BOOK REVIEW: "The Age of Apollyon" by Mark Carver

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I first stumbled across author Mark Carver on Goodreads, through the Action/Adventure Aficionados group, where he was seeking recommendations for Gothic-flavored action stories. In a shameless bit of self-promotion, I recommended my very own novella, Resurrection Bullets, which he promptly read. Well, it turns out that Mr. Carver not only enjoys reading Goth-slathered thrillers, he writes them as well, and I immediately grabbed one of his novels, The Age of Apollyon.

Turns out it's not just a good thriller, it's a good Christian thriller.

You're forgiven if you consider the phrase "good Christian thriller" to be oxymoronic. The realm of Christian speculative fiction is populated by authors who tend to play it safe, but Mark Carver is not one of those authors, and the result is one of the best Christian thrillers you'll read this side of Dekker or Peretti.

This is an end-times scenario, occurring in the aftermath of what is called the Manifestation, when Lucifer Incarnate revealed himself to the world. Satanism becomes the dominant world religion and Christianity is driven underground. As religious genocide steamrolls across Europe, it appears God has fallen silent, the guardian angels' swords sheathed. Believing that violence is the only option, a righteous man named Tourec picks up his guns and starts assassinating Satanic priests and waging a bloody war against the forces of darkness.

So those forces slither up to Patric, the half-brother of Tourec, and command him to neutralize his sibling, threatening to destroy his fiance and unborn child if he fails. Because, ya know, that's what demonic dirtbags do.

In this age of sanitized Christian fiction, Carver dares to go for dark and edgy with violence (though rarely explicit), profanity (mild stuff), and sex (suggested, never graphic). While none of these elements would raise an eyebrow in the secular literary world, they are rather bold for a faith-centric novel. I mean, a demonic seductress performing oral sex on a Satanic priest? Yeah, this ain't Grace Livingston Hill ... and the Christian fiction market is better for it. The world is a nasty place and it would be even nastier if the devil himself manifested here and his infernal church ruled supreme. When we're talking about Hell incarnated on earth, it's probably reasonable to expect people to say things like "damn" and "son of a bitch" and occasionally get laid and/or violently slaughtered.

As an action writer myself, I would have liked to have seen a bit more gun-blazing and bullet-blasting, but that is not a legitimate negative, merely a preference. Carver was clearly aiming for more of a thriller scenario than a pure action story, and he pretty much nailed it with extra helpings of Gothic atmosphere and plenty of twists and turns. That's not to say there is no action, because there definitely is; just don't go in expecting a glut of guns 'n' guts. This is The Age of Apollyon, not the latest installment of The Executioner series.

Bottom line, if you're seeking something dark, daring, and different in the Christian thriller genre, carve out some time to read this novel.

INTERVIEW: Stan R. Mitchell

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I first came across fellow guns 'n' guts author Stan R. Mitchell when another action author, Jack Badelaire, reviewed Stan's stellar novel, Sold Out (ain't networking grand?). It sounded exactly like my literary cup o' bullets and as it turned out, it was. Eventually I reached out to Stan and through Facebook, phone, and text, we got to know each other. But just because I know him doesn't mean you do, something you won't be able to say after this interview. Read on to find out what makes Stan tick ... and try to forgive him for liking rap music.

MARK: What is it about the action genre that draws you to it?

STAN: Interesting question with no quick answer. The short of it is, I wrote a fair amount of literature in one of my writing phases right after college. At that point, I was a bit disillusioned with action books. Having chased my childhood dream of serving in the Marine Corps, I'd learned the harsh truth that actually being in the infantry isn't nearly as fun or glamorous as the books make it out to be.

That's when I wrote a fair amount of literature, which I'd generically define as writing about "real life." But the literature I wrote was really dark and black and hellish ... much like real life!

Long story short, I'll stick to writing fun stories, since for me, there's nothing that beats a great book that pulls me out of my present reality and transplants me into an awesome life-and-death struggle.

As for why I write in the action genre over mystery and other genres, that's pretty simple. Action books are what I've read my entire life. I feel I know and understand the genre and it's where I'm most comfortable trying to make it as an author.

