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, June 13, 2011

The Next Novel

I keep revising THE VASE, and it’s better than ever. But since I’ve already sent what I thought was my best draft, I’ll get back to writing my next novel.

So where was I regarding John Dunn? Oh yeah. The Zulu Civil War. He hadn’t met the Zulu Prince Cetshwayo yet, because it was the other prince, Mbuyasi, who came to the English colony at Natal for help. (I’m considering putting that in as a flashback.) The Natal government didn’t want to get involved, but John Dunn, being young, (22) and full of youthful zeal for adventure was eager to assist the prince. Boy was he in for a surprise. He was headed for one of the most brutal experiences anyone could ever experience. And I’m talking on a world scale that equals some of the worst horrors in history. But it’s how his unique story started. And it’s how I’m starting the book.

OK. Let’s go. Can’t just sit around waiting. May as well WRITE!!!
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2 comments:

  1. BarbJune 13, 2011 at 1:44 PM

    This sounds interesting. Good luck with it!

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  2. Mr. DJune 13, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    Thanks, Barb. Don't know if you caught my prior posts about this, but the most intriguing thing about John Dunn's story is: IT'S A TRUE STORY! I'm still in the researching phase. But I hope to at least get a good start this summer.

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