Steve Wilson's Blog - Posts Tagged "tempest-of-fire"
Book Three Is Underway!
Starting a new novel is always an exciting time. On February 2, I began the next book in the Michael Neill series.
A lot of research has gone into the third installment--that process started months ago, focusing on Polish history, inter-continental ballistic missiles, Russian geo-political dynamics, foreign assassins...
... and the waltz.
The first pages have consumed much of my time over the past few days. It's an unusual beginning to a Michael Neill novel, targeting a historical period that's always intrigued me. I'm setting a good pace, and I hope to finish this book before the end of the year. Fans of the first book will be pleased to re-acquaint themselves with some familiar characters.
'Tempest of Fire' is now being read by my publisher. When I get his thoughts on the book I'll let you know. I've tweaked the front and back covers quite a bit over the past few months, and I'll be revealing that imagery very soon.
Till then, keep reading!
Steve
A lot of research has gone into the third installment--that process started months ago, focusing on Polish history, inter-continental ballistic missiles, Russian geo-political dynamics, foreign assassins...
... and the waltz.
The first pages have consumed much of my time over the past few days. It's an unusual beginning to a Michael Neill novel, targeting a historical period that's always intrigued me. I'm setting a good pace, and I hope to finish this book before the end of the year. Fans of the first book will be pleased to re-acquaint themselves with some familiar characters.
'Tempest of Fire' is now being read by my publisher. When I get his thoughts on the book I'll let you know. I've tweaked the front and back covers quite a bit over the past few months, and I'll be revealing that imagery very soon.
Till then, keep reading!
Steve
'Tempest of Fire' is now available
After months of editing and proofreading, the second book in the Michael Neill series is in print (and also available in Kindle edition).
Readers will find a new locale for Neill's next assignment, with new friends and enemies, as well as the threat of a formidable weapon.
Here's the link to the book on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Tempest-Fire-Mi...
Currently the paperback is posting some very good numbers in terms of the sales ranking. I am thankful for that, and hope it continues as the marketing campaign progresses!
Steve
Readers will find a new locale for Neill's next assignment, with new friends and enemies, as well as the threat of a formidable weapon.
Here's the link to the book on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Tempest-Fire-Mi...
Currently the paperback is posting some very good numbers in terms of the sales ranking. I am thankful for that, and hope it continues as the marketing campaign progresses!
Steve
Audio books
My publisher sent some exciting news a few days back. He is auditioning actors for the audio book versions of both 'Red Sky at Morning' and 'Tempest of Fire'.
Personally I think John Noble ('Fringe', 'The Lord of the Rings') would be an excellent choice. He would also be perfect to play the role of Andrei Ulyanov should the first book be adapted for the screen (hey, I can dream, can't I?).
The goal is to have the books ready by fall, but that's just tentative. I'll keep you posted. Till then, keep reading.
Steve Wilson
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Personally I think John Noble ('Fringe', 'The Lord of the Rings') would be an excellent choice. He would also be perfect to play the role of Andrei Ulyanov should the first book be adapted for the screen (hey, I can dream, can't I?).
The goal is to have the books ready by fall, but that's just tentative. I'll keep you posted. Till then, keep reading.
Steve Wilson
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My Updated Website
With the release of 'Tempest of Fire', my website was in dire need of a 'makeover'.
www.stevewilsonauthor.com
A tip of the hat to Adam Wilson, my son and webmaster. Visitors can now see both books featured, and have the option to read the opening pages, or proceed to Amazon.com to purchase the paperback or Kindle editions.
I'll be working with my publisher to host a book giveaway here on Goodreads.com. Look for more details soon!
Keep reading,
Steve Wilson
www.stevewilsonauthor.com
A tip of the hat to Adam Wilson, my son and webmaster. Visitors can now see both books featured, and have the option to read the opening pages, or proceed to Amazon.com to purchase the paperback or Kindle editions.
I'll be working with my publisher to host a book giveaway here on Goodreads.com. Look for more details soon!
Keep reading,
Steve Wilson
Progress on Book Three
Right now I'm well over one hundred pages into the third book in the Michael Neill series. It's interesting how each book so far has a different feel--something I attribute to the characters and locales. The curtain on Michael's background is being pulled back just a little bit more, and in 'The Trinity Icon', his feelings grow for someone very close to him.
I'm hoping to complete the manuscript by the end of the year, although the publication date is a little harder to fix. I think readers will be pleased to see the return of some characters from book one.
