tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22486246461759793682024-02-19T07:03:43.125-08:00philip donlayPhilip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-64724732893558231842018-03-19T10:32:00.001-07:002018-03-19T10:32:21.297-07:00How readers have helped shape my books<div class="comment-metadata">
This topic is part of a roundtable discussion hosted by the International Thriller Writers, of which I am a member. I enjoyed sharing my thoughts on the subject, and I wanted to pass it along to you, the reader. Thanks. </div>
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<em>I absolutely listen to my readers, they’re the people I work for, and so I’ve always taken the time to contemplate their comments, but cautiously. Never mind the critics, I filter out the highs and the lows, and focus on the comments that I tend to hear over and over. In the early years, I heard how much readers appreciated the fact that I rarely use profanity in my novels. It was an early choice and a good one. I’ll use a few misdemeanor swear words here and there, but over eight novels there isn’t a single f-bomb, and there never will be. Thanks to readers, I’ve also been able to zero in on what they value most about my books. The pacing, the realistic relationships, the global geographical settings, and as a result, as I craft my rough draft, I take extra care to make sure I’ve done everything possible to enhance these elements. Readers matter, they’re smart, and my books benefit from their observations.</em><br />
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Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-66873958613256572582018-03-06T08:11:00.003-08:002018-03-06T08:11:40.246-08:00Speed the Dawn launch day!<br />
Hello all--<br />
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Speed the Dawn has officially been launched and I couldn't be happier. I wanted share a short interview I did with ITW, the International Thriller Writers. I hope everyone gets a chance to read the latest Donovan Nash thriller. By all means let me know what you think. <br />
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Bestselling author Philip Donlay discussed his latest thriller, <strong>SPEED THE DAWN</strong>, with <em>The Big Thrill</em> and this is what he had to say:<br /><span id="more-46415"></span><br /><strong>What do you hope readers will take away from this book?</strong><br />
I hope they are thoroughly entertained, and that the have a new respect and admiration for the possibilities that the book outlines–and the people who will have to save us all.<br />
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<strong>How does this book make a contribution to the genre?</strong><br />
Education through adventure.<br />
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<strong>Was there anything new you discovered, or that surprised you, as you wrote this book?</strong><br />
I got to make a fire tornado in a lab.I was also pleasantly surprised when I concocted a subplot that instantly had powerful and lasting repercussions for the entire series. Surprises abound in this book.<br />
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<strong>No spoilers, but what can you tell us about your book that we won’t find in the jacket copy or the PR material?</strong><br />
Though the story only covers less than a day, there’s a deeper and more personal arc for most of the main characters.<br />
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<strong>What authors or books have influenced your career as a writer, and why?</strong><br />
I have a section on my website about this exact question:<br />
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<strong><em>Hardy Boys</em>,</strong> Franklin W. Dixon. (Dixon is not a real person, initial series of books were written by several authors.) These were probably some of the first books I read as a boy. I truly loved the formula. Frank, Joe, their father, their best friend Chet and the smallest thread the boys would pull until an entire mystery unraveled and the criminals were exposed. Each new book was like settling down with old friends. I read them over and over. I feel like there’s a little Frank and Joe in almost every mystery/thriller written.<br />
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<em><strong>When the Lion Feeds</strong></em>, Wilbur Smith. I can still remember reading this book as a teenager. The riveting opening scene set up decades of conflict between the main characters. Smith took me on a journey through Africa that was filled with wonder, tragedy, adversity and triumph. I think what I took away from Smith, and his flawed but compelling characters, the Courtney family, is that despite great adversity, hope never dies.<br />
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<em><strong>Illusions</strong></em>, Richard Bach. A small book filled with expansive thinking. The messiah quit his day job and was barnstorming his way across rural America. It’s a hell of a hook, and Bach delivered. I read this book every now and then and some of the passages still resonate today.<br />
<em>Raise the Titanic</em>, Clive Cussler. If Cussler taught me anything as a writer, it’s to either go big or go home. Cussler pulled me into his story and kept me entranced well into the night. I followed Dirk Pitt and his entourage, and together we raised the Titanic. (At the time this book was written, the location of the Titanic was still a mystery.) Cussler showed me that if you know your stuff, and write in a way that is educational, yet make the technology part of the suspense, a writer can make anything believable. He was right.<br />
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<em><strong>Hostage to Fortune</strong></em>, Ernest K Gann. This book changed my life. I was already a licensed pilot, and my first magazine article had been published. I was still a young man, a rookie in every sense of the word, and Ernest K Gann was the master. <em>Hostage to Fortune</em> was his autobiography. It was his story of being a professional pilot and writing fiction about those heady days of flying when modern commercial aviation was new. He took me inside his life, and showed me a world I knew very little about. Yet from those pages, I took away the rough blueprint for my life. Fly, then write, repeat as necessary. Thanks, Ernie.<br />
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Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-31647539240527966872018-02-07T10:07:00.000-08:002018-02-07T10:07:34.449-08:00Amazon is shipping books!!<strong>Hello all--</strong><br />
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<strong>After months of writing, and even more months of waiting, Speed the Dawn is now out in the hands of the readers. By all means let me know what you think of this one, or better yet, tell the world with a review. I could go on and on about how much I loved writing this one, but I'll let these people:</strong><br />
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“This is a story so energetic and realistically portrayed that smoke seems to drift from the book’s pages. With whirlwind, high-tension action, <b><i>Speed the Dawn</i></b> is a quintessential disaster novel and a high-concept thriller.” ―<b><i>Foreword Reviews</i></b><br />
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“This action-packed narrative will keep the reader on the edge of their seat, turning page after page. This novel… is constantly in motion, and thriller fans will be delighted.” ―<b><i>InD’Tale Magazine</i></b><br />
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“Powerful, unrelenting action drives Donlay’s eighth adventure novel… few thriller fans will be able to resist the breakneck pace.” ―<b><i>Publishers Weekly </i></b><br />
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“Nonstop action with a scientific base from the reliably readable Donlay.” ―<b><i>Booklist</i></b><br />
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“If you want to experience terror, this is where to get it. Donlay is a fantastic writer… so emotional and vibrant with his words. [Donovan Nash] is one character who continues to get better and better as time moves forward.” ―<b><i>Suspense Magazine</i></b><br />
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Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-75840861112030342412018-01-15T15:42:00.000-08:002018-01-15T15:42:19.420-08:00Book Giveaway!<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_5a5d3b793739d8a89855401">
Hello all--<br />