MARK: Any interest in eventually branching out into other genres?

STAN: Some, but I think it's best to stay disciplined as an author and try to create a recognizeable brand.

MARK: Well, disciplined and driven are definitely two words that describe you. What made you that way?

STAN: Part of it is an inner-city school thing. You face so many obstacles and temptations growing up in an inner city that if you're lucky to break free from it all, you'll find yourself intensely confident that you can do whatever you set your mind to. Plus, growing up without money makes you desire the security it provides more than you can possible explain.

A second part of my intense drive stems from the Marine Corps, which injected into me a lot of something--not sure what--but most people just call it brainwashing. The Corps taught me I can do whatever I set my mind to if I'm just crazy enough to never give up and outwork those around me, and I adhere to this philosophy wholeheartedly. Most people think Marines are crazy, and I won't disagree that I fall into that category. Let me add, though, that I am very thankful that I do.

MARK: Craziness and creativity are often traveling companions. What do you consider to be the best action novel ever written?

STAN: That's such an unfair question. I will say that, while it's impossible for me to answer that, Point of Impact by Stephen Hunter is probably right up there. It's what influenced me to write Sold Out and it made--and still makes--a heck of an impression on me.

MARK: Anyone who enjoys Hunter's Bob Lee Swagger series will also enjoy Sold Out. What kind of music do you listen to while you write?

STAN: I'm on vastly different ends of the spectrum. Mostly, I listen to either rap or country. And if I'm not listening to that, I'm listening to rock. That's a weird spread, I know, but I grew up in an inner-city school, which taught me to love rap. But on the other hand, my family roots are mostly out in the country, which of course taught me to love country music.

MARK: I'd rather eat a hollowpoint than listen to rap, but enough about me. How would you describe your writing style?

STAN: I'd love to say hard-hitting and super-fast, with very little description, but honestly, I think this is something only the reader gets to judge and describe.

MARK: Fine. Since I'm a reader of your work, I'll describe it as hard-hitting and super-fast. What would you say is the most important thing a writer needs in order to achieve success in the action genre?

STAN: I think you better be able to move the story along at a fast pace while constantly ramping up the tension and making things worse and worse for your main character or team.

MARK: What do you think is the single worst mistake new authors make?

STAN: Publishing too soon. Then quitting and giving up. Life is going to punch you in the face. My philosophy is that you need to pick yourself up, smile as sick as you can, and say, "Is that the best you've got?"

Also, while there are some who publish too soon, there are probably just as many who never publish at all. I think there are hundreds of talented writers who never, ever publish. Their fears keep them from putting it out there. Goodness knows, I've faced those same demons. But at some point as a writer, you have to believe in yourself and say your story is good enough. And don't be too hard on yourself for not believing in your book. Remember, even Stephen King trashed Carrie. But thankfully for all of us, his wife saw it, yanked it out, and encouraged him to finish it.

MARK: Good wives always save the day. How do you respond to critics who dismiss the action-adventure genre, alleging it glorifies gun violence?

STAN: I don't.

MARK: Nice! Is there any subject matter you consider taboo?

STAN: I think you should go easy on descriptive sex scenes. Better to imply rather than show. At least, that's how I approach it.

MARK: As already mentioned, you are a big Stephen Hunter fan. What did you think of the movie Shooter, based on Hunter's classic novel Point of Impact?

STAN: Not much of a fan. I mean, you have a chance to produce a movie based on Bob Lee Swagger and you give the role to Mark Wahlberg? And that's not a dis on Wahlberg. I like him a lot and think he pretty much nailed the part they wrote for him. I'm just saying, where's the grumpy old man that we all love so much? And how do you take a story as amazing as Point of Impact and decide it would be better to use a character that's younger?

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MARK: You have written two novels: Little Man and Sold Out. Which one is your favorite and why?

STAN: Man, you're cruel! I guess if I had to pick one, I'd pick Sold Out. I spent twelve years on that book and it took everything that I had. Plus, I think the main character, Nick Woods, is the strongest character I've ever created and hopefully he's as badass as Bob Lee Swagger, aka Bob the Nailer.

MARK: Nick Woods is badass and let no man say otherwise. Let's wrap up this interview by having you tell us what's next for you.

