I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A traumatized author reluctantly travels to a special clinic to seek help, only to be confronted by an emerging story and dark secrets in author Gaelan Donovan Wort’s “A Study on Falling.”
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The Synopsis
Have you ever been lost in a maze?
Have you ever kept walking, sure that the exit was near, only to realise that you’ve been going around in circles?
Ever been trapped?
I have.
Once, I was someone. A bestselling author whose prose charmed the world. I was in love, I was married, and my muse was my partner through it all. Then came the accident. I lost a part of myself – became a man unravelling, a husband undone. A novelist without words.
See, the mind can be a maze. Mine became a labyrinth.
I was banished to a hospital for the gifted, where my paranoia wasn’t cured; it only grew, fed by the doctors and my fellow inmates surrounding me.
My name is Henry Levi. I’m a writer. This isn’t a memoir, it’s a record of my time spent in the depths of the labyrinth, fumbling in the dark for the golden thread that would lead me to salvation.
A story, a warning, a legend … call it what you like.
I call it my Study on Falling.
The Review
This was such a compelling and unique psychological thriller. It reminded me a lot of Alan Wake without the overt supernatural themes. Instead, it was a masterclass in the psychology of a writer, an artist, a creative who has been through trauma and cannot return to the space that their creativity once sprang from. The fact that the author brought to life a unique story surrounding an author of the recently reviewed The Shambling Lords, itself a fictional story written by a fictional author, and how that dark fantasy played out in the confines of this story was so unique and imaginative that readers were instantly enthralled.
The powerful imagery in the author’s writing style and the way the fictional story Henry Levi wrote bled into his waking life were so chilling and haunting, especially in his confrontation with Viviane later in the story. The honest emotional struggle Henry goes through in this narrative is so reflective of the impact trauma can have on a person, and how easily or narrowly the path towards pessimism and anger can be to traverse, but the fight to find new inspiration and hope again is achievable, but sometimes only by acknowledging the pain of loss and finding a new beginning.
The Verdict
Artful, thrilling, and entertaining, author Gaelan Donovan Wort’s “A Study on Falling” is a must-read psychological thriller. The twists and turns in the narrative, the deeply personal relationships and interactions Henry has with others in the clinic, and the realism with which the author tackles these themes will keep readers invested all the way to the book’s impactful final chapter. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Gaelan Donovan Wort penned his first novel, The Nature of Predation, at the age of seventeen, driven by a restless passion for storytelling that has since deepened into a lifelong craft. Since that early beginning, he has followed the shadows that gather between myth and memory, reverie and ruin – threads that continue to weave throughout his stories. His fiction drifts between genres – gothic horror, mythic tragedy, psychological thriller, speculative drama, and satirical science fiction – but is always drawn to the liminal, the haunted, and the human. Whether eerie or elegiac, his stories linger where the rational frays – and the unknowable begins.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A couple’s gender reveal party turns deadly in author Heather Gudenkauf’s “The Perfect Hosts.”
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The Synopsis
A couple’s gender reveal party turns deadly and everyone is a suspect in this gripping thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of The Overnight Guest.
Is it a boy or a girl? They would die to know…
Madeline and Wes Drake have invited two hundred of their closest friends and family to their sprawling horse ranch for the most anticipated event of the year: a “pistols and pearls” gender reveal party so sensational it is sure to make headlines. But the party descends into chaos when the celebratory explosive misfires, leaving one woman dead and a trail of secrets.
As the aftershocks of the bloody party ripple across the small town, Agent Jamie Saldano is brought on the scene to investigate. Battling his own demons from the past, Saldano unearths a web of deceit spun around the Drakes. The appearance of some unexpected houseguests only deepens the mystery. And as tensions mount, it becomes clear that the explosion wasn’t just an unlucky accident. But who was the target, and why? As the shadow of a killer looms, the happy parents-to-be must unravel the truth before it’s too late.
