Uvi Poznansky's Blog, page 29
June 4, 2021
I lie flat by his side, panting, under a shower of sparks
The blaze consuming the Tesla with a hungry roar is so bright, so utterly spectacular that I stare at it, mesmerized. I forget to run away. Michael grabs hold of Browny and pulls both of us into a ditch. I lie flat by his side, panting, under a shower of sparks. Debris rains from the sky, landing all around.
Opposite us, the four men in camouflage don’t seem to notice our presence. At first, I fear they’ll set fire to my Escape as well, just for grins. To my surprise, they simply ignore it—all but one. He glances at it, then waves a hand in dismissal as if to say, Forget it. Not my job. Turning their backs to the clunker, they pat each other’s shoulders, a camaraderie of evil celebrated at our expense.
The leader of the pack gives a thumbs-up as the other three climb into the unidentified van. He lowers the driver side window, takes the wheel and, while making a U-turn, smiles broadly at his handiwork, the burning thing that used to be a Tesla. The tires have begun to melt, smoldering on one side. Black, acrid smoke is beginning to reach us. Soon, it’ll be hard to breath.
As the van passes by the ditch, the man says something to the other three—it sounds, oh, I don’t know, like Voola?—and they burst into loud, rolling laughter. Which is a good thing, because it covers up my dry croak.
Have they noticed it?
My teeth are chattering uncontrollably. The sound is maddening to me. Have they caught it? Will they come back for us?
No. The van rambles down the road and turns around the bend. A moment later, it’s gone.
Are we safe?
I raise my head. The flames soar overhead, licking higher and higher into the night sky. Billowing smoke starts to thicken around us. It drifts over the trees and across the road, creating an intermittent view of the mountains. The wind picks up and feeds the fire.
Blowing in my face is a wave of heat. In spite of it, I shiver. “W—why—what was that all about?”
Michael rises to his feet and gives me a hand. His chin is set, his face—pale. “That,” he says, darkly, “was a warning.”
(Volume IV of Ash Suspense Thrillers with a Dash of Romance)
Audiobook US ★ UK ★ FR ★ DE ★ iTunes
"There's never a dull moment in this one ... and that's just the way I like it."Aurora Dawn, Audible listener
June 1, 2021
An incredible thriller!
Jan Romes is the author of witty contemporary romance books and a part-time fitness trainer. She also enjoys growing pumpkins and sunflowers. I am honored to find her review for my thriller, Overdue:
Jan Romes5.0 out of 5 stars An incredible thriller!Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2021
Verified PurchaseI've read the other incredible books in this series, so I knew this one wouldn't disappoint. In this story, the author has the main character Ashley remembering what she'd been through with Vlad - the Russian mobster that made her life a living hell until she gave him a bit of comeuppance by shooting him and putting him in a coma. A twist right at the beginning makes you think her life is finally going to settle down and that she's out of danger. In no way was that the case. Before the end of the first chapter, Ashley and her high-tech boyfriend Michael stumble upon a body that the ocean seems to have spit out. From that point on, it's nonstop drama, danger, and a full-on adventure for them - with a case of stolen identity for Ashely thrown in the mix to take the insanity for her to an even higher level. Ms. Poznansky did an excellent job of pulling me into the story and making me root for their survival. This story is fiction but it takes place during the current pandemic, so the characters not only had to deal with danger from Vlad and his cohorts, but also the possibility of catching a deadly virus on top of it. The author has put Ashley and Michael through a lot in all 4 books, but I hope this isn't the end of the series.May 31, 2021
Ash is Threatened Again
LISTENERAurora Dawn
OverdueAsh Suspense Thrillers with a Dash of Romance, Book 4By: Uvi PoznanskyNarrated by: Heather Jane HoganAsh is Threatened Again Overall 5 out of 5 starsPerformance 5 out of 5 starsStory 5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed: 05-25-21
Another great thriller by one of my go-to authors.
Ash thought the danger was over with the mad Russian Vlad safely in a coma in the hospital ... but she was wrong. Now someone's torched her boyfriend's car, stolen her identity and emptied her bank account ... and things just keep getting weirder and more dangerous.
There's never a dull moment in this one ... and that's just the way I like it.
Grilled Pineapple Lemonade
A refreshing and tart drink, this twist on classic lemonade adds a whole new level of fruity and smoky flavors. It can be adapted easily to be made on your outdoor grill.
Heat a grill pan over medium-high. Add pineapple slices in a single layer, and cook 5 to 6 minutes on each side, until dark char marks appear. Set grilled pineapple slices aside to cool.
