Will iconic images recorded in the grooves of an ancient vase unite the Holy Land or rip it further apart?

THE VASE

A novel by Mark M. DeRobertis

Muhsin Muhabi is a Palestinian potter, descended from a long line of potters. His business is run from the same shop owned by his ancestors since the day his forebears moved to Nazareth. The region's conflict saw the death of his oldest son, and rogue terrorists are in the process of recruiting his youngest in their plot to assassinate the Pope and Israeli prime minister.

Professor Hiram Weiss is an art historian at Nazareth’s Bethel University. He is also a Shin Bet operative on special assignment. With the help of fellow agent, Captain Benny Mathias, he plans to destroy the gang responsible for the death of his wife and only child. He puts a bomb in the ancient vase he takes on loan from Muhsin’s Pottery Shop.

Mary Levin, the charming assistant to the director of Shin Bet, has lost a husband and most of her extended family to recurring wars and never-ending terrorism. She dedicates her life to the preservation of Israel, but to whom will she dedicate her heart? The brilliant professor from Bethel University? Or the gallant captain who now leads Kidon?

Harvey Holmes, the Sherlock of Haunted Houses, is a Hollywood TV host whose reality show just flopped. When a Lebanese restaurant owner requests his ghost-hunting services, he believes the opportunity will resurrect his career. All he has to do is exorcise the ghosts that are haunting the restaurant. It happens to be located right across the street from Muhsin’s Pottery Shop.




Friday, May 4, 2012

Russia Now Listed No. 1

It has been confirmed that Russia is now listed no. 1 on my stats page in regards to readership of this blog. Is it a coincidence that just yesterday I was talking about Russia as being the no. 2 audience in terms of readership here?

Well, after writing yesterday's post about how readers are all over the globe, the stats page listed Russia as first and it wasn't even close. Russia is way ahead of the no. 2 country, which is now the United States. Thank you, Russia. If this keeps up I will make more characters Russian, like Doctor Vladimir Blitzkin in KILLER EYES.

Can't do anything about KILLER OF KILLERS or THE VASE, however. Those two stories are wrapped up. KILLER EYES may still be adjusted, and I've been doing that, but Blitzkin's role was already a good one. As for John Dunn's story, that's a story involving the British, their colony in Natal, and native Africans, mostly the Zulus. No Russians in that one. Some Dutch are in there. That's because of the Boers, who were the descendants of the Dutch in South Africa.

Oh well. Right now, I'm not sure what story I will write next. I am seriously considering another Trent Smith story, in which I will be sure to include Dr. Blitzkin if I do. And maybe have a scene take place in Moscow. Can't say for sure. I haven't even started planning it yet. But I think I will soon. Very soon.

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