The Review
What a compelling and dynamic read. The author did a marvelous job of layering this story with mystery and intrigue, first by shocking the reader with hidden secrets and explosive and deadly events that set off a chain of events that will rock the cast of characters to their core. The tension that mounts from the beginning is palpable, and the harrowing way the mystery unfolds leaves a lasting impression on the reader thanks to the strong use of imagery in the author’s writing style.
The heart of this narrative is in the dynamic characters the author brings to life on the page and the charged themes that bring this story to life. The story delves into themes of domestic violence and twisted family dynasties, and the corrupting power that wealth can bring to life in a person. The way this impacted the characters in shocking ways, from the surprising revelations behind Agent Jamie Saldano’s backstory and connection to the setting to the emotional struggles of the protagonist, Madeline, and the multiple POVs that the story captures, greatly enhanced the novel’s narrative flow.
The Verdict
Harrowing, thrilling, and compelling, author Heather Gudenkauf’s “The Perfect Hosts” is a must-read domestic thriller. The shocking twists and turns in the narrative, the haunting realities the story explores in wealthy and elite society, and the far too often overlooked world of domestic abuse and the evil that usually lurks where we least expect it made this story enthralling to engage in. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Heather Gudenkauf is the critically acclaimed author of several novels, including the New York Times bestsellers The Weight of Silence, The Overnight Guest and Everyone Is Watching. She lives in Iowa with her husband and children.
“Madeline,” comes Wes’s voice, tinny and faraway-sounding. “Are you okay?”
She is lying flat on her back, the air still hazy with smoke. Is she? Is she okay? The ringing in her ears is fading, and she can hear again. In the distance she can hear sirens. Help is coming. Madeline does a mental scan of her body. Nothing seems broken, but her head is pounding. She touches her hairline, expecting her fingers to come back with blood, but instead they find an egg- sized lump. She tries to remember exactly what happened. Wes pulled the trigger, and the truck exploded. An explosion, that’s what it was. Something had gone wrong with the reveal. The baby. Oh God, is the baby okay? She presses her palms against her belly.
“Madeline, Madeline,” comes Wes’s voice again, this time more insistent. His frantic face comes into view.
“Shhh,” Madeline orders. “Please be quiet.” She needs to lie completely still, has to concentrate so she can feel the baby move. She. The baby is a girl, Madeline thinks, remembering the wisps of pink smoke she saw among the fiery black cloud. Her little girl will kick her in the bladder, one of her favorite moves, any second now. There is nothing. No cartwheels or wiggles. Nothing.
Wes kneels beside her and slips his hand into hers. “Help is coming. Stay put. Don’t move.”
Madeline nods as hot tears roll down her cheeks. “What happened?”
“It must have been the truck,” Wes says. “It must have triggered a bigger explosion.”
“But how?” Madeline asks. “You said it was safe . . . Is anyone hurt?”
“It was. It was supposed to be.” He shakes his head, be- wildered. “I don’t know what happened.”
Madeline struggles into a sitting position and looks around. Charred lumber litters the lawn. The canopy over the dining tables has collapsed and is covered in dancing flames that a handful of guests and waitstaff are trying to smother with what- ever is handy: cowboy hats, table linens, an old horse blanket. Other guests are gathered in small, tight clusters, holding on to one another. Some sit in the grass crying, others stand slack- faced, as if in shock. Through the smoke a rodeo clown appears, his brightly colored clothing now blackened with soot and his makeup running down his sweaty face. The clown is helping the photographer, who is bleeding from the head. But it is the old storage barn that Madeline finds herself fixated on. Huge f lames shoot from the hayloft window and the roof. Someone pulls a hose from one of the horse barns, and suddenly buckets and containers of all sizes appear. Others, including Johanna’s husband, Dalton, are running toward the burning barn and tossing water onto the structure. They know that one wayward spark could ignite the house or, worse, the barns filled with her beloved horses.
“Can you walk?” Wes asks. “We have to get you away from here.”
Madeline nods, and Wes helps her to her feet. She is barefoot. The blast had lifted her in the air and knocked her flip-flops clear off her feet. Madeline, leaning against Wes, winces with each step, the rough ground pricking at the soles of her feet. He leads her to the meadow, a safe distance from the burning barn, but still close enough for her to see what’s happening. Some of Madeline’s earlier numbness is beginning to wear away, and the enormity of what has happened begins to descend.
