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, March 22, 2013

Killer of Killers vs. The Vase

So yesterday, I was saying that I liked Killer of Killers better than The Vase, but that doesn't mean it's a better book. Let me say it this way: I like Killer of Killers better than Moby Dick, A Tale of Two Cities, and The Great Gatsby, too, but no one will ever say it's a better book than any of them.

But So what? I still like it better than those other books, no matter how great they are. And that would be true no matter who wrote it. Why? Because Killer of Killers is the kind of book I like, and that's what matters to anyone who wants to read a book. It's got to be the kind of book that they like. It has to be a book that appeals to them, and Killer of Killers is exactly the kind of book that appeals to me, and anyone else who likes the kinds of things that I like.

Meanwhile, The Vase will appeal to virtually everyone. The difference is that Killer of Killers is more specific, meaning it's for readers who love action and scenes with a lot of fighting. Essentially, Killer of Killers is a story that men will appreciate. (Although plenty of women have told me they loved it, too.) Martial arts action is constant throughout the story. Yeah, there's romance, but romance that men can appreciate, (no wink, wink intended.) Yesterday, I compared the character, Trent Smith, to James Bond, Conan, and others from well known action movies, and also noted that he wasn't like any of them. And very importantly, (because I'm a teacher,) it isn't for kids. Too much adult content. The violence alone makes it not for kids, but there's some love scenes, too, although not graphic, still, it's not for kids.

But The Vase is not that kind of story. It's heavy in drama, in suspense, but not so much in action. It's a book that everyone can appreciate. Even kids. The overall theme is universal. It's a story of love, hate, revenge, and redemption, to be sure, but there's much more to it than that.

There's a decent amount of humor, too. It's no comedy, but there are lighter moments. And the climax, yes, the climax is what should really attract the large audience. Much like Dan Brown's books, I would think. The world's religions are featured in The Vase. Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. None are favored over the others, and none are put in a negative light. I walked with soft shoes in that regard. I think I succeeded. Pretty soon, when it's available you can judge for yourself. Stay tuned.

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