Steve Urszenyi's Blog

Into the Heart of Africa: Part 2

The monkey should have been our first warning that we weren’t in Kansas (or Toronto) anymore.

Picture this: You’re sitting in an elegant dining room at the Arusha Serena Hotel, sipping coffee and contemplating the day ahead, when a vervet monkey casually strolls through the open doors, hops onto the breakfast buffet, grabs a banana, and sits down on the arm of an upholstered chair to enjoy his morning meal. An employee chased him away, but not before we all got the message: Welcome to Africa.

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That moment of delightful chaos was our official introduction to a continent where the rules are different, where wildlife doesn’t just exist in distant preserves but walks right into your world when you least expect it. It was the perfect prelude to what awaited us in Tarangire National Park.

📚✨ Pre-order Blood Oath today and secure your copy! ✨📚

🇺🇸 Amazon US: Order on Amazon US
🇨🇦 Amazon Canada: Order on Amazon Canada
📖 Indigo Books: Order on Indigo Books
🏢 Barnes & Noble: Order on Barnes & Noble
📚 Novel Spot (Local Indie): Order at Novel Spot

💪 Why pre-order matters: Your pre-order helps boost the book’s visibility, supports independent bookstores, and ensures you get your copy on release day - November 18th!

👥 Help spread the word! Share this with fellow thriller fans who love heart-pounding Alex Martel adventures. Every pre-order makes a difference for authors like me!

🎯 Don’t wait - secure your hardcover copy now and be among the first to dive into Alex’s most dangerous mission yet!

#BloodOath #PreOrderNow #ThrillerBooks #AlexMartel

Into Elephant Country

After James’s safari briefing at 7:30 AM, we loaded into our Toyota Land Cruiser and headed toward Tarangire National Park. Even en route, we spotted wildebeest in the distance—a tantalizing preview of the wildlife spectacle ahead.

Nothing, however, could have prepared us for what we’d encounter once we entered the park.

Tarangire National Park holds a remarkable distinction: it has the highest concentration of elephants in the world. With over 3,000 elephants calling this 2,850-square-kilometer sanctuary home, the park offers what researchers and wildlife enthusiasts consider the best opportunity in East Africa to witness massive elephant herds in their natural habitat.

Our first sightings came quickly—impalas, then warthogs, followed by a solitary male giraffe standing majestically near the roadside. Each animal filled us with increasing excitement, but we had no idea what was coming.

The Encounter That Changed Everything

Then we saw them. Our first elephants.

Magnificent was the word Lynne wrote in her journal, and it still doesn’t capture the awe of that moment. But it was what happened next that would haunt me for years and eventually become the emotional foundation of Blood Oath.

We stopped our Land Cruiser near a large herd that included several massive bulls and numerous young elephants, including babies. As we watched, something extraordinary happened: the herd began walking directly toward us. Not just near us—toward us.

Within moments, elephants were walking in front of our vehicle, behind it, and alongside it. Some actually touched our jeep with their bodies as they passed. We sat motionless, barely breathing, as these giants—each weighing up to six tons—treated our vehicle as nothing more than another obstacle in their path.

It was completely exhilarating. It was also terrifying in the most primal way imaginable.

The Seeds of a Thriller

In that moment, surrounded by the largest land mammals on Earth, I experienced something that would later become central to Alex Martel’s character: the simultaneous rush of awe and the stark recognition of one’s own vulnerability. Here we were, these soft, fragile humans, completely at the mercy of creatures that could crush us without even noticing.

The elephants’ behavior revealed the intricate social structures that researchers have documented in Tarangire. These herds, led by experienced matriarchs, can number up to 300 individuals during the dry season. The family units we witnessed—protective mothers keeping calves close, adolescents learning survival skills, elders guiding the group to water sources or sometimes off by themselves, excluded from social activity because of their orneriness—displayed the same kind of loyalty and protective instincts that would drive Alex’s desperate mission to save her father.

A Landscape of Giants

Beyond the elephants, Tarangire revealed itself as a land of superlatives. The iconic baobab trees—some over a thousand years old—rose from the savannah like ancient sentinels. These “trees of life” store water in their massive trunks, which elephants strip for sustenance during dry seasons. Surrounding them, acacia woodlands provided the classic African vista of umbrella-shaped canopies stretching to the horizon.

We lunched at the Tarangire Safari Lodge, looking out over vistas that seemed torn from the pages of Out of Africa. The plains stretched endlessly, dotted with acacia and those magnificent upside-down baobabs, with elephants visible in the distance like moving boulders.

The afternoon brought more encounters: gazelles, impalas, a leopard sleeping in an acacia tree (too far for photos, sadly), and dozens of bird species including vultures, eagles, and the charmingly named bare-faced go-away bird. We saw termite mounds topped with tiny mongooses—an image so perfectly African it could have come from a nature documentary.

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The Fiction Takes Shape

That evening at the Tarangire Sopa Lodge, as we sipped G&Ts and watched elephants, impalas, and dik-diks from the bar deck, I began to understand something crucial about Africa: you never have to leave the lodge to see everything. The wildlife comes to you, whether you’re ready or not.

This realization would become key to Blood Oath. Africa doesn’t allow for the illusion of safety that distance provides. There are no barriers between you and the wild. When violence erupts in Alex’s story, it happens not in some remote location, but right where she thought she was safe—on safari with her father.

Our first day had been unbelievably great, but it also taught us that in Africa, the beautiful and the dangerous often occupy the same space. The elephants that had thrilled us could have just as easily trampled us. The leopard sleeping peacefully in that tree was a perfect killing machine. The vastness that felt so freeing could swallow you whole.

These weren’t abstract concepts anymore. They were lived experiences that would shape every page of the novel to come.

