The Great Thirst: An Archaeological Mystery Serial Series

In association with The Edge Books. theedgebooks.blogspot.com/ The mystery archaeologists suddenly appear and Keith learns firsthand about the quest for the Golden Testaments.He finds himself with more questions than answers. What do these people want with him?. He doesn't see how he can travel to Greece, Turkey, and who knows where without neglecting his family. The lure of ancient technology and the chance to unravel a mystery like no other can't make up for the deadly peril of an underwater attack and a terrifying phone call. Is he really ready to pay the price for preserving and spreading the Word if it means putting his family in danger? "Well, then, suppose a bad man came to your house and said, 'Where are your sisters?' Would you tell him where they are?" "No. I would tell them to run and hide." Den puffed out his little chest and clenched his fists. "Oh, so you would not tell this man where your sisters are?" "No, not if he wants to take my sisters away." "I see. But what if he said, 'You have too many sisters. Give me three of them." Den shook his head violently. "Then how many of your sisters would you give up? You have so many." "He can't have any of my sisters," Den insisted. "I take karate. I would fight him." "Why is that, my brave little karate student?" "I love them," Den replied. Naddy walked back to the spear, yanked it out of the panel, and carried it to where Keith and Den stood by the steps. He twisted the spear and drew out the facsimile scrolls rolled up inside. "These are my sisters," he said fervently. "They are my brothers. They are my mother and my father. I love them. The bad men cannot have them. I will hide them, and I will fight, and I will die, to save what I love. Do you understand now?" Den stared at him with huge, solemn eyes. "But it's just papers."  "Not just papers," Naddy said. "It is the Word of God. It is truth, love, peace, power – it is the voice of One who made all things, loved us, died for us, and calls out to us to come to Him." "Oh," the little boy breathed. "I didn't know they were such important papers."

Small town science teacher Keith Bradley climbs into a red Tesla with English teacher Talia Ramin for the field trip of a lifetime. At stake is a missing copy of the Scriptures on gold tablets. At risk is the trust of an ancient order sworn to keep the tablets safe.  Talia's archaeologist aunt and uncle may have lost their last clue to artifact thieves. A government ultimatum might undo every lesson they have taught their students about keeping the Word safe.  "What are you saying? We're supposed to take the kids' Bibles away from them?"  "There's no need to be defensive. We want materials from everyone in the community. This will become a resource for all time. These insights will become global and eternal."  Talia asked, "People don't have to give us their Bibles, do they?"  "This program fails if it doesn't accomplish the critical goal of gathering all the possible data."  "What exactly do you mean by 'this program fails'?"  Doctor Williams said, "It doesn't qualify for the grants."  "You mean we lose everything from implementing the Bible as Literature program?"  "Are your Bible studies secret? Why does sharing them with the world disturb you? Are you that selfish?" 

Keith and Talia's Guardian contacts finally unlock secrets of the holographic map but no one imagined the cost of following the clues. The Ax of Britomartis reveals an unexpected power but they can't use it when they are thrown out of the country. Accusations, heartache,. strife, and even romance can bring the quest grinding to a halt. When the black van changes from pursuer to prison, Keith needs help not even Talia can give. Jenny Kaine might just find out what she needs to know to destroy the Word once and for all. Excerpt:  Keith stepped over to the intercom by the door. "This is Mr. Bradley. Ms Ramin and I need a monitor for our class, room 205, please," he said, and released the button. "Ms. Ramin, please join me in the hallway while we wait for relief."  Talia hefted her duffel bag and followed him out without a word.  "So, if Naddy and Sophie are okay, or at least going to be okay, what's wrong?" Keith demanded, grabbing Talia's bag from her and almost dropping it. "Whoa. This is heavy even for you. What's going on?"  "I'm leaving," she whispered. "I can't do this anymore."  "Can't do what? Talia – Ms. Ramin – Do you feel bad about paying the ransom? Why? I mean, yeah, it sucks, that you had to do it, to give in to those bastards, but Naddy'll make it back up in a couple of days at the tables, right? He's like, the James Bond of Poker, right?"  "He plays Baccarat." Talia pushed away the smile that tugged at her lips. "I can't keep lying to you. I can't keep any more secrets from you." 

A shocking event convinces Keith that he has to risk arrest to protect their Bradley Central students. A stranger questions their Britomartis findings and only a trip to Pakistan will solve a new mystery -- that of the daughters-in-law of Noah. Cherub Rider has a mission Keith isn't sure he can go along with -- protect Keith at all costs, even if it means leaving Talia behind. They have to depend on the mysterious ancient amphibian skin for a totally unexpected, possibly lifesaving, mission. Is the Morse Code message tapping ALIVE real? Is a bag of gray dust the end of all their hopes to prevent the Great Thirst?

Talia's warrior instincts kick into high gear when an old enemy appears with a one-time offer. The whole Mexico Expedition goes into lockdown after a terrifying betrayal and a violent attack. A crushing mishap may end any hope of unraveling the tangled Web of Araña. Students respond to "activation orders' with turmoil and terror. One conflicted father may hold the key to understanding more about the enemy -- if he lives to tell his tale.

In association with The Edge Books www.TheEdgeBooks.blogspot.com  "Mexico is where you need to be" rings in Keith and Talia's ears in the midst of astounding miracles and crushing heartaches. They meet a blast from Drew Summers' past but wonder if his newest team member can be trusted after a death and a disappearance lead to too many questions. Keith discovers more than one stunning secret at a forgotten Olmec ball court, but disaster may seal the fate of his Golden Testament search once and for all. When God says stop, Keith may have no choice but to listen. Talia struggles to protect Keith's father from deadly enemies but she's not even sure Keith will be there to see Cherub Bradley's birth.

Keith enjoys sweet reunions with family and students when the Mexico field trip finally becomes a reality. Parents lash out against the Bradleys with bitter accusations of fracturing their families and teaching their children to hate them. Hiding in plain sight can only go so far when a cartel drug lord, an educational authority, and someone who insists on documenting her own truth prepare for a final showdown. Cherub Bradley's long-anticipated arrival sparks tender and terrifying consequences. Joshua Bradley's call to face the lions leads to  fiery confrontations no one expected.  Keith determines that it's time for them to stop running, and to make their enemies move instead. Easier said than done, if one distraught parent's confession is true. The full force of the US and Mexican governments might rise up in answer to the cries of a cult putting children in danger.