A Breath of Fresh Air

by John B. Rosenman

Michael Windsor’s luck has abandoned him. His wife, Muriel, left him, taking his beloved seven-year-old son Andy with her, and is sleeping with a rich lawyer.As if that isn’t enough, he experiences three near-death episodes in his sleep, fighting for breath and nearly suffocating. It's called obstructive sleep apnea, and his neurologist advises him to use a device to help regulate his breathing at night. It sounds even more miserable, but Michael agrees.What follows is a whirlwind of surreal changes as his body strengthens, his life improves, and he feels somehow more alive. He knows it’s the machine, but he also knows that’s crazy. Then, to his horror, he is enmeshed in a string of murder and violence that has both the police and a very powerful, very evil entity hot on his trail. He also finds a new romance and the hope of a better life. If only he can survive and protect himself, his son, and the woman he’s grown to love.

237 pages, Paperback

Published January 23, 2024

About the author

John B. Rosenman is a former English professor at Norfolk State University, where he designed and taught a course in writing Science Fiction and Fantasy. A past Chairman of the Board of the Horror Writers Association, he has published over 200 stories in magazines such as Weird Tales, Whitley Strieber’s Aliens, Fangoria, Galaxy, Endless Apocalypse, The Age of Wonders, and the Hot Blood erotic‑horror series.

He is the author of more than two dozen books, including science‑fiction action‑adventure novels (Beyond Those Distant Stars, Speaker of the Shakk, A Senseless Act of Beauty, Alien Dreams, and the six‑book Inspector of the Cross series*), as well as the Dreamfarer and A Breath of Fresh Air series. His work also includes mainstream fiction such as The Best Laugh Last and the Young Adult novel The Merry‑Go‑Round Man.

John’s fiction often explores the mind‑stretching wonders of the universe and the limitless possibilities of transformation—sexual, cosmic, and otherwise. He enjoys hearing from readers.

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Reviews

[Rakhi (New Book Reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if a simple machine could change your life but also entangle you in danger?

An impressive and gripping read, A Breath of Fresh Air by by John B. Rosenman, is more than just a thriller it’s a whirlwind of mystery, suspense, and unexpected twists. The story is packed with tension, making it impossible to put down.

Just when things seem to settle, a new revelation turns everything upside down.

The highlight I loved about this book is its blend of psychological depth and high-stakes suspense. The storyline is fast-paced and engaging, keeping the tension high while exploring the struggles of its protagonist in a deeply emotional way. The mix of mystery, danger, and a touch of romance makes it a thrilling and well-rounded read.

The author has done an incredible job crafting a story that keeps readers on edge while also delivering strong character development and emotional depth. The writing is sharp and immersive, making the suspense and drama feel incredibly real.

This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys gripping thrillers, psychological twists, and intense storytelling. I found this book to be a thrilling and thought-provoking journey, filled with suspense and unexpected turns. Every chapter pulls you deeper into the mystery, making it impossible to stop reading.

The author’s ability to build tension and create compelling twists is truly impressive. The narrative unfolds seamlessly, keeping the stakes high. I can’t wait to read more books by this author!

Overall, an intense and exhilarating read.

[Asma · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first chapter, this book gripped me—not with action, but with raw emotion. Michael isn’t just a protagonist; he’s a mirror held up to every quietly suffering soul. His battle with sleep, with sorrow, and with silence struck a nerve I didn’t know was exposed.

And just when I thought I understood the rhythm of the story, it unraveled into something darker—twisting effortlessly into a tale of murder and the supernatural, yet never losing its emotional pulse.

This isn’t just a thriller. It’s a lament. A cry for connection. A reminder that sometimes, the most terrifying monsters are born from within.

Unexpected, unforgettable, and beautifully layered.

[Aarshi B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Surprisingly Emotional Thriller

What struck me most wasn’t the danger it was the grief, the isolation, and the desperate hope for a second chance.
Michael’s pain felt real, and his growth was quietly powerful amid the chaos.

More than just suspense it’s about healing and holding on.
Four and a half stars for a story that hit deeper than expected.

[Mira · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first chapter, I felt pulled into a story that kept twisting in ways I never saw coming.
Sleep apnea, heartbreak, murder somehow it all came together into a high-stakes emotional ride.

The pacing, unpredictability, and emotional stakes were on point.
Five stars for the rush and raw tension!

[Tanu Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Book Took Me by Surprise

I thought I was reading about a man struggling with sleep apnea and suddenly I was knee-deep in murder, mystery, and madness.
The transitions were seamless and shocking in the best way.

