODY FOR JAMES
MELODY Mason and James Montgomery lead separate lives of discord until an unexpected meeting brings them to a sinister realization. Unbeknownst to them, dark forces have directed their lives from the shadows, orchestrating movements that keep them in disharmony. Fire, loss, and bloodshed can't shake their faith in God to see them through as they face a percussive climax that will leave lives forever changed.
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AN ARIA FOR NICK
ARIA remembers her first kiss and the handsome boy who passionately delivered it before heading off to combat, but the news of his death is only a footnote in a long war until she learns she was his beneficiary. His parting gift allows her to pursue a lifelong dream and become a world class pianist.