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Odyssey in The Congo
Breakwater Bay follows a journalist who is headed to Madagascar for a diving vacation where he instead winds up sucked into a shady rescue mission in lawless Somalia. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
A video popped up on YouTube about a pushboat pushing 6 barges up the Congo River with 300 Congolese living in a shantytown aboard the barges. It captured my interest and I found myself researching The Congo for a possible story. It just took off from there.
How did you balance the action scenes with the story elements and still keep a fast pace in the story?
This book was a different style for me. It was more about the journey and the characters encountered on that journey. It was an odyssey in The Congo and beyond. I tend to write fast-paced stories, so it was easy for me to balance the elements.
Did you find anything in your research of this story that surprised you?
Yes. The pushboats and barges on the Congo River were intriguing as well as the use of child slave labor in the illegal diamond mines. I also wanted the book to create awareness of this sad/abusive situation.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for Emerson Moore and the direction of the next book?
I’m developing a book that’s centered on the Lake Erie islands. It’s in the early stages. I will be releasing Not Alone At Home, a humourous Thanksgiving tale, this fall. It’s a sequel to the successful Alone At Home. I’m currently writing a romantic mystery set in Southport, NC. It will be released next spring.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
Investigative journalist Emerson Moore thought he was headed for sun-soaked relaxation on a diving trip to Madagascar. But when he crosses paths with a smooth-talking, down-and-out British reporter, everything changes. Sucked into a shady rescue mission in lawless Somalia with his old friend “Mad Dog” Adams, Moore soon finds himself deep in the heart of the African continent—on a journey far more dangerous than he ever imagined.
From skirmishes with Congolese militias to a harrowing expedition up the treacherous Congo River, Moore and his crew dodge corrupt security forces and bloodthirsty bandits. The deeper they go, the darker the secrets become—until they uncover a clandestine diamond operation near Kisangani that could shatter lives and fortunes.
As the chase takes them from the jungle shadows to the polished corridors of Antwerp, Moore discovers a chilling link between the illicit diamond trade and a powerful U.S. real estate empire. And when violence erupts back home in Put-in-Bay and Chincoteague Island, Moore must confront the terrifying truth before chaos spreads—and more blood is spilled.
High-octane, globe-trotting, and relentlessly thrilling, this electrifying adventure grips you from the first page to the last, perfect for fans of Nelson DeMille, Clive Cussler, and Brad Thor.
Breakwater Bay
Breakwater Bay throws you headfirst into an old-school, high-stakes adventure with plenty of attitude and grit. It kicks off with a mysterious body found in the trunk of a stolen Camaro, and then quickly pulls back the curtain to reveal a tangled backstory involving a globe-trotting investigative reporter, shady characters, hidden agendas, and some very sketchy rescue missions. The story shifts between Lake Erie and far-flung places like Madagascar and Somalia, where a journalist named Emerson Moore finds himself (once again) in way over his head. Alongside his buddy, the rough-and-ready Mad Dog Adams, Moore takes on everything from Somali pirates to drunken Brits with questionable motives.
Honestly, one of the first things that grabbed me was the pacing. Bob Adamov wastes zero time—Chapter 1 has a dead body in a trunk. And just a few pages later, we’re in Madagascar watching Moore and Adams get dragged into a so-called “rescue” mission that sounds more like a barroom tall tale than something you’d actually sign up for. The dialogue between characters—especially the dry, sarcastic banter between Moore and Adams—is a real treat.
Now, don’t get me wrong—this book is a total popcorn read. But what makes it rise above the average thriller is Adamov’s knack for creating vivid settings. He doesn’t bog it down with flowery prose—he just drops you in and lets the mood soak into your skin. That said, the story does flirt with chaos at times. When Moore and Adams agree to help a washed-up British reporter rescue a supposedly kidnapped teen, I couldn’t decide if I should roll my eyes or buckle up. Turns out, it was both. The whole setup was a con, but that twist made me laugh more than groan.
Gordy, the Brit. He’s infuriating. He lies, manipulates, and nearly gets everyone killed in Mogadishu. I wanted to throw him overboard right alongside Adams, who threatens just that at least twice. Still, I gotta admit, Gordy adds a touch of tragic comedy to the whole ride. The dude’s a mess, and maybe that’s the point. His wild, unreliable energy keeps things unpredictable, even if you spend half the book yelling at him in your head.
