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Daniel McMaster #1
Brainstorm
* * * * * * * * * * Gold Rush seems to be just another sleepy little Colorado community full of friendly, caring citizens, quaint cottages, and a sort of quiet peace, held gently by the picturesque mountains that surround it. However, something isn't right in Gold Rush, and early on a Monday morning Robert Weller awakens with a cautioning and insuppressible voice inside his head. He soon finds a secret behind every door, a motive with every glance, and a lie beneath every spoken word. After meeting a strange but beautiful woman named Sunny who insists they were once lovers, people begin dropping dead around him without apparent cause. The world he thought he knew twists upside down as paramilitary teams hunt him, and his own wife and the people he considers friends turn against him.Weller is thrown into the middle of a military mission to rescue thousands of the town's citizens from a plot to destroy the free world. In time, Weller discovers he was once the CIA's top remote viewer, and it's not just the bad guys who will lose if he survives another day. BRAINSTORM goes beyond the bounds of ordinary reason. It blends the past (the CIA's "Project Stargate," a twenty-year exploration into remote viewing and psychic powers as background) with the present (incredible new developments in nonlethal weapons such as acoustic cannons, sticky foam, anti-traction substances, electromagnetic pulse devices, and infrared lasers). And it throws in a very sobering reminder; that there are still thousands of American MIAs from the Korean and Vietnam Wars.If you enjoy best-selling action/adventure thriller authors like Don Winslow and Clive Cussler, as well as some of the best thrillers in eBooks by indie authors like John Locke and JA Konrath, you'll love Brainstorm * * * * * Three of Kessler's best thriller novels all in one big eBook—check out the .
ebook
First published November 7, 2010
22 people are currently reading
381 people want to read
About the author
Gordon A. Kessler
20 books10 followersI am a fulltime thriller novelist, living in the Kansas City metro area with my golden retriever, Jazzy Brass. I’ve taught novel-writing for several community colleges, worked over twenty years for the BNSF Railway, and I am a former US Marine Recon Scout, Super Squad team leader, parachutist, marksmanship coach and troop handler. I enjoys SCUBA, sailing, snow skiing and being with my kids and grandkids.
My first novel, Jezebel, landed a contract with a large publisher back in 1992. But nearly three years later, on the week they were supposed to make a 10,000-book print run, the publisher went bankrupt.
Since then, I’ve contracted with a couple of big name New York agents, have turned down a small publishing contract, had a verbal deal fall through before the written contract was made, and have had numerous manuscripts passed around the tables at the big NYC publishing houses. A senior editor from one of the largest publishers in the world has even emailed me asking “what are you working on, now?”
With the connections I’ve made, you’d think I’d stick with traditional publishing, wouldn’t you? I’m not that smart! Besides, I’m having a blast writing eBook thrillers—more fun than I’ve ever had in my life.
I currently have three thriller novels in both paper and eBook: Jezebel, Dead Reckoning and Brainstorm. All three of these are between 110,000 and 125,000 words long–typical, big thriller books.
My latest men’s action adventure novels are a part of ”The E Z Knight Reports” series. These books are a departure from the big thriller books I’ve focused on in the past. They consist of episodic yet standalone stories in the 50,000 word range with a number of recurring characters. They’re fast, fun reads; gritty, sexy, irreverent and sometimes humorous–with a modern-day, ramped up “The Rockford Files”/”Magnum PI” feel. But they’re also poignant looks at the darker side of life, crime and the human condition.
I’ve also published two short story eBooks: a humorous piece called “Toothpick for Two” and a nostalgic romance called “Jack Knight” (unrelated to the E Z Knight series). Please check them out.
Aside from my fiction, I’ve written a book specifically for novelists, Novel Writing Made Simple. It’s a great primer for beginners and an excellent refresher for the experienced wordsmith.
I am a founder and current president of the Kansas Writers Association, a sixteen-year-old organization of some very special people. Last year, I started a group to help support independent authors called the Indie Writers Alliance—another group of great people.
Life is great!
My first novel, Jezebel, landed a contract with a large publisher back in 1992. But nearly three years later, on the week they were supposed to make a 10,000-book print run, the publisher went bankrupt.
Since then, I’ve contracted with a couple of big name New York agents, have turned down a small publishing contract, had a verbal deal fall through before the written contract was made, and have had numerous manuscripts passed around the tables at the big NYC publishing houses. A senior editor from one of the largest publishers in the world has even emailed me asking “what are you working on, now?”
With the connections I’ve made, you’d think I’d stick with traditional publishing, wouldn’t you? I’m not that smart! Besides, I’m having a blast writing eBook thrillers—more fun than I’ve ever had in my life.
I currently have three thriller novels in both paper and eBook: Jezebel, Dead Reckoning and Brainstorm. All three of these are between 110,000 and 125,000 words long–typical, big thriller books.
