Blog Archives
Breakwater Bay
Breakwater Bay throws you headfirst into an old-school, high-stakes adventure with plenty of attitude and grit. It kicks off with a mysterious body found in the trunk of a stolen Camaro, and then quickly pulls back the curtain to reveal a tangled backstory involving a globe-trotting investigative reporter, shady characters, hidden agendas, and some very sketchy rescue missions. The story shifts between Lake Erie and far-flung places like Madagascar and Somalia, where a journalist named Emerson Moore finds himself (once again) in way over his head. Alongside his buddy, the rough-and-ready Mad Dog Adams, Moore takes on everything from Somali pirates to drunken Brits with questionable motives.
Honestly, one of the first things that grabbed me was the pacing. Bob Adamov wastes zero time—Chapter 1 has a dead body in a trunk. And just a few pages later, we’re in Madagascar watching Moore and Adams get dragged into a so-called “rescue” mission that sounds more like a barroom tall tale than something you’d actually sign up for. The dialogue between characters—especially the dry, sarcastic banter between Moore and Adams—is a real treat.
Now, don’t get me wrong—this book is a total popcorn read. But what makes it rise above the average thriller is Adamov’s knack for creating vivid settings. He doesn’t bog it down with flowery prose—he just drops you in and lets the mood soak into your skin. That said, the story does flirt with chaos at times. When Moore and Adams agree to help a washed-up British reporter rescue a supposedly kidnapped teen, I couldn’t decide if I should roll my eyes or buckle up. Turns out, it was both. The whole setup was a con, but that twist made me laugh more than groan.
Gordy, the Brit. He’s infuriating. He lies, manipulates, and nearly gets everyone killed in Mogadishu. I wanted to throw him overboard right alongside Adams, who threatens just that at least twice. Still, I gotta admit, Gordy adds a touch of tragic comedy to the whole ride. The dude’s a mess, and maybe that’s the point. His wild, unreliable energy keeps things unpredictable, even if you spend half the book yelling at him in your head.
Breakwater Bay is one of those books you read for the ride. It’s for people who like their thrillers with exotic backdrops, lots of action, a sprinkle of absurdity, and characters who feel like your uncle’s crazy fishing buddies. It’s part mystery, part buddy comedy, part “what-could-possibly-go-wrong?” travelogue. If you’re a fan of Clive Cussler, or if you just want to kick back and follow a fast-talking reporter into mayhem, this one’s got your name on it.
Pages: 288 | ASIN : B0F2GG7LJ8
Using Your Superpower
Dan Ford’s Using Your Superpower is a wild ride through politics, spirituality, and human resilience. It follows Amelia Castro, an accomplished woman who is suddenly thrust into a new reality as the U.S. Secretary of State. What starts as a personal struggle with self-doubt quickly turns into an action-packed adventure, complete with abductions, political intrigue, and a deeper journey into the nature of empathy as a “superpower.” Alongside her trusted team, dubbed the Fearless Five, Amelia navigates a world where diplomacy is just as dangerous as battlefields, and where empathy, not force, might be the greatest weapon of all.
One of the most engaging aspects of the book is how it portrays Amelia’s growth. At first, she’s unsure if she can handle the job. She’s a powerful businesswoman, sure, but politics? That’s a different beast. Her initial doubts manifest in some self-destructive behavior. It’s a low moment, but also a relatable one. Who hasn’t felt overwhelmed by the weight of expectation? Ford does a great job of making Amelia feel human, rather than some untouchable, hyper-competent protagonist.
The book’s spiritual angle is both thought-provoking and I felt, at times, a little heavy-handed. The idea that empathy is a “superpower” is compelling, Amelia and her team tackle conflicts not through brute force, but through understanding. This isn’t just feel-good rhetoric; it’s an active strategy. The novel weaves this idea into global politics, showing how traditional diplomacy often fails because it lacks real human connection. However, there are moments where the message overshadows the plot somewhat, making the dialogue feel more like a philosophical lecture than an organic conversation. That said, when it works, it works well. The discussions between Amelia and her team, especially with David Stanford, are some of the best moments in the book.
The action and suspense keep the story moving at a brisk pace. From assassination attempts to covert missions, Using Your Superpower doesn’t lack excitement. There’s even an element of science fiction and metaphysics, with characters experiencing time travel-like events and spiritual awakenings. This blend of genres is ambitious and successful, though at times it stretches believability. If you’re someone who likes their political thrillers grounded in realism, this might not be your cup of tea. But if you enjoy stories that push the boundaries of reality, you’ll be hooked.
Using Your Superpower is a fascinating blend of political thriller, self-discovery, and philosophical exploration. It’s a book for readers who enjoy high-stakes diplomacy, strong female leads, and a touch of the mystical. If you liked The West Wing but wished it had a bit more metaphysical depth, this book is for you. The core message, empathy as a powerful force for change is one worth exploring. Would I recommend it? Absolutely, especially for readers who enjoy a mix of action, reflection, and a touch of the extraordinary.
