With Blood Oath releasing November 18th, I wanted to share what’s happening around launch and give you a heads-up on when we’ll gather to celebrate properly.

The One Event You Don’t Want to Miss

On Monday, November 17th, from 7:00–8:00 PM MST, I’ll be at The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale, Arizona, for an in-person launch event! I’ll be in conversation with Ryan Pote, author of Blood and Treasure, talking about thrillers, Ryan’s debut novel, and everything that went into creating Alexandra Martel’s most personal mission yet.

If you’re anywhere near the Phoenix area, I’d love to see you there. It’s going to be a fantastic evening of books, conversation, and—knowing The Poisoned Pen—great energy from fellow thriller fans.

Event Details:

Date: Monday, November 17th, 2025
Time: 7:00–8:00 PM MST
Location: The Poisoned Pen Bookstore, 4014 N Goldwater Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
More Info: The Poisoned Pen Event Page

Most of you won’t be able to attend in person, but fear not… this event will be broadcast live on their Facebook channel and posted for later viewing.

Why Just One Launch Event?

Here’s the truth: November is a brutal time to launch a book. Between holiday travel, Thanksgiving prep, Christmas shopping, bookstore holiday chaos, and end-of-year mayhem, bookstores understandably prioritize their busiest retail season over hosting events, and suitable venues are locked up with corporate holiday parties and year-end celebrations.

I’m exploring the possibility of celebration events in the new year—when we can all catch our breath, settle in with good books, and really enjoy ourselves. But honestly? Nothing is carved in stone yet, and scheduling is always unpredictable. If something comes together, I’ll let you know.

But here’s the important part: please don’t wait for a maybe-event to get your copy.

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Don’t Wait for a Launch Party to Get Your Copy

If you were planning to pick up Blood Oath at a launch event, here’s my ask:

Please don’t wait!

Preorder now (or grab a copy on release day, November 18th) from your favorite bookseller. Preorders and first-week sales make all the difference in how a book performs—they tell retailers, reviewers, and the publishing world that readers are excited about this story.

Plus, you’ll have Alex Martel’s latest adventure in hand right away, instead of waiting until next year when events roll around.

Where to Order

Order from The Poisoned Pen directly and get a signed copy shipped to you: The Poisoned Pen Shop

Ask your local independent bookstore—they would love to order it for you!

Blood Oath releases November 18, 2025—just 18 days away. Preorder your copy today and discover how the greatest show on Earth inspired Alexandra Martel’s most dangerous mission.

🇺🇸 Amazon US: Order on Amazon US
🇨🇦 Amazon Canada: Order on Amazon Canada
📖 Indigo Books: Order on Indigo Books
🏢 Barnes & Noble: Order on Barnes & Noble
📚 Novel Spot (Local Indie): Order at Novel Spot

What’s Inside Blood Oath

If you’ve been following my Into the Heart of Africa newsletter series, you already know this one’s special. Blood Oath takes Alex Martel deep into Tanzania when her father, General David Martel, is kidnapped by a ruthless militia leader. It’s a story about family, honor, impossible choices, and what happens when the people we’d die for are the ones we have to save.

It’s my most personal thriller yet, and I can’t wait for you to experience it.

Stay Connected

I’ll keep you posted as new year events come together. In the meantime, follow along on social media for behind-the-scenes updates, early reviews, and all things Alex Martel.

Thank you for your continued support. Whether you grab Blood Oath on release day, meet me in Scottsdale, or wait for one of next year’s events, I’m grateful you’re part of this journey.

See you soon—on the page, in person, or both.

Steve Urszenyi

P.S. If you can’t make it to Scottsdale but still want a signed copy, The Poisoned Pen ships anywhere in the U.S.! Just order through their website and request a signature in the order notes. In Canada, I hope to have a similar arrangement with a local bookstore soon.

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