Blog Archives
Pull Back the Curtain
Bad Pharma centers around a pharmaceutical professional and a medical monitor navigating the consequences of Big Pharma prioritizing of profits over patient safety. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Bad Pharma is based on real-life experiences witnessed by me and other colleagues that were then embellished to make for an exciting reader experience. The basic premise of the novel – that a pharma company could decide not to give those infants who received their failed experimental vaccine a dose of the licensed vaccine shown to prevent the given disease – actually happened, and was likely the most disheartening experience of my pharma career.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
My father was a very intelligent man, who did not harness his intellect to achieve career success and financial comfort. Watching him struggle due to poor decisions made during the college years made me extremely motivated to make the most out of any talent that I had. I was driven to make a difference with my life and chose a career in medicine as the best way to do that.
This is such a timely topic. What kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the essence of the story’s theme?
As the basis of this story are events that occurred in real life, it was very easy to craft the story in a way that was realistic. Many of the scenes in the book were scenes that I lived.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
This novel was my primary passion, as I wanted to pull back the curtain and educate the public on how Big Pharma makes decisions that may impact their lives. The book took four years to put together – mainly because writing is “not my day job.” I am therefore unsure I will write another one soon. I have considered a few topics, though. One would be an expose on the population of individuals who are hooked on gambling as a “Hail Mary” to transform their lives. I am interested in interviewing many of these individuals, understanding their motives, and getting a sense of how realistic or unrealistic their goals are. The title of the book would likely be called “Crapped Out.”
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When Siddhartha Kumar, OPL’s lead medical monitor assigned to the trial, discovers that RSVIX is not performing as planned, he notifies his superiors, recommending they stop the trial and offer a dose of RESPIRWELL to all the study participants to ensure their protection. When the company refuses to inoculate the trial population with the licensed vaccine, Sid questions the ethics behind this decision while continuing to advocate for the safety of the children. Sid’s insistence leads to his dismissal, leaving like-minded others in the company scrambling to fill the void.
Inspired by a true story, Bad Pharma delves into the consequential issues surrounding drug development, which often puts science and business at odds, and asks the ultimate question: when is the risk not worth the reward?
Vengeance of the Vanished Ones, Book One
Vengeance of the Vanished Ones, Book One by Lee Orlich Bertram, is a thrilling tale that masterfully weaves mystery, suspense, and adventure. The story centers on Marcos Andersson, an archaeologist in Mexico determined to uncover the truth behind his best friend Dave’s mysterious death. Dave had claimed to have discovered something groundbreaking before his demise. What could it have been, and did it cost him his life? Marcos’s journey becomes even more complex when he crosses paths with Susan Cohen, an intelligent and alluring woman with secrets of her own. As the layers of deception unravel, the stakes rise. Can Susan’s revelations bring them closer together, or will they drive them apart? And what about Marcos’s own hidden truths? Their adventure takes a perilous turn, propelling them into a deadly dance with forces beyond their control.
Marcos stands out as a sharply drawn, captivating protagonist. His charisma and intellect make him an instant favorite, pulling readers into his journey. Susan, his enigmatic love interest, matches his intrigue with her own blend of brilliance and cunning. Their chemistry crackles on the page, with each interaction a highlight of the narrative. The story’s tone strikes a perfect balance—upbeat yet tinged with darkness, always keeping the reader on edge. The pacing is precise, propelling the plot forward while allowing moments of rich character development. Lee Orlich Bertram’s world-building is exceptional, immersing the reader in a vivid, pulse-pounding adventure.
Several moments shine in this gripping tale. The instant connection between Marcos and Susan adds a spark to their partnership. Marcos’s internal struggle over Susan’s ties to the spirit world raises intriguing questions about trust and belief. Their perilous trek through Mexico, punctuated by breathtaking landscapes and looming threats, brims with tension. The mystery surrounding Dave’s death unfolds with masterful precision, and the danger posed by the spirits heightens the stakes to electrifying levels.
This story is flawless. It’s one of the most compelling narratives I’ve read in recent memory. From its dynamic characters to its intricate plot, every element resonates with excitement and intrigue. Lee Orlich Bertram has crafted a mesmerizing, action-packed, and character-driven adventure. Vengeance of the Vanished Ones, Book One is a triumph, and I eagerly anticipate more stories featuring the unforgettable Marcos Andersson.
