If you’re a paperback reader of airline thrillers, the new version of The Cover-Up is available. Like the EBook, it has been re-edited, an author’s note is included that explains how the story was conceived, as well as the first chapter of Coerced, the novel that follows it.
You can read the author’s note here.
If you’re interested in buying the paperback, it’s available here.
David C. Cassidy created this inspiring cover and formatted the book.
I’m honored to have the talented David C. Cassidy leave this five star review of my airline thriller, Calamity.
Not only is David a talented graphic artist, he’s a gifted writer too. Check out his novels, Velvet Rain, Fosgate’s Game, and The Dark.
I will soon be republishing my first airline thriller, The Cover-Up. It will have some editing changes, the addition of an author’s note explaining how the story was conceived, and the first chapter of the novel that follows it, titled, Coerced. To signify the change, I’ve commissioned the incredible David C. Cassidy to create the stunning cover you see at the left for both the EBook and paperback.
If you’re looking for a cover-artist/book-formatter who is a dream to work with you should consider David.
Until the novel is re-released, here is the author’s note that’ll be in the new edition:
While trying to come up with an idea for an airline thriller, I looked back over my twenty-five years of pretty routine flying and considered some of the situations I’d encountered. I’ve had to divert from the intended destination because of weather, sick passengers, airport closings, and mechanical issues. Luckily, I’ve never had to divert because of rowdy passengers like some of my brethren have. It would be a stretch to dramatize what is a pilot’s typical day to make into an exciting plot.
I gave some thought to having a terrorist problem, but decided against it for several reasons. I didn’t want anything I dreamed up to be something terrorist might try. I would also give away some of the security procedures that have been implemented since the attacks on nine-eleven.
During this brainstorming I remembered a few years prior a routine line-check, what the FAA calls a route check, by an FAA inspector who didn’t say much during the flight.
Unlike Ernest Norman in this book, almost all of the FAA Inspectors I’ve encountered are good people doing what is often an unrewarding job. It also has to be frustrating working around aviation but seldom being able to sit at the controls of an aircraft. There are a few who like to exert their authority by making airlines, mechanics, or pilots feel their licenses are on the line.
Most of the time the inspectors giving the line-checks will interact with the crews easing the tension that always rises when pilots feel they’re being watched. The feeling is similar to when a police officer follows the car you’re driving. When I get a quiet one who doesn’t attempt to converse with us, I question if they’re trying to be out-of-sight-out of-mind so we can do our jobs as we would without them there? Or, scrutinizing our every move and word hoping we’ll do something wrong so they can issue a violation.
My line-check went fine with no issues for the inspector to discuss after we had parked at the gate. But during the flight, I wondered if a situation arose and I made a decision the inspector disagreed with and thought the safety of the flight was in question, what might he do?
I ruminated on that thought for some time and asked myself: What would happen if I followed the inspector’s advice and it caused an accident? What would the FAA do to prevent the lashing they would take in the media? I had to have the crew in my story follow the inspector’s recommendation during a critical phase of flight when there wasn’t time to discuss the safest course of action. A blown tire on takeoff from a short runway that ended above and beyond the water’s edge fit my needs.
As mentioned in the story, blown tires on takeoff are very rare and seldom cause accidents. Intimidating inspectors are also extremely rare.
If you enjoyed the book, I would appreciate it if you would leave a review on Amazon, GoodReads, or your online retailer of choice so that other readers considering the novel will get an idea if it’s worth a read.
With each book, Douglas Wickard grows as a writer. This one is his best to date, which should not be a deterrent from reading his other novels. I devoured them in just a few settings.
The plot of Perfect moves along at a pace that allows the reader to enjoy the scenery, which Wickard is a master at showing. The characters story savor their surroundings which are given to the reader in satisfying glimpses, or are repulsed by them. There were a few times I thought the story came to a halt while a scene was described, but those times were rare.
The interactions of the characters are realistic and you get to know the point of view characters thoughts and feeling intimately. This being the third book in the Sami Saxton series, she carries baggage from the two previous novels that Wickard wisely doesn’t dwell on. Hints are given so readers of the previous novels are reminded and understand Sami’s emotional well-being. New readers to the series won’t be left questioning why she thinks and acts the way she does.
Sami’s bestie from the previous novels, Drewe, is given more story time in this novel, which gave this reviewer more insight into why she and Sami are so compatible to each other.
But poor Sami. Wickard does not give this woman a break. Just when you think things might be looking up for her, emotionally and romantically, Wickard drops her into hell, yet again. This book comes to a satisfying conclusion, but is left wide open for a continuation of Sami’s torturous life to go on. I can’t wait to read it.
While reading The Dark, you’re going to wonder why David C. Cassidy isn’t the household name that Stephen King’s or Dean Koontz’s are. The writing and story plot are on par with both of those illustrious authors.
The Dark is a fascinating read. Cassidy doesn’t write scenes, he puts you in them, smelling the nothingness of the air, or the stench. You shiver when the characters are cold, and try to slide back in your chair when they recoil. I found myself shaking my head often at how well Cassidy captures the personality of the characters.