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My publisher has given me 15 Advanced Review Copies of the yet to be released Speed the Dawn. I want to give them away!! The winners will get a cha<span class="text_exposed_show">nce to read this book a month before anyone else. </span><br />
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To enter this drawing, type book giveaway in the subject line, and email: phil@philipdonlay.com<br />
All entries must be recieved by January 31st. Winners will be contacted on February 1st.<br />
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Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-83645064927085319292018-01-08T11:03:00.000-08:002018-01-08T11:03:52.905-08:00On your mark, get set...<br />
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Hello Readers--<br />
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It's early 2018, and after a much deserved hiatus, I'm ready to get on with what usually ends up being my favorite time of the year. Book Release!<br />
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March 6th, Speed the Dawn, the eighth in the best-selling Donovan Nash series will hit the shelves. The early reviews are promising and the hardcover is available for pre-order.<br />
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<em>“Powerful, unrelenting action drives Donlay’s eighth
adventure novel… few thriller fans will be able to resist the breakneck
pace.”—<strong>Publishers Weekly<o:p></o:p></strong></em></div>
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“</strong>This is a story so energetic and realistically portrayed
that smoke seems to drift from the book’s pages. With whirlwind, high-tension action,
Speed the Dawn is a quintessential disaster novel and a high-concept
thriller.” <strong>—Foreword Reviews<o:p></o:p></strong></em><br />
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<em><o:p> </o:p>“This action-packed narrative will keep the reader on the
edge of their seat, turning page after page, the tension palpable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thriller fans will be delighted.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>–InD’Tale Magazine</strong></em></div>
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In other news, Suspense Magazine named Seconds to Midnight as one of the best Suspense Thrillers of 2017. High praise from people who know what they're talking about. Seconds to Midnight, along with two other titles: Category Five and Zero Separation are all on sale for the Kindle platform. Also, Aftershock will be released in paperback February 22nd. Have fun reading and as always, let me know what you think. <a href="mailto:phil@philipdonlay.com">phil@philipdonlay.com</a> </div>
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Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-27115910760820556162017-06-06T14:07:00.000-07:002017-06-06T14:07:05.338-07:00Summer Book Deal!Hello All--<br />
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For the entire month of June, both <strong>Category Five</strong>, and <strong>Pegasus Down</strong>, are Amazon Kindle specials priced at 99 cents. Load up those readers and read a thriller at the beach. Of course with Category Five, pick your beach wisely. Spread the word, and reviews are always much appreciated.<br />
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In other news, <strong>Speed the Dawn</strong> is well on its way for a March 6th 2018 release. The cover art and synopsis are below. Preorders are being taken, which both authors and publishers love.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">B<strong>est-selling author Philip Donlay climbs to a new height of terror in his 8th Donovan Nash thriller.</strong></span></div>
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Hundreds of white-hot meteor fragments plunge toward Earth near Monterey Bay, California. Huge fires ignite the tinder-dry landscape and, as the sun sets, the power grid collapses and the fires grow, illuminating a nightmare created in hell itself. Donovan Nash realizes he is trapped.<br />
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Injured and growing desperate, his options dwindling, Donovan fights to keep himself and a small band of survivors alive until dawn when they can make one last attempt to escape the inferno.<br />
Meanwhile, Donovan's wife, Dr. Lauren McKenna, arrives on the scene. Working with the Pentagon as well as the Forest Service, she envisions a bold idea to try to stop the fire from spreading all the way to the Bay Area and the seven million residents living there. She's terrified that if not executed perfectly, her plan could cause the death of thousands of people―including Donovan.Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-16005660862611858612017-04-17T17:37:00.000-07:002017-04-17T17:37:42.977-07:00TJ Turner and Abraham Lincoln Hello all--<br />
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After a very hectic six weeks since <em><span style="color: black;">Seconds to Midnight</span></em> was released, I'm taking a bit of a break. I have a round of edits to complete for next years book, and I also have a story I want to share. <br />
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In 2007, my second novel, <em>Code Black</em> was released into silence. I was still flying then, and it seemed like the universe was conspiring to repeatedly send me out of the country so I couldn't do much of anything to promote my novel. Duty called, but I clearly remember the frustration as my visions of writing novels seemed to dissolve as I sat helplessly and watched <em>Code Black</em> flounder. I recovered, eventually, but the frustration is still etched in my mind.<br />
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Fast forward to 2017, and a friend of mine, award winning novelist, TJ Turner is currently stationed in Afghanistan. His second novel,<em> Land of Wolves</em>, is being released May 2nd without him present, and my plan is to make some well deserved noise for this book. I first met TJ several years ago in San Diego, at a Veterans Day book event, and he instantly hooked me with a brief synopsis of his debut novel, <em>Lincoln's Bodyguard</em>. I loved his story, and as early as I could, I got an advanced copy of his second book, <em>Land of Wolves</em>, and it's perhaps even better than his first. <em>Land of Wolves</em> has kept me thinking about the story weeks after I finished the last page.<br />
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I'm happy for TJ's success, and I'm hoping he returns home soon so he can tell you his story himself. I've already ordered a hardcover copy for the shelf where my favorites sit, and I urge you to do the same. It's the beginning of what I hope is a long-lived series. Way to go TJ.<br />
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Wherever books are sold.<br />
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Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-52295207704486713212017-03-06T08:17:00.003-08:002017-03-06T08:17:25.126-08:00Backlist Blowout!<div style="text-align: left;">
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To celebrate the release of <em>Seconds to Midnight</em>, my publisher is discounting my entire backlist. From March 7th to March 14th, all six previous books will be priced at $2.99 for the electronic versions. Enjoy, and here they are in the order of publication. Thanks to my readers, I added a few of the highlights the books have encountered along the way. Catch up, and then strap in for Seconds to Midnight, which Suspense Magazine had this to say: “Some of the best reading ever created!"</div>
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"Category Five is a first rate thriller filled with believable characters and lots of inside information! I can't wait for Donlay's next book." -- Vince Flynn, NYT best-selling author<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88Sapb9S_-1L_nxQBAz_l4oE8I-ASYWq4FE89vKvp47U9uhoiHnIuBipU7s8tADDOD6KwFM4t2Pfc0mg5jg71GvHA-MCICUreiOaPxpEOMtwD8Xezg-bRXTQSJ1v6qDMprz6VUQ7E-ok/s1600/Code+Black+3D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88Sapb9S_-1L_nxQBAz_l4oE8I-ASYWq4FE89vKvp47U9uhoiHnIuBipU7s8tADDOD6KwFM4t2Pfc0mg5jg71GvHA-MCICUreiOaPxpEOMtwD8Xezg-bRXTQSJ1v6qDMprz6VUQ7E-ok/s200/Code+Black+3D.jpg" width="162" /></a><br />
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"Code Black--finalist for the Minnesota Book awards."<br />
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"Authors like Philip Donlay, who write the pure thrillers, have capabilities and strength I can only envy." --- William Kent Krueger, NYT best-selling author<br />
