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The Milestone Trilogy #1
Project Amber
What if destiny set an unexpected path and everything changed?
And when the truth finally emerges, Angel's life will be forever transformed.
Angel is gutsy, clever, and as a journalist, she's never afraid to break a controversial story. How was she to know her life will hit a wall and take a sharp left turn.
What will she do when she discovers her life was planned from the beginning? How will she handle being suddenly thrust into the intelligence community, then learns of a secret project, and an ASIO mission to destroy it? Will she do more harm than good? Or will she manage to stop the unimaginable?
Located in the heart of the Australia, Project Amber must be destroyed, before the inconceivable consequences of MILESTONE becomes reality.
Project Amber follows Angel as she struggles to come to terms with her inner most demons, at the same time fighting to save humanity from what was once thought of as impossible.
Set in the Australian outback, the Simpson Desert, Pine Gap, Nurrungar, Alice Springs, Darwin, Adelaide and Melbourne.
And when the truth finally emerges, Angel's life will be forever transformed.
Angel is gutsy, clever, and as a journalist, she's never afraid to break a controversial story. How was she to know her life will hit a wall and take a sharp left turn.
What will she do when she discovers her life was planned from the beginning? How will she handle being suddenly thrust into the intelligence community, then learns of a secret project, and an ASIO mission to destroy it? Will she do more harm than good? Or will she manage to stop the unimaginable?
Located in the heart of the Australia, Project Amber must be destroyed, before the inconceivable consequences of MILESTONE becomes reality.
Project Amber follows Angel as she struggles to come to terms with her inner most demons, at the same time fighting to save humanity from what was once thought of as impossible.
Set in the Australian outback, the Simpson Desert, Pine Gap, Nurrungar, Alice Springs, Darwin, Adelaide and Melbourne.
370 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2017
About the author
Carl Lakeland
29 books10 followersCarl Lakeland is an Australian author of suspense and spy thrillers, known for his lean, fast-moving narratives and grounded realism. Drawing on personal experience and a deep interest in intelligence operations, military history, and human resilience, his stories explore loyalty, sacrifice, and the unseen costs of conflict.
His work blends action-driven storytelling with emotional depth, focusing on characters shaped by hard choices and irreversible consequences. Carl lives in Australia, where he continues to write fiction that favours authenticity over spectacle and tension over excess.
His work blends action-driven storytelling with emotional depth, focusing on characters shaped by hard choices and irreversible consequences. Carl lives in Australia, where he continues to write fiction that favours authenticity over spectacle and tension over excess.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 16, 2017
‘A man you can bait with a tweet is not a man you can trust with nuclear weapons.’ —Hilary Clinton.
Australian author Carl Lakeland brings that special flavor of Australian suspense books to his debut novel MILESTONE that is Volume One of his planned trilogy. Carl spent his youth in the western suburbs of Sydney, joining the military at the age of seventeen, all the while gathering concept and perceptions for his speculative fiction. Of note, his stories revolve around the element of ‘what if?’ He pushes the boundaries of his stories to the edge of the Official Secrets Act, a magnificent way to involve the reader into the actual story development. His writing includes military intrigue, aspects of science fiction and conspiracy theories- a combination that drives the momentum of his well-sculpted book.
Carl teases the reader into the entry of the story in his Prologue, as the follow excerpt demonstrates – ‘The small group of Australian Secret Intelligence Service Officers finally arrived out front of at a house in Swartz Crescent, Alice Springs. They leapt from the rear of the Federal Police vehicles and made their way up the dirt driveway to the front door. Scotty-Blue gave Franco another of his stern sideways glances before he turned and knocked on the heavy front door. The door opened slightly. A lone figure wearing dark sunglasses and a bright red bandana over the lower portion of his face stared through. He had the muzzle of a Heckler & Koch SA-80 pointed squarely at Scotty-Blue’s left eye socket. On recognising them, he opened the door fully, at the same time stepping to one side before smartly ushering the ASIS crew inside. They stepped into a small, dim foyer, lit with only one plain old lightbulb, then made their way down a narrow hallway with rooms leading off to the left and right. In adjacent rooms off the hall, electronic equipment filled every available space. Large, heavy CRT computer monitors showed monochromatic street scenes. Arriving at the end of the corridor, they entered a large room void of any furniture other than a series of long wooden benches— the kind found in locker rooms— positioned around the edges. At the end was a heavy steel door to another room, at its side a fingerprint scanner. The ASIS officers took their places and sat along the row of wooden benches. Franco fell silent. The injections were only moments away. After taking the shot, the effects would start all over again. First, the headaches. Then, nausea. Then, the odd little halos in the vision. Mood swings. The sweats, the relentless itching, and then the thoughts. Those horrible thoughts to which there was no end.’
