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Death of a Bully (Polish Dragon P. I.)
![Death of a Bully (Polish Dragon P. I.) by [Steve Zimcosky]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41MJJUzZtVL.jpg)
A reunion is supposed to be fun, right? A lovely time to speak with friends you haven’t seen in far too long. Not this time. In Death Of A Bully, a reunion turns deadly, and everyone is wondering who did it. John is a well-respected attorney and philanthropist who gets murdered. An investigation starts and the search for the killer is on. While trying to locate the real killer, we learn that John was the high school bully. Everyone has a motive so the reader is left wondering who, out of all the possible suspects, could it have been!
Steve Zimcosky has written a page-turner with an unexpected twist that I was not prepared for. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I was wrong. I felt sorry for certain characters, particularly Mark and Tom. I felt sorry for Mark because he was wrongly accused of something he didn’t do. I felt sorry for Tom because I liked his character and I empathized with him in certain parts of the book. I was a little surprised that Jack forgave his mother as quickly as he did. It was still an interesting twist added to the story, and I couldn’t put the book down because I was eager to see what would happen next. In the end, I didn’t agree with the reasoning that Emily had, but I know that everyone has their own way that they feel about things, and it didn’t stop me from finishing the book.
Death of a Bully is a short, but thrilling read. The writing style is engaging and the book is easy to follow and alluring. This is more of a suspenseful whodunit novella, Steve Zimcosky is able to deliver a riveting tale in under 100 pages. If you are new to Steve Zimcosky’s work than this is a good starter book for you that will introduce you to his literary style.
Pages: 87 | ASIN: B08DSL6GK8
No Definitive Proof
Steve Zimcosky Author Interview
The Blood of the Nephilim follows a man who’s never been sick and a billionaire that wants to profit off of it. How did the idea for this novel start and change as you wrote?
The idea started as I was researching blood types, as I have the rarest blood type AB-, and I wanted to know where the blood types originated from. What I found out was that the Rh- factor is only found in a very small percentage of the population worldwide. There are theories that it was a mutation somewhere during the evolution of mankind but there is no definitive proof of that. And the one ancient alien theory states that it comes from aliens breeding with humans. The story started out with the young boy never getting sick and how he had a passion for archaeology and eventually searching those sites mentioned by ancient alien theorists. As I began getting into the background I thought how interesting it would be if a billionaire found out about this person and decided he wanted his blood to create a serum for all of the wealthy people so they never have to worry about ever getting sick.
I enjoyed the interplay between science and religion in this book. What were some themes you wanted focus on in this story?
I wanted to focus on themes that are present in society today. One is how people perceive the wealthy as having so much power to do anything that they want by generally using their wealth to influence the laws, property values and politicians and never feeling any repercussions. So I imagined how one wealthy person would use his money and influence to create a serum from a person’s blood so that he would never get sick again. Of course by saying he would help all mankind everyone trusted him.
Another theme I wanted to focus on was the ancient alien theme. If you look back at many of the religious writings many can be interpreted in ways of showing that aliens did come to this planet and interacted with mankind. For example the book of Enoch talks about fallen angels interacting with man and taking wives as well as in the book of Gensis. The Nephilim were known as fallen angels or spirits in the bible and in Arabic they are called Jinn. The offspring of the Nephilim and the human wives they took were said to be giants. Of course this one of many theories about them.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer with this book?
One of my goals was to have people who read the book see that things are not always as they seem. Perhaps the things we read in the ancient texts could have been about aliens who came to help mankind. How did the Rh- negative factor actually come about? There are theories but no definitive proof of how such a small percentage of the population has it. What I want is for people to look at the world and not take what someone says as truth but to do their own research and come to their own conclusion. Many people take what the so called talking heads say as truth when in fact many of them are paid entertainers.
What is the next novel that you are working on and when will it be available?
I have a few ideas that I am working on right now but I believe the next one will be a mystery that revolves around an author. I hope to start outlining it soon and having it down in the fall of this year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook
A scientist investigates archaeological sites that could have been built by aliens. No one knows why he has never been sick a day in his life. A billionaire believes his blood is the secret to perfect health. And, he wants it.
The Blood of the Nephilim
![The Blood of the Nephilim by [Steve Zimcosky]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41FE+KHigNL.jpg)
The Blood of the Nephilim is a quick-paced science fiction story about the wondrous life of Ted. Ted is a boy who never gets sick. It is a puzzling situation for him and his family throughout his life. His doctor is unable to figure out why his blood is so different from others, due to lack of technology in 1965. But in 2019, George discovers the strange nature of this boy’s blood and immediately sets his men out to find him. He wants to use the boys blood to create a serum that will prevent people from getting sick, and get rich in the process. This sets Ted onto a dramatic path that helps him discover the strange mystery of his origin.
