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Blue Fate #1
Startup
Hank Morgan has a technological idea that will revolutionize the world. Struggling to get his startup company off the ground, he meets a beautiful woman and then everything goes wrong. Just when he believes their relationship is advancing, she mysteriously disappears and he suspects a powerful business empire is involved. Soon, he reaches a point where he is about to lose everything he owns... including his life.
186 pages, Paperback
First published February 22, 2012
12 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
Cass Tell
33 books22 followersCass Tell is the pen name of an author of suspense action/thriller novels. The plots of his novels often contain underlying thought-provoking themes of love, culture, religion and worldview.
His adrenalin-driven stories contain bait-and-hook plots filled with intrigue and emotional resonance. The main characters in his books tend to be somewhat broken souls struggling against insurmountable forces. Staged in fascinating international settings, his novels always leave an after-thought and provide a unique reading experience.
Cass Tell does not want to be in public light, guards his privacy and avoids disclosing his true identity. He does most of his writing from a small village on the Costa Brava in Spain. When he is not writing he travels the world. His novels tend to be set in international settings, and he has visited most places that appear in his novels.
Cass Tell’s parents were from Europe but he spent some years attending school in the western part of the United States. After graduating from university he worked for large corporations and then started and sold a company which allowed him some financial independence. Wanting to explore other avenues, he left the business world to reflect on bigger issues and fulfil his passion for writing fiction.
His adrenalin-driven stories contain bait-and-hook plots filled with intrigue and emotional resonance. The main characters in his books tend to be somewhat broken souls struggling against insurmountable forces. Staged in fascinating international settings, his novels always leave an after-thought and provide a unique reading experience.
Cass Tell does not want to be in public light, guards his privacy and avoids disclosing his true identity. He does most of his writing from a small village on the Costa Brava in Spain. When he is not writing he travels the world. His novels tend to be set in international settings, and he has visited most places that appear in his novels.
Cass Tell’s parents were from Europe but he spent some years attending school in the western part of the United States. After graduating from university he worked for large corporations and then started and sold a company which allowed him some financial independence. Wanting to explore other avenues, he left the business world to reflect on bigger issues and fulfil his passion for writing fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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March 15, 2013Through personal experience I got the idea to write Startup which is the first book in the Blue Fate series. Some years ago I sold a company that I had started and afterwards one story idea got stuck in my mind. What would happen if an evil venture capital company went around stealing companies? And, what methods might they use?
To bring life to the story I needed a main character that was vulnerable, and Hank Morgan was created. He is someone who has had the deck stacked against him. He grew up without a mother and father, was shuffled through foster homes, and learned to survive on the mean-streets of Los Angeles. Because of this he is unable to experience a full set of normal human emotions. Anger is at the forefront of his emotions, at least when he is being aggressed. Indeed he is a flawed character. His culture and experiences have a lot to do with who he is. At the same time, Hank is someone who inherently wants to do the right thing. Yet, he makes choices that lead him toward personal pain. In seeking love he becomes infatuated with the wrong woman and from that point on is confronted by a set of forces that are out to take away everything he owns.
The question is whether Hank is bound by his past or can he rise above it? This leads to a broader question. Can people break free from negative constraints found in their culture and upbringing? If not, do we just accept that we are bound by the environment in which we live?
Another observation is that Hank is the antithesis of the idealized perfection found in our modern world. We are taught to expect perfect lovers, perfect marriages, perfect children, perfect churches, perfect pastors, perfect employees and perfect politicians. But in reality human nature consists of a conflicting mix of human nobility and cruelty, of self-giving versus greed. And that’s what is found in Startup where even the good guys are flawed. At the same time, the antagonists in the story are very evil characters who use any means possible to steal other people’s assets.
Hank makes choices to do the right thing in spite of his emotional limitations. At the end of the book his entrepreneurial idea is success-ful and he ends up joining the Unipac Corporation. From California Hank travels to Spain with Sam Oliver, the Chairman of Unipac, and the adventures continue.
In reading the Blue Fate series, what may seem simple in the beginning is in fact shrouded by obscurity. Isn’t that how it is sometimes? The simplicity by which we interpret things is in fact only a beginning and there is deeper significance in events and circumstances.
One definition of wisdom is, ‘the power of true and just discernment’. Even though we think we may perceive things correctly, in fact do we discern them as they really are? If fate throws difficulty at us, do we really think about and understand the causes? Do we just suffer and go along with whatever is handed to us? Or, can we make wise choices to overcome difficult circumstances and better navigate through the world? I invite you to join me in the Blue Fate series as the plot expands and more characters are sucked into fate’s vortex.
To bring life to the story I needed a main character that was vulnerable, and Hank Morgan was created. He is someone who has had the deck stacked against him. He grew up without a mother and father, was shuffled through foster homes, and learned to survive on the mean-streets of Los Angeles. Because of this he is unable to experience a full set of normal human emotions. Anger is at the forefront of his emotions, at least when he is being aggressed. Indeed he is a flawed character. His culture and experiences have a lot to do with who he is. At the same time, Hank is someone who inherently wants to do the right thing. Yet, he makes choices that lead him toward personal pain. In seeking love he becomes infatuated with the wrong woman and from that point on is confronted by a set of forces that are out to take away everything he owns.
The question is whether Hank is bound by his past or can he rise above it? This leads to a broader question. Can people break free from negative constraints found in their culture and upbringing? If not, do we just accept that we are bound by the environment in which we live?
Another observation is that Hank is the antithesis of the idealized perfection found in our modern world. We are taught to expect perfect lovers, perfect marriages, perfect children, perfect churches, perfect pastors, perfect employees and perfect politicians. But in reality human nature consists of a conflicting mix of human nobility and cruelty, of self-giving versus greed. And that’s what is found in Startup where even the good guys are flawed. At the same time, the antagonists in the story are very evil characters who use any means possible to steal other people’s assets.
