Archive for March 31, 2023

 

 

Book Details:

​Book Title:  FADE TO BLUE by Hank Scheer
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+),  288 pages
Genre: Thriller
Publisher:  Top Reads Publishing
Release date:  Mar 2023
Formats Available for Reviewprint-softback (USA), and ebook (MOBI FILE (FOR KINDLE), EPUB, PDF).
Tour dates: Mar 14 to Apr 3, 2023
Content Rating: ​PG-13 for some bad language


Fade to Blue kicks off with shocking twists and attention-grabbing characters. The ongoing discussions between cat and mouse are tense, especially as the lines between terrorists and anti-terrorists working undercover become blurred. The stakes are high but also personal—Marcel’s monologues, while not likely realistic, are a lot of fun. Filled with vivid characters and a fast moving plot, Scheer has written a winning page-turner.” -BookLife, Editor’s Pick

“Hank Scheer’s debut novel offers readers an engaging medical mystery, after which the plot becomes a swiftly paced thriller. Sarah is a capable and appealing protagonist, and a canny plot twist gives the narrative geopolitical heft and spurs interest in what might happen next.” – Kirkus Reviews

“The secondary cast is vibrant and varied; their personalities are distinctive, and their conversations have a charming effect. Sarah’s combative exchanges with René, a French inspector whose penchant for sarcasm matches hers, add particular color. And the well-described settings further flesh out and ground the otherwise dizzying, swift-moving story. Working toward an open-ended but triumphant conclusion, Fade to Blue is an exciting thriller in which a scientist tries to stay alive after creating a brain-destroying drug that others want.” – Foreword Clarion Reviews

“The strong characters, fast-paced action, and ethical dilemmas create thought-provoking reading suitable for book club discussion, contrasting nicely with other standout medical thriller genre reads.” – Midwest Book Review

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MY REVIEW

Character driven stories are a favorite of mine and I really liked Sarah. I’m also a fan of suspense that builds in intensity and endings that aren’t clear and worry me about the outcome. In Fade To Blue I got all of that.

Sarah thought she was an ethical researcher and person. Not one to break the rules. But she gives in to temptation and that’s where the trouble really begins. The author showed me a clear picture of how this could happen to Sarah. Why she did what she did and thought the ends justified the means. But what comes next is something else entirely. This is where Sarah’s true colors show and she uses that talent for seeking answers to solve her own dilemma. I enjoyed how she thought out different scenarios, sometimes acting too quickly and trying again and again.

The opening scene had quite the hook and the plot rolled out quickly .I had to know how it ended and read the book straight through. A very satisfying ending and I’ll definitely be watching for more books by this author.

4 STARS

 

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Book Description:

Will Dr. Brenalen’s unauthorized experiment lead to a cure for Alzheimer’s, or will it be used for bioterrorism?

Biotech researcher Sarah Brenalen is frustrated by her boss’s dismissal of her controversial theory, so she secretly injects lab mice with experimental Alzheimer’s drugs of her own design. Sarah is stunned when one of her experiments goes horribly wrong. But Marcel and his international cabal are intrigued. Sarah’s brain-destroying T-3 formulation could be just what they need.

Fade to Blue is a high-tech, fast-paced, cat-and-mouse game played for keeps. What Marcel didn’t count on is that two can play this game.

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon ~ B&N
add to goodreads
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Author Guest Post:
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Fade to Blue trims down and gets a new ending

My first version of Fade to Blue featured a 37-year-old man who’s diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. I liked the eighty pages I’d written about him, but realized his saga was a diversion from the main story. I deleted his character altogether (a year’s worth of writing), came up with a new motivation for Dr. Sarah Brenalen to create an Alzheimer’s drug, and finished another version of my novel. It was time to solicit a critique.

I called author/editor Leslie Schwartz and asked her to give Fade to Blue a read. She agreed. I printed out the 327 pages, sent them to her, and waited with bated breath.

Leslie called me two weeks later.

“Did you like it?” I asked.

“When I finished reading it, I was so mad I threw the entire manuscript against a wall,” she replied.

I took that as a “no.”

“Sarah dies halfway through the book! And it has a dystopian ending. You can’t do that. She has to survive and beat the bastards.”

“Thrillers don’t require a happy ending,” I countered.
We debated for twenty minutes, neither of us budging an inch.

Just before ending the call, Leslie said, “I don’t understand why you hate Sarah.”

I was incredulous. “What are you talking about? I really like Sarah.”

“Then why do you want her to die?”

Her question shook me. I had no answer, and realized I didn’t want Sarah to die. “But . . . for her to survive and beat Marcel, I’ll have to rewrite a hundred and fifty pages of the book.”

“Yes!” she exclaimed. “Do it!”

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Meet Author Hank Scheer:

Hank Scheer’s writing journey began during a work break when a coworker said, “Hey, let’s write a short story.” They were working for a steel mill in Pittsburg, California, so brainstorming ideas became a fun way to pass the time.