“Go,” Madeline says, knowing they need as many hands as possible.
Wes shakes his head. “No,” he says. “I’m not leaving you.” “I’m fine,” she says, but is she? She fell hard, and still the baby hasn’t moved.
Madeline scans the crowd. “Where’s Johanna?” she asks. “Have you seen her?”
“I haven’t,” Wes says. “But I’m sure she’s around here somewhere. Have you seen Dix?”
“No,” Madeline says. The last she saw Dix was just before he handed the microphone to Wes. “Go,” Madeline repeats. “Really, I’m fine. I just have to get my bearings,” she assures him when he turns his gaze to her doubtfully. “Go help, find your brother. And check on the horses.”
“You wait here,” Wes says. “Don’t move from this spot, and I’ll come back and find you.” He squeezes her hand and kisses her cheek before darting away and disappearing into a cloud of black smoke.
Madeline continues to eye the property for any sign of Johanna’s long dark braid, her suede skirt. In the distance the wail of sirens grows closer. Help is coming. The meadow to the left of the house was being used as a makeshift parking lot for the guests’ vehicles. One wayward spark from the fire landing on the stubbled field could set off a chain reaction where upward of a hundred cars and trucks, tanks filled with gasoline and diesel, sit idly.
The air is filled with inky smoke blotting out the face of the mountain and the setting sun. A fire truck pulls through the side yard, crushing Madeline’s lavender and Russian sage, its massive tires carving deep ruts in the soil. Madeline barely notices—it’s what she sees as a group of guests part to let the truck through that causes her breath to lodge in her throat. A woman lies on the ground, her arm thrown over her face, while someone presses a blood-soaked cloth to her abdomen. One by one, Madeline registers the carnage. Someone is doing CPR on Gary Wilson, the president of the bank that holds their mortgage. One of her equestrian students is wandering aimlessly through the smoke, tears running down her face. A fifteen-hundred- pound bull has escaped the rodeo paddock and is trotting toward the mountains. She sees Mellie, the young waitress, running and screaming, fire dancing up the front of her legs. A partygoer tackles her, smothering the flames with his body.
This is bad. So very bad. Madeline fights the urge to vomit. She wants to help. But how? Water, Madeline thinks. She can pass out bottles of water, try and keep the guests calm and reassure them that help is here, that everything is going to be okay. On unsteady feet she moves toward the party barn, where she knows there is plenty of bottled water, but someone grabs her arm. Mia. “Have you seen Sully?” she asks tearfully, her arm hanging at an odd angle. “I can’t find him.”
Madeline shakes her head. “I’ll help look for him,” she promises. “You’re hurt. Sit down.”
Mia shakes her head. “I need Sully,” she says thickly and stumbles away. There are too many injured and not enough emergency personnel.
The fire truck has come to an abrupt stop. Two firefighters are urging those guests who jumped in to try to put out the fire to move away from the blaze. With machinelike efficiency, they unroll the hoses.
Madeline is mesmerized by the flames that roll across the roof of the barn, the dense cloud of smoke, the roar of lumber being eaten by the flames. She moves closer, unnoticed by the firefighters, her face growing pink from the heat. Madeline vaguely becomes aware of more sirens and shouts of “Over here” and “Please help!” More help has arrived. The spray of water hisses and snarls as it strikes flames and wood. The barn turns into a living thing then, twisting and groaning until it collapses in on itself, turning to a big heap of charred lumber with sooty farm equipment peeking out here and there.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
In author Barry Harden’s novel Amanita Virosa: The Destroying Angel, a band of citizens rises up to fight against the corruption of 1980s London.