Combine 4 cups hot water and sugar in a large pitcher, and stir with a whisk until sugar is dissolved.
Process pineapple and lemon juice in a blender until relatively smooth.
Pour pineapple mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into pitcher with sugar mixture; discard solids. Stir well until fully blended. Serve over ice
May 25, 2021
Great series, wonderful characters and plot twists
LISTENERColleen Mooney
OverdueAsh Suspense Thrillers with a Dash of Romance, Book 4By: Uvi PoznanskyNarrated by: Heather Jane Hogan Great series, wonderful characters and plot twists Overall 5 out of 5 starsPerformance 5 out of 5 starsStory 5 out of 5 starsReviewed: 05-24-21
Overdue is Book 4 of the Ash Suspense Thrillers that has a Dash of Romance. Having read previous stories in this wonderful series, the stories kept me turning pages and Overdue was no different. Just when you think Ash will resolve one issue another springs up.
Even though I knew Ash and her boyfriend, Michael, from a previous book as talented software engineers in the world of virtual reality, this book can standalone. Michael and Ash left the Russian mobster, Vlad, in a coma, in prison, luring them to believe she was safe. This thriller combines dealing with the problems the COVID pandemic requires while trying to avoid, a Russian gangster who escapes prison and is out for revenge, recovering her stolen identity which could be from a woman Ash and Michael found unconscious on the beach and helped to a hospital.
This author knows how to ratchet up the Intensity with the turn of each page throwing danger after danger in Ash’s path. Contrasting the physical and electronic issues that continually pop up with the loss of one’s identity are the heartfelt and all to emotional moments we see Ash with Michael, her parents and her dog. I truly enjoyed the layers of plot twists, the mystery of how it was done and the suspense this thriller delivered.
The complexity of the plot, the deceptions Ash must deal with are all wonderfully written and the author’s mastery of keeping it easy to follow is not lost on this reader. There is always another twist or turn you never see coming. I recommend this book and the series. The narrator is very good and was easy to listen to so I could concentrate on the story.
May 23, 2021
A very exciting read. Recommend all 4 books.
OverdueAsh Suspense Thrillers with a Dash of Romance, Book 4By: Uvi PoznanskyNarrated by: Heather Jane HoganA very exciting read. Recommend all 4 books. Overall 5 out of 5 starsPerformance 5 out of 5 starsStory 5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed: 05-15-21
This is book 4 in this series and every bit as good as the first three. I didn't want to put it down. So suspenseful! Russian mafia. Insurance fraud. Identity theft. Mystery woman. Faking a coma? Virtual reality. Danger. Death. Some romance. All in the middle of a pandemic! Uvi is such a gifted story teller! Don’t miss out on this series.
Narrated by Heather Jane Hogan. She is the voice of Ash! Calm. Cool. And collected. All in the face of harm, peril or worse. Well performed.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
May 22, 2021
Interview: Your writing style took a new turn
My good friend, prolific author Allen Kent, asked me three questions that made me think about the writing of my thriller, Overkill.
Your writing style in the Ash Suspense Thrillers with a Dash of Romance took a new turn, compared to your other two series Still Life with Memories and The David Chronicles . Can you tell us in what ways you changed it?
My writing style consists of paragraphs that end on a high note. A punch, if you will. When a paragraph reaches a point of remarkable emotion, that’s where I end it, so the impact will linger. Also in this series, I re-discovered the power of short sentences that pack a punch. They stand in contrast to the rest of the sentences and, in a word, give you the essence of the character’s emotions.
Along the same lines, I give special attention to the last paragraph in a chapter, and in the case of The Ash Chronicles I cut the chapter on a cliff hanger that propels you to the next chapter.
This is true of the end of the first chapter in Overkill:
Perhaps I’m on edge for no reason. Perhaps I’m too sensitive. But how can I quell this anxiety, how can I prevent my nerves from consuming me, when the assault I suffered in the past taught me that the only thing I can trust is my instinct?
Sometimes, even that can fail me.
Who can I call, who can pick me up in a hurry? Anyone would do—except for Ma. I don’t have the inclination to tell her what is starting to become clear.
I have a stalker.
One more chapter end:
Ed steps outside, walks around the Ford, and—acting now like a perfect gentleman—holds the back door open for his son.
Timmy slips out with a sigh of relief and then, instead of marching off to class, he starts chasing a monarch butterfly with vivid orange and black markings that comes flitting, ever so dreamily, just past his nose.
I can’t blame Timmy. In his place I may well do the same. But my job is to make sure he is where he needs to be.