Building Toward Danger

As I write this, I can see how that first encounter with Tarangire’s elephants planted the seeds for the novel’s central themes. The way Alex responds to crisis—with medical precision, tactical thinking, and absolute focus—mirrors how we all responded when surrounded by those massive creatures. You don’t panic. You don’t make sudden movements. You trust your training and your instincts.

Most importantly, you respect the fact that you’re a visitor in a world where the rules can change without warning.

What’s Coming

Next Thursday, we’ll descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” There, in that collapsed volcanic caldera, we’ll witness hunting techniques that would make David Attenborough weep with joy—and see behaviors that would inspire some of Blood Oath’s most intense action sequences.

But before we leave Tarangire behind, I need to share one more detail that would prove crucial to the novel. That evening, a gentleman from Turkey fell down the lodge stairs during dinner. As a paramedic, I assessed him and determined he was okay, but the incident reinforced a lesson that would become central to Alex’s story: medical emergencies can happen anywhere, anytime.

In Blood Oath, when Alex applies battlefield medicine to save a wounded ranger’s life, she’s drawing on the same instincts that kicked in during that flight to Amsterdam and again at that lodge in Tanzania. The skills are universal. The stakes are always life and death.

Africa had welcomed us with a monkey stealing breakfast and elephants touching our jeep. It was showing us beauty beyond imagination while quietly reminding us how quickly everything could change.

Asante sana for staying with us on this journey. The wild is just getting started.

Steve Urszenyi

Blood Oath releases November 18, 2025. Discover how a peaceful safari became the inspiration for Alexandra Martel’s most dangerous mission.

📚✨ Pre-order Blood Oath today and secure your copy! ✨📚

🇺🇸 Amazon US: Order on Amazon US
🇨🇦 Amazon Canada: Order on Amazon Canada
📖 Indigo Books: Order on Indigo Books
🏢 Barnes & Noble: Order on Barnes & Noble
📚 Novel Spot (Local Indie): Order at Novel Spot

💪 Why pre-order matters: Your pre-order helps boost the book’s visibility, supports independent bookstores, and ensures you get your copy on release day - November 18th!

👥 Help spread the word! Share this with fellow thriller fans who love heart-pounding Alex Martel adventures. Every pre-order makes a difference for authors like me!

🎯 Don’t wait - secure your hardcover copy now and be among the first to dive into Alex’s most dangerous mission yet!

#BloodOath #PreOrderNow #ThrillerBooks #AlexMartel

View more on Steve Urszenyi's website »

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Published on October 02, 2025 04:00

Out in the Cold in Mass Market Paperback

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Today marks a perfect moment for thriller readers!

Out in the Cold—the second book in the Alexandra Martel series—releases in mass-market paperback today, making it more accessible than ever. And with Blood Oath arriving November 18th, this is your ideal opportunity to catch up with Alex’s story before her most personal and dangerous mission yet.

Why This Matters

If you haven’t met Special Agent Alexandra Martel yet, Out in the Cold is the perfect entry point. Publishers Weekly called Alex “a formidable addition to the pantheon of kick-ass heroines,” and Apple Books declared her “our new favorite hero: relentless and dedicated to taking down the bad guys.”

In Out in the Cold, Alex investigates an attack on a megayacht in the Mediterranean that uncovers a conspiracy reaching into America’s power structure—a cabal of Washington insiders and wealthy elites manipulating global politics through false flag operations. Her investigation takes her from the Mediterranean to The Hague and across the Baltic Sea to Helsinki, where she must navigate treacherous waters while dodging assassination attempts.

Mystery & Suspense Magazine called it “highly recommended for high-action, covert, political thrillers,” while First Clue noted it’s “one of the better special-ops series with characters readers will follow anywhere.”

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Perfect Timing

With Blood Oath just seven weeks away, reading Out in the Cold now puts you right where you need to be. While each Alex Martel thriller stands alone, there’s something powerful about following her journey as she evolves from the decorated sniper of Perfect Shot through the political conspiracies of Out in the Cold to the deeply personal stakes awaiting her in the African wilderness.

Blood Oath will be the most emotionally complex story in the series so far—Alex’s safari with her father becomes a desperate rescue mission when he’s kidnapped by rebels, and Russian mercenaries and Chinese operatives descend on East Africa hunting the military secrets locked in his mind. Understanding who Alex is and what she’s capable of will make that story even more powerful.

A Small Ask

Here’s the thing: your support means everything to authors like me. When you pick up a copy of Out in the Cold today—whether at your local bookstore, online, or as an audiobook—you’re not just getting a great thriller. You’re helping ensure that stories like Alex’s continue to be told.

The mass-market paperback makes it easy to grab a copy, and honestly, there’s nothing quite like holding a real book in your hands while Alex navigates conspiracy and betrayal across three continents.

What Reviewers Are Saying

“Electrifying, world-class thriller... a jaw-dropper.” —Simon Gervais

“Catapults readers into a deadly game of cat and mouse.” —Ryan Steck, The Real Book Spy

“A gnarly espionage novel.” —Dayton Daily News

“Alex is a strong, kick-ass heroine... I cannot wait to see what happens next!” —BestThrillerBooks

The Journey Continues

Last Thursday, I shared Part 1 of “Into the Heart of Africa”—the story of how a simple safari in Tanzania inspired Blood Oath. This Thursday brings Part 2, where we’ll dive into Tarangire National Park and the elephant encounter that changed everything. If you missed Part 1, it’s in your inbox and covers the medical emergency at 37,000 feet that started it all.

But first, there’s Out in the Cold—available today wherever books are sold.

If you’ve been meaning to dive into the Alex Martel series, now’s your chance. If you’re already a fan, help spread the word. Either way, asante sana (thank you very much) for being part of this journey.

The adventure continues today.

Subscribe now

Steve Urszenyi

Out in the Cold mass-market paperback releases everywhere today:

Grab it from the Macmillan website.