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The Synopsis
It’s the 1980s, and London is crumbling under the weight of political corruption while the have-nots are further victimized by unfettered rogue gangs. Children are lured into the dark, lurid chambers of Whitehall, some never to be seen again. Citizens are coerced through intimidation and threats of harm against their families. Utter chaos reigns. Amanita Virosa, a courageous Roma fighter who fled the horrors of war-torn Bosnia, sought refuge in the heart of North London, only to discover that the specter of corruption and injustice haunts her adopted home. Forming an alliance with Everard, a young, homeless firebrand, and Doris, a feisty pensioner, the group embarks on a daring mission to sever the insidious grip of Whitehall’s corruption and the extortion and violence perpetrated on the innocent. Sedition, conspiracy, murder and betrayal all have a voice; some are quickly silenced, while others persistently challenge the very existence of those bold enough to defy the status quo. Loosely based on actual sociopolitical events in eighties London, Amanita Virosa is a riveting warning about the perils of government overreach and the indomitable power of the individual to resist oppression. Will their collective courage be enough to shatter the chains of oppression, or will they become casualties in a war that demands the ultimate sacrifice?
The Review
This was a compelling and intriguing read. The author established a visceral, gritty atmosphere and tone that set the stage for a unique setting that has not been widely discussed in modern history. The action and graphic violence the book depicts highlight the narrative naturally, allowing these relatable and impactful characters to grow and evolve at an even pace as the story and the stakes escalate.
This fast-paced read prominently displayed the themes of greed, power, control, and fighting against corruption. The way the author stepped into this grim reality immediately allowed the reader to feel the desperation and how these characters became fed up and disillusioned with how those living on society’s fringes were treated. The personal connections these characters form with one another and the emotional bond they form with one another, especially Amanita and Richie later on in the book, keep the reader engaged and invested in this growing and dangerous world the author has brought to life on the page.
The Verdict
Author Barry Harden’s “Amanita Virosa: The Destroying Angel” is a must-read thriller that is memorable, engaging, and chilling. The real-life connection to historical events in London during the 80s and 90s and the adrenaline-fueled action gave readers a unique perspective and thrilling narrative that is nearly impossible to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Barry Harden is the author of a memoir, five novels, two books of poetry and a collection of short stories in the genres of political thriller, satire, Gothic fantasy poetry, and allegorical short stories. An animal rights, environmental protection, and civil rights proponent, he often injects his affinity for such in his writings.
“Words can be like gems or sticks. A coalition of words can become a diamond necklace or a broken picket fence, whichever way one wishes to use them, and as such, I use them for my works of fiction and poetry. Dark fantasy can be alluring but dark reality is sometimes unavoidable and can cascade one’s imagination deep into the hollowed skulls that litter the subsoil beneath our feet, to be returned once again to the world in the voice of a poet.” ~Barry Harden
Some of Mr. Harden’s poetry can be viewed in video format on YouTube: Dark Gothic Poetry and Stories.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young woman must solve the murder of the bookie she took an odd job with as the mob, the police and a killer seek her out in author Steven Max Russo’s “The Debt Collector”.
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The Synopsis
Abigail Barnes is young, pretty and petite, but her looks and size can be deceiving. She’s a tough as nails drifter who makes her living collecting outstanding debts for low-end bookies and loan sharks, Abigail arrives in Hackensack, NJ, from Baltimore, MD, and gets a job collecting for a small-time bookie, who winds up dead.
With a large Wall Street firm moving into town bringing jobs, prestige, and money, the press is soon up in arms about the killing. So the cops to put the squeeze on Ronnie “Slacks” Falcone, a mobster who heads organized crime in the Jersey City area, to help find the killer.
Soon Abigail finds herself being sought by a gang of hoodlums, the mob, and the police. She knows she can’t run and she won’t turn herself in because she has a past that could send her to jail. She has little choice but to try and find out who killed the bookie – without getting killed in the process.
The Review
This was a thrilling and compelling narrative. The author immediately establishes the protagonist as a strong, pull-no-punches woman who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. The way the tables turn, and she must solve this murder, speaks to the strength of the character and the grit of her determination. Her budding friendship with Hector, which begins in the midst of his robbing a gas station and evolves into so much more, showcases the humor and wit that the author infused into the dialogue.
