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The Posh Prepper
In Todd Knight’s riveting novel, The Posh Prepper, we follow the dynamic journey of protagonist Nick Ritter, an expert survivalist frequently sought after by the elite for his bespoke emergency plans. However, in an ironic twist of fate, Ritter finds himself in dire need of his own strategies as a deadly virus brings the world to the precipice of extinction. Regrettably, his meticulously crafted plans consistently falter, compelling him to navigate a world consumed by disorder. Along this tumultuous journey, he forms an unlikely alliance with a diverse group of survivors, united by the singular goal of reaching his safe haven in New Zealand, a sanctuary seemingly immune to the pervasive destruction.
Set in the ominous backdrop of the 2030s, The Posh Prepper is a spellbinding apocalyptic thriller that holds the reader hostage with its relentless pace and unpredictable plot. Knight expertly manipulates suspense and tension, cultivating a narrative landscape that ensures the reader’s anticipation never wanes. The culmination of these elements is a crescendo of high stakes that leaves the reader gasping in trepidation and tantalizing anticipation.
The Posh Prepper may be the quickest I have ever devoured a 400-page book. The narrative momentum is propulsive, dragging the reader through its electrifying plot with an exhilarating velocity that mirrors the urgency of Ritter’s quest for survival.
Knight’s vivid and graphic descriptions serve as the novel’s lifeblood, effectively transforming the written word into a cinema of the mind. His unflinching portrayal of an apocalyptic reality is both haunting and immersive, a testament to his prowess as a storyteller.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of Knight’s narrative is his assembly of protagonists. These are not superhuman characters performing implausible feats; instead, they are relatable, flawed individuals relying on courage, intellect, and sheer determination to confront insurmountable odds.
Knight’s dialogue serves as a critical conduit for character development, enabling the reader to understand each character’s unique personality and emotional state through their verbal exchanges.
The Posh Prepper is a thrilling, immersive reading experience that weaves together elements of suspense, emotion, and human resilience. It’s an apocalypse tale that will linger in your consciousness long after the final page.
Pages: 474 | ASIN: B0BVNRQ4B4
Make My Readers Question That Norm
The Cycle of Eden: The Young Revolution follows a young hero in a land of darkness who is destined to restore light to his world. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The concept of Light vs Dark typically revolves around Good vs. Evil. The Young Revolution sets this up to be the usual case, but there are aspects involved in the first chapters involving Seth’s mother and later on in the series that will make my readers question that norm. Maybe there is a place, a reason, for Darkness in the world? Maybe the Light is too good to be true? Lady Eve, Seth’s mother, representing the “Moon with a Dark side” has a lot of meaning readers will catch on to as the series progresses. This part in the setup was what I had planned for a while. The vagueness behind the essences of Light and Darkness match with the fact that Seth is still a growing hero who has much to learn. The readers will learn more about Eden at the same pace Seth and his companions do which leads to many twists and turns in the plot.
Seth is filled with doubts about his abilities to carry on his mother’s legacy and save Eden from the darkness. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Throughout the series, I never wanted to portray Seth as the typical hero that simply saves the day because “that is his destiny/purpose.” Seth very much has to rely on others, even from the very beginning of the book. He may be the “main” protagonist, but that doesn’t mean he is better or more important than any of the other brave and talented souls he meets along his journey. He never could do this alone, and that is the point I make with his character. There is nothing wrong with getting help, because together, we as people can achieve anything no matter who we are.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
There are many positive messages that relate to our own world that I hope my readers take away from The Cycle of Eden. In many ways, Eden is obviously a representation of our own Earth and the moral dilemmas we as humans put it through. A major lesson in The Young Revolution is “…the best way to find kindness is by sharing your own.” No matter how dark and lonely the world feels, kindness will always be the unifier, for we all seek it and deserve it. In general, the major message I discuss as the series goes on is the importance of history. As long as we learn from our past mistakes, the hope for changing for the betterment of the world will always exist. There are also some dark moments, but another relevant theme in The Young Revolution is finding the strength to survive. Any reason to keep getting up after we are hit down, big or small, is worth it. Self-Discovery and character growth are big components that were important to me as well, the ability to have relatability with the characters. Understanding why certain characters are the way they are and why they find a reason to change gives us perspective for people in our own world.
