My friends, followers, and fellow thriller lovers,

I'm writing to you today about something that feels deeply uncomfortable for me—asking for help. As a former paramedic who spent years serving others without fanfare, humility has always been my default mode. We didn't shout from the rooftops about saving lives; we just did the work. But today, I need to step out of that comfort zone and make a direct appeal about my upcoming novel, Blood Oath.

The Reality of Publishing

Here's the truth that many readers don't know: whether there will be a fourth Alex Martel book depends entirely on how well Blood Oath performs. My publisher, Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press, hasn't contracted me for a fourth novel yet. They're watching the numbers, and those numbers are driven by one crucial metric—preorders.

This isn't about ego or fame. It's about survival in an industry where publishers make decisions based on data, not dreams. If Blood Oath doesn't show strong preorder numbers, the Alex Martel series could end with book three, despite the fact that I have more stories planned and burning to be told.

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Why Alex Martel Matters

The praise for Blood Oath from acclaimed authors speaks for itself. Brad Thor calls it "raw, relentless, and charged with danger at every turn," with "smart, razor-sharp storytelling." This continues the momentum from Perfect Shot and Out in the Cold, which have earned critical acclaim, award nominations, and recognition from industry giants like Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and The Real Book Spy.

But beyond the accolades, Alex Martel represents something important in thriller fiction—authentic female representation in a genre that desperately needs it. Alex isn't a male character with a woman's name slapped on. She's inspired by the real medics, police officers, and military women I've known and worked alongside in Canada, the United States, and Great Britain. Women who are tough, smart, vulnerable, and utterly capable of carrying a high-stakes thriller on their shoulders.

The Servant's Dilemma

Throughout my paramedic career, I believed that good work spoke for itself. Show up, do the job, save lives, and go home. No parade necessary. But publishing doesn't work that way. Great books can disappear without reader advocacy, and series can end prematurely when publishers don't see the demand.

This is why I'm swallowing my pride and asking directly: I need you to preorder Blood Oath.

What Your Preorder Means

Every preorder sends a signal to my publisher that readers want more Alex Martel. It tells them that this series has legs, that there's an audience hungry for more international intrigue, authentic action, and a protagonist who brings something fresh to the thriller landscape.

Your preorder doesn't just buy a book—it potentially buys the future of the series. It tells Minotaur Books that readers are invested in Alex's journey and want to see where her next mission takes her.

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A Promise Worth Keeping

I've poured everything I learned in emergency services—the split-second decisions, the life-or-death stakes, the bonds forged under pressure—into these books. The authenticity that reviewers consistently praise comes from real experience, real relationships, and real respect for the people who serve in dangerous jobs around the world.

Blood Oath delivers the same pulse-pounding action and authentic detail that made the first two books award-nominated successes. But more than that, it continues Alex's evolution as a character who represents the best of what thriller heroes can be.

The Ask

So here's my humble request: if you've enjoyed the Alex Martel series, if you believe in supporting authentic storytelling, or if you simply want to see more strong female protagonists in international thrillers—please preorder Blood Oath today.

Tell your friends. Share this post. Help spread the word that this series deserves to continue.

I've always been proud to serve, whether as a paramedic or as a storyteller. But sometimes, serving means asking for help. Today, I'm asking for yours.

The future of Alex Martel—and the stories I'm burning to tell—depends on it.

Blood Oath arrives November 18, 2025. Preorder links are below.

Thank you for listening, for reading, and for helping keep Alex Martel in the fight.

With gratitude and humility,
Steve

P.S. - If you've already preordered, you're a hero in my book. Please consider sharing this with fellow thriller lovers—every reader matters, and every preorder counts.

A Message to My Brothers and Sisters in Service

To my fellow paramedics, EMTs, police officers, firefighters, and all who've worn the uniform or carried the bag—this one's for you.

We know what it means to have each other's backs. Whether it's covering a shift when someone's kid is sick, being the second unit in on a dicey call, or just listening when the job gets heavy, we've always been there for each other. Today, I'm asking for that same brotherhood and sisterhood in a different arena.

This isn't just about books—it's about transition.

You know how rare it is for one of us to make it out of first responder life with our bodies and minds relatively intact, let alone find success in a completely different field. Most of us don't get second acts. Most of us retire broken, forgotten, or struggling to find purpose after a career of serving others.

I've been one of the lucky ones. The skills we learned on the job—thinking under pressure, attention to detail, understanding human nature at its worst and best—have translated into storytelling. The authenticity that reviewers praise in the Alex Martel books? That comes directly from our world. From the tactical medicine training, the high-stress decisions, the dark humor that gets us through, and the unbreakable bonds we form with our partners and peers.

Alex Martel is us. She's inspired by the medics and officers I worked alongside—the competent, tough, dedicated professionals who never get the recognition they deserve in popular culture. Finally, there's a character in the thriller world who represents the real first responders, not some Hollywood fantasy.

Supporting this series means supporting one of our own who made the leap. It means showing the publishing world that first responders have stories worth telling and audiences worth reaching. It means that maybe, just maybe, the next medic or officer looking for a way forward will see that it's possible.

When I was working on the road, doing calls, I never imagined I'd be asking people to preorder books. But just like we've always had each other's backs on the street, I need you to have mine now. A preorder costs the same as what you'd spend on coffee in a week, but it could mean the difference between this series continuing or ending.

We've spent our careers serving others without asking for recognition. This time, I'm asking. Not for fame, not for glory, but for the chance to keep telling stories that honor the work we do and the people we are.

If one of us makes it, we all make it.

Thank you for your service. Thank you for your sacrifice. And thank you for considering supporting a fellow first responder who's trying to make something meaningful out of the experiences we've shared.

Stay safe out there.

Steve

Preorder links below. And hey—if you know other cops, medics, or firefighters who might appreciate a realistic thriller, share this with them. The brotherhood and sisterhood extends beyond the badge.

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Preorder "Blood Oath" – Hardcover EditionUnited States:

Amazon US

Barnes & Noble

Books-A-Million (hardcover ISBN: 9781250393029)

Canada:

Amazon Canada (hardcover)

Indigo/Chapters (hardcover)

A Novel Spot Bookshop (my local indie bookseller)

Independent Bookstores:

Bookshop.org (use hardcover ISBN to ensure correct format)

Contact your local independent bookstore - they can order the hardcover edition using ISBN: 9781250393029

Important Note: When clicking these links, please ensure you select the hardcover format option, as some retailers default to ebook versions. The hardcover ISBN is 9781250393029 if you need to reference it when ordering.

“Out in the Cold”

While I have you here, please don’t forget to show some love for Out in the Cold, the second installment in the Alex Martel thriller series! 😊

Hardcover, paperback, eBook, and audiobook editions are available now. The mass-market paperback comes out on 9/30/25!