A Chernobyl-type nuclear disaster, murders disguised as suicides, corruption, nanotechnology, political conspiracy, and more abound in Canadian author Lawrence Uhlin’s debut novel, Machiavelli’s Desert. Canada’s sovereignty is challenged to the brink in a thriller that takes the reader from Ottawa to Washington D.C. and from the Grand Caymans to Kamloops, British Columbia.

The horrific meltdown-explosion of a nuclear power reactor opens up the story in a small pacific Island called Arnivan. I was immediately hooked by the author’s attention to detail in describing the disaster. The island’s population is devastated and the environment polluted. The facility is a CANDU reactor designed, built, and installed by Canada.

Scientist Dr. Claire Frenette is found dead shortly after revealing to a rookie politician how she believes the reactor meltdown is the result of government financial cutbacks to scientific programs. Will Headley is a government staffer with a gambling problem. A mysterious Russian-sounding man known as Renakes has a solution to Headley’s dept predicament. Daley Whitman is a blue collar criminal sprung from jail for a promise of a favour to Canada Corrections. An ailing veteran senator is Whitman’s chosen confidant in his dilemma. CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) Intelligence Officer, Mari Volser, at the senator’s request, investigates Whitman and later Dr. Frenette. Meanwhile the World Court is poised to charge Canada for crimes against humanity for the Arnivan catastrophe. Reparations to the island nation will certainly bankrupt Canada. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nicholas Plato is charged with keeping Canada afloat in its most desperate hour. Plato has been offered a chance to purchase advanced computer technology that could be the key to Canada’s financial stability, or plunge the government into a scandal the likes of which the country has never before experienced. In the meantime, the Americans are poised to pick up the pieces and push forward their desires for Canada’s vast natural resources.

I found Machiavelli’s Desert to be one of the most dialogue heavy books I have ever read. Although the dialogue is authentic, many of the conversations continue for several pages and some for full chapters. I found myself craving a car chase, love scene, or fist fight to break up the constant conversation. Uhlin has created several fascinating point-of-view characters and he uses each effectively to tell his story; but none is a clear cut protagonist in whom we can become truly invested.

Uhlin shows his considerable knowledge of Canadian politics and culture. He questions international policies, morals, and values and he examines how doing the obvious wrong thing can benefit the greater good. The characters are interesting and well drawn with vivid descriptions. Uhlin has infused enough suspense while pacing the story in a way that keeps us guessing, without giving away too much, as he sets up a whopper of a twist at the end. Machiavelli’s Desert is an entertaining, quick read with a wonderful opening and a satisfying conclusion and is recommended to readers who enjoy political espionage thrillers.

Libros Libertad (February 17, 2010)
978-1926763019
reviewed by William Potter for Reader’s Choice Reviews

http:machiavellisdesert.ca

RealTime Publishing author, James R Vance, releases the first of a Thriller Novel series called Killer Butterfly.

Limerick, Ireland, May 27, 2009 — RealTime Publishing Announces Killer Butterfly, the First Book of a Highly-Anticipated Thriller Trilogy from British Author James R. Vance.

RealTime Publishing, Inc. has published Killer Butterfly by James R. Vance, which is the author’s most recent book to date. The 6 x 9 Paperback in the Thriller/Mystery/Crime category is available worldwide on book retailer websites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble, Borders for a suggested retail price of $16.95. Killer Butterfly is also available in multiple eBook formats from all the main online retail stores for $10.95.

The webpage at www.theebooksale.com/zen-cart was launched simultaneously with the book’s publication.

About the Book (Excerpts & Info):
“One day, my dear, one day you will be famous. Everyone will know your name. I feel it. I feel it now…a very strong sensation.”
She suddenly relaxed her grip, casting Petra’s hands away from her. The old woman grasped the arms of her chair and moaned once again, swaying back and forth. Abruptly she stopped and leaned towards the crystal ball. Her hands stroked the spherical contours of the glass without touching it. Bending her shoulders forwards, she peered intently at the ball. Petra tingled with anticipation.
“Your life is like a book. It has a beginning, middle, and an end. There will be many, many men in your life, but only three of any importance. Each will influence one of the stages of your life. One of these men will be good for you, one you should be extremely wary of, the other one–” (Chapter 1, page 13)

This is a Crime thriller that centers around Petra, a teenage rebel who sets out to fulfil her destiny of fame and fortune. As she searches in vain for her prophesised fame she becomes the victim of the evil face of humanity. Vicious assaults, sadistic serial killings and a bizarre twist of fate combine to create this powerful Mystery Thriller.
Vance’s obvious passion for the thriller genre is apparent through his succinct and descriptive writing that has the readers as involved in the story as the characters. He takes a risk letting the reader in on the antagonist’s point of view, but he balances it with logical questions, answers, and assumptions the protagonist uses while working to solve the case. He balances dialogue with narrative without wasting a word.