STAN: I'm wrapping up the final touches on Mexican Heat, the follow up to Sold Out. I even have the third book of the series, in which Nick Woods gets sent to Afghanistan, about halfway done, so I'm clearly in love with Nick, his crew, and the way the storyline is going.

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FAITH UNCENSORED #1: "The Messiah and the Muskellunge"

The hammering sun nudged things toward the uncomfortable end of the heat spectrum as the rays shimmered and danced across the river’s surface. Thankfully, the soft breeze as well as the slow but steady motion of the fishing boat dulled the edges of the blazing sunbeams enough to make things bearable. I kept an eye on the poles secured in the rod holders, lines trailing behind us as the boat trolled up and down the river. The gentle wake was not churning enough to conceal the large lures—seriously, these things looked like bait for a Kronosaurus—spinning in multi-colored motion just beneath the surface twenty or so feet behind us.

I am a deer hunter, not a fisherman, far more comfortable with a rifle in my hand than a fishing rod. This was my first time fishing for muskellunge, or “muskie,” as the fish is commonly called. An apex predator fish that is notoriously hard to catch—it’s nickname among anglers is “the fish of ten thousand casts”—the muskie was the preferred prey of my companions, Jud Decker and his son David. I don’t know if I would go so far as to call this pair rabid in their quest for muskies, but I certainly would not call them lax either; one does not spend $20 on a single lure if you’re half-assed about the sport.

My expectation of catching a muskie myself was about the same as my expectation of seeing a mermaid sunning herself on the shoreline. Frankly, my expectations for any of us catching a muskie that day were near zero. A wicked thunderstorm the night before had turned conditions less than prime, we only had a few hours on the river, and, well, these fish are just damned hard to catch, which is part of their appeal. After all, any amateur with a stick, string, bobber and worm can stand on the end of a dock and catch sunnies and perch to their heart’s content, but it takes dedication and patience to fish for muskies.

But just because I didn’t expect any of us to catch a muskie doesn’t mean I didn’t hope we would. I had been regaled with stories about the pure joy of having a muskie strike your line, I had seen impressive photos of boated fish, but I had never actually experienced these thrills for myself.

So the afternoon wore on. The sun continued to crown us with its heat. The boat continued its leisurely trolling. The lures continued to do their enticing dance behind us, occasionally snagging on some aquatic weed to give the lines a teasing tug, making you think for a moment that you might have a bite before you realized it was a false alarm. Lethargy began creeping in like a not entirely unwelcome guest, settling over us all like a warm, cozy blanket.

And then all hell broke loose.

Judd’s lure vanished, engulfed in the bony maw of an impressive muskie that was damn near Moby Dickian in mass. Jud’s rod bowed like a sapling in a hurricane as he set the hook, the sharp barbs impaling the muskie’s mouth and letting both fish and man know the battle was engaged. What had been tranquil silence was now shattered by Jud’s cry of, “I’ve got one!” As David lunged for the net, I simply did my best to stay out of the way.

I don’t recall the specifics; the memories are more like fragmented, pulsing still-shots in my mind. The arched rod. The excited yells. The rocking boat. The splashing water. The thrashing of the muskie as it valiantly fought against being relentlessly reeled in. How long it all lasted I do not know—probably less than five minutes, but what exhilarating minutes they were. All violent action and flashing fins and glinting scales and roiling water. I stood in the boat, transfixed, adrenalin pumping, struck by the dawning revelation that I had just experienced something I had never expected to experience.

After snapping some photos of the 44 inch, 25 pound behemoth, we returned it to its habitat where it swam off and disappeared into the murky depths, its pride wounded, its mouth stinging, but no doubt grateful that it had been granted salvation rather than extermination. Satisfied smiles on our faces, we resumed trolling, and it was then, as calm settled back over the boat, that it occurred to me.

The love of God is like a muskie strike.