The fast pace of the narrative speaks to crime thriller meets noir storytelling. Gabby’s fearlessness in facing the challenges of this murder case and her becoming hunted by so many different factions involved in this case, both criminals and law enforcement, add to the tense atmosphere and richly developed setting of this story.
The Verdict
Action-packed, thrilling, and entertaining author Steven Max Russo’s “The Debt Collector” is a must-read crime thriller. The adrenaline of the fast-moving parts of this investigation and the steely determination that the protagonist shows in the face of danger at every turn add to the mystery and suspense, with twists and turns that will keep the reader invested in this narrative. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today.
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Steven Max Russo has spent most of his professional career as an advertising copywriter and agency owner. He got interested in writing fiction after one of his short stories was accepted by an online literary journal in 2013. Then he caught the bug and began writing seriously. The publication of his first novel, THIEVES, has garnered praise from renowned crime and thriller authors from around the globe. With a gritty writing style and unique voice, he is quickly winning a legion of new fans. Steve is proud to call New Jersey his home.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A man learns his friend and current mob boss is nearly assassinated, and he must return to New York City to help find the people responsible for the attempted hit and help his friend confront his depression all while also facing criminal charges for long-ago crimes in author J.L. Hill’s adult urban crime thriller, “Killer with Black Blood”, the third book in the author’s Killers series.
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The Synopsis
The third novel in the adult urban crime fiction Killer Series is Killer With Black Blood. Nicky ‘Nails’ Rocci is head of his Mafia family. He takes Sal, who has been institutionalized after he killed his father and mother, to see their mausoleum. Snipers kill Sal and critically wounds Nicky. MoJo gets the news and, on his way back to New York, recalls Nicky’s fake assassination that started an inter-family war. MoJo forces Nicky to confront his depression and together they will track down Nicky’s assailant. Adding to Nicky’s problems, Nathan surfaces in the hands of the FBI and Nicky goes on trial for the murder of the two detectives and Joseph Banoa in the Bella Rosa Massacre.
The Review
This was yet another visceral yet compelling crime thriller from the author. The gritty tone and language of the characters really brought the reader to the imagery and feelings one often imagines when thinking about the rough and tumble settings of 1970s New York. The violence and cruel nature of the world the characters are immersed in are underscored by the life-and-death stakes of the jobs they take on and the emotional connection these characters not only form but are driven by in their quest for revenge and their own form of “mob justice”.
As with the previous book I reviewed in this series, the book excels at really growing and developing the cast of characters. The sheer size of these crime families and the twisted battles they commence with one another are appreciated when the author hones in on the more subtle moments of interaction between Nicky and MoJo, as their bond, since childhood is both tested and grows in the face of the tragedies they’ve faced in life. No matter what paths their journey has taken them down, they always find their way back to one another in a brotherhood that knows no bounds.
The Verdict
Compelling, thoughtful, and engaging, author J.L. Hill’s “Killer with Black Blood” is a must-read urban crime thriller and a great entry into the author’s Killers series. The twists and turns this narrative takes, including an ending that felt very reminiscent of the Godfather part II meets the Sopranos, made this a rich and dynamic character-driven thriller that readers won’t want to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
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A native New Yorker, born and raised in the Bronx, James L Hill spent his adolescence years in Fort Apache, the South Bronx 41st precinct during the 60’s, during a time when you needed to have a gang to go to the store. Raised on blues, soul, and rock and roll gave him the heart of a flower child. Educated by the turmoil of Vietnam, Civil Rights, and the Sexual Revolution produced a gladiator. Realizing the precariousness of life gave him an adventurous outlook and willingness to try anything once, and if it did not kill him, maybe twice. 12 years of Catholic education and a couple of years in college spread between wild drug induce euphoric years, which did not kill him, gave James an unique moral compass that swings in any direction it wants. A scientific mind and a spirit that believes nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough guides his writings. He enjoys traveling to new places and seeing what life has to offer. James began writing short stories and poetry back in his early years. In his twenties moved on to novels. He worked in the financial industry and later got a degree in computer programming, his other love. James has a successful career as a software engineer designing, developing and maintaining systems for the government and the private sector. He has been programming for nearly forty years in various languages. After years in the computer world he returned to his first love, unleashing the characters in his head. Still a hopeless insomniac, he feels free to pound out plots. James L Hill is a prolific storyteller writing crime stories, fantasies, and science fiction, with a slant on the dark side of life. The next step on his journey naturally led to the business of publishing. He started RockHill Publishing LLC not only to produce his own work, but to give others access to the literary world. His computer background and experiences in word processing gives him insight into what it takes to publish good books.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Find out how the mind of a disturbed and vastly rich stalker works as they pursue the person they believe loves them in author Rachael Tamayo’s “Crazy Love”.
