Tag: espionage

Cassandra’s Shadow by M. Brosh Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author M. Brosh shares a daring and thrilling look into the secret world of Israel’s Intelligence agency in the novel “Cassandra’s Shadow.”

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The Synopsis

A gripping Mossad thriller based on real-life intelligence operations.

Since its founding in 1949, the Israeli Mossad has stunned the world with bold, often seemingly impossible missions carried out across the globe. Now, for the first time, many of the secrets behind these covert operations are revealed in a fast-paced, suspense-filled espionage novel.

Blending fact with fiction, Cassandra’s Shadow dives deep into the hidden world of Israeli intelligence, recounting dramatic Mossad operations across European capitals, in the streets of Tehran, beneath the sea aboard stealth submarines, and inside Iran’s secret nuclear facilities. These episodes, inspired by real missions, expose the methods, risks, and sacrifices of one of the world’s most advanced—and most daring—intelligence agencies.

Told in cinematic prose and packed with high-stakes tension, Cassandra’s Shadow is more than just a spy novel. It’s a riveting journey into the shadows of global espionage, based on true events that have shaped the course of modern history.

Perfect for fans of international spy thrillers, political intrigue, and real Mossad operations.

The Review

From the outset, readers are immersed in a world of intrigue and suspense as an intense mission unfolds to prevent a new nuclear power from emerging. The realism and visceral nature of the operations and missions undertaken by the characters, especially given that much of the book is based on real missions carried out by Mossad agents, kept readers engaged and invested in the developing narrative. The adrenaline-fueled action and the powerful imagery of each setting allowed the reader to experience the novel in a very cinematic way, delivering a complex espionage thriller that mirrored the action of live-action projects like 24 and The Jason Bourne series.

The authenticity the author brought to these settings and characters was what stood out in this story. The way the author gave everyone involved in these missions a voice, from the soldiers and military leaders to scientists and spies, felt very well-rounded in delivery, and the realistic nature of the story allowed the more high-stakes, heart-pounding moments to feel visceral in their delivery. 

The Verdict

Action-packed, entertaining, yet thought-provoking all at once, author M. Brosh’s “Cassandra’s Shadow” is a must-read spy thriller. The twists and turns in the narrative, the fast-paced story, and the gripping characters that readers will instantly engage with, make this one thriller readers won’t want to put down this summer. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

A member of a kibbutz in central Israel, M. Brosh has always been drawn to what lies beneath the surface. His writing reflects a quiet familiarity with the hidden layers of reality—shaped by life experiences rarely spoken of, but deeply felt between the lines.

Sanctity of Freedom: An Inspector William Fox Series by Peter Thomas Pontsa Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A kidnapped young woman and savagely assassinated diplomats lead an inspector and an FBI agent to hunt down a ruthless killer in author Peter Thomas Pontsa’s “Sanctity of Freedom: An Inspector William Fox Series.”

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The Synopsis

While Inspector William Fox and girlfriend Tracy Jordan cruised on his cigarette boat The Midnight Fox, a crackle of the police scanner informed him a body had washed up on a beach. Much to Tracy’s disapproval, William chose to investigate. The Montreal police investigator already on the scene discovered a note on the body intended for William’s friend and taekwondo master, Mr. Kim. He is certain the note was from his long-lost sister, Mi-Cha. Kidnapped, while still a child, and trapped in North Korea, Kim is convinced she is still alive and implores William to help get her home.

Sanctity of Freedom plunges RCMP Inspector Fox and FBI Special Agent Patrick Reilly into an investigation of a savage assassination of a Canadian diplomat and two Australian intelligence agents. Meanwhile, Kim and his old friends chase down leads to find his sister that point to Pyongyang, the North Korean leadership, and the shadowy operatives of Bureau 39 who skirt the NATO sanctions.

All of them get drawn into a murderous game of cat and mouse leading Mr. Kim to face the man who took his sister and William Fox to match wits with the cunning killer.

The Review

This was such a compelling and engaging read. The author found the perfect balance between character development and fast-paced action, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the world the author crafted. The exploration of different government agencies and law enforcement, and the high-stakes global espionage, drove the narrative forward and added more depth to the murder mystery element that began this story.

The world-building and mystery the story brings together throughout this novel bring the theme of freedom and what one is willing to do to gain that freedom, such as a spotlight. The adrenaline-fueled action and the emotional twist that Mr. Kim and his fight to save his sister gave more purpose to William Fox’s mission, and the amount of detail that went into bringing the setting of North Korea to life with its dangerous regime and geopolitical setting made this a remarkable read. 

The Verdict

The breathtaking imagery, atmosphere, and entertaining narrative made this a must-read international thriller. The suspense and drama fuel the thrilling action, and the remarkable character development adds more emotion and heart to these pages, keeping readers engaged until the very last page. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Peter Thomas Pontsa is a member of the Crime Writers of Canada and the Wordsmiths based out of Alliston, Ontario. An avid British sports car enthusiast, he has raced with Jagged Edge Motorsports, former president of the Headwaters British Car Club and a student of taekwondo with a second-degree blackbelt. A retired business man, he lives in Loretto, Ontario, Canada, with his author wife Angela van Breemen, and their orange tabby, Mr. Tee.

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A Fifth of the Story by Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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A CIA agent must race against the clock to stop a deadly attack on his country in author and Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes’s “A Fifth of the Story”.

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The Synopsis

What happens when you work for the highest security agency in the world but you can’t trust anyone? What if you returned from overseas to protect your country but the country didn’t protect you anymore? Find out what happens when three close friends return from fighting the enemy abroad and are faced with the greatest battles of their lives stateside. They try to stop their country and families from imploding before time runs out.

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The Review 

This was an adrenaline-fueled story that immediately became a hit espionage thriller. The atmosphere and character development in this story really captured the fun and thrill of the recent Netflix series The Night Agent, hitting on the tension buildup between the characters and the intense action scenes that highlight the threat the protagonist faces. 

This novel did an extraordinary job of utilizing imagery to create an almost cinematic reading experience that brought the reader into this action-packed thriller. Yet the tense atmosphere as the protagonist struggled to find a way of protecting those closest to him and the nation he loves, as well as the mystery behind those involved in this conspiracy, made this story shine bright.

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The Verdict 

Memorable, intense, and entertaining author Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes’s “A Fifth of the Story” is a must-read action and espionage thriller that readers will love getting lost in. The twists and turns the story takes and the protagonist’s story of resilience and hope in the face of adversity make this a gripping tale. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today. 

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Dr. Katherine received her BA in English and a MA in Elementary Education at Adelphi University. She received her Doctorate of Education and Supervision at Arizona State University. Katherine taught for 8 years before moving to the principalship of K-8 and K-6 schools for approximately 10 years. She has served as a freelance writer for various magazines including, Church Weekly, Prom Guide and Glendale Magazine. When Katherine isn’t working as counselor or writing curriculum she loves painting and photography. Some of her work in art, poetry and short stories has been distinguished by awards including the New York Mayor’s contribution to the arts Award, Outstanding Resident Artist of Arizona and the Foundations Awards at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. She also runs recreationally, coordinates fitness boot-camps for women and has a black belt in Taekwondo. Katherine loves speaking to groups delivering her messages with quick wit and real-life stories. She has been involved in church ministry for 18 years leading women’s ministry, teaching, playing piano, singing, and teaching liturgical dance.

https://www.drkatherinehayes.com/

Interview with Dick Woodgate

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I’m 56-years-old and I’m British. I live in rural Kent, the garden of England, with my partner and six-year-old son. As well as being a father and a writer, I’m also a furniture maker. One day in a beautiful garden on a long, languorous summer holiday in Normandy I was relaxing in a sun lounger, looking up at a line of silver birch trees, watching their leaves catching the wind. That was the moment when I decided to start writing something. The story I began in my notebook that day would, several years later, grow to become Cold Star, my first published novel. I’ve also written a short story, Treasure Hunter, a spin-off from Cold Star which is available to members of my mailing list.

2) What inspired you to write your book?

The skies are dark down here in Kent. I bought a telescope soon after we moved here from London and watching the skies with it inspired the idea behind my first novel, Cold Star.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

With Cold Star, there are a few themes and ideas expressed within the story. Firstly, there is the idea of things not always being what they seem and there is no better time in history than during the cold war for this idea to be presented. The obsfercation which was endemic within the soviet’s state-controlled media at that time in Russia is unparalleled. And beyond this, I feel the story explores failure – a subject that is not so often examined in literature. Cold Star is the first book in the Agent series, charting the race to the moon in the sixties and so there is also a sense of that pioneering decade of space exploration expressed in parallel with both the plot and the theme of each book in the planned series.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I just love espionage stories and most especially, Fleming’s James Bond. With Fleming, I think it’s the escapism that Bond represents which I love, not just in place but also in time. Reading Fleming is a nostalgic experience, a link to childhood and to simpler times. And I love the plot-driven nature of the spy story genre, the intrigue that’s always present. I believe Fleming to be hugely underrated and, once you get past the anachronisms of the period in which he wrote his Bond books, you find a highly accomplished writer able to draw perfect pictures with beautifully descriptive passages throughout his stories.

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5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

Valentina Primakova. ‘Will you have dinner with me?’ Do I need to say why?

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

It’s early days for me as an author but I will say that I’ve enjoyed posting on Facebook. I never thought I would ever say that!

