Primarily targeting domestic US and international Latino male and female readers between the ages of 18-49, the hero of the book BATTLEZONE MIAMI, Roberto, has one ambitious goal: to be a Latin-pop singing star. However, circumstances conspired against him, and led him in a different path prior to reaching his objective, and this book recounts the emotional, action-packed story of his struggle to achieve his dream. BATTLEZONE MIAMI is an sizzling entertaining emotional saga of a Latino family reluctantly sucked into the crime world, a tale of love and hate, loyalty, betrayal, revenge, tragedy, romance, sex, violence, failure, tears, joy, and ultimately the human spirit rising triumphant with an unexpected musical twist, as our Latino immigrants endure and overcome their challenges in quest of achieving peace and prosperity in America. At the opening of the BATTLEZONE MIAMI book, Roberto sets the stage of the story, making the following statement: "Every refugee or new immigrant arrives in America harboring a quest, becoming an upright American citizen, and I am of no exception. But like many immigrants before me, Irish, Sicilians, and Jews who first embarked on a life of crime before becoming part of the American mainstream, such was my fate as well. I loved my beautiful country Colombia, so rich in history and culture. I was happy there, but unexpected circumstances forced me and my loved ones to flee to America that represented to us, a satellite of salvation from poverty, violence, and persecution. Once in Miami, even as I was good at the job, it was not my intent to become a renegade hit man for the Colombian mob, making it my destiny in America as it conflicted with my spirituality and human values. The journey therefore, became a detour in my life as a believer. You fans want to know my life story? Well, my dear friends and admirers, it began in my beloved homeland, Colombia." We flash back to Colombia, and we learn the dire and violent circumstances which led Roberto, his beloved sister Dolores, and his childhood friend Pablo (who will marry Dolores, whose ambition is to become Roberto's manager) to flee for their lives to Miami, where they join Roberto's hood brother Jose, and Aurelio the priest. However, instead of finding redemption in Miami, things spin out of control, and as the childhood friends choose different sides of the law to achieve the dream of becoming upright American citizens, Roberto and his brother-in-law Pablo become bitter enemies. However, when they least expect it, their violent tragic past catches up with them, and they must reunite or perish, fighting for their lives and lives of their loved ones in a war of survival against cruel old and new enemies out to destroy them, ultimately proving that family love and loyalty are above all. Told with relentless adrenalin pumping action and at times dark and sometimes profanity laden male humor, just when our Latino heroes think they have made it, the family will have to face unpredictable new battles in the sequel.
About the Author: Tracing his proud Castilian Sephardi roots to Toledo, Spain and Algeria, Israeli born, at the age of thirteen, Jon Stevens Alon's secular family immigrated to Brooklyn, New York. Unable to fit in and resentful of the fanatic Israel hating Eastern European Hasidic ghetto Jews, Jon gravitated toward young Sicilian teenagers, and in an effort to belong to the gang of aspiring hoods, thanks to his Hispanic looks and Middle Eastern culture he passed easily as an Italian named "Frankie." Jon returned to Israel to proudly serve in the IDF as a 105mm Centurion tank gunner combat veteran. Previously married to a Puerto Rican in NY, the last 10 years Jon is married to a Brazilian Christian Evangelist born in the state of Bahia known as the cultural heart of Brazil, who he credits with blessing his life with love and joy and therefore his mission is to make her happy. In between the two marriages he was with a Cuban lady, which in addition to being an avid Salsa dancer in NYC, serving as the writer/producer of ALGO ESPECIAL: VAYA! a series Latin TV Variety Specials for Canal 47 (NY) sponsored by Faberge featuring the hottest Puerto Rican and Cuban Salsa bands including Tito Puente, Hector "El Cantante" Lavoe, Ray Barreto, Richy Ray and Bobby Cruz, Johnny Pacheco & his singer Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez, Larry Harlow & his singer Ismael Miranda, Willie Colon, Justo Batancourt, etc., relationships, in depth familiarity with both Spanish and Portuguese language telenovelas and teleseries, and extensive due diligence has given him a solid grasp of the Hispanic and Brazilian cultures, domestic and international Latino markets. Mistreated by a step-mother, Jon ran away from home at the age of 16. Leaving the Brooklyn street gang life behind, working days, studying nights and dancing Salsa on weekends, he graduated the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC, and developed the linguistic, creative and business skills, helping him become an award winning Writer's Guild of America screenwriter, Director's Guild of America UPM, and Director of the award winning film IRISH WHISKEY. He wrote and produced Demi Moore's debut film CHOICES, served as a literary agent, worked for Canal 47, ABC (NY), Fox TV (LA) as a production executive, and is Founder/CEO of TSO, global multimedia, multicultural content provider startup company with 70 projects in development, 12 advanced, 4 completed "subscription" cable TV pilot scripts & a completed feature film to be adapted as a sitcom.