Pages: 237 | ISBN : 978-1685135188
Personal Journey
The Girl in the Whispers follows a woman reeling from the devastating loss of her young daughter who, after moving to her husband’s family estate, starts seeing the apparition of a little girl, causing the line between reality and madness to blur. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The original inspiration occurred years ago when talking to a couple who had dealt with the grief of losing a child and how emotionally fragile they both had been at the time. I then coupled that with many horror films featuring ghosts and asked what would happen if a grieving person encountered a ghost. How would they react?
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
I find it fascinating that different people can have very different responses to the exact same incident, whether it be a trauma or something good. We all bring our individual past experiences and specific psychoses to everything.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
There are three main themes I wanted to explore: Grief, self-acceptance, and detachment.
First, that grief is a very singular and personal journey.
Second, that self-acceptance is key to self-understanding.
And finally, that sometimes we need to get out of our own way to fully comprehend a situation.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
My next book is a yet untitled murder mystery, what will be the eighth in the Sam Lawson Mystery series. I’m still plotting it out but it involves a cold case about a woman who is missing. When our detective Sam Lawson begins to investigate, he discovers the missing woman matches the description of another missing woman from a different town. Are they two different people? Or is it one woman leading two separate lives?
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Catherine Devereux, still emotionally and mentally fragile after the sudden death of her young daughter, reluctantly accompanies her husband to his family’s crumbling Louisiana estate. Soon, she starts to hear troubling whispers, and Catherine fears she may be having another breakdown. But when the whispers escalate into ghostly visions of a little girl, Catherine’s need to hold on to her sanity is outweighed by the desperate hope of reconnecting with her deceased daughter.
With the help of Delphine, the estate’s housekeeper, Catherine attempts to seek out the child spirit while trying to avoid suspicion from her over-protective husband and his bitter, secretive father. To her horror, the hauntings begin to reveal a terrifying revelation that could tear the family apart.
But can Catherine trust her senses? Or is she descending into madness?
The Girl in the Whispers is an award-winning psychological thriller by David K. Wilson. If you enjoy chilling stories with unexpected twists, then you’ll be haunted by this gripping tale of grief, guilt, and ghosts.
All Mortal Greatness
In All Mortal Greatness, Nelson Cover delivers a gripping murder mystery that plunges readers into a suspense-filled chase. Thomas Simpson and Zoltan Vastag find themselves on the hunt for a relentless drone assassin targeting the top ranks of Sessions University. The mystery intensifies with every chapter. How will they outsmart this elusive killer? What strategies will they employ to bring the murderer to justice? These questions kept me hooked, eager to unravel the mystery alongside the characters.
Cover’s storytelling shines with its fast-paced, engaging narrative. From the very first chapter, the plot captivated me, and there wasn’t a single moment where the momentum faltered. Each page pushed the story forward, and the pacing was spot on, allowing the reader to stay deeply immersed. Cover’s ability to maintain suspense while keeping the storyline clear and concise is impressive, and he masterfully keeps readers on edge, eager to see what happens next. The standout feature of this book, however, is its characters. Thomas Simpson and Zoltan Vastag are far from ordinary protagonists. Their intelligence, integrity, and deep care for others make them both relatable and admirable. Their thoughtful, well-developed personalities added richness to the plot and made their journey all the more compelling. I found myself invested not only in solving the mystery but also in the dynamic between these two remarkable individuals.
If you’re looking for a thrilling page-turner that combines mystery, suspense, and characters you’ll care about, All Mortal Greatness is an excellent choice. Nelson Cover has crafted a story that will hold your attention from start to finish. It’s a novel that leaves no room for boredom, only excitement and anticipation for what comes next. Highly recommended!
Pages: 257 | ASIN : B0CYCLX1GM
More Than a One-Dimensional Killer
Cadence follows an aging mercenary who, in an attempt to regain the power of his youth, binds himself through a tattoo to a deity with supernatural abilities that could either help him or kill him. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The story was inspired by a piece of fantasy art by Boris Vallejo, which showed a tattoo coming to life and biting into the muscular arm of its wearer. It was the basis for an idea which aimed to create conflict and tension between a maligned tattoo entity and the aging mercenary who had seen the inking as a necessity. I wanted Darius to be relatable and if not lovable, at least likable. To achieve this he had to be more than a one-dimensional killer, and his personality took elements from military/mercenary/criminal characters, blended with a hint of chivalry.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
This setting aimed to steer away from the gleaming steel and wonderous technology of traditional sci-fi, while allowing room for the fantasy elements to shine through. Darius needed to move around in a world that was just as chaotic and brutal as his personality. Thankfully, there are elements in modern life and society that make this future plausible. I could also take some inspiration from dystopian futures, but without them being post-apocalyptic. The setting continued to develop as new characters emerged as it needed to be a believable catalyst for the outlooks and personalities that the characters took on. If nothing else, I wanted readers to be able to see how the maligned and twisted character personalities may have evolved as products of their environment.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
Perhaps the most interesting point in human behaviour and conditioning is our individuality and the chaotic nature of our personal development. Close friends or siblings with similar interests and abilities can perceive events in very different ways and that can cause vastly different reactions on their beliefs or future expectations. That diversity of thought and behaviour opens an endless array of opportunities to build complex and believable personalities. Those differences in reactions and personality impacts can resonate with something in all of us.
