They Plotted Revenge Against America by Abe March

About the Author:

Abe F. March is an international business consultant and author, living near Landau, Germany with his wife Gisela. An active retiree, he enjoys hiking and exploring the local vineyards and can also be heard singing with a regional men's choir. Mr. March's career has taken him around the world to work in many areas from his birthplace in the USA to Canada, Europe and the Middle East.

His first book, To Beirut and Back - An American in the Middle East, was published in 2006 and is a memoir of his adventures that took him to Lebanon in the 1970s. Mr. March grew up in York County, Pennsylvania on the family farm, and he served in the USAF from 1957-61. His business career got underway with the computing sciences division of IBM's service bureau where he held positions as manager of administration and operations analyst. He later joined an international cosmetic company where he rapidly achieved top distributor status and was promoted to Vice President of Sales Development and Product Marketing Management, an opportunity which took him throughout the USA and into Canada, Greece, and Germany.

With international experience and an entrepreneurial spirit, Mr. March started his own importing business headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon, for the distribution of cosmetics and toiletries to the Middle East markets. With an ease about him and a talent for developing business relationships, he also functioned as a locator of goods and services sought by Mid-Eastern clients before the civil war in Lebanon destroyed his successful business enterprise. Mr. March returned to the United States to start over, and was soon working on an international level once again. His subsequent work involved Swan Technologies, Inc., a personal computer manufacturer in West Germany, and back to the US to work with Stork NV, supporting a fleet of 1200 Foker Aircraft. He officially retired in 2001.

For more information please visit http://www.freewebs.com/abemarch

About the Book:

An American attack on Baghdad leaves heartbroken and angry survivors. Two different families, one Muslim and one Christian, are wiped out in the 2003 raids and their young adult progeny are determined to avenge the loss of their loved ones. An Israeli Secret Service Agent with a grudge of his own, knows just how to tap into the vulnerabilities that grief leaves, and he organizes the training of select men and woment whose desire for vengeance is strong enouh to consider a deadly covert mission in America. Trainees will learn to blend in, disappear in the multicultural mix of the US and then infest the food and water supply with a deadly flu virus capable of mutating and infecting the human population. The antidote - if it works - will only be revealed under strict demands.

As a part of their indoctrination, mission members must have a deep understanding of the causes of conflict in the Middle East. Peering through the darkness of their grief and hatred, some team members come to realize that they could ultimately be responsible for millions of innocent deaths. Their actions could break the stalemate between the Israelis and Palestinians - or bring unparalleled tragedy.

I was lucky enough to be able to interview the author. Here's what he had to say:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

It is about a select group of young men and women who desire revenge for acts of terror committed against their families and country. They determine to carry out this revenge on a country that has either engaged in aggression, or supported it. These young men and women are trained to blend into the American society while they organize their act of terror with dire consequences. Romance between the players in this drama affects the outcome of their mission as well as a change in attitudes as the terrorists get to know and understand Americans. The book is based on true events and places. The characters are a work of fiction but the feelings they express in dialogue are real. The book is an eye opener for people not familiar with the ongoing events in the Middle East and the continued struggle for peace.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

Yes. It was America’s invasion of Iraq. Having lived and worked in the Middle East, I knew the consequences of this action and that revenge could be part of the overall ramifications. It was not just the ill-conceived assault on Iraq, but it encompassed a much larger problem. I tried to weave the overall dilemma into a story that would bring the root of the problems to the attention of the American public in a realistic manner.

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

I am passionate about peace in the Middle East. I have witnessed the suffering of thousands of displaced people and the horrors of war. The deaths caused by the continued political intransigence for a solution is tragic.

What are you currently working on?

I’m putting the finishing touches on a romance novel where the characters take a Journey into the Past. It is a change of pace from the more serious side of things. Love is certainly a better subject than hate and violence.

Do you have any advice for writers or readers?

Write about something you are familiar with or passionate about. For the reader, it can be a learning experience while at the same time, entertaining.

What do you feel has been your greatest achievement as an author?

To be held in esteem for providing valuable insights about important issues.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

Experience.

Biggest weakness?

Being too sensitive about what other people think.

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

The book is timely and deals with the threat of terrorism in an unusual manner. Whereas people think of terrorism in terms of explosives or guns, this book deals with a threat far greater and more deadly. It can serve to help find a solution to the threat of terrorism and to be on guard against future acts of terror.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from life so far?

Since my retirement, I’ve had time to reflect on my past. Events caused me to realize that the important things in life are not centered on making money. Everything of value comes from people. Getting to know people and accepting them as they are, giving more attention to those close to me and enjoying what I have, has made my life more worthwhile.

WIN PRIZES!!!