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“Philip Donlay’s new thriller, Zero Separation, is a timely and terrifying roller-coaster ride depicting the realities of the post-9/11 world. Deftly plotted and expertly executed by a gifted writer who also happens to be a licensed pilot, Donlay’s story opens with a bang and doesn’t let go.” ―Sheldon Siegel, New York Times best-selling author <br />
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"Finalist for the USA Book awards"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCkJDGkxVeqxjt2CQE1ct7nS_lQhRl5cPNdvm9ZDpS2GKNM7bsIVFnwbRZnrSzrwGbFDJ5r1AvNdV3Z_JG94I2rJRN9Jj2NjbC84mS-NUGDZbCZzz3NaanXzn35cVnTH5CsgsssgJFMw/s1600/Deadly+Echoes+3D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCkJDGkxVeqxjt2CQE1ct7nS_lQhRl5cPNdvm9ZDpS2GKNM7bsIVFnwbRZnrSzrwGbFDJ5r1AvNdV3Z_JG94I2rJRN9Jj2NjbC84mS-NUGDZbCZzz3NaanXzn35cVnTH5CsgsssgJFMw/s1600/Deadly+Echoes+3D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCkJDGkxVeqxjt2CQE1ct7nS_lQhRl5cPNdvm9ZDpS2GKNM7bsIVFnwbRZnrSzrwGbFDJ5r1AvNdV3Z_JG94I2rJRN9Jj2NjbC84mS-NUGDZbCZzz3NaanXzn35cVnTH5CsgsssgJFMw/s200/Deadly+Echoes+3D.jpg" width="162" /></a><br />
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“Like thrillers? Boy, have I got the one for you. Deadly Echoes by Philip Donlay. Do not miss it…Deadly Echoes starts off running and doesn't stop until the last page. It is rather exhausting to read. I think at times I almost forgot to breathe. I repeat. Do not miss this one.” ―Bookloons<br />
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"Finalist for the Nancy Pearl Literary award."<br />
"Finalist for the USA Book awards"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yD2EZKYHvLfdWJlzoZFPkarZGIksr3qP26iMneYVHEUDz6wpptVlRoSfkn_EY0XU6qY_sqW2Pm5fBcv_vrnBNel7ZkWpajgLRx_czB6gGq-Wf3eJfu7Yl9xpfFDL6EkF_f94WA2kH9I/s1600/Aftershock+3D+jpeg+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yD2EZKYHvLfdWJlzoZFPkarZGIksr3qP26iMneYVHEUDz6wpptVlRoSfkn_EY0XU6qY_sqW2Pm5fBcv_vrnBNel7ZkWpajgLRx_czB6gGq-Wf3eJfu7Yl9xpfFDL6EkF_f94WA2kH9I/s200/Aftershock+3D+jpeg+cover.jpg" width="162" /></a>“The action races to a shoot-out on the shores of Lake Atitlán and a desperate flight through a volcanic eruption as Mt. Atitlán rips itself <br />
―Publishers Weekly (<i>Publishers Weekly</i>)<br />
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“The action ping-pongs back and forth as Nash’s rescue and McKenna’s investigation proceed, until events collide as the volcano’s eruption threatens them all. Donlay’s knowledge of flying and Guatemala add authenticity to the story, and he keeps the pace building to a powerful and memorable climax."<br />
―Suspense Magazine (<i>Suspense Magazine</i>)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9UdSAQWFp0n3ycJe4a8rErW6Bh8uNxLJLKGtF_EWn7WMGGhJNI1wks0QLvy2Aimqj4Z0lVRAPMsOGi9joor3YYsOWTKJYP92oIESMHSKgSAQ-y14khAwq8W8jtlzWn5VfUXEkw3wHWw/s1600/Pegasus+Down+3D+2.5.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9UdSAQWFp0n3ycJe4a8rErW6Bh8uNxLJLKGtF_EWn7WMGGhJNI1wks0QLvy2Aimqj4Z0lVRAPMsOGi9joor3YYsOWTKJYP92oIESMHSKgSAQ-y14khAwq8W8jtlzWn5VfUXEkw3wHWw/s200/Pegasus+Down+3D+2.5.png" width="154" /></a><br />
"Finalist for the Nancy Pearl Literary award."<br />
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"Before you crack open<strong><em> Pegasus Down</em></strong><strong><em></em></strong> the new novel by Philip Donlay, you better buckle up: You’re in for a hell of a ride."―Killer Nashville Magazine</div>
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"On par with the best in suspense writing, the story plays out like an edge-of-your-seat movie, complete with danger, explosions, intrigue, betrayal and redemption. The extensive descriptions of aircraft jargon and technology bring a realistic dimension but may slow the story down for some readers. Even so, for anyone who loves action, intrigue and adventure, this one is an absolute must!"―InD'tale</div>
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Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-70077994332294672432016-08-20T12:27:00.001-07:002017-03-06T19:37:12.146-08:00 Seconds to Midnight has been released <br />
Hello all, I finally have something to talk about. I'm very pleased to announce the release of my seventh thriller: Seconds to Midnight. The early reviews have said it perfectly: <br />
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“Some of the best reading ever created!" ---Suspense Magazine <br />
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"Like his previous thrillers, Donlay’s <em>Seconds to Midnight</em> is impossible to put down. The action starts from the first page and doesn’t let go until the very end. The plot is wild and unpredictable and leaves you wondering what would happen next." ---Seattle Book Review<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">“Don’t let them know I’m alive—they’ll kill everyone.” </span></strong></div>
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While on a routine Eco-Watch flight above northern Canada to study one of the most powerful solar flares in history, Donovan Nash and Michael Ross narrowly miss colliding with another aircraft—a Boeing 737 that’s not supposed to be there. With the mysterious 737 trailing smoke, Donovan and Michael watch as the stricken aircraft makes an emergency landing on a frozen lake.<br />
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471719947597_2471">As the Boeing breaks through the ice and begins to sink, a figure escapes into the frigid water and manages to climb up onto the ice. Donovan reaches the lone survivor and discovers it’s a young woman. Just before she blacks out, she whispers a dire warning, “Don’t let them know I’m alive—they’ll kill everyone.” </span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471719947597_2468"> <b><i>Seconds to Midnight</i></b> plunges Donovan Nash and the Eco-Watch team into a fight for their lives. While Donovan searches for answers at the bottom of a frozen lake in Canada, his wife, Lauren, runs from operatives embedded in the top levels of the Russian Government. With communication in the Northern Hemisphere crippled by the massive solar storm, Donovan, Michael, and Lauren battle for each second, as the clock ticks toward a possible Armageddon.</span></div>
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**As always, thanks to my readers, and don't forget my usual warning: I dare you to read this book on a plane. However, if you do, take a picture of you and the book for the website, and you'll be automatically eligible for an advanced copy of the next Donovan Nash thriller. Send photo to <a href="mailto:phil@philipdonlay.com">phil</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">@philipdonlay.com</a></div>
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Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-5749679369927962382016-08-20T12:27:00.000-07:002016-08-20T12:28:12.855-07:00Seconds to Midnight--First LookThe clock is ticking (pardon the play on words) toward the 3-7-17 release of my next Donovan Nash thriller, <strong><em>Seconds to Midnight</em></strong>. The cover art is finished and the actual book begins to come together. This is a very cool time for me as the project moves from idea, to word document, to this visual confirmation that it's going to be an actual hardcover book. Even for the seventh time, it's both exhilarating and deeply gratifying. Enjoy this first look:<br />
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While on a routine Eco-Watch flight above northern Canada to study one of the most powerful solar flares in history, Donovan Nash and Michael Ross narrowly miss colliding with another aircraft—a Boeing 737 that’s not supposed to be there. With the mysterious 737 trailing smoke, Donovan and Michael watch as the stricken aircraft makes an emergency landing on a frozen lake.</div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471719947597_2471">As the Boeing breaks through the ice and begins to sink, a figure escapes into the frigid water and manages to climb up onto the ice. Donovan reaches the lone survivor and discovers it’s a young woman. Just before she blacks out, she whispers a dire warning, “Don’t let them know I’m alive—they’ll kill everyone.” </span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1471719947597_2468"> <b><i>Seconds to Midnight</i></b> plunges Donovan Nash and the Eco-Watch team into a fight for their lives. While Donovan searches for answers at the bottom of a frozen lake in Canada, his wife, Lauren, runs from operatives embedded in the top levels of the Russian Government. With communication in the Northern Hemisphere crippled by the massive solar storm, Donovan, Michael, and Lauren battle for each second, as the clock ticks toward a possible Armageddon</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0yTCHeiHbOeRuowNSm-IL6ga7oDNUCuPPq6qW5eUMXA2uyys_gW_LAjkvJuOtYbeptLAb4l9GnCEGkfy9Srov04tXevC3t_qz-tgOuH_X-SsKV_9EJjwbFWlAKXG41-jgJpJdi3QE-M/s1600/Seconds+To+Midnight+3D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0yTCHeiHbOeRuowNSm-IL6ga7oDNUCuPPq6qW5eUMXA2uyys_gW_LAjkvJuOtYbeptLAb4l9GnCEGkfy9Srov04tXevC3t_qz-tgOuH_X-SsKV_9EJjwbFWlAKXG41-jgJpJdi3QE-M/s1600/Seconds+To+Midnight+3D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-75512033903862773102016-06-28T17:43:00.000-07:002016-06-29T14:15:40.285-07:00You've been warned...<br />