Pages: 317 | ASIN : B0DWZ695Z3
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.
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Pages: 373 | ASIN : B0DNNDVCWV
For Where There Are Harps
For Where There Are Harps, the third book in Alyce Elmore’s Angels Have Tread trilogy, plunges readers into a post-pandemic dystopian world where societal structures have crumbled and a matriarchal republic reigns. This installment intertwines the personal struggles of its characters with the broader socio-political turbulence of the era, exploring themes of power, survival, and human connection. It is an expansive tale, shifting between the perspective of a young historian seeking truths and the lives of those who experienced the chaos firsthand.
Elmore’s writing is vivid and immersive, though it occasionally leans toward a richness that may feels very detailed in some moments. One scene early in the book particularly struck me—a young girl grappling with the Old One’s stories, her sense of truth shifting like tectonic plates. The descriptions of nature, such as the mocking laughter of the kookaburra, are poetic and grounding. The Old One’s philosophical musings, while thought-provoking, sometimes slow the story’s momentum.
The interplay of characters adds both charm and tension. The four musketeers—Karen, Josh, Benny, and Zane—each represent different responses to the repressive laws of the Republic. Benny’s cynicism, borne from his experiences as a stud, is balanced by Karen’s quiet resilience. The moment Benny realizes the futility of plans, while imprisoned in Inverloch, encapsulates his character’s journey. The subplot involving Patricia Bishop could have been more tightly woven into the main narrative because what we are giving is intriguing. Her investigative arc often felt tangential, though her fiery confrontations were highlights.
Elmore shines brightest when tackling big ideas—what it means to control a narrative, the ethics of rebellion, and the cost of change. The Great Upheaval looms large in the backdrop, a reminder of the fragility of peace. The nuanced portrayal of Evelyn Perkins’ leadership as both tyrannical and tragically misunderstood struck a chord with me.
For Where There Are Harps is a sprawling and ambitious tale. It’s for readers who love deeply political dystopias, rich world-building, and morally complex characters. If you’re patient with its deliberate pace, this book rewards you with thought-provoking insights and poignant moments. It’s a gripping conclusion to a trilogy that asks us to question the truths we take for granted.
Pages: 274 | ISBN : 176385020X
Shining Lights of Our Democracy
Love and Protest follows the lives of two young women who while being from different generations are linked through the one woman’s diary from the 1960’s. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Many years ago, my friend and I found a diary tucked away in a drawer in a second-hand store. I knew one day I’d get around to using that idea in a story. But I thought I’d write about a road trip in search of the “old lady” with several adventures along the way. A Thelma and Louise sort of thing. When I finally got around to writing my diary story, it demanded a more serious tone.
In a lot of contemporary coming-of-age fiction novels, authors often add their own life experiences to the story. Are there any bits of you in this story?
Yes, there are bits. I’ve been to marches, but I’ve never been involved in organizing one.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I’ve always liked the concept of ordinary people getting involved in making a difference for the greater good. As this story says, activists are the shining lights of our democracy. They expose the dark corners of government and power.
Coming of age in a time of political unrest is complex, and I hope this book encourages the reader to think about the strength of involvement and the belief in something worth fighting for. It’s my nod to social activism.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
At the moment, I’m going back to my original love, which is short stories. A piece in my short story collection, “Like The Flies On The Patio” inspired my first novel, The Clock Of Life. Perhaps that will happen again.
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Harper is certain her recently deceased mother arranged this discovery, and she gives the find special import. The diary entries help Harper cope with her loss and motivate her to become involved in something larger than herself.
After deciding her cause would be the Black Lives Matter movement, COVID-19 unexpectedly upends her plans. Her media-fueled fears and obsession with the growing death count drive her into isolation, until the George Floyd murder. Separated by generations, Harper and Liberty’s heartbreaks and missteps are intertwined as they come of age and find their individual paths toward activism.
Love and Protest
Love and Protest intertwines the lives of two young women, Harper and Libby, separated by time but united by their struggles for independence and identity. Harper, a modern teen from Hickory Springs, finds solace and inspiration in the 1960s diary of Libby, a girl who embarked on a daring journey to San Francisco during the height of the counterculture movement. As Harper delves into Libby’s past, she gains the courage to confront her own challenges and the oppressive circumstances of her life.
Author Nancy Klann-Moren’s writing shines with vivid descriptions and authentic character voices. The opening scene, where Harper stumbles upon the Second Chance Thrift Shop, is particularly evocative. The humidity of a Georgia day, the dusty nightstand with the diary, and the quaint charm of the shopkeeper all create a richly textured world. The narrative seamlessly shifts between Harper’s present-day struggles and Libby’s historical journey, maintaining a compelling pace that keeps the reader engaged.
