Erin and Craig Books Series

THE ALKANO LETTERS is the first in a three book series following the exploits of archaeologist Erin Mathews and retired Major Craig Johnson. In this story, Erin and her team have discovered twenty-four ancient letters whose content she believes has the potential of undermining the foundation of modern-day Christianity. Believing the assignment will involve little more than a way to earn some easy money; Craig accepts a position to supervise a contingent of mercenaries charged with protecting Erin and her team on the tiny Greek Island of Alkano. Trouble begins almost immediately. Craig discovers that an ancient religious sect knows the esoteric message hidden in the letters and is sworn to protect it at any cost. At first, the team encounters suspicious mishaps meant to serve as a warning. When the warnings go unheeded, the threats turn deadly. A journey to Egypt and Israel, where some of the letters were discovered, becomes critical to the analysis of the documents. Craig and Erin soon learn that they have not escaped the dangers posed by their adversaries. A desperate chase through the back streets of Jerusalem leads to Erin's abduction. Craig searches in vain, but only with the aid of a mysterious priest is he able to rescue her. What begins as a straightforward task has become a complicated mission. The beautiful woman draws Craig into her search for the truth. The only thing that will ensure their safety is solving the two-thousand year old mystery; but time is quickly running out. This story of intrigue, conspiracy and romance concludes with the astonishing resolution of the mystery of the letters, written between Jesus and members of his family.

After two unsuccessful digs, one in Israel and one in Tunisia, archaeologist Erin Mathews is facing the loss of funding for future digs and the dreadful prospect of going back to teaching. Her current excavation, in the silt-filled seaport of ancient Ephesus, is also turning out to be a bust. The arrival of her boyfriend Craig Johnson an ex-CIA agent, does little to raise her spirits. But when she learns that a boat she and her team are excavating may contain scrolls rescued from the storied great library at Alexandria, everything changes. Her quest for these historic artifacts becomes the adventure of her life. Mossad operative Rebecca Schuler, sanctioned to work in Turkey, is tracking the mysterious Cult of Tanit. This group, that traces its roots to the founding of Carthage, is also after the scrolls. Cult members believe their ancestors rescued invaluable artifacts when the library was burned in 48 BC. The Mossad believes the Cult wants the scrolls to fund terrorist actions in Israel. A group of renegade Cult members begin a series of attacks to stop Erin. Further complicating her plans, an Egyptian, dispatched by his government's Department of Antiquities, is sent to claim the treasure for his country. Erin's colleague is seen making a deal with this man and is murdered by rogue Cult members. The murder prompts Craig to talk Erin into giving up her dig, but she is determined to make the discovery to rescue her failing reputation. Even with the involvement of the local police, Cult members find ways to thwart Erin's efforts. They break into a storage shed, where discovered relics are stored and there is a malicious nocturnal disruption of the dig site. As upsetting as these events are they do not prevent Erin from continuing her search. The Cult's actions escalate to car chases, blackmail, a ransacking of Erin's hotel room and even armed assaults. In a frenzied attempt to locate the treasure before anyone is hurt, Erin directs her team to dig in the debris field where artifacts from the boat are soon discovered. Certain she is days away from finding the scrolls, Erin enlists the aid of Craig and Rebecca to help with the excavation. Soon sixteen crates, clearly of Egyptian origin, are uncovered. With permission from Turkish authorities, Erin begins the delicate task of opening the first treasure chest. The Cult leader, desperate to take title to the scrolls, appears at the site where he is quickly placed under arrest. While Erin breaks an ancient seal and works through the heavy waterproof lining of the first box, Cult members launch one last vicious attack. The deadly assault is brought to an end by a large team of police, aided by both Craig and Rebecca. At last, with the representative from Egypt, the handcuffed Cult leader, Turkish authorities and of course Erin's graduate students all looking on, the contents of the chests are revealed. Erin's excitement is uncontrollable as she removes one ancient scroll after another. Her wildest dreams have been realized – a fantastic history making discovery of lost knowledge from the ancient world.

The Peruvian Department of the Interior recruits noted archeologist Professor Roger Williams to conduct a dig in the ruins of Machu Picchu. Believing in the potential for exciting discoveries, he invites his old friend Erin Mathews to participate. While flying into Cusco, Erin tells her husband Craig, a retired army intelligence officer and ex-CIA operative that they'll be working at an elevation of 8,000 feet in the Peruvian Andes. The thin air turns out to be the least of their problems. The local descendants of the Inca believe the archeologists are digging on their ancestors holy ground and will try anything they can think of to stop the work. They begin with mischievous acts to no avail and escalate their acts to include provoking a brawl, break-ins, abductions and the theft of some of the pottery that is unearthed. While excavating a series of heavily overgrown farm terraces only simple items are discovered but the elusive 'great discovery' remains just out of reach. Craig tries in vain to have the archeologists call off their dig. Failing the effort, he helps enlist the aid of the Peruvian Army to provide protection. The local people are not deterred and ultimately organize a vicious armed attack. Still not convinced they should call off the dig, the archeologists continuing working their way down the twenty terrace hillside and ultimately make the discovery of a lifetime. But before they can examine their exciting find, the roof of the cave they are working in collapses, burying Roger and their unbelievable discovery under tons of rubble. Recuperating in a hospital bed after nearly being killed herself, Erin babbles on about the pictures she's taken of the find – or was it all a dream?

During a time in their lives when a much-needed vacation is in order, Dr. Erin Mathews and her husband Craig Johnson find themselves involved in an unexpected adventure in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Erin, a world-renowned archeologist, recently completed her share of some research work. Craig, the owner of an international security firm, has just hired two new agents, he hopes will allow him to spend more time at home in New York. They choose an exclusive resort in Cancun, and are looking forward to rest, water sports, fine dining and isolation from the distractions of work. When a Mexican archeologist call, their plans are shattered. A newly discovered sinkhole under the fabled Kukulcan Temple, at Chichén Itza, is threatening the structure and all that lies within. A team is assembled, including the leader, two additional archeologists and a group of six graduate students. As work is begun, a five-man group of men, considering themselves direct descendants of the Mayan builders of the site, are determined to prevent the desecration of their holy site. Continuous spying, Erin's short-lived abduction and armed conflicts with the police, turn the archeological investigations into a nightmare. This history-filled, fast moving story follows the efforts of the two opposing groups to each reach their goals. In the end, Craig brings down some of his agents and together with the police at last capture the men, while Erin and the team complete their mission.