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?
Cadence is the first book of the Pathways series and felt like the perfect place to start the story of Darius Cade. The early concepts for the second book are already being explored, with the aim of delving deeper into Lisha’s murky past. She isn’t the only one of her kind, but we need to know more about how she has come about and the deeper purpose behind the tainting of the tattoos. In doing so, Darius will be forced to confront his dark past and excise some of his own internal demons… and enemies. If time allows, I hope to have the second book, Gait, released late in 2025.
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As comfortable as he is here, his line of work isn’t for the faint-hearted, and Darius isn’t as young as he once was. After more than 30 years on the run, his body and mind aren’t nearly as sharply honed as he needs them to be. Barely escaping a bounty hunter’s attempt to collect the price on his head, was the last straw. He can’t reverse the effect of time, but there is a way to enhance his prowess…. not through technology, but religion. The burgeoning Earthdawn religion began on Earth and has gained an immense following across the inhabited worlds. Their deity, the Light, is said to manifest blessings on followers that enhance their physical attributes, and ease disabilities. Most potent among those blessings, are tattoos, artfully crafted onto the skin and embodying a fragment of the Light.
Despite rumors of some tattoos killing their recipients, Darius agrees to have one etched into his arm. Instead of bringing in the Earthdawn deity though, a completely different and much darker entity attaches to the artfully tattooed snake. They make for a very unhappy coupling, neither accepting the other at first and only seeing each other as a liability.
Darius isn’t the only one with issues…the Earthdawn faithful have been rocked by a series of macabre murders amongst their hierarchy. Giving up on the local police, they target Darius as the best criminal option to get answers. He gets the answers of course, but they aren’t going to be the answers that anyone wanted, and there will be no shortage of casualties along the way.
Cadence progresses through the interaction between these two main characters, Darius the wanted mercenary, and Lisha, the feminine entity bound to the tattoo, as he investigates the killings. In doing so he navigates a brutal criminal world to slowly piece together the answers. She needs to learn and understand just what she is capable of, while reveling in the depraved and violent world that Darius exists in. He needs to accept what she brings to their binding and make the most of the supernatural skills that she brings to bear. In the end, there is no undoing the connection, so they will either learn to co-exist or cease to exist at all.
Cadence
Cadence, by David Loermans, is a thrilling ride through a dystopian world where crime, corruption, and a peculiar religious order intertwine. The story follows Darius, a hardened criminal with a bounty on his head, as he navigates a city rife with chaos and decay. Paired with Lisha, an enigmatic and powerful entity bound to him through a mysterious tattoo, Darius takes on dangerous missions that bring him face-to-face with religious leaders, corrupt officials, and deadly adversaries. The book mixes high-stakes action, dark humor, and philosophical musings on power, faith, and human nature.
Loermans’ writing style is gritty and immersive, perfectly capturing the grim atmosphere of Sorel. The vivid descriptions of the decaying cityscape and the brutal reality of life within it are both compelling and haunting. The dialogue is sharp and often laced with dark humor, adding depth to the characters and making their interactions authentic. The relationship between Darius and Lisha is particularly intriguing as it evolves from mere necessity to a complex partnership marked by mutual dependence and a shared thirst for mayhem.
One of the standout aspects is its exploration of the Earthdawn religion and its influence on the city and its inhabitants. The Earthdawn, with its emphasis on light and purity, stands in stark contrast to the darkness and corruption that pervades the story. This juxtaposition raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of faith, power, and morality. The scenes involving the Earthdawn leadership, particularly the tense negotiations, and violent confrontations, are some of the most gripping in the book, highlighting the lengths to which people will go to maintain control and protect their beliefs. Some chapters feel packed with action and intrigue, while others slow down significantly, delving into Darius’s internal struggles and his complex relationship with Lisha. These introspective moments add depth to his character.
Cadence is a captivating read for those who enjoy dark, dystopian thrillers with a philosophical edge. David Loermans crafts a vivid and unsettling world populated by complex characters and driven by a relentless, often brutal narrative. Fans of cyberpunk and gritty crime fiction will find much to appreciate in this book, while those interested in exploring themes of faith, power, and human nature will be drawn in by its deeper questions.
