The bullet slapped at air an instant before the spherical frosted light globe shattered, then came the muted explosion from the rifle. The woman stopped, turning to watch tumbling shards of glass, randomly reflecting the sun's rays.

She wasn't frightened, only puzzled. Alertness accented the delicate structure of the chin, nose and brow. The large bright brown eyes overflowed with questions.

"Get down!" I yelled, lunging toward her.

She turned further, toward the source of my words. When she saw me charging, a touch of fear interfered with puzzlement. The second round pummeled the air. Its scream ended abruptly in a sullen thunk.

It was as if someone had yanked her hair, hard, dragging the body after it. For an instant, the fine features seem to swell grotesquely. Then they became pinched, the eyes dull and sunken, as a cone of bone and blood and pinkish tissue erupted from her head.

more excerpts

When a sniper kills the lovely woman Nick is walking behind, he can't restrain himself. He tries for the shooter. Bare handed. Even though he fails, it's headline news. Kate wants a follow up story. Nick isn't interested.

The attack proves to be the work of domestic terrorists. And they want Nick dead, for he can identify the sniper. In his efforts to survive, he becomes irrevocably linked with Kate, who is then also slated to die. Their only hope is to uncover the true objectives of this group. And then to thwart them in some way.

Against all odds, they discover exactly what is needed. Records. Irrefutable proof. All of it of incalculable value to anyone seeking more wealth or power.

In this lies a grand dilemma. They must pass this information to someone able to prevent what is planned, and thus save their lives. But who with such power can be trusted to act in the interests of the country, rather than their own?

Once started, you won't put this book down until you're read the last word. Another barn-burner, that's certain. -- Action Tales

While writing Strike Terror, the focus was strictly on pace. While I like the way the characters evolved, I kind of think this tale moves more quickly than anything else I've written. It opens hard and fast. Then there's a lull in which major characters are introduced. But soon it's moving again, and it accelerates right to an ending that seems trick to me. I hope you'll find this so.

Bob McElwain