‘Into The Fog of Charon’ is Mark Pennell’s debut historical fiction novel. Photo: Mark Pennell, used with permission.
Mark Pennell is a native of North Carolina with deep family roots that date back to the 1700s. He is an avid reader of US history, the works of Edger Allen Poe, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Ann Rice, and a fan of the drawings from the morbid mind of Charles Addams. “Into The Fog of Charon” is his debut novel, the inspiration which came to him in a dream that he had over a period of three nights back in 1986. Since life has a way of taking you down other roads, such as marriage, kids, and life in general, the manuscript laid forgotten in a box on the top self of a closet. Fast forward to May 2020 and the COVID 19 lockdown. With extra time on his hands, he searched for something to do and remembered the manuscript from all those years ago. Once he found the old composition notebook that contained the manuscript, he began to read the mere seventy-five pages when he realized that it needed a rewrite. Keeping to the original story, he worked on it off and on for a year and a half, until he was happy with the new manuscript. With the help of a dear friend who helped him with editing, he felt it was time to give it to the public. He has already started the next book in the Charon trilogy as the adventures of Jim, Danielle, Quincy, and Kim continue. “Into The Fog of Charon” is a historical fiction novel that centers around teenagers Jimmy Black and Quincy Miller. It is available through Amazonand Barnes & Noble. (Mark Pennell, 2023)
“Into The Fog of Charon” – Eighteen-year-old Jimmy Black and his best friend Quincy Miller are the MVPs in a historic, small-town basketball game against the Lancers of Loganville in North Carolina. Their sights are set on winning the game and hanging out with friends before they head off to college in the fall. Danielle Davis and her fellow cheerleaders watch the clock tick down to the final point.
One minute they are sweating on the court, and the next, they are in a desolate world, helpless in a large-scale alien invasion. The only clues are an old CD, a newspaper article, and a mysterious letter. With the help of Kim Fox, the four friends have to think fast and work together to navigate their new reality. Will they be able to unravel the unbelievable events that took place in 1945 in time to save the world?
“So, let us not be blind to our differences—but let us also direct attention to our common interests and to the means by which those differences can be resolved. And if we cannot end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.” – John F. Kennedy
Author Mark Pennell. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
‘The Purpose Of Life: To Love And To Create’ is Dave Dale’s new book about the search for the meaning of life. Photo: Amazon
Dave Dale was born the son of a minister in Dawson Creek B.C (northern Canada) and was exposed to religion, hockey, and cold weather at an early age. A graduate of the University of British Columbia, he received a business degree. He worked as an airport manager and business consultant and was the founder of a tech company, a member of the board of governors of a university, and a policy advisor to government cabinet members for science, technology, and transportation. Those experiences included successes and failures and provided him with insight into how many elements in our society actually work, including business, education, religion, government, transportation, technology, and marketing. He is grateful for his life and some of the hard lessons he has learned along the way, which have made him a better person. Those lessons are a catalyst for his desire to help people. He is a skeptical optimist who values the micro-moments of connections with others. His new book “The Purpose Of Life: To Love And To Create: The Meaning of Life Is Found By Expressing Love Through Creativity” is an exploration into the purpose and meaning of life. (Dave Dale, 2023)
“The Purpose of Life: To Love and To Create”– the author includes various quotes from religious leaders, physicists, astronomers, philosophers, artists, and everyday people who opened his eyes to possibilities and answers. This book is an attempt to connect the dots on many of the big questions of life itself with insights from accomplished thinkers. Everyone can acknowledge that love and creativity are important, but for the most part, we just skim the surface of their power and potential. This is why he challenges readers to explore love and creativity.
Throughout his life, he wanted answers to the big questions. Why are we here? What are we supposed to do here? How do we make life more meaningful? He searched for years and did not find answers that were remotely satisfying. He refused to accept the statement that life is ‘absurd’ or ‘meaningless’ and set out to get answers. Like many of us, he would wake up in the middle of the night and these questions weighed on him and made him restless. He lost sleep. He was frustrated and scared as death came closer every day.
His humble goal was to get answers regarding the purpose and meaning of life. What he found exceeded his wildest hopes and expectations. The beauty of the Universe is staggering and each of our roles can be especially important. Every time he got stuck on an issue while writing the book, synchronicity came to his rescue. He would stumble upon a quote, a YouTube video, a book, or a lecture that would unlock it. This book is the chronicle of what he found.