Do What You Love
On Wahoo Reef follows a PR executive from Atlanta who quits his job to open a scuba diving operation in the Caribbean. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
In twenty-plus years of working as a scuba instructor and boat captain in the Caribbean, I’ve met a lot of visiting divers who fantasize about doing just that, without realizing how much hard work goes into running a small business in the tropics. Something’s always breaking. Something’s always going wrong. Nothing works the way it should. Getting parts from the hardware store isn’t an option when there is no hardware store. The pretty beaches, palm trees, and hammocks are for tourists.
Many readers will be able to identify with Wally. Are there any emotions or memories from your own life that you put into your character’s life?
Some of Wally’s predicaments are so close to real life, I winced as I wrote them. The dread of opening the boat’s engine compartment every morning to see what broke overnight. Will we be able to cover payroll at the end of the week? It costs how much to repair that? But there are good memories, too, the reasons you stay in spite of all that. I drew on those for the scuba diving scenes, for the nightlife scenes, and for making the island itself a character in the book.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Do what you love, and keep doing it no matter what obstacles pop up to complicate things. Every job has complications and negative aspects, but if you’re doing what you love, they’re worth the trouble.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
In a Sandy Lie’s protagonist is an unqualified land surveyor sent to Blacktip Island to scout land, on the sly, for golf course construction. He discovers the island is geologically useless for golf, but sends back glowing, bogus reports while using the company expense account to have an extended stay in the tropics. It’s a small island, so the locals know he’s hiding something, and concoct all kinds of wild rumors to explain his motives and doings. More comic misadventure in the same vein as On Wahoo Reef. It will be available as soon as I can get it finished.
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Wally Breight’s a miserable-in-his-job P.R. executive who dreams of escaping to happily-ever-after in the Caribbean. When he stumbles across a run-down scuba diving operation for sale on Blacktip Island, he snaps it up and settles into paradise. But paradise has other ideas. His dive boat’s a lemon. His business partner proves the age of piracy isn’t dead. Scuba guests are scarce. And a free-spirited dive mistress might party him into an early grave. If Wally can’t get a handle on paradise, pronto, he’ll be leaving Blacktip Island faster than a coconut in a hurricane.
Eyes Shout Secrets: Subterfuge Can Have A Soul – Book 1 (A Trust Mystery Suspense Thriller)
C. L. Hyde’s debut novel, Eyes Shout Secrets: Subterfuge Can Have a Soul, masterfully blends mystery, human emotion, and moral complexity into a compelling thriller. Set in an enigmatic world that defies the characters’ perceptions, this narrative is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally charged. The story centers on Bram de Jong, a devoted family man who has built a cherished life in London with his wife, Xoese, and their joyful children. Their idyllic existence is shattered when Rachael, a mysterious woman, delivers a chilling ultimatum: Bram must abandon his family or face an unimaginable nightmare that threatens to destroy them. Refusing to yield to this unfathomable demand, Bram’s defiance sets off a chain of perilous events, unraveling his reality and thrusting him into a world of menacing forces.
C.L. Hyde’s skillful storytelling captures the essence of Bram’s struggle to protect his loved ones and the life they have built, infusing the narrative with a palpable sense of urgency and tension. Hyde’s writing is characterized by its lyrical quality and vivid imagery, bringing both the setting and characters to vibrant life. His creative turns of phrase, such as “Extremely unusual in recruitment, where outlasting a mushroom on a spring day was worthy of a field medal,” add a unique flair to the prose.
As the inaugural book in the Trust Mystery Thriller series, Eyes Shout Secrets: Subterfuge Can Have a Soul promises a strong following eagerly anticipating the next installment. Hyde’s ability to explore the psychological intricacies of Bram’s moral dilemmas lends a profound realism to the story, while the intricate plot twists ensure a gripping, page-turning experience. Hyde has gifted readers with a thought-provoking and engaging thriller that challenges the boundaries of loyalty, morality, and reality.
C. L. Hyde’s Eyes Shout Secrets: Subterfuge Can Have a Soul is a remarkable entry into the mystery thriller genre, offering a sophisticated blend of intrigue, emotional depth, and moral complexity. This promising start to the Trust Mystery Thriller series leaves readers eager for more, solidifying Hyde’s place as a noteworthy new voice in the genre. This book is a must-read for those who appreciate a thriller that not only entertains but also challenges the mind and touches the heart.
Pages: 486 | ASIN : B0B9CCHHZF
