WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING: 

"Invitation is a Great book!  Makes you wonder what you would do if you were in such a situation.  Would love a sequel to find out what happens next.”

“In one respect, Invitation is science fiction. In another, it is a love story.  It also has elements of adventure. It should appeal to a wide readership.”


“Wow!  I don’t usually like sci-fi, but Invitation drew me in.  Don Miller has a knack for creating believable, relatable characters from the ordinary guy to the assassin.”

The world is in trouble. Growing political unrest, cataclysmic cancer rates and an unprecedented economic downturn have even the most optimistic citizens fearful of the future. 

Then the unthinkable happens – human conception stops. As it becomes clear that nowhere in the world are babies being conceived, full blown panic ensues.  Marshall Law is imposed upon the United States and it becomes ever more obvious that the president isn’t in control. Two couples, both pregnant before conception stopped, fearing for their lives and the lives of their unborn children contemplate a desperate plan to escape the madness before it’s too late.

An Excerpt 
“Goddammit, Helen,” Richardson exploded, “the scientific probabilities are not the issue here.  The crucial issue is maintaining political stability in the United States of America!”

“How long, sir,” Kursch replied indignantly, “does the Department of Health and Human Services believe the American public can be misled before their government is forced to confess the truth they’ve known all along?  How much time can we buy?  Three days?  One week?  Two weeks?  If we can’t develop a better answer than we have now, how much better off are we when our citizens discover their government has intentionally misled them all along?”  

Richardson, red-faced and belligerent, shot back, “Our course has to be considered in terms of the best interest of the public.  Bedlam is not in their best interest.”

The meeting was deteriorating fast.  Jamison spoke softly.  “So, your suggestion, Pete, is that the United States Government lie, cheat, and do whatever else might be necessary to convince our people that things are as they are not, based on our assessment that we think that’s in their best interest?”

“We know without question that political stability is in their best interest!”  Richardson now displayed disregard for deference due the President of the United States.

“This is getting us nowhere,” Jamison resolved.  “I know the current status of information at CDC.  I know the short-term recommendation of the Department of Health and Human Services.  Nothing brought forth at this meeting is of any help to me in trying to lead our country through this crisis.  That’s all.  This meeting is over.  Keep availability in your schedules.  We may need to meet again tomorrow.  Jim, I need you to stay for a couple minutes.”

Unlike the booster meeting last week, Chief of Staff Hollingsworth had remained silent, listening while the President led this discussion.  “Yes, sir.”

“Thank you, Mr. President,” Richardson said as he rose.

“Thank you, sir,” said Kursch.  “I’m sorry we don’t have more.”

“Both of you keep your organizations running full-tilt.  We desperately need a break.  Find one.”

“Yes, sir,” they replied in unison as they turned and left the office, glaring at each other.

After they had gone, the President turned to Hollingsworth.  “Do you know who my 11:00 meeting is with?”

“I was told you’d cleared your schedule.  I assumed there was someone you wanted to meet with after HHS and CDC, but I don’t know who.”

“I didn’t clear my schedule.  It was cleared for me.  I was informed by the directors of CIA and NSA that I’m meeting with them at 11:00.  Just the three of us in a secure meeting room.  I don’t even know where.  They’re to let me know what room a few minutes before the meeting.”

“That’s highly unusual.  Do you think it’s prudent?”

“I’m not sure I have a choice, which seems strange, what with me being the President.  Unusual or not, this meeting might shed light on the infertility fiasco.  Considering that possibility, I can’t afford to balk at going.”

“Do you think there’s any need to increase security around the meeting room?” He sidestepped openly suggesting the possibility of threat to the President of the United States.

“No.  I can’t imagine a security risk to the President from NSA or CIA in the middle of the White House.  Give me up to an hour with them.  At noon, if I’m not out of the room, send word it’s essential for you to have an immediate five-minute conversation with me.  I’ll come out.”

“All right.  Anything else?”

“Yes.  Have you been told Vanessa’s emergency pagers and cell phone were stolen from her bedroom last night, while she slept?   They were taken without her or the Secret Service seeing a thing”

“What?  How could that happen?  Is she all right?  When did you find out?”

“She’s fine.  She never had a clue anybody was ever in the room.  Tallyrand called and told me about it, right before you three walked in.  I can’t fathom how it could happen.  Tallyrand says they think it was done to let me know how easy it is to get to my family.  It also speaks to me of the competence level of the Secret Service.”

“I don’t like any of this, Dan,” Hollingsworth said, involuntarily dropping formalities.  “I sure as hell don’t like the infertility problem.  I don’t like Richardson and Kursch at each other’s throats instead of teaming up.  I really don’t like a breach of Vanessa’s suite – while she’s in it, no less – or the President’s presence being compelled at a secret, unscheduled meeting behind closed doors … all in the same morning.  Way too many things going awry at the same time, Dan.  This isn’t right.”