It is simple and even a little cliché to say life is about love. Even though most of us say ‘I love you’ to people in our daily lives, we do not fully appreciate its magnificence, its subtleties, its nuances or really how powerful it is. In one of the chapters, ‘Love Is Not An Emotion,’ he explores and explains why defining love as an emotion is wrong because it minimizes love. It is so much more than that. Looking at love in new ways is the cornerstone of the book and if you are open doing so, it will have a profound impact on your life. Love is and can be so much more than how we usually think about it.
This book is an exploration of the two most important activities we can undertake with our lives: Love and Creativity. What the world needs to solve its problems is what we need to give meaning to our lives: Love and Creativity.
Kelly Anne Manuel offers a book for each day of the month with messages about permission and encouragement. The books are designed to help children see the world in entertaining and inspiring ways. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Kelly Anne Manuelis a children’s book author who released an astonishing 31 books – one for each day of the month – to give kids an array of positive messages. An eternal optimist who has been called “the good kind of contagious,” Manuel has a unique voice that children respond to because of her own actively vibrant inner child. Her books are available in four series: The Essentials Series, The Rainbow’s End Series, The Classics, and My Name Is Series. In addition to being a self-described “uncommon author,” since she did not set out to write children’s books but happily took the path life intended for her, she is also a mother and an artist. Kelly Anne Manuel grew up on New York’s Long Island and earned a BA Degree in Telecommunications with a major in Marketing and minor in Spanish from Indiana University. (Black Château, 2023)
There is a different book for each day of the month and the books are categorized in four series, each with a theme for young readers. The books are published by Balboa Press, a division of Hay House, Inc. and are available from Amazonand other retailers. “The Catcher Dream” and “My Name Is Light” are coming soon.
The Essentials Series – Positive self-talk books that kids can pick up anytime. Daily affirmations filled with positivity that encourage independence so children can face their fears and explore their world with the help of animals and the natural world.
The Rainbow’s End Series – Destination stories that aid in imaginary and play discourse. The gap between reality and pretend is bridged. Each book begins with “The other day I went to visit a friend…” and transports readers to a different place where anything is possible.
The Classics – Timeless books where all generations can find meaning. These many-layered stories have broad themes but focus on specific events and reality-based resilience topics. These books help kids navigate difficult situations.
My Name Is Series – Self and identity themed books that help children explore the duality of their internal and external nature. The importance of self-esteem and clear communication of the self are explored. These books give the child the opportunity to say: “This is who I am.”
“I want the world to know that these books are important for children everywhere to have access to. The books are an extension of my mission and purpose on the planet to support children of all ages and stages as they navigate through unprecedented times.” – Kelly Anne Manuel
‘Arranged Mating: Otherworlders Series’ is Chris Rogers’ new paranormal romance book. Photo: Amazon
Chris Rogers has been in education for over 17 in public education and post-secondary education. She is the first in her family to go to college; earning a Masters in Science Degree in Science Education and an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership. Her love for science inspired her to go into education. Reading and writing is a passion. She loves getting lost in a good book or relaxing by writing. As a new writer, Chris Rogers wants to bring her love for paranormal romance to readers giving them a world to get lost in when they open the book. In her new book “Arranged Mating: Otherworlders Series,” will Isla’s magical whip and her budding romance with her future werewolf mate be enough to help her save the worlds from bloodthirsty monsters? (Chris Rogers, 2023)
“Arranged Mating: Otherworlders Series” – Disciplined, strong, and skilled with her magical whip, Isla Bane was raised far away from prying human eyes, among the male wolves of her pack. But the future she has always imagined as the Alpha of her pack becomes nothing more than fantasy when her grandfather interrupts her morning coffee to tell her she is to be mated to the infamous womanizer Axel Griffith – the heir to the wealthy Shadow Pack. As she joins the Shadow Pack in preparation for the mating ceremony, her feelings for Axel grow unexpectedly fast, as does the threat from the insane and bloodthirsty Crazed Otherworlders. Faced with this deadly and suddenly organized enemy, Isla and Axel need to trust each other with their world-altering secrets and overcome their stubborn attitudes if they want to save their packs and the world order Isla was Chosen to protect – even if no one else can be trusted.