There are scenes that are gruesome that’ll make you squirm, but I couldn’t stop reading. I kept flipping the pages hoping that the horror that was about to transpire wouldn’t. But it does. There are numerous other scenes that won’t curdle your stomach, but will have you ignore the things going on around you as you’re unable to stop reading until you learn what happens.
If I had a complaint about the book, and it’s a small one, this is a tome of a novel. It also stole three hours of one day when I neared the end and had to finish it or the day would have been a waste until I knew what happened.
If you love getting lost in a dark, frightening, world that holds a promise of all will work out in the end, even though you can’t see how, reward yourself with this novel. You won’t be sorry.
If you’re a lover of horror and thrillers, reward yourself with an early Christmas present and preorder David C. Cassidy’s latest novel, The Dark.
This astonishing tale of supernatural horror will be released in print and eBook on December 15, 2014. Caution: If you begin reading on the day of its release, you’ll probably put off shopping, work, buying plane tickets to Grandma’s house, and will be considered this year’s Scrooge.
Here are some details about the book.
IT KNOWS WHAT YOU WANT.
IT KNOWS WHAT YOU NEED.
In denial over his father’s death in a horrific accident, Kelan Lisk has grown fearful and withdrawn. For this meek and bullied child, a burning desire to tame a deadly sledding hill consumes him, drawing him inside a wondrous place where anything is possible … including his father. But as this strange new realm spills into this one, twisting an innocent little boy into an agent of evil, the world is forever changed, devoured by an even greater evil—the Dark.
After a year of plodding along, rewriting, thinking, rewriting some more, I’m pleased to announce the release Calamity, the next airline thriller that my two protagonists, Kyle and Lori Masters, get themselves caught up in.
Here’s the tagline and blurb:
Would you put your family on a Contrails Airline flight?”
Contrails Airline flight 1917 descending to land at Denver airport during a snowstorm loses power to both engines. The aircraft glides to an unplowed runway, violently coming to a stop in a snowbank.
NTSB investigator Lori Masters’ team is assigned to investigate the accident of a foreign manufactured aircraft that began flying in the U.S. in the last six months by a startup airline.
Lori’s team encounters data being stolen that would tell them what happened during the accident flight and witnesses murdered. The lives of Lori, her husband Kyle, a Boeing subject matter expert, and her daughter are put in danger.
Someone doesn’t want the cause of the accident discovered.
You can download the book onto your Kindle reading device here:
The paperback version will be available in a week or so and can be found at the same address.
If you want to read the first chapter of this novel, and my other two, click here:
https://dana-griffin.com/category/first-chapters-of-my-books/
Thank you stopping by.
As with the previous two books in the series, this book was a fun read, with a darker side. Something happens over halfway through the story which cripples Laney, the protagonist, emotionally and making this reader question if she would be able to fulfill the obligations put on her.
It is the dwelling on this issue that I gave the book a four star rating and not a five. I thought Ms. Brady spent too much time dwelling on what Laney was going through.
The other reason for the less than stellar rating is I’m not a student of archeology and it is apparent Ms. Brady is. There were times I thought the story came to a halt while she described the history behind an ancient ruin. These descriptions are not as bad as author Dan Brown’s, but I found it amusing when one of the characters in the story, Laney’s love interest Jake, shared my feelings when he said, “Go ahead, professor. Tell me.”
My other issue with the book was two of my favorite characters, Yoni and Danny, didn’t get enough time in the book.
But it is impossible for an author to please every reader. These issues aside, I was hooked from the beginning and read the book in a few sittings. The chapters are James Patterson short, making for rapid page turns. The mystery of one character is tantalizing that I kept reading to learn about her. But the book ended without her secrets being revealed which will make me read the next in the series to figure out what is up with her.
I look forward to the next book in the series.
CHAPTER ONEFriday, February 14th, 2:32 p.m. MST.
Denver approach air traffic controller Art Contu watched the blip on his radar screen. Contrails Airline’s flight 1917 had passed through its assigned altitude on its descent. Contu keyed his mic, “Contrails 1917, your crossing restriction at Fulla intersection is thirteen thousand. Climb and maintain thirteen thousand.”
Neither pilot responded. Contu frowned. “Contrails 1917, Denver approach. The crossing restriction at Fulla intersection is thirteen, one three thousand feet. Climb and maintain thirteen thousand.”
“Contrails 1917 has a dual engine flameout.” The pilot’s voice was hurried. “We’re declaring an emergency and need vectors to land immediately.”
Contu leaned closer to his radar screen. He had worked numerous aircraft with emergencies, but not one that had lost power to all of its engines. “Contrails 1917, Denver international is three o’clock and ten miles. Turn right heading two six zero. Say fuel and souls onboard.”
The pilots didn’t acknowledge his instructions. The blip on his screen continued south, taking the Contrails flight away from the only airport to which they could glide, if they turned now.