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The Synopsis
I love Emily. I know she loves me too, she just needs me to show her. One day, we will be together forever, I’ll make sure of that. She’s only with this guy she’s been hanging around with to test me, see if I’ll stand true. Emily wants me to fight for her, to see if I can win her. Of course, I will. Once she sees how I’ve been caring for her, all the plans I’ve made, the lengths I’ve gone to in order to be with her, she will be so proud of me. If only she would stop pretending so I could stop hiding in her attic.
Reach deep into the mind of mentally ill millionaire, Noah Burell, as he turns Emily’s world upside down.
The Review
This was such a chilling and haunting read. The author perfectly captures the fear and horror that so many people have had to endure over the years. The combination of mental illness left untreated and unhealthy obsessions have led to some truly terrifying cases over the years, and the author’s story really drew the reader in with the theme of obsession. The haunting atmosphere and tone the author’s narrative captures is the perfect way to capture the suspense thriller genre.
The characters really just jumped off the page. The way the author was able to capture the POV of each character’s journey made the story feel that much more alive. The striking contrast between Emily’s whirlwind relationship with the protective and loving Isaiah with the disturbing and haunting obsession that Noah takes with her makes this story the heart of the novel overall.
The Verdict
Chilling, harrowing, and entertaining, author Rachael Tamayo’s “Crazy Love” is a must-read novel. The brilliant way the author captures the fear these cases can bring while also highlighting the need for better mental health awareness and help was a breath of fresh air, and the way the author did this without sacrificing the heart-pounding thriller aspect of this suspense novel was amazing to read. If you haven’t yet be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Rachael Tamayo is the bestselling author of the award-winning Deadly Sins Series, and award-winning thriller, Crazy Love, among several other titles. Before she started her writing career, she was a highly awarded 911 emergency services dispatcher with twelve years of experience and many commendations under her belt. Upon exiting law enforcement, she’s focused her writing career on the dark, suspenseful, and psychological after beginning as a romance author. Now Rachael uses her dark thriller as a sort of self-therapy after all those years answering 911 calls, and works all that she knows and was exposed to into the frighteningly realistic and layered characters her readers know and love her for. Rachael lives on the Texas Gulf Coast in Houston, Texas with her husband of eighteen years this May, their two children.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
Fame and fortune haha. In my spare time, I started writing stories and creating comic strips around the age of ten or eleven. When life wasn’t fun, creative writing was my escape as a child. It was a great outlet for my imagination and a way to express myself untethered from the restriction of my English teachers because not only did I come up with some wild stories, I was also a very creative speller which drove them crazy.
As a teen, I became an avid reader. Believe it or not, I read all of Charles Dickens’s works while riding on a bus to my after-school/weekend job in a restaurant kitchen. But I think it was Hemmingway’s books that really inspired me to write longer stories. I wanted to be that storyteller. It wasn’t however, until the author of the series of books that I was reading to my children died that I began writing. The kids were upset there would be no more books, so I took it upon myself to write something similar for them as a Christmas present. The only problem was that the short story turned into a novel and with my busy schedule as a doctor, it took two years to complete. By then, my older son was “too old” for it. I decided after my youngest grew up, that although I enjoyed writing my children, I really wanted to write for adults.
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What inspired you to write your book?