My latest men’s action adventure novels are a part of ”The E Z Knight Reports” series. These books are a departure from the big thriller books I’ve focused on in the past. They consist of episodic yet standalone stories in the 50,000 word range with a number of recurring characters. They’re fast, fun reads; gritty, sexy, irreverent and sometimes humorous–with a modern-day, ramped up “The Rockford Files”/”Magnum PI” feel. But they’re also poignant looks at the darker side of life, crime and the human condition.
I’ve also published two short story eBooks: a humorous piece called “Toothpick for Two” and a nostalgic romance called “Jack Knight” (unrelated to the E Z Knight series). Please check them out.
Aside from my fiction, I’ve written a book specifically for novelists, Novel Writing Made Simple. It’s a great primer for beginners and an excellent refresher for the experienced wordsmith.
I am a founder and current president of the Kansas Writers Association, a sixteen-year-old organization of some very special people. Last year, I started a group to help support independent authors called the Indie Writers Alliance—another group of great people.
Life is great!
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 17, 2011
This story kept my heart pounding right up through the ending. From the very beginning you knew something just wasn't right with the people and the setting - and very quickly you find you're absolutely correct.
I'd never heard about our governments paranormal projects until reading Brainstorm, which made me want to find out more details. Fascinating subject matter - and all too potentially real.
Powerful read!
I'd never heard about our governments paranormal projects until reading Brainstorm, which made me want to find out more details. Fascinating subject matter - and all too potentially real.
Powerful read!
April 14, 2013
I almost gave up on this one several times, perhaps I should have read the publishers blurb first as it gives a one line summary of what has happened. It did feel as though I had been thrown into the second or third part of a series particularly as it is titled as part of the Daniel McMaster Series but it does seem to be the first in the series. Eventually and it took about a 1/3rd of the book everything came together and it became an exciting all action tale. It is difficult to say too much without giving the plot away but it is certainly science fiction but perhaps not too far-fetched if you accept that advanced brainwashing techniques could exist, once you accept this everything falls into place. I liked the characters and felt they were well described particularly the main ones. Some of the twists were to me fairly obvious such as the location of the town and the real identity of some of the characters but once I got over the initial 1/3rd I thought it was an excellent book. With just a bit of editing and a wee bit of extra explanation, not enough to spoil the story but to bring the reader on board (at least me) I would have given it 5*.
Would I read the next in the series, yes because it has now hooked me but I could so easily have given up.
Would I read the next in the series, yes because it has now hooked me but I could so easily have given up.
July 18, 2014
Fast-paced entertainment!
This book was my first introduction to this author. The plot is one of many twists and turns; guaranteed to keep you flipping the pages to the very end! I hope there's a sequel in the works!
This book was my first introduction to this author. The plot is one of many twists and turns; guaranteed to keep you flipping the pages to the very end! I hope there's a sequel in the works!
March 2, 2025
Conspiracy Thriller
Action Packed, Very Wild Book.
It is Fast paced in sections. The overall Story is Bizarre, Science Fiction.
If you like Realistic Books then you will Not like this Insane Mess of a Book.
I gave it 4 Stars Only because it is a Fast Paced, for the most part, and an interesting Book. It is so far out there though I could careless about the Characters or the Incoherent Story.
I would Not Recommend this Book to anyone.
Action Packed, Very Wild Book.
It is Fast paced in sections. The overall Story is Bizarre, Science Fiction.
If you like Realistic Books then you will Not like this Insane Mess of a Book.
I gave it 4 Stars Only because it is a Fast Paced, for the most part, and an interesting Book. It is so far out there though I could careless about the Characters or the Incoherent Story.
I would Not Recommend this Book to anyone.
March 1, 2022
Keeps you guessing
Kept my head bouncing. Very good book hard to put down. Buy it I doubt you will be disappointed. Good to follow Gordon. Looking to read more of his books.
Kept my head bouncing. Very good book hard to put down. Buy it I doubt you will be disappointed. Good to follow Gordon. Looking to read more of his books.
January 15, 2012
Robert Weller slips in the shower, hits his head and wakes up in the hospital. Now, he's home and something is a bit off. First, there is the note under the bar soap in the shower. Then, there is the gerbil in the linen closet. Over breakfast with his wife, his anger causes the T.V. to blowup and the power to go out. His wife, Michelle, tries to soothe him with the promise of their upcoming appointment with the doctor, the man who may be able to get their son William to walk again.
Robert decides to walk to work to his hardware store. His head hurts and things don't seem right. The bump on the back of his head is tender, his memory is confused - he's forgotten things. Is it coincidence that every person he makes eye contact with on the way to work dies from a heart attack within moments?
Sunny McMaster's husband, Daniel, disappeared over two years ago. She's determined to find him, dead or alive. With the help from the military, against the President's orders, they check out the town of Gold Rush. They use Remote Viewers, people who can use their brainwaves to transcend to distant sites. Daniel was one of the best RV's in the world. He could do anything, see the future, the past, transcend space and time to distant sites.
