Blog Archives
Camp David Conspiracy
The war on drugs in America is raging. Everyone, from low-income communities to the high-end politicians, lawyers, and doctors, enjoys the hard-hitting high that comes from cocaine, heroin, and other recreational drugs. Unfortunately, federal government organizations like the DEA and FBI are at a loss on how to stop this profitable and overly active industry. It is not until President Osbourne’s best friend loses his son to a mugging gone wrong by a drug addict looking for cash to pay for his next hit that he takes the war on drugs seriously. Too seriously. Casualties on both sides of this war reveal corruption and conspiracies from every angle. Author Antim Straus writes a fictional piece based on the history of the War on Drugs in Camp David Conspiracy.
The author has a solid understanding of politics and the war on drugs, and it is clear the author has done his research. Character development is one of the highlights of this novel. The story follows several characters from the White House, the Cartel, reporter Wines, drug dealers, and many more. I really enjoyed this approach because I was able to see from each character’s perspective how drugs personally affected their lives. The author’s ability to create a wide cast of characters is one to be applauded, as each character was very different and believable.
The author seamlessly changes perspectives between characters within each chapter; I always knew who was talking and whose thoughts readers were listening in on. In addition, the author explains in detail concepts like buyers, sellers, dropping packages, runners, etc., which allows the reader to understand the criminal side of drug dealing. I felt like I was watching a crime show, and I found it hard to put this book down. I also liked how pieces of the news articles were inserted into the book, fully immersing the reader in the drama.
I feel this book is more of a crime thriller than a political thriller, and I only mention this as it may deter other readers from picking up this enticing book. Camp David Conspiracy is a raw, gritty, and intense read that takes the reader into a deep dive into the drug operation and the war on drugs. This is the first book in Antim Straus’s Geoffrey Wines Series. I look forward to reading the second book in the series Disorder.
Camp David Conspiracy is a riveting political thriller novel that will have readers on edge with each suspenseful chapter. This crime fiction book is filled with intimate details of how drug rings are conducted and the conspiracy of those in high political places.
Pages: 335 | ASIN : B07KDW9L9Z
Requiem
Requiem is BJ Taylor’s riveting continuation of The Borderland Mysteries, a fantastic crime fiction series portrayed in a unique format. Suspicious activity is occurring yet again around the territorial border. It’s up to U.S. Federal Marshal Gabriella Zamora and her team to investigate and uncover the mystery, protecting the civilians with value and honor.
A series of murders have been recorded: young Mexican women are being viciously murdered by a possible serial killer creeping into the area of the maquiladoras near the border. The industry of the maquiladoras is very important to the U.S.’s economy, bringing a new dimension to the problem at hand. Again, the team is involved in the investigation of a crime that could have relevant political and economical implications. This time the crime seems riskier and poses a real danger to the team: will they find out the truth behind everything without suffering any damage?
One of the most intriguing elements of this book is Gabriella Zamora’s team. They are diverse and unique, each of them bringing something new and different to this enthralling story, thus turning it into a very dynamic and gripping narrative. Through this series, the attachment to the characters continues to grow progressively, showing true potential for future books. The plot presented is a little more complex than in the first book as the crimes become more serious. However, the characters’ charm makes the whole plot an adventure worth following.
There is tension and a true sense of mystery that keeps the reader captivated at all times, flying through every page. This is not your typical mystery series though, there are creative elements in the story that make it stand out from the conventional books of this genre. One of these elements is the connection with spirituality that some of the characters have, each of them remaining faithful to their culture and illustrating in a beautiful manner the spiritual aspect of peoples’ lives on the border. The author has portrayed these spiritual beliefs in a respectful and beautiful manner.
Requiem is a suspenseful mystery novel that will draw readers in from the start. Diversity, culture, family, and strange enigmas are key elements in this stunning book. This is a thrilling crime adventure with a compelling plot that deals with friendship and morals; perfectly balancing the good and the bad of humanity.