My family and I experienced the panic and chaos created by the enormous North East blackout of 2003. We were sitting by a campfire completely oblivious until a neighbor approached carrying a shotgun telling us that most of North America was dark. He said it was a Russian cyberattack. My twelve-year-old son couldn’t sleep that night as he was frightened that we were under attack and that enemy soldiers were breaking into the house. That feeling of being in the dark, not knowing the truth was truly terrifying. For the next five days, our part of the world was not functioning – no credit cards – no cash – no ATMs working – the gas pump wouldn’t pump – store shelves were empty – the experience still haunts me and played a large part in motivating me to write Lethal Keystrokes.
In addition, I have always had an interest in technology and computers. In fact, before medical school, I worked as a programmer for IBM. As a physician, I became concerned about the impact of technology on children i.e., too much screen time. But with the intrusion of social media and the ‘internet of everything,’ I feel there is too much connectiveness without true human contact. My biggest concern outside the medical/social sphere is our security – individually and collectively as a nation. There are too many electronic eyes and ears out there. Are they helping and protecting us or making us vulnerable to those who wish harm upon us?
What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
I hope that this book causes people, companies, and governments to think about their digital security. We also need to be aware that the voids, created by Western nations in places like Somalia, where there was intervention and then complete withdrawal, are filled by groups that could become terrorist organizations.
What drew you into this particular genre?
To be honest, I was attempting to write a very emotionally charged true-life novel about some of my experiences in cancer and palliative care. It was tough. I needed to step back and ‘reset’. Previously, out of a more academic interest I had researched some of the key political and technological issues key to Lethal Keystrokes. I took that information and started writing something that was pure entertainment, so fast-paced and exciting that you can’t put it down and a total escape from the trials of day-to-day life. Writing it worked wonders for me and I hope that everyone that reads Lethal Keystrokes enjoys immersing themselves in the action.
If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
That is an interesting question. I’m somewhat surprised by my answer. It is not the main antagonist but his sister that I found the most fascinating and challenging character to write, and from the reaction of a few earlier readers, they agree with this choice. She starts out with the same vitriol as her older brother but as she spends more time in Western society, she stops focusing on all its flaws and begins to appreciate the positives, including the opportunities for women. She has to battle through the conflicts between her traditional role that involves support for her brother and her own journey to personal freedom. How does she bridge the chiasm between Islamic culture and her growing acceptance of America’s ideals?
What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Marketing has changed so much. If you aren’t good with social media, you’re doomed so I embraced it despite my misgivings about technology. I do not profess to be an expert but Instagram has been quite useful as well as Twitter. Still, I really don’t like the feeling of anarchy – everyone has their own truth – that exists out there in the digital world. Bottom line: technology is a tool, not a lifestyle.
What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Write a one-page, beginning-to-end, synopsis of your plot. Stream of consciousness writing is unlikely to be successful. Writing toward a known conclusion ends up moving you farther, faster and easier than just sitting down and pecking away, hoping that it will all fall into place. If you can’t come up with the ending you don’t have an idea worthy of your time and energy. And work it is. A novel is much harder than a short story. Keeping an audience engaged for 300 pages is no easy task. So have a complete idea and be disciplined by writing something every day when possible.
What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I’m still writing the book about my medical experiences. I have also started a second book featuring the heroes from ‘Lethal Keystrokes’ as they combat a threat to America of a different nature. Hint: It will use more of my medical knowledge.
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About the Author
John D. May was born in London, Ontario. He has balanced multiple passions over his life, including his work as a biologist, his career as a physician, his volunteer service at medical outreach clinics in Guatemala, singer-songwriting, and storytelling. He has written several songs for well-known Canadian artists and released two CDs, available on iTunes and Spotify under the name Johnny May. His time is divided between his rural farm property near Toronto and the south of France.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A group of people who feel wronged by the world seeks their revenge, and one group of people must stop them before it’s too late in author John D. May’s “Lethal Keystrokes”.
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The Synopsis
America’s vulnerability is its hidden fanatics, those individuals who harbor fury, grief and a driving desire for revenge. While blending in with their neighbors, co-workers and customers, they plot the demise of their country. They have a network. They have resources. And they have the courage to make it happen.
