Pirates and Cartels
Military Writers Society of America 2011 Silver Medal for Fiction-ThrillerBranson Stars and Flags: Gold Medal for General FictionMilitary Writers Society of America: Silver Medal for Thrillers.Lee and Vista Boyland's new novel, "Pirates and Cartels" is the continuation of storyline, characters, and theme established with "The Rings of Allah," "Behold an Ashen Horse," and "America Reborn."  America has suffered the unthinkable. An Islamic terrorist has detonated nuclear bombs in five metropolitan areas. The blast in Washington DC takes out all three branches of government. Robert Alexander, the Secretary of Homeland Security, is the next in line and he reluctantly steps forward to become President of the United States at its lowest moment."Pirates and Cartels" begins with President Alexander's strong stand on threats to American security.  With ideological surety, Alexander establishes a relationship with the world community that says, "work with us or endure the consequences."  He deals harshly with the Islamic world, destroying all those who do not put aside the rites and customs associated with that belief system. He partners with the President of Mexico to repel drug cartels' criminal incursions into the United States ... both on US soil and in Mexico. He sends the Navy to deal with the kidnapping of an American cruise ship. It's a wild and treacherous world...and Alexander meets each challenge with sufficient force to destroy his enemies and terrify their cohorts."Pirates and Cartels" is a terrific read. Masterfully plotted with wry tongue-in-cheek imagery, dialogue, and character interactions, the authors deliver political satire at its best. The sniveling villains are the type you'd find in low places.  The protagonists are big...big in stature, ability, and moral outrage.  The conflicts are played out on a theater stage set up to mimic our world, the players look and sound like people we know and hate, the weapons are frighteningly familiar. It's America as the authors posit it should be.  Through the deadly clouds dispersing over the United States' crushed cities, Alexander brings hope.After a stressful day of watching the horrors of the world play out on our TV sets, retire to your recliner with a glass of wine and "Pirates and Cartels."  Read about Alexander's Amazons kicking-butt in the world's most misogynistic societies.  If for no other reason, you will get a good belly-laugh going. Justice and retribution can be so satisfying!~ Joyce Faulkner, President Military Writers Society of America, author of "In the Shadow of Suribachi," "Chance ... and other horrors," "Username," and "Losing Patience" --Military Writers Society of America