Carl provides a tempting synopsis – ‘As a respected journalist, she lives her life in the limelight and enjoys the fortune that comes with it. Angel is gutsy, steadfast, and never afraid to break a controversial story. How was she to know, her life would hit a wall and take a sharp left turn. What will she do when she discovers her life was planned from the beginning? How will she handle being suddenly thrust into the intelligence community, then learns of a secret project and an ASIO mission to destroy it? Will she do more harm than good? Or will she manage to stop the unimaginable? Located somewhere in the heart of the Australia, Project Amber must be destroyed, before the inconceivable consequences becomes reality. Before Milestone becomes initialised. This is the first episode that follows Angel as she struggles to come to terms with her inner most demons, at the same time fighting to save humanity from what was once thought of as impossible.’
Writing of this quality proves that the art and genre of thriller novels is alive and well. Carl Lakeland makes a solid entrance onto the literary stage
Australian author Carl Lakeland brings that special flavor of Australian suspense books to his debut novel MILESTONE that is Volume One of his planned trilogy. Carl spent his youth in the western suburbs of Sydney, joining the military at the age of seventeen, all the while gathering concept and perceptions for his speculative fiction. Of note, his stories revolve around the element of ‘what if?’ He pushes the boundaries of his stories to the edge of the Official Secrets Act, a magnificent way to involve the reader into the actual story development. His writing includes military intrigue, aspects of science fiction and conspiracy theories- a combination that drives the momentum of his well-sculpted book.
Carl teases the reader into the entry of the story in his Prologue, as the follow excerpt demonstrates – ‘The small group of Australian Secret Intelligence Service Officers finally arrived out front of at a house in Swartz Crescent, Alice Springs. They leapt from the rear of the Federal Police vehicles and made their way up the dirt driveway to the front door. Scotty-Blue gave Franco another of his stern sideways glances before he turned and knocked on the heavy front door. The door opened slightly. A lone figure wearing dark sunglasses and a bright red bandana over the lower portion of his face stared through. He had the muzzle of a Heckler & Koch SA-80 pointed squarely at Scotty-Blue’s left eye socket. On recognising them, he opened the door fully, at the same time stepping to one side before smartly ushering the ASIS crew inside. They stepped into a small, dim foyer, lit with only one plain old lightbulb, then made their way down a narrow hallway with rooms leading off to the left and right. In adjacent rooms off the hall, electronic equipment filled every available space. Large, heavy CRT computer monitors showed monochromatic street scenes. Arriving at the end of the corridor, they entered a large room void of any furniture other than a series of long wooden benches— the kind found in locker rooms— positioned around the edges. At the end was a heavy steel door to another room, at its side a fingerprint scanner. The ASIS officers took their places and sat along the row of wooden benches. Franco fell silent. The injections were only moments away. After taking the shot, the effects would start all over again. First, the headaches. Then, nausea. Then, the odd little halos in the vision. Mood swings. The sweats, the relentless itching, and then the thoughts. Those horrible thoughts to which there was no end.’
Carl provides a tempting synopsis – ‘As a respected journalist, she lives her life in the limelight and enjoys the fortune that comes with it. Angel is gutsy, steadfast, and never afraid to break a controversial story. How was she to know, her life would hit a wall and take a sharp left turn. What will she do when she discovers her life was planned from the beginning? How will she handle being suddenly thrust into the intelligence community, then learns of a secret project and an ASIO mission to destroy it? Will she do more harm than good? Or will she manage to stop the unimaginable? Located somewhere in the heart of the Australia, Project Amber must be destroyed, before the inconceivable consequences becomes reality. Before Milestone becomes initialised. This is the first episode that follows Angel as she struggles to come to terms with her inner most demons, at the same time fighting to save humanity from what was once thought of as impossible.’
Writing of this quality proves that the art and genre of thriller novels is alive and well. Carl Lakeland makes a solid entrance onto the literary stage
October 26, 2017
As you read Milestone: Project Amber, you will find Carl Lakeland paints Angel in multiple lights. She was a little girl who was fighting for her life, from her own father. After becoming an orphan, her own foster mother sends her way. These unforeseen events make her the fearless journalist she had become, and she isn’t afraid to question the motives behind the second most powerful woman in the world.
But through it all she had Nathan. He had always been her foundation, until he shattered her world. She questions if she would betray his trust to disclose the human aliens who live among them. The world needs to know, but this could ultimately disclose how she herself was a pawn in the scheme of these intelligent beings. She cannot take back what was done, and the paths were just vague that laid before her.
