Thank you, Chris, for inviting us to join you today. We are super excited to be featured on The Story Reading Ape’s Blogand promise to be on our best behavior. In fact, we have made a pledge not to make off with any of the fruit.

Available on Kindle and Paperback

Kindle priced at $0.99 for the introduction

The CONTRACT is a different story for writers John W. Howell and Gwen M. Plano. For either of them, it is their first attempt at co-authorship. After a year of Hurricane Harvey and other challenges, they have created, what they have termed, an inspirational thriller that bridges heaven and earth.

Here is the blurb:

The earth is threatened with a catastrophic political event which could result in international warfare and destroy all life on the planet. In heaven, a divine council decides that extraordinary measures are essential. They call for an intervention that involves two souls returning to earth. The chosen two sign a contract that they will work to avert the disaster.

Brad Channing, a Navy SEAL, and Sarah O’Brien, a teacher, become heaven’s representatives on earth. The story follows them as they individually and then together face overwhelming obstacles and eventually end up on a strategic Air Force base in California. It is there that they discover a conspiracy to assassinate the President of the United States. The terrorists have a plan for global dominance, and they are determined to complete their mission. Although military leadership appearsto have the President’s best interests at heart, it is not clear who can be trusted and who should be feared. The action is rough and tumbleas Brad and Sarah try to figure out the culprits for the plot that will turn into a worldwide conflagration unless stopped.

If you enjoy thrillers, this is one with enough twists and adventure to keep you riveted and guessing. If you like your thriller along with a good romance, Brad and Sarah’s initial attraction and eventual love will sustain you as they live out their heavenly and earthly desires.

Here is an excerpt.

He stood listening to the whoop-whoopof a helicopter approaching from somewhere beyond the tree line. He didn’t like the sound and could see no reason for anyone to fly a chopper at such a low altitude. His experiences in the Middle East alerted him to an imminent attack. “Something’s not right, Sarah.” Agitated, Brad’s voice held urgency.

He gripped Sarah’s upper arms and stared down at her. “Jump in the water and swim to the shore. Do not look back.”

Confusion darkened her brow,but then she glanced over Brad’s shoulder.A low-flying helicopter approached. Without further hesitation, she did exactlyas Brad had advised and dove into the water.

Brad pulled out his semi-automatic, but not soon enough, and could not get off a shotbefore a flurry of 7.62 mm bullets pelted the vessel, throwing pieces of the cabin into the air. Brad took cover behindwhat he figured would be the sturdiest part of the boat. The chopper turned. For sure, the next pass would bring even more destruction. Obviously, these guys meant business. What looked like automatic weapons protruded from the open door, whichmeant one thing: he needed to get off the boat before the mini-guns opened up for what would—in all probability—be the last time.

Not waiting any longer, Brad darted to the edge of the boat and dove over the side. When he surfaced, he saw the boat being riddled with gunfire. It wasn’t more than a second until the fuel tanks could take no more and erupted with a force that sent him tumbling through the water.

Author Bios:

John began his writing as a full-time occupation after an extensive business career. His specialty is thriller fiction novels, but John also writes poetry and short stories.  His first book, My GRL, introduces the exciting adventures of the book’s central character, John J. Cannon. The second Cannon novel, His Revenge, continues the adventure, while the final book in the trilogy, Our Justice, launched in September 2016. The last, Circumstances of Childhood is a family life Thriller story and launched October 2017. All books are available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions.

John lives in Port Aransas, Texas with his wife and their spoiled rescue pets.

See John’s other books HERE

Gwen had a lengthy career in higher education, and it was there that she published her first book, Beyond Boundaries, for students interested in volunteer work in developing countries. After she retired, she wrote her award-winning memoir, Letting Go into Perfect Love.

Gwen lives in Branson, Missouri with her husband.

See Gwen’s books HERE