Coming in September

A new CIA operative, Tom Russell, continues his adventures in Africa!

First introduced in The New Casablanca | Madness in Liberia… when the United States needs a tough man, to count on in Africa, they send in a Marine—Russell.

One of the most tragic stories in the history of Africa unfolded in the dark abyss of the Congo.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) could not escape widespread and unprecedented violence from rogue rebel forces, mercenaries, and criminal enterprises. Corruption, illegal smuggling, and ungoverned regions in the deep jungle helped ruthless thugs exploit the Congo’s vast, untapped mineral wealth. One of the world’s most remote locations, the  Belgian Congo, could not move beyond the epic inhumanity inflicted by its former colonial ruler. Under Belgian rule the practice of cutting off arms to maintain order was a common occurrence; just one example of brutality beyond conception inflicted on the Congolese. Even after emerging from colonial rule in 1960, a despot, Joseph Mobutu, forced his way to power after the assassination of Patrice Lumumba. Under Mobutu’s rule, death became commonplace and widespread violence blanketed the Congo and spilled over into neighboring peaceful countries. Western countries stood idly by as Africa’s first large-scale war claimed nearly five million lives over its nine year period.

* * *

In 2006, American Marine Corps officer, Tom Russell, on loan to the Central Intelligence Agency, arrives in the Congo. His mission: to help keep the peace in preparation for the upcoming DRC Presidential election. In Kinshasa he finds a nation on the brink of destruction. As the country and region spiral out of control, many factions transform the Congo into a blood-drenched powder keg: Belgians still play a vital economic role in their former colony; former Soviet Union KGB funnel blood diamonds out of the country; North Koreans and Iranians search for black market uranium; al-Qaeda wants a foothold in Africa; Hezbollah operatives smuggle weapons, and corrupt government officials seek personal gain. Greed governs everyday life and fuels the obliteration of hope for the Congolese.

Russell faces those determined to keep the Congo in utter chaos and he is not about to let that happen. He encounters an old lover, an Israeli Mossad agent, who arrives in the Congo  searching for a missing atomic bomb sold in the early 1970s to South Africa; believed to have been  traded to the former Congo President Mobutu for blood diamonds. Raw emotions from their torrid and never fully forgotten love affair further complicate a mission whose stakes have grown exponentially higher. His mentor, a British Colonel who works for MI6, arrives in Kinshasa to provide much needed assistance and Russell comes into contact with two retired CIA agents who served in the Congo during the 1960s—they teach him more about Africa than he would ever find out and learn on his own.

The focus on stopping the spread of the highest grade of uranium on the world’s black market quickly shifts; as the race is on to track down the loose nuclear weapon first and then control access to the uranium deposits. The fast paced action illustrates the true nature, challenges and complexity of clandestine operations in the Congo and highlights the struggle for stability in modern day Africa.

Available Now at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Book

The last thing the Badger wanted was to make this murder seem like a terrorist incident. Or was it? Interpreted as such, it could assure the funding for that new financial tracking program, which could then be subverted to the cause. But that could also lead to the involvement of the National Counter-terrorist Center, or perhaps worse, that new group formed over at the Department of Homeland Security; The Fusion Team a high level, special focus anti-terrorist group.

The decision is taken out of his hands however, and leads Fusion Team special agents JT Dunkirk and Juanita Singletary into the world of secret high-tech government organizations, terrorist activities funded by common crimes and illicit financial transactions, and the investigation of a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency scientist’s murder.

The first book in this exciting adventure series is available for order now!

 “Mirabella, the 13-year old hero of this exciting series, is a modern day combination of Joan of Arc, Marco Polo and a dash of Harry Potter.”

Comments from early readers (review copies):

“…definitely the next best seller among magical books and myths for children and young adults”

“…the story was quite simply enthralling” (59-year old)

“…an eerie theme that scared me a bit…” (19-year old)

“How his mother treated him made me feel sorry for him” (19-year old)

“Every twist and turn reveals a secret, a lie and a clue to the code that must be cracked…” (writer, creative producer)

“I feel a deep connection with Mirabella. It’s as if I am this character” (16-year old)

“The mysterious princess cries tears of white pearls. I wish I could know more about her story.” (8-year old)

“When I read this book I can feel what Mirabella feels” (12-year old)

“This book gave me goose bumps…” (19-year old)

“The secrets of the past with an equally dangerous present are captivating and very hypnotic.” (21-year old)

“It made me laugh, cry, feel hurt, feel happy and frightened” (24-year old)

“I love books that create magic for the reader…” (25-year old)

Read more about the book or ORDER NOW.

Hardcover: 224 pages

ISBN: 978-1937592011

AVAILABLE NOW

It is a simple story of a generation coming of age in a place and time we will not see the likes of again.

Michael Mazen was a child of the Great Depression and grew up on the streets of the Bronx. Snapshots of a Bronx Love Affair, covering 60 years, is the story of his life before, during and after World War II.