But through it all she had Nathan. He had always been her foundation, until he shattered her world. She questions if she would betray his trust to disclose the human aliens who live among them. The world needs to know, but this could ultimately disclose how she herself was a pawn in the scheme of these intelligent beings. She cannot take back what was done, and the paths were just vague that laid before her.
August 31, 2018
“If I write something that can be foreseen in coming chapters, it’s not good enough. I will scrap it. My goal is to keep the reader wondering, even sometimes to the detriment of my good guys!” says Carl.
And this pretty much sums up the book. Even having read the prequel, and knowing some of the twists and turns that might happen, I found that I could barely keep up with (and was completely sucked in by) the unpredictable, action packed journey.
While not essential, I would definitely recommend reading the prequel first to ease yourself into Angel’s world - but one you do, strap in. The twists come thick and fast.
And this pretty much sums up the book. Even having read the prequel, and knowing some of the twists and turns that might happen, I found that I could barely keep up with (and was completely sucked in by) the unpredictable, action packed journey.
While not essential, I would definitely recommend reading the prequel first to ease yourself into Angel’s world - but one you do, strap in. The twists come thick and fast.
April 18, 2018
loved this. I never read spec fiction or thrillers. Yet I couldn't put it down. It was thoroughly enjoyable - great storyline, lots of action, takes you to a different time and place. Yet somehow Carl Lakeland also produces moments that grab your heart. Can't wait to read the rest of the series.
January 18, 2018
Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman
Don’t worry about aliens coming to earth – they’re already here and they have been for aeons. They look like us, they talk like us and they’re almost impossible to distinguish from us. This is the scenario presented to us in Clive Lakeland’s, Project Amber: The Milestone Incident. When a successful, young television journalist, Angel has the temerity to ask the U.S. Secretary of State about the visit to Australia of a nuclear powered carrier, all hell breaks loose for this young woman. Unbeknownst to her, Angel is someone special and has been groomed all her life for the new role she will undertake as a member of Australia’s elite Secret Service (ASIO). Set principally in the outback of Australia, Angel will join forces with an elite team to try and stop the destructive events that are unfolding around the world that could easily see life on earth, as we know it, end. She, alone, has the ability to stop Project Amber and Operation Milestone from devastating our world in a nuclear holocaust.
I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to read about another country’s Secret Service, rather than the USA. It is clear that Clive Lakeland has done his research well in Project Amber: The Milestone Incident. From his descriptions of the facilities at Pine Gap and Nurrangar, right through to the weaponry used and the attitudes and beliefs of these dedicated elite forces, it all rang very true for me. As an ex-pat New Zealander, it was refreshing to read some good old-fashioned “Aussie” banter, with its unique phrases and expressions. The story is super-fast and action-filled, quite often, literally, leaving the reader panting for breath. I found the premise of aliens always living among us to be believable and even the seemingly impossible “magic” to be acceptable and this is a credit to Lakeland’s skill as a writer. I was intrigued to read the short excerpt at the end of the next book. It looks fascinating and I will be checking it out when it becomes available. The ability to prime a reader for the next book in a series is critical to authors and Lakeland has done that well. It’s an excellent fast-paced, science fiction thriller for fans of the genre.
Don’t worry about aliens coming to earth – they’re already here and they have been for aeons. They look like us, they talk like us and they’re almost impossible to distinguish from us. This is the scenario presented to us in Clive Lakeland’s, Project Amber: The Milestone Incident. When a successful, young television journalist, Angel has the temerity to ask the U.S. Secretary of State about the visit to Australia of a nuclear powered carrier, all hell breaks loose for this young woman. Unbeknownst to her, Angel is someone special and has been groomed all her life for the new role she will undertake as a member of Australia’s elite Secret Service (ASIO). Set principally in the outback of Australia, Angel will join forces with an elite team to try and stop the destructive events that are unfolding around the world that could easily see life on earth, as we know it, end. She, alone, has the ability to stop Project Amber and Operation Milestone from devastating our world in a nuclear holocaust.
