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.




Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Contract Offered for The Vase!

It became a reality over the weekend. Yet another contract was offered for The Vase, and I accepted it. This makes the fifth contract that was actually offered for The Vase. (A sixth was verbally offered, but I held off,) and on the two others I passed.)

The entire time I knew The Vase was a special story. Much of it is expressed on the header to this blog, and so are some of the leading characters. It's a very controversial situation over there in Israel, and a lot of publishers were too scared. But regardless, the concept is so original and unique, that a lot of publishers were more than willing to publish it.

So who is the publisher who gets it now? Penumbra Publishing, that's who. Like Virtual Tales, they give 50% royalties, and that's the way I like it. I expect The Vase to be a big seller. Especially if the Christian market gets wind of it. No, it's not a religious book, and it's not a spiritual book, but I just think the Christian market will go for it. Interestingly, there aren't any Christians in the story.

Virtually all the characters are Israeli Jews and Muslims. So why do I say Christians in particular will like it? There's a very good reason, and I think you already know why.

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