Part of the Kids Should Know series, this book teaches kids basic safety rules such how to safely cross a street and the importance of wearing a helmet when bike riding. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
“Top 20 Safety Rules: The Ultimate Guide for Kids & Children”is an informative guide for parents and caregivers who want to teach children the essential safety rules to keep them safe from harm. The book provides simple, easy-to-understand safety rules that cover a wide range of potential hazards that children may encounter in their daily lives. The book’s focus is on teaching kids basic safety rules, such as crossing the street, wearing helmets while riding a bike, and not talking to strangers. (Divan Publisher, 2023)
The book begins with an introduction that highlights the importance of safety and explains why it is essential to teach children safety rules. The author emphasizes that the goal of the book is to provide parents and caregivers with the tools they need to keep children safe and protect them from harm.
The safety rules presented in the book are divided into several categories, each covering a different aspect of safety. For example, the first chapter focuses on safety rules for crossing the street, such as looking both ways before crossing, using crosswalks, and walking facing traffic. The chapter provides clear explanations of each rule and offers tips for parents and caregivers to reinforce these safety habits with their children.
The second chapter focuses on safety rules for riding bikes, scooters, and skateboards. The author emphasizes the importance of wearing helmets and other safety gear, obeying traffic rules, and being aware of one’s surroundings. The chapter includes helpful illustrations to demonstrate safe riding practices and provide visual aids to reinforce the safety rules.
The book also includes a chapter on fire safety, which covers essential safety rules such as creating a fire escape plan, staying low to the ground during a fire, and not playing with matches or lighters. The chapter provides valuable information for parents and caregivers to teach their children about fire safety and prepare them for emergencies.
Another chapter in the book covers safety rules for playing outdoors, such as avoiding areas with high traffic, staying away from bodies of water without adult supervision, and not climbing on fences or trees. The chapter provides practical advice for parents and caregivers to ensure that children play safely outdoors.
The book also covers safety rules for interacting with strangers, such as not accepting gifts or rides from strangers, not giving personal information to strangers, and seeking help from a trusted adult if approached by a stranger. The chapter provides clear explanations of each safety rule and offers tips for parents and caregivers to reinforce these safety habits with their children.
Overall, “Top 20 Safety Rules” is an informative and practical guide that provides parents and caregivers with the tools they need to teach children essential safety rules. The book is well-organized, easy to read, and contains valuable information, stories and illustrations that parents and caregivers can use to keep their children safe from harm. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, this book is an essential resource for teaching children basic safety rules and helping them stay safe in their daily lives.
‘Liquid Shades of Blue’ will be released May 16, 2023. Photo: Amazon
James Polkinghorn is a lawyer and partner in a national law firm specializing in labor and employment law. He has extensive trial and litigation experience accumulated in multiple jurisdictions throughout the country. A Pittsburgh native, Polkinghorn moved with his family to Florida in high school, where he has since stayed. He has a degree in political science as well as a law degree from the University of Florida. In “Liquid Shades of Blue,” his debut novel, Jack Girard searches for the truth behind his family’s tragedies – first his brother, now his mother. It will be released May 16 and is available for pre-order from Amazon. (James Polkinghorn, 2023)
“Liquid Shades of Blue” – When hungover ex-lawyer and Key West bar owner Jack Girard groggily wakes up one morning, he is greeted by a beautiful woman lying next to him and a shrill, ringing telephone. Seeing the call is from his father, Claude “The Duke” Girard, Jack answers. Within seconds, he learns that his mother is dead in an apparent suicide, and Jack hits the road, heading back to his childhood home in Miami to face his tyrannical father. His mother’s death brings up haunting memories from Jack’s past—memories of his brother Bobby’s suicide when they were in college together. Being back in Miami only continues to dredge up his family traumas, but things grow more complicated when The Duke suggests that his estranged wife’s alleged suicide may have been a murder.
As Jack begins to uncover the truth about his mother’s death, including the secret she had revealed to only two people—the same secret Bobby had taken with him to his grave—he finds himself in imminent danger. Can Jack reveal the true story before it is too late? He has to act quickly, or he fears he may be the victim of the next Girard family tragedy.
‘Justice: A Tale of the Nepali Civil War’ will be released April 15, 2023. Photo: Ram Khatri, used with permission.
