How readers have helped shape my books

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.            

              

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.

 

Speed the Dawn launch day!

Hello all--

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. 



Bestselling author Philip Donlay discussed his latest thriller, SPEED THE DAWN, with The Big Thrill and this is what he had to say:

What do you hope readers will take away from this book?
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.

How does this book make a contribution to the genre?
Education through adventure.

Was there anything new you discovered, or that surprised you, as you wrote this book?
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.

No spoilers, but what can you tell us about your book that we won’t find in the jacket copy or the PR material?
Though the story only covers less than a day, there’s a deeper and more personal arc for most of the main characters.

What authors or books have influenced your career as a writer, and why?
I have a section on my website about this exact question:

Hardy Boys, 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.

When the Lion Feeds, 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.

Illusions, 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.
Raise the Titanic, 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.

Hostage to Fortune, 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. Hostage to Fortune 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.

Amazon is shipping books!!

Hello all--

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:

“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.” ―Foreword Reviews

“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.” ―InD’Tale Magazine

“Powerful, unrelenting action drives Donlay’s eighth adventure novel… few thriller fans will be able to resist the breakneck pace.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Nonstop action with a scientific base from the reliably readable Donlay.” ―Booklist

“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.” ―Suspense Magazine

 

 

 



Book Giveaway!

Hello all--


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 chance to read this book a month before anyone else.

To enter this drawing, type book giveaway in the subject line, and email: phil@philipdonlay.com
All entries must be recieved by January 31st. Winners will be contacted on February 1st.

 

On your mark, get set...

Hello Readers--

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!

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.

 

“Powerful, unrelenting action drives Donlay’s eighth adventure novel… few thriller fans will be able to resist the breakneck pace.”—Publishers Weekly

“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.” —Foreword Reviews

 “This action-packed narrative will keep the reader on the edge of their seat, turning page after page, the tension palpable.  Thriller fans will be delighted.”  –InD’Tale Magazine

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.  phil@philipdonlay.com    

 

 

   

 

Summer Book Deal!

Hello All--


For the entire month of June, both Category Five, and Pegasus Down, 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.

In other news, Speed the Dawn 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.

Best-selling author Philip Donlay climbs to a new height of terror in his 8th Donovan Nash thriller.

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.

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.
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.

TJ Turner and Abraham Lincoln

Hello all--

After a very hectic six weeks since Seconds to Midnight 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. 

In 2007, my second novel, Code Black 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 Code Black flounder.  I recovered, eventually, but the frustration is still etched in my mind.

Fast forward to 2017, and a friend of mine, award winning novelist, TJ Turner is currently stationed in Afghanistan. His second novel, Land of Wolves, 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, Lincoln's Bodyguard.   I loved his story, and as early as I could, I got an advanced copy of his second book, Land of Wolves, and it's perhaps even better than his first.  Land of Wolves has kept me thinking about the story weeks after I finished the last page.

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.



Wherever books are sold.

Backlist Blowout!

 

To celebrate the release of Seconds to Midnight, 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!"

                                                   

 

 

 

"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







"Code Black--finalist for the Minnesota Book awards."

"Authors like Philip Donlay, who write the pure thrillers, have capabilities and strength I can only envy." --- William Kent Krueger, NYT best-selling author

“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

"Finalist for the USA Book awards"






 “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


"Finalist for the Nancy Pearl Literary award."
"Finalist for the USA Book awards"



“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
                                   ―Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly)

“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."
                                   ―Suspense Magazine (Suspense Magazine)


"Finalist for the Nancy Pearl Literary award."

"Before you crack open Pegasus Down  the new novel by Philip           Donlay, you better buckle up: You’re in for a hell of a ride."―Killer Nashville Magazine

"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

 

Seconds to Midnight has been released

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:

“Some of the best reading ever created!"   ---Suspense Magazine


"Like his previous thrillers, Donlay’s Seconds to Midnight 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

“Don’t let them know I’m alive—they’ll kill everyone.”

 

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.

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.”

 Seconds to Midnight 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.

 

**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 phil@philipdonlay.com

 

Seconds to Midnight--First Look

The clock is ticking (pardon the play on words) toward the 3-7-17 release of my next Donovan Nash thriller, Seconds to Midnight.  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:

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.

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.”

 Seconds to Midnight 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

 

You've been warned...

.99 cent summer beach read madness!

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.

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.