THEY PLOTTED REVENGE AGAINST AMERICA VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR '09 will officially begin on May 1 and end on May 29. You can visit Abe's blog stops at http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/ in May to find out more about this great book and talented author!

As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available.

A Worthy Muslim by Amir Makin book spotlight and author interview

Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: A.I.C Publications (May 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0979946409
ISBN-13: 978-0979946400

Book Synopsis:

This material provides an examination of the Islamic way of life and offers solutions to problems concerning situations of injustice which underprivileged minority communities in different parts of the world regularly experience. Socioeconomic issues such as racism, poverty and legal system imbalances are analyzed. The author compares these issues with the religious texts of Islam and identifies imperative tools needed to successfully overcome and conquer them. What does Islam say about tyrants? Why is Islam not a religion? The answers offered here address these questions and more.

This book explains how oppressed communities can handle and overcome oppression by seriously examining the practice of true Islam. The author analyzes the difference between what is incorrectly perceived as Islam and the way of life called Al Islam while also detailing how different prophets implemented Quranic teachings when standing against injustice. Information is then used to examine real world situations of oppression that occur in today's climate with a particular emphasis on the disadvantaged and impoverished of American society from not only a socioeconomic standpoint, but a psychological and spiritual vantage as well.

Amir agreed to answer some questions for me. Here are the answers he provided.


Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

I would say Langston Hughes, Nelson Mandela, Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali. Three of these men have authored literature that is timeless and universally applicable. They have all helped my analytical capacity enormously.

Do you write everyday?

I write pretty much every day, because usually something occurs concerning affairs in the Middle East or Iraq or Africa. Whether it’s racism, poverty or international politics, I’m never at a loss for things to analyze.


What has been your greatest achievement as a writer?

Having a person who has read my literature say to me that they have been inspired to work for positive change is better than any other feeling attained from writing.

Have you always wanted to be a writer, or aspire to be something else growing up?

I initially aspired to be an engineer. After I achieved this goal, the writing bug seriously bit. I’ve always liked to research topics of interest and strive to reach the greatest depths of understanding particular issues. Now I get to apply that concept when disseminating information concerning facts on Sunni Muslims, or the effects of internalized oppression.

Are you currently working on anything?

I’m planning on releasing three new titles in 2009. They will focus on the issue of manhood development and training the spiritual foundation for taking control of one’s community, how to reduce the rate of recidivism among some former convicts, and strengthening the bonds of family.

What authors do you enjoy reading?

I don’t really have any particular authors that I’m loyal to reading because it’s the subject matter and perspectives offered that initially draws my interest. However I do like some of the poetry from Maya Angelou, and some of the fictional characters developed by Kenneth Robeson.

Is there a particular author/s (yourself excluded) who you feel don't get the recognition they deserve?

I don’t think Cheik Anta Diop gets the necessary credit deserved. His research on the history of the development of a successfully independent pre-colonial Africa should be used to examine the full weight that post colonial oppression of Africa played in not only international politics and affairs, but also how its consequences produced catastrophic and monumental effects of the future.

What is your favorite book?

To me a good nonfiction book should provide new insight every time you pick it up bringing thought challenging statements when weighed against history and expected events of the future. The Autobiography of Malcolm X does this extremely well.

What is a book that has been highly acclaimed but you haven't liked?

Usually when I read a mystery I like to get the feeling of being made to connect to the main character so that by the end of the story I feel as if I have a personal vested interest in the outcome of the story, but when I read The Hound of the Baskervilles I was disappointed and didn’t get that feeling. I thought I would because this book generated a lot of attention and praise.

What word or phrase do you feel is overused?

“You know what I’m saying” is used much too often. I think this occurs partly because it encourages the ones that use the phrase to be less communicative when attempting to get others to understand what they want to convey. It also means taking for granted that those listening have the same point of reference as the speaker. If they don’t, then the speaker should have a way creating that point of reference so his audience can connect with both him and his words.

I’d like to thank you for the opportunity to share my book with your readers. Also because this is Ramadan (the month of fasting), I’m offering an opportunity for a book giveaway which will conclude at the end of Ramadan (projected date is October 2, 2008). This will require reader participation of which complete details can be found on my blog which is http://aworthymuslimovercomes.blogspot.com

A WORTHY MUSLIM VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR '08 will officially begin on September 2, '08 and end on September 26, '08. You can visit Amir's tour stops at www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com in September to find out more about him and his new book!

As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author with a recent release or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available. The winner will be announced on our main blog at www.pumpupyourbookpromotion.wordpress.com on September 26!

This virtual book tour is being brought to you by Pump Up Your Book Promotion and choreographed by Dorothy Thompson.