Deftly constructed at 280 pages, Killer Butterfly is being aggressively promoted to appropriate markets with a focus on the Thriller/Mystery/Crime category. With Global wholesale distribution through Ingram, Barnes & Noble, Baker & Taylor, Books a Million and Borders, and pervasive online availability through RealTime Publishing’s online store TheEbookSale, Amazon and elsewhere, Killer Butterfly meets consumer demand through both retail and library markets with a suggested retail price of $16.95 and $10.95, respectively.

Additionally, Killer Butterfly can be ordered by retailers or wholesalers from the RealTime wholesale department by emailing [email protected] To qualify for the maximum trade discount price set by the author, order in quantities of ten or more.
ISBN: 9781906806767 Format: 6 x 9 Paperback SRP: $16.95
ISBN: 9781906806743 Format: multi-format eBook SRP: $10.95

For more information or to contact the author, visit the RealTime Publishing homepage.

About the Author:
Author James R. Vance lives in southwest France. He wrote his first crime fiction novel, The Courier, drawing inspiration from his knowledge of London and northern France for the storyline. His second novel, Killer Butterfly, features the same two detectives. His third novel in the series, Animal Instinct, will be completed in 2009.

About RealTime Publishing, Inc.:
RealTime Publishing offers custom book publishing services for authors seeking a cost-effective, fast, and flexible way to publish and distribute their books while retaining all their rights and full creative control. Available globally at www.realtimepublishings.com and located in Limerick, Ireland, RealTime Publishing, Inc. represents the future of book publishing, today.

Contact:
Richie O’Brien
RealTime Publishing, Inc
Ballycummin Village, Raheen
Limerick, Ireland
0035-387-786-8066
[email protected]

http://www.realtimepublishings.com

Unadulterated greed created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, according to the author of Heart of Diamonds, a novel about the Congo.

West Harrison, NY, September 02, 2008 — Unadulterated greed created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, according to the author of Heart of Diamonds, a newly-released novel about the endless violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Author Dave Donelson says his fictional treatment of the Congo’s ongoing strife points to lust for the nation’s riches as the cause of over five million deaths since 1998.

“We shouldn’t even pretend that conflicting ideologies or ethnic rivalries are the causes of this crisis,” Donelson says. “Those are nothing more than convenient excuses for the looting and pillaging that threatens to destroy the DRC.”

In his novel, Donelson uses a diamond smuggling scheme to represent the fight for control of the DRC’s gold, timber, uranium, copper, coltan, and other natural resources. An intricate plot involving an American televangelist, the President of the DRC, and the White House reflects the convoluted relationships of the factions involved in the struggle. His heroine, Valerie Grey, is a TV journalist who uncovers the scheme and fights to expose it to the world.

Donelson believes that ethnic conflicts like those between the Tsutis and Hutus that spilled over from Rwanda and between the Hema and Lindu are fronts for war lords looking to control territory in the DRC where they can exploit natural resources. Many of those militias receive support—sometimes openly—from governments or rebel factions in neighboring countries.

“Heart of Diamonds is a work of fiction,” Donelson avers, “But it is based on actual events in the most deadly conflict since World War II.” The author says he drew heavily on news accounts of rape as a weapon of terror, child soldiers, widespread corruption at all levels of government, and the very sad plight of the hundreds of thousands of refugees from the violence that continues to wrack the nation.

Donelson is a freelance writer and photographer. Heart of Diamonds is his third book, but the West Harrison, NY, author’s first foray into the thriller genre. “I wanted to write something that captures the vibrancy and complexity of Africa, and a suspenseful adventure framed against the endless war in the DRC seemed like the perfect approach,” he says.

“Since I started writing the book, there have been glimmers of hope in the situation,” he points out. “But violence continues and hundreds of thousands of people are still suffering as refugees. Peace and prosperity are still a long way away.” He adds, “I hope Heart of Diamonds will help draw attention to the crisis.”

Heart of Diamonds was published by Kunati Books, named Independent Publisher of the Year at the 2008 Book Expo America.
Press release Submission by PressReleasePoint

Contact:

Dave Donelson
Heart of Diamonds
44 Park Lane
West Harrison, NY 10604
914-949-7483
[email protected]
http://www.heartofdiamonds.com