John Irvin, Author

by John Irvin

A commentary by John Irvin

CLICK HERE TO GO AND BUY POCHATOK!!!

“The mushroom cloud descended from the heavens as its fiery-red plumes filled the TV screen. No one saw this coming.”

Book Description:

How did it start? A deadly virus from the Arctic. An international team of US, Russian, Chinese, and Korean scientist uncovered a prehistoric artifact frozen in the ice of the North. What they didn’t know is it carried a slumbering disease more fatal than the Medieval Black Plague.

Gideon Cole is the son of a US General stationed in San Francisco. Gideon is surprised when the first nuclear missile hits New York City, ushering in the Apocalypse. His Dad calls, telling him it’s time to head to a secret war bunker.

Along the way, as time is running out, they pick up Lynda Brodunvich and her father. Lynda was Gideon’s high school crush a decade ago.

Will they make it to the bunker in time, before the bombs drop? If the plague doesn’t wipe out humanity, will they destroy each other on apocalyptic scales? If they do, is this the end of the world? Or can two people begin mankind over again?

If you enjoy the dystopian genre, the end times, the last days theme, you’ll enjoy this book. With a Rise of the Machines, Terminator 3, style (without the evil robots), or Book of Eli, Armageddon theme, this author brings out a different aspect of what a nuclear holocaust could start. What if we could start the world over again? What would that be like?

            There is something about the end-days, apocalyptic genre that I love. Never quite put my finger on it—something about death and destruction isn’t attractive to me, but the survival of people, especially when there’s a fling, is what draws me.

            Watching Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, I started thinking about this theme. A couple, thrown together by an Armageddon of sorts, turning to each other in the middle of the final days of the world’s nations sparked in my mind.

            I decided to turn it into a short ebook and Pochatok was born. Why did I pick that title? It fit, I guess. It’s Ukrainian—I lived in Ukraine for ten years of my childhood so there’s a special affinity of such things for me.

            Lynda was inspired by a model I randomly found. Yes, I know, that sounds weird and hilarious. But to be honest, I was simply wondering what this character looked like. I knew she was a redhead with blue eyes—a rare combination—but I wanted to actually envision her, see her in a real person. So I surfed Pinterest one night and stumbled across Vanessa Jade.

            I don’t know or follow the girl—but, if you ever read this blog, Vanessa, or read the ebook, I want to thank you for being an inspiration!

            I enjoyed writing this short novella and I hope you enjoy reading it. I’m considering writing another apocalyptic romance book or two in the future. We’ll see. I definitely want to visit the genre again for certain.

            So I hope you enjoy meeting my friends as they struggle to survive Nuclear Judgment Day!

            I also ask, if you do enjoy it, please leave a great review on its Amazon page so others can enjoy it too!

Click this link to go check it out: POCHATOK.

As a side note, I am required to inform you that my links provided are affiliate links to the said products. Hey, I’ve got to pay the bills somehow. I hope this is understandable!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com

by Randall Wallace

Published by Pocket Books

A review by John Irvin

CLICK HERE TO GO AND BUY BRAVEHEART!!!

“I have fought. And I have hated. I know it is in me to hate and to kill. But I’ve learned something else away from my home. And that is that we must always have a home, somewhere inside us.”—William Wallace

            From the back cover blurb:

            In one of history’s darkest hours there arose from humble beginnings a man of courage and honor—the likes of whom the world may never see again.

            Amid the color, pageantry, and violence of medieval Scotland unfurls the resplendent tale of the legendary William Wallace, farmer by birth, rebel by fate, who banded together his valiant army of Scots to crush the cruel tyranny of the English Plantagenet King.

            Have you seen the movie? I’ve got to tell you, Braveheart—starring Mel Gibson—is right there at the top of my most watched films. So, you know I had to buy the book.

            Much shorter than expected, the book will keep you entertained and—if you’ve already seen the film—you’ll hear and see everything happen in the book as if you were watching the movie.

            I found that endearing. This historical fiction stirred the Scottish blood in my veins.

            Randall Wallace—I wonder how related he is to the hero—did a swell job with portraying the man that William was. We oft think of heroes as gods or some supernatural type of beings, forgetting they are humans just like us, with the same longings, same passions, and same desires.

            But it is those who do their duty to defend the homes they love against evil that stand out off the pages of history, trying to teach us something.

            So, take my recommendation and click this link to go buy it: BRAVEHEART.

As a side note, I am required to inform you that my links provided are affiliate links to the said products. Hey, I’ve got to pay the bills somehow. I hope this is understandable!

If you enjoyed this review, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails–usually just focused on whatever book review I’ve written that day–on Mondays and Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

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by Steven Harper

Published by Writer’s Digest Books

A review by John Irvin

CLICK HERE TO GO AND BUY WRITING THE PARANORMAL NOVEL!!!

“Supernatural stories feed the human desire for escape. We can pretend we’re riding that magic carpet, making those three wishes, or swinging that sword because we know (deep sigh) it’s never going to happen for real.”

            From the back cover blurb:

            Writing a paranormal novel takes more than casting an alluring vampire or arming your hero with a magic wand. It takes an original idea, believable characters, a compelling plot, and surprising twists, not to mention great writing.

            This helpful guide gives you everything you need to successfully introduce supernatural elements into any story without shattering the believability of your fictional world or falling victim to common clichés.