Few things are more painful than an unrequited love and his figured largely over a life of events, both great and mundane. That the love he held for her was captured only in brief moments, snapshots in time, didn’t matter.

That he lived and loved others was something we all aspire to and as a great singer once sang,

“The greatest thing… you’ll ever learn,

is just to love… and be loved in return.”

Michael loved, and in return, was loved.

This is a story of how the love of life (and a life of love) can burn brightly even in the darkest days and nights.

About the Author:

Martin Kroll was a teacher and an author. As an English teacher in the New York City school system for 35 years, guiding both junior high school and high school students in the study of literature and writing. His tenure included being a member of the faculties at both Herman Ritter Junior High School and Evander Childs High School. In his role as faculty advisor at Evander Childs, he nurtured numerous young and budding writers in publishing the school’s literary magazine for many years.

His literary career has included publication in New Voices and as a writing contributor to the screen play for Sweet Love Bitter (1967). Snapshots of a Bronx Love Affair is his first novel and are fictional reflections of one man’s life before, during and after World War II. His life experiences included participating in the liberation of Europe as a member of Patton’s 3^rd Army and witnessing the horror of the Holocaust.

In addition, his quest for knowledge led him to be both an art collector and international dealer of primitive art to the American art community. He spent many years of joy introducing Mexican, Portuguese and Yugoslavian artists to American art galleries and collectors.

“Marty” was a great listener but even a better counsel to his friends and family on both life and the difficult decisions one faces throughout. His “moral compass” always pointed the way.

This book is his legacy to both his family and his friends.

 Martin Kroll: An Appreciation

For more than 30 years, thousands entered his classroom as students and emerged as the beneficiaries of his humane, erudite and skillful teaching.

His gifts to his students included an appreciation of language and literature, and an understanding of the essentials of literate writing. A teacher of writing, he was a writing teacher—someone who practiced the craft they sought to teach to others as this novel so eloquently reveals.

 It is most appropriate that after all his years of presenting the works of other writers; his last achievement was to write this novel which he had long planned. As a colleague and friend, I read the novel with admiration as I know others will as well.

Henry Adams wrote, “A teacher affects eternity: he can never tell when his influence stops.”

Marty Kroll was such a teacher. His influence has never stopped.

Arthur Feinberg

September 2011

SORRY FOR THE DELAY IN RELEASING THIS TITLE: We’ve been in discussions with producers interested in optioning the film rights for Mirabella and the Pearl of Chulothe and that is why we have not ‘officially’ released the book. This will make a difference in a couple of things pertaining to publication and publicity for the book. We will make a decision on this by 9 December.

Click on the logo below

The first book in this exciting adventure series is available for order now!

About the Book :

Sara is not a typical 11-year old. Her parents are dedicated to saving animals and using nature to cures diseases.  A centuries old diary and medallion lead to a startling discovery. The truth is revealed that a facility concealed inside a Peruvian mountain hides more than anyone can imagine.

Wrapped within a thrilling story line of intrigue and betrayal, this amazing journey takes you on a gripping ride from the beautiful, desolate, sun-drenched deserts of Arizona to the remote and mysterious mountains of Peru; where Marina and Mikhail come face-to-face with an extraordinary discovery that will astonish the world—and lead to their daughter, Sara, who becomes the first new Animal Guardian in over 800 years.

When you put it all together, it’s a magical, inspirational experience.

 We welcome you into the world of Serpentauria. Read more about the book or ORDER NOW.

ISBN: 978-1-937592-02-8 (hardcover with dust-jacket)

ISBN: 978-1-937592-06-6 (paperback)

eBook (Amazon Kindle version)

Read Comments/Reviews:

at the Kindle Book Lending Club!

And at Amazon!

Available at these and other booksellers:

Ebook for the Amazon Kindle is available for order now

See some of the illustrations for the book!

Many of the world’s spiritual leaders, as well as indigenous teachers and professionals, acknowledge the energy center of our planet shifted in 1987 from the Masculine energies of Tibet to the Feminine energies of Peru, and more particular, Lake Titicaca, Machu Picchu, and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. There is also a prophecy all the Americas, north and south, were once bonded by a spiritual tradition and leader—and that one day they will be again. In eons past, they were united and known as Amaru-ca, ‘The Land of the Serpent’ and the symbol of the serpent was universally accepted as one of spiritual strength and wisdom.

“According to legend there is a special place, guarded against all evil by the ‘winged serpent.’ A place that serves humans and animals alike to create and maintain balance and harmony between, humans, nature and our world’s ecosystem.”

As you’ll find out, it is not just a legend…

Serpentauria: Ark of Extinction is the first in a series of family adventures packed with thrills, science and fantasy.