Almost forgot; two actors have read for the audio version of 'Red Sky at Morning'. My publisher sent me the auditions earlier this week. It was pretty exciting to hear complete strangers reading stuff I had written. More auditions could follow, and I'll post more info later.
Steve
I'm hoping to complete the manuscript by the end of the year, although the publication date is a little harder to fix. I think readers will be pleased to see the return of some characters from book one.
Almost forgot; two actors have read for the audio version of 'Red Sky at Morning'. My publisher sent me the auditions earlier this week. It was pretty exciting to hear complete strangers reading stuff I had written. More auditions could follow, and I'll post more info later.
Steve
'Tempest of Fire' book giveaway
In cooperation with my publisher (White Feather Press) and Goodreads.com, the paperback version of 'Tempest of Fire' will be offered in a free giveaway. The contest starts July 4th and runs through July 18th.
To enter, you'll need a Goodreads.com account (visit their site to set one up--it's free!) Then navigate to the giveaways page for a chance to win.
Till then, keep reading!
Steve
To enter, you'll need a Goodreads.com account (visit their site to set one up--it's free!) Then navigate to the giveaways page for a chance to win.
Till then, keep reading!
Steve
The Giveaway Has Begun
The 'Tempest of Fire' book giveaway has started! Here's the link:
http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway?sor...
Scroll down to find the book, then click on the 'enter to win' button. You can't win if you don't enter, and the contest is free!
Steve
http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway?sor...
Scroll down to find the book, then click on the 'enter to win' button. You can't win if you don't enter, and the contest is free!
Steve
'Tempest of Fire' nominated for the 2013 Lime Award for Excellence in Fiction
I learned today that 'Tempest of Fire' was nominated by thechristianmanifesto.com for the 2013 Lime Award for Excellence in Fiction. Readers of the first book, 'Red Sky at Morning', will recall that it was nominated last year, the only debut novel in its category.
I'm hopeful that this will be the year for 'Tempest of Fire'! I've posted a link to the review below.
http://thechristianmanifesto.com/arch...
Steve
I'm hopeful that this will be the year for 'Tempest of Fire'! I've posted a link to the review below.
http://thechristianmanifesto.com/arch...
Steve
Military Writers Society review of 'Tempest of Fire'
Another excellent review. Here's what the Military Writers Society of America had to say:
Meshing the complexity of high technology of modern navies with cyber warfare and boots on the ground action, “Tempest of Fire” is an exciting and entertaining read that is in the vein of Tom Clancy's military thrillers.
Rogue officers within the Chinese Navy launch a plan using stealth, sophisticated cyber attacks, and top secret high-speed torpedoes to bring Taiwan back into the fold of the Peoples Republic, triggering a war between China and the U.S. But the scheming Chinese admiral in charge of the plan had not factored in the resourcefulness of two U.S. Marine commandos and an unlikely pair of sailors.
“Tempest of Fire” begins with the largest and most advanced Chinese submarine sunk by another mysterious submarine firing a high-speed torpedo unlike anything the world has yet seen. In the U.S., sophisticated hackers disrupt communications service of major cable companies on the West Coast, but fail to break into the military’s top secret network, their efforts blocked by skilled counter-intelligence programmers at the U.S. Cyber Command.
Searching for clues about the cause of the submarine crash, allied satellite surveillance picks up what looks like a small uncharted submarine pen on an isolated, unpopulated Island claimed by China. At the same time, an American millionaire, whose family is a major military communications programming contractor, has been selling secret codes to the disloyal Chinese admiral.
A small four-man team slips onto the island to quietly investigate the situation and to recover software codes. Leading the group is Marine Lieutenant Michael Neill, a highly trained special operations warrior who has direct contact with the National Security Adviser in the White house. With him are a Marine sharpshooter, a young naval computer programmer who is fluent in Mandarin and a seasoned master chief boatswain mate. Neill is also a devout Christian whose faith guides his actions throughout the adventure. Taken to the area aboard a British warship, the American team clandestinely goes ashore as a typhoon approaches the area, further complicating the situation.
While the American team is searching the island, the Chinese navy begins its annual war games in the seas around Formosa. During the maneuvers, the rogue admiral plans to goad the Taiwanese into sinking one of his ships, opening the way for a People’s Republic of China military takeover of Taiwan. To trigger the assault, Taiwan’s satellites suffer a crippling cyber attack, causing a communications shut down within the Taiwan Navy.
Steve Wilson’s “Tempest of Fire” is a military thriller that quickly captures a reader’s attention and holds it in suspense until the end.