Blood Oath hardcover releases November 18, 2025

📚✨ Pre-order Blood Oath today and secure your copy! ✨📚

🇺🇸 Amazon US: Order on Amazon US
🇨🇦 Amazon Canada: Order on Amazon Canada
📖 Indigo Books: Order on Indigo Books
🏢 Barnes & Noble: Order on Barnes & Noble
📚 Novel Spot (Local Indie): Order at Novel Spot

💪 Why pre-order matters: Your pre-order helps boost the book’s visibility, supports independent bookstores, and ensures you get your copy on release day - November 18th!

👥 Help spread the word! Share this with fellow thriller fans who love heart-pounding Alex Martel adventures. Every pre-order makes a difference for authors like me!

Thanks for reading Medic Turned Scribe! This post is public so feel free to share it.

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🎯 Don’t wait - secure your hardcover copy now and be among the first to dive into Alex’s most dangerous mission yet!

#BloodOath #PreOrderNow #ThrillerBooks #AlexMartel

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Published on September 30, 2025 04:02

Into the Heart of Africa: Part 1

It began, as the best adventures often do, with the unexpected.

Thirty-seven thousand feet above the Atlantic, somewhere between Toronto and Amsterdam, I found myself kneeling on the floor of the narrow galley on a KLM Boeing 777, checking the pulse of a fellow passenger who’d collapsed during dinner service. A doctor had already responded, but my three decades as a paramedic kicked in instinctively. Old habits, especially life-saving ones, die hard.

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The man had suffered a vasovagal episode—essentially, his nervous system had overreacted to something (probably the airline food, I joked later) and caused his heart rate to drop, making his blood pressure plummet. The drop in blood pressure and slowed heart rate had quickly reduced blood flow to his brain, and he fainted. Not usually life-threatening, and not particularly worrisome from my perspective, but not ideal when you’re seven miles above the ocean with nowhere to land.

As I monitored his vital signs and helped the flight crew coordinate with ground medical control, I had no idea I was living the opening scene of what would become Blood Oath. But that moment—the sudden shift from routine to crisis, the way training takes over when chaos erupts, the realization that danger can find you anywhere—would later become the emotional core of Alexandra Martel’s most personal mission.

📚✨ Pre-order Blood Oath today and secure your copy! ✨📚

🇺🇸 Amazon US: Order on Amazon US
🇨🇦 Amazon Canada: Order on Amazon Canada
📖 Indigo Books: Order on Indigo Books
🏢 Barnes & Noble: Order on Barnes & Noble
📚 Novel Spot (Local Indie): Order at Novel Spot

💪 Why pre-order matters: Your pre-order helps boost the book's visibility, supports independent bookstores, and ensures you get your copy on release day - November 18th!

👥 Help spread the word! Share this with fellow thriller fans who love heart-pounding Alex Martel adventures. Every pre-order makes a difference for authors like me!

🎯 Don't wait - secure your hardcover copy now and be among the first to dive into Alex's most dangerous mission yet!

#BloodOath #PreOrderNow #ThrillerBooks #AlexMartel

Welcome to Africa

By the time we touched down in Amsterdam, our patient was stable and embarrassed, insisting he felt fine. The doctor and I shared a knowing look—we’d both seen how quickly “fine” can turn deadly. But this story had a happy ending, and after a four-hour layover, Lynne and I met up with her sister Tina (Christina, but family calls her Tina) and her friend Joan for the final leg to Kilimanjaro International Airport.

The moment we stepped off that plane in Tanzania, Africa hit us like a warm, fragrant embrace. The air itself felt different—thicker, infused with red dust and unfamiliar scents that spoke of ancient lands and wild places. This wasn’t just another destination; this was stepping into a different world entirely.

James Urio waited for us outside the arrivals hall, a compact man with an infectious smile and eyes that seemed to hold the wisdom of the savannah. From Wildersun Safaris, he’d be our guide for the next week—though I had no idea then how profoundly he’d influence the creation of Blood Oath. In the novel, James becomes more than just Alex’s guide; he becomes her anchor in a world suddenly turned upside down, her source of local knowledge when everything she thought she knew proves useless.

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The Coffee Plantation

We spent our first night at the Arusha Serena Hotel. The resort set the tone for everything that followed. Situated on the woodland slopes of Mount Meru, the hotel overlooks serene Lake Duluti, approximately 20 kilometers from Arusha—a perfect base for Tanzania’s legendary Northern Safari Circuit. The hotel itself is steeped in a quiet grandeur that hearkens back to its early days as a colonial-era coffee plantation. The main building greets guests with stone architecture, colonial manor vibes, and the kind of welcoming reception that soothes even the weariest traveler. That first night, we settled into our cottage-style rooms, arranged among manicured lawns and lush banks of Bougainvillea.

Though jetlagged, there was no resisting the pull of the bar—a G&T and a plate of hand-cut French fries (the chef peeled the potatoes to order) were exactly what we needed before sinking into bed after so much travel.

“Welcome to Africa!” We toasted, and we all knew we were about to experience something that would change us.

Sitting on the terrace, looking out over the coffee trees with the lights of Arusha twinkling in the distance, that first G&T tasted like possibility itself. Cold, crisp, with just enough quinine bitterness to remind you that this wasn’t just any vacation—this was Africa, where malaria still kills, where the rules are different, where every sunset could be your last if you don’t respect what you’re walking into.

In Blood Oath, I gave that same moment to Alex and her father, General David Martel. Then Alex and Caleb at the hotel bar. Their drinks on that first night represent the last peaceful moments before their world explodes into violence and betrayal.

It’s the calm before the storm, the deep breath before the plunge, the silence before the shot rings out.

The Medical Emergency Connection

As I write this now, looking back on that flight and that first night in Tanzania, I can see how my paramedic instincts shaped every aspect of Alex’s character. The way she responds to crisis, her ability to compartmentalize fear and focus on what needs to be done, her medical knowledge that saves lives throughout the series—all of that comes from decades of real emergencies.