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Write the book you want to write, the way you want to write it, and enjoy your writing. Concentrate on getting your story down, all the rest of the process of becoming an author and publishing your book can be dealt with later, just don’t think about it for now. Don’t start re-writing until you get your content down, you’ll never get to the end if you do.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

I’m nearing completion of my follow up to Cold Star, provisionally called Silverbird. It features the Agent again but alongside him this time there’s also a strong female lead. Silverbird is set a little later on in the sixties in Europe, Russia and California.It will be the second book in the Agent series. And besides this, I shall be continuing to promote Cold Star.

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Cold Star Review

About the Author

As well as being a writer, I’m also a furniture maker. I moved from London to rural Kent seven years ago to start a family. The skies are dark down here. I bought a telescope soon after we moved and it was this – and a love of espionage fiction, Fleming in particular – which led me to start writing my first novel, Cold Star.

Cold Star is the first book featuring the Agent in a planned series charting the race to the moon in the sixties. A sense of that pioneering decade of space exploration is expressed in parallel with the plot and theme of each book – I’m nearing completion of the second book, set later on in the decade in Europe, Russia & California. I hope you’ll enjoy reading it as much as I have writing it for you. 

Website: https://www.dickwoodgate.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dickwoodgate

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dickwoodgate/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WoodgateDick

Amazon Author Profile page: https://www.amazon.com/Dick-Woodgate/e/B095C7G189?ref_=dbs_p_ebk_r00_abau_000000

View Cold Star on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094YJX65Q

Blood of Kings, Power – Perversity – Redemption by Patrick Norton

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

An international race against time explodes onto the pages of an original illustrated thriller in author Patrick Norton’s book, Blood of Kings, Power – Perversity – Redemption. Here’s the official synopsis:

A thrilling story with an underlying humanistic message

In times past, the kings exercised power and dominion over their people. Thus, absolute monarchy controlled the destinies of the world for many centuries. At present, although there are still a few Royal Houses, the real power is exercised by the moguls, owners of the largest transnational companies, whose wealth exceeds any estimate. While the world is increasingly threatened by economic crises, terrorism, war, hunger, unemployment and poverty, they, unofficially, control the governments, because they are owners of almost everything, in all areas of the world economy. In Blood of Kings, Power – Perversity – Redemption, develops a tale of intrigue, suspense, action and adventure. A series of murders in different parts of the world has bewildered the authorities. No one knows what is happening, but someone is murdering magnates-billionaires. This series of crimes has led to a destabilization in the world economy, while the authorities still have no leads, and the murders continue to occur despite the high level of protection of the victims.

John Garrett, the only son of the first tycoon murdered, has in his possession “the key,” a high-tech electronic device that must be delivered in Paris, according to instructions that his father gave him before he died. The delivery is frustrated and he reaches an impasse. Motivated by the murder of his father, he decides to launch his own investigation. Who killed him? Why? What is this “key” for? ¿Why is it so important? To find the answers, he will have to go on a long and dangerous journey that will take him to many places in the world: Paris, Roussillon, Rome, New Orleans, Seattle, French Polynesia and Sweden, among others. Along this way, he will get to know Laura Koffmann, a daughter of one of the victims. The two will join forces to get the answers, even at the risk of their own lives. They will find many unexpected things and understand that nothing is what it seems; and that the future of the world will depend on their decisions, as well as the success of their actions.

This novel is profusely illustrated with 1,254 original illustrations in high quality 3D digital art that recreate the settings, characters and events narrated in the story. To show the full-screen images, the book is published in the format of a fixed-layout KF8, with vertical text and horizontal illustrations.

The novel is an incredible action thriller, filled with a unique story about secret organizations, murder and a race against the clock to change the world before it’s too late. Filled with action, romance and espionage, this was a fun read. Don’t let the page count fool you, the story was fast paced and flowed quickly, and featured an incredibly unique story telling device with the inclusion of original animated illustrations. The story was powerful and truly original to the genre, and a lot of fun to see flow off the pages.

The only small critique I have is the dialogue sometimes doesn’t flow organically at certain points, and I’d encourage the author to read through the exchanges between characters and make sure the conversations flow smoothly. Otherwise the story was well written and the international espionage world built by the author was incredibly rich and held vivid imagery that readers will not soon forget.

Overall this was a fun read that fans of the thriller genre will thoroughly enjoy. Filled with fully developed and complex characters, shocking twists and a complicated world where no one can be trusted, this was a great read that I highly recommend readers try out for themselves. If you haven’t yet be sure to pick up your copies of Blood of Kings, Power – Perversity – Redemption by Patrick Norton today!

 

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Rating: 7/10

Author’s website: http://www.patricknortonbooks.com

Amazon.com: http://goo.gl/9nRPu4