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.99 cent summer beach read madness! <br />
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It's been four months since Pegasus Down was launched, and I'm happy to report that the e-Book title will go on sale for Kindle, Nook, and iTunes platforms, June 30th, through July 7th. Yes, only .99 cents.<br />
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Now when I say beach read, I mean that as a euphemism for any relaxing place you might want to read a novel. In this case however, it does not translate to reading on the plane headed for vacation. Consider it a friendly suggestion. Give the cover a quick glance, what with all that lightning, and the radar scope superimposed over Europe--just know the cool artwork is no accident--it's a preview. Just saying, now enjoy.<br />
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Since Pegasus Down was launched, there have been some of the best reviews ever for a Donovan Nash thriller. Below are some of my favorites:<br />
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“The sixth and latest novel in the simply outstanding
'Donovan Nash' series, "Pegasus Down" is another superbly crafted
action/adventure suspense thriller from the pen of Philip Donlay and once again
confirms him to be a master of the genre.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
--</span>Midwest Book Review</div>
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<o:p> </o:p>“I'm sure that, as I read, at times I forgot to breathe.
Pegasus Down is the thriller of the year.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>–Book Loons<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>“Philip Donlay’s Pegasus Down, the sixth book in his Donovan
Nash series, is an action-packed thrill ride from the opening scene." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>–Forward Reviews </div>
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Have a great summer and read books!</div>
Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-67682045267687835762016-04-25T13:30:00.000-07:002016-04-25T13:30:48.299-07:00Summer to do list:Hello all--<br />
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I just finished the Spring portion of the Pegasus Down book tour, and I want to thank all of the people who made this year the best yet. You're wonderful! Hopefully I'll see everyone again next year. As I start my summer, here are a few pictures that turned up in my travels.<br />
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A photo from the 2016 book tour<br />
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A photo of my very first book signing (2004)<br />
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I wish these things could be planned better, but summer will find me on an operating table in Minneapolis getting various body parts repaired. So while everyone else throws on shorts and heads outside, I'll be muttering bad words and hobbling to physical therapy. <br />
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Two years ago it was my knee. This year it's my shoulder, my right shoulder to be specific. You know, the one I fly fish with, drive my stick shift car with, the one that seems to come in handy for just about everything. So this summer's list now goes something like this:<br />
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Shoulder surgery<br />
Recover <br />
Write a new Donovan Nash Thriller<br />
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Yes, writing will be done this summer. I just finished a round of edits for next years thriller: <em>Seconds to Midnight, (March 7th, 2017) </em>and I must say I'm particularly proud of this one. In true Donovan Nash fashion,<em> STM</em> has the potential to keep the reader up far past their bedtime. Oh, and as usual, I dare you to read it on a plane. <br />
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So, as I convalesce in Montana, sipping a cool beverage (left handed), rest assured I'll be working on the next Donovan Nash thriller. More to follow.<br />
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Everyone have a safe summer, read books!<br />
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<br />Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-82321168792540894962016-03-08T10:04:00.000-08:002016-03-08T10:04:01.083-08:00Some days it's really fun to be a novelist...<h1>
<span style="font-size: small;">Pegasus Down has been out for a week now and many cool things have happened, but this review from Ron Watson with Foreword Reviews, instantly made it to the top shelf of cool. A keen observer of not only what's happening in terms of the story, Mr. Watson also took the trouble of pointing out some of the techniques and style choices I employ so my readers have a positive experience. It's a great review from a first class reviewer, and I wanted to share. </span></h1>
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<span class="primary-logo"><a href="https://www.forewordreviews.com/"><img height="60" src="https://www.forewordreviews.com/logos/foreword-logo-book.svg" width="45" /></a></span> <span class="primary-logo-name"><a href="https://www.forewordreviews.com/" rel="nofollow" tabindex="-1"><img alt="Foreword Reviews" height="42" src="https://www.forewordreviews.com/logos/foreword-logo-name.svg" width="160" /></a></span> <!-- <![endif]--> <nav class="primary-nav primary-nav-desktop" id="primary-nav"> </nav><nav class="primary-nav primary-nav-desktop">Pegasus Down</nav></h1>
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A Donovan Nash Thriller</h2>
<span itemprop="reviewRating" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Rating"><span content="5" itemprop="ratingValue"></span> </span> <img class="review-cover" itemprop="image" src="https://www.forewordreviews.com/books/covers/pegasus-down.w250.jpg" width="250" /> <br />
Reviewed by <a href="https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/reviewers/ron-watson/" itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name"> Ron Watson </span> <span content="https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/reviewers/ron-watson/" itemprop="url"></span> </a> <br /><time content="2016-02-29" datetime="2016-02-29T18:27:01+00:00" itemprop="datePublished" title="Monday, February 29, 2016 at 1:27 pm EST"> February 29, 2016 </time> <br />
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Sharp dialogue and capable protagonists make for a compelling espionage novel.</div>
Philip Donlay’s <em>Pegasus Down</em>, the sixth book in his Donovan Nash series, is an action-packed thrill ride from the opening scene. This enthralling story follows Donovan Nash as he dashes to Eastern Europe to save his wife, the novel’s other point-of-view protagonist, Dr. Laura McKenna.<br />
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The opening scenes present McKenna on a CIA-led extraction in Europe. The clandestine mission is off the books, which escalates the tension and action when her plane crashes. With McKenna’s whereabouts unknown, Nash springs into action for a rescue mission. The full implications of this mission are not known, but eventually Nash learns the seriousness of his wife’s mission: a terrorist group has acquired a stealth aircraft with the ability to deliver a nuclear device.<br />
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The story, which uses alternating points of view from Nash and McKenna for much of the narrative, is no damsel-in-distress tale. McKenna deftly demonstrates this early in the novel. She’s a strong, intuitive, and compelling heroine. She just happens to have a husband who makes a perfect partner in action.<br />
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Nash is written as a dynamic and absorbing yet troubled hero. He has a hidden past that only his inner circle knows, and this creates a conflict that drives our hero and carries great emotional beats throughout the story. While there is the overarching conflict of the rescue mission and its fallout, the story really sets its hooks early with Nash’s emotional turmoil.<br />