But it’s more than technical skills. It’s the mindset. When that passenger collapsed at 37,000 feet, I didn’t think about the impossibility of the situation or how far we were from help. I thought about what I could control, what I could do right now, in this moment, to help. That’s exactly how Alex approaches every impossible situation she faces.

The medical emergency on our flight also foreshadowed something crucial about Blood Oath: the way ordinary moments can pivot into life-or-death situations without warning. One second you’re enjoying Crimson Tide (my go-to transatlantic movie), the next you’re fighting for someone’s life. One second Alex is photographing leopards with her father, the next she’s applying combat medicine to save a wounded ranger.

Africa teaches you that lesson quickly: respect the beauty, but never forget the danger.

What’s Coming

Over the next seven weeks, I’ll take you deeper into our Tanzanian adventure—the elephants that surrounded our jeep in Tarangire, the lions we watched hunting in the crater, our profound encounter with Sanka and his Maasai family that opened my eyes to both ancient wisdom and modern injustice. Each experience became a building block for Blood Oath, shaping not just the action sequences but the emotional truth at the heart of Alex’s story.

You’ll see how a simple accident (involving a gentleman from Turkey who fell down the lodge stairs) reinforced my understanding of how quickly medical emergencies can arise anywhere. How James’s encyclopedic knowledge of local wildlife, culture, and politics became the template for the characters who guide Alex through her darkest hour. How the vast beauty and lurking dangers of the Serengeti created the perfect backdrop for a story about family, loyalty, and the prices we pay for both.

Most importantly, you’ll understand why Blood Oath is the most personal story I’ve ever told. It’s not just a thriller set in Africa; it’s a love letter to a continent that teaches you what really matters, written by someone who learned those lessons firsthand.

Next Thursday, we head into Tarangire National Park, where elephants the size of small buildings will teach us about family bonds—and where the seeds of Alex’s most dangerous mission will truly take root.

Asante sana for joining me on this journey. The adventure is just beginning.

Steve Urszenyi

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Blood Oath releases November 18, 2025. Discover the true story behind Alexandra Martel’s most personal mission.

📚✨ Pre-order Blood Oath today and secure your copy! ✨📚

🇺🇸 Amazon US: Order on Amazon US
🇨🇦 Amazon Canada: Order on Amazon Canada
📖 Indigo Books: Order on Indigo Books
🏢 Barnes & Noble: Order on Barnes & Noble
📚 Novel Spot (My Local Indie): Order at Novel Spot

💪 Why pre-order matters: Your pre-order helps boost the book's visibility, supports independent bookstores, and ensures you get your copy on release day - November 18th!

👥 Help spread the word! Share this with fellow thriller fans who love heart-pounding Alex Martel adventures. Every pre-order makes a difference for authors like me!

🎯 Don't wait - secure your hardcover copy now and be among the first to dive into Alex's most dangerous mission yet!

#BloodOath #PreOrderNow #ThrillerBooks #AlexMartel

Thanks for reading Medic Turned Scribe! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

View more on Steve Urszenyi's website »

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Published on September 25, 2025 04:31

Coming Soon: Into the Heart of Africa

The author in Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Hello subscribers! Something extraordinary is coming to your inbox.

Starting Thursday, September 25th, I’m launching an eight-part newsletter series that will take you deep into the heart of Tanzania—to the sweeping savannahs of the Serengeti, the ancient crater of Ngorongoro, and the vibrant Maasai communities that changed my understanding of courage, tradition, and what it means to fight for your way of life.

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Into the Heart of Africa will run every Thursday through November 13th, culminating just five days before Blood Oath hits shelves on November 18th. This isn’t just a marketing campaign—it’s a love letter to a land and its people that fundamentally shaped the most personal and intense story in the Alexandra Martel series so far.

Why This Series Matters

When my wife, Lynne, and I, along with her sister Tina (Christina, but family calls her Tina) and friend Joan, embarked on our African safari in June 2019, I thought I was simply fulfilling a bucket-list adventure. I had no idea I was gathering the raw material for what would become my most ambitious and emotionally charged thriller yet.

Blood Oath opens with CIA Special Agent Alexandra Martel on safari with her father, retired Army General David Martel—a peaceful expedition that spirals into deadly chaos when they encounter danger in the wilderness. What I experienced during our real safari—the profound sense of vulnerability in such raw, untamed landscapes, the realization of how quickly serenity could turn perilous, the way our guide James’s encyclopedic knowledge became our lifeline—became the foundation for Alex’s most harrowing mission yet.

Pre-order Blood Oath in Canada

Pre-order Blood Oath in US

Each installment will chronicle our journey while revealing how those experiences transformed into the fictional world where Alex must navigate family loyalty, international conspiracy, and personal vengeance in the shadow of Kilimanjaro. You’ll meet James Urio, our extraordinary guide, whose wisdom and expertise inspired key characters. You’ll witness the raw beauty and inherent dangers of the African wilderness. Most importantly, you’ll experience our transformative encounter with Sanka and his Maasai family—a meeting that opened my eyes to both the dignity of their ancient culture and the real-world pressures that drive the conflicts at the heart of Blood Oath.

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What to Expect

Each Thursday, you’ll receive:

Vivid storytelling from our daily safari adventures that became the emotional backdrop for Alex’s story

Exclusive photos from our journey (yes, including that shot of me attempting the traditional Maasai warrior jump)

Behind-the-scenes insights into how real moments of wonder and cultural immersion became the foundation for fictional danger and moral complexity

Cultural context about the Maasai people’s struggles that inform the novel’s deeper themes

Character connections showing how real people inspired the complex relationships between Alex, her father, and her CIA colleague Caleb Copeland

This series will reveal the authentic experiences that shaped every page of Blood Oath—from medical emergencies at 30,000 feet to profound conversations about honor, family, and the price of loyalty that define Alex’s most personal mission.