            You’ll learn how to:

• Choose supernatural elements and decide what impact the supernatural will have on your fictional world
• Create engaging and relatable characters from supernatural protagonists and antagonists to supporting players (both human and non-human)
• Develop strong plots and complementary subplots
• Write believable fight scenes and flashbacks
• Create realistic dialogue

            Complete with tips for researching your novel and strategies for getting published, Writing the Paranormal Novel gives you everything you need to craft a novel where even the most unusual twist is not only possible—it’s believable.

            Okay, did you happen to notice how many times Steven Harper used the word “believable” in that book summary blurb? No, just me? Oh really? Not just me? Sweet!

            Well, he is telling the truth. This work of his is definitely a must read if you want to be any type of successful paranormal writer.

            Believe me, with my Longevity (dark fantasy/paranormal) series and the Magic’s Time Split (alternate timeline/magic-induced paranormal) series both coming out to be my main two franchises—this book of Harper’s was added to my library a long time ago.

            If anything, I want my own stories to be believable. I’ve read too many books and watched too many movies (*clears throat* Twilight) where the supernatural was too unreal to me, not to mention the horrible plots—That is one of my biggest concerns with my books: is my plot believable? Does it feel like I just grabbed one scene and another and threw them together?

            So, if you are a writer who loves the paranormal—and with this I mean: werewolves, vampires, ghosts, witches, you name it—then you need to read this How To book.

            So, take my recommendation and click this link to go buy it: WRITING THE PARANORMAL NOVEL.

As a side note, I am required to inform you that my links provided are affiliate links to the said products. Hey, I’ve got to pay the bills somehow. I hope this is understandable!

If you enjoyed this review, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails–usually just focused on whatever book review I’ve written that day–on Mondays and Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com

by Christopher Golden

Published by Pocket Star Books

A review by John Irvin

CLICK HERE TO GO AND BUY EXTERMINATORS!!!

“Yellow reptile eyes flashed in the night. Talons sliced the air as the things reached out for him, ready to tear him open.”

            From the back cover blurb:

            When a mass outbreak of super-powered individuals threatens the world, the JLA determines that latent metahuman abilities are being triggered by an alien contagion, on that’s spreading throughout Earth as it transforms its hosts into monstrous engines of destruction.

            Racing to contain the infection, the world’s greatest super heroes link the parasitic plague to an alien invasion from the team’s earliest days and make a horrifying discovery: the JLA itself is responsible for the imminent disaster they now face.

            Even though DC isn’t necessarily coming out with an awesome franchise like Marvel is, I still love me some Justice League.

            I found this short novel intriguing and delightful.

            I believe it would be ranked in the urban fantasy genre as well as science fiction with the whole alien invasion apocalypse standing at the team’s doorsteps.

            It didn’t take me long to finish the read and I was content at the end—another mission close up and well done.

            Though the dark undertones will have you concerned if you care in the least for the Justice League and its charge: planet Earth.

            So, take my recommendation and click this link to go buy it: EXTERMINATORS.

As a side note, I am required to inform you that my links provided are affiliate links to the said products. Hey, I’ve got to pay the bills somehow. I hope this is understandable!

If you enjoyed this review, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails–usually just focused on whatever book review I’ve written that day–on Mondays and Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com

by Carol Lay

Published by Pocket Books

A review by John Irvin

CLICK HERE TO GO AND BUY POCKET BOOKS!!!

“Wonder Woman thanked Batman warmly and bade him good-bye. The man in black reciprocated with a nod so slight one would need a micrometer to measure it. The others wished her luck in finding her man, and the Flash asked her to stop in Jamaica while she was down there so she could bring them back some hot sauce for the pantry. The request made her smile. She knew he made light not out of disrespect for what she was doing, but for the same reason pilots ask to borrow gum before a mission—for good luck.”

            From the back cover blurb:

            Mysterious events in the Bermuda Triangle propel Wonder Woman on a desperate search for the truth behind the disappearance of a diver near Themyscira, home of the legendary Amazons. But her discovery of a mirror island—one populated entire by men—sets events in motion that ultimately cause the Justice League to come into conflict with a figure from Wonder Woman’s own mythological past. But is she powerful enough to save them?

            Do you like superheroes? I do. Always have, always will. Something about having the power of flight or superstrength or telekinetic abilities always makes me want to jump out a window—okay, just kidding. Bad analogy.

            Wonder Woman has always been my top favourite Justice League heroine. When I found this short little book, I was like, Oh yeah, I’m definitely buying that!

            The story does sound a little similar to one of the recent Wonder Woman movies—but it’s got its own unique plotline. The mirror island? Yes, that’s definitely unique to this book—from my experience.

            Do you like Greek mythology mixed in with urban fantasy? If you’ve answered yes to this question and the very first one I asked, then you should order this book!

            So, take my recommendation and click this link to go buy it: WONDER WOMAN.

As a side note, I am required to inform you that my links provided are affiliate links to the said products. Hey, I’ve got to pay the bills somehow. I hope this is understandable!

If you enjoyed this review, you should sign up for my newsletter! I don’t spam and you can unsuscribe at any time. I only send out emails–usually just focused on whatever book review I’ve written that day–on Mondays and Fridays. Sign up here: SIGN UP!

I’m also a Patreon artist–the cool thing about Patreon is it allows people to support artists by monthly pledges which allow the artists to have more time to work on their own passions. Here is my account: PATREON.COM. If you’d like to support me, I would be eternally grateful!

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or email me at john@johnirvinauthor.com