Blog Archives
Forgery by Deception
Forgery by Deception. by Gene Piotrowsky, is a gripping novel that intertwines the high-stakes world of drug trafficking with an ingenious scheme to defraud the U.S. Treasury. The story follows Richard Brock, a rebellious and ambitious banker turned mastermind, as he orchestrates a complex operation to smuggle drugs disguised as legitimate products and counterfeit currency. The plot takes readers from the luxurious haciendas of Colombia to the gritty streets of New York City, weaving a tale of deception, betrayal, and relentless pursuit.
Gene Piotrowsky’s writing is detailed and immersive, drawing readers into the intricacies of the operation and the psychological nuances of the characters. The author excels in crafting a vivid sense of place, particularly in the scenes set in Latin America and New York City. The narrative is paced well, maintaining a balance between action and exposition, which keeps the reader engaged without feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of the plot. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, adding depth to the characters and their interactions.
One of the standout aspects of the book is its portrayal of Richard Brock. His transformation from a dissatisfied banker to a cunning criminal mastermind is both believable and compelling. The author provides a thorough backstory that explains Brock’s motivations and his gradual descent into the world of crime. This character development is crucial in making the reader understand and even empathize with Brock, despite his morally ambiguous actions. The supporting characters, particularly Brock’s associates and the law enforcement officers on his trail, are also well-developed, adding layers to the narrative. There are moments where I feel the technical details, especially regarding the counterfeiting operation and the logistics of drug smuggling, can become dense and somewhat overwhelming. While these details add authenticity to the story, I believe they may slow down the narrative for readers who are less interested in the minutiae of the criminal enterprise. Additionally, the book occasionally dips into predictable tropes of the crime genre, which can detract from the otherwise original plot.
Forgery by Deception is a meticulously crafted crime thriller that will appeal to readers who enjoy intricate plots and well-developed characters. Gene Piotrowsky has created a believable and immersive world where deception reigns supreme, and the line between good and evil is blurred. This book is highly recommended for fans of crime fiction and those interested in the mechanics of high-stakes criminal operations. Whether you’re a seasoned reader of the genre or new to crime thrillers, this book offers a captivating and thought-provoking experience.
Pages: 204 | ASIN : B0D3C53RVH
A Special Character
Gargoyle’s Spring follows a lonely witch banished for her misguided magic who schemes with her best friend to transform a gargoyle into her boyfriend. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
The idea came to me one evening while I was completing a paint-by-number canvas of a witch and a cat while listening to Taylor Swift. The scenes of a clumsy witch and her familiars came to mind instantly. It took me a little longer to figure out the MMC. I kept juggling between a Gargoyle or Reaper. I finally decided on both, but they would each get their own novel.
Ibis is such a relatable character. Is there anything from your own experiences reflected in her storyline?
Oh, I’ve been known to be clumsy, but I can honestly say that I have never unleashed havoc in a library. Final answer. However, Ibis is a special character. My aunt’s name was Ibis and my great-grandfather’s name was Heliodoro. It was my way of honoring them and a few others in the book.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am currently working on a paranormal Ghost stand-alone. I am hoping to have it done for May and the second installment of The Veil’s series following Gargoyle’s Spring will come out this Summer. I also have the second Martini Girl Bar book, Forever Luna, coming out July 17, 2024.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
He is a Gargoyle. One without a past. One with an unknown future. One with a bestowed name. Oliver. What kind of name is this? After being summoned by witches and brought into a strange world, he is cursed by those same witches. What kind of curse, some may ask? A stone-sleep curse. One that sends a Gargoyle into total darkness that is beyond sleep. Beyond reality, until he hears her voice. A voice calling him forward, bringing him back into the bizarre world surrounded by scriptures, scrolls and unusual animals. His fate lies in the hands of the enchanting clumsy witch, who breaks his curse.
What happens when a magic spell goes wrong in all the right ways?