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Donlay’s writing is crisp and direct. Every sentence serves its purpose, propelling the plot forward while aptly sharing relevant points from previous Nash adventures. The point-of-view characters offer unique perspectives, which combined make for well-developed one-two narrative punch. Furthermore, Donlay writes sharp, natural dialogue. While it’s peppered with jargon, the dialogue is neither burdensome nor difficult to grasp. Donlay, a pilot himself, layers context to clarify what might otherwise be arduous language.<br />
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Fans who love espionage, action, or thrillers will find great entertainment in this book. Being familiar with previous Donovan Nash novels is not a requirement for enjoying <em>Pegasus Down.</em> Donlay weaves important aspects of previous adventures into this tale, helping it stand alone within the Donovan Nash series.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-84267413511587125062016-02-15T12:19:00.001-08:002016-02-15T12:20:08.554-08:00Coming 3-1-16, Pegasus DownI've always wanted to write a thriller using my travels in Europe as the backdrop. As foreign locations tend to be complicated, I was excited when, two years ago, I finally formed the outline for the story. <br />
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Summer before last, I sat down to start writing the novel that would become Pegasus Down. I wrote, rewrote, cursed, paced, (with a limp, after having knee surgery) Many months later, the book was finally written, and ready to venture out into the world. <br />
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I handed it over to my agent, who worked her magic on the first round of edits, and then we sent it to my publisher. From that point on, only a handful of people read the book. More edits are made, the rough edges smoothed, the cover art created, and the book is scheduled for release. It takes another year, a very long year in my mind, as the first to typically read my finished novel are the reviewers. In the case of Pegasus Down, here's what they've had to say: <br />
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<a href="http://kimberleycameron.blogspot.com/2016/01/booklist-review-of-philip-donlays.html">http://kimberleycameron.blogspot.com/2016/01/booklist-review-of-philip-donlays.html</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1517426883?utm_medium=api&utm_source=custom_widget">https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1517426883?utm_medium=api&utm_source=custom_widget</a><br />
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<a href="http://manhattanbookreview.com/book-reviews/pegasus-donovan-nash-thriller-donovan-nash-thrillers/">http://manhattanbookreview.com/book-reviews/pegasus-donovan-nash-thriller-donovan-nash-thrillers/</a><br />
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I'm pleased, and I hope you will be as well. Spread the word, and know that the next Donovan Nash thriller will come out in March of 2017. I'm halfway home on that one.Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-37392084330110884442015-12-11T12:56:00.001-08:002015-12-11T12:56:10.777-08:00Whew. Fifty and no more counting!Hello all--<br />
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In the mid 1990's, I landed in Anchorage Alaska, and that event marked the 49th state that I'd visited. I only had one more to go--which was Hawaii. I wasn't concerned, I flew jets for a living, and it seems everyone wanted to go to Hawaii, so it would happen, and probably sooner than later. The years passed, and each time I flew over an ocean it was the Atlantic. The total number of countries reached 40, and my state total was still stuck at 49. Then, in 2008, I was forced to quit flying.<br />
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One Monday morning not long ago, I was thinking about my travels, and what was left on my life to-do-list. On impulse, I booked a trip to Maui. I'm here now, writing this from my room overlooking the ocean, and it's pretty cool. I can't do all the things I would have done ten, or fifteen years ago, my skeleton seems most unhappy these days, but it's still an amazing place. Also, the sunset pictured below happens outside my balcony each evening, and coincides perfectly with happy hour. Better late than never, and who knows, maybe Donovan Nash will return to the islands once I leave? <br />
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In other news, I received an email from my publisher informing me that not long ago, Code Black was #55 on Amazon, which makes me a best selling novelist.<br />
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Pegasus Down is officially posted on my website: <a href="http://www.philipdonlay.com/">www.philipdonlay.com</a> and is available for pre-order with most retailers. Order early, it makes everyone in my world happy, especially me. A gift certificate stocking stuffer perhaps?<br />
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I'm also putting together the 2016 book tour, if you have any suggestions let me know--I'll see what I can do.<br />
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Last but not least, I want everyone to have a great holiday season, cherish the people you love, and please, be kind to one another and travel safe. <br />
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Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-43450117273845638522015-11-03T11:03:00.002-08:002015-11-03T11:03:52.223-08:00Category Five--coming to a bookstore near you.<br />
Hello all--<br />
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November is shaping up to be an exciting month! On the 10th, my first novel, Category Five, will once again be back in print. It's an amazing feeling to still have demand for a book that first came out in 2004. A year ago I wrote about the origins of the story, and last spring I went back and read it again for the first time in over ten years. I have to say, it held up well. The foundation for the Donovan Nash series began with solid footing, and still continues today. As always, thank you for being a part of the journey, and please enjoy this book again.<br />
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<em>In the Atlantic Ocean, hurricane Helena is gathering strength, becoming the most powerful storm in recorded history. As Helena bears down on Bermuda, Donovan Nash, along with other members of the scientific research organization Eco-Watch, are called to fly in and extract key government people who have been studying Helena. For Donovan Nash, the routine mission turns deadly when an attempt is made on the life of the lead scientist. A woman from the past, Dr. Lauren McKenna, is suddenly thrust back into his life. With 300 mph winds and waves over 90 feet, Helena marches relentlessly for the vulnerable east coast of the United States. In a bold attempt to diffuse the power of the hurricane, Eco-Watch is called upon to conduct a final flight above the massive fury, where the jet suffers a catastrophic engine failure. Now the only option is to maneuver the crippled airplane into the calm of Helena's eye.</em>Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-40660114930756928552015-09-13T08:26:00.002-07:002015-09-13T08:26:59.147-07:00Pegasus Down and FriendsHello all--I've been working. The edits for Pegasus Down are nearly complete (word on the street is that readers of the Donovan Nash series are really going to like this one) Also, my first two novels, Category Five and Code Black are going to be re-released by Oceanview Publishing. I'm so happy that everything Donovan Nash is now under one roof and will be back in print. Enjoy!<br />
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It's a good day when I get to hold a new book in my own two hands--even if it is a review copy.<br />
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Release date: 3-1-2016 </div>
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Re-release: November 10th, 2015 Re-release: November 24th, 2015</div>
Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-62424474920519242632015-08-12T15:05:00.000-07:002015-08-14T14:45:52.025-07:00Pegasus DownHello all--<br />
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I know, I know, it's been a while, but I was waiting to gather up the news and then really go big!<br />