Breakwater Bay is one of those books you read for the ride. It’s for people who like their thrillers with exotic backdrops, lots of action, a sprinkle of absurdity, and characters who feel like your uncle’s crazy fishing buddies. It’s part mystery, part buddy comedy, part “what-could-possibly-go-wrong?” travelogue. If you’re a fan of Clive Cussler, or if you just want to kick back and follow a fast-talking reporter into mayhem, this one’s got your name on it.
Pages: 288 | ASIN : B0F2GG7LJ8
Archie Bunker, Fred Flinstone, and Mr. Magoo
Alone at Home follows an elderly man’s solo escapades and everyday misadventures while his wife is away, leaving him with just her cat for company. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted to write another story outside of my mystery/adventure series. Being a fan of Home Alone, I thought a senior citizen version would be interesting, especially if I could craft a character who was a blend of Archie Bunker, Fred Flinstone and bumbling Mr. Magoo. I love cats and decided to center a relationship around conflict with the cat, the nerighboe’s 8-year-old grandson and a couple of well-meaning, but intrusive neighbors. It’s a hilarious romp in the beginning of the book, leading up to Christmas Eve when it turns serious.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Relationships and a haunting memory that contributed to the main character’s grumpiness. The actual twist takes place on Christmas Eve when it changes to a story of redemption.
This is a fun and entertaining novel. Did you have fun writing it?
This was an enjoyable book to write as I drew on real life, humorous experiences from friends and relatives as well as my own clumsiness. My own interactions with my grandsons made their way into the book.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Breakwater Bay will be out this spring. It’s a mystery/adventure primarily set in The Congo. Filled with peril, our protagonist, an investigative reporter, finds himself teamed up with an ex-Navy SEAL and a slippery-tongued British reporter as they fight disaster at every turn while trying to investigate a dark secret.
Author Links: Facebook | Website | Book Review
His days are filled with hilarious mishaps, from a battle of wits with a cheeky seagull to the relentless interruptions by neighbors. George’s quest for peace is perpetually sabotaged by the precocious grandson of the lady next door among other uproarious incidents.
“Alone At Home” is a heartwarming story of redemption. As George grapples with a haunting memory, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery. It’s a Christmas classic in the making, peppered with wit, the resilience of the human spirit, and the transformative power of forgiveness.
Alone At Home
Bob Adamov’s Alone at Home is a delightful and heartwarming story that combines humor, nostalgia, and everyday misadventures into a tale of an elderly man’s solo escapades while his wife is away. Set in the charming, oak-lined streets of Southport, North Carolina, the book captures the small-town spirit and a protagonist’s stubborn yet endearing quest for independence. George Ivers, the crotchety octogenarian left to his own devices, inadvertently stumbles through a series of hilarious situations that highlight his aversion to change and his begrudging love for his wife’s cat, Snookums.
One thing I loved about this book is its sheer ability to make me laugh out loud. The scene where George inflates an old pool, only to lose a battle of wits against a smug seagull, had me grinning from ear to ear. It’s so relatable; we’ve all had those moments where something as simple as a bird or broken chair becomes an unexpected foe. The physical comedy in these scenes is top-notch, and Adamov’s writing really brings it to life. George’s antics with his mischievous neighbor’s grandson, Hudson, further add to the humor, especially the “brain freeze” ice cream race. These moments felt both absurd and believable—a testament to Adamov’s skillful depiction of everyday chaos.
The writing captures not only humor but also a sense of melancholy. Beneath George’s gruff demeanor lies a man grappling with aging and longing for his past vitality. It’s these tender moments that make George more than just a comical old man; they make him deeply human. Adamov’s choice to weave humor with vulnerability is brilliant, making the story much richer. It’s impossible not to sympathize with George, even when he’s scheming against the cat or his noisy neighbors.
I’d recommend Alone at Home to anyone who loves character-driven, slice-of-life stories filled with humor and heart. It’s a light, enjoyable read that reminds us to find laughter in life’s absurdities and appreciate the quirks of those we hold dear. For anyone who’s ever dealt with an unruly pet or meddlesome neighbor, this book is a must-read.
Pages: 124 | ASIN : B0DP1GQY47
LITERARY TITAN 