Studio of Books proudly showcased Rand C. Lewis’ book titled, “The Hostages: A Max Walters Novel,” during the 2025 Bologna Children’s Book Fair at Bologna Italy on March 31 to April 3, 2025 at Bologna, Italy.
The Bologna Children’s Book Fair is an internationally renowned event that brings together publishing professionals, authors, illustrators, and storytellers from across the globe. Focused on the exchange of ideas and the buying and selling of publishing rights, it serves as a vital hub for discovering the next big stories in children’s media. For creators and publishers alike, it’s a place where imagination meets opportunity.
Being part of the Book Gallery at Bologna was a proud moment for Studio of Books. It provided a valuable platform to share a thoughtfully curated selection of titles with a global audience of readers, educators, and publishing professionals.
This international showcase not only highlighted the creativity and heart behind each book, but also opened the door to new opportunities, connections, and collaborations across borders—bringing fresh stories to life for children and families around the world.
Rand C. Lewis is the President and CEO of Transnational Strategic Solutions, Inc. which is a consulting company providing services to the U.S. Government agencies. He is a retired U.S. Army Foreign Area Officer with over twenty-nine years of military service. Rand holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of Idaho and has published two nonfiction books, A Nazi Legacy and The Neo-Nazis and German Unification.
He has written numerous articles for journals and spoken to groups about national security affairs over the years. He now lives in Idaho with his wife, Jan, and is continuing his writing covering experiences gained over fifty-seven years of government service, academics, and consulting.
“The Hostages: A Max Walters Novel” by Rand C. Lewis introduces Maxine “Max” Walters, whose background and world experiences make her the perfect CIA analyst to work with the operations side of the CIA on special missions. Growing up as a military dependent and having traveled extensively prior to being hired by the CIA, Max is chosen by her organization’s leadership to liaison with CIA operators and assets working around the world.
Max, who is navigating her career in the male dominated CIA, accepts the risks of field operations and begins a career of exciting adventures. This book brings out her grit and tenacity on her first mission. She is assigned as a CIA liaison to a U.S. Government contractor to get two CIA officers released from a militant group in Libya following the attack on the Consulate in Benghazi and the death of the U.S. Ambassador. The effort is fraught with danger and Max must prove herself as a viable team member among battle-hardened American operators.
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