Meshing the complexity of high technology of modern navies with cyber warfare and boots on the ground action, “Tempest of Fire” is an exciting and entertaining read that is in the vein of Tom Clancy's military thrillers.
Rogue officers within the Chinese Navy launch a plan using stealth, sophisticated cyber attacks, and top secret high-speed torpedoes to bring Taiwan back into the fold of the Peoples Republic, triggering a war between China and the U.S. But the scheming Chinese admiral in charge of the plan had not factored in the resourcefulness of two U.S. Marine commandos and an unlikely pair of sailors.
“Tempest of Fire” begins with the largest and most advanced Chinese submarine sunk by another mysterious submarine firing a high-speed torpedo unlike anything the world has yet seen. In the U.S., sophisticated hackers disrupt communications service of major cable companies on the West Coast, but fail to break into the military’s top secret network, their efforts blocked by skilled counter-intelligence programmers at the U.S. Cyber Command.
Searching for clues about the cause of the submarine crash, allied satellite surveillance picks up what looks like a small uncharted submarine pen on an isolated, unpopulated Island claimed by China. At the same time, an American millionaire, whose family is a major military communications programming contractor, has been selling secret codes to the disloyal Chinese admiral.
A small four-man team slips onto the island to quietly investigate the situation and to recover software codes. Leading the group is Marine Lieutenant Michael Neill, a highly trained special operations warrior who has direct contact with the National Security Adviser in the White house. With him are a Marine sharpshooter, a young naval computer programmer who is fluent in Mandarin and a seasoned master chief boatswain mate. Neill is also a devout Christian whose faith guides his actions throughout the adventure. Taken to the area aboard a British warship, the American team clandestinely goes ashore as a typhoon approaches the area, further complicating the situation.
While the American team is searching the island, the Chinese navy begins its annual war games in the seas around Formosa. During the maneuvers, the rogue admiral plans to goad the Taiwanese into sinking one of his ships, opening the way for a People’s Republic of China military takeover of Taiwan. To trigger the assault, Taiwan’s satellites suffer a crippling cyber attack, causing a communications shut down within the Taiwan Navy.
Steve Wilson’s “Tempest of Fire” is a military thriller that quickly captures a reader’s attention and holds it in suspense until the end.
The Role of Research
A frequent question relates to research. How much is required to create one novel? In my case, nearly 50% of my time is spent gathering background, and a great deal of that is done on the front end. My current manuscript is backed up with an outline that runs 23 pages; additionally, I have a lined pad where I've jotted down notes that are just as long. To compose a single paragraph sometimes requires several trips to the internet, to confirm a source or refresh my memory about something I've learned in the past (I try not to take anything for granted).
And speaking of the third installment, consider these topics. For book three, I had to return to Neill's roots in Eastern Europe (and to a greater extent, Central Europe). Here are a few of the subjects that required research:
* Poland's Husaria
* Russia's political structure
* Missile defense shields
* Tactics of the Russian Navy
* The role of the media in Polish life
* The missile technology of Iran
The tone of this book is different from the preceding two, but it could be argued that each varies in flavor. 'Red Sky at Morning' was couched in the politics and culture of Eastern Europe, and was the introduction to the series, and to Neill's character. 'Tempest of Fire' was more of a 'boots on the ground' type of story, with a heavy emphasis on technology and the volatile interactions of the Asian world. In 'The Trinity Icon', (working title), questions raised in 'Tempest' begin to be answered, the intricacies of geo-politics are explored, and there is more of a revelatory aspect to Neill's background--along with a heightened sense of romance.
And speaking of the third installment, consider these topics. For book three, I had to return to Neill's roots in Eastern Europe (and to a greater extent, Central Europe). Here are a few of the subjects that required research:
* Poland's Husaria
* Russia's political structure
* Missile defense shields
* Tactics of the Russian Navy
* The role of the media in Polish life
* The missile technology of Iran
The tone of this book is different from the preceding two, but it could be argued that each varies in flavor. 'Red Sky at Morning' was couched in the politics and culture of Eastern Europe, and was the introduction to the series, and to Neill's character. 'Tempest of Fire' was more of a 'boots on the ground' type of story, with a heavy emphasis on technology and the volatile interactions of the Asian world. In 'The Trinity Icon', (working title), questions raised in 'Tempest' begin to be answered, the intricacies of geo-politics are explored, and there is more of a revelatory aspect to Neill's background--along with a heightened sense of romance.