To Give the Victim a Voice
Dear Gosei: A young man confronting his past follows a young man who was sexually abused as a teenager as he goes on a journey of self-discovery and a search for answers from those who did nothing to protect him. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The novel is based on a true fact that was revealed to me by accident, and I had to keep it a secret. I couldn’t comfort the victim, who was an acquaintance of mine so I grew a bit obsessed with the event. Also, it was during the worst part of Covid, and I spent many hours alone at home in isolation. I ended up writing about this to calm my anxiety. I wrote the story as a way to process my thoughts and feelings about the incident. It was my way of trying to make sense of what had happened and to give the victim a voice that they couldn’t give themselves. I hope my novel will be a source of comfort for those who have been through similar experiences.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
There is no direct reference in my debut novel to anything that happened in my life but definitely, I share many points of view with the protagonist. Family dynamics, the college years away from home, the teenage dreams to become an independent, dependable person, the path to self-discovery are also aspects with which I identify myself. Some of the characters in the novel are composites of my past and present, and their stories come from my own life experiences.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
In order to properly describe the harrowing experience of suffering sexual abuse I read a lot about it, trying always to understand why it happens and what are the consequences. I found, to my astonishment, that sexual abuse is not a thing of the past. On the contrary, it is an ever-present damage in modern societies, affecting all over the world. It is a heartbreaking reality that has serious consequences for those who suffer it. We must take urgent steps to prevent and combat it and to provide the necessary support to survivors. This is the only way to make our society a safer place for all. It is also a delicate issue, particularly when it happens among families, and there is no real magic solution to it. Many sexual abuse crimes go unreported precisely for that reason because it can destroy the future of the victim, the abuser, and the entire family.
I read a lot, too, about Asian immigration to the USA during the last century, particularly Japanese immigration. That is how I learned about WWII internment camps for Japanese families on the West Coast, such as Manzanar in California. It was so shocking to me that I decided to put it in the story. It was a powerful reminder of the racism and injustice that was faced by Japanese-Americans during the war, and of the strength and courage of those who survived the camps. I wanted to include it to show that even in the darkest of times, we can still find hope and resilience.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am working on the prequel which will give a perspective on the traumatic events happening in DEAR GOSEI. It goes back four generations of the Forrester Hattori family. The prequel will explore the family’s history and how they came to be where they are today. It will also provide more insight into the characters and their motivations. Finally, it will provide the necessary context to understand DEAR GOSEI. It is at a very early stage, so I can’t say when it will be finished.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Instagram | Website | Amazon
After a tragic teenage trauma, a young man fights to respect himself and embarks on a journey of self-discovery, facing his family to get the answers he has been searching for for the last 12 years.
John, a good-looking, and athletic 14-year-old from an affluent family in the suburbs of Los Angeles, is a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of his uncle. Family interests will prevail above all else. The mother decides to keep the incident secret to avoid scandal and the bad reputation of the family. The boy’s life is forever changed by this tragic experience which destroys his hopes of becoming a competitive swimmer and leaves him feeling helpless and alone.
Over time, however, thanks to his resilient and tenacious spirit, he overcomes his obstacles and returns to his former academic and athletic success. John and his girlfriend Val, who seem to have a rock-solid relationship, become the most popular couple at school. In reality, he doesn’t live like his friends because of his tragic past, insecurity, sexual confusion, and toxic family. Although everything appears normal, neither the family behaves naturally nor does John shake off the weight of his past.
His uncle considers John his favorite nephew but ignores the harm inflicted on the boy. His mother wishes to keep the secret. His father and brother, devoutly religious, make him feel like an outsider at all times, dictating family life with an iron fist and a handful of obsolete rules.
To reclaim his self-respect, he will confront his past, demanding explanations from his uncle and mother, each guilty of having a great impact on his harrowing youth. In this journey of self-discovery, he will explore his priorities, career, friendships, and dysfunctional family. John knows that he must face the future head-on to be at peace with himself.
DEAR GOSEI is the debut novel of Jorge Bosch, born and educated in Barcelona, Spain, now a resident of Los Angeles, California. The book hopes to captivate the reader with its well-grounded and vividly portrayed characters, and participants in a story that will keep you interested until the end. The story takes place at two points in the protagonist’s life: firstly when John is molested as a young boy and then again when he finally decides to take charge of his life and confront his family 12 years later. Two central themes steer the narrative: sexual abuse, as real as life itself, and a controversial subject treated with sensitivity and empathy, and John’s personal development, as he seeks to deal with the truth about what happened to him. He struggles to find his place in the world by accepting his homosexuality and the person he loves. DEAR GOSEI, a romantic drama with touches of a psychological novel, fast-paced and minimalist, is set in the capital of Southern California and takes a critical view of the traditional and old-fashioned family it portrays.
LITERARY TITAN 