Where does the story go in the next book and where do you see it going in the future?
A fun fact is that the entire Cycle of Eden series is already written and completed, so its future is quite clear to me. The fast-paced action will always be a huge staple in the Cycle of Eden series; however, book #2 gives us a special focus on Internal Conflict whereas The Young Revolution was heavy on External Conflict. There will be a lot more emotional turmoil and desperation in Seth’s destiny. In The Young Revolution, we saw that the Neo God is physically and spiritually powerful in the ways of using Darkness. In Book #2, we will see a whole other side to his deviousness, the mental torture he can inflict on the heroes. I can assure that those who enjoyed The Young Revolution will love this next book, because we will be entering a sequel where trust is put on a wobbly pedestal ready to fall at any moment, and I am very excited for it to be published.
There are a lot of vague hints I drop at the start of the series, especially in Book #1 and #2, that readers aren’t supposed to understand until they finish the series or read through it again. I love the moment in storytelling where I go back and notice/recognize an aspect I didn’t or couldn’t realize before. Those moments of “Ohhhh, that’s why this was written.” or “Ohhhh, the author was referencing this the entire time!” are both rewarding for the readers and the author. That’s what I’m hoping to give my readers in the future as this series goes on.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
The Darkness cursing Eden’s history has festered long enough. The time for change, a Young Revolution, has come.
Eden is a world of unrecognized history and potential, potential that is found in the heart of this cycle’s prophesied hero, Seth. His mother was historically important to Eden’s previous rebirth. So, when this monarch of good is murdered before Seth’s eyes by his older brother, the young hero is left alone in an Eden spiraling into darkness. Yet, unknown to Seth, there is a gift his mother passed on to him, one that allows the candle of hope to burn ever so dimly. Can this charismatic goofball reclaim Eden like his mother did in the past? However, the Age of Light she created failed. Maybe Darkness is the true path for Eden after all?
In The Cycle of Eden: The Young Revolution we experience the beginning of a fantasy series with many growing characters and intense action sequences that interchange between sighs of relief to heartbreaking tragedies. Daniel Varona’s fast paced style keeps your fingertips eager to turn the next page as you dive into Eden’s intricate storylines that affect the series till the end.
The Drama Of A Personal Vendetta
Harshest Dawn: Beyond Cascadia: Four follows a husband and wife who are trying to escape a sadistic enemy with a revenge-filled plan to destroy them. What was your inspiration for the wild journey you take readers on in this novel?
Harshest Dawn picks up plot threads that were laid in the second installment of the series, Eclipse Rising. I had readers tell me how much they liked the rapport between Owen and Sofia, plus how menacing they thought Hayden Singer was, so it felt natural to continue those themes. I also liked the idea of having the drama of a personal vendetta enacted against the broader elements of a realistic political scenario. As I got into the nuts and bolts of how this might play out, I really had fun setting up obstacles and narrow escapes for the characters!
Were you able to relate to your characters while writing them?
I always get inside a characters’s head as I’m writing, even the ones on the side. It was challenging emotionally to get inside the antagonist, Singer, but I felt he needed to be depicted as believable as possible. However, I think the character I related to most closely was Sofia, especially when she switched to ‘mama bear’ mode and became more engaged in the action.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
That’s a really tough question! I certainly enjoyed plotting Enrique’s rescue sequence, but overall, my favorite was the final escape scene, because I really felt I was alongside Owen and Sofia, holding my breath until the last line of that chapter!
Where does the next book in the series take the characters?
While the main plot of Harshest Dawn is resolved by the end of the book, it’s obvious there’s much more political intrigue and personal drama to explore. The setting will deal with the U.S.’s response to China and Russia gaining a foothold in Pacifica, but the main focus will be on Owen’s entanglement with the insurgent movement, and Singer’s lust for more power in the new country. Of course, those two goals are going to end up on a collision course!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Website
The progressive “Successor” party has seized control of the West Coast, further isolating the region from the decayed and feckless United States. Imposing their warped utopian vision on the defenseless citizens, the leaders of the new nation of Pacifica swiftly ramp up persecution of all social and religious opposition.