So many people in this life are lonely, barren, hollow husks who have never known the love of God. They drift rudderless along the rugged surface of life fishing for something, anything, to save them from a loveless existence. They cast ten thousand casts, changing lures to adapt to their environment or emotions, desperate to find the perfect combination that will net them what they need. Like me in that fishing boat, knowing muskies existed but never having actually experienced one, these empty, aching vessels know on some level that is far beyond skin and bone and guts that God is there. Deep down where mortal existence ends and soul-existence begins they know that He loves them without condition and longs to clutch them close like the forgiving father hugging his prodigal son, but they have never actually experienced that purest of love for themselves. They sail and troll and cast and are occasionally fooled into believing they have found it, only to be disappointed when what they thought was something lasting turns out to be nothing more than life’s version of seaweed.

But when that strike comes … when God’s love strikes a heart with all the ferocity of a trophy muskie slamming into a lure … when your soul is consumed by the unrelenting force that is Grace Incarnate ... in that miraculous moment there will be no doubt, no confusion about what just happened. You will not fruitlessly jerk on the rod of life, wondering if something is on the other end—you will know something is there. Know it in a way that transcends flesh and blood and mind and marrow, know it in a way that goes far beyond primal to the place where Creator and Created are inexplicably joined.

The weeping wounded walk among us. The sea upon which we sail may be the cracked concrete of city sidewalks or the marble tile of shopping malls, but the ships that silently float past us in their business suits or casual attire are often nothing more than sleek hulls burdened by the cargo of questing hearts. They troll through the waters of life eternally hoping but so terribly unsure if the breathtaking love they seek, the kind of love that slams you to your knees, will ever find them. If only they knew that it always will. Somehow, someway, the love of God finds us all. And just as a muskie angler knows when his hook has been struck by the quarry he seeks, so the hungry soul will know beyond even a shadow of a doubt that it has been struck by the everlasting love of a merciful God.

BOOK REVIEW: "Renegade's Revenge" by Jack Badelaire

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I've been a fan of Jack Badelaire's fiction since I stumbled across his debut novel, Killer Instincts, a couple years ago. That title secured a place of honor as my favorite tome of 2012 and I immediately began devouring Commando, his WWII action-adventure series. But while the Commando books are violent, pulpy fun and well worth a read, their depth and style fall short of Killer Instincts standards. There seemed to be a bona fide risk that Badelaire had blown his load with his first novel and subsequent projects would be sub par when compared to the action literature juggernaut that is Killer Instincts.

And then I read "Renegade's Revenge."

Badelaire's first foray into the western genre isn't quite as good as Killer Instincts, but it comes pretty close, and easily ranks as his second-best work to date (though I expect his soon-to-be-released Hangman #1: San Francisco Slaughter to surpass it). Badelaire took aim at the action-western genre and nailed it with the sharp precision of a seasoned gunslinger putting bullets in bulls-eyes.

"Renegade's Revenge" is a 20,000 word novella that focuses on siblings who fight on opposing sides in the Civil War (and you think your family has issues). Twin brothers David and Caleb Miller find themselves divided by battle lines, David as part of the Union cavalry, Caleb as part of the Missouri irregulars. They come face to face when Caleb's Bushwhackers are forced to surrender to the Union troopers. Moments later, Captain McNeil, David's superior officer, orders Caleb executed right in front of him.

When the war ends, David returns home and reunites with his older brother Paul. Unable to let the past stay buried, they vow to hunt down Captain McNeil and avenge Caleb's murder, knowing they will have to stampede through hell to exact retribution ... hell consisting of a score of ruthless, battle-scarred hard cases to whom pulling triggers and killing men is as easy as spitting.

As you can tell, like all good, pulp-minded westerns, this is a simple, straight-forward tale of vengeance, garnished with extra helpings of hot lead and cold steel. Aside from a minor lull following the opening action, the violence comes fast and vicious. If you believe things won't get bloody in this novella, well then, you don't know jack ... er, Jack.

I'm a big fan of rough-riding westerns and when I finished reading the savagely satisfying climax of "Renegade's Revenge," I had a big ol' smile creasing my face. From its opening battle sequence to its climatic confrontation, the pacing moves like a whip crack, pausing just long enough to supply sufficient characterization. The whole affair reeks of sweat and dirt and gun smoke and blood ... which means we should all pray to the gods of six-guns that Badelaire's first venture into action-western territory isn't his last.