I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to read about another country’s Secret Service, rather than the USA. It is clear that Clive Lakeland has done his research well in Project Amber: The Milestone Incident. From his descriptions of the facilities at Pine Gap and Nurrangar, right through to the weaponry used and the attitudes and beliefs of these dedicated elite forces, it all rang very true for me. As an ex-pat New Zealander, it was refreshing to read some good old-fashioned “Aussie” banter, with its unique phrases and expressions. The story is super-fast and action-filled, quite often, literally, leaving the reader panting for breath. I found the premise of aliens always living among us to be believable and even the seemingly impossible “magic” to be acceptable and this is a credit to Lakeland’s skill as a writer. I was intrigued to read the short excerpt at the end of the next book. It looks fascinating and I will be checking it out when it becomes available. The ability to prime a reader for the next book in a series is critical to authors and Lakeland has done that well. It’s an excellent fast-paced, science fiction thriller for fans of the genre.
January 16, 2019
Now that is how you write a killer opening scene, folks! No pun intended. Milestone: Project Amber, The Milestone Incident takes place in Australia. Events from 1996 preface this account of a young, idealistic journalist named Angel. She has landed the interview of a lifetime smack dab in the midst of some shady happenings concerning risks to national and global security, it's do or die time for this punchy young woman. Cark Lakeland whips up a tight thriller full of intrigue that evolves into science fiction seamlessly. I've never read anything like it. Each character, even minor ones, feel fully developed and utilized perfectly to enhance the story. Not one sentence of dialogue reads forced or wasted. I found myself nearly obsessed with the story and figuring out where it was all leading.
I appreciated the suddenness of the plot twists throughout. It was nice not to see things coming chapters in advance. There are several loose ends and those would irritate me if this weren't the first of a trilogy. I hope the author is holding some things back to explore in future volumes.
I appreciated the suddenness of the plot twists throughout. It was nice not to see things coming chapters in advance. There are several loose ends and those would irritate me if this weren't the first of a trilogy. I hope the author is holding some things back to explore in future volumes.
November 5, 2017
This book by Carl Lakeland is the first in his Milestone: Project Amber trilogy. This book tells the story of Angel, a journalist who has discovered some pretty shocking secrets not only about her life, but of experiments going on as well. Angel must learn more about Project Amber and why its “Milestone” must be destroyed before it harms mankind.
Milestone: Project Amber: The Milestone Incident is set in many different locations throughout Australia, like the Outback and Melbourne. Because of this, you’ll learn a lot about Australian culture and the unique natural wonders it contains. The titles of the chapters also contain information about where Angel currently is in the country so you won’t get confused trying to figure that out on your own.
At 341 pages, it might be a little long for some readers, but that shouldn’t deter you from reading it. Lakeland has a great writing style that will instantly capture your imagination. This novel is an intriguing book that fans of the mystery genre should definitely check out.
Milestone: Project Amber: The Milestone Incident is set in many different locations throughout Australia, like the Outback and Melbourne. Because of this, you’ll learn a lot about Australian culture and the unique natural wonders it contains. The titles of the chapters also contain information about where Angel currently is in the country so you won’t get confused trying to figure that out on your own.
At 341 pages, it might be a little long for some readers, but that shouldn’t deter you from reading it. Lakeland has a great writing style that will instantly capture your imagination. This novel is an intriguing book that fans of the mystery genre should definitely check out.
November 8, 2017
This book had multiple layers of awesome. First is the loveable strong female lead, Angel. She is intelligent and you are cheering for her from the very beginning. Her character has quirks and individuality that makes her stand out when compared to the other female leads in this genre. She is not some sexual bombshell that sleeps with whoever she pleases and asserts her dominance. Those books are great, but it is nice for a change and this book delivers to the audience looking for a bit of variety.
Set in australia, Angel is a journalist that realizes her life may have been a bit more intentional than what she originally assumed. It is a save the world sort of story written by a realistic story teller.
The entire book had a very believable down to earth feel to it. You don’t feel like the storyline is forced because the author wants to get to a certain ending. It unravels naturally with reasonable explanations for certain occurrences.
Set in australia, Angel is a journalist that realizes her life may have been a bit more intentional than what she originally assumed. It is a save the world sort of story written by a realistic story teller.
The entire book had a very believable down to earth feel to it. You don’t feel like the storyline is forced because the author wants to get to a certain ending. It unravels naturally with reasonable explanations for certain occurrences.
July 14, 2017
Entertaining action packed thrill ride
This is an action packed thrill ride as we journey with Angel through her attempts to expose threats to Australian sovereignty. Based in Australia, this story follows twists and turns through a vast web of mystery. The characters are good and the story line is great. This is the first of a series and I am looking forward to the next one. Held my attention from the beginning to the last page. Great read and story. Would recommend this one to anyone who loves mystery and suspense.