At one point the following week, after the manufacturing process caused a computer to crash, Hank had his idea: an evil scientist creates a drug that destroys a person’s brain.

Now it was a simple matter of plotting the story and writing it. Fade to Blue is the result of three trips to Paris, France, and long weekends spent driving around the San Francisco Bay area.

It doesn’t involve steelmaking, but the science is just as real and the potential for trouble exponentially more terrifying.

Hank is now retired and lives in Martinez, California. He enjoys writing and recording music, world travel, biking, downhill skiing, and supporting other working people fighting for a better world.

connect with the author: website goodreads

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FADE TO BLUE by Hank Scheer Book Tour Giveaway

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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I am so excited that PIERCING THE VEIL by Steven A. Guglich is available now and that I get to share the news!

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If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book, be sure to check out all the details below.

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This blitz also includes a giveaway for a finished copy of the book courtesy of Steven & Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, check out the giveaway info below.

 

 

 

PIERCING THE VEIL (The Veil Saga #1)

 by Steven A. Guglich

 

 

Pub. Date: March 31, 2023

Publisher: Your Wildest Dreams Publishing LLC

Formats: Paperback, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 614

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Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/Steven-A-Guglich

 

They say that legends are born, not made.

But for Jeremy Goodson and Masaru
Hagen that is far from the truth. Confronted by something that neither of them
can explain, two complete strangers from opposite sides of the world embark on
an unforgettable journey that will forge them into living legends.

It has been almost 4,000 years since
magic disappeared from the Earth. Hidden from humanity by the Veil, those who
possess magic live in ancient settlements across the globe. Over the centuries,
these beings have pierced the Veil, leaving behind glimpses and shadows of the
fantastic and arcane. Fueled by distant memories and humanity’s desire for
wonder, familiar stories of myths and legends have been passed down for
thousands of years in nearly every culture and nation.

Jeremy Goodson, an average, overweight teacher in New York City finds his entire world turned upside down when a stranger tempts him to leave everything behind and start a journey that
will test Jeremy’s mysterious gift and bring magic and hope back to humanity.

Masaru Hagen, the adopted son of American tech entrepreneurs living in Tokyo, has been guided by an unseen voice all his life. On the eve of his twentieth birthday, the voice leads him across
thousands of miles, on a mysterious and perilous mission he alone can undertake.

But there are principalities of this world that will do whatever they can to stop Jeremy and Masaru and keep magic

out of the hands of humanity forever.

One of these men will bring hope to the world; the other will bring death. The world they once knew will be changed forever, not only for themselves, but for everyone on Earth…and maybe not for
the best.

 

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Excerpt:

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Part 1

Chapter 1

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An Exceptionally Ordinary Man

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“To most, he was under-ordinary; a man of little consequence
to his people.”

~ From The Second Gift Giver Chronicles compiled by Erwin
Albowyn, a Chronicler

of the Master Construct, Second Order, an alfargnym of
Unterbaum

 

Present Day

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On a warm early summer’s day on the bustling streets of New
York City, people avoided one another with the skill that only New Yorkers
possess. Among the hustle and bustle, one unmoving figure kept watch over a seemingly
ordinary human.

Mercurio stood on the sidewalk, busy humans rushing around
him. Most of them towered above him, but he was used to that. In some cases, if
he wanted to blend in without using his cloak, he could hide among human
children. But not today. Today he needed to be unnoticed. The elf stood silent
and observing, an unseen watcher hidden in a shroud of magic; the familiar
energy of his Veil Cloak surged over his body. The surrounding magic united
with his aura and weaved the light around him, making the armor-clad elf
invisible to the humans that passed him by. They were completely unaware of his
presence, yet they avoided contact with him as if they knew he was there. The
cloak’s secondary enchantment acted as a deflector, repelling the

humans at a subconscious level, causing them to move around
him like a river flowing around a large rock.

With humans darting all around him, the elf’s eyes focused on
his target; a young male sitting on a bench, reading a book. He’d observed this
human for weeks and was convinced that this one was indeed worthy of the
calling.

This ordinary, plump twenty-eight-year-old man appeared
average by most human standards. Perhaps even below average. Jeremy Goodson
wore eyeglasses. His round cheeks and belly indicated he ate more than he should.
The mustard stain on his blue collared shirt confirmed that conclusion. His
brown khaki pants were wrinkled. Was this because he didn’t make and care for
his own clothing? He did live alone.

Curious.

 

About Steven A. Guglich:

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Steven A. Guglich grew up in New York City. He lives in
Williston, North Dakota with his wife, his four children, and his collection of
books. He is an Elementary School Principal and is the 2020 North Dakota
Principal of the Year.

In 2022, he and his wife launched Your Wildest Dreams
Publishing, LLC to fulfil a dream born in the imagination of Steven’s Dad,
Stanley and to publish Steven’s books.

For more information on Steven’s books, please visit Steven’s
website.
 

Subscribe to Steven’s newsletter!

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon

 

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.