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Trios: Death, Deceit, and Politics
The Collins family is an intriguing and enigmatic group, marked by an inherent lack of trust and a tendency to betray one another at every opportunity. Through a labyrinthine web of deceptive lies and deceit, they continually strive to outdo each other, setting the stage for a riveting tale of political corruption and intrigue. Within the pages of Trios: Death, Deceit, and Politics, Carl Parsons skillfully weaves a suspenseful narrative that delves into the life of Rita Collins, a tenacious local reporter and writer for a prominent television station in Washington DC. It is through her eyes that we witness a perplexing turn of events, as she finds herself unexpectedly rejected by her husband, Brian, who suffered the amputation of his legs during his service in the Iraq War. Brian’s return from the war zone brings with it an unyielding refusal of Rita’s affectionate love and any attempts at rehabilitation from his profound wartime trauma.
Parsons exhibits an exceptional ability to craft a cast of characters that encapsulates the complexity of the human experience, leaving readers captivated by the unfolding tale. Among these characters, Rita stands out as a remarkable figure, demonstrating unwavering resilience in the face of her husband’s family’s web of deception and deceit. Her ability to remain steadfast amidst such adversity is a testament to her strength and serves as a magnetic force that draws readers into her story. The plot of this book is a particular highlight, immediately gripping readers’ attention and holding it steadfast throughout the journey. At numerous junctures, the narrative becomes so enthralling that it becomes difficult to put the book down. Such is the magnetic pull of the storyline, which skillfully intertwines elements of suspense and intrigue, effectively leaving readers yearning for more.
Trios: Death, Deceit, and Politics by Carl Parsons is an enthralling work that is sure to engage readers, immersing them in a world brimming with suspense. Furthermore, Parsons adeptly balances the brevity of his writing, ensuring readers are not overwhelmed while maintaining a firm grip on their attention. The relatability of the characters to the universal human experience further strengthens the book’s appeal. I recommend this book to those in search of a page-turning suspense novel.
Pages: 136 | ASIN: B0C1DVSNDC
A Clear And Present Threat
Black Water follows a special forces team who are given the mission to stop a widespread coordinated attack on America’s water supply. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration to write this story came from a few things for me. I have had it in my head to do a take off of Bond of Brothers: Danger Close so the imagination and the passion was there and ready to get it done. China fits the “Connection” role nicely. Over recent years, China has become more aggressive and has definitely emerged as a clear and present threat to the United States of America.
Were you able to relate to your characters while writing them?
It seems second nature for me to relate to most of my characters. I created them to play a role in the story. However some relate back to me more than others. I also believe my sense of pride in our military, a feel for family and faith gives the writing about Jason, his family and his team a warm place in my heart.
What was your favorite character to write for and why? Was there a scene you felt captured the character’s essence?
That is a hard one as I’m torn between Jason Patrick and Tex Larson, each unique in their way. In the mix of things, my bet is on big Tex, his sniper rifle and his blade of steel. Tex was created as the enemy’s worst nightmare, he is a tall, lanky and powerful man with a God given ability to blend into his surroundings with amazing stealth, all is dead quiet that is, until he shoots you in the head or slashes your throat. My favorite scenes for Tex are as he is prepared to head into harm’s way, he stands tall with his battle gear on, his face painted green and black. He’s the grim reaper in the night, such a scary sight.
Are there future missions planned for Jason and his team? If so, when can your fans expect the next installment?
Yes there is more to come now that Jason is the Colonel Commander and Tex is the Delta team leader. Jason Patrick and Special Forces are always in the light, ready to answer the call to defend our freedom.
Author Links: Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Author’s Website
It is five years since Delta Force stopped a deadly missile attack in the Middle East. Now team leader Jason Patrick is living a quieter life in North Carolina with his family, stationed at Fort Bragg.
But that is about to change when a new, even deadlier threat emerges from China. Its hostile president and top scientists have developed “Black Water” – a chemical agent which renders any water it comes into contact with toxic and undrinkable with just a few drops. And, with operatives already in place, they are planning to carry out a massive chemical attack on American soil.
So Jason and his special forces brothers – Tex, Jorge, Derek and a couple of new faces – are sent into the action once again. But this time they’re going to need all the teamwork they can get to defeat the world’s deadliest superpower, from the security services, law enforcement, and most of all from the community-spirited, patriotic people of small-town America…
They Conquered And Destroyed Civilizations
History of Lies follows two people attempting to unlock the secrets of past lives in order to stop a powerful organization from controlling the world. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
This book has been a long time in the making (over 15 years), and the original concept was much more basic. My writing partner and I came up with an idea for scientists to find a way to help blind people see. They created a technology that converted brain waves to visual images. At first, it worked as they expected, but when they applied the technology to different parts of the brain, the scientists realized they were accessing memories. Eventually, they realized they were memories from past lives. As the ideas continued to flow, the story became bigger and bigger until we considered the concept that there are some people who can remember their past lives, and these people have been manipulating the world for thousands of years. From there, the story required a lot of research because we had to recreate the world’s history under this new paradigm. At times, it was a lot of fun learning about the different historical periods, but it was also complicated as we had to keep track of the various timelines and storylines, but in the end, we were proud of the story we’d created.