Ram Khatri is the translator of Franz Kafka’s ‘The Metamorphosis’ in Nepali and has worked as the managing editor and publishing manager for academic and commercial publishers in the United States. Originally from the Himalayan country of Nepal, he holds an M.S. in publishing from Pace University, New York, and an M.A. in English literature from Tribhuwan University, Kathmandu. Ram is always fascinated by truly diverse, unrepresented, and heartwarming stories that touch lives. When he is not working, Ram loves interacting with interesting people from different cultures and backgrounds. His new book “Justice: A Tale of the Nepali Civil War (The Graphic Novel Book #1)” is the story of a young girl’s brave journey to reclaim the life she left behind during the unforgiving conflict of the Nepali Civil War. The graphic novel is the first book of its planned three-book series and will be released on April 15, 2023. It is available for pre-order through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major book sellers. (Ram Khatri, 2023)
“Justice: A Tale of the Nepali Civil War”– In this heartwarming story of family connection, recollection, and survival, the author has revived the memories of the people affected by the Maoist-government war through the displaced to the working farmers.
“It was a simple life; a peaceful life,” narrator Tara muses in Ram Khatri’s pained, humane graphic novel. “At least that’s what I thought in my childhood innocence.” Justice chronicles, from young Tara’s perspective, the end of that innocence, which comes to her Nepali family farm in the form of war.
First, in the early 2000s, her nation is torn between Maoist revolutionaries and government forces, with her father increasingly pressured to take a side. As neighbors turn on each other, and young people are hauled away to fight, Tara’s parents attempt to persevere without involving themselves. But soon soldiers are searching their home as the children hide in the barn, and when the worst happens Tara blames herself. With its sublime settings, diverse characters, and riveting narrative, the girl learns the truth about the life that she left behind.
“Justice: A Tale of the Nepali Civil War” has two sections. The first section was illustrated in color by Sandipan Santra while the second was illustrated in black and white by Ingrid Lilamani. The purpose is to show how different artists from diverse backgrounds visualize the diverse Nepali settings, characters, and its historical events. While the people and places mentioned in Justice are fiction, the story is based on events that occurred during and after the Civil War era in Nepal.
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The fourth book in the Mark in the Colonies series of historical time travel books is now available. Photo: Amazon
Mark J. Rose is a scientist, author, and adventurer. He holds a doctorate in pharmaceutical chemistry and is a director of research and development at a major biotech company. Fascinated with how humans adapt to a rapidly changing world, his writing resides at the intersection of technology, science, and society. Rose is the author of the highly acclaimed Matt Miller in the Colonies series, which is available on Amazon and Audible. The fourth and latest book in the series, titled “Architect,” was released on February 28, 2023. (Mark J. Rose, 2023)
In “Architect,” twenty-first-century scientist Matt Miller has become a wealthy businessman and politician with a beautiful wife and family. Yet, despite his every effort, Matt’s world is crumbling around him. Grace has recovered from her physical injuries, but her mental scars deepen as the threat to her family remains and her brother’s trial looms on the horizon. The Millers find themselves at the center of a turmoil that threatens to engulf the entire colony of Virginia and make it the epicenter of a revolution. As the events around Matt unfold and his situation worsens, an opportunity presents itself to right the wrongs he has caused—but only if he can leave behind his life in the colonies.
Mark J. Rose enriches his writing by extensively researching the places and times in his stories to create imaginable fictional narratives. For “Architect,” he took a detailed tour of Colonial Williamsburg, including the Governor’s Palace, John Randolph’s house, the Raleigh Tavern, and a private viewing of the Capitol building.
Rose predicts a precarious future for our society if we do not revert to having a sense of community. “Technology pulls us apart and fragments us,” he says. “No matter how much society advances through technology, our basic humanity remains constant and all-powerful. We have a fundamental need for community and the security that it represents.”
Published by The Skydenn Looking Glass, “Matt Miller in the Colonies: Book Four: Architect” by Mark J. Rose is available on Amazon and other bookstores.
Other books in the series include “Journeyman,” “Prophet,” and “Virginian.”
San Antonio Book Festival, set for April 15, announces 2023 lineup for festival featuring 100 local, regional, and national authors. Photo: San Antonio Book Festival, used with permission.
