This week’s guest is Randy Singer, out with his new book Rule of Law. Before we hear the story behind the story, here’s a teaser for the book.
What did the president know? And when did she know it?
For the members of SEAL Team Six, it was a rare mission ordered by the president, monitored in real time from the Situation Room. The Houthi rebels in Yemen had captured an American journalist and a member of the Saudi royal family. Their executions were scheduled for Easter Sunday. The SEAL team would break them out.
But when the mission results in spectacular failure, the finger-pointing goes all the way to the top.
Did the president play political games with the lives of U.S. service members?
Paige Chambers, a determined young lawyer, has a very personal reason for wanting to know the answer. The case she files will polarize the nation and test the resiliency of the Constitution. The stakes are huge, the alliances shaky, and she will be left to wonder if the saying on the Supreme Court building still holds true.
Equal justice under law.
It makes a nice motto. But will it work when one of the most powerful people on the planet is also a defendant?
Learn more and purchase a copy here.
Sounds amazing. What led you to write it, Randy?
I write legal thrillers but in real life also work as a trial attorney (and a pastor, but that’s another story). And sometimes, the inspiration for my next novel comes straight to me, cleverly disguised as a client. The inspiration behind Rule of Law, the story behind the story, is a tale of two clients.
The first is Mark McAlister. He was working for the United Nations on October 20, 2015, in Yemen, when he was captured by the Houthi rebels (who were convinced he was a CIA agent). For the next six months Mark was confined to a small, windowless cell where he was abused and interrogated. Through it all, he never renounced his faith. On the contrary, he boldly told his captors that he was a follower of Jesus. After they took his Bible, Mark would pace his small cell, reminding himself of the miracles of Jesus while praying.
“Lord, if you can walk on water, you can get me out of this cell. Lord, if you can heal the blind, you can get me out of this cell. Lord, if you can come back from the dead after three days, you can get me out of this cell.”
Six months into his captivity, Mark was miraculously released by his Houthi captors. By then, he had won their respect and developed a relationship with them. I had Mark share his testimony with my church which can be accessed, along with the message I preached that day, here: Lord of the Nations.
Rule of Law begins with a SEAL Team raid of a prison camp in Yemen where the SEALs are attempting to free an American journalist. At the end of the book, one of the protagonists is back in Yemen, where a surprising relationship with a Muslim cleric pays a pivotal role in the story. Mark’s spirit is a part of this story.
The second client who inspired this book was Dana Wise. She is the widow of a former NAVY Seal who attended the church I pastor and was killed by a terrorist in Afghanistan. Jeremy Wise, a strong believer, gave his life serving his country at the Camp Chapman CIA base in Afghanistan. He had left med school to become a seal and chase his life-long dream. He died a hero, trying to stop a triple-agent suicide bomber working with Al Qaeda.
Dana’s strength, grace and class in the midst of tragedy have been an incredible testimony to so many people and have certainly glorified God. The main character in this book is a young female lawyer who is on a mission to avenge the death of her boyfriend, a Navy SEAL killed in the line of duty. Dana served as a great model for my protagonist. Dana shared her story on Memorial Day at our church, which can be seen, along with my message, here: Greater Love
In Rule of Law, I want readers to experience triumph in the midst of tragedy, and justice rising out of pain.
Wow, some amazing stories came together to make this one! Thanks for sharing them with out.
Randy Singer is a critically acclaimed author and veteran trial attorney. He has penned more than 10 legal thrillers, including his Christy award-winning debut novel, Directed Verdict, and ECPA’s 2015 Christian Book Award winner for fiction, The Advocate. He was also named a finalist, along with John Grisham and Michael Connelly, for the inaugural Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction sponsored by the American Bar Association and the University of Alabama Law School.
In addition to his law practice and writing, Randy serves as a teaching pastor for Trinity Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He calls it his “Jekyll and Hyde thing” — part lawyer, part pastor. He also serves as Attorney in Residence and Director of the Singer Civil Litigation Practicum at Regent Law School.
He and his wife, Rhonda, live in Virginia Beach. They have two adult children. Visit his website at www.randysinger.net.
Randy is giving away a copy of the book. Follow the instructions below to enter.
Thanks for joining us, Randy!
Katie Donovan says
I don’t need to enter the giveaway, as I’ve already read an early review copy, but I just wanted to say this was a FANTASTIC read, and I loved getting a glimpse at the real life stories that inspired it. Thanks for sharing!
Randy Singer says
Thank you, Katie! One of the great benefits of practicing law is to meet incredible clients like Mark and Dana.
Caryl Kane says
Legal thrillers are fascinating!
Ellen Gray says
I haven’t read a lot of legal thrillers but this one peaks my interest. I like the basis of the story and that it involves a case that goes to the very top of the government.
Susi says
I don’t read many legal thrillers either but this looks right out of the news and I can’t resist that!