One of the most poignant aspects of the book is its exploration of generational struggles and the quest for personal freedom. Harper’s discovery of Libby’s diary acts as a catalyst for her own transformation. The entries dated January 1 and January 4, 1967, reveal Libby’s determination to break free from her repressive environment. This historical perspective, I think, adds depth to Harper’s contemporary story, highlighting the universal desire for self-determination and the courage it takes to pursue one’s dreams.
The themes of addiction and recovery are handled with sensitivity and realism. Harper’s mother’s battle with opioids following a debilitating injury is portrayed with stark honesty. The emotional turmoil and the impact on Harper’s life are palpable. This subplot is not just a backdrop but a significant part of Harper’s growth. The narrative doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of addiction, making Harper’s journey toward finding hope and strength all the more impactful.
While the story excels in its character development and vivid descriptions, one area that I think could be improved is the pacing in the book’s middle sections. I feel that the transitions between Harper’s and Libby’s narratives can sometimes feel abrupt, and the detailed exploration of certain subplots, like Harper’s interactions with secondary characters, occasionally slows the momentum.
Love and Protest is a compelling read for those who appreciate character-driven stories with rich historical contexts. Nancy Klann-Moren’s ability to weave together the past and present through the lives of two resilient young women is engaging and thought-provoking. This book is particularly well-suited for readers interested in historical fiction, coming-of-age stories, and narratives that tackle social issues with a heartfelt touch.
Pages: 301 | ASIN : B0D2VMQGJT
None Of Us Are Alone
Daft Mejora’s Infinite Madness follows an alien disguised as a 14-year-old boy tasked with the mission of decoding the human brain. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Honestly, this began as a desire for me to express a more satirical side of myself than my previous writing that can, in some ways, be seen as the original way I wrote when I was in middle school and high school. I’ve always had what might be considered a rather absurd bent to my humor, probably from surviving the absurdities of life as a person my age in the era we live in currently, and the original Daft Mejora featured an alpaca instead of the wise owl plus the Daft One and his trusty steed arriving on an ice flow with a mission related to the US nuclear codes; mind you, this original draft was written after a late night out in Brussels, Belgium in 2019, long before talk of things like “nuclear secrets” and “boxes of documents.” However, when COVID hit, Mejora morphed into a press secretary in a shorter form related to, I believe, my own survival and processing of the absolutely otherwordly COVID-19 briefings I was watching whilst living abroad in Madrid. The final version of the story, written in Madrid in 2021, basically amalgamated these previous versions with the idea of a “stranger coming to town” because I myself, at that time, felt like that stranger, having lived in a different society for a decent length of time and witnessing the cacophony of the internet discourse and going, “seriously?” Personally, I survived a traumatic brain injury when I was 10 months old thanks to Dr. Luis Schut, truly one of the greatest physicians to ever walk the planet, in my totally unbiased opinion, and the major surgery required at that time, so the fact multiple readers have remarked on Mejora as being an exploration of the brain in some form, including through a potentially psychedelic lens, is honestly a happy accident that intrigues me to no end, as well. The Daft One’s mission was, and is, to examine and elucidate the absurdity of our time, and I suppose we’re all absurd, in some way!
Daft One’s experience on Earth is entertaining in every way. What was your favorite scene in this story?
Oh, dear sweet donger pongus … the “Washington sequence” involving the Washington monument, the reflecting pool, and the speech by Senator Baetz in the book’s second section was literally, directly inspired by Hieronymus Bosch’s The Garden of Earthly Delights, which hangs in the Prado in Madrid. If you haven’t seen that painting and want to view truly great art, that would be my suggestion; I have both a laminated souvenir shop version of it and a notebook with it as the cover, but the original is without comparison. Basically, I took the general chaos and the statement on the human condition I witnessed in that painting and refracted it through our modern lens, so the fact that it’s a complete, nearly cartoonish clusterf**k of desire and rage and passion and status sounds pretty classic, at least to me. Every time I read it, it still feels fresh. I won’t spoil the ending, either, but the way in which the final courthouse sequence might be prone to leaving some, ahem, blue in the face with laughter, as well.
What is one thing you hope readers bring away from your satirical take on American society?
That none of us are alone in this daily madness, and sometimes, art is the only way to process reality in an inherently personal way. I truly think this book started as my way of processing the hardships of the past few years and trying to examine them in as close to an “objective” way as possible, with the limitations and connotations of that word being what they are (is pure objectivity really a thing?). Listen, even as a satirist, at this point, I empathize heavily with those who employ humor in their art, since reality as of late has a way of being more violent and absurd than anyone could ever dream, but if there’s a point to be taken away from it, it’s people like Hunter S. Thompson, Kurt Vonnegut, R. Crumb, and comedians across different backgrounds in different mediums, as well, who do that most essential work of examining the deep sadness to be found inside that which can evoke laughter. That’s the wisdom and the truth inside all great comedy.