The San Antonio Book Festival (SABF) is excited to announce its 2023 author lineup, which includes 100 notable local, regional, and national authors who will be participating in the festival. This year’s lineup includes nationally renowned authors such as Kiese Laymon, Geraldine Brooks, Melissa de la Cruz, Matthew Desmond, and more. The free festival will take place Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 9a.m. to 5p.m. at the Central Library and UTSA Southwest Campus in downtown San Antonio. (San Antonio Book Festival, 2023)
The full author lineupis now available. Locally owned and operated bookstore Nowhere Bookshopwill be the Festival’s official bookseller. Book sales and signings will take place at the Nowhere Bookshop tent in the Festival Marketplace (UTSA Southwest Campus parking lot).
The 11th annual San Antonio Book Festival starts at 9a.m., and will officially kick off with an opening ceremony at 9:30a.m. featuring remarks from SABF’s executive director and Mayor Ron Nirenberg.
SABF is a free, family-friendly event that draws anywhere from 15,000 to 20,000 festival goers to downtown San Antonio for a full day of author presentations, panel discussions, book sales, signings, children’s and teen activities, and food trucks. SABF showcases debut authors and established writers, introducing attendees to new literary talents and connecting them with their favorite authors. A detailed festival schedule will be available in late March.
The 2023 SABF will assemble a wide array of authors—for all ages—who will travel across Texas and the nation for the one-day festival.
“The past year in US publishing has been vibrant and varied. Readers sought romance books in greater numbers, thanks to the rise of BookTok (TikTok, but for book lovers). For the first time, we will have a romance panel at this year’s Book Festival. There’s also been a trend towards thriller and horror lately, with authors using the genre to discuss trauma and mental health, likely because the past few years have been so anxiety-provoking.” – Anna Dobben, the San Antonio Book Festival Literary Director.
Joining the festival this year are award-winning authors like Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award Finalist Rebecca Makkai, who will be promoting her new book “I Have Some Questions for You,” a literary mystery set at a boarding school exploring gender, class, and race. Matthew Desmond, MacArthur Fellow and Pulitzer Prize–winning author of “Evicted,” will participate in the festival with his new nonfiction book “Poverty, By America,” a look at why poverty persists in America and who benefits from it. Marytza Rubio and Alejandro Varela will be promoting their 2023 National Book Award–honored novels.
Popular young adult authors like Adam Silvera, author of the New York Times bestseller “They Both Die at the End,” will join the festival to promote “The First to Die at the End,” the prequel to the aforementioned novel about two strangers who spend a life-changing day together. New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz will also be promoting her new Snow White retelling, “Snow & Poison.”
Additional award-winning authors participating in this year’s festival include Pulitzer Prize–winning Geraldine Brooks promoting her book “Horse;” 2022 MacArthur Fellow Kiese Laymon and his memoir “Heavy;” New York Times bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones with a new thriller “Don’t Fear the Reaper;” and Pulitzer Prize–winning Jane Smiley with a new novel, “A Dangerous Business,” to name a few.
The festival will also bring plenty of Texas authors to the festival, such as bestselling author Jeff Guinn, who will be promoting his new book “Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and a Legacy of Rage,” which accounts the disastrous siege at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco in 1993. Award-winning author Elizabeth McCracken will also participate in the festival with her new novel, “The Hero of This Book,” a story about a writer’s relationship with her larger-than-life mother. Poet Laureate of Houston, Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton will present her memoir, “Black Chameleon.”
In honor of its hometown, SABF is also excited to welcome local San Antonio authors to the lineup for 2023, including Lewis F. Fisher and his book about one of the city’s most beloved natural areas, “Brackenridge: San Antonio’s Acclaimed Urban Park.” Marcia Argueta Mickelson brings her young adult novel, “The Weight of Everything,” to the festival, a story about grief and reconnecting with your roots after the death of a loved one. San Antonio favorite Sandra Cisneros will once again join the festival, this time to promote her first published collection of poems in twenty-eight years, “Woman Without Shame / Mujer sin vergüenza.”
