Fiction

Title: Shuttle Rising; Rendezvous with a Rumor
Author: Charles Boyle
Genre: Fiction, Thriller, Sci Fi
Reviewer: Rob Ballister

ISBN (links go to the MWSA Amazon store): 0965721450

In a stealthy space rendezvous, astronaut Adam MacGregor captures a mysterious derelict rumored to be a tomb. His mission hopes to refute the claim that no cosmonaut ever died in orbit, thus emphasizing that Communists lie, routinely, even about their heroes. At stake are wavering votes for "Open Lands," a UN treaty to inspect for weapons of mass destruction. Russia, returned to Communism, denounces the plan, saying: "Our integrity makes inspection unnecessary."

Moscow detects Adam's mission and warns him to retreat. But he presses on and opens the derelict, discovering Ylena and what the Communists have really been hiding: the tragic failure of an intended spectacular propaganda mission in the early days of space flight. As the Communists attack, Adam fights for his life and for a chance at undying love with his aroused enemy. Gravity will kill this revenant if she returns to Earth. After the battle, both nations, wanting her survival secret, prepare forces to capture the couple who, defying orders to land, desperately seek options for an off-Earth future together.

Title: The Cyrus Caper
Author: Karl Boyd
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
Reviewer: David Tschanz

ISBN (links go to the MWSA Amazon store): 0557091411

In "The Cyrus Caper" - (the second lighthearted crime novel of the "Yes, we 'con'" trilogy), Roger Booth, his partner in crime, Carl James, plus most members of "The Nearly Perfect Plan" gang are running amok, again. This time aboard a cruise ship.
After successfully escaping from prison and eluding the FBI for two years, at the urging of their wives, Maria and Julie, Roger and Carl decide their notoriety has died down sufficiently for them to take a cruise to get away from the boredom of their self-imposed exile in the small Italian town of Reggio de Calabria.

When their "fun" cruise turns out to be a disaster, Roger and Carl make plans to get even with the Cyrus Cruise Lines by hijacking the same ship and robbing the passengers, casino, jewelry boutique and the Purser's office.

During a visit to Spain to requisition a WWII submarine to use for their escape, Roger and Carl are noticed and identified by agents of Interpol, who, in turn, inform the FBI of where their two most wanted fugitives from justice are residing.

In a surprise move, Roger and Carl are given a chance to complete their plans under the supervision of their old nemesis, FBI agent Jake Polk in hopes of capturing a most wanted Middle East terrorist.

The pair of con men agrees to assist the law, but true to his nature, Roger has other more devious plans. Double and triple crosses abound in the rollicking tale of deception, scheming and subterfuge. As always, with Roger and Carl, nothing is as it seems.

Title: Sheepdogs
Author: Al Billings
Genre: Fiction, Thriller
Reviewer: Stephen Phillips

ISBN (links go to the MWSA Amazon store): 1449034810

SOME SAY MEXICO IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN IRAQ.

Your 17-year-old granddaughter and her friends are kidnapped in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. The U.S. authorities say they can do nothing about it. Where do you go? Who do you turn to?

Nuevo Laredo exists today as a security nightmare, home to heartbreaking drug violence and lost lives. "Silver or Lead" is the new code in Mexico: Pay up or die.

In order to help his friend, Jerrod Hurst is drawn into the fight of his life. Out of desperation, the hardened veteran drafts his wartime brothers to execute his plan. After a daring, knife-edge rescue, the girls are successfully spirited out of Nuevo Laredo and across the U.S. border, a trail of blood and bodies littering the path. They must not only rescue the teens, but also minimize their own profiles. The mission is unauthorized by any government, and one mistake could result in prison, or death.

As the rescue unfolds, Jerrod uncovers a sinister terrorist plot. Beaten and almost killed, he is unwillingly pulled further into the nightmare, when he discovers that government agents have been playing both sides, reaping substantial profit from the drug trade they supposedly battle. Will he be able to expose the corrupt agents before it is too late?