Lies In Wait by Donna Del Oro

Writing this prescient story last year (I wrote LIES IN WAIT before the recent and tragic Boston Marathon bombings) was a challenge. I read scores of books and articles about Islam, Muslims in America, the Qur’an, the history of Islam and the FBI’s undercover and intelligence strategies in counter-terrorism. What I discovered was both enlightening and deeply disturbing.

I read declassified reports by the CIA on what law enforcement agencies can expect will happen when the Muslim population in an American city reaches 1%, 2 %, 3-5%. When the population reaches the 3-5% range, the Muslim community begins to petition for Sharia Law zones, like the ones that currently exist in the Netherlands. Denmark and France are approaching that percentage and their laws are facing challenges by their Muslim populations. Sharia Law zones are neighborhoods where Islamic political and social laws supercede American or the host country’s laws. For example, Sharia Law condones honor killings and the stoning of homosexuals. The antithesis of our Bill of Rights.

I even learned some Arabic. What I learned by reading English translations of the Qur’an, however, was chilling. This is the Islamic holy book that every American should read. And one reason why I include a quote from the Qur’an to begin my story. The Qur’an consists of the transcribed instructions by God through the Angel Gabriel to Mohammad. While in trances, Mohammad related these messages from God/Angel Gabriel and accordingly, was inspired by these to lead armies to conquer and control all of Arabia. There are passages in the Qur’an that encourage “jihad”, or holy war against infidels and apostates. Convert, subjugate or kill is the pivotal phrase of the Qur’an.

If only Americans realized the dangers we all face by remaining ignorant. The FBI is aware of these dangers but often they are hamstrung by the very rights we all enjoy. New guidelines by Attorney General Eric Holder and the Department of Justice have restricted federal law enforcement agencies. For instance, in the FBI’s current training manuals, the words “Islamic terrorists” have been omitted. Since October 2011, the FBI can no longer conduct undercover operations in mosques, nor recruit informants from those mosques. One of the reasons why the Boston FBI field office was operating in the dark and did not prevent the Boston Marathon bombings. What happens in my novel, LIES IN WAIT, now cannot take place. That knowledge chills my heart.

My most interesting day of research was at a Silicon Valley mosque, the largest in Northern California. Our tour guide was a former engineer who has lived in this country for nearly forty years. She was kind and gave us a child’s catechism version of Islam, unaware that I came with months of research behind me. I think moderate, peaceful Muslims want what all of us want, a world in which their children can thrive. On another level, there are currents of secrecy that many guard zealously. CAIR (the Council for American Islamic Relations) warns in bulletin board posters not to cooperate with the FBI. The Middle East Forum is a researcher’s treasure trove of Islamic facts and scholarly studies. Every American should read their articles and books and draw their own conclusions. In summary, my eyes were opened to the strange and controversial world of Islam, and especially its role in America.

This research brought me to the point where I could effectively write LIES IN WAIT Book Two in the Jake Bernstein FBI Thriller series. And I’m happy to announce the novel released today. Here is a brief intro.

For love of country or love of a woman?

These are two of the choices FBI analyst/undercover specialist Jake Bernstein faces when he goes undercover for the Joint Counter Terrorism Center. His mission: Go to Silicon Valley and identify the masterminds behind what the JCTC chief believes is a coordinated terrorist plot that may involve five American cities. As a disaffected, biotech scientist, Jake is recruited by the Islamic jihadists and tested in a harsh, brutal way. But slowly, the pieces of a possible terrorist plot begin to emerge. Still, the entire puzzle eludes Jake. To stop the deaths of thousands of lives, he must gain access to the terrorist cell’s inner circle and learn the details of their plot.

In his desire to see his lover Meg, he breaks cover one time and flies to rendezvous with her in San Diego, unintentionally involving her in his case. To maintain his cover and prove his loyalty to radical Islam, however, he must pass the ultimate test of loyalty—do the unthinkable with his own bare hands. If he cannot do this, the undercover operation will fail.

As the cell lies in wait for the final, deadly call to action, Jake must make a fateful decision. Save the woman he loves or save thousands of Americans? Is he clever enough to do both?

LIES IN WAIT is available from Amazon, Musa Publishing and the author’s website.

 *****

The exciting sequel to A BODYGUARD OF LIES!

For love of country or love of a woman?

These are two of the choices FBI analyst/undercover specialist Jake Bernstein faces when he goes undercover for the Joint Counter Terrorism Center. His mission in Silicon Valley: Identify the masterminds behind what the JCTC chief believes is a coordinated terrorist plot that may involve five American cities. Posing as a disaffected biotech scientist, Jake is recruited and tested in a harsh, brutal way. But slowly, the pieces of a terrorist plot begin to emerge. To prove his loyalty to radical Islam, he must first pass the ultimate test of total obedience. It is a test so despicable and shocking, Jake doubts he can follow through with it. But if he cannot do this, the undercover operation will fail. Thousands of lives are at stake!
As the cell lies in wait for the final call to carry out mass murder, Jake must make a fateful choice. Do his duty and stop the terrorist plot? Or save the woman he loves? Is Jake clever enough to do both?

“Lies in Waiting is a page turner that’ll raise the hairs on your neck. A damn fine read.”-Dee Brice, author of IT TAKES A THIEF.

NYTimes bestselling author Brenda Novak says of A BODYGUARD OF LIES, Book One in the Jake Bernstein FBI mystery thriller series, “The past and the present collide in this intriguing romantic thriller that captures the angst and pain a lifetime of lies can cause… combines politics, romance and history. This story positively captivates!”

CelticLady’sReviews has this to say about A BODYGUARD OF LIES: “Exploring the the intricacies of human emotion and passion for a cause, A Bodyguard of Lies is a must read…that tells the horrifying story of how much devastation and loss there is in a war and how love perseveres… There is just the right amount of steamy sex that does not overtake the story… I highly recommend this book…and the entire series with unforgettable hero, FBI agent Jake Bernstein.”

*****

Donna Del Oro lives in Northern California and, when she’s not researching and writing, sings in the Sac Valley Chorus.