Meet My Main Character -- Travis Kain

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Fellow author Jack Badelaire—who also happens to write in the “guns ‘n’ guts” genre, and damn well, I might add—has passed the baton to me in a cool-concept “Meet My Main Character” blog-hop, where writers introduce readers to the main character of a work in progress … or, in my case, a recently-published work. So, without further ado, meet Travis Kain, the protagonist of my action-thriller The Assassin’s Prayer.

Before perusing any further, make sure you scope out Jack’s blog post and meet his main character, Jamie “Hangman” Lynch.

1. What is the name of your character? Is he fictional or a historic person?

My character’s name is Travis Kain, a fictional ex-government assassin who walked away from his employers and now operates as a freelance hitter. Despite his no-leash status, most of Kain’s wet work is now in service to Frank Giadello, a New York City crime boss. Kain is a killer, but he is not without conscience. He lives by a poetic creed known as The Assassin’s Prayer: God, let not my bullet or blade shed the blood of innocence. Regardless of price, Kain will not pull the trigger on an innocent person. To him, there is no greater sin, and this sets off a chain of violent events in the story.

2. When and where is the story set?

The story begins in upstate New York, shifts downstate to NYC, and then proceeds to whiplash back and forth between those two locales. By the way, Kain hates the city.

3. What should we know about him/her?

Kain is a troubled—some might even say broken—man. His wife is dead, his best friend betrayed him, and his life has no purpose beyond trigger pulls and dead targets. Deep down, he desperately yearns for something else, something more, a life that has meaning rather than just corpses and carnage. But he doesn’t know how to find it. Or perhaps more accurately, he won’t allow himself to find it.

4. What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life?

Emotionally, Kain is at war with himself, at what his life has become in the aftermath of his wife’s death and the Judas blade his best friend buried in his back. He has vowed never to let anyone get close to him again, a vow that is put to the test when an ex-lover from his past reappears. Kain soon finds himself struggling with resurrected emotions and the realization that the quieter, more meaningful existence he craves might actually be within his grasp … if he will only lay down his guns.

But that is easier said than done when his former employers dispatch Colonel Macklin, head of the Black Talon kill-squad, to hunt him down and deep-six him. The Black Talon team is legendary, the go-to guys when Company assassins go rogue, and Macklin is the epitome of ruthless with a sizeable side helping of savagery. He also possesses dark secrets about Kain’s past that will change everything.

5. What is the personal goal of the character?

At the start of the story, Kain has no personal goals beyond survival and money. That all changes when the crosshairs land on perhaps the only person in the world Kain still cares about. He then finds not only a reason to live, but a reason to kill for something other than cold, hard cash. Survival, vengeance, and redemption … these are the things that drive Kain as the book progresses.

6. & 7. Is there a working title for this novel and can we read more about it? When can we expect the book to be published?

(I’m combining questions 6 and 7 since the answer to question 6 contains the answer to question 7.) Since the novel was published in December 2013, there is no working title, just the official title: The Assassin’s Prayer. Feedback and sales have been outstanding, far exceeding my expectations, and some of the characters will weave their way into future novels. The Assassin’s Prayer is currently available on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback editions.

BOOK REVIEW: Primal Origin by Jack Silkstone

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If you’re hunting for a rapid-fire action-adventure story that’s more enjoyable than popping terrorist skulls with a .50 cal, then Primal: Origin will be your literary cup of gunpowder. Penned by Jack Silkstone, one of the rising stars in the resurgence of the “guns ‘n’ guts” genre, this novella introduces the premise behind his popular Primal series; a trio of counter-terrorist operators, funded by a Middle Eastern billionaire, form a covert organization that can wage war against evildoers without worrying about government interference or bureaucratic bullshit. Unlimited resources, cutting-edge technology, no rules other than a sense of justice delivered by bucketfuls of bullets … sure, it’s all testosteronic fantasy, but hot damn if it ain’t a full clip of cocked, locked and ready to rock fun.

