A good novel comes to mind about patriots objecting to the takeover of their country

With all the turmoil and uncertainty around the world today, the Peter Tomaras novel, “Resistors,” I’d read a while back comes to mind as crucial aspects of world peace change day to day with Russia invading Ukraine and war raging; Hamas attacking Israel from the Gaza Strip and killing more than 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals, including 46 Americans; continued war in the Middle East; ongoing threats in Taiwan and South Korea; and protests across the United States resulting from the authoritarian aspects of the Trump administration threatening nearly 250 years of democracy.

Rarely do I read a book that covers so much territory, so much history, and some love triangles that holds my attention from start to finish. But Tomaras’ novel covers all the bases and in such a compelling fashion that I didn’t want it to end. His life experiences, extensive research and unequivocal perceptions are evident throughout this work of international intrigue.

In the opening chapter, patriotic Cypriots go into Turkish territory and show resistance to the takeover of Cyprus. I knew little about the history of that part of the world and eased into the story until the main character, Greek-American Steve Kappas, was introduced. And then I was off and speeding through his life as a hotel security expert, federal air marshal, and Vietnam veteran who grew up in Wisconsin — essentially on the wrong side of the tracks —  assisting his mother, who ran a pool hall after his father died.

Tomaras gains credibility through thorough research, as well as his own experiences. He also wrote “Innkeepers,” after a lengthy career in hotel management and behind-the-scenes, on-site research. But “Resistors” is what grabbed my attention; and the July 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus apparently grabbed his attention. He was in Greece at the time and reportedly “became emotionally immersed in that tragedy and has made research trips to Cyprus.”

With a Greek father and an American mother, Tomaras experienced both cultures, lived in Greece for a year (where he later married), but grew up in Minnesota where he spent his high school years. He earned a B.A. in economics at the University of Illinois, and an MBA at Illinois State University. He then served eight years as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve.

During those years and in his later career years, Tomaras made many trips to Greece and has also traveled in Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, France, Italy and Spain, all of which gave him the perfect background for the novel he would write.

“Journalistic research underlies my fiction,” he says, “but my inspiration is emotional. The story lines for ‘Resistors’ and ‘Innkeeper’ spring from compelling experiences and the need to express them. Born into vague concepts of plot, my characters simply take over and write their own stories ... my fingers enable their self-realization.”

He says this “action/adventure novel is primarily an intercontinental love story, but it involves extensive use of firearms.”

Tomaras is a long-time competitor with both rifles and pistols and is knowledgeable about their use.  And although not a Vietnam combat veteran, there is a segment with Vietnam helicopter combat that required “extensive and meticulous research into the arms used not only by the U.S. and Vietnamese forces, but also some employed by the Israeli navy.” While he knows the Cyprus locales are authentic, he also believes his Vietnam chapters are, as well. The latter is quite amazing, since his account of Kappas’ service in Vietnam has the realistic feel of a combat veteran who experienced exactly what he did, as does his work as an air marshal. None of the episodes in the book appear contrived.

The characters are believable throughout, and there’s always a surprise lurking to keep the narrative interesting but still realistic and believable. While the story includes some sexual content that has been considered “racy” by some, it doesn’t go beyond the pale and adds to the realism of the story.

Despite some difficult and scathing situations that are devastating, the ending delivers all characters to the place you would expect them to end up, although it might not be where you thought they’d be. Tomaras’ novel is satisfying, touching at times, not so touching at others, but with descriptions and situations so visible that you see real life. It would make a great movie. Short of that, it’s a great read that teaches a lot about the world and human behavior.

While there was no Kappas at the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan, the presence of this fictional character and his reaction is quite believable. Many other harrowing episodes are also reminiscent of actual situations in the last 50 years since the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

Tomaras has used his life in Greece, travels around the world and other experiences to mirror the narrative. He captures the experiences with such believability that you forget it’s fiction — certainly with all the facts and historical events. And you may even forget that this story isn’t about the current world we live in. Regardless of when you turn to that first page, Tomaras’ book is one you’ll find reveling and realistic about the human condition.