Hank makes choices to do the right thing in spite of his emotional limitations. At the end of the book his entrepreneurial idea is success-ful and he ends up joining the Unipac Corporation. From California Hank travels to Spain with Sam Oliver, the Chairman of Unipac, and the adventures continue.
In reading the Blue Fate series, what may seem simple in the beginning is in fact shrouded by obscurity. Isn’t that how it is sometimes? The simplicity by which we interpret things is in fact only a beginning and there is deeper significance in events and circumstances.
One definition of wisdom is, ‘the power of true and just discernment’. Even though we think we may perceive things correctly, in fact do we discern them as they really are? If fate throws difficulty at us, do we really think about and understand the causes? Do we just suffer and go along with whatever is handed to us? Or, can we make wise choices to overcome difficult circumstances and better navigate through the world? I invite you to join me in the Blue Fate series as the plot expands and more characters are sucked into fate’s vortex.
July 14, 2013
A suspenseful and fast-paced thriller. Hank Morgan decides to take his idea and begin his startup company. When he thinks everything is falling into place, and he meets the beautiful Janie, things begin falling apart. He begins to believe that someone is after him and wants to take over his company. Can he hold on to his company and figure out who is after him before he ends up dead?
This book was addicting. I couldn't put it down and finished it pretty quickly. I really like the character Hank. He is a guy who is trying to stay on the right track after a difficult childhood. He has a great idea that he has been saving up money to use in his startup company. When the time comes and he pursues this adventure everything starts going wrong. Hank doesn't give up easily and he is very protective over the people he cares about. I also really like Sharlee. She is a genuine girl who cares about people, especially Hank, and about the work she does. I love how the author grabs the readers attention and how everything comes together at the end of the book. I really enjoy this book and would be interested in reading more in this series!
I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
This book was addicting. I couldn't put it down and finished it pretty quickly. I really like the character Hank. He is a guy who is trying to stay on the right track after a difficult childhood. He has a great idea that he has been saving up money to use in his startup company. When the time comes and he pursues this adventure everything starts going wrong. Hank doesn't give up easily and he is very protective over the people he cares about. I also really like Sharlee. She is a genuine girl who cares about people, especially Hank, and about the work she does. I love how the author grabs the readers attention and how everything comes together at the end of the book. I really enjoy this book and would be interested in reading more in this series!
I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
June 11, 2013
Startup (Blue Fate 1) Cass Tell
Hank Morgan, a man who grew up in the foster care system has a great idea for a company. He believes his new technology will revolutionize the world. But he needs backers, someone to help him start up his company.
As he begins to make his dream come true, he meets a mysterious and beautiful woman, soon he is falling for her. But as quickly as she enters his life, she soon disappears, and he starts to think hard about what could be happening. Is she in danger? Is she part of some conspiracy?
Before he knows it, he is in danger and he may lose everything, his new business and even his life. Time is running short, and Hank must find out what is happening before it is too late.
Fast paced thriller. I would like to check out more of Cass Tells books.
Hank Morgan, a man who grew up in the foster care system has a great idea for a company. He believes his new technology will revolutionize the world. But he needs backers, someone to help him start up his company.
As he begins to make his dream come true, he meets a mysterious and beautiful woman, soon he is falling for her. But as quickly as she enters his life, she soon disappears, and he starts to think hard about what could be happening. Is she in danger? Is she part of some conspiracy?
Before he knows it, he is in danger and he may lose everything, his new business and even his life. Time is running short, and Hank must find out what is happening before it is too late.
Fast paced thriller. I would like to check out more of Cass Tells books.
June 13, 2013
this is an entertaining book and an easy-to-read during a hot summer vacation at the beach. in fact, i was surprised myself how i couldn't stop reading and needed to know what decision hank, the main character, is taking next. i like his reflective mind and how his vulnerability is hidden behind a wall of self-protection and uncontrolled anger. i have hope for him to become a better person, having his emotions under control and that somehow god will bring out his potential and make him the man he intended him to be.
April 26, 2013
I loved it!every page made me want to read more,stayed up to finish because i couldnt put it down,I just had to find out what happened!excellent read!I was upset and wish I could jump in the story and get those terrible people,stealing peoples hard work,trying to make a living!THANK YOU!GREAT JOB!
May 5, 2013
I won this book as a first read. I loved how the author jumped right into the plot and kept it going without any "fluff". The main character was likable and easy to root for. This was a quick read that will leave readers interested in the sequels to come.
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March 8, 2012Awesome
fast paced, hair raising suspense,
fast paced, hair raising suspense,
September 22, 2020
I wanted to enjoy Startup written by Cass Tell but too many things got in the way. 420 words per page makes a book tough to read. It felt like a chore rather than the pleasure it should have been. I only kept reading because once I start something I have to finish it.
The book's main theme is repeated ad nauseum. Why did I sign that agreement? Where is she? I hope she's OK. Etc. Etc. What was written in 175 crowded pages could have been written in less that 100 pages. The wording is clunky and the editing is frightful. If I had to guess, I'd say a professional editor was not employed during the creation of this piece of 'writing'. I hope the following books are much better written. Sorry Cass but I cannot sugar-coat this. But maybe it's just me. Perhaps I'm wrong.
The book's main theme is repeated ad nauseum. Why did I sign that agreement? Where is she? I hope she's OK. Etc. Etc. What was written in 175 crowded pages could have been written in less that 100 pages. The wording is clunky and the editing is frightful. If I had to guess, I'd say a professional editor was not employed during the creation of this piece of 'writing'. I hope the following books are much better written. Sorry Cass but I cannot sugar-coat this. But maybe it's just me. Perhaps I'm wrong.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews