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The Idea of the Good Man
Reciprocity follows a retired US Navy SEAL to the Philippines who is leading a search mission for a missing relative who has been kidnapped by human traffickers. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
An old friend of mine suggested the idea, saying that the ending of Montagnard, my previous novel in the series, was a perfect segue into it. This friend volunteers to sponsor women who are getting out of bad situations. I resisted the idea. I was not sure I wanted to do it. Human trafficking is such a dark topic. Then, I saw the movie Sound of Freedom; that movie had a profound effect on me. After seeing that movie, I watched a couple of documentaries on the subject, leading me to do some research. What I found shocked me. I just decided it was a subject that needed to be talked about. The story just naturally grew from there. I guess my friend was correct; it was a fantastic lead-in – at least, in my opinion.
My books cover dark topics that some might find depressing or destructive. But, as my editor once told me, moral or redemptive threads always wind through the story. I think those threads bring hope.
How has character development for the main character changed for you through the series?
I would start by saying I love my characters. I treat them like real people, and most are composites of the many people I have met, gotten to know, been friends with, or even enemies of over 60+ years. So, they are genuine to me. And I think all people have the capacity for great good or great evil. Few are completely good or downright evil. I believe my characters illustrate that idea.
As far as JD Cordell, my main character, I guess you could say that he represents who I wish I were. I mean, what man would not want to be handsome, intelligent, dangerous, passionate, quiet, mysterious, patriotic, and underneath it all, just a good man? Being human, we all have our strengths and weaknesses; it is just human nature. In fiction, anyone can escape to a world where heroes still exist.
I certainly think JD has seasoned a bit over the series. He retained much of his family values and upbringing when he became a Navy SEAL. For example, I don’t think he even used one curse word in the first book, Serpents Underfoot; even though the men he serves with all curse like sailors. Being a former military member, I think that is pretty typical; nobody says “golly gee whiz” when the bullets are flying. Now, in the third book, Reciprocity, I think JD says, “shit” or “damn” one or two times. So, in a way, you could say JD is evolving. But to me, the important thing is that, throughout the series, JD’s core values and principles do not waiver or change. He is who he is. I see that as a good thing. I think JD epitomizes the idea of the good man.
I felt that the action scenes were expertly crafted. I find that this is an area that can be overdone in novels. How did you approach this subject to make sure it flowed evenly?
Forty-five-plus years of traditional karate training focused on self-defense probably helps. In that environment, as in the operating environment of a spec ops warrior, there’s no trophy to win. You want to go home at the end of the day. The goal is not to win a fight, but to shut down the attack. So, these scenes will not resemble the 20-minute battle royals you see in the movies. Even in Taylor’s unsanctioned fights, while euphemistically seen as a sporting event, efficiency would be key to surviving. These fights are brutal, so you don’t want them to go on longer than necessary. I try to make the fight scenes short enough not to be overdone, but realistic and efficient. And that is something I have learned to do. Nobody likes a good fight scene more than me, and with my martial arts background, it is easy to add too much detail. I had to learn to keep that under control.
Can you tell us more about what’s in store for JD Cordell and the direction of the next book?
I plan to back off from the globe-trotting nature of the first three stories in the series and do something within the US. Perhaps a family vacation to the Adirondack Park in upstate New York that goes awry, and JD becomes embroiled in a bad situation. It’s not new, so I must create a unique twist. I think I have a few good ideas floating around in my brain.
Also, I like my characters, Hana Hahn and Bill Taylor. I am trying to decide if a ‘Hana origin’ story or the ‘future adventures of Bill Taylor’ might be worth venturing into. And then there is Ajax, the SEAL k9, from the first two stories. I loved the dog’s character, as did most of my readers. Some were quite mad at me for how things unfolded in Montagnard. This was due to a newbie timeline error on my part in Serpents Underfoot. So, Ajax did not get the treatment he deserved, being such a loved and heroic character. I would not be surprised to see an ‘Ajax” story emerge in the future to correct this injustice.
Author Links: Goodreads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
When a gang of human traffickers kidnap two young ladies who are leaving their troubled past in Vietnam to start new lives in America, their dreams suddenly become a nightmare.
JD Cordell, a retired US Navy SEAL, and relative of one of the young ladies, races to the Philippines to lead a rescue team through the dangerous streets of Manila’s infamous Tondo district, searching for a former American Special Forces sniper lost in its dark and violent underbelly of cheap alcohol, fast women, and unsanctioned fights – and who just may be their only hope to locate and rescue the two girls.
Death lurks around every corner as the clock is ticking. Will JD and his team be able to rescue the girls in time, or will these two young ladies become the latest victims in a deadly game of kidnapping and vengeance?
SABOTAGE
Dave McKeon’s Sabotage is a high-stakes thriller that plunges readers into a world of crime, deception, and hidden identities. The story follows Lou Gault, a former elite soldier turned peaceful resort owner, and Santino Varni, a ruthless crime lord with an alter ego, Luigi Secondo. As Varni seeks refuge in Gault’s remote fishing lodge, tension builds when he tries to buy the land for mysterious reasons. Meanwhile, a brutal murder in Boston signals that Varni’s world of corruption is far from dormant. As these two worlds inch closer to collision, Gault finds himself caught in a dangerous game of power, one that threatens his land, his family, and his life.
McKeon does a fantastic job crafting an intense atmosphere right from the first chapter. The opening scene, where an assassin methodically kills a prosecutor in a parking garage, sets a chilling tone. The detail in this sequence is gripping. The way Popeye, the hitman, relishes the kill, even taking the victim’s Italian leather shoes as a prize, immediately tells us what kind of people we’re dealing with. The book throws you straight into the fire and keeps the heat cranked up.
One of the strongest elements of Sabotage is the contrast between Lou Gault and Santino Varni. Lou is a man of integrity, a protector of the land, and someone who values the simplicity of his life. Varni, on the other hand, is a man who bends reality to his will, eliminating obstacles without a second thought. The scenes where Varni pressures Gault to sell the resort are thick with tension. You can almost hear the underlying threat behind his words, even as he tries to frame the offer as generous. When Gault repeatedly refuses, you just know things are going to get ugly.
The duality of Santino Varni, or rather his dissociative identity disorder, is one of the book’s more fascinating aspects. By day, he plays the role of Luigi Secondo, a charming, well-mannered guest who befriends the lodge’s residents. But at night, the voice of the real Varni creeps into his thoughts, reminding him who he truly is. This internal struggle adds an extra layer to the villain, making him more than just a standard crime boss. At times, I even felt a sliver of sympathy for Luigi, who seems to want to break free from the monster that created him. But then Varni reasserts himself, and the sympathy vanishes as quickly as it appeared.
The book builds to an explosive conclusion, and while I won’t spoil the details, I will say that the slow-burn tension pays off. McKeon lets the danger simmer, letting readers feel the growing sense of inevitability before delivering a hard-hitting climax.
I’d recommend Sabotage to fans of crime thrillers, especially those who enjoy stories with moral dilemmas, intense action, and psychological depth. If you like books where every interaction feels like a potential standoff, this one’s for you. McKeon keeps the stakes high, the characters compelling, and the pages turning.
Pages: 452 | ASIN : B0D9ZWHPXQ
Unanswered Questions
CONVOLUTED: The 1972 Durham Family Triple Homicide takes readers through the fifty-year-long investigation of the murders of Bryce, Virginia, and Bobby, exploring the multiple leads, theories, motives, and suspects that have been put forth in the case. What inspired you to write this book and tell their story?
These murders took place in my hometown when I was not quite seven years old and only two miles from my family’s home, so I grew up with knowledge about the case. It held my attention throughout the decades because of how heinous it was and because it continued to be unsolved. I had periodically considered writing about the case, and I ultimately decided to do so when, fifty years after the murders, authorities announced that the killers had been identified. This surprising development and the questions it generated were the catalysts for me finally deciding to move ahead with a book about the murders.
One thing that stands out in your book is the depth of your research. What was the process like to collect all of this information, and how long did it take to put it together?
I worked on the book for a solid two years. Initally, I was not convinced I had enough material to warrant a book, but after I delved into a plethora of news articles, ordered court documents, gained access to investigative files and audio recordings, and conducted my own interviews, I ended up with more than enough. In fact, it was so much material that I had to decide what to leave out without compromising the story as well as take the remainder and figure out how to present it in such a way that would both engage and make sense to the reader. Some of the materials – particularly the taped interviews with one of the alleged perpetrators and the son of another – were especially difficult to acquire, and it took many months of begging for them before I was ultimately granted access.
Did you find anything in your research of this book that surprised you?
Throughout the history of this case, most people have agreed in their suspicion of the son-in-law’s involvement, but there was never enough concrete evidence to link him to the murders. When it was announced that four members of Georgia’s Dixie Mafia had killed the Durhams, the remaining and unanswered questions were who instigated the murders, and if these four Georgia men really were the killers, who arranged to bring them to North Carolina? With suspicion of the son-in-law in mind, I hoped to find links between him and the Dixie Mafia. I did find it curious that he eventually moved to Georgia and became an attorney, establishing his law practice only about thirty minutes from the alleged killers’ home base. It was also very odd that his second wife was the step-daughter of an attorney, who not only defended one of the alleged killers in another murder case that would eventually be compared to the Durham case but also married into a family that this same alleged killer’s wife was also connected to. While these things may have been purely coincidental, I find them odd and was quite surprised by them.
What is the next book that you are writing, and when will it be published?
Prior to this book, I was already working on another book detailing the history of crime in my home county in North Carolina, in which the Durham case was going to be discussed among many others. When the 2022 developments occurred in the Durham Case, I decided to put that book on hold and write a stand alone book on this case. Although I am not sure when it will be ready for publication, my plan is to return to working on the original book as well as write some short stories or something along the line of blog posts on my author’s website. I also have other book ideas in mind, mostly dealing with local history and family stories, and hopefully those will be realized in the years ahead.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
CONVOLUTED: The 1972 Durham Family Triple Homicide
Terry L. Harmon’s Convoluted takes a deep dive into one of North Carolina’s most baffling cold cases the 1972 triple homicide of Bryce, Virginia, and Bobby Durham in Boone, NC. The book is as much an investigative journey as it is a historical recounting, spanning fifty years of theories, suspects, and tangled clues. It follows the twists and turns of the case, the relentless pursuit of justice, and the frustrating dead ends that kept this brutal crime unsolved for decades. Harmon’s meticulous research shines through, presenting a labyrinth of evidence, speculation, and personal stories, all leading to the ultimate closure of the case in 2022.
Harmon’s writing is incredibly detailed, bringing the case to life with a level of depth that true crime enthusiasts will appreciate. His thorough research ensures that no stone is left unturned, immersing the reader in the investigation’s many layers. While the book covers an extensive historical backdrop and a wide cast of characters, each element adds richness to the story, making it a truly comprehensive account. The opening chapters are particularly gripping, vividly setting the scene of the crime without resorting to sensationalism. The image of the Durham family in their final moments is haunting yet powerfully written, immediately drawing the reader into the gravity of the case. Harmon’s ability to balance stark reality with respectful storytelling is one of the book’s greatest strengths.
One of the book’s strongest elements is its exploration of the investigation itself the sheer frustration of law enforcement, the wild theories (some credible, some downright absurd), and the eerie involvement of psychics, informants, and supposed hitmen. Chapter 9, Every Theory Known to Mankind, is particularly fascinating. It lays out the many possible explanations, from organized crime connections to local disputes that have gone terribly wrong. Harmon doesn’t just present these theories; he dismantles them piece by piece, showing which hold weight and which are nothing more than desperate grasps at the truth.
Harmon personalizes the victims, especially Bobby Durham. The book’s preface describes how Harmon, after looking at post-mortem photos of Bobby, felt a deep connection to the young man who seemed to have been caught in a nightmare he never saw coming. This personal touch makes the book more than just a recounting of a crime, it becomes a plea for justice, a tribute to lives lost, and a reflection on the chilling reality that some crimes take lifetimes to solve.
Convoluted is the perfect read for true crime lovers who appreciate meticulous research and aren’t afraid to get deep into the weeds of an investigation. It’s a rich and immersive read, filled with valuable information that brings the case to life. For those who enjoy diving deep into the details, it offers a fascinating and rewarding exploration of a crime that profoundly impacted a community. If you enjoy books that challenge you to think critically, question every lead, and wrestle with the frustration of an unsolved mystery, this one’s for you.
Pages: 1007 | ASIN : B0DLLK9RQY
Twists and Turns
A Change in Destiny: Dark Suspicions follows an FBI investigator who loses his prime suspect and a key witness, causing him to turn his attention to the suspect’s wife, only she has an identical twin sister complicating matters. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for this setup on Book II is questions have been left unanswered from Book I.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
I loved writing the Boots brother characters. They are complicated as you discover at the end of the book. If any were more difficult it was Brian. His story became more involved as the story progressed.
I felt that there were a lot of great twists and turns throughout the novel. Did you plan this before writing the novel, or did the twists develop organically writing?
The twists and turns…some were planned others developed. As an author, you may be heading down one road with your thoughts and plans, and then a left turn comes up fast and takes you in another direction.
What will the next book in that series be about, and when will it be published?
I do not plan to write another book for this series, however; I did leave it open to a possible one. I will need to sleep on it.
I am working on a book of short stories, and a new paranormal comedy/cozy mystery series, and have plans for a thriller/horror novella.
There will be two audiobooks released sometime this year, Dark Suspicions and my novella It’s for the Best.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Instagram | Website | Amazon
Charlie is not alone in the spotlight—her mirror-image twin, Dani, adds complexity to the case as a potential accomplice. Brian suspects the twins are concealing crucial evidence. However, their formidable legal defense team hinders any progress. Brian is forced to conceive a risky strategy to uncover a more profound layer of criminal activity. He will deceive those closest to him to discover the truth.
Meanwhile, Charlie and Dani plan to protect their secrets, forging ahead despite Brian’s probing. His relentless pursuit of justice teeters on the brink of an all-consuming obsession. Will his dark suspicions lead to dark consequences?
Trauma Shapes Us
TYE follows two brothers who were failed by a system meant to protect them from abuse and neglect and turn to a life of crime and working for a mafia family. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
TYE is a prequel to Clifford’s War: The Bluegrass Battleground. After I wrote that book, I was focused on a sequel but felt like I left a lot of unanswered questions about the TYE brothers and how they became who they were. There was so much more story left untold.
I needed to go back and tell their story so that the fans of the first book could better understand the brothers and their story.
-JDR
The first book in the series, Clifford’s War: The Bluegrass Battleground, started with the main character, Clifford Dee, in the middle of a situation that changes the trajectory of his life. The Tye Brothers were pivotal but treated as throw-away characters, initially. J. Denison Reed started to wonder out loud what made these men who they were? Why were brothers committing these atrocities? The conversation got our imagination going and we knew it had to be childhood trauma.
-EJE
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
I believe everything that happens to you, shapes you. Good or bad. We are faced with decisions every day, and there were options for the Tye brothers. This story is about compounding events, mistakes, and bad decisions that let the Tye brothers down their destructive path. It could happen to anyone if they let it. We are all impressionable based on our experiences and how we process them. That’s what makes it so tragic.
-JDR
I find that sometimes, it doesn’t matter if someone has a good heart, is intelligent, and/or simply knows right from wrong. If they aren’t loved or have a solid support system, they will do what they have to do to survive. Survival mode looks different for everyone.
-EJE
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
We needed to show how destructive the Tye brothers were, and could be. We also wanted to show that they were human, they could love, they could care, but also, they could hate and destroy without one. This is why their brotherly relationship was important. It’s all they had that was solid. Everything else around them crumbled.
-JDR
Trauma shapes us and when it happens in childhood without a healthy resolution, bad things happen and it will have a domino effect.
-EJE
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I am working on the Third Sequel of Clifford’s War. If you are familiar with the last book, the protagonist, Clifford Dee, heads out of state on a solo mission. This one will be a doozy! I also have other stories outside the Clifford’s War universe planned, but for a later date. EJ is working on some side stories that are still inside the universe but will be their own stand-alone books.
-JDR
There are two books in the works, currently. One follows Sara and a case she encounters while visiting family and friends in Kentucky.
The other book has Clifford Dee leaving his team behind to help an old acquaintance in Colorado. They happen simultaneously and one feeds into the other.
-EJE
Author Links: GoodReads | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | Website | Waxpool Publishing House | Amazon
Darius and Marcus Tye, traumatized by their father, found it difficult to cope with the tragic loss of their mother at his hands Despite efforts to find solace in group homes and foster care, the brothers could not escape the shadows of their troubled past, which led them to a life of crime, employment from a sinister mafia family, and hunted by the authorities for the nefarious bloodshed they left in their wake.
** Advisory: Contains scenes of domestic violence, sexual assault, and extreme violence. **
A Global Problem Ignored
Love in the Shadows follows a woman determined to escape the cycle of abuse who sets out to exact justice on the men who perpetrate it. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
During research for my Emmy-winning CBS documentary, The Abused Woman, it became apparent that marital, physical, verbal and psychological abuse had no class, race, religion or age boundaries. The powerful have preyed on the weak and helpless throughout history. This global problem was either ignored or dismissed just so long as you’re not among those being brutalized. My research for the documentary revealed a world of hidden habitats in which mostly unpaid volunteer women and men provided safe havens for victims on the run from their abusers.
It seemed like you took your time in building the characters and the story to great emotional effect. How did you manage the pacing of the story while keeping readers engaged?
The pacing was provided by the characters, all of whom were fictional representations of those I had interviewed for my book, “The Battered Rich,” published by Ashley Books and unfortunately out of print. If I couldn’t hold the interest of my readers by telling the victims’ stories truthfully along with the incisive comments from psychiatrists, therapists and police, I was the wrong author for this book.
What are some things that you find interesting about the human condition that you think make for great fiction?
I learned there was a cottage industry of cosmetologists who padded their income by teaching rich abused women how to disguise their bruises from friends and the public. A bigger surprise was to hear for the first time from a psychiatrist the term, “messiah complex,” which applied to surgeons who were non-verbal, god-like figures in the operating room but couldn’t handle highly educated wives who were socially and verbally their superiors. Physical violence often became their only recourse.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
It is another noir, historically based crime thriller. Although Newark remains the launching pad for the novel, I am creating a fictional city in the upper Midwest that like Newark, profited greatly during WW2 but in the late-1940s was socially and economically adrift with the closure of the massive war-time industries, and as a result became easy prey for the mob-controlled labor unions whose original instructions were provided by the legendary Jimmy Hoffa. With any luck and remaining in good health, I hope to have the final completed in 2026.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website 1 | Website 2
One woman used her fists to fight back, driving her abusive husband from their home. Four physically abused women enlist a mafia gangster in a crazy scheme to payback powerful men who escaped punishment despite years of brutal behavior. Newark’s Police Homicide Chief is astonished to discover there is no difference in the battery and mayhem affecting the rich and poor.
A rich and beautiful woman, physically and mentally abused, goes on a three-continent search after her wealthy German aristocrat husband fatally beat a household member she had loved since childhood. Also tracking the husband are two anonymous international killers hired by the mafia because for years he had been embezzling millions of gangster money earned by investing in Nazi companies. Throughout the book it becomes obvious that evil works in the shadows.
The Real King of Miami
Eric Sande’s The Real King of Miami offers a gripping dive into the world of crime through the eyes of Ray “Li’l Ray” Thompson, who recounts his story from Death Row at Zephyrhills Correctional Institution in Pasco County, Florida. This true crime novel stands out for its unique perspective, as it is largely based on interviews between the author and Thompson. Instead of an analytical recounting of facts, Sande delivers a narrative that reads like an intense thriller akin to Scarface or Narcos.
The prologue hooks readers immediately with the climactic murder of Jimmy Savoy, one of Ray’s employees who had betrayed him by stealing a substantial amount of money. From there, the narrative rewinds to delve into the author’s fascination with Li’l Ray, setting the stage for an in-depth exploration of Ray’s operations in the marijuana smuggling world. The story, though dense with characters, ultimately centers on the critical event aboard the boat where Jimmy was killed. This book is not for the faint of heart. Its pages are laden with expletives, adding a raw and authentic feel to the storytelling. For readers who can overlook the language, these elements contribute significantly to the book’s realism and immersive quality. The narrative is so compelling that many readers might find themselves finishing the book in one sitting.
The Real King of Miami is a must-read for true crime enthusiasts looking to break away from dry, report-like accounts. Sande’s book offers a shorter yet equally hard-hitting experience, making it a standout addition to any true crime fan’s reading list.
Pages: 164 | ASIN : B0BMPDC4DH
LITERARY TITAN 