The element I’m most proud about is having a story structure where the past not only informs the present storyline (for readers), but the present also informs the past. It sounds strange, but little tidbits that the reader may not be focusing on will come into play, so it works both backward and forward.
What was the collaboration process like for writing this novel?
It was challenging because my writing partner and I both work full-time. That’s one reason the book took as long as it did. The other books we wrote together were much easier because the concepts were more straightforward.
Did you find anything in your research of this story that surprised you?
I learned a lot about the Romans, and they were far more controversial than I realized. Some of their values are questionable, and the way they conquered and destroyed civilizations was also surprising. Many of the emperors were not good people, at least from what we know, which leads me to the next big lesson I learned from writing this story. Many people reference history in a very factual manner, but none of us were there, and we only have bits of evidence. The true history is likely far more complex than we’ve been taught in school.
Do you think there’s a single moment in everyone’s life, maybe not as traumatic as discovering past lives, that is life-changing?
Yes, but just like many key historical events, sometimes you need enough time to pass before you understand the significance of it. When you experience something in the moment, you may not realize the ripple effect that it will ultimately have on your life until you’re several years or decades down the road and you understand just how significant something was. As an example, I was born later in the year, and my mom had the choice of holding me back in kindergarten or pushing me into first grade. I was small to begin with, and I believe that if I had been pushed into first grade, the whole trajectory of my life would’ve changed. I don’t think I would’ve done as well in school or sports. There are of course other moments that you know are significant at the time like getting married and having kids.
Author Links: Website | GoodReads | Twitter
Throughout human history, people have speculated whether we have past lives. In this fast-paced epic thriller, that question is answered—we do. Unknown to the masses, there are a select few who possess the ability to remember them. With knowledge and skills acquired over multiple lifetimes, these individuals are anything but ordinary, and they’ve used their gifts to manipulate the world for thousands of years.
When Ben Preston, a history professor, uncovers the lies created by this clandestine group, he becomes their number one target. Now they’ll stop at nothing to silence him and keep their secrets safe. Ben’s only chance for survival is to learn the true history but doing so means he must face the truth about himself.
From India to Rome and Alexander the Great to seventeenth-century pirates, History of Lies transports the reader around the globe to key moments that changed the world forever—but not the way found in most books.
Filled with real historical events and fascinating details, History of Lies is a unique blend of fact and mind-bending fiction that will keep you guessing and change how you view history.
A Kick In The Gut
The Home Front follows a 95-year-old veteran with terminal cancer who decides he has nothing to lose and fights to take out the neo-Nazis that have attacked his hometown. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
After the Charlottesville riots, I wondered what our veterans who had sacrificed so much for our freedom thought about these events. To make matters more of an insult, having the standing president either not caring or siding with the fascist must have been a kick in the gut.
What was the inspiration for the main character’s traits and dialogue?
The main character, Donald, had to be old enough to have fought in the war. Having been through two major conflicts, I figured him to be a no-nonsense individual. Clint Eastward’s character in Grand Torino was similar. Tough as nails, but a good man inside.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Good over evil is the obvious theme, but standing up in the face of overwhelming odds is another. When someone has nothing left to lose, they are stronger and more dangerous.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I am working on an international terrorist attack on a mining complex in my hometown of Sudbury. My protagonists are two news reporters who follow two different stories that are linked together.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
When neo-Nazis fire-bomb synagogues in his Pennsylvania hometown, he finds he has one last battle to fight. He only has months left to do this or the evil could rise again and plunge not only America, but the world back into the horrors of the Third Reich.
The Home Front
The Home Front by David Wickenden is a masterful thriller that follows the courageous journey of 95-year-old Donald Wilson. Facing a terminal pancreatic cancer diagnosis and given a mere six months to live, Donald springs into action after neo-Nazis bomb synagogues in his hometown of Pennsylvania and promise further attacks. Through his tireless internet research, Donald discovers the existence of Antifa, a group dedicated to fighting hate ideology and racism.
Despite his physical limitations, Donald sets out on a mission to support Antifa’s cause and bring down the neo-Nazi group. The Home Front is an engrossing page-turner that expertly weaves together themes of racism, aging, terminal illness, action, loss, politics, history, and the media. Throughout the book, the reader gains intimate access to Donald’s innermost thoughts and feelings through a compelling first-person narrative.
David Wickenden has created a complex and captivating story that balances intense action sequences with quiet moments of family conversations and media interviews. The book’s central dilemma of fighting against violent extremism while witnessing the suffering of those closest to us is both thought-provoking and heart-wrenching. The Home Front serves as a reminder that no age is too old to make a positive contribution to society.
Thriller enthusiasts who enjoy plots involving terrorism and strategic attacks will be thoroughly entertained by The Home Front. As the story progresses, the suspenseful plot becomes increasingly intricate and engrossing as elaborate preparations are complicated by surprise attacks and unforeseen events. Readers should be warned that once they pick up this book, they will be unable to put it down until the very end.
