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.




Monday, July 12, 2010

Humor? Sure, but...

I put in a scene in my WIP that I thought was funny. But after reading it, I thought I should take it out. It's a funny scene, but it's not a funny book. I do use humor in my stories, but you got to be careful with it. It works often, even with dramatic or heavy duty stories, if it's done well, and at the right time.

I did it in KOK, and I think it works. I did it to a lesser extent in THE VASE, and it works there, too. But when I reread this one in Killer Eyes, I think that I will take it out. It's just not the right time for it, and the overall tone of the story really doesn't call for it.

So, yeah, humor is great...but it's about timing and placement. Be careful. If it's not right it will make your story worse.
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