“Which way to your class?” I ask, and—before the sound of gunshots drowns my voice, before screams start to rise, before people around us fall to the ground crawling for cover—a huge air wave from a supersonic round slaps me in the face.
One bullet ricochets off the car, It scratches across the front window, making a glass fragment fly into my arm, stinging the flesh with a burning sensation.
The other bullet hits Ed in the chest.
What was the most challenging thing in writing your thriller, Overkill?
The most challenging thing is to understand the mind of the killer, his motives, what pushes him to the point of no return. This is especially hard in this book, because of the age of the killer. He’s a teenager, which in general makes me think of ‘sweet sixteen’ — so it was especially tricky to step into his shoes. But this is exactly what drew me to this story: how does a boy come to become a mass murderer?
This story is dedicated to victims of mass shootings, and I felt obligated to treat their grief with respect but also to give a glimpse of the criminal mind.
So, what starts as a seeming innocent accidental meeting with a fragile boy, will later reveal his full potential for evil:
Again, he calls me, louder this time, which turns his voice into a sharp, rather unpleasant squeak. Startled, I turn around. This guy—no, not a guy exactly, rather a boy no older than seventeen—is running up to me, his t-shirt stained with perspiration, especially under those scrunchy arms.
His upper lip glistens with sweat. “You left your library card on the counter,” he says, handing it to me with a misshapen smile that hangs, quivering, over his chin.
He’s slightly shorter than me, which forces me to look down at him. “Thank you,” I say.
As I turn to go, he grabs my elbow, clamping it with a clammy hand. “Hey, can I carry your books for you?”
Do you plan the plot or let it evolve?
I definitely do not plan the plot, I let it happen and discover the twists and turns together with my character, which is essential for keeping a fresh sense of surprise. I place the character in a new situation and let her stumble over its obstacles with all the urgency of having to fight for survival.
Meanwhile, the sirens outside rise to an alarming peak. Through the window, I see the tires of three firetrucks grind to a halt near the curb. Within seconds, my entrance door pops open—but to get out, I’ll have to push my way through the firefighters, who are pouring into the place in helmets fitted with heat resistant eye-shields and goggles, extrication gloves, and boots.
They break open the entire wall, because the hole in it is too small for them. There, under the black puff of smoke, they discover Mrs. Gore’s body. By now, it is already charred. A couple of them load her remains on a stretcher, then carry it out. The rest start climbing up with thick hoses to douse the fire.
I don’t stay to watch it being extinguished, nor do I wait for first aid. I must get to school, must find the child, must save him.
Before it’s too late.
As an artist, you design your own cover. What inspired the cover for Overkill?
I was inspired by the moment Ash finds an access to a hidden room:
An hour later, the installer comes out again. “Miss?”
And I say, “What now?”
“I found a space.”
“What? Excuse me?”
“Well, while nailing a new tackless strip in the closet, I took a back swing with the hammer and—quite by accident—hit the wall behind me. I expected to feel brickwork. Instead, I felt plasterboard, which cracked against my blow. I was pissed at myself—oh, forgive me! I should be more careful with my language around you, Miss.”
“No matter, just go on.”
“Like I’ve said, I was angry with myself for the extra work I created. Then I noticed something behind the hole. So I knocked through and found a passageway to a spiral flight of stairs.”
I follow him into the closet, which is now full of swirling dust, and lean in through the hole, thinking this hidden space should have been obvious to me right from the start. After all, I could see a little window up there from the outside, but thought nothing of it.
There is a chalky taste in my throat, and the dust is clogging up my airways as I climb. The rises are high, and the industrial pole that holds the treads seems a bit unstable. Each one of them in turn clangs as I step up, higher and higher, but the sound soon dies away below me. The walls close in on me as it this is a trap. There is barely enough headroom and practically no light except at the top of the staircase.
By the time I reach it, my trepidation grows. Here is a narrow, barely lit room, with a tiny window looking out across the backyard. It has a distant view of Clearwater High School. I recognize it by the slightly curved facade of that building, although the slogan etched on it is too far to read, even if I squint. But I do know it. Home of the Tornadoes.
For a brief moment I consider turning this space into a new office. Finding it should feel great, should feel like adventure. Except for one thing.
The dread.
★ Love Suspense? Prepare to be thrilled ★
(Volume II of Ash Suspense Thrillers with a Dash of Romance)
Audiobook US ★ UK ★ FR ★ DE ★ iTunes
The last thing Ash expects when she lands in Clearwater, Florida is to be stalked by a troubled teenager. If that's not bad enough, she is caught in a shooting spree next to the nearby elementary school. The cops think it’s an attempt at mass killing, but Ash wonders if the only victim was specifically targeted by the killer. Will she manage to identify him and have him arrested before he comes after her?
