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