Mona Passage is the story of two neighbors in San Juan, Puerto Rico: Galan Betances, a Cuban emigrant, and Pat McAllister, a young Coast Guard officer. During long evenings spent together talking on their Calle Luna rooftop, a deep friendship develops based on shared traumas and a common desire to heal. When Galan learns that his sister, Gabriela, is going to be committed to a mental health facility in Cuba, he plans her escape to Puerto Rico. Pat, whose Coast Guard cutter patrols the Mona Passage for drug traffickers and migrants, warns Galan that such a journey will be treacherous-perhaps fatal. Aware of the dangers but determined for Gabriela to live a full life, Galan hands over all the money he has to a Dominican smuggler based out of a San Juan nightclub, and Gabriela begins her terrifying journey. Knowing that his cutter may be all that separates Galan and Gabriela-and haunted by the human suffering he has witnessed at sea-Pat must decide. Will he remain true to his oath, as his older brother had done in Iraq? Or will he risk his own future-and perhaps his freedom-for his closest friend? On a moonless night, two armed vessels converge in the Mona Passage, and three lives change forever.

"Frontier raised, self taught lawyer and accountant, James A. Drain Sr. was held in confidence by every president from Teddy to Franklin Roosevelt. He does not leap from the pages of history, but seldom will you find a man of any era who could say more often, "I was there." He brought the model of present day National Guard with him from Washington State to the rest of the nation in 1903, paving the way for American success in World War One. Losing his right hand in a hunting accident did not sate his love of hunting and arms, nor his love of country. He led the Gold Medal shooting team in the London Olympics in 1908. He rescued a struggling magazine and gave it to the National Rifle Association in 1916 while helping to grow that organization to national recognition. He was the only person to serve in Europe during the Great War with a significant handicap. His forethought and knowledge of weaponry earned him a front row seat. As adjutant to Pershing, he toured the front and was a member of the Anglo-American Tank Commission, working closely with Stern, Churchill, Bliss and others. He was one of the founders of the American Legion. In 1925, he became the National Commander and was the first to invite a sitting President to speak. He helped found the Childrens' Welfare Department with a $5 million dollar trust, reversing a decline in membership that has never returned. His entire life was devoted to public service, for which he never really profited. Read about one of the descendants of William Whitely, the man who died killing Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812. This recently discovered book covers James A. Drain, Sr.'s life until 1929. Extensively annotated, Jim walks you through one of the most exciting eras in American history."