Marcella: Princess or Pawn

During the summer, it always swelters in Sangria, Spain, a small town near the Mediterranean Ocean. It is a tight-knit community proud of it's rich history and steeped in tradition.

Marcella often sat at the edge of the fountain as she studied her school lessons and looked after her younger brother. She loved the coolness of the water on her feet and the spray from the cascading water as it tickled her face.

Marcella Cortez was nineteen years old and had completed her high school studies. She looked forward to her upcoming years at college and was very proud to be accepted, from over ten thousand applicants, in the first-ever foreign-exchange student program with Saudi Arabia.

In the early morning hours of February 22nd, under the cover of darkness, eight Jordanian military trucks slipped across the border into Saudi Arabia. They rolled quietly into the city of Jauf and methodically made their way to the Hastings' ranch where they surrounded the house and secured the perimeter.

Carlton woke to the sounds of running footsteps and immediately jumped out of bed. He raced down the stairs but was startled as the soldiers kicked open the front door. He felt his heart pound as the room was instantly filled with Jordanian soldiers, their guns drawn and pointed at him. Two soldiers rushed up, pulled him to the base of the stairs and down onto his knees while others ran upstairs.

"What's going on?" Carlton yelled before the butt of a rifle on the back of his skull turned everything black.

Marcella had scrambled out of bed and, dressed only in a tee-shirt and panties, was struggling to put on her robe when they entered. She screamed as the soldiers grabbed her, wrestled the robe away and put a gag over her mouth. They bound her hands and feet, applied a blindfold, and hurried her out of the house.

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An innocent child in a world of sinister dealings and shady characters, Marcella Cortez had to grow up quickly.

As a foreign exchange student, that takes her from a small town in southern Spain to a strange new land in Saudi Arabia, she becomes a pawn in the greatest political chess match in recent history.

Americans Steve and Andy hunger for action, thrills, and self-glory. When the call comes in, these mercenaries-for-hire jump at the chance to be Marcella's rescuers.

Will the adrenaline junkies be able to reach Marcella before the final checkmate?

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"The book starts out quickly with tons of action but, I think, the best part about this book is the humor that is sprinkled throughout the story which helps to bring the characters to life."

"This was a fabulous story! I just loved everything about it!"

"This is the kind of story that grabs you right from the beginning and stays with you until the end. I highly recommend this book."

"The first chapter was awesome and it just got better and better. It is funny, it is thrilling, it is suspenseful, and it is a very touching book."