Lethal Keystrokes is the gripping story of a small group of revenge seekers and those who try to keep America safe.
The Review
This was a truly captivating thriller. The author did a great job of layering the narrative with characters that kept the novel’s story intense and entertaining, and yet also brought an emotional depth and human angle that allowed readers to either recognize or identify with. The tension and fast-paced atmosphere and the story itself left me as a reader hanging off of the author’s every word, enthralled by the twists and turns the story took.
Yet in this book, it was the theme and setting that really brought this thriller to the forefront of the reader’s mind. The exploration of modern technology and our dependence on it both as individuals and as a society was remarkably felt through this novel, as the threats and high stakes of the novel really put our dependence on technology for so many aspects of our lives into a whole new perspective. The modern era has presented a host of new challenges to face, and the genre the author explores allowed these characters to feel much more relevant and alive on the page.
The Verdict
Heart-pounding, thoughtful, and entertaining, author John D. May’s “Lethal Keystrokes” is a must-read techno-thriller novel! The action and suspense of the novel will thrust readers into the 21st century with a vengeance, and the emotional chords the backstories and characters bring to the narrative give the heart that this modern thriller needed to keep readers invested throughout this novel. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
John D. May was born in London, Ontario. He has balanced multiple passions over his life, including his work as a biologist, his career as a physician, his volunteer service at medical outreach clinics in Guatemala, singer-songwriting, and storytelling. He has written several songs for well-known Canadian artists and released two CDs, available on iTunes and Spotify under the name Johnny May. His time is divided between his rural farm property near Toronto and the south of France.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A woman scarred by her past must place her trust in 3 detectives after witnessing a murder that could bring down a powerful mob boss in author Lisa Cordeau’s “Agapē”, the first book in the Heart’s Compass series.
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The Synopsis
Fiercely independent, Cassie settled into an unpredictable, sometimes dangerous life under the park bridge with Janice and Pete. Her heart marred by past betrayals, she found trusting others difficult. But, after witnessing a murder, will she sacrifice her freedoms and place her trust in three unselfish men bent on keeping her, Pete, and Janice safe?
Detectives Alex, Raf, and Ryder Consopolat, brothers raised with a strong sense of family unity, strive to bring down the local mob boss, but their witnesses keep dying. Fate intervenes, providing them one final opportunity to end a tyrant’s reign. Can they keep their reluctant allies alive, or will they all be victims of The Boss?
The Review
This was such a brilliant and captivating read. The adrenaline-fueled thriller takes readers on a wild ride, showcasing a brutal landscape of gangsters and corruption that felt very reminiscent of a noir thriller in a more modern-day era. The world-building and atmosphere played heavily into the narrative, adding tension and sending chills down the reader’s spine as the gangsters of this tale crept ever closer to the cast of characters.
Yet it was the characters themselves that brought such heart to this story. The exploration of life on the streets as a homeless person was such an emotional and powerful change in direction for this type of thriller. The hardships and struggles Cassie, Pete, and Janice undergo on a daily basis and in their backstories only add to the dangers the gangsters bring to their feet, and the balance that the author stuck with the story of the brothers/detectives and how they came to interact with these witnesses over time added a depth to the emotional connection readers will have to this story.
The Verdict
Heartfelt, entertaining, and delightfully written, author Lisa Cordeau’s “Agapē” is a must-read thriller of 2022. A fantastic balance of emotional storytelling and exhilarating action-packed detective work, the story shines as a stand-alone narrative while also leaving room to grow as a series that examines the personal lives of those involved while also adding deep-seated character studies to a thrill-ride of a suspense story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Her mother’s love of books inspired Lisa to read and write from an early age. She filled her journals with story ideas and made up towns full of interesting characters. One of their favorite used book stores offered an exchange program, so they spent many weekends perusing the shelves of novels there. After returning the novels they read, they walked away with several bags filled with new stories to explore. Although life took her in other directions, writing has always been her first love. Returning to those pages, she became motivated to accomplish her dream of publishing her debut novel, Agapē. Now, her dream is a reality.