In a haven far from the chaos, American cyber defender Owen MacIntyre hears disturbing rumors about conditions in his former home, but there’s little he can do to help. Frustrated and powerless, he wonders if it’s time to abandon politics and focus instead on building a peaceful life elsewhere with his wife, Sofia.
But Owen’s ex-supervisor, Pacifica’s Chief Enforcer Hayden Singer, has other ideas. Even a world away, he has MacIntyre dead in his sights and is determined to make him pay for his disloyalty.
Thus politics becomes personal when the fugitive couple is caught in a revenge-fueled scheme that rips their family apart. Desperate and driven, Owen and Sofia will need every skill at their disposal—and some top-secret, risky new technology—to overcome the nightmare of Singer’s sadistic plans.
Although Harshest Dawn builds on the events in Eclipse Rising,the author includes enough backstory that readers new to the series will have no trouble getting up to speed and enjoying this fast-paced tale of high-stakes personal drama, played out against a backdrop of all-too-believable political turmoil.
Where Liberty Lies
Where Liberty Lies by Nathaniel M. Wrey is a captivating continuation of the journey of Aminatra, Finbarl, Karlmon, and their companion Bokanda. Departing from the mountains, the group discovers a lush environment, replete with new life forms but also fraught with dangerous encounters with wild animals and ferrals. Nonetheless, this environment brings hope to their quest to find Madelaton. However, as their journey progresses, the group expands with new and unexpected members before they are abruptly torn apart, leaving them to confront the trials of survival alone. Will they reunite or succumb to the challenges in their path?
Wrey’s masterful storytelling in Where Liberty Lies delivers a gripping narrative filled with a thrilling blend of action and adventure. The plot brims with an abundance of unexpected twists and turns, provoking a sense of anxiety and excitement that sustains throughout the book. The novel’s midpoint marks a significant shift in the plot, adding to the intrigue and keeping readers engaged until the end. The characters in Where Liberty Lies are equally compelling. Aminatra, the strong and caring mother of Karlmon, is a standout character whose resilience and fortitude are thoroughly explored in the story. Finbarl, Aminatra’s husband, exemplifies loyalty and protection, treating Karlmon as his own child and consistently placing the family’s welfare first. The supporting characters are equally noteworthy, and although Bokanda’s role was limited, it was essential, and he served his purpose well. Maddy, another character in the novel, is unforgettable, and readers will appreciate her unique qualities.
Overall, Where Liberty Lies delivers a seamless plot that expertly progresses. The story’s twists and turns are perfectly executed, and the characters are well-rounded and memorable. Nathaniel M. Wrey’s writing style engages the reader and keeps them invested in the story, leaving a lasting impression long after turning the last page. Fans of adventure, fantasy, and action will undoubtedly appreciate this second installment in the trilogy and anticipate the third book’s release.
Pages: 472 | ASIN : B0BYT73W8N
At The Mercy Of A Computer
“Civil Terror: Gridlock” follows a visionary entrepreneur as he must stop a terrorist group from using his self-driving vehicle system to carry out a deadly attack, while also clearing his name as the falsely accused architect of the plot. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Real life traffic congestion. Seriously. I was stuck in traffic one day on the I-210 in Pasadena, CA, moving at a snail’s pace when I thought, “This is 2015, why are we still having to deal with so much traffic congestion?” Then I let my mind wander . . . what if robots/computers were in charge of the driving instead of humans? That would be good, right? Like autopilot for cars? No more accidents. No more congestion. Perfect efficiency on the freeways at last! But then my negativity bias kicked in . . . with so many people at the mercy of a computer, what if somebody hacked in? Terrorism, right? What if the agency implementing millions of self-driving cars was run by engineers so blinded by the “good” the could do, they got blindsided by the “bad”?
Jake Bendel is an intriguing and well-developed character. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Jake Bendel’s development was driven by several key ideals. Firstly, I wanted to create a unique protagonist in the thriller genre by making him a civil engineer. While there are many books about police, FBI, and crime, I thought it would be exciting to center the story around an unsuspecting hero forced to go on a thrilling journey.
