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The Moldavian Gambit
Brad M. Meslin’s The Moldavian Gambit is a gripping geopolitical thriller that weaves together espionage, military intrigue, and historical echoes of the Soviet Union’s collapse. Set in the early 1990s, the novel follows an audacious plan to steal a Soviet nuclear weapon amid the chaos of Transnistrian separatism. Intelligence officers, Mossad agents, and political leaders from the U.S., Russia, and Europe scramble to outmaneuver each other in a game of deception, strategy, and survival. The stakes are global, and Meslin’s expertise in national security shines through in the novel’s intricate realism and technical precision.
The writing is razor-sharp, loaded with tension, and refuses to spoon-feed the reader. Meslin plunges straight into the thick of things, throwing us into boardrooms buzzing with Cold War-era paranoia and battlefields where bullets fly and ideologies clash. The pacing is relentless, and while the dialogue sometimes feels a bit too polished for real-world exchanges, it adds to the novel’s cinematic feel. One particularly striking moment comes when Lt. Col. Sergei Rostov reflects on the bloody chaos of Moldova’s fight for independence; Meslin doesn’t just describe the action; he makes you feel the weight of history pressing down on the characters.
The characters themselves are a fascinating bunch, each driven by personal and political motivations that make them feel tangible. Dov Ma’alat, a retired Mossad operative, is a standout world-weary but sharp, reluctant yet indispensable. His past haunts him, yet he’s pulled back into the fray, proving that in the world of intelligence, retirement is just a technicality. On the Russian side, Rostov is equally compelling, caught between loyalty to his homeland and the cold pragmatism of survival. The power plays between military brass, intelligence officers, and politicians create a dense but rewarding narrative web.
Meslin masterfully weaves historical and technological details into the narrative, showcasing his deep knowledge of defense systems and geopolitical maneuvers. This rich authenticity adds depth to the story, immersing readers in its intricate world. While some passages delve extensively into missile capabilities, they serve to enhance the realism. Once the stolen nuclear device comes into play, the novel shifts into high gear, transforming into an edge-of-your-seat thriller. With high-stakes betrayals and last-minute gambits, the tension never lets up, making for a gripping and exhilarating read.
The Moldavian Gambit is a must-read for fans of Tom Clancy and Frederick Forsyth readers who love espionage with a heavy dose of military realism. For those who appreciate a meticulously crafted geopolitical thriller that mirrors the complexity of real-world conflicts, Meslin’s debut is a rewarding and thought-provoking ride. With its gripping storyline, intelligent writing, and high-stakes action, The Moldavian Gambit is an impressive debut that leaves a lasting impact. It’s a thrilling and immersive experience that will keep readers hooked until the very last page.
View the Book Trailer HERE
Pages: 373 | ASIN : B0DNNDVCWV
Universal Tyranny
In The Well, a virologist and Russian defector steals the world’s deadliest virus to create a universal cure but instead sparks a deadly competition between nations. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
Ever since childhood, when I first realized the threat of nuclear weapons, I have always been concerned about existential threats to humanity. Although I am a cardiologist, I became very interested in the threats of pandemic illness from the SARS and various flu viruses since the early 2000s. But my overwhelming fascination in writing this novel was the posing of the following question:
At the current state of mankind’s moral and ethical development, would a miraculous discovery, controlled by the wealthy and powerful, lead to universal well-being or universal tyranny?
It is also ask myself this question about AI.
Are any of your characters’ dialogues or traits based on people from your own life?
Gia is the combination of 2 Brazilian women, both multilingual, extremely intelligent, beautiful, and ambitious, and of course, extremely sexy.
Popov is in part inspired by a Russian Orthodox priest who taught me Russian for 3 years in high school. The remaining part of Popov is derived from a salty, good-natured, white-haired and bearded, pirate-like, elderly accountant who managed the affairs of my brief solo, private practice in Las Vegas.
It is said that all writing is autobiographical. I see a lot of myself in Rex, particularly the desire to achieve mastership.
How long did it take you to imagine, draft, and write the world your characters live in?
Because of a dream decades ago, I knew how my story would start and how it would end. After my retirement from group practice, I decided to write a first chapter, which to date is largely unchanged, and
presented it to a friend at breakfast in a Bangkok hotel in January 2018. Happening to be a publisher, he loved it and encouraged me to keep writing.
My second pen to paper was on a layover at Shanghai airport traveling to Los Angeles in June 2018. I wrote a penciled outline of the entire story over a couple of hours. I then spent the summer crafting the story into the first draft of a screenplay. Thinking that no one would be interested in a spec screenplay of an unpublished and unknown writer, I turned it into a novel over the course of a year. During the pandemic, I found a great sound guy in Las Vegas and transformed it after many attempts into an unabridged audiobook.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The next book in The Well series is The Cauldron, the pure golden Chinese pot which can amplify the mystical properties of the waters of The Well. The story explains how The Cauldron in 1728, originally possessed by a murdered Taoist monk, crossed the Pacific from Macau, China in the possession of venomous Portuguese pirates/slavers, who battled and evaded the British Navy. They landed in Spanish-controlled Colombia as slavers with no slaves in the middle of an African colonial slave rebellion.
After escaping the Spaniards with the aid of escaped slaves, they traversed the Andes, staving off malaria, indigenous attacks, and betrayal among themselves. Only one pirate survived, reached the western Amazon, and delivered The Cauldron to “The Unseen”, the miraculous and at times invisible Amazonian tribe, the guardians of the waters of The Well. The story ends in modern times during Popov’s initial Amazonian quest for The Well.
In truth, The Cauldron will have to wait until I finish my ongoing project.
The story is called The Horse. It is a visionary fairy tale for adults, which children will thoroughly enjoy. The outline and screenplay have been written.
In 1947, a young ex-Marine Wyoming rancher, whose wife died in a relocation camp after childbirth, seeks a cure for his 5-year-old Japanese American daughter’s terminal illness based on a calling from a Native American legend.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
Switch up the Typical Trope
Heart of Evergreen follows a devoted wife who discovers her name linked to a hit list on her husband’s laptop, turning her life upside down. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
This is book three of a trilogy so as such, I wanted to take my characters further into the espionage side of the story and incorporate heartfelt emotions and family-type life mixed in with conspiracy theories, and military installations in and around Denver, CO. I knew how the final two love stories would turn out, so it was important to wrap up my characters to more than satisfactory endings. Living in Colorado and knowing the strife personally that many of my characters went through was therapeutic for me and it helps those who may not know how to help themselves in a given or similar situation.
What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
One goal was to switch up the typical trope of “bad Russian, good American” by giving the angle of heroism to a character that most wouldn’t. The story is compact but packs a strong punch. It was important to make my characters feel what was written and for that to come across strongly to the reader. The love, the hurts, the mental and emotional toll life can dish out, especially in an environment in which one must die in order to live. Honestly, the conspiracy theories surrounding Denver International Airport, one airport that covers 54 square miles, were fun to write about. I love DEN airport and writing about what you know or have been many times, helps drive the story forward. This book is fiction, but many real-life experiences are woven in.
Do you think there’s a single moment in everyone’s life, maybe not as traumatic, that is life-changing?
Oh yes, I’ve been in life-changing and traumatic events that have shaped and moulded my person forever. Some of these have been incorporated into this trilogy. Multiple child loss, childhood cancer, a child with ADHD yet becomes an Eagle Scout, Nursing, finally finding love, the list is endless.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
This is the last book in this trilogy, so no books to follow this one, with this series.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Instagram | Art Gallery | Amazon
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He had become a liability and Dmitry had to protect himself. He would not take his own life like the general. Yes, he was heavily trained in special tactics, and yes, his own oligarch money sat nicely in a Swiss bank account under a holding company that was untouchable. Russia could do absolutely nothing about his Swiss bank account. Yet he WAS touchable!!! Even though he, himself had never once killed anyone, he had been complicit by his position between those who ordered hits and those who carried them out. Thus, he packed a bag and drove his luxurious SUV down to Denver, to the Federal Center, and asked at the gate for Director James Tilson, that he, Dmitry Ivanov, had top-secret information for him. One of the guards radioed inside and spoke with the director. Director Tilson informed the guards that two members of his team would go to the gate and escort Dmitry Ivanov inside. Dmitry had to turn himself in if he wanted to live!
It was the last Thursday in May, a lovely day in the mountains, and he wondered if he would ever see the mountains again…or daylight, for that matter…or Susan Davis…he’d come to love her…at age 30, his budding romance with Suz, a gorgeous 25-year-old, green-eyed redhead who was a perfect angel…his angel…she painted like an angel…in watercolor…he would never see her again…he’d come to love her…love…True Love…now that part of his life was over…again…he wouldn’t see any of the people he’d come to know and truly cared about during his time spent in Evergreen…so many regrets…he’d come to care deeply for the children as well…he was racked with grief for what was not to be…and for his numerous regrets…
The Well
The Well, by R. Chapman Wesley, is a riveting blend of science, spirituality, and redemption, masterfully constructed to provoke both thought and emotion. At its core lies Professor Anatoly Popov, a brilliant virologist and Russian defector, whose audacious theft of the world’s deadliest virus from a U.S. counter-terrorism lab sets the stage for a high-stakes, globe-spanning saga. Inspired by an ancient Chinese legend, Popov’s radical vision to fuse the virus with meteorite fragments in pursuit of a universal cure ignites a deadly race among powerful factions. This perilous journey places Popov at the intersection of salvation and destruction, raising an urgent question: Will his ambition heal humanity or seal its doom?
Chapman’s narrative propels readers deep into the Amazon rainforest, where ex-SEAL Rex Lee unravels the mysteries surrounding “The Well,” a fabled source of healing power. As the story unfolds, Lee is forced to confront humanity’s moral dilemmas, balancing the hope of salvation with the terrifying potential for annihilation. With its ambitious scope and intellectual depth, The Well explores weighty themes that resonate on a universal level. It delves into morality, redemption, and the interconnectedness of existence, inviting readers to reflect on humanity’s duality—the capacity for boundless creation and catastrophic destruction.
Symbolism abounds, offering layers of metaphorical richness. The Well itself serves as a moving representation of humanity’s eternal quest for meaning, unity, and salvation. Chapman’s prose is both poetic and precise, weaving themes of sacrifice, spiritual awakening, and the high cost of knowledge into a narrative that feels both timely and timeless. His storytelling is meticulously crafted, seamlessly blending speculative science with philosophical musings to create a work that is as thought-provoking as it is captivating.
For fans of works like The Alchemist and Dune, The Well offers a similar fusion of philosophical depth and imaginative breadth. Its exploration of the intersection of science, mysticism, and the human condition ensures it will linger long after the final page. This is not just a story—it’s an experience, one that challenges, inspires, and enthralls. It is a must-read for those seeking a compelling and meaningful literary journey.
Pages: 202 | ASIN : B0CDMDC6NM
Stop at Nothing
Stinger follows a former DEA informant thrust into a deadly CIA mission to secure a Stinger missile, risking everything to save his kidnapped family in a world of espionage, betrayal, and impossible choices. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I was thinking, what if I was a CIA officer tasked with developing a plan to prevent the US from having to invade Iraq to search for weapons of mass destruction. This would be my plan.
How much of the detail in Stinger comes from your own law enforcement background?
The investigative procedures performed by the law enforcement characters are exactly as it would have been done in 2003 if this was a real investigation.
Amir Rahimi is a compelling villain. What was your approach to making him so layered and menacing?
He’s desperate to avenge his son’s death. I wanted him to stop at nothing in getting that revenge.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m contracted with my same publisher, Black Rose Writing, to write a memoir about my four years in Pakistan as a DEA Agent. The working title is: DEA Assignment: Pakistan. It is scheduled to be released April, 2026.
Author Links: Goodreads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
She coerces Robaire Assaly, a Los Angeles based DEA Confidential Informant, to take part in her elaborate scheme. Robaire agrees, however, in doing so, he must betray his long-time DEA Agent handler, Gary Lowery, to get what she needs. Robaire soon realizes June has tricked him into taking the blame for stealing a Stinger missile, which she pulled off right under the nose of the hapless FBI.
The duped FBI and Gary desperately want Robaire. He’s now frantically on the run as an international fugitive with the FBI and Gary relentlessly pursuing him and the stolen Stinger before it is used against an unknown target. However, June finds Robaire first before he can reveal the CIA’s involvement to the Feds.
Otello’s Oil: A Saga of Blood and Oil
Elliott Jones, a Special Agent with the U.S. Diplomatic Secret Service, is not a man to be trifled with. His razor-sharp analytical skills, coupled with Olympic-level marksmanship, make him the agency’s go-to problem solver when crises strike. This time, the stakes couldn’t be higher. During a performance of Verdi’s Otello at the Kennedy Center, the oil minister is assassinated. The big question looms: was the minister the target, or was the real aim to eliminate the U.S. Secretary of State, seated mere inches away? Jones is tasked with unraveling this high-profile mystery, propelling him into a treacherous labyrinth of shifting alliances and hidden agendas.
D.W. Layton’s Otello’s Oil delivers a gripping political thriller that channels the intricate narratives of the late Tom Clancy while evoking the moral ambiguity of There Will Be Blood. At its core, the novel hinges on the steadfast yet evolving character of Elliott Jones. Initially, Jones approaches his mission with a clear-cut sense of justice, determined to find and punish those responsible. Yet, as the investigation deepens, so do the shades of gray. Each suspect and ally harbors selfish motives, blurring the lines between friend and foe. Jones soon realizes that the truth isn’t just elusive—it’s perilous. Layton’s masterful pacing drives the narrative across a globe-spanning stage, where the stakes rise with every turn. The constant motion and international intrigue create a sense of urgency that grips readers tightly. As Jones digs deeper into the assassination’s tangled web, he finds himself questioning not only the loyalties of those around him but also his own role in a world where right and wrong seem interchangeable.
By the novel’s end, the layers of political complexity are peeled back to reveal a chillingly unpredictable reality. Jones emerges both wiser and wearier, and his journey is a poignant commentary on the murky waters of international diplomacy. Readers, too, are left pondering the cost of truth in a world rife with deception. For fans of the genre, Otello’s Oil is a compelling and thought-provoking read, and many will eagerly await a sequel—should Layton decide to continue this enthralling saga.
Pages: 359 | ASIN : B0D8RNYFLP
Unique Personalities
Romance in Evergreen follows a family meeting for Thanksgiving who have their celebration disrupted by the threat of an unknown assassin. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
This is part two of a trilogy so the setup was on target in book one. In this book, I was able to incorporate many things that I knew about Evergreen, NORAD and Cheyenne Mountain, the Denver Federal Center, and Colorado since once you live in the area for many years you learn a lot. Colorado is perfect, I think.
How did you come up with the idea for the antagonist in this story, and how did it change as you wrote?
The assassin is angry in book one, that both Kim and Nancy’s husbands died in a rollover accident while chasing after Kim. Thus, he takes it internally, and it angers him. He was no longer calm and cool, but out for revenge. That revenge meant Kim, Nancy, family, and friends suddenly became targets!
“What did you just say?” The senior officer (Special Agent Thompson) of the two men from Homeland Security, that both Nancy and Kim knew prior, repeated, “Rob and Liza Caldwell were taken out as a hit in Boston last night, and we think their assassin is the agent handler extraordinaire, who put out the hit job on the President, and on you, Kim, last November. The hit man’s name is Jeffrey Sanders, we don’t know any alias, ethnicity, or if male or female. Security cameras were disabled before the actual hit. Rob and Liza were asleep when it happened early this morning. A silencer was used, and neighbors heard their dog barking non-stop and became worried. The couple checked on them, found them dead in their bed, and called 911. The police detectives could tell it was a professional hit and called us. Special Agent Hughes and I flew directly here from Washington, DC. A note left at the scene read, ‘Two down, eleven to go’ and the eleven to go are most likely both of you, the President, and people unidentified. Make no mistake. The hit man will take out anyone with you, when, NOT if, they find you.”
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I loved writing about family and friends and how they interacted together and with other people. They each have unique personalities. Each one is warm and caring but can be a bit sassy with jokes.
Can you tell us where the book in the Heart of Evergreen series goes and where we’ll see the characters in the next book?
The antagonist at the end of this book, Dmitry Ivanov, plays a large part. Ginormous actually. That is all that I can write at this time.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
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“How dare you take out my two best assets! I’m coming for you, Kim, and your friend, Nancy! Never mind, my best assets died in a roll-over accident! They were after you, Kim! Now I’m going to finish the job! Both of you and yours are going down! I know where you are and who you have in your life! Tit for tat. The same back to both of you!”
***
‘The Gallery Loft of Evergreen’ was Kim’s heart in the world of art and creativity. Kim stepped lightly down the stairs from her art gallery’s second floor, all five feet, three inches of her trim body sporting seafoam green eyes, and curly blonde hair that bounced with each step.
“What is up, Nancy? Need some help?” With a paint brush in hand, a smock over her top, and sporting dark blue skinny jeans with rugged black leather boots, Kim stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the two men. Fear gripped her heart and lungs tightly, and she barely breathed as she stared at both men.
Oh my…no…never…not again…why are those men here of all places… fear caused her blood to feel like ice as it coursed through her jarred and shocked body…Steve and Gary are dead, killed in the accident…Nancy and I are safe now…no assassins are after us, no assassin is after ME…both died in that wreck…both bodies had positive identification…this is not happening…it can’t be happening…NO…Steve and Gary are dead…get a grip now, Kim…close your eyes…then reopen…only Nancy will be there…except they were there…
***
Paul never saw the large black dual cab truck, with a black bull bar in the front, hit him at an angle that directly threw his Land Rover over and into a rocky and briar-filled ravine coming to rest on the passenger side, driver’s side wheels spinning in the air.
***
The agents coordinated together so they all arrived near the same time. With bewildered occupants, they drove through their assigned gate and to the building that housed the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation).
How Quickly Relationships Evolve
Spies on Safari follows a group of highly trained spies on a mission to find a hidden treasure that turns out to be more than they initially anticipated. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Going on safari myself! Safaris are my favourite type of vacation, and this book is inspired by one that we took in Botswana in 2022. Since I started to write my previous book, The Repurposed Spy, which I realise now was inspired by my many travel experiences in Latin America, I found that I started to look at my fellow travellers and think, “Are they tourists like me, or do they have some ulterior motive?” Then there was one safari lodge we went to where we were almost the only visitors for 100km in any direction – and I got to thinking, “If someone wanted to hide some illicit activity here, would anyone ever discover it?” With those ideas in mind, the words just flowed!
You have written an engaging cast of characters that, each on their own, would be a thrilling read. What was your approach to writing the interactions between characters to create the bond they have?
They’re all to some extent based on people I have met and worked with, though every character is a blend. I’m fascinated by how people adopt different attitudes to different people they meet, and how quickly relationships evolve. So I started with a cast of characters, and the evolution and bonding – or not! – just came about naturally as I wrote.
How did you balance the action scenes with the story elements and still keep a fast pace in the story?
I try to keep a fast pace going by avoiding what I call “descriptive waffle.” Descriptions and backstories of people and places are essential, of course, but I find a lot of authors just put in too much and tend to be repetitive – making me think, “Please let’s get back to the story.” I’ve been criticised for not including enough description, so it’s obviously not something that I’ve got completely right yet.
I found writing the action scenes difficult. I don’t like gratuitous violence, and guns make me shudder! I knew what characters I had and what end result I wanted, then tried to put myself in their shoes and guess how they would react. Then I found some videos online of relevant action sequences and did my best to describe those! I’ve had good feedback, so I think I did a reasonable job.
I find a problem in well-written stories in that I always want there to be another book to keep the story going. Is there a third book planned?
Indeed there is, and I’m already 10,000 words into it! I was a little stung by criticism of The Repurposed Spy – my idea of a cliffhanger was interpreted as The End by some readers who said, “Don’t read this as there can’t be a sequel.” I hope they’ve retracted now and have been enjoying Spies on Safari.
The third book, Spies on the Silk Road, takes most of the same cast of characters to Central Asia, following a dastardly plot of thefts of high-value medical equipment from Kazakhstan through Kyrgyzstan and on to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. And yes, before you even ask, the inspiration came from a long trip that we made just a few months ago. The plots in my book may be pure fiction, but the locations, people, and food are authentic! I’m aiming for Spies on the Silk Road to be published in mid-2024.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Hidden deep within the African wilderness, an elusive mine, impervious to aerial surveillance, holds the potential to shatter fortunes. A desperate client is willing to bet it all to find this hidden treasure, but is this cloak-and-dagger mission truly what it seems?
What begins as a straightforward expedition, a safari expedition spanning Botswana and Namibia, transforms into a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game, teeming with deceit and peril at every twist and turn. Amidst the wild terrain, danger lurks in the form of crocodiles, lions, and cheetahs, but these natural adversaries are the least of their concerns.
The shackles of their former employer, the elusive and enigmatic Mr. Smith, are no longer binding. Now, the formidable trio of Chameleon, Latviana, and Pilot is back in action, each deploying their unique skills in deception, strategic planning, and daring aerial maneuvers. And as if that weren’t enough, a surprising resurrection sends shockwaves through the team, with Ronald Jones emerging from the shadows, thirsting for vengeance.
Spies on Safari masterfully weaves a complex tapestry of intrigue and interconnected plots that intensify towards an electrifying climax. Brace yourself for a spellbinding journey, a rollercoaster of thrills, and an irresistible adventure you won’t be able to put down.
Author Oliver Dowson, with his firsthand globe-trotting escapades, infuses his storytelling with a distinctive realism that sets this spy thriller apart. The second installment in his captivating Spy series, Spies on Safari, promises an exhilarating read. While fans of the first book, The Repurposed Spy, will savor the satisfaction of tying up loose ends, this book can equally enthrall those new to the series. Get ready for a pulse-pounding adventure that will leave you hungry for more!
LITERARY TITAN 