The Avid Book Collector: Blog Tour & Giveaway ~ A Touch of Nerves by D.C. Hampton

A Touch of Nerves

by D.C. Hampton

Publisher: New Shelves Publishing Services

Format: Paperback | 248 pages

Publication date: 1 January 2013

ISBN 10: 0989150402

ISBN 13: 9780989150408

A FRESH LOOK AT 21ST CENTURY TERRORISM

--New novel explores America’s role in the Middle East

When Army Captain Ben Hawkins discovers chemical weapons missing from a military research facility, he begins an investigation into preventing a possible terrorist attack. The suspects? Two rogue Iranian agents who blame the deaths of their family members on the United States. What Hawkins doesn’t expect is to find himself forced to decide whether to risk his career—and possible arrest—to stop the attack, even if it means working with a foreign agent.

D.C. Hampton’s debut novel, A Touch of Nerves, may be set on the battlefield of America’s “War on Terror,” but the book is a far cry from your typical action narrative. Inspired by his two sons who served in Iraq and the Persian Gulf during the Iraq War and his own time serving in the U.S. Army, Hampton brings depth and humanity to characters that might otherwise be painted in the two-dimensional “hero” or “villain” archetypes. With Hampton’s passion for history and global affairs, A Touch of Nerves brings a fresh perspective to the long history of tension between the United States and Iran.

“I wanted to write a story that was worth telling, realistic and suspenseful,” says Hampton. “I believe the book is entertaining, but it also sheds light on the complex relationship between Iran and the United States and explores the complex emotions and issues that drive some individuals to commit terrible acts.”

“The story includes a wealth of details as Hampton weaves a complex plot,” writes Kirkus Reviews. “A conceivable threat and suspense-filled plot keep readers engaged until the end. Hampton eschews the genre’s typical plot holes and vague facts and his handle on international relations gives the terrorists credible motivations.”

That same evening

Esfahan, Iran

Eight year-old Saman Kashan was finding it difficult to fall asleep. This was the first time she had stayed overnight anywhere but in her own home, and even though she was visiting her favorite relatives, Aunt Farideh and Uncle Parham, it was still new and exciting. Her two cousins lived here, and the three of them were sharing the children’s bedroom at the back of the house. Her cousins’ house even smelled different than her house back in Shiraz, in the southern part of Iran. Maybe it was Aunt Farideh’s’s cooking, or perhaps it was the smell of the jasmine that filled the back yard. Aunt Farideh claimed Saman was named after the beautiful flowers in her garden.

Saman finally fell asleep, holding onto her doll, Poupak. She was still holding Poupak when she heard noises and strange voices downstairs. Then the wailing began.

Soon the noise from downstairs wakened Ghodsi and Babak as well. Ghodsi was seven years old, and Babak only five, and they soon became upset with all the strange voices and noises. Saman was older and she tried to be brave, but soon the babble of unfamiliar voices, along with the absence of her parents and her older brother Hami, began to tell on her. She decided to find out what was going on.

Saman held onto Poupak as she went downstairs. The voices and wailing were coming from the kitchen. Aunt Farideh saw Saman as soon as she stood in the doorway to the kitchen.

“Oooh, my poor little Saman, what will happen to you?” Auntie wailed. She looked different. She was always neat and well-dressed, but tonight she was in her bathrobe, her hair wasn’t brushed, and there were tearstains on her cheeks. How strange, Saman thought. Aunt Farideh is usually so pretty and neat, but tonight she looks like someone else.

Uncle Parham was usually happy and easy-going, and much more fun than Auntie, but on this strange night he looked sad and forlorn. He didn’t scold Saman for coming downstairs, even when Ghodsi and Babak peeked from behind her. He held out his arms and Saman went over to sit on his lap. She could see that he had been crying as well.

“She will live with us, of course, that’s what she’ll do. That’s what FarzAm and Afareen always said, if anything happened to them, we were to look after their children. And that’s what we will do, because we promised, and because we want to.”

Saman didn’t understand what Uncle Parham was saying so she explained to him, “But Uncle, I can’t live with you. I live with Mama and Pappa.”

Uncle Parham gave her another hug and she could feel his shoulders heaving. “We’ll talk about it more tomorrow, Saman. But Mama and Pappa and Hami are not coming home for a long time.”

Saman didn’t know it at the time, of course, but this would be a day she would remember and re-live for the rest of her life. July 3, 1988.

The day she went to visit her Aunt Farideh and Uncle Parham, never to return to her own home again.

The day she went to the airport in Tehran to say good-bye to her mother, her father, and her older brother Hami, when they left on their trip to someplace far away.

The day Iran flight 655 was shot down by a missile fired by an American Navy cruiser and 290 people died.

She knew her parents and her big brother would be away for a long time. She just didn’t know it would be forever.

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY

D.C. Hampton holds an MA and PhD in Audiology from Columbia University and has been published extensively in the field. He has done graduate work in history and has always been interested in international relations. Though he has been extensively published in medical and trade publications, A Touch of Nerves is his first foray into fiction.