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Since my last post, I have managed to regain the rights to <strong>Code Black</strong>, the last of my books held by another publisher. The good news is that my current publisher, Oceanview, now own the rights to everything Donovan Nash, and soon, both <strong>Category Five</strong> and <strong>Code Black</strong> will be back in print.<br />
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As usual, I'm now in Montana, working on the next thriller, but I did want to share something that went up for pre-order today. <strong>Pegasus Down</strong>, March 1, 2016.<br />
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<em><strong>A CIA-operated jet on a clandestine mission disappears in Eastern Europe. No mayday, no wreckage, and no known survivors. No way to know if the top-secret extraction of a key American scientist from Slovakia, or his liberator, Dr. Lauren McKenna, code name Pegasus, are dead or alive. </strong></em><br />
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<em><strong>Donovan Nash’s precarious world is rocked when word reaches him that his wife, Lauren, is missing in Eastern Europe. Using his millions, and fueled by the fear of losing his wife, Donovan and company cut a swath through Austria and Hungary. Desperate, Donovan leverages his lifelong secret to enlist an unlikely ally―one of his oldest friends―who may very well want him dead. As Donovan closes in on the truth, another, and more deadly, reality is revealed. A ruthless terrorist group has acquired a stealth aircraft with the ability to deliver a nuclear device. They are poised to strike―but where? What started as a rescue turns into a full-throttle aerial chase. Will Donavan be able to rescue his wife, as well as prevent a nuclear catastrophe?</strong></em><br />
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<strong><em></em></strong><br />Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-87012349043953976792015-05-04T10:02:00.000-07:002015-05-04T10:02:32.135-07:00Book tour 2015. From the road...<br />
Since Aftershock was released, I've been to eight states, signed a bunch of books, did a dozen or so radio shows, and I've lived out of a suitcase for six weeks. I've been sick once (cold or allergies, depending on who you talk to) I've had my poor knee injected, (ouch, by the way) as well as my shoulder injected (not as big an ouch, but still) both were designed to alleviate pain in an effort to keep my body moving. So, all in all, it's safe to say that my skeleton is not all that happy with me at the moment--nor I with it. This morning I received an ultimatum via my aching back. The message was clear. If I quit traveling soon, my body will let me live. So, I'm headed for my refuge in the Pacific Northwest.<br />
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On the plus side, I had the best time ever! I met so many new friends which is always fantastic. But even better, I connected with treasured friends, people I hadn't seen or heard from in decades. Sharing long-forgotten memories with an old friend is truly one of the best feelings ever.<br />
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My body will calm down, the pain and misery I subjected myself to will eventually subside, and what will remain are the memories. Aftershock book release was the best yet, and I thank each and every one of you I met in bookstores, elevators, airports, bars, and restaurants--you're all part of the smile on my face. Thanks so much.<br />
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And to the very special people who met me 35+ years ago, and thought enough of those times to come and say hello in 2015--thank you. You're the best, I love you all, and I'd make this trip all over again if we could hang out some more. Maybe next year?<br />
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Until then, here's a photo from the good-old days: The author, circa 1978. 22 year old copilot on a Cessna Citation<br />
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Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-85178673986192903532015-04-19T09:54:00.000-07:002015-04-20T08:07:37.378-07:00Interview with the author...<div align="LEFT">
Hello all, I was going through my blog today, and I noticed that the most visited posts were the ones where I write about myself--or the writing process. (A process that often times consists of charts, schematics, notes, articles, books, and the ever-present calculator, and of course caffeine) But there is also the mental process, the brainstorming and the outlining. With that in mind, here is an interview about writing Aftershock that I did a while back with David Ivester of Oceanview publishing:</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF, HOW AND WHEN YOU STARTED WRITING. </span></b><br />
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I started writing in High School. An English teacher encouraged me to keep writing and I did. At eighteen I had an article published in a national aviation magazine and while still a teenager, I vowed to write a novel one day. <br />
</span> </span><b><span style="font-size: small;">WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE YOUR NOVEL? <br />
</span><i><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"></span></span></i> </b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"></span></span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><i><b>Aftershock </b></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">became a concept the day I landed a private jet in Guatemala City and could see a venting Volcano from my hotel. It was remarkable. </span></span><br />
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HOW DID YOU USE YOUR LIFE EXPERIENCE OR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND TO ENRICH YOUR STORY? <br />
</span> </b><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">Of course, there’s my aviation background which not only brings the reader inside a jet, but I put them in the cockpit and place their hands on the controls. With all of my travel I’ve typically been to each place I write. I feel like the less you have to invent, the better the story. I also take great pride in how much research I do when I do have to make something up—like the </span></span><i><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">Scimitar</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">. It doesn’t exist, but it could. </span></span><br />
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ANYTHING AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL IN YOUR NOVEL? <br />
</span> </b><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">You bet. I’ve taken little bits of myself and sprinkled them here and there; it’s one of the joys of being the novelist. There’s the love of flying, BMWs and Canadian whisky. The travel, the interesting people, the complex logistics, they all come from my life as a professional pilot. <br />
</span> </span><b><span style="font-size: small;">ARE ANY CHARACTERS BASED ON PEOPLE YOU KNOW? <br />
</span> </b><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">Yes, some know, some don’t. Some think they are but aren’t. It’s great fun and it’s all better left secret. Be forewarned, if you do know me, everything you do or say is fair game for my books. <br />
</span> </span><b><span style="font-size: small;">WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE OR MOST SYMPATHETIC CHARACTER? AND WHY? <br />
</span> </b><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">Donovan Nash is always my favorite, simply because he’s the strongest, yet most damaged character in all of my books. In </span></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">Aftershock</span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">, I loved writing Eva, followed by Montero and Lauren. I think they evolved the most during the telling of the story and it was very gratifying peeling back their layers. </span></span><br />
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WHO IS YOUR LEAST SYMPATHIC CHARACTER? AND WHY? <br />
</span> </b><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">La Serpiente—he was evil simply out of greed. <br />
</span> </span><b><span style="font-size: small;">WHAT PART OF WRITING YOUR BOOK DID YOU FIND THE MOST CHALLENGING? <br />
</span> </b><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">It’s always the logistics. Once that’s settled, it’s then the relationship between Donovan and Lauren. They’ve come a very long way since the opening scene of </span></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">Category Five</span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">, to the epilogue of </span></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">Aftershock</span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">. </span></span><br />
