Mark M. Bello's Blog
October 15, 2021
Betrayal at the Border
I'm pleased to announce the release of my latest Zachary Blake Social Justice Legal Thriller, Betrayal at the Border. Like the others in the series, Border is "ripped from the headlines." Attorney Zachary Blake returns to tackle two cases that strike at the heart of our nation's contentious immigration debate.
In Riverview, Michigan, undocumented immigrants Miguel and Mary Carmen Gonzalez are determined to realize the American dream. They find jobs at a local filler plant, have children, and lead an all-American life, that is until ICE raids their plant . . .
Canan and Karim Izady are naturalized citizens of the United States. They have immigrated legally from Kurdistan and have an American born daughter, Hana. Unable to persuade her mother to follow the young family to America, Canan and Hana travel to an ISIS hotbed so the child may meet her grandmother for the first time. With the war over, what could possibly go wrong?
Two unique immigrant families, two uniquely dangerous consequences of America’s dysfunctional immigration system. Enter Zachary Blake, superstar lawyer.
But, for the first time in a long time, Blake is out of his element—immigration law calls for the expertise of his specialist/partner, Marshall Mann. Together, two extraordinary lawyers take on a terrorist network and a broken immigration system. And master investigator Micah Love returns, racing against the clock to prevent tragic circumstances. In our politically charged, anti-immigrant international climate, will a Hail Mary be their only move?
The novel takes a hard look at our nation's broken immigration system and foreign policy initiatives. Reviews welcome. Thanks, Mark
In Riverview, Michigan, undocumented immigrants Miguel and Mary Carmen Gonzalez are determined to realize the American dream. They find jobs at a local filler plant, have children, and lead an all-American life, that is until ICE raids their plant . . .
Canan and Karim Izady are naturalized citizens of the United States. They have immigrated legally from Kurdistan and have an American born daughter, Hana. Unable to persuade her mother to follow the young family to America, Canan and Hana travel to an ISIS hotbed so the child may meet her grandmother for the first time. With the war over, what could possibly go wrong?
Two unique immigrant families, two uniquely dangerous consequences of America’s dysfunctional immigration system. Enter Zachary Blake, superstar lawyer.
But, for the first time in a long time, Blake is out of his element—immigration law calls for the expertise of his specialist/partner, Marshall Mann. Together, two extraordinary lawyers take on a terrorist network and a broken immigration system. And master investigator Micah Love returns, racing against the clock to prevent tragic circumstances. In our politically charged, anti-immigrant international climate, will a Hail Mary be their only move?
The novel takes a hard look at our nation's broken immigration system and foreign policy initiatives. Reviews welcome. Thanks, Mark
July 23, 2018
Let Your Voice Be Heard!
Since the 2016 presidential election, Americans have been much more vocal about politics than ever before. We’ve seen it in protests, rallies, and marches. We read social media posts and hear information in the news. Some universities are offering courses. We have seen a huge wave of activism and resistance, and more people are contacting their local representatives to express their views. Everything has become more politicized.
Although 2018 is not a presidential election year, Midterms and Senate races are equally as important. These elections are another way citizens vote for issues such as increasing taxes, funding schools, affordable housing, public transportation, or hot-button issues like same-sex marriage and recreational marijuana.
Immigrants and relatives from other parts of the world may well have seen and experienced firsthand what it is like to be governed by leaders who were not elected by the people. They know what it is like to have laws and policies enacted that do not reflect the desires and needs of the people. Voting is an important way to back the issues you care about and the representatives you think can best effect the changes you want to see. It is your voice. If you do not use your vote, no one will hear you. Yet, an alarmingly low number of people actually turn out for these elections. In some areas, less than 5% of voters will actually vote; sometimes it is less than 2%.
Why people refrain from voting has always been puzzling to me. Many will argue that their vote doesn’t count. Some say that they don’t know enough about the issues. Others will say that none of the candidates are deserving, therefore it isn’t worth voting.
When you don’t vote, you are choosing to give up your most important right and responsibility as a citizen. You are choosing to be silent while other people make decisions for you. Every vote matters!
Continue reading Let Your Voice Be Heard
Although 2018 is not a presidential election year, Midterms and Senate races are equally as important. These elections are another way citizens vote for issues such as increasing taxes, funding schools, affordable housing, public transportation, or hot-button issues like same-sex marriage and recreational marijuana.
Immigrants and relatives from other parts of the world may well have seen and experienced firsthand what it is like to be governed by leaders who were not elected by the people. They know what it is like to have laws and policies enacted that do not reflect the desires and needs of the people. Voting is an important way to back the issues you care about and the representatives you think can best effect the changes you want to see. It is your voice. If you do not use your vote, no one will hear you. Yet, an alarmingly low number of people actually turn out for these elections. In some areas, less than 5% of voters will actually vote; sometimes it is less than 2%.
Why people refrain from voting has always been puzzling to me. Many will argue that their vote doesn’t count. Some say that they don’t know enough about the issues. Others will say that none of the candidates are deserving, therefore it isn’t worth voting.
When you don’t vote, you are choosing to give up your most important right and responsibility as a citizen. You are choosing to be silent while other people make decisions for you. Every vote matters!
Continue reading Let Your Voice Be Heard
July 18, 2018
Book Series Ripped from the Headlines
What kind of story does the author want to tell? It's an important question.
Many make that decision by looking to their own experiences. Others look to current or historical events for inspiration. But what if facts are so extreme, they seem impossible to be real? What happens when real-life crime and injustice read like works of fiction? That is the inspiration for my Zachary Blake Betrayal Series.
No author's decision is more important than choosing subject matter,” said Bello. “Does the story get your author juices flowing?” I find my passion in current events and their impact on civil or criminal justice issues. Today's headlines are often discouraging; it is challenging to find a clear perspective or a reason to be optimistic. Zachary Blake Betrayal Series novels examine those issues from multiple perspectives.
After years of working on high profile legal cases, I wanted to provide readers a front row seat to litigants' quests for justice. Each book in the Zachary Blake Betrayal Series has been “ripped from the headlines,” inspired by both my legal experience and our current sociopolitical landscape. The results are entertaining and thought-provoking legal thrillers that appeal to all legal thriller lovers.
Many make that decision by looking to their own experiences. Others look to current or historical events for inspiration. But what if facts are so extreme, they seem impossible to be real? What happens when real-life crime and injustice read like works of fiction? That is the inspiration for my Zachary Blake Betrayal Series.
No author's decision is more important than choosing subject matter,” said Bello. “Does the story get your author juices flowing?” I find my passion in current events and their impact on civil or criminal justice issues. Today's headlines are often discouraging; it is challenging to find a clear perspective or a reason to be optimistic. Zachary Blake Betrayal Series novels examine those issues from multiple perspectives.
After years of working on high profile legal cases, I wanted to provide readers a front row seat to litigants' quests for justice. Each book in the Zachary Blake Betrayal Series has been “ripped from the headlines,” inspired by both my legal experience and our current sociopolitical landscape. The results are entertaining and thought-provoking legal thrillers that appeal to all legal thriller lovers.
