FIRST PLACE WINNER! "Could hardly put it down TO EAT!" -- "Immensely intriguing." -- "I can't remember the last time I was so thoroughly engrossed." -- "Breathtaking action!" EX LIBRIS is the tale of an unthinkable secret – one so powerful it could destabilize the entire world. The story tells of Dan Lovel, an ex-Diplomatic Security agent, and French partner Martine Desmarais, who inadvertently unearth that secret. The job was simple —steal some books from the locked collection of “forbidden books” in a monastery in Prague. And the goal was noble —use those books to identify artworks in the Louvre that were stolen by Napoleon, so the art could be returned to its rightful owners. Simple and noble, or so thought Dan, who agrees to undertake the job. But no sooner do Dan and Martine have the books than they are discovered by the monks and chased into the night. Dan, a Gypsy by heritage, finds refuge for them in a Gypsy camp. But there, a mysterious sniper in the dark opens fire, forcing Dan and Martine to flee again - this time to Paris and the safety of the Louvre. It is there where they learn that one of the books contains a secret that could ignite worldwide chaos and even lead to a global meltdown. Competing forces want that book. -- AND THEY WILL DO ANYTHING TO GET IT! DAN AND MARTINE NEVER IMAGINED the coming terror. Now they must fight for their very survival, and they are forced to make decisions that tear at their souls. ___________ EX LIBRIS HAS WON NUMEROUS AWARDS: FIRST PLACE in fiction (across all genres) in the Global Book Awards (formerly NY City Book Awards) - GOLD MEDAL for thrillers in the Global Book Awards - ERIC HOFFER FINALIST - BRAG MEDALLION - RECOMMENDED RATING by The US Review of Books (for "Outstanding" books that are "compelling and lasting reads" ). _____________________ ADDITIONAL READER COMMENTS: "UTTERLY GRIPPING.. One of the standout things … Dan is half Gypsy , which makes for an unusual slant. The reader is led into the mysterious gypsy culture and I found this aspect intriguing." - "SUPER FUN TO READ ! ... and a lot of badassery ." - "IMMENSELY ENJOYED GETTING TUGGED INTO DAN LOVEL'S WORLD ." - " SUPERIOR WRITING AND ENGAGING STORYLINE, the novel's critical acclaim will be of no surprise to its readers." --The US Review of Books - " EX LIBRIS SHINES because of its STELLAR CAST OF CHARACTERS AND OEHLER'S MANY TWISTS. Readers will be unable to put the book down."--BookLife Prize Critic _________________________________ JOHN OEHLER is a bestselling author. His other novels include Aphrodesia, Papyrus, Tepui: The Last Expedition , and The Bringer of Fire: An Outback Thriller . " A FAST-PACED, THOROUGHLY PLOTTED ESPIONAGE THRILLER. The author is skilled at building tension and conflict between characters, and readers will be unable to put the book down until the final page. Ex Libris shines because of its stellar cast of characters and Oehler's many twists." -- Booklife Prize Critic " A PLETHORA OF AWARDS. With its superior writing and engaging storyline, the novel's critical acclaim will be of no surprise to its readers." -- The US Review of Books " UTTERLY GRIPPING. From the very beginning, the reader is plunged into breathtaking action. One of the standout things ... the interesting protagonist; Dan is ... half gypsy, which makes for an unusual slant. The reader is led into the mysterious gypsy culture and I found this aspect intriguing." --M. Hernandez "THE BEST OF THE BEST. I have read all four of John Oehler's fantastic novels. Each of them is entirely different yet breathtakingly thrilling. Beautifully written and filled with fun facts about exotic places and historical people. I would rate all of them 10 stars if I could." --Sharon H "EXCELLENT NOVEL! ... ABSOLUTELY DIFFERENT. Well written, has many twists and turns, it keeps you stressed all the time, and you are not able to put the book down." --Quirru, Amazon VINE VOICE " I LITERALLY COULD NOT STAY AWAY FROM EX LIBRIS . Intrigue, distrust, deception, technology, espionage and killings. A very engaging story ... twists and turns, and interests strong enough to kill for ... and behind it all, a Sword of Damocles over world politics." --Winston J. Phillips " HOOKED FROM THE BEGINNING. Immensely enjoyed getting tugged into Dan Lovel's world ... likeable and believable characters intertwined with complex and harrowing story lines ... hard to put this book down." --Amy Williams " ONCE AGAIN ... AN EXCITING JOURNEY. This time, I entered forbidden rooms with dusty books, ran away from danger and ate in quaint French cafes. Through this entire journey, I kept wondering - does a book like this exist? The possibility shakes our foundation." --Elizabeth JOHN OEHLER is a bestselling, multiple award-winning author of thriller/suspense novels. He has worked in some of the world's most remote and dangerous places. His novels reflect that background, as he interweav