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.




Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Great Heroes Need a Series of Adventures

Great heroes in books, TV, movies, or even comics are not just one and done heroes. They need a stage on which to exhibit their heroism on a regular basis. If James Bond had only one movie for an audience to see, would he be the iconic hero he has been for years now? No. If Bat Man or Superman only appeared in one comic book story, would they be the iconic heroes they are today? No. If Conan only appeared in one short story by Robert E. Howard, would he have been the hero he became? No. If Captain Kirk... Well, you get the idea.

Which is why I feel it is very important that Trent Smith has the opportunity to display his heroic traits in more than one book. He's at two now. And I've already begun Book Three. I'm confident that Books One and Two are great stories. And I'm working on making Book Three a great one, too. That's why I haven't rushed them. Book One, Killer of Killers, was about three years in the making. Killer Eyes another three years, but that period of time was interrupted by my second book, The Vase, so it was more like a two year project. Still, I didn't rush it. And it might be an even better book. Not a better story, as the books are really a continuation of the same story. 

I would call it a story arc. Like the Borg story arc in Star Trek, TNG. And Book Three will pretty much wrap up that story arc. As for books after that? It remains to be seen, but I'd like to see the adventures of Trent Smith continue in some capacity. It may be up to me to write additional books featuring the world's greatest martial artist. After all, Bruce Lee had more than one movie. Unfortunately, his premature death limited his appearances in movies, but I think he was in at least three movies, maybe four.

So Trent Smith will need additional story arcs. After Book Three, I would like to see him in at least one more story arc. That would provide a decent  series for the character. And if I'm up to it, I'll keep it going. It depends on me and my publisher, too, I suppose. And who knows? If the audience keeps growing, maybe there could be another avenue for Trent's adventures. The big screen? The little screen? Either one would be a great development. Bottom line is keep the story alive. And that's what I intend to do.

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