To create a compelling character arc, I started Jake off at the top of his game before quickly plunging him into emotional turmoil with the loss of his wife, imprisonment, wrongful accusations from the media, and being forced to operate outside of his comfort zone. To further complicate matters, I also gave him motion sickness, which added an additional layer of challenge to his character.
However, I didn’t want Jake’s story to be solely focused on his struggles. I also wanted to tap into the love, inspiration, and strength that his deceased wife would want him to have in order to fight the bad guys. Through all of this, Jake was able to learn valuable lessons, gain newfound maturity, and develop a sense of humility that he didn’t have before.
Overall, I wanted Jake to be a relatable and realistic character with a strong character arc that would keep readers engaged throughout the story.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
- Friendship and Loyalty: Gridlock highlights the importance of true friendship and loyalty as Bendel and the other main characters remain committed to helping each other despite the challenges they face.
- Courage and Perseverance: I’d like to think that Bendel displays courage and perseverance in the face of adversity, refusing to give up or be defeated by his circumstances.
- Family and Love: Bendel and his daughter bond over their experiences, emphasizing the importance of family and love, as they go to great lengths to protect and support each other.
- Pursuit of Dreams: The story highlights the importance of pursuing one’s dreams, as Bendel strives to achieve his new goals despite the many obstacles he faces.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’ve recently finished writing and fully editing two more novels:
1) Blackout – The third installation of the Jake Bendel universe, where a grieving Bendel teams up with FBI agent Kristy Konnors to stop a sociopathic cabal leader from taking down the US power grid and allowing foreign militaries to invade, while also uncovering the truth about his wife’s supposed death.
Blackout is currently under evaluation by several agents whom I pitched at last year’s PitchFest in New York (as part of ThrillerFest) with the goal of getting a publishing deal with one of the Big Four.
2) Echo From A Bayou, a mind-bending psychological thriller where a man awakens from a coma speaking with a Louisiana accent, convinced he’s the reincarnation of a man who was murdered over a billion-dollar treasure, and must navigate through dangerous obstacles to uncover the truth.
Echo From A Bayou is scheduled to be published August 8, 2023 and ARC’s are available for review.
I’m also nearly finished with a draft of a sci-fi thriller tentatively titled “Time Goggles”, where an MIT doctoral student’s invention, the Time Goggles, reveals a brutal murder from the past, and when her FBI dad disappears, she uses the device to uncover the truth, but a global crime syndicate will stop at nothing to get their hands on it.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
You’ll be forced to consider how you would react if you were cornered and trapped in a terrifying life-threatening situation.
Fed up with slogging through the treacherous LA traffic to get to work, Jake Bendel and a cunning team of experts create a roadway system for self-driving cars — preventing thousands of traffic deaths and reducing commute times from hours to minutes. For three months, no traffic congestion. No accidents. No fatalities. People finally feel safe in their cars. But should they?
Especially when the dark side of humanity sees this as a chance to destroy the United States. A terrorist group weaponizes the system and devises a scheme to kill more Americans in one day than all the U.S. soldiers killed in World War II.
Viktor, a tormented psychopath and the mastermind behind this ruthless attack, is driven by the voices in his head who guide his every move. While he and his brothers mercilessly annihilate Americans, Viktor plants evidence that convinces the public Jake is the architect behind the most heinous terrorist attack in U.S. history.
But one rogue FBI agent believes Jake is innocent. Together they unearth a mole deep inside the FBI, go off the grid, and hash through a trail of hidden clues to stop Viktor from slaughtering millions of unsuspecting American drivers in a matter of minutes.
The clock is ticking. Can they stop him in time to prevent another savage bloodbath?
Civil Terror: Gridlock will grab you by the throat and pull you into a vicious struggle that will define the fate of the world for generations to come. If you like Dan Brown, Tom Clancy, or Jon Grisham, you’ll love J. Luke Bennecke.
How Do We Deal With That Reality?
Severed Roots follows a group of people living in a dystopian world where women are in control and men are subordinates. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I want a better world. We all do. It’s well known that over 90% of violent crime (including wars and terrorism) is committed by men, and women and children are often innocent victims. This is true not only today but throughout history. In recent decades, Western society has tried hard to dismantle toxic masculinity, misogyny, sexism, male privilege…and most recently, even gender differences. So far, all efforts to achieve the desired outcome have failed. I asked myself a simple question: Is there something about men—and patriarchy—that inherently prevents humanity from creating a utopian world? And if so, how do we deal with that reality?