Pages: 159 | ASIN : B09VWG44ZT
Hallelujah
Hallelujah by BJ Taylor is the first book of the Borderland Mysteries, a beautifully engaging story surrounding culture, justice, and humanity. U.S. Federal Marshal for Texas, Gabriella Zamora, is needed to find out what really happened in a car accident that caused the death of one Border Patrol Agent and the severe injury of another. Theories and unfounded rumors are spreading as the President of the United States see this event as an opportunity to boost his campaign against illegal Mexican immigrants. Even though no one knows what really happened, people are starting to believe that the agents were purposely killed by immigrants near the border and see this occurrence as a danger to national security that needs to be addressed immediately.
Gabriella Zamora and her team are willing to work on this task and find the truth behind the brutal accident, committed to protecting immigrants from falsehoods exposed on social media by certain political agencies. This realistic book deals quite accurately with the way our current world uses politics and distorts the truth to fit a given agenda. Serious themes such as racism and homophobia are dealt with respect and in a delicate way that exposes how cruel and inhuman it is to declare war on a group of people based solely on who they are or where they come from.
The plot is presented as a mystery that needs to be solved. We follow the assigned crew as they interview people and follow clues, trying to figure out what happened. The characters are diverse and have very distinct personalities. The culture that is part of the borderland territories is an important aspect of this gripping book and is showcased beautifully. Different elements such as spirituality, art, and culture are displayed quite freely, giving the story some uniqueness and creativity. Parts of the book are also centered around the song Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen, which was a unique approach that worked well with the story.
When the world of politics pervades everything, Gabriella Zamora and her team seem to know their job is to remain grounded, staying connected to the natural world and their culture as they devote their lives to protecting humans and fighting for justice.
Hallelujah is a fast-paced short story, easy to read, and leaves readers wanting to figure out what new mysteries will be brought to light in the second book. This political thriller covers realistic situations and relevant topics to the world today.
Pages: 98 | ASIN : B09VC6L3HY
Unravel How Disinformation Travels
Disorder follows a reporter that sets out to solve the mystery of how an unlikely candidate is rocketing to the top of the polls. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
This book is a combination of three fictional storylines that miraculously merged early one morning. I had plotlines for a book entitled “The Election” – about a rigged election; another for a “Fixer series” – about a mysterious person who manipulates events for pay; and a third called “The Cure” – about a plan put in place to reacquaint Americans with our national values.
At the time I was not looking to write a second book (sequel to Camp David Conspiracy) featuring reporter Geoffrey Wines, nor President Osbourne. Yet, that morning, the three merged with Geoffrey Wines and President Robert Osbourne becoming the vehicle to tell a story that centers on the disfunction that disinformation wreaks on our society.
I will add this book was well on its way before the 2020 election, the false narrative about the election results, and the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6. It also predated the start of the anti-Covid vaccine disinformation campaigns. During its writing, the WSJ “Facebook Papers” were released; information about the Pegasus spyware / cell-phone hacks reported; and several academic papers were released detailing the actual flow of disinformation during the 2016 election.
Ironically, almost to the day of the book’s March 1 release: Russia invaded Ukraine; Putin’s motivation discussed; and his use of disinformation on both the Russian and Ukraine people reported.
Each of these events only fortified the storyline’s premise.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I loved writing the dialogue scenes between Geoffrey Wines and President Osbourne. The banter back and forth was fun to write, giving each a voice and cadence to their speech.
The single scene I most enjoyed writing was when an unknown person enters Jimmy Olsen’s home and tries to penetrate the hallway leading to his operations center. I just love the way the entire scene unfolds, the nerd humor, and its ramifications later in the book (and this book’s sequel).
I also enjoyed writing the Washington Post newsroom interchanges as Wines and Olsen explain their findings to the paper’s editors. A lot of conflicting, yet important agendas come to play during these scenes.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The most important theme is the pervasiveness of disinformation throughout American society and how it is disseminated to the public in a falsely credible fashion. I try to show this in different ways throughout the story to ensure it sticks with the reader.
My introduction to this phenomenon occurred maybe ten years ago when I heard from a relative that one party was threatening to outlaw outdoor BBQ grills. It was a preposterous claim, but it always stuck with me. Later, a friend at tennis one night was telling about a political party trafficking kids from a Washington D.C. pizza parlor and how Sandy Hook was a hoax. This too stuck with me. Then in the throes of the 2016 election, I remember people questioning how social media could possibly have any sway in the election.