Although the plot of this story seems fantastical, the story remains grounded with well developed and endearing characters. The story sets a quick pace that kept me consistently engaged, quick enough to not lose interest but detailed enough to satisfy my curiosity- whether about the plot or the science behind the science fiction! Although the plot is, overall, well developed I was left with some lingering questions: even though Ted couldn’t get sick per se, did he also never break an arm? Or fracture a toe?
The shift from the past to present seemed natural and exciting. The scenes that the author set, both in 1965 and 2019, were both realistic and setup in a way that relayed the true ambiance of the time periods. I felt the difference between the worlds and the characters born into them. There’s also plenty of humor in this book, making sure everything is kept light and the character fun.
The Blood of the Nephilim utilizes a thought-provoking interplay between religion and science. Steve Zimcosky presents intriguing scientific research and contrasts it with a passage from Genesis. It’s a delightful juxtaposition that elevates the story beyond your run of the mill sci-fi story. This is perfect for science-fiction enthusiasts that are looking for a light but provocative story. Zimcosky is a master of lighthearted sci-fi literature.
Pages: 184 | ASIN: B086C3PV6L
Their Downfall
Steve Zimcosky Author Interview
I enjoyed the illustrations throughout the The Haunting of Smock Hill. What was the art collaboration like for this novel?
I have an ongoing creative relationship with, I believe, one of the greatest artists ever. She goes by Ergoshwampy and we have collaborated on my last six books. When I get an idea for a drawing I relay to her what I am thinking and leave the complete design up to her. She never disappoints when it comes to the artwork. She also designs the covers for the books as well and again, I let her know what I am thinking of for the cover and she wastes no time in coming up with a fantastic cover.
The plot and it’s twists were really engaging. What were some challenges you set for yourself as a writer with this story?
The challenges were trying to make sure I had the historical information as close to accurate as I could get. The coal industry in the late 19th and earyl 20th century did not have a lot of information. I managed to get a lot from the Smock Historical Society. As I started out writing about a haunting I had an idea as to what it would be like if someone was using modern technology for their own reward and how that same technology could be their downfall. The ending I left open in case I want to continue the story.
Do you plan to write more stories about the town of Smock Hill?
Yes, I do plan on writing more. This was my third storyline that takes place in Smock. My first was a four part series on an old Tai Chi instructor who mentors a young boy back to health using Tai Chi and Qigong along with other Chinese health practices.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook
![The Haunting of Smock Hill by [Zimcosky, Steve]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41TLBuwkZRL.jpg)
A Dark Spirit has apparently returned to the former mining town of Smock, Pennsylvania, terrorizing the residents. Julia and her cousin Edward try to find out why it has come back and how to defeat it before the residents flee. What is this Dark Energy? What sinister reason does it have for returning?
The Haunting of Smock Hill
![The Haunting of Smock Hill by [Zimcosky, Steve]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41SnatA754L.jpg)
The Haunting of Smock Hill by Steve Zimcosky is a short but fast-paced thriller about the peculiar ongoings in the town of Smock, Pennsylvania. Ed Zielinski our protagonist is from Smock Hill. He is informed that The Dark Energy has returned for the first time since 1961. The Dark Energy is allegedly a daunting black cloud with red eyes and massive arms that shows up to stare at miners a few moments before their death. Having enlisted a paranormal investigator, Ed visits the town, and, with the help of a few friends, finds out that a deeper and more nefarious plot is at play. Their investigation is met with various complications, from Russian meddling to movie production crews. The story takes plenty of wild turns and ends on a climactic but satisfying note.
Although the plot is a simplistic mystery story, Scooby-Doo style, it is written in a gripping and engaging manner. I polished it off in one sitting, which is probably what it is intended for. The story is realistic and logical, and easy to follow. I felt that the characters were two-dimensional, with some having more depth than others, but this is in service of delivering a quick and satisfying story.
The book is also interspersed with a lot of spooky pictures and illustrations, which can make this a pretty fun read for children. Smock Hill is great for a weekend or holiday read, when you need an engaging story to brighten up your day without signing up for a hefty literary commitment.
Pages: 90 | ASIN: B081BG5YH9
What Would They Think
Steve Zimcosky Author Interview
I enjoyed the unique use of DNA in this story. Where did this idea come from and how did it develop as you were writing?
The idea came from my own experience with having my DNA tested. It seems like everyone is wanting to know where they came from and what their true nationality is. I have noticed some people have expected one thing and were shocked to find out that they had a different genetic makeup. So, I thought what would happen if someone had DNA not of this planet. How would they react? What would they think? As I was writing the story I thought to myself how surprised the person would be to find out that they were not alone on this planet and there were others just like him living and working here as he was.