As an intelligence and covert operations specialist with real field time, Silkstone brings a “been there, done that, got the t-shirt” verisimilitude to this tale, albeit with all elements cranked to the max. With the salty banter between the warriors to the gnarly weapons to the redline-revving car chases and autofire action sequences, Primal: Origin hearkens back to the halcyon days of men’s adventure fiction, readily bringing to mind such classics as Phoenix Force and Able Team as well as more obscure titles such as Eagle Force.

It’s a high-octane, adrenaline-inducing “trigger-pullers operate outside the law to uphold the law” type of story and by Silkstone’s own admission, it’s not designed to be deep, naval-gazing prose—it’s meant to be entertaining. There’s rough language and brutal gunfights and bloody violence and for the target demographic, that’s all you need to know to one-click this book onto your Kindle.

Primal: Origin delivered the low-drag, high-velocity action goods and accomplished its mission—make me want to read the rest of the Primal series. When I want high literature, I’ll grab some Shakespeare (OK, I never actually want high literature); when I want an unpretentious tale of good guys gunning down bad guys, I’ll pick up some Primal. Just kick the action-craving region of your brain into high gear and hold on tight.

MOVIE REVIEW: Sabotage (2014)

Prior to watching Sabotage yesterday, I knew of only two people who had seen the movie—author Jack Badelaire (see his review here) who called it “intense,” and my brother, whose post-viewing text simply said, “Man, that was grisly.”

Turns out they were both right, as I discovered as I sat in the near-empty theater with four other people—two of whom beat a hasty exit right after the nailed-to-the-ceiling-and-disemboweled scene. Hey, not everyone knows how to mix dangling intestines with their popcorn.

As directed by David Ayer (Training Day and End of Watch), this is a dark, grim, relentless—and yes, intense and grisly—action thriller that ranks as the nastiest film of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career. Sure, his movies have always been violent (yes, I’m counting Twins, because watching it makes you want to shoot yourself in the head) but with a fun, cartoonish, over the top vibe to the carnage. With its nihilistic emphasis on graphic gore, it’s tough to call Sabotage “fun.” Enjoyable, yes, for movie-goers of a certain inclination … but the tone is extremely savage.

Sabotage manages to be not only a bruising action film, but also a dark whodunit with more twists than a snake swallowing a pretzel. When Schwarzenegger—er, sorry, John “Breacher” Wharton—and his hard-charging team of undercover DEA warrior-operators steal $10 million from a vicious drug cartel, they begin getting picked off one by one in torturous fashion. Thing is, it appears one of the team members helped themselves to the money before the others could get their cut, meaning a traitor lurks in their midst and loyalty soon turns to mistrust and betrayal.

This is not your standard Schwarzenegger role. This is the darkest character the actor has ever played, his soul deeply scarred by the hellish trauma of his past. He is haunted, consumed, wounded, an ass-kicker whose ass has been kicked by life. It’s not a remarkable performance when judged by traditional acting values, but it’s a superlative performance for Schwarzenegger. The larger-than-life invulnerability on which he built his legend is eschewed here in favor of a character that is angry, vulnerable, and twisted.

While the action is not wall-to-wall, there is more than enough door-busting, bullet-blasting, blood-spurting violence to satisfy fans of the guns ‘n’ guts genre. For being a bunch of federal agents, Breacher’s Special Operations Team doesn’t seem all that interested in arresting anyone, but they are very interested in putting bodies on the floor, autofire style. Explosions, gunplay, bad guys biting the dust … yeah, it’s all here.

The directing style is as grim and gritty as the script, with minimal flash (well, unless you count the flash-bangs). Ayer seems a bit overly enthusiastic about grinding our faces in the gore, but in this era of clean, sanitized PG-13 action movies, I personally enjoyed seeing hard-R sensibilities embraced with such unfettered vigor.

This is mandatory viewing for all Schwarzenegger fans and ranks as one of my favorite Arnie flicks. Anyone who has read my books knows that I like things dark, grim, and violent and prefer tortured protagonists to unflappable heroes, so yeah, Sabotage resonates very highly with me. Rarely has a movie so accurately encapsulated the term “guns ‘n’ guts,” because Sabotage has copious amounts of both. “I’ll be back” for a repeat viewing when it hits DVD and you should “Get to da theata!” to watch it ASAP.