It’s rare to find a book that blends medical, emotional, and supernatural this well.
Full five stars I didn’t see it coming, and I loved every page.

[Komal Kumari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, Deep, and Totally Unputdownable

There’s something eerie and poetic about how this story balances physical health with emotional chaos.
I was hooked by the haunting visuals and raw vulnerability.

This is the kind of book that lingers after you close it.
Five stars for writing that breathes life into fear.

[Sada Rajlakshmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story completely surprised me..

Sleep Apnea Meets Supernatural Mayhem? I’m In.

I thought this was going to be a serious drama and it is, but also not?
It has medical realism, action scenes, romance, and this totally unexpected mystical current running through it.

Weird, wild, and weirdly great.
Five stars for a story that completely surprised me

[Megha Bhatia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It starts small, then it explodes

The beginning felt intimate, quiet, and then… everything blew up in plot, emotion, danger.
I didn’t expect such layered storytelling from a premise so grounded in real-life issues.

Brilliant twists, emotional depth, and a haunting pace.
Four and a half stars from a reader who couldn’t stop turning pages.

[Shashi Shukla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how real-world pain sleep apnea, divorce, parenting struggles was paired with this unexplainable supernatural thread.
The result? A thoughtful, thrilling experience unlike anything I’ve read recently.

Highly recommend to those craving something different.
Five stars for originality and heart.

[Ridhi Malhotra · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Sleep Turns Deadly

There’s something terrifying about not being able to trust your own sleep and this book captured that horror masterfully.
The mix of supernatural dread and real-life vulnerability made my skin crawl in the best way.

If you like thrillers with a psychological edge, this one’s a must.
Four stars for intensity and originality.

[Debjit Pathak · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Just Happened?!

This book constantly had me guessing and second-guessing.
Every time I thought I understood what was going on, it flipped the narrative again.

A surreal and exhilarating read.
Five stars for keeping my heart racing and my mind turning.

[Dharmendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ending Left Me Stunned

I won’t give anything away, but that final stretch… I had to reread it twice.
The suspense explodes, and the emotional payoff is totally worth it.

It’s one of those endings you keep thinking about long after.
Five stars, no question.

[Read_with_rimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpectedly Brilliant

The pacing, the unpredictability, the sheer weirdness of how everything unravels it was amazing.
It felt like life falling apart and being reborn at the same time.

Five stars. This is not your average thriller it’s a ride through emotion and energy.

[Dharun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Felt Seen in the Struggle

Michael’s exhaustion, loneliness, and yearning for something better it all hit close to home.
His flaws made him real, and his quiet resilience made him unforgettable.

Not just a thriller it’s about fighting for breath in every sense.
A heartfelt five stars.

[Thaat_book_worm · Rating 4 out of 5]

The metaphor of not being able to breathe felt so real I could feel Michael’s suffocation.
And yet, by the end, I felt a strange sense of peace and purpose, like I’d gone on the journey too.

This isn’t just fiction. It’s an experience.
Five deeply felt stars.

[Mary Olar · Rating 5 out of 5]

What makes this novel stand out is its balance: it entertains while also inspiring reflection. Readers will find themselves immersed in the world Rosenman has created, but also pausing to consider the broader questions the book raises about life and renewal.

Highly Recommend

[Robert Williscroft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prof. John Rosenman is a Science Fiction Master with a long string of successful hard science fiction novels to his credit. A Breath of Fresh Air is a departure from his usual fare. This is not so surprising when you realize Rosenman is the former chair of the Horror Writer’s Association. A Breath of Fresh Air is not a horror story, nor is it what we think of as hard science fiction. Rather, it is something containing elements of both genres, with a happy twist at the ending.

We see the tale through the eyes of the protagonist, Michael Windsor. He is diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. Michael gets a CABS machine—the “Gold Standard” of sleep apnea machines. It helps; he likes it; and then things begin to happen. The machine becomes sapient, although Michael doesn’t realize this at first. Furthermore, through Mac (Michael’s name for the machine) Michael begins to exhibit strengths he never had before—not superpowers from the comics, but capabilities he definitely did not have previously. The Feds become interested in Mac, and Michael finds himself in a life-or-death pursuit. His son and the son’s English teacher become involved. The tale moves from one exciting climax to the next, each more dangerous and challenging than the previous, including helicopter dogfights and traversing a 500-mile-long cave system. No spoilers here—you will have to read the book to see how it ends.

See what I mean? Not really science fiction, definitely not hard SciFi, a bit of fantasy, a bit of horror—I’m a devotee of hard science fiction, but A Breath of Fresh Air definitely kept me turning pages. 5-stars for another great book by John Rosenman.