I enjoyed Ian’s character and backstory. What were some obstacles you felt were important to his character development?
The first one was finding out that you are not of this planet, when your whole life you thought you were a human just like everyone else. The character would have to come to grips with the fact that he looked and acted human but was from a whole different universe. The second one was how does he deal with the fact that he is older than what he expects himself to be. How do you come to grips with the fact that you are thousands of years older than anyone else around you? And third, having to come to grips with the fact that you inherited a leadership role and you had thousands of people who were willing to follow you. How do you lead them on a planet that was originally not yours? And your leadership came from your parents who traveled somewhere else in the universe leaving you here alone to take over?
What is the next story that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am finishing up a story titled “The Haunting of Smock Hill” and it is a paranormal/mystery that takes place in an old coal mining town in Southwest Pennsylvania. A dark energy that used to haunt the mines returns to wreak havoc on the town. I hope to have it finished in time for Thanksgiving.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook
![The Venusians Among Us by [Zimcosky, Steve]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41k0NdKrzgL.jpg)
Checking your DNA and ancestry is real popular these days and everyone is doing it. A group of co-workers who meet regularly for drinks decide to do it as a group and share their results. But what happens when one of them finds out he is not even from this planet? And he is not alone! Are they friendly or hostile to planet earth and it’s people?
The Venusians Among Us
![The Venusians Among Us by [Zimcosky, Steve]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41%2B4lqf3ORL.jpg)
The Venusians Among Us by Steve Zimcosky is a breezy, adventurous ride that is just under a hundred pages. This is a story about Ian, an employee at NASA, who has been left in the dark about his past on another planet. Through a series of strange and dangerous incidents, he discovers that his past was kept from him in order to protect him. He is also left in charge of a tremendous mission: to prevent the despicable Howard Gorse from taking over control of the universe. Alongside his friends and a council of advisers, an elaborate plan is made to defeat his nemesis and ensure the survival of his own race on the planet.
I went in expecting heavy doses of scientific and technological terms, considering that this is a science fiction thriller, with our protagonist being an employee at NASA. However, the plot is entirely approachable and engaging. All the vocabulary and plot points are explained in layman’s language, without losing any intrigue. Although I would have appreciated more fully developed characters, I couldn’t help but be sucked into the story. I enjoyed the story because it was easy to follow, but that didn’t stop me from biting my nails while reading. This is an excellent example of simple language setting up a thrilling story; much like Stephen King novels.
The storytelling was particularly refreshing because it was so matter-of-fact. It was quick-paced action, providing no space for sentimental, poetic pondering. The Venusians Among Us could be described as the perfect blend between Ben 10 and Interstellar.
pages: 96 | ASIN: B07XQLZ3H2
Anything for Anybody
Steve Zimcosky Author Interview
The Revelations at Black Corners follows a young boy who becomes a great writer after an accident and his subsequent search for answers. What was the inspiration for the setup to this intriguing story?
The inspiration came from an accident that I had in junior high where I had to have surgery on my hand due to getting it caught in a printing press. I began to wonder how I could create a story around that incident. My mind began to wander thinking about how great writers had gotten their starts and then an idea popped into my head as I was thinking about Stephen King. Of course his novels are on the lines of the paranormal, so I thought I would follow that train of thought.
JT is an interesting and well developed character. What were some themes you wanted to capture in his character?
I wanted to be able to show J. T. as a confident writer who does not take his fame lightly. He knew where he had come from and how his writing developed after the surgery, so he had his doubts about his own talent. Also, I wanted him to be a funny but compassionate person who would do anything for anybody. A writer like Castle, from the television series, but not so arrogant.
I really enjoyed the twists and mystery in this story. Was this planned before writing or did the story develop organically while writing?
The story developed organically while I was writing it. There were moments where I found myself not having any ideas and then I would take a walk in the park and then bang, and idea jumps right into my head. It was a fun project for me and the more I developed the story the more I thought Wow, is this happening to me right now!
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My next book is an adventure into the science fiction world. This will be a first for me and a challenge. It starts with a person getting a DNA test and then finding out he is not of this earth. The story continues with the fight for good and evil among the humanoids who are not from planet earth. I hope to have it finished by mid-fall and for sale on Amazon sometime in late October.
Author Links: Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook
![The Revleations at Black Corners by [Zimcosky, Steve]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41O7D0HFKfL.jpg)
An accident in junior high leaves a young boy needing surgery. Afterwards he has an insatiable desire to become a writer leading him to become a New York Times best-selling author. What happened during the surgery to lead him down this path? While doing research for a new book he finds the answer in the small New York town of Black Corners!
LITERARY TITAN 