Mark Your Calendar

September 25: Part 1 - Arrival and First Impressions (medical emergency at 30,000 feet sets the tone)

October 2: Part 2 - Welcome to the Wild (when elephants surround our jeep in Tarangire)

October 9: Part 3 - Kings of the Crater (Ngorongoro’s magnificent wildlife theater)

October 16: Part 4 - Meeting the Maasai (encountering Sanka and understanding ancient honor codes)

October 23: Part 5 - Into the Endless Plains (entering the legendary Serengeti)

October 30: Part 6 - The Great Hunt (witnessing predators and the circle of life)

November 6: Part 7 - Connections Across Cultures (final safari day reflections)

November 13: Part 8 - From Safari to Story (how Tanzania became Blood Oath)

Ready for the Journey?

Blood Oath is available for preorder now (links above), and I promise you—after experiencing this eight-week journey with us through Tanzania, you’ll understand not just the thriller you’re reading, but the profound personal story that drives Alexandra Martel to risk everything for family and honor. You’ll see how a simple photo safari became the crucible that forged the most emotionally complex mission of Alex’s career.

The adventure begins next Thursday (9/25). Pack your camera, open your heart, and prepare for a journey that starts with gin and tonics at a converted coffee plantation and ends with a Silver Star recipient facing the hardest choices of her life in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Karibu to the adventure of a lifetime.

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Can’t wait to get started? Hit reply and let me know what aspect of African culture or the inspiration behind thriller writing you’re most curious about—I might just address it in the series.

Blood Oath releases November 18, 2025. Pre-order your copy today and witness Alexandra Martel’s most personal and dangerous mission yet.

View more on Steve Urszenyi's website »

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Published on September 15, 2025 10:42

A Personal Appeal: Why "Blood Oath" Needs Your Preorder

My friends, followers, and fellow thriller lovers,

I'm writing to you today about something that feels deeply uncomfortable for me—asking for help. As a former paramedic who spent years serving others without fanfare, humility has always been my default mode. We didn't shout from the rooftops about saving lives; we just did the work. But today, I need to step out of that comfort zone and make a direct appeal about my upcoming novel, Blood Oath.

The Reality of Publishing

Here's the truth that many readers don't know: whether there will be a fourth Alex Martel book depends entirely on how well Blood Oath performs. My publisher, Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press, hasn't contracted me for a fourth novel yet. They're watching the numbers, and those numbers are driven by one crucial metric—preorders.

This isn't about ego or fame. It's about survival in an industry where publishers make decisions based on data, not dreams. If Blood Oath doesn't show strong preorder numbers, the Alex Martel series could end with book three, despite the fact that I have more stories planned and burning to be told.

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Why Alex Martel Matters

The praise for Blood Oath from acclaimed authors speaks for itself. Brad Thor calls it "raw, relentless, and charged with danger at every turn," with "smart, razor-sharp storytelling." This continues the momentum from Perfect Shot and Out in the Cold, which have earned critical acclaim, award nominations, and recognition from industry giants like Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and The Real Book Spy.

But beyond the accolades, Alex Martel represents something important in thriller fiction—authentic female representation in a genre that desperately needs it. Alex isn't a male character with a woman's name slapped on. She's inspired by the real medics, police officers, and military women I've known and worked alongside in Canada, the United States, and Great Britain. Women who are tough, smart, vulnerable, and utterly capable of carrying a high-stakes thriller on their shoulders.

The Servant's Dilemma

Throughout my paramedic career, I believed that good work spoke for itself. Show up, do the job, save lives, and go home. No parade necessary. But publishing doesn't work that way. Great books can disappear without reader advocacy, and series can end prematurely when publishers don't see the demand.

This is why I'm swallowing my pride and asking directly: I need you to preorder Blood Oath.

What Your Preorder Means

Every preorder sends a signal to my publisher that readers want more Alex Martel. It tells them that this series has legs, that there's an audience hungry for more international intrigue, authentic action, and a protagonist who brings something fresh to the thriller landscape.

Your preorder doesn't just buy a book—it potentially buys the future of the series. It tells Minotaur Books that readers are invested in Alex's journey and want to see where her next mission takes her.

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A Promise Worth Keeping

I've poured everything I learned in emergency services—the split-second decisions, the life-or-death stakes, the bonds forged under pressure—into these books. The authenticity that reviewers consistently praise comes from real experience, real relationships, and real respect for the people who serve in dangerous jobs around the world.

Blood Oath delivers the same pulse-pounding action and authentic detail that made the first two books award-nominated successes. But more than that, it continues Alex's evolution as a character who represents the best of what thriller heroes can be.

The Ask

So here's my humble request: if you've enjoyed the Alex Martel series, if you believe in supporting authentic storytelling, or if you simply want to see more strong female protagonists in international thrillers—please preorder Blood Oath today.

Tell your friends. Share this post. Help spread the word that this series deserves to continue.

I've always been proud to serve, whether as a paramedic or as a storyteller. But sometimes, serving means asking for help. Today, I'm asking for yours.

The future of Alex Martel—and the stories I'm burning to tell—depends on it.

Blood Oath arrives November 18, 2025. Preorder links are below.

Thank you for listening, for reading, and for helping keep Alex Martel in the fight.

With gratitude and humility,
Steve

P.S. - If you've already preordered, you're a hero in my book. Please consider sharing this with fellow thriller lovers—every reader matters, and every preorder counts.

A Message to My Brothers and Sisters in Service

To my fellow paramedics, EMTs, police officers, firefighters, and all who've worn the uniform or carried the bag—this one's for you.

