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, March 5, 2014

Interview Went Well

It was my first ever interview. By a reporter, that is, and it was a good experience. She was very professional, and very interested in learning about my two published books, Killer of Killers and The Vase. A photographer came with her, and he was taking photos in what seemed like a rapid fire mode. At least that's what it seemed like, because every time he snapped a shot, it was like hundreds of shots were happening.

But then we sat down in my classroom, and she asked me to tell her about the books, so I started with my first one, Killer of Killers, and explained what it was about, and then I told her about The Vase, and  then she asked how I came to write them, what inspired me, what was the most challenging thing about writing a book, and where did I get the ideas for them.

The interview also covered my residence in the city where I live, how long I've lived there, and also about my family, and little of my history, and my job as a teacher.

Sure there's more, but I can't remember everything. I wonder if I will be able to post a link to the story when it comes out. If I can, I will. Then you can read the article for yourself, and hopefully buy a copy of one or both of my books. Because that's the only reason I wanted to do the interview. It was an effort to get the word out about my books, so people who might want to read them will know about them. It's called promotion and marketing. And it's something all authors need. Especially new authors, like me.

And if you are reading this, and you haven't bought your copy of Killer of Killers yet, or The Vase yet, buy one today. Thanks.

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