The story revolves around Sara, her mother Marina and father Mikhail, a geneticist. Sara Tsvetkov is not a typical 11 year old girl and her mom and dad are not the typical run-of-the-mill parents in modern suburbia. They lead a team dedicated to saving and protecting animals, and discovering how to use nature to find cures for many deadly diseases that ravage mankind. Added in is the Tsvetkov’s quest to save the world’s endangered animals and bring once-extinct species back to life using recovered DNA and cutting-edge cloning techniques.

The Tsvetkov’s journey starts with an event centuries ago that establishes Marina’s family as a line of stewards that serve as a host for an ancient animal guardian spirit worshipped by the Inca. A diary and medallion given to Marina by her grandmother compel Marina to make a startling discovery in Peru. It solidifies belief in the power of her legacy and the importance of working with nature to solve many of the problems faced by mankind. This discovery and Marina’s work with and love of snakes lead Mikhail to exploring the use of natural venoms in the development of cancer-fighting medicines. That secret research into a cancer cure draws the unwanted interest of others, including people in the US government, organized crime in Russia and South America. All want to steal the research and its byproduct, a fast-acting super-toxin with no antidote that makes its victims appear to have died by snakebite. Entangled by those bad elements inserting themselves into their efforts Marina and Mikhail turn to some of their own contacts within a federal agency to save their research… and their lives. The truth about Marina’s family and Mikhail’s work is revealed as we find that their secret facility concealed inside a South American mountain hides far more than anyone can imagine.

Serpentauria: Ark of Extinction is a family action adventure story. Wrapped within a thrilling story line this amazing journey takes you on a gripping ride from the beautiful, desolate, sun-drenched deserts of Arizona to the remote and mysterious mountains of Peru; where Marina and Mikhail come face-to-face with an extraordinary discovery that will astonish the world—and lead to their daughter, Sara, who becomes the first new Animal Guardian in over 800 years.

When you put it all together, it’s a magical, inspirational experience.

We welcome you into the world of Serpentauria.

The book is being optioned for development as a motion picture. 

312 pages

ISBN: 978-1937592004 (hardcover)

ISBN: 978-1-937592-07-3 (paperback)

eBook (Amazon Kindle version)

AVAILABLE FOR ORDER NOW

See what early readers of the review copy (of all ages) have to say!

 “Mirabella, the 13-year old hero of this exciting series, is a modern day combination of Joan of Arc, Marco Polo and a dash of Harry Potter.”

Comments from early readers (review copies):

“…definitely the next best seller among magical books and myths for children and young adults” 

“…the story was quite simply enthralling” (59-year old)

“…an eerie theme that scared me a bit…” (19-year old)

“How his mother treated him made me feel sorry for him” (19-year old)

“Every twist and turn reveals a secret, a lie and a clue to the code that must be cracked…” (writer, creative producer)

“I feel a deep connection with Mirabella. It’s as if I am this character” (16-year old)

“The mysterious princess cries tears of white pearls. I wish I could know more about her story.” (8-year old)

“When I read this book I can feel what Mirabella feels” (12-year old)

“This book gave me goose bumps…” (19-year old)

“The secrets of the past with an equally dangerous present are captivating and very hypnotic.” (21-year old)

“It made me laugh, cry, feel hurt, feel happy and frightened” (24-year old)

“I love books that create magic for the reader…” (25-year old)

Witnessing a ghoulish, twilight ritual at a boarding school would be terrifying for any 13 year-old girl and so it was for Mirabella.

Fear grows strongest in those that feel most alone. Since leaving New York City and coming to Delphion Grey, a very old school in England, she feels desperately on her own. After seeing the ritual from her attic window, Mirabella begins to hear things as well; strange sounds and voices coming from underneath the floorboards in her bedroom and in the library.

Suffering detentions for one offence or another, she spends hours writing lines or essays as punishment in the school’s old library, a vast, desolate place, filled with thousands of old books no one reads and a place no one visits voluntarily. When the voices lead her to the discovery of a concealed place of exquisite beauty, Mirabella sees a painting of a beautiful princess with a luminous teardrop in her eye, glowing like a small pearl. The next morning Mirabella awakes to find the pearl teardrop around her neck and soon realizes its powers are changing her.

The awarding of the pearl begins an awakening that releases things held secret for centuries at the school and other ancient places throughout the world. With this stirring, the mysterious owner of the school orders the burning of every book in the library, “…out with the past to make room for the future” the students are told but the real reason is far more sinister. Mirabella learns one of the voices in the library comes from a beautiful old book; its cover so worn the title is no longer legible and with most of its pages missing, it doesn’t have much of a story within. Mirabella saves him from the fire, and pledges to help find out what his real story is.

Dark agents attempt to stop her from learning more of the secrets and to end the search for the First Key. She embarks on an amazing journey, which takes her through the streets of London, to the city’s underground world of secrets, ghost stations, witches and fallen angels.

Just so you don’t think the cover images you see on our site are just image files (here are some of our projects since December 2009):