Contu swallowed. Were the pilots too busy to reply? “Contrails 1917, Denver is at your three thirty and fifteen miles. Turn right heading two seven zero.”
“Two seven zero.” The Contrails pilot’s voice was high. His words strung together. “We need the fire trucks. We have no power.”
The blip on Contu’s screen turned toward the approach end of runway two-six. “Contrails 1917, the emergency equipment has been alerted. Turn right heading two eight zero. Say fuel and souls on board.” The rescue workers needed that information to know how big a possible fire might be, and how many passengers, babies, and crewmembers would need to be pulled from the aircraft.
“United 865 going to tower,” the pilot of another flight said.
Contu mentally kicked himself. He’d been so wrapped up in Contrails’ emergency, he had ignored the other aircraft he was sequencing onto final. United should have already been told to contact the control tower for landing clearance. After acknowledging United’s transmission, he gave instructions to a couple of other flights, picked up the phone, and speed dialed the controller responsible for giving takeoff and landing clearances.
“Tower.”
“Contrails 1917, an ADB-150, has a total power loss.” Contu realized his voice was as rushed as the Contrails pilot’s. “I’m vectoring them for two-six.”
“They’ll be landing in a twenty-knot crosswind. The runway hasn’t been plowed in an hour and has two inches of snow.”
“At the rate they’re losing altitude, they’ll be lucky to make it to any runway,” Contu hung up. “Contrails 1917, runway two-six is eight miles. Turn right two nine zero.” The crosswind pushed the flight south, away from the runway.
The snow that had been falling hard over the last several hours had finally let up. “Contrails 1917, Denver twelve hundred overcast, five miles in blowing snow. Wind three three zero at twenty gusting to thirty.” Contu wiped the sweat from his forehead. During a normal landing, the pilots would have balked at landing on a snow-covered runway with a crosswind that strong. Now they had no choice.
Although the pilots didn’t acknowledge Contu’s instructions, their blip turned further north.
Contu squirmed; Contrails’ altitude read-out indicated they had descended to eight thousand feet. That put them twenty-seven hundred feet above the touchdown zone of two-six. At the rate they were losing altitude, they would slam into the ground short of the runway, tearing the airplane apart.
***
Denver air traffic tower controller Bradley Messano cleared United flight 865 to land on runway three-five-left, then looked out the tower’s windows to the east. He lifted a pair of binoculars and through them spotted the landing lights. The Contrails ADB-150, an aircraft similar in size and appearance to a Boeing 737, descended at a rate that lodged his heart in his throat. It would hit short of the approach lights. The foot of new snow would cushion its arrival but would make it almost impossible for rescue workers to reach the passengers and crew.
The flight aimed at the end of the runway but continued to drop too fast.
When it appeared the aircraft would impact, Messano braced himself on the counter surrounding the tower.
Except Contrails didn’t hit.
The aircraft flew at what looked like inches above the snow drifts. Then the right wing and nose rose. The left wingtip dragged through the snow, sluing the aircraft left.
The aircraft rose, the wings leveled, then banked right to realign with the runway.
The nose swung left and right with the wings rocking.
The aircraft cleared the approach lights by a few feet and continued to climb. “They’re going to make it,” Messano yelled out to no one in particular.
When over the end of the runway, the nose dropped. It swung to the south, pointing the airplane to the side of the runway. Messano braced himself again. The aircraft would touch down on the side of the runway. The snowbanks lining its edges would pull it off into the unplowed snow.
The right wing dipped, the nose slued to the north, rolling the wing further. The wingtip contacted the runway, yanking the nose further north.
The aircraft slammed down. The nose began to turn toward the center of the runway until the right main gear caught the snowbank on the side of the runway and yanked the aircraft off the pavement.
“Shit!” Messano yelled.
The nose gear snapped off, dropping the nose. It plowed a furrow, sending a cloud of snow into the air, making it impossible to see what happened for the next few seconds.
So far, I’ve read and loved two of Jennifer Chases’ novels: Dark Minds and Dead Burn, both with Emily Stone as the protagonist. I’ll read more of her books as my “To Read List” shortens.
Since I’m such a good reader and write reviews of books, (yeah, I’m encouraging others to do the same) I contacted Ms. Chase and pointed her to my website so she could read my reviews.
From this acquaintance, she asked if I’d like to participate in a blog hop. If you go to her website listed below, you can read the first chapter of my upcoming novel, Calamity.
But before you leave this page, click on the You Tube link below to watch a short video that introduces you to, Emily Stone. It’s worth your time.
Thanks for stopping by.
Crime has a new nemesis and her name is Emily Stone. She will continue to hunt serial killers and child abductors as long as they are out there.
This is her life. Tag along with vigilante detective Emily Stone in a first time ever “live action” novel short film. Be sure to watch it full screen, turn up the volume, and enjoy.
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Check out the Award-winning EMILY STONE THRILLER SERIES available at Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iTunes, Smashwords, and most online and book retailers.
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You can find Jennifer Chase and all of her books at:
Dana Griffin 