THE PLOT
Bart and Allison Allan are on their way to Italy and the Greek Isles for a two-week visit. However what could be a relaxing second honeymoon quickly becomes a dangerous work assignment. The very pregnant Allison realizes that this will likely be her last mission as an agent with Anastasia, Interpol’s elite anti-terrorism organization, before she has her baby so she wants to participate fully. Bart, however, is resolute that Allison stay completely out of harm’s way. Clash is inevitable.
Their assignment is to retrieve several valuable topaz stones taken from a necklace owned by Empress Elizabeth of Austria, which, when assembled, could reveal the location of a forgotten treasure plundered by the Nazis – treasure that holds the secret to unimaginable power and wealth. On their heels is an violent terrorist organization determined to get to the treasure first to finance their malevolent plans.
ABOUT THE BOOK
What a fun way to research a book! My husband and I took a two week trip to Europe, one week cruising the Greek Islands on a luxurious ship, then a week in a tour bus going from fascinating city to city in Italy. I even got to climb the Leaning Power of Pisa!
During World War II, much looting of Europe’s treasures took place as one country after another fell to conquering armies. General Field Marshal Albert Kesselring was one of Hitler’s most formidable generals, called the German Master Strategist of the Second World War. But he was also a lover of fine art and beautiful things. When ordered to destroy cathedrals and museums along with other treasure-filled edifices, he stripped them of their valuable art and statues to save the artifacts.
I’ve included much factual information on him in the book. There are salt mines all over Italy (and other places in Europe) that were used as storage vaults for plundered treasure. The soldiers who did all the work of stashing the goods were usually killed so they couldn’t reveal the location. Some of these places were never found as the commanding officer was killed before revealing the location to anyone.
THE PLOT
For Bart and Allison Allan, a vacation is just what the doctor ordered . . . literally. As agents in Interpol’s anti-terrorist organization, Anastasia, this newly married couple has battled every imaginable plot designed to undermine the American way of life, and they need some time off.
But with the receipt of a harried phone call, the vacation is over. Bart and Allison learn that Islamic fundamentalists are in Idaho . . . and they aren’t here to see the sights. So buckle up, sit back, and enjoy, because this is a fast-paced, page-turning thriller that will leave you breathless.
ABOUT THE BOOK
I was born and raised in Idaho, and though I thought we had explored the area quite thoroughly, I never knew there were opal mines just a few miles from my home town. So I didn’t have to go far afield to research this book. Just a trip home to Idaho, and then a pleasant hour’s drive up I-15 to Spencer, near the Montana border. It was fun writing about an area that I had grown up in and touting the wonders of my home state.
One of the most intriguing characters that I ever created is Cody, who sometimes preferred being called simply “Injun.” He remains one of my favorites to this day, he and his pet.
