Author, Katherine Burlake
At age 8, Katherine Burlake couldn’t find a single decent book to read in the children’s section of the Webster City, IA, library. She asked the librarian for help and was eventually shown Pearl Buck’s, The Good Earth. Many children her age would never have enjoyed this picture-less book written in 1931 about Chinese life and culture, but Katherine was instantly inspired to be an author. Her insatiable appetite for knowledge propelled her to gain a degree in political science, then enter the Air Force/Naval Intelligence School in Lowry, CO, and eventually land a writing position as a briefings officer. Little did she know that a career in the State Department would have her traveling with foreign service officers and diplomats all over the world, especially in the Middle East. There is no one more qualified to create a fictional account of the life of Amy Prowers in Katherine’s book, The Bystander, about a woman who finds herself in the middle of political intrigue in Saudi Arabia. Katherine learned about the culture and customs by living there from 1996 to 1999.
The Book Series
The Bystander is an authentic and compelling story taking you through an archeological exploration turned nightmare. The book can be purchased on Amazon.com in a Kindle, paperback, or hardback edition. Katherine has now created an equally enticing sequel called, A Last Request. This mystery thriller continues as character Amy Prowers investigates a monastery that may contain the real Shroud of Turin. The public believes the shroud is on full display at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Italy. Amy’s journey finds her caught between politics and religion on a radical scale to discover the real location. Once again, she will need to enlist the help of some high-profile friends as well as her aunt’s private international organization, The Committee. Will she find the actual shroud?
The Shroud of Turin is just one of the estimated 100,000 stolen or hidden treasures, artifacts, and stories of heroism from World War II that are still resurfacing today. A Last Request is a fictional account of what might have happened to this unique piece of history.
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If you have not already read book one of the Amy Prowers series, The Bystander, a preview of the Prologue, Chapter 1: The Key, and Chapter 2: The Gracanica Monastery is contained in the back of the book. It can be purchased on Amazon.