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:

 

“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.”  --Midwest Book Review

 “I'm sure that, as I read, at times I forgot to breathe. Pegasus Down is the thriller of the year.”  –Book Loons

 “Philip Donlay’s Pegasus Down, the sixth book in his Donovan Nash series, is an action-packed thrill ride from the opening scene."  –Forward Reviews

 

Have a great summer and read books!

Summer to do list:

Hello all--

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.

A photo from the 2016 book tour

 A photo of my very first book signing (2004)

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.  

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:

Shoulder surgery
Recover
Write a new Donovan Nash Thriller

Yes, writing will be done this summer.   I just finished a round of edits for next years thriller: Seconds to Midnight, (March 7th, 2017) and I must say I'm particularly proud of this one.  In true Donovan Nash fashion, STM 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. 

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.

Everyone have a safe summer, read books!

Some days it's really fun to be a novelist...

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. 

 

      

Pegasus Down

A Donovan Nash Thriller

Reviewed by Ron Watson
February 29, 2016

 

Sharp dialogue and capable protagonists make for a compelling espionage novel.

Philip Donlay’s Pegasus Down, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Pegasus Down. Donlay weaves important aspects of previous adventures into this tale, helping it stand alone within the Donovan Nash series.

Coming 3-1-16, Pegasus Down

I'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.  

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. 

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:   



    http://kimberleycameron.blogspot.com/2016/01/booklist-review-of-philip-donlays.html


    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1517426883?utm_medium=api&utm_source=custom_widget


     http://manhattanbookreview.com/book-reviews/pegasus-donovan-nash-thriller-donovan-nash-thrillers/

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.

Whew. Fifty and no more counting!

Hello all--

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.

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?   

 


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.

Pegasus Down is officially posted on my website:  www.philipdonlay.com 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?

I'm also putting together the 2016 book tour, if you have any suggestions let me know--I'll see what I can do.

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. 




  

Category Five--coming to a bookstore near you.

Hello all--

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.

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.

Pegasus Down and Friends

Hello 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!

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.

Release date:  3-1-2016 

Re-release:  November 10th, 2015                                                  Re-release:  November 24th, 2015

Pegasus Down

Hello all--

I know, I know, it's been a while, but I was waiting to gather up the news and then really go big!

Since my last post, I have managed to regain the rights to Code Black, 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 Category Five and Code Black will be back in print.


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.  Pegasus Down, March 1, 2016.


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. 

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?

Book tour 2015. From the road...

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.

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.

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.

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?

Until then, here's a photo from the good-old days:  The author, circa 1978.  22 year old copilot on a Cessna Citation

   

Interview with the author...

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:

 

 

 

 

 

 

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF, HOW AND WHEN YOU STARTED WRITING.



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.
 WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE YOUR NOVEL?
 Aftershock 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.



HOW DID YOU USE YOUR LIFE EXPERIENCE OR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND TO ENRICH YOUR STORY?
 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 Scimitar. It doesn’t exist, but it could.



ANYTHING AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL IN YOUR NOVEL?
 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.
 ARE ANY CHARACTERS BASED ON PEOPLE YOU KNOW?
 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.
 WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE OR MOST SYMPATHETIC CHARACTER? AND WHY?
 Donovan Nash is always my favorite, simply because he’s the strongest, yet most damaged character in all of my books. In Aftershock, 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.



WHO IS YOUR LEAST SYMPATHIC CHARACTER? AND WHY?
 La Serpiente—he was evil simply out of greed.
 WHAT PART OF WRITING YOUR BOOK DID YOU FIND THE MOST CHALLENGING?
 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 Category Five, to the epilogue of Aftershock.




WHAT DO YOU HOPE THAT READERS WILL TAKE AWAY FROM YOU BOOK?
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.
 WHAT WRITERS HAVE INSPIRED YOU?
 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.
 WHAT IS THE WRITING PROCESS LIKE FOR YOU?
 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.
 WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE ABOUT WRITING THAT YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
 Stop for the day when you know exactly what the next sentence is going to be.
 WHAT IS THE WORST PIECE OF ADVICE ABOUT WRITING THAT YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
 That a writer should write every day, even if you don’t feel like writing.
 WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU? ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE PIPELINE?
 Of course, Donovan and company can’t stay out of trouble for very long.
 ANY FINAL WORDS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY ABOUT YOURSELF, YOUR NOVEL, OR LIFE IN GENERAL?
 I want to thank my readers. You’re my biggest joy. You’re the best!