Pages: 322 | ASIN : B0BMFRKHG9
Four Minutes to Zero
Former SAS Sergeant Rick Fernscale is shown in the opening pages of Four Minutes to Zero enjoying a luxurious life and expecting a child with his beautiful wife years after the events of 24 Hours to Doomsday. Unfortunately, his wife is abducted by terrorists, who tell him that he must fulfill a perilous assignment or risk losing her. When he discovers that the terrorists’ main goal is to drastically reduce the world’s population, he is forced to choose between saving the rest of the world and saving his wife. Four Minutes to Zero by Colin M Barron follows Rick in his action-packed, fast-paced race to save his wife and the world from the nefarious machinations of the rich and powerful.
Like Mission: Impossible and the Jason Bourne film series, Four Minutes to Zero keeps its audience on the edge of their seats with its high-risk missions and highly competent and trained protagonist. It was interesting to see Rick attempting to infiltrate a foreign nation with a strong military and surveillance system. Fans of espionage stories will like the scenes in which he attempts to blend in and hopes that the foreign soldiers do not discover his actual identity.
Colin’s tale is certainly complicated and exhaustive since it offers specific information about the firearms and other instruments used in the characters’ attacks. However, I appreciated learning that the Milan, a guided anti-tank missile, was utilized in both the Falklands War and the first Gulf War. Furthermore, the protagonist’s intricate, game-like attack strategies are clearly spelled out for readers, making the missions highly intriguing and exciting.
Four Minutes to Zero is a complete, dexterous combination of heart-pounding action and suspense, complex international missions and attack plans, extremely high stakes involving the most cutting-edge weapons, extremely powerful villains who want to rule the world, and well-developed characters with engrossing backstories. It’s the kind of book that makes you remember why you initially fell in love with action novels.
Pages: 266 | ASIN : B0BQMRNBK8
Red Sinai
Joseph Mather’s Red Sinai is a riveting and unforgettable spy thriller. From the very first page, readers are thrown into a high-stakes situation, and then transported back 23-hours to watch intelligence officer Captain Freya Coraline Mathew’s story unfold. This is a great way to capture readers attention right from the beginning, and I was certainly hooked. Fan-favorites from the first book, The Silver Prince, return, this time with a keen interest in northern Africa. In this fast-paced thriller, the United States and United Kingdom join forces to safeguard international protocols from a rogue campaign aiming to destroy Egypt and NATO. Working alongside Richard Armitage as the head of MI6’s Egypt desk, Freya Mathews investigates religious histories within the country’s development to save millions of people from a flood – only one of many threats they face in less than 24 hours.
With cliffhangers, plot twists, and shocking character deaths, Red Sinai is a relentlessly entreating espionage thriller. Readers are taken to some exotic location and many scenes were “picture-perfect” and serve the plot well. Freya has to pick apart clues to her case, and answers come from all directions.
Rather than facing day-to-day obstacles which would have slowed down the team’s operations, everything was accomplished speedily and efficiently. Considering the deep complexities and thematic nature of this book, I was surprised to find a plot that was easy to follow, and one that makes for an encapsulating read. Without having to focus on the context of modern-day London or other niche problems often found in political fiction, readers can focus solely on the characters and their perilous journey. My heart was warmed to see the collective strength and community in Mather’s Red Sinai, epitomizing the heroine spy for all thriller books on the market.
Red Sinai is an exciting crime novel that keeps one thing in mind all throughout the story; entertaining the reader. If you have no more Robert Ludlum books to read, then this should be the next book you pick up.
Pages: 237 | ASIN: B0BS1VN6CX
Liberator: The People’s Guard: Vol. 1
When duty calls, Tovarich Revanov answers. The zealous young man is a member of the Ruthenian secret police tasked with fishing out enemies of the communist state and clamping down on any anti-government uprising. This time, Tovarich has a peculiar mission: consenting to become a genetically enhanced state-sponsored hero. He approaches his new mission with his trademark commitment and gives his all to protect what he believes to be a just cause. But Tovarich soon begins to wonder if he is indeed on the right side.
Craig Weidhuner’s Liberator: The People’s Guard (Volume 1) is a fast-paced, action-packed novella that pits a totalitarian government against local rebels. It takes an interesting approach by featuring not just the regular tactics that totalitarian states adopt such as media propaganda but also unconventional tools like superheroes — quite imaginative, if you ask me. Weidhuner’s writing is direct and clear and reads almost like an action adventure comic that you can read to young kids at bedtime. This takes nothing away from the immersive experience the story offers, though. Weidhuner definitely has compelling ideas and I reveled in them. He excels at using his work to mirror the hypocrisy that dominates global politics and focuses on two superpowers which he doesn’t name but alludes to (you’d easily figure them out). He also does well at vividly presenting his characters. You can put a face to each key character and understand their personality.
Although Weidhuner got a lot right, and I enjoy the brevity of the story, I would have loved to have seen more depth in the plot and more time given to flesh out the fantastic ending. If you are down for some light reading featuring a good story you can blitz through in a few hours, you might want to check out Liberator: The People’s Guard: Vol. 1 because it is entertaining.
Pages: 98 | ASIN: B0BCPPDRPJ
LITERARY TITAN 