Can fans look forward to more books from you soon? What are you currently working on?
Heh. Alright. So, at the end of the first Infinite Madness, the last line is that there’s a second one of these coming in 2022 … well, it indeed arrived and was written in 2022, as intended, and is currently preparing for its impending release upon both my publisher’s eyes and the eyes of the public. NOTE: it is not COVID-19 related; it is, in the words of a person who has spent way more time in Madrid than I have and whom I greatly respect, “donger pony metaverse.” In addition to that exploration of our encroaching reliance on the technological realm in our daily life past even the exploration of the first Mejora, I also have a psychological thriller on the way, with that being a nice break from the all-encompassing donger pongality of Mejora, but given Mejora’s tremendous reception, there may be a chance we see the Daft One again first depending on editorial review and release timelines. Overall, I’m tremendously excited for 2024 and 2025, since Mejora’s made a magic uniquely its own beyond me and is easily the favorite thing I’ve ever written; let’s see what happens!
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The only knowledge the Daft One has of earth comes from the Internet, where daily life and technology mix in startling, violent ways. However, rather than finding existence “on the ground” to be more serene and logical, the Daft One befriends the son of a Q-Anon supporting State Representative and finds himself in a country torn along political lines amidst conflicting realities.
When the Daft One saves the State Representative from a shooter, his launch to American stardom through his quick trigger finger and acerbic tongue catapults him and his friends through a world where the Internet and daily life merge, resulting in a terrifyingly real odyssey based in satire, celebrity, and connection, with consequences both shockingly absurd and stunningly human.
Political Turmoil
Tribal Logic follows a group of people who find themselves struggling to survive in a world plagued by political turmoil and shifting loyalties. Could you please share what inspired the initial idea for this series and how it evolved as you were writing it?
Well, um…that’s a big question. I’ve been writing the series for over three decades. And maybe I learned how to write! The situations and characters get better with each book.
Political turmoil is a big theme in the series. In the previous book HOME RULE, the tribes gain a new leader and feel that they are united. With TRIBAL LOGIC, we expand the worldview to include a military coup at Stargate Junction and a rescue mission into the asteroid field.
I like to think that the action reflects moments in our own world, like when the cosmonauts were in space for over a year and returned to find a dismantled Soviet Union.
For evolving themes, we added more magic into TRIBAL LOGIC. Characters begin to meet others from an elusive tribe with skills in making wards, charms, scripts, and hexes – mostly to defend themselves. One new character is a young healer named Opin who can lay-on-hands for relief from a bleeding wound. I researched Indian and Middle Eastern traditions of healing and learned a great deal about our larger world too.
Were you able to achieve everything you wanted with the characters in the novel?
I see TRIBAL LOGIC as a pair to the next book UTCAN’S TALISMAN that will be released in August 2024. The story arch is satisfied over the two books. There are many characters, but we mostly follow the urge to connect between Jesse Hartley and Hershel Henry. Jesse is a flawed character – high-handed and a poor negotiator. We love to hate her and wonder how she will make a place for herself.
Dr. Greensboro is a primary character still, married to General Shaw. Her research has led her to a remote fishing village called Sergiio, but events bring the world to her door.
My principle is to show women in more roles than newlyweds or evil queens. I keep exploring how relations operate over time and how women make choices to keep the marriage fresh and manage the decades for child raising. The stories tend to stretch out rather than being satisfied with winning the day.
What was one of the hardest parts of Tribal Logic for you to write?
Each book section has its own narrator, so we see the world through the eyes of Jesse Hartley, then Dr. Greensboro, then Hershel Henry, then Bybiis el Putuki. Developing the individual voices so each section is personal and conversational with a specific point-of-view can be a challenge – and a reward.
After spending a hundred pages with Henry’s voice, we are jolted to encounter Bybiis’s view of him as a feckless philanderer, for example.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
UTCAN’S TALISMAN is Book Five in the series and slated for release in August 2024. Utcan is from the tribe with magic. His talisman is modeled after a found-in-nature “mermaid’s purse” that’s actually a folded seaweed frond where a shark has inserted a fetus for extra incubation. For sci-fi, I was able to embellish that idea to a talisman where the holder can peer through a hole in the head of a dead serpent and talk with another holder. Ha, ha…I love magic.
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A change in leadership on Stargate Junction makes all characters question how the future will shape. How to survive the shifting loyalties among the city-states? Will my home even be there when I return?
While on a deep space rescue mission, Hershel Henry misses karsci on Dolvia the Abydian khalif steps down. Within the turmoil, will Henry connect with Jesse Hartley, or is that romance lost forever?
LITERARY TITAN 