This book attempts to unravel how disinformation travels from its source — to social media — to mainstream media — to finally how our elected politicians give these lies credibility for personal and partisan advantage. We see how the public’s sources of news are highly segregated based on political persuasion and witness its impact in creating disorder in our society. The book tries to explain how and why we as a nation seem to be dealing with two sets of facts when trying to make personal decisions regarding Covid vaccines or understanding why gasoline prices are rising.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am writing the third book in the Geoffrey Wines series. It will include the current journalistic relationship between Geoffrey Wines and Jimmy Olsen. I will keep its storyline quiet until publication, currently anticipated for early in 2023.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Instagram | Website
Joining in his quest is James Olsen, the paper’s new media correspondent. With the young and talented writer and computer hacker at his side, Wines unearths the shocking scheme. But the Post’s editors will stop at nothing to keep the truth buried.
Watergate meets The Pentagon Papers in this thrilling tale of deception and determination reaching into the very ethos of our national government.
If the political drama of Watergate, Monica-Gate, The Pentagon Papers, or the exposé books by Bob Woodward excite you, then you will be entranced by DISORDER from beginning to end.
The Future is a Memory
“The basis for our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their Constitutions of Government. But the Constitution, which at any time exists, ‘till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people is sacredly obligatory to all.”
The great George Washington said these words in 1796, and how applicable they are today. Washington’s words lead off the book The Future is a Memory, a slickly written and satisfying political thriller by C. Ross. It begins with Madame President Rebecca arguing with her chief of staff and others in the future world of 2039, in which no nuclear weapons exist but life is still mighty complicated.
Oftentimes books that take place in the future depress me, but this one has a timeless feel that is no doubt applicable today. Politics, fortitude, bravery, civic-mindedness, the rights of individuals—it’s all here. The Future is a Memory is exciting and makes you think.
The story follows a group of accomplished and dedicated women, including President Rebecca, who come together in varied ways to bravely stand for freedom. Ultimately, it’s President Rebecca who must make a decision that will affect the course of the world. I told you it’s an exciting read with twists and turns.
One portion of the novel caught my eye right away: “The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, was effete and had been for years. However, its purpose was to defend Western and Eastern European countries from middle Asia’s third and fourth worlds.” Substitute Russia with “middle Asia’s” and we might as well be talking about political strife in 2022!
I liked the personality of the tough and wise President Rebecca, who appreciates flowers as much as the next gal but doesn’t have a man to receive them from, sadly. She always looks at her job through the prism of the past, calling to mind major U.S. events such as the Civil War, the ratification of the 13th Amendment, and the reunification of the great Union. Despite her sharp mind, life seems lonely at the top for President Rebecca. Her lady cohorts in crime have different personalities but are equally courageous, though surprises abound.
I wasn’t sure how this book would conclude; it kept me glued throughout. Some of the prose toward the end gave me chills, and I wish people would think in a more civically minded way. Issues like citizenship, the preservation of life, and the pursuit of happiness unrestricted are concepts that people don’t seem to care much about these days. Everyone is so individualistic, and this book drives home that we all should think beyond just ourselves if we want democracy to survive.
The Future is a Memory is a riveting and thought-provoking political thriller by C. Ross that will inspire patriots but also entertain readers with a dystopian future that’s eerily reminiscent of reality. This book will take you on a contemporary hero’s journey, following a collection of heroic women that persevere in the face of adversity.
Messianic Reveal
Clayton Haley is a US foreign service officer posted in Paris. While running some background checks of a visa applicant, he soon uncovers a massive international conspiracy. But that is just where the trouble begins. The story takes us deep into the Arab ethos; the world of the Shia and Sunni Muslims. What happens when there is a gory plot to establish the return of the Messiah, the Mehdi, with a hidden agenda of global domination? Incidents from the past and the present collide into one, taking readers on a spine-chilling and revelation-filled journey.
Written in the form of a historical fiction, this riveting narrative provides an intriguing insight into Middle Eastern culture. The ease and expertise with which the author has penned this novel is simply brilliant. The simple, lucid, yet engaging flow of language makes the chapters even more interesting. While the entire narrative puts focus on political, religious, and cultural aspects of the Middle East, it never feels like a boring history lesson, rather you are desperate to know more as the plot of this suspenseful action novel propels readers forward.
