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True and Imagined Drama
On the Brink follows an ambitious man from childhood schemes into the ruthless advertising world of 1960s New York, where early trauma, unchecked ambition, and a single reckless choice put his hard-won future at risk. What first sparked the idea for On the Brink?
I had written a few books featuring Dave Powers, unfortunately publishing them without editing. When I decided to convert the books into a series, I began with Dave as a child. The fireworks caper was a critical part of the story.
The novel emphasizes momentum—how one choice leads to another. Was that a guiding principle from the start?
Yes. I created dramatic scenes (both true and imagined) to propel the storyline.
Since the novel is based on true events, how did you decide where to stay close to reality and where to fictionalize?
I tried to stay close to reality as much as possible. I deviated when I needed a more dramatic scene to move the action forward. In these cases, I created an extraordinary event to replace an uninteresting one. In these cases, the result is fact, not the process.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Yes, it is Book 1. All four books are published and I’m in the process of uploading new covers. In Book 2, Dave goes over to ‘the Dark Side’ and takes a job in Corporate America, a departure from his entrepreneurial focus. There he gets shredded by the bureaucrats and ends up a scapegoat in a major bribery scheme.
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Dave Powers has survived the unthinkable. Orphaned by tragedy, he claws his way from the wreckage of his childhood to the glittering chaos of 1960s Madison Avenue—where ambition, alcohol, and betrayal flow in equal measure.
Landing a coveted spot at one of New York’s most prestigious ad agencies, Dave discovers a world where creative genius battles nepotism and backroom deals. It’s the Mad Men era in full swing: brilliant, brutal, and unapologetically male-dominated.
Then he makes a fatal mistake.
He falls in love with his boss—a rare woman in the executive ranks, enigmatic and untouchable. It’s a romance that could cost him everything: his career, his reputation, and the fragile sense of self-worth he’s fought so hard to build.
Haunted by his past and surrounded by predators, Dave must decide: Will he let tragedy define him? Or can he rise above the wreckage and claim his place in a world designed to break him?
Based on true events, On the Brink is a gripping tale of ambition, forbidden love, and the cost of survival.
On the Brink—Chaos and Mayhem at the Office
On the Brink is a coming-of-age business novel that follows Dave Powers from a sharp, restless childhood into the pressure cooker of adult ambition. The book traces how early trauma, raw intelligence, and a hunger to succeed push Dave toward entrepreneurship, first in scrappy childhood schemes and later into the unforgiving world of advertising and office politics. It is a story about momentum. How one choice leads to another. How talent can open doors, but character decides what happens once you step through them.
What struck me first was how readable this novel is. Sisti’s writing moves fast and clean, especially in the early chapters. Scenes from Dave’s youth feel grounded and vivid without trying too hard to impress. The fireworks episode, in particular, does a lot of heavy lifting. It is funny, tense, and quietly revealing. You see Dave’s instincts for business forming alongside his blind spots. Sisti has a knack for showing lessons instead of announcing them. When authority figures step in, especially Dave’s father, the moments feel earned rather than preachy. That balance is not easy to pull off.
As the book shifts into adulthood, the tone darkens in a natural way. The office becomes its own kind of wilderness. Less predictable than the woods and far more punishing. I appreciated how author Michael Sisti portrays work culture as something that can shape you or slowly grind you down, depending on how aware you are. There is humor here, but it is the kind that comes from recognition rather than jokes. If you have ever watched a smart person underestimate the emotional cost of ambition, this will feel familiar.
On the Brink feels like a blend of business fiction and a classic coming-of-age story, with a strong autobiographical pulse running underneath. I closed the book feeling like I had spent time with someone who wanted to tell the truth about success, not just celebrate it. I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy character-driven stories about work, ambition, and personal growth. I think it is especially well-suited for aspiring entrepreneurs, young professionals, or anyone curious about how early life shapes the way we move through the adult world.
Pages: 307 | ASIN : B0DM2V1WBD
Steve the Zombie
In Steve the Zombie, readers are introduced to Steve, a detective at the pinnacle of his promising career. This engaging tale pivots sharply when a mysterious illness descends upon his community. While investigating what appears to be the onset of a Zombie apocalypse, Steve makes a terrifying discovery: he has become infected. The fear of becoming a monster, once only a distant nightmare, is suddenly a chilling reality. Yet, even as the infection ravages his body, transforming his appearance and sapping his strength, Steve’s humanity endures.
The narrative then takes us on a thrilling journey as Steve wrestles with his metamorphosis and the urgent need to save his partner, Sarah, from the virus that is consuming him. Will he succeed?
One of the standout qualities of Stephen Wayne’s writing is his ability to craft a palpable emotional connection between the reader and the protagonist. Wayne’s portrayal of Steve’s thoughts and emotions is nothing short of masterful. Readers are privy to Steve’s mind, gaining intimate insight into his decisions, feelings, and the relentless pursuit of a cure. Steve’s selflessness and discipline remain awe-inspiring, even as he confronts his transformation into a zombie.
The novel presents a focused cast of characters that keeps the reader’s attention firmly on the main storyline. For those who appreciate the depth, the narrative’s emphasis on Steve’s experience allows an immersive understanding of his situation. The story’s pacing, filled with action and complex thoughts, provides an energetic and engaging experience for those who enjoy a more intricate read. Even for readers unfamiliar with the genre, the novel’s complexity may present an exciting challenge and a refreshing departure from conventional storytelling.
Steve the Zombie offers a rewarding deviation from the norm, even for those who do not typically venture into dystopian literature. Wayne’s literary prowess is genuinely impressive, bringing a fresh twist to the familiar zombie narrative by using a zombie’s perspective.
Steve the Zombie is a compelling read that will likely appeal to fans of fast-paced dystopian novels. If you have an appetite for a unique take on zombie lore, exploring resilience and humanity’s struggle against the monstrous, this book will not disappoint.
Pages: 146 | ASIN : B0C8692JP2
The Divine Travel Agency
The Divine Travel Agency by A Frank Corso Mystery is an exceptional supernatural fiction novel and the first book in the Frank Corso mystery series. The story revolves around a middle-aged bachelor named Frank Corso, who works on Wall Street and lives an extravagant bachelor life. He is comfortable with his life until he visits New Orleans on a business trip, and life takes an unexpected turn. In the weeks leading to Christmas, his ex-girlfriend asks him to find her young supernatural friend, who has disappeared. Corso dives deep into the rich culture of New Orleans and, in doing so, discovers some of the city’s darkest secrets and the mystery of “The divine travel agency.”
The author has written a gripping mystery story that is a page-turner. Frank Corso is a likable and intelligent character, and readers will enjoy getting to know him as the plot unfolds. The story is set in the heart of New Orleans, and the author’s research shows. Readers will be able to picture themselves in New Orleans as he vividly describes all the fantastic tourist spots and travel-worthy places. I found this book hard to put down once I started reading, and it was thanks to the author’s descriptive writing style I was transported into the culture of New Orleans.
Readers will take a deep dive into New Orleans’s rich history with a sprinkle of mystique throughout. The supernatural aspect of the story adds to the drama making this a mysterious read. Readers will feel as if they are part of the investigation, searching along with Frank as he tries to solve the mystery. The story moves at a smooth pace, and some unexpected twists in the story keep readers guessing till the end reveal.
The Divine Travel Agency is a must-read for those who enjoy New Orleans’s magic and a great mystery to solve. The supernatural elements are a great addition giving the traditional detective troupes a fresh take and readers a new experience.
Pages: 388 | ASIN : B09LHJXR67