The characters of Nick, Beatrice, and Morrie are well-developed and intriguing. Did you create an outline for the characters in the story before you started writing or did the characters’ personalities grow organically as you were writing?
When planning my novel, I created a detailed profile for each of the major characters. During the writing process, I allowed these characters to develop organically. That was deliberate. I consider them my “children”; I gave each of them a unique set of characteristics and placed them in a specific environment, but at some point, as a “parent”, you have to let go and allow them to make their own decisions and chart their own course. That way they can become truly authentic and interesting.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
My goal was to produce not only a gripping and entertaining story but also to provoke reflection about our society and where we may be headed. (Indeed, “though-provoking” is a frequent descriptor in many reviews of my novel.) Among the questions that Severed Roots explores are:
- Who are you if you have no roots, no real connections?
- What, really, is the value of marriage and family?
- Should people, merely by virtue of attaining a certain age, be considered qualified to raise children? Or should the State take over that enormous, challenging and all-important responsibility, thereby ensuring healthier future generations?
Other themes that Severed Roots touches on are:
- The continued relevance/importance of male-female gender roles
- The nature of true freedom vs. the illusion of freedom (at both the individual and societal levels)
- The importance of thinking critically and questioning the values and beliefs ingrained in us by the powers that be.
Can you tell us more about where the story and characters go after book one?
Sorry, that’s a carefully guarded secret. All I can say is that the stakes will increase dramatically –and not just for Nick and Beatrice, but for all humanity (which includes all you readers out there!).
Author Links: GoodReads | Barnes & Noble
Severed Roots
Severed Roots by Nego Huzcotoq takes readers on a thrilling dystopian journey into a world where women hold all the power and men are relegated to a subordinate position. Nick, a mankey who questions everything, is on a mission to help his best friend Beatrice, who is struggling with the fact that she cannot experience motherhood. Along the way, he befriends Morrie, whose hidden secrets challenge Nick’s understanding of the world he grew up in.
The intricate plot had me hooked from beginning to end, and while it was emotionally challenging to imagine such a world, it also prompted me to ponder the possibilities of a world where women are in control. Nick is a fascinating character, a magician who brings joy to children and who evolves from a hesitant and timid person into a determined and strong-willed individual. Beatrice is a compelling supporting character whose mental health decline is palpable and poignant, and Morrie provides invaluable support and guidance throughout the story. Severed Roots is an exceptional novel with a plot that is meticulously crafted. The book concludes on an exciting cliffhanger that leaves readers eagerly anticipating another follow-up novel.
Huzcotoq has created a gripping dystopian novel that elicits a range of emotions, from laughter to tears and everything in between. I also enjoyed how it does not follow standard dystopian tropes found in other novels in the genre. This book is a must-read for fans looking for a unique dystopia, especially readers who enjoy works that challenge societal norms and conventions.
Pages: 225 | ASIN: B0BQ8HK8KV
Jerrimiah Stonecastle Author Interview
Flash of Light follows a mother and her two children who are racing to their bomb shelter in the Catskill mountains in the wake of a nuclear bomb strike. When you first sat down to write this story, did you know where you were going, or did the twists come as you were writing?
This is one of my books where I actually stayed close to the outline until the last chapter. I had intended for this to be a stand alone issue but the ending opened up the possibilities of two more books in this series. After the Flash is the second book. I know there will be a third but have no clue what it’ll be about. But I know from the notes on the second book there will have to be a third book.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
On the third chapter of this spiritual thriller. If I can stay focused I hope to have it done in time for an Easter release.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
A second air blast over New York knocks out all the car’s electronics except for The Beast, the mother’s armored, custom-made, Dodge Durango Hellcat.
Can they make it through the marauding gangs who have taken advantage of the cities abandoned by the cops to protect their own families? Will the prototype regenerative fuel cell she developed last until they reach the Catskill Mountains and safety?
Hang on for the high octane, action-packed, death race to safety from the Next Name in Horror.