The action, the touch of humor, and the impeccably woven historical backdrop– each and every element of this novel deserve to be lauded. This book reminds me of the atmosphere Dan Brown creates in The Davinci Code, but with a bit more action. As the book comes to an end, readers will be left eagerly awaiting future installments in the Clayton Haley saga.
This book is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys action or spy thrillers, and for those who harbor a special interest in the history of the Middle East. With a high level of intrigue coupled with a good amount of violence and an enthralling conspiracy, adult fiction fans will easily be swept away on this whirlwind adventure.
Pages: 280 | ASIN: B08MGX9XQZ
Disorder
Disorder by Antim Strauss is a riveting story about the most infamous US presidential election in recent times. This fictional narrative is based on actual events and explores the actions of a mysterious figure known as The Fixer. The reader is hooked from the start as the story begins with a message by The Fixer himself, addressing the reader. Individual chapters are dedicated to the thoughts and words of The Fixer, whose poetic lines are pretty gripping. As the story progresses, we realize how the actions of The Fixer are about to cause a catastrophe. An unstable, and disgraceful candidate becomes the frontrunner of the GOP, and a massive disinformation campaign is afoot to ensure his victory. Tipped off by a former president, journalist Geoffrey Wines along with fellow journalist, hacker, and Superman enthusiast Jimmy Olsen, discovers a much deeper conspiracy. One that threatens the very essence of American Democracy.
Disorder opens in a slow-burn style giving readers the background leading up to the election and introducing The Fixer. The words of The Fixer, nicknamed Elvis, add freshness to the narrative and gives readers a unique perspective. Similarly, the author has done an excellent job of conveying the thoughts of his characters within the text.
While the novel is a political thriller, readers are not inundated with suspenseful events. The story is well written and the narrative techniques used by the author are commendable. As a technothriller, there is a lot of technical jargon and computer-related stuff to appeal to the tech-savvy crowd. The best part about this story is the investigation by Geoffrey and Jimmy, along with other members of their team. The way the investigation is conducted and clues are connected are quite intriguing and will appeal to fans of compelling mysteries.
Disorder is a political fiction novel that parallels closely to recent events. Appealing to readers of mystery novels, political, techno, and psychological thrillers, this suspenseful and riveting novel has something for readers of all types.
Pages: 363 | ASIN : B09SBRYNHJ
Honorable Profession
Dan Cahill is a former secret service agent that moves to Nevada to try and repair the relationship with his daughter that was long neglected due to his career. His daughter Meghan wants to help her political science professor Walter Becker win the Nevada presidential primary. Despite wanting nothing to do with politics ever again, Cahill agrees to help his daughter in her goals in order to rebuild a relationship with her. Albeit being retired, Cahill has a lot of experience with the ins and outs of the government and would be a great help to Walter’s quest for the presidency. But, will they achieve their goals?
Honorable Profession: A Novel of American Politics by Andy Kutler is a novel about how a retired Dan Cahill tries to mend his broken relationship with his daughter. To do so, he is aiding her in her desire to help her favorite professor become the president of the United States despite the odds weighing heavily against him. After being forced into retirement for leaking stories about diplomatic misconduct in the government, Cahill had developed a deep hatred for politics and promised himself not to get involved. He, however, ends up developing a liking for the college professor, which motivates him to help him win. More than a story about politics and drama surrounding elections, this is about a father and daughter. The political backdrop is used to bring them together in a way they otherwise would not have. Her ideas and his experience combined to make them a steller team that they never knew they could be.
The award-winning author, Andy Kutler, uses his vast political knowledge, gained while working under two senators, to accurately depict government operations. He is able to use the characters, each with their unique strengths and weaknesses, to paint a vivid picture of what goes on in the electoral system. It is a clear and intriguing look into what happens in the government and how elections are handled.
Honorable Profession: A Novel of American Politics is a riveting book that is perfect for readers who love political dramas that are grounded in reality. This is also a novel about building relationships and family, and readers looking for a modern and contemporary background for this thriller will be captivated from beginning to end.
Pages: 370 | ASIN : B09F3CG9MW
LITERARY TITAN 