"Uvi Poznanski transports us with her stunning prose, well-rounded characters, and dialogue. The plot twists are complete surprises, and pull us on to see what's next. Nothing is what it appears to be, which is exactly what you'd want in a solid mystery thriller with a dash of romance." ~ J.A. Schneider, Author of Suspense and Psychological Thrillers
May 20, 2021
A gripping espionage thriller
LISTENEREllen Oceanside
OverdueAsh Suspense Thrillers with a Dash of Romance, Book 4By: Uvi PoznanskyNarrated by: Heather Jane HoganGood Story & Narration Overall 5 out of 5 starsPerformance 5 out of 5 starsStory 5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed: 05-18-21
Ash has shot a Russian mob guy and he is now in a coma. A gripping espionage thriller, well written with a good flowing plot to the end. The audio narration added to the tension of the story, well done and enjoyed. Given audio for my voluntary review
May 17, 2021
For his sweetheart, would the past continue to be present?
Michael was sleepy, but could not let his eyes fall shut. If he would do it—even for a heartbeat—the nightmare might start all over again. Ribbons of silvery water would start wrinkling slowly over her temple and down into the crown of algae. A drip would start trickling through the braid, right down to the blood at its tip.
He bowed his head, praying that now, with the mystery solved at last, the fate of the dancer would stop haunting him and at the same time, stop reminding Ash of the incident. The rape. That, he thought, was the one topic that from now on, should never again come up between them. It should be forgotten. Buried.
For his sweetheart, would the past continue to be present? Would she ever be free of it?
It was time to turn off the simulation, but Michael waited a moment longer. He wondered, how would the scene look from a boat sailing off toward the fleeing horizon, one day when he and Ash are headed for a new voyage, a new adventure?
The white tail of Pacific Coast Highway would shrink into the distance. So would the cliffs, kneeling to kiss the silvery surf. And deep underwater, from the disappearing shore, would it still come—rippling faster and faster toward them—that whispering silence of Lace?
(Volume I of High-Tech Crime Solvers)
Audiobok US ★ UK ★ FR ★ DE ★ iTunes
Haunted by discovering the body of a beautiful dancer, Michael re-constructs her murder in a virtual reality. Can he bring the mystery to life? Can he solve it in time, before the killer turns on the woman he loves, Ash?
"The great attention given to detail makes for a lush and vivid tale that comes to life. The world of virtual reality that Michael creates is fascinating to read about."
~B. Roscoe, Audible Listener
May 16, 2021
A thrilling suspense ride!
LISTENER
Sugar
OverdueAsh Suspense Thrillers with a Dash of Romance, Book 4By: Uvi PoznanskyNarrated by: Heather Jane Hogan A thrilling suspense ride! Overall 5 out of 5 starsPerformance 5 out of 5 starsStory 5 out of 5 starsReviewed: 05-16-21
Overdue by Uvi Poznansky was a wild ride! Who is ‘the Voola’? Having read previous Russian mob books, I knew immediately, and that told me Overdue was going to be filled with twists and turns for Ash and Michael. My gut wasn’t wrong. Ash was on the radar of a Russian mob boss who lived to defraud and destroy people's identities and their lives.
When Ash meets a mysterious woman, the country is in the grips of the new Covid pandemic. Terrified for her life, and the life of her boyfriend, Ash is all too careful about interacting with someone she doesn’t know, but this woman was desperately in need of help, or so Ash thought.
The truth was something else altogether and Ash never saw it coming. In fact, Ash never dreamed that trying to be a good samaritan would put her life in danger multiple different times. The reader will be on pins and needles as Ash, and the people she loves, are put through the wringer by the Voola. Just when you think she’s going to be safe, nope! Ms. Poznansky keeps the blows coming one after another on both Ash, and her family, until you’re sure she can’t take much more. It is only then that the author gives the reader a breather and lets her characters find a little happiness.
Overdue is a prime example of Ms. Poznansky’s emotional and lyrical writing and it is obvious she has spent many hours on research for this thriller. This was the first Ash Suspense Thriller I read, and I didn’t need to read the first three to be able to follow this one. I definitely want to, though! If you’re looking for a well-written thriller whether you listen to this book on Audiobook or read it yourself, you can’t go wrong. The narrator, Heather Jane Hogan, brings this story to life in a wonderfully invigorating way that sucks you in from the first paragraph and holds your attention for the duration.
I received a complimentary audiobook for my honest and voluntary review as above.