We know what it means to have each other's backs. Whether it's covering a shift when someone's kid is sick, being the second unit in on a dicey call, or just listening when the job gets heavy, we've always been there for each other. Today, I'm asking for that same brotherhood and sisterhood in a different arena.

This isn't just about books—it's about transition.

You know how rare it is for one of us to make it out of first responder life with our bodies and minds relatively intact, let alone find success in a completely different field. Most of us don't get second acts. Most of us retire broken, forgotten, or struggling to find purpose after a career of serving others.

I've been one of the lucky ones. The skills we learned on the job—thinking under pressure, attention to detail, understanding human nature at its worst and best—have translated into storytelling. The authenticity that reviewers praise in the Alex Martel books? That comes directly from our world. From the tactical medicine training, the high-stress decisions, the dark humor that gets us through, and the unbreakable bonds we form with our partners and peers.

Alex Martel is us. She's inspired by the medics and officers I worked alongside—the competent, tough, dedicated professionals who never get the recognition they deserve in popular culture. Finally, there's a character in the thriller world who represents the real first responders, not some Hollywood fantasy.

Supporting this series means supporting one of our own who made the leap. It means showing the publishing world that first responders have stories worth telling and audiences worth reaching. It means that maybe, just maybe, the next medic or officer looking for a way forward will see that it's possible.

When I was working on the road, doing calls, I never imagined I'd be asking people to preorder books. But just like we've always had each other's backs on the street, I need you to have mine now. A preorder costs the same as what you'd spend on coffee in a week, but it could mean the difference between this series continuing or ending.

We've spent our careers serving others without asking for recognition. This time, I'm asking. Not for fame, not for glory, but for the chance to keep telling stories that honor the work we do and the people we are.

If one of us makes it, we all make it.

Thank you for your service. Thank you for your sacrifice. And thank you for considering supporting a fellow first responder who's trying to make something meaningful out of the experiences we've shared.

Stay safe out there.

Steve

Preorder links below. And hey—if you know other cops, medics, or firefighters who might appreciate a realistic thriller, share this with them. The brotherhood and sisterhood extends beyond the badge.

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Preorder "Blood Oath" – Hardcover EditionUnited States:

Amazon US

Barnes & Noble

Books-A-Million (hardcover ISBN: 9781250393029)

Canada:

Amazon Canada (hardcover)

Indigo/Chapters (hardcover)

A Novel Spot Bookshop (my local indie bookseller)

Independent Bookstores:

Bookshop.org (use hardcover ISBN to ensure correct format)

Contact your local independent bookstore - they can order the hardcover edition using ISBN: 9781250393029

Important Note: When clicking these links, please ensure you select the hardcover format option, as some retailers default to ebook versions. The hardcover ISBN is 9781250393029 if you need to reference it when ordering.

“Out in the Cold”

While I have you here, please don’t forget to show some love for Out in the Cold, the second installment in the Alex Martel thriller series! 😊

Hardcover, paperback, eBook, and audiobook editions are available now. The mass-market paperback comes out on 9/30/25!

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Published on August 19, 2025 09:27

Join my new subscriber chat

Today I’m announcing a brand new addition to my Substack publication: Medic Turned Scribe subscriber chat.

This is a conversation space exclusively for subscribers—kind of like a group chat or live hangout. I’ll post questions and updates that come my way, and you can jump into the discussion.

Join chat

How to get started

Get the Substack app by clicking this link or the button below. New chat threads won’t be sent sent via email, so turn on push notifications so you don’t miss conversation as it happens. You can also access chat on the web.

Get app

Open the app and tap the Chat icon. It looks like two bubbles in the bottom bar, and you’ll see a row for my chat inside.

That’s it! Jump into my thread to say hi, and if you have any issues, check out Substack’s FAQ.

Thanks for reading Medic Turned Scribe! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

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Published on July 18, 2025 10:26

Remembering Martin Cruz Smith: A Master of Literary Craft

The literary world lost a giant on July 11th when Martin Cruz Smith passed away, having lived with Parkinson’s disease since 1995. For those of us who write in the crime and thriller genres, Smith’s death marks the end of an era—the passing of a writer who elevated genre fiction to the level of high art.

Martin Cruz Smith’s writing possessed that rare combination of meticulous research, atmospheric storytelling, and deep character development that transforms a simple mystery into something profound. His ability to weave complex political landscapes with intimate human drama was unparalleled. In Gorky Park, he didn’t just write a murder mystery; he created a window into the soul of Soviet Russia, complete with its contradictions, corruption, and surprising humanity.

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What struck me most about Smith’s work was his refusal to take shortcuts. Every detail felt earned, every setting meticulously researched. When Arkady Renko walked through the snow-covered streets of Moscow or navigated the bureaucratic maze of Soviet law enforcement, you could feel the cold, smell the cigarettes, and sense the weight of a system grinding down on individual conscience.

Arkady Renko

Renko remains one of fiction’s most compelling protagonists—a man caught between duty and conscience, between survival and integrity. In Red Square and Wolves Eat Dogs, Smith continued to develop this character with remarkable consistency and depth. Renko wasn’t just a detective; he was a moral compass spinning in a world where true north seemed to shift with every political wind.

As I develop my own character, Special Agent Alexandra Martel, I find myself returning to Smith’s approach to character development. Like Renko, Alex must navigate institutional pressures while maintaining her moral center. Smith taught me that the most interesting conflicts aren’t just external—they’re the internal battles our characters fight to remain human in inhuman circumstances.

The Influence on My Work

Smith’s influence on my writing extends beyond character development to the very architecture of storytelling. He showed me that genre fiction could tackle serious themes without sacrificing entertainment value. His books were page-turners that also served as social commentary, adventure stories that doubled as psychological studies.

In crafting the Alex Martel series, I’ve tried to emulate Smith’s commitment to authenticity. Just as he immersed himself in Russian culture and politics, I draw on my background as a paramedic, police tactical medic, and emergency management specialist to add realism to my stories. Smith demonstrated that expertise, properly channeled, becomes invisible to the reader while making even the impossible seem inevitable.

