Parallel in Jeopardy (Parallel Missions)

Parallel in Jeopardy is the third book in the PARALLEL MISSION series. In the first two books, members of an elite team from a parallel universe enter the Earth Parallel to recruit team members on Earth Parallel to change the course of the history of both parallels. "As it is in Earth Parallel, it will be in other parallels." Their rescue missions spanned the globe, beginning with Earth recruits visiting the centuries-advanced parallel where scientists and technicians trained and prepared them for their Missions. Then, a European "vacation" became the staging place as they prepared to spread the message: "Violence begets violence. Peace begets peace. More Team members are recruited, as the Missions require more members.

     Alien, government, and criminal elements enter the picture early, attempting to identify the Mission Team and capture their Ship and technology. The Parallel scientists will only provide the Team with equipment that has already been invented on Earth or is on the drawing boards but not in use. Thus, it appears their cigar-shaped Ship, their Suits, and other space-age technology are far more advanced than any other being used on Earth. A renovated farm near Omaha is where the Ship and the supplies are stored and prepared for the various Missions.

     In Parallel in Jeopardy, a work project in Mexico, sends Derek, the Earth-Team leader, to Mexico City on a purchasing assignment. An unidentified organization recruits Derek to help them find and capture the Mission Team and their equipment—especially their Ship. Derek recruits a local driver to show him the city and seek reports about the "aliens and their Ship."

     Numerous encounters in Mexico and other countries threaten the continuation of the Missions. Even Derek's return to the States is fraught with challenges. Yet, despite the difficulties, enduring friendships are forged.  

     At the same time, Derek's brother-in-law, a disbeliever in all things alien, encounters an alien visitor who steps out of his closet. Tilden is the alien whose presence creates a crisis for Bryce, his family, and the Team. His turmoil increases as he gets to know "Tilden."

     A crisis in Egypt draws the entire Team to assist with rescue efforts. Unfortunately, the work is complicated by terrorists, military, and police who have sworn to capture or destroy the Team and their Ship. Will their message finally sink in? Violence begets violence! Peace begets peace!

Larry Sydow is a retired pastor. He received his B.A. Degree from Midland University in Fremont, NE, and his Master of Divinity Degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. He previously published "Let Them Answer," a book of children's sermons. When he retired, he planned to write a book compiling the best of the devotions he had been writing for almost fifteen years. However, as a Master Gardener, the other writing project on the back burner was a book of the stories medicinal herbs tell.

His writing was interrupted by his first retirement failure by a request that he serve as a nursing home chaplain. During that time, he began writing science fantasy. The first book of the PARALLEL MISSIONS series, "Parallel Mission, the Journey Begins," was published in 2017. He failed retirement a second time when he was asked to fill in for a couple of months for a pastor in Roswell, NM going on medical leave. It was a position that lasted three years, during which he moved to Roswell and continued to write. The results were a continuation of the Parallel Missions Series.

Larry and his wife, Susan, have two children and two grandchildren living in the Seattle, WA area. In 2018 they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Susan is an accomplished quilter. In addition to writing, Larry enjoys music. He sings, plays piano, organ, and guitar. He has written numerous songs for various occasions, including more than 20 "herb songs" illustrating the stories herbs can tell.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Pat Hittle became an artist quite by accident. Studying to become a theater director, she discovered she needed an art course to design her own scenery. She found that she enjoyed it so much that she studied the masters when she lived in Italy. When she returned to the U.S., she found that people wanted to buy her art, so she started entering shows successfully. Thus, she became a professional artist.