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WHAT DO YOU HOPE THAT READERS WILL TAKE AWAY FROM YOU BOOK? <br />
</b>My mission is always the same—to entertain. In this book I deal with loyalty and truth, as well as love, both past and present. There are life and death situations, sacrifice, and finally questions about revenge, friendship, and courage. All wrapped up in a fast-paced, action-filled story featuring airplanes and volcanoes. Take your pick as to what resonated--but above all, be entertained. <br />
</span> </span><b><span style="font-size: small;">WHAT WRITERS HAVE INSPIRED YOU? <br />
</span> </b><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">Ernest K. Gann, Richard Bach, Wilbur Smith, Martin Caidin, Alistair MacLean, Clive Cussler, Tom Clancy, Vince Flynn, William Kent Krueger, David L. Robbins. The list could go on for a very long time. <br />
</span> </span><b><span style="font-size: small;">WHAT IS THE WRITING PROCESS LIKE FOR YOU? <br />
</span> </b><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">It changes all the time. I used to write in great, inspired chunks, lasting 2-3 days at a time, and then be spent. Now I chip away, writing nearly every day when a book is taking shape. Sometimes it’s easy, other days it feels impossible. In the end, there is a sense of accomplishment that rivals anything I’ve ever experienced. <br />
</span> </span><b><span style="font-size: small;">WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE ABOUT WRITING THAT YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? <br />
</span> </b><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">Stop for the day when you know exactly what the next sentence is going to be. <br />
</span> </span><b><span style="font-size: small;">WHAT IS THE WORST PIECE OF ADVICE ABOUT WRITING THAT YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED? <br />
</span> </b><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">That a writer should write every day, even if you don’t feel like writing. <br />
</span> </span><b><span style="font-size: small;">WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU? ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE PIPELINE? <br />
</span> </b><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">Of course, Donovan and company can’t stay out of trouble for very long. <br />
</span> </span><b><span style="font-size: small;">ANY FINAL WORDS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY ABOUT YOURSELF, YOUR NOVEL, OR LIFE IN GENERAL? <br />
</span> </b><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Calibri; font-size: small;">I want to thank my readers. You’re my biggest joy. You’re the best! </span></span>Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-60538198128276840332015-03-18T08:50:00.000-07:002015-03-18T08:50:10.058-07:00One of my favorite reviews!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Killer Nashville Book of the Day</h2>
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“Aftershock” by Philip Donlay / <span style="line-height: 1.5;">Review by Jonathan Thurston</span></h2>
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Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-80586330763417633252015-03-16T16:23:00.001-07:002015-03-16T16:23:14.823-07:00Behind the scenes in the writing of Aftershock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can remember clearly how much uncertainty I felt when it came time to write Aftershock. Though it was the fifth in my series, the first four had been written over a span of ten years. I wrote when and where I could while I was still working as a professional pilot and traveling the world. This was going to be different. Change had happened, and I didn’t particularly like the concept. I had one summer to write what would hopefully become the next Donovan Nash thriller. In the weeks leading up to my start date, I’d wake up at night worrying, having no real idea how long it actually took me to write a novel. If I did the math on the first four, it averaged two and a half years each (though the first one seemed like it took a lifetime). . Now I had three months. Would I be focused and disciplined, or would I burn out quickly and lay in the hammock all day waiting for happy hour?<div class="style18">
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I eliminated all distractions by renting a cabin on a quiet lake. I took my cellphone, but knew that there was no reception where I was headed. Upon arrival, I set up my desk in the corner of the bedroom. As is my custom, I fussed with my work area, creating order despite the certainty that it would be a complete mess within days. I connected the printer, and wondered if there would ever be anything to print. Once my environment was to my liking, I settled in to write. My daily commute was exactly six steps. I laid out months of research and story notes scribbled on random index cards. At the end of day one, I shut down the computer. I’d written nothing. Eighty-nine days remained. </div>
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The next day I wrote a paragraph or two, my characters and plot in complete chaos as page one finally staggered into existence. Leave it alone and keep going, I reminded myself, and page two followed. Some days it was easy, other days the process felt like a forced march. Around page one-hundred I had a complete collapse of conviction. Something felt off. I panicked, hesitated, wavered like a base runner who realizes he’s going to get thrown out at second and desperately wishes he could go back and start over. I did everything except stop and listen for the answers to my own questions. I’d been at this point before in other books, and knew that the answers I needed were out there somewhere. The question was, did those answers know about my compressed timeline? I glanced apprehensively at the calendar and pressed onward. </div>
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Mentally, I was always grinding on the story. The characters never left; this was full-immersion book writing. I asked myself a barrage of “what if” questions daily, and played out each scenario in my head, sometimes creating more questions than answers. The clock kept ticking. I’d decided long ago to never go back to page one until the entire first draft was written, as that’s the fastest way I know to lose momentum. Eyes forward – editing is for later.</div>
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It was during one of my late night musings that the first glimpse of a completely new idea flashed into my conscious mind, and then bolted off into the ether it came from. I nearly missed the gravity of the fragmented thought, discounting it entirely. Yet the idea lingered. The notion was virtually unthinkable – or was it? I’d never killed an important character before. Don’t get me wrong: killing characters is nothing new to a thriller writer, but I’d never killed a continuing character. Unconscionable, I thought. My characters are real, at least to me, and typically my job is figuring out ways to keep them alive. I couldn’t believe what I was contemplating. </div>
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In the past, I’d had days, or even weeks to make a major plot decision. Writing a book in ninety days eliminates that luxury. I had told people that the blitzkrieg book writing process was good, for it allowed me to be completely absorbed, but this was happening fast – too fast. As I continued to type, I drew closer to the point where a decision would have to be made. I slowed down, and then halted work completely. Keeping a careful eye on the time I had remaining, I contemplated the chaos I was about to unleash. I tried to calculate all of the far-reaching implications for not only Aftershock, but for the books to come. That first whisper of an unthinkable idea had evolved into what I now believed was a better book. I made the decision, and a fresh stack of scribbled notecards accumulated on my desk – the death warrant, if you will. I felt a little sick to my stomach. The next morning the writing resumed. </div>
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Damp-eyed, I made sure I did it right. I finished that one scene and called it a day. I honestly felt like I’d lost one of my close friends. Deep down I knew that I could go back to my desk, sit down, change the scene and move on as if nothing had happened. I would have been wrong had I done that. In books, as in real life, people die, and friends and loved ones feel the tragedy and mourn. The scene stayed. </div>