A Legacy of Excellence

Martin Cruz Smith fought Parkinson’s disease with the same determination his characters showed when facing impossible odds. He continued writing, kept crafting, and continued pursuing excellence even as his body betrayed him. That dedication to craft, that refusal to compromise, and that commitment to telling stories that matter—these are the gifts he leaves behind for writers like me who hope to follow in his footsteps.

The best tribute we can pay to Martin Cruz Smith isn’t just to remember his books, but to carry forward his standard of excellence. In a world of quick fixes and easy answers, he reminded us that great writing requires patience, research, and an unwavering commitment to truth, even when that truth is uncomfortable.

Rest in peace, Martin. Your words will outlive us all.

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Published on July 14, 2025 12:19

Medic Turned Scribe

Sorry for the duplication, but the version of this newsletter that went out this morning contained errors I introduced when copying the very generous blurbs from Brad Thor and Tosca Lee. My humblest apologies to Brad and Tosca and all my readers.

Thank you for your understanding!

Early Summer Edition – July 2025

Lynne and I at Crystal Beach on the Lake Erie shoreline.

Hello friends, readers, and fellow adventurers!

Summer has arrived in Toronto, and I’m excited to share updates from both my writing desk and the wild places that inspire me. Whether you’re reading this from a cozy nook, the backroads of your own adventure, or somewhere under the open sky, I hope you’re enjoying the season.

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Blood Oath: A New Alex Martel Thriller

Mark your calendars: Blood Oath, the next installment in the Alex Martel series, launches on November 18, 2025!

What’s It About?

When CIA Special Agent Alex Martel’s father is abducted by rebels during a safari in the heart of Africa, her vacation turns into a desperate, high-stakes rescue mission. As Russian mercenaries and Chinese operatives descend on the Serengeti, Alex must lead an elite team across treacherous terrain while facing betrayals that reach the highest levels of global intelligence.

At the heart of the story are two blood oaths—one sworn by Alex and her father, and another by the Maasai warrior, Lemarti. For Alex and her father, their blood oath is a sacred, lifelong promise to protect each other at all costs, forged in love and loyalty. It’s a vow that has shaped Alex’s sense of duty and the lengths she’ll go to save her father, even when the odds are impossible.

In stark contrast, Lemarti’s blood oath is born of vengeance and grief. After losing his brother in a deadly encounter with Alex, Lemarti swears to avenge his family and restore his honor, binding himself to a path of retribution. As these two oaths collide, Alex is forced to confront not only her enemies but the true meaning of sacrifice, justice, and the ties that bind us—whether by blood, love, or loss.

In a world where trust is as scarce as water in the savannah, how much will Alex sacrifice to save her father and honor the bonds of blood?

A quote, perhaps?

Here is an evocative narrative passage from Blood Oath that I hope highlights for you Alex’s character and the novel’s sense of place:

Special Agent Alexandra Martel, contract CIA paramilitary officer, pushed forward. Each beat of her heart sent a rush of blood coursing through her veins, echoing in her ears like a Maasai drumbeat in the stillness of the heavy air.

Alex had always trusted her instincts. They had served her well as a young combat medic in her Ranger regiment, and with every posting and assignment ever since. Now, having lost sight of her quarry, she hoped those instincts wouldn’t let her down. But as the minutes ticked by without another sighting, she wondered if perhaps she had lost her edge, and the moment had escaped her. Maybe she’d been outsmarted. Maybe they were on to her. Or worse, maybe they had circled back and flanked her.

Thanks for reading Medic Turned Scribe! This post is public, so feel free to share it.

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Praise for Blood Oath

Brad Thor, #1 New York Times bestselling author:
“BLOOD OATH is as unforgiving as the African savanna—raw, relentless, and charged with danger at every turn. Steve Urszenyi delivers a high-stakes, high-speed thriller packed with pulse-pounding action and puts us back in the field with one of the genre’s most unforgettable heroes—Special Agent Alex Martel. This is smart, razor-sharp storytelling.”

Tosca Lee, New York Times bestselling author of The Line Between:
“In BLOOD OATH, Steve Urszenyi delivers his most gripping thriller yet—an explosive mix of heart-pounding action, razor-sharp tradecraft, and the bonds that define heroism. Special Agent Alex Martel is fierce, unforgettable, and unstoppable.”

Tanzania: Beauty, Resilience, and Struggle

Blood Oath is more than a pulse-pounding thriller — it’s a tribute to the land and people of Tanzania. My experience of the country, including the Ngorongoro region and Serengeti National Park, left me in awe of the Maasai’s vibrant culture, strong bond with the land, and steadfast resilience. Their traditions, dignity, and harmony with nature are truly inspiring.

Yet, the Maasai and other communities face real challenges. In recent years, many have been forcibly displaced from ancestral lands to make way for game reserves and tourism, threatening their way of life and cultural identity. While the novel features a fictional Maasai antagonist, I want to emphasize that this character does not represent the Maasai people as a whole, who have historically opposed violence and demonstrated remarkable strength in the face of adversity.

Through Blood Oath, I hope readers will not only be swept up in the adventure but also gain a deeper appreciation for Tanzania’s greatness and the complex realities its people face every day.

Where to Preorder Blood Oath

You can preorder Blood Oath from a variety of major booksellers in both Canada and the United States. Here’s a handy list of direct links to reserve your copy ahead of the November 18, 2025, release:

| Retailer | Link |

|-----------——--------|----------------------------------------------————----|

| Amazon Canada | Amazon Canada)

| Amazon US | Amazon US

| Indigo | Indigo

| IndieBookstores.ca | Indie Bookstores Canada (Search for “Blood Oath”)

| Barnes & Noble | Barnes & Noble

| Bookshop.org | Bookshop.org

Tip: Preordering from any of these retailers helps support the book’s launch and signals strong reader interest to publishers and booksellers.

