Payoff to The Review Chase

In my last blog, I wrote about the chase after reviews, in particular one for my final post Cold War political thriller, Overture to Disaster. I talked about using Story Cartel to go after reviews. Well, it paid off. The first review, which just showed up on Amazon, is a doozy. It was written by Charles A. Ray and is quoted here in full:

Overture to Disaster by Chester D. Campbell is a post-Cold War political thriller that, in light of current events in Ukraine and other parts of the former Soviet Union, reads as if it could have been taken from the headlines or the lead story on CNN. I received a free copy for review, and found myself immersed in a story that rivals the best Tom Clancy novel.

This novel has everything – rogue former KGB agents who are determined to bring the U.S. to its knees through the use of stolen nerve gas with the help of the Peruvian terrorist group, Shining Path; senior U.S. officials who put profit and position before honor; and a few daring individuals, Russian and American, who are willing to put their lives on the lines to preserve peace and order.

Campbell’s knowledge of weaponry, tactics, and bureaucratic and political doings is first-rate, and he weaves it all together with characters that, while true to life, seem larger than life. The suspense is drum-tight, and the odds are astronomical, as a wrongly cashiered Air Force special operations pilot and a dedicated Russian criminal investigator race against time to prevent what could tip the world into a catastrophic confrontation with no winners.

Don’t even think about reading this book unless you have several hours to devote to it, because once you start reading, it’ll suck you into a world of betrayal and intrigue, and not let you go until the end.

I reserve five-star reviews for only the best of books, but if I could, I’d give Overture to Disaster six. Don’t let this one pass you by.

( End of Review)

An almost 6-star review. Can you top that? Check it out on Amazon HERE.

The Role of Storyteller

In my role as a fiction writer, I consider myself primarily a storyteller. I have listened to some great oral storytellers over the years who could keep you entranced as they spun a tale. I am not glib of tongue and rarely give more than the essential details when telling someone about an incident I've been involved in. But when seated at a keyboard, I do my best to create stories with depth that entertain readers. My intent is not to espouse opinions or champion particular causes, as do writers of what is popularly called literary fiction.

Having said that, I do occasionally find my characters discussing matters of a more philosophical nature. When I'm caught doing this, I usually go back and read the passage with a feeling that authors sometimes experience when reading a passage they haven't looked at in years: Did I write that?

I encountered one of these "aha" moments when reading a review of my first post Cold War political thriller, Beware the Jabberwock. The review was written by Lee Boyland for Military Writers Society of America. Here is the passage he mentioned (quoting from the book):

Ex-FBI Agent Burke Hill comments regarding his initial  reluctance to get involved in a counter-espionage operation:

"I got all hung up on legalities and ethicalities. I finally accepted Cam Quinn's version of reality, that you can't fight unconventional wars with conventional means. I guess the important thing is to be honest with yourself and not compromise on your search for justice."

The answer to his dilemma is given by CIA Director Marshall, who winds up with:

"To achieve justice, which, as you indicate, is our ultimate goal, we must introduce another concept called equity. If the outcome of the action is equitable, then justice has been served."

Although I make no effort to espouse a particular point of view, I'll have to admit that some of my characters reflect my own feelings. But others may express diametrically opposite sensibilities. As I indicated earlier, I try not to get too philosophical. I don't write with a message in mind. I write with a good story to tell.

I hope you enjoy them. I'll have a tenth to add to the list shortly. Stay turned.

THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP

Welcome! What is a blog hop? Basically, it’s a way that readers can discover new authors, because with bookstores closing and publishers not promoting new authors as much, we need to find a way to introduce readers to authors they may not see in their local bookstore.

Here you have the chance to find many new authors. You’ll get information about me, what I’m working on now, and THE POKSU CONSPIRACY, the second book in my new thriller series, of which reviewer John R. Lindermuth wrote, “Campbell's tale is well-drawn with richly defined characters, enough action to satisfy even the most jaded of readers and an absorbing plot. Highly recommended.” Also see links below to other authors you might like to check out.

I’d like to thank fellow author Jaden Terrell for tagging me to participate. Click the link below to find out about Jaden’s latest book, A CUP FULL OF MIDNIGHT. 

http://killerconversation.wordpress.com/2012/12/27/the-next-big-thing-blog-hop

In this particular hop, I and my fellow authors listed below, in their respective blogs, will answer ten questions where you get to learn about our current book and work in progress as well as some insights into our process, from characters and inspirations to plotting and other decisions. I hope you enjoy it!

Leave a comment and share your thoughts and questions.

1: What is the title of your book?

My newest book is THE POKSU CONSPIRACY, second in my Post Cold War political thriller trilogy. I'm currently finishing work on the third, OVERTURE TO DISASTER.

2: Where did the idea come from for the book?

I was stationed in Seoul during the Korean War and returned for a visit in 1987 with my younger son and his Korean wife. At the time, South Korea was led by a succession of army generals. I thought about what might happen if the leadership decided to dismiss American heavy-handed guidance and pursue a nuclear arsenal in secret?

3: What genre does your book come under?

I call it a Political Thriller.

4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I've seen few movies in recent years, but I'd say Mel Gibson or George Clooney would make a good Burke Hill. Keanu Reeves would probably work for Korean Detective Yun Yu-sop. That's as far as I can go.

5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Close calls and deadly confrontations stalk Burke Hill, clandestine director for a Washington PR firm that's a CIA spinoff, as he seeks to find the truth about a secret agreement for Israel to help South Korea develop nuclear weapons.

6: Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?

Published by Night Shadows Press, a small independent, the book is currently available only in ebook format for the Kindle.

7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

The manuscript was written originally in 1991 and, with all the research I did, took nearly a year to finish.

8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Tim Hallinan called it in the territory of Ludlum and Trevanian, but with more character development.

9: Who or what inspired you to write this book?

At the end of the first book in the trilogy, BEWARE THE JABBERWOCK, I hinted that my protagonist, Burke Hill, was going to hear more from the Director of Central Intelligence. I decided to have him join Worldwide Communications Consultants, a CIA spinoff, a legitimate PR firm with a black operations side. Since I had spent time in the Far East in recent years, Korea seemed a good place to set my story.

10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

The other main character besides Burke Hill is Capt. Yun Yu-sop, a homicide detective with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Bureau. Much of the story is told from his point of view, making it partly a Korean police procedural. During my research, I corresponded with an official of the American Embassy in Seoul, who supplied me with a great deal of information on police organization and procedures.

Below are authors who will be joining me by blog next Wednesday, with a little information about their writing. Be sure to bookmark and add them to your calendars for updates on WIPs and New Releases! Happy Writing and Reading!

1. Pat Browning is the author of ABSINTHE OF MALICE, a Penny Mackenzie Mystery. Robert Fate, author of the Baby Shark series, wrote: "Penny Mackenzie is marvelous. I want more of her. As the clever, reluctant, self-effacing heroine of Pat Browning’s fast paced and engrossing tale of murder and love in a small town, she is unforgettable."

2. Susan Santangelo is the author of MARRIAGE CAN BE MURDER and two other Baby Boomer Mysteries. "Susan Santangelo may be the next Jessica Fletcher, the mystery writer and amateur detective portrayed by Angela Lansbury in the award-winning television series, Murder She Wrote. Susan's found a niche in the mystery-writing genre that just might find its way to the television screen." Shoreline Times

3. Easrl Staggs is the author of MEMORY OF A MURDER and SHORT STORIES OF EARL STAGGS. Of MEMORY OF A MURDER, Midwest Book Review wrote: "The plot is engaging, the action nonstop, and the ending quietly satisfying."