"Exhilarating and poignant.
Long hidden secrets unearth a lifetime of struggles and ruin for a young woman in Rogers’ poignant debut novel. Esther, a stunning and brilliant American with an engineering physics degree, has her world turned upside down when she meets a mysterious Iranian man on vacation. He reveals that her real family resides in the Middle East. Soon, Esther loses her job and is deported to Iran. As resentment towards her former home grows and tragedy strikes, she becomes entangled with a terrorist group plotting an attack on the United States. The intricate plot grips the reader from the very first page. Rogers, with his experience in naval Intelligence and naval combat operations, delves into the gritty realities of covert operations: clandestine meetings, alliances forged in the shadows, agents living double lives, and terrorism. The vividly described Middle Eastern landscapes and arsenal of weapons add a sophisticated layer to this military thriller. And through it all, Esther’s personal struggles bring a human element to the story."
Shahbaz Rising by Robert J. Rogers – Friesen Press - Posted 15 July 2024
"A timely, high-stakes military page-turner.
Long-hidden secrets unearth a lifetime of struggles and ruin for a young woman in Rogers’ poignant debut novel. Esther, a stunning and brilliant American with an engineering physics degree, has her world turned upside down when she meets a mysterious Iranian man on vacation. He reveals that her real family resides in the Middle East. Soon, Esther loses her job and is deported to Iran. As resentment towards her former home grows and tragedy strikes, she becomes entangled with a terrorist group plotting an attack on the United States. The intricate plot grips the reader from the very first page. Rogers, with his experience in naval intelligence and combat control, delves into the gritty realities of covert operations: clandestine meetings, alliances forged in the shadows, agents living double lives, and terrorism. The vividly described Middle Eastern landscapes and arsenal of weapons add a sophisticated layer to this military thriller. And through it all, Esther’s personal struggles bring a human element to the story. Exhilarating and poignant."
The Prairie Book Review - Posted 5 March 2024
Reader Reviews
The character development in Shahbaz Rising was delightful and thorough. The plot was exciting and led to understanding why some people become involved in terrorist activities. The incorporation of history, politics, and culture was fascinating. The broad and skilled background of the author enabled him to write such a book. I can't imagine all of the thought, work, and time involved in developing this book. Highly recommended.
Jean P. - Posted 13 June 2024
A Good Read!
The author’s extensive background as a naval officer at sea and in military intelligence are evident in this interesting tale which mixes the clash of Middle Eastern and Western cultures with a healthy dose of intrigue and a heaping helping of disasters; both man-made and natural.
Robert’s lifelong interest in history weaves the story of his characters into a centuries-old tapestry of tribal warfare, religious conflicts and Western nation overreach. Although written as a novel, the book answers many factual questions about the way that history played a leading role in the creation of the Middle Eastern conflict situation we find ourselves in today.
Recommended for those who like a good story with a dose of education.
D.G. - Posted 30 June 2024
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The author’s extensive background as a naval officer at sea and in military intelligence are evident in this interesting tale which mixes the clash of Middle Eastern and Western cultures with a healthy dose of intrigue and a heaping helping of disasters; both man-made and natural.
Robert’s lifelong interest in history weaves the story of his characters into a centuries-old tapestry of tribal warfare, religious conflicts and Western nation overreach. Although written as a novel, the book answers many factual questions about the way that history played a leading role in the creation of the Middle Eastern conflict situation we find ourselves in today.
Recommended for those who like a good story with a dose of education.
D.G. - Posted 30 June 2024
Have you finished the book?
Don't forget to leave a review on Amazon or through my Contact page.
If you enjoyed the book, tell others. If not, please tell me why!
Thanks for your support!