This is an action packed thrill ride as we journey with Angel through her attempts to expose threats to Australian sovereignty. Based in Australia, this story follows twists and turns through a vast web of mystery. The characters are good and the story line is great. This is the first of a series and I am looking forward to the next one. Held my attention from the beginning to the last page. Great read and story. Would recommend this one to anyone who loves mystery and suspense.
March 5, 2017
This book is well-written, and set in Australia. Not only that, but the author gives the impression of "fair dinkum Ozzie" to the reader. The book starts off as a thriller and follows Angel (originally Angelique) through her attempts as a journalist to expose a nuclear powered aircraft carrier entering Australian waters without permission, with flashbacks to her odd past, which starts to bring in elements of fantasy. Up to half-way through, I was convinced this would be a five star book, but for me it fell away for two reasons when the ending was approaching, and unfortunately it is difficult to describe why without spoiling. The first reason is that occasionally people embark on something without a clear explanation of why, or why whatever it is they propoise doing should be reasonably be expected to work. One example, hopefully without spoiling. Angel is inducted into training for ASIS. Nobody even asks her whether she wants to, and no explanation is given as to why she, who is technically a nobody at this stage, should be accepted. The second reason is there are too many loose ends. Again, another example that hopefully won't spoil. What is the explanation for Franco's behaviour? At the end, there is plenty of scope to fit this in, and Franco comes up in a conversation with someone who would know the answer. The author should tidy up at this point. To summarise, well-written, well worth reading, but some frustrating points. There are apparently going to be two sequels, but that does not excuse at least some of the loose ends. This part of the book should complete the bits that will not turn up again.
March 3, 2017
“Project Amber’’ is a novel written by Carl Lakeland and it is a novel about the possibility of end of the world as we know it, or just- end of the world.
What would any of us do if on one day we received a letter in which there are some nasty and dark secrets from our past, something we thought that they are ‘safely hidden’ in the void of the past? What would we do? We all have some secrets, something we desperately want to forget and left behind, because that is how we deal with secrets most of the time. The same thing happened to our heroine. With no other choice but to ‘obey’ by the letter, she did what she had to do. The very first thing that I liked about this novel is that it immediately opens with something ‘strongly’ mysterious. I like it because that is what kept me reading for some time until I discovered the depth of the plot, but regardless of that some things will be left undiscovered until the very end of the plot.
Okay, so we have a limited time to stop some mysterious project and if we do not it will be the end of the world as we know it. That is fantastic, when it comes to a story of a novel, because it almost guarantees everything we all want to read about in novels of this genre: race with time, danger possibly around every corner, reminiscing the past and the ‘good ol’ days’ when everything seems to be slowly fading away… One needs to know how to put all this and more into a piece of paper in order for this to become a decent read. And “Project Amber’’ is definitely a decent read. To be honest, it is a lot more than that
What would any of us do if on one day we received a letter in which there are some nasty and dark secrets from our past, something we thought that they are ‘safely hidden’ in the void of the past? What would we do? We all have some secrets, something we desperately want to forget and left behind, because that is how we deal with secrets most of the time. The same thing happened to our heroine. With no other choice but to ‘obey’ by the letter, she did what she had to do. The very first thing that I liked about this novel is that it immediately opens with something ‘strongly’ mysterious. I like it because that is what kept me reading for some time until I discovered the depth of the plot, but regardless of that some things will be left undiscovered until the very end of the plot.
Okay, so we have a limited time to stop some mysterious project and if we do not it will be the end of the world as we know it. That is fantastic, when it comes to a story of a novel, because it almost guarantees everything we all want to read about in novels of this genre: race with time, danger possibly around every corner, reminiscing the past and the ‘good ol’ days’ when everything seems to be slowly fading away… One needs to know how to put all this and more into a piece of paper in order for this to become a decent read. And “Project Amber’’ is definitely a decent read. To be honest, it is a lot more than that
March 6, 2017
MILESTONE: Project Amber: A Suspense Novel written by Carl Lakeland is a well written mystery/thriller novel. The main character Angel (Angelique) is a strong, well thought out character who struggles with demons and secrets from her past coming to the surface. These secrets/demons are slowly revealed, but the beginning notice of them for the reader is through one letter Angel received in the beginning of the story. The plot is well written and planned out. Angel comes together with her friend, Nathan, to discover and then take down a plot set up to annihilate the world, all while battling her past. The author has a smooth writing style, and the thought put into the plot, characters, and details really shows throughout the book, making this a real page turner! I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and really look forward to reading more work by Carl Lakeland, and as there were quite a few unanswered questions and loose ends by the end of this book, I look forward to the next book in this series. I highly recommend this to all those who love a good mystery/thriller with high levels of suspense.
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