If you prefer to support local independent bookstores, IndieBookstores.ca allows you to find and order from shops across Canada. In the US, Bookshop.org supports indie stores with every purchase.

Happy reading—and thank you for supporting Blood Oath!

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Launch Events & Book Tour

· Toronto launch events are in the works for release week — details to follow!

· I’m also exploring a US book tour. If you'd like to attend an event, please let me know!

· Your enthusiasm and support make all the difference.

Behind the Scenes

Last year’s launch for Out in the Cold had its share of wild moments—think last-minute book wrangling and hauling my own sound gear to Indigo. This time, I’m working closely with my publisher to ensure a smooth, unforgettable experience for everyone.

If you haven’t read Out in the Cold yet, do yourself a favor (okay, do me a favor) and pick up a copy now! There’s still plenty of time to get caught up before Blood Oath hits the shelves. It makes for a GREAT SUMMER READ!!! (Sorry for shouting, but I get so excited talking about my books.)

In the Wild: Summer Adventures

When I’m not writing, you’ll find me with my camera in hand, ~~riding my Harley or~~ driving the new Miata, or exploring the Ontario wilderness. If you spot me out there, say hello or share your own adventure stories! Sadly, for now at least, the Harley is gone. But I hope to get another soon!

I love to pop into indie bookstores wherever I go to sign books!

With proprietor Sarah at Georgian Bay Books in Midland, Ontario. (https://www.instagram.com/georgianbaybooks/)What I’m Reading & Listening To

· Nightstand: A stack of thrillers and true crime—always research, sometimes just for fun.

Brad Thor, Edge of Honor

“Edge of Honor” is the 24th book in Brad Thor’s Scot Harvath series, a thriller that plunges the protagonist into a high-stakes conspiracy with the fate of the country at stake. After six months overseas, Harvath returns to a new administration, global shifts, and a power struggle unseen before in the US. He is drawn into a web of deceit and dangerous politics where a shadowy elite is manipulating events to seize control, threatening to cripple the nation.

Jack Stewart, Declared Hostile

A treasonous plot. Clandestine actors. World order hanging in the balance.

Elite NCIS investigator Emmy "Punky" King, seasoned in global espionage, uncovers the edges of an intricate international conspiracy following the arrest of a U.S. Marine. Relying solely on her sharp intuition, she starts peeling back layers of a complex mystery that links the U.S. president to a clandestine corporation. As she navigates the corruption, Punky finds herself deep in an escalating game that threatens more than just national security.

Halfway across the world in Eastern Europe, Colt Bancroft and the Black Ponies are thrust into a high-stakes mission to prevent nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of rogue Russian operatives. But when their operation spirals into chaos following an ambush by an unexpected adversary, Colt finds himself navigating the deadly terrain of enemy territory, fighting for survival.

Although separated by continents, their missions are fatally intertwined. Colt must battle against overwhelming odds while Punky races against time to uncover the traitor behind it all—both unaware that if either fails, the world will plunge into chaos.

From Jack Stewart, former US Navy Top Gun instructor pilot, comes Declared Hostile, the intense fourth installment in the acclaimed Battle Born series. This riveting narrative is a must-read for fans of Tom Clancy and Dale Brown, packing high-stakes action and intricate conspiracy into every chapter.

· Podcasts: I’ll be appearing on several over the coming months to talk about Blood Oath, writing, and my medic days. Stay tuned!

What Readers & Reviewers Are SayingOut in the Cold (Alex Martel #2)

· “OUT IN THE COLD is nonstop action, with a heroine who never gives up, never surrenders. Like a ride on a runaway rollercoaster.”
— Tess Gerritsen, NYT bestselling author

· “Well-developed characters battling their way through a complex plotline rich in conspiracy, espionage, and political and international intrigue keep readers highly engaged from the first page to the last in Out in the Cold. Highly recommended to fans of high-action, covert, political thrillers.”
— Mystery & Suspense

· “Alexandra Martel is the heroine readers are clamoring for, and Out in the Cold delivers the goods. Steve Urszenyi skillfully crafts a narrative as chilling as the Arctic winds, brimming with action that grips readers from start to finish and showcases Alex as a protagonist who effortlessly rivals renowned characters like Scot Harvath and Court Gentry.”
— Jack Stewart, USA Today bestselling author

Perfect Shot (Alex Martel #1)

· “Urszenyi’s plotting and the texture of his writing reads like post-modern John le Carré. He strikes all the right tones in crafting a modern-day masterpiece of international intrigue that qualifies as a major debut in this superb international thriller.”
— BookTrib

· “First-time novelist Steve Urszenyi introduces us to our new favorite hero—Alex is relentless and dedicated to taking down the bad guys, and we loved diving headfirst into her thrilling world of ruthless assassins, duplicitous agents, and cunning politicos. Perfect Shot is an action-packed read that left us looking forward to the rest of the series.”
— Apple Books

· “Gripping and on target, Perfect Shot hits with maximum impact. Steve Urszenyi’s debut thriller never lets up from the first page to the last. Read it today!”
— Jack Carr, New York Times bestselling author

Thank You

Thank you for reading, supporting, and sharing my books. Your encouragement keeps me going through long nights at the keyboard and early mornings on the trail.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER.

Wishing you a summer full of adventure, good books, and a few perfect shots!

Stay safe,
Steve Urszenyi

Author of OUT IN THE COLD and PERFECT SHOT | BLOOD OATH coming November 18, 2025
Former paramedic & tactical medic | Toronto, ON

P.S. Want to be first in line for Blood Oath updates, events, and exclusive content? Follow me on social media and check my website for the latest news!

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Published on July 09, 2025 08:37