SABF will also host a variety of children’s, middle grade, and young adult authors, including National Book Award finalist Brandon Hobson, whose new middle grade book, “The Storyteller,” mixes the anxieties, friendships and wonders of a Cherokee boy’s life with Cherokee history and lore. Three-time Newbery honoree Christina Soontornvat brings her fantasy middle grade novel, “The Guardian Test: Legends of Lotus Island,” to the festival, a story about a special academy where kids learn to transform into magical creatures that protect the natural world. Children’s author Claudia Guadalupe Martinez will be promoting her bilingual picture book, “Still Dreaming / Seguimos soñando,” a story about a child’s journey during the Mexican Repatriation. SABF’s children’s lineup also includes Newbery and Caldecott–honored creators Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham with a new picture book from their bestselling Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn series, “Party Hearty Kitty-Corn.”
This year SABF will also host a new 21+ event called Lit Happens on the evening of April 14, from 6p.m. to 9p.m. Lit Happens is a night of engaging literary entertainment with libations on the side. Taking place on the eve of the festival, Lit Happens is a celebration of storytelling and community in the heart of downtown San Antonio. The night will kick-off with an outdoor poetry activation featuring Jose Olivarez and San Antonio Poet Laureate Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson at 6p.m. The second phase of the evening at 7p.m. is Worth Repeating, a live storytelling event at Texas Public Radio. Stacked with San Antonio Book Festival authors, this Moth-style session will include writers Rafael Agustin, Mahogany L. Browne, Rebecca Makkai, and Stephen Graham Jones. The night will officially end with a game of Literary Death Match at 8p.m. with Texas-connected authors–V. Castro, Rubén Degollado, Bobby Finger, Jonny Garza Villa–at nearby Legacy Park. Those looking to extend the celebration can easily walk to several local bars.
Book It! Luncheons will also be featured in this year’s programming. The SABF will host three separate intimate luncheons with festival authors hosted by various Book Festival board members. Our three luncheon authors are Ada Calhoun, Dean King, and Reza Aslan.
‘Winds of Adventure On the Barbary Coast’ is the new historical fiction novel by Jomini Struthers. Photo: Amazon
For fans of historical fiction and action/adventure fiction: Jomini Struthers has a new book out this month. In “Winds of Adventure On the Barbary Coast,” The MacGregor, the captain of the privateers breaks his gunner, Ruben, out of an English prison and presses him into service. They have sailed together before, and Ruben does not want to sail with the MacGregor again. However, he has little choice. It is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major booksellers. (Jomini Struthers, 2023)
“Winds of Adventure On the Barbary Coast”– Ruben and the second mate William do not like each other almost at once. Ruben is taken to the privateering ship where he meets two old friends, Mr. Alistair, the first mate, and a teacher nicknamed Archimedes by the crew. They set sail, but because The MacGregor has a convict aboard, they cannot cruise where they had intended. Ruben suggests they attack the corsairs of the Barbary Coast. After much underhanded wrangling, he convinces The MacGregor.
Their plan is to first attack the chieftain of the corsairs, Ahmed. They intend to steal or sink as many of his ships as possible so as to cripple him. They then plan to attack the Shah of the coast, who is the ally and fence of Ahmed. The Shah, however, lives in dread of the ferocious Ahmed. A storm drives them past the Straits of Gibraltar, and then, soon after they have beaten back north and passed the straits, they are captured by the galleys of Ahmed. Ruben manages their escape, and they succeed in taking two of Ahmed’s ships. They then set sail for the city of the Shah.
Once there, Ruben contacts his cousin Benjamin and an old friend named Abraham. The MacGregor begins to realize Ruben has been here before and has ulterior motives for everything he has been doing, especially when Ruben demands half of any loot they capture. Their plan is to sail boldly into the bay and open fire on the palace of the Shah. They hope that he will see the ships of Ahmed which they have captured and believe Ahmed is attacking him, and so will agree to their demands. They demand he empty his treasury for them. The plan goes remarkably well – until they have the gold.
Then everything begins happening at once. Ruben, with the aid of Abraham, steals a very large share of the loot from The MacGregor. Ahmed arrives and attacks one of the ships. William tries to kill Mr. Alistair, and then steals the rest of the treasure that Ruben had not taken. Abraham double crosses Ruben, and tries to steal Ruben’s treasure. Archimedes is almost killed by the Shah’s men. The end finds Ruben, The MacGregor, Archimedes, and a severely wounded Mr. Alistair with one small ship, and no treasure. They set out in pursuit of the treacherous William and further adventures.
SA Examiner 