Part-time Dillon resident Bill Penoyar earlier this year released his latest historical fiction thriller, “Surviving Dreamland: Escape from Terror.” Based on stories from his time volunteering in Iraq, using his skills in international diplomacy and development to help facilitate government and military interactions, “Dreamland” weaves the tale of Uday Hussein’s murderous rule with fictional characters trying to survive the oppressive regime. Lara, the main character and object of capture, was created with the people Penoyar encountered overseas in mind, some of whom he is still close with today — a family that he and his wife “adopted” who were trying to escape the regime themselves. The cover art even depicts the face of that same woman. “Dreamland” will keep you on your toes as its gripping narrative puts you in the shoes of Iraq’s citizens in 2003, spinning tales of torture and resilience — some so grim that the military wasn’t even sure they were true until later discoveries by soldiers provided evidence.

Retired U.S. Agency for International Development and Foreign Service officer Penoyar visited the High Country earlier in March for book signing events. “Dreamland” can be purchased at the Bookworm in Edwards, Explore Booksellers in Aspen and The Next Page Books and Nosh in Frisco, as well as online in e-book format from Amazon. His other novel, “On the Road with a Foreign Service Officer” explores the lighter side of traveling overseas. Visit WilliamFPenoyarBooks.com for more information.