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It was all a bit of a blur after that, but inside of my deadline, I finally sat back and watched as the rough draft of Aftershock materialized from the printer. It was a messy first draft, but first drafts are supposed to be a bit of a disaster, like a dictionary hit by a tornado. But it was all correctable. In my hands was something I could, and would, make better. Finally, I sat in a comfortable chair, pen in hand, and read Aftershock for the first time. </div>
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Since that first read-through, I’ve gone over the manuscript many times, and although I know what’s coming, I’ve yet to escape the feeling of loss when I get to the part where my friend dies. Writing Aftershock in three months was a completely different experience for me, and I felt the stress and the pressure of the task at hand. Though I wobbled a bit on the home stretch, I never once questioned my actions. In the end, neither did my agent or publisher. The death of the character was the right move for the story, which is really what the craft of writing books asks of the author – I’m glad I’ve learned to listen. </div>
Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-15104796300487088512015-03-03T09:48:00.000-08:002015-03-03T09:48:03.392-08:00Launch Day!I'm excited to announce that Aftershock, my newest novel was launched today. It's the fifth Donovan Nash thriller, and I'm very excited by the early buzz. My tour schedule is on my website: <a href="http://www.philipdonlay.com/">www.philipdonlay.com</a> If I'm coming to your city please stop by and say hello.<br />
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This review made my day. It's from Booklist:<br />
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<strong><em>Donlay continues to deliver high-quality, character-driven thrillers with this latest in his Donovan Nash series. One of Nash’s closest friends, Stephanie VanGelder, is kidnapped in Guatemala. A straightforward rescue goes horribly wrong, leaving Nash with the problem of coming up with an alternate plan. Estranged from his wife and daughter, Nash has another problem: convince his immediate family to let him back into their lives. This personal angle gives the story an emotional core, and a rumbling volcano sets the time clock on suspense and leads to a frantic turning of pages. Donlay is on the verge of breaking out and deservedly so. Readers who pick this fine thriller up will eagerly seek out the previous titles and wait impatiently for the next Nash adventure. --Booklist </em></strong><br />
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Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-35966765444729491052015-02-26T10:47:00.000-08:002015-02-26T10:47:26.409-08:0003-03-15. A New Novel by Philip Donlay: Aftershock <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Volcanic cloud induced lightning--while it's certainly one of the least threatening aspects of being in close proximity to an active Volcano, it clearly demonstrates that Mother Nature spares no expense while whipping up one of the most destructive events on the planet. A force so cataclysmic it can destroy the landscape--or create a completely new one. The last place anyone should be is within a hundred miles of an erupting volcano. <br />
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Donovan Nash is never where he should be: Available Tuesday, March 3rd, 2015<br />
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Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2248624646175979368.post-80561163624011983622015-01-31T12:46:00.001-08:002015-01-31T12:46:49.063-08:00Volcanoes, ash plumes, and airplanes...<div data-textannotation-id="8be2406942c581f68409073e9395240c">
One of the things I get to do when writing a novel is research--the more the better. My latest thriller stars a volcano, though as a pilot, I was already well aware of the dangers of flying through a plume of volcanic ash. Aftershock comes out March 3rd. Spoiler alert...volcanoes always win.<br />
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A little of the science:<br />
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On December 15, 1989, clouds of ash from an eruption at Mt. Redoubt Volcano in Alaska nearly caused a Boeing 747 jetliner (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KLM_Flight_867" sl-processed="1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #417fb9;">KLM Flight 867</span></a>) carrying 231 passengers to <a href="http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs030-97/" sl-processed="1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #417fb9;">crash land</span></a> after losing power to all four engines.<span class="annotation-footnote-wrapper clearfix"></span><span class="annotateButton js_text-annotate text-annotation-button icon icon-plus-circle"></span></div>
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As the crew of KLM Flight 867 struggled to restart the plane's engines, "smoke" and a strong odor of sulfur filled the cockpit and cabin. For five long minutes the powerless 747 jetliner, bound for Anchorage, Alaska, with 231 terrified passengers aboard, fell in silence toward the rugged, snow-covered Talkeetna Mountains (7,000 to 11,000 feet high). All four engines had flamed out when the aircraft inadvertently entered a cloud of ash blown from erupting Redoubt Volcano, 150 miles away. The volcano had begun erupting 10 hours earlier on that morning of December 15, 1989. Only after the crippled jet had dropped from an altitude of 27,900 feet to 13,300 feet (a fall of more than 2 miles) was the crew able to restart all engines and land the plane safely at Anchorage. The plane required $80 million in repairs, including the replacement of all four damaged engines.<span class="annotation-footnote-wrapper clearfix"></span><span class="annotateButton js_text-annotate text-annotation-button icon icon-plus-circle"></span></div>
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<span class="lightBoxWrapper"><span class="img-border lazy-image lazy-gif thawed"><img alt="How Volcanic Ash Can Kill An Airplane" class="lazy-loaded js_annotatable-image cursor-crosshair" data-asset-url="http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--6o7qG1N---/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/18na5p6f6vn5jgif.gif" data-chomp-id="18na5p6f6vn5jgif" data-format="gif" data-mp4-src="http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--LWFz1Htn--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/18na5p6f6vn5jgif.mp4" src="http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--6o7qG1N---/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/18na5p6f6vn5jgif.gif" data-original-src="http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/18na5p6f6vn5jgif.gif" data-webm-src="http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--iCoFDMCv--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_320/18na5p6f6vn5jgif.webm" height="401" style="max-height: 376px;" width="320" /></span><span class="magnifier lightBox"><span class="icon icon-white icon-search-plus"></span></span></span></div>
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How did it happen?<span class="annotation-footnote-wrapper clearfix"></span><span class="annotateButton js_text-annotate text-annotation-button icon icon-plus-circle"></span></h2>
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It's a process that's sort of like Mother Nature's version of <a href="http://jalopnik.com/5327580/video-how-to-disable-a-cash-for-clunkers-car" sl-processed="1" x-inset="1"><span style="color: #417fb9;">a "Cash for Clunkers" engine getting killed</span></a>. Volcanic ash normally contains glassy materials, such as silicates, whose melting points are 600 degrees Celsius to 800 degrees Celsius. Since internal temperature of in-flight jet engine exceed 1000 degrees Celsius, glassy particles in volcanic ash inhaled by the engines instantly melt. In the course of exhaust, the glassy materials are rapidly cooled down in the turbine chamber, stick on the turbine vanes, and disturb the flow of high-pressure combustion gases. This disorder of the flow may stop the entire engine in serious cases — such as KLM Flight 867.<span class="annotation-footnote-wrapper clearfix"></span><span class="annotateButton js_text-annotate text-annotation-button icon icon-plus-circle"></span></div>
Philip Donlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07716249875121300196noreply@blogger.com0