Sunny goes into Gold Rush to try and get Robert to trust her and lead him back to her team. If she can do that, they can rescue the other thousands of people in the town. But Robert doesn't believe everything Sunny tells him, and his only thought is to get to his wife and son. The town will be demolished soon, either under the good doctor's or the military, one way or another.
Xiang has perfected his craft. He doesn't want to take over the world, but he does want to control the world's leaders. The implants in his subjects give him the ability to control them, and utterly, to assassinate the world leaders and put someone else in their place - someone he can control. Robert is the most promising subject to date, but he keeps losing control of him. Everything is at stake, and Robert must be captured at all costs.
Brainstorm is a thrilling, roller-coaster ride that will keep your adrenaline pumping! The concept is so unique and creative, yet perhaps possible in the far, far future. The character of Robert is complex, yet realistic. You can feel his confusion, yet he is strong, a survivor who knows what is right. The action is non-stop, with crazy power struggles and show downs. Well-written, wildly entertaining and thought-provoking, Brainstorm is a stellar read!
Robert decides to walk to work to his hardware store. His head hurts and things don't seem right. The bump on the back of his head is tender, his memory is confused - he's forgotten things. Is it coincidence that every person he makes eye contact with on the way to work dies from a heart attack within moments?
Sunny McMaster's husband, Daniel, disappeared over two years ago. She's determined to find him, dead or alive. With the help from the military, against the President's orders, they check out the town of Gold Rush. They use Remote Viewers, people who can use their brainwaves to transcend to distant sites. Daniel was one of the best RV's in the world. He could do anything, see the future, the past, transcend space and time to distant sites.
Sunny goes into Gold Rush to try and get Robert to trust her and lead him back to her team. If she can do that, they can rescue the other thousands of people in the town. But Robert doesn't believe everything Sunny tells him, and his only thought is to get to his wife and son. The town will be demolished soon, either under the good doctor's or the military, one way or another.
Xiang has perfected his craft. He doesn't want to take over the world, but he does want to control the world's leaders. The implants in his subjects give him the ability to control them, and utterly, to assassinate the world leaders and put someone else in their place - someone he can control. Robert is the most promising subject to date, but he keeps losing control of him. Everything is at stake, and Robert must be captured at all costs.
Brainstorm is a thrilling, roller-coaster ride that will keep your adrenaline pumping! The concept is so unique and creative, yet perhaps possible in the far, far future. The character of Robert is complex, yet realistic. You can feel his confusion, yet he is strong, a survivor who knows what is right. The action is non-stop, with crazy power struggles and show downs. Well-written, wildly entertaining and thought-provoking, Brainstorm is a stellar read!
November 16, 2012
This book was intriguing. It kept me guessing the entire time, and the ending was in part, what I expected, and in part, completely took me by surprise.
There were a few minor things that kind of pulled me out of the story - little things like spelling errors or verb tense. They pulled me out of the story as I tried to mentally replace what was there with what it should have been, but overall, didn't really have an effect on the story itself.
It was a very unique idea that I can't recall ever having read before, and I think the author handled it beautifully. I still had a few unanswered questions at the end, but I got the impression that that was the author's intention.
Overall, this is a good book and I would definitely recommend it to others.
There were a few minor things that kind of pulled me out of the story - little things like spelling errors or verb tense. They pulled me out of the story as I tried to mentally replace what was there with what it should have been, but overall, didn't really have an effect on the story itself.
It was a very unique idea that I can't recall ever having read before, and I think the author handled it beautifully. I still had a few unanswered questions at the end, but I got the impression that that was the author's intention.
Overall, this is a good book and I would definitely recommend it to others.
May 15, 2012
This psychological crime mystery involves mind manipulation. Things are not what they appear and everyone has something to hide. Then people, including some government officials, start mysteriously dying from heart attacks. As the truth is gradually revealed and the plot unfolds, it leads to a fast-paced race against time involving military special ops teams.
Interesting characters and situations that keep your attention throughout with a few surprises along the way. It has some weak spots but overall a good read.
Interesting characters and situations that keep your attention throughout with a few surprises along the way. It has some weak spots but overall a good read.
July 22, 2012
An amazing read. Way too many editing errors to be acceptable in a book of this otherwise awesome calibre, but still a must-read for anyone who enjoyed watching the Matrix, who thinks the good guy should eventually figure out a way to win and that the USA military is still the top of the heap. A "guy book"...but I liked it too.
September 1, 2015
Fast paced fantasy (or is it?) thriller
Couldn't put it down. So many twists and turns my head was spinning as my eyes darted back and forth across the page. Innovative plot and characters, unknown setting, and wish of could spoil, but I won't.
Fun book. Wish it wasn't over.
Couldn't put it down. So many twists and turns my head was spinning as my eyes darted back and forth across the page. Innovative plot and characters, unknown setting, and wish of could spoil, but I won't.
Fun book. Wish it wasn't over.
April 22, 2013
This was the first book I read by Gordon Kessler and I really enjoyed. Lots of twists and turns exciting right up to the end!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews