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Midnight Burn
Trust is a loaded weapon. Love is a dangerous rebellion. And survival? That’s far from guaranteed.
Jace Mercer doesn’t want to be found. Once a black-ops ghost, now a independent tech fixer, he lives by a brutal stay off-grid, stay armed, trust no one. His only companions? A rebuilt '69 Barracuda and Sage—an AI built from fragments of his missing mother’s classified research.
But when Lila Voss, a sharp-edged courier with secrets of her own, crashes into his path, everything fractures. Their chemistry is electric—but what she carries could kill them both. Inside her satchel is a key tied to Project Spectra, a black-budget AI program linked to the same system that stole Jace’s mother—and the creation of VANTA, a rogue artificial intelligence designed to predict and erase threats before they exist.
Now hunted through neon-lit alleys and digital shadows, Jace and Lila must navigate brutal ambushes, betrayals from every side, and a truth more dangerous than either imagined. Together they ignite a fire that can’t be put out—and may uncover the one secret that changes Eileen Mercer might still be alive… and VANTA isn’t dormant.
It’s adapting. Watching. Waiting.
Midnight Burn is a high-octane cyber-noir thriller that fuses gritty romance with pulse-pounding action—perfect for fans of Blade Runner, The Bourne Identity, and Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
Click “Buy Now” and enter the storm—where every heartbeat risks betrayal, and the only way out is through the fire.
Jace Mercer doesn’t want to be found. Once a black-ops ghost, now a independent tech fixer, he lives by a brutal stay off-grid, stay armed, trust no one. His only companions? A rebuilt '69 Barracuda and Sage—an AI built from fragments of his missing mother’s classified research.
But when Lila Voss, a sharp-edged courier with secrets of her own, crashes into his path, everything fractures. Their chemistry is electric—but what she carries could kill them both. Inside her satchel is a key tied to Project Spectra, a black-budget AI program linked to the same system that stole Jace’s mother—and the creation of VANTA, a rogue artificial intelligence designed to predict and erase threats before they exist.
Now hunted through neon-lit alleys and digital shadows, Jace and Lila must navigate brutal ambushes, betrayals from every side, and a truth more dangerous than either imagined. Together they ignite a fire that can’t be put out—and may uncover the one secret that changes Eileen Mercer might still be alive… and VANTA isn’t dormant.
It’s adapting. Watching. Waiting.
Midnight Burn is a high-octane cyber-noir thriller that fuses gritty romance with pulse-pounding action—perfect for fans of Blade Runner, The Bourne Identity, and Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
Click “Buy Now” and enter the storm—where every heartbeat risks betrayal, and the only way out is through the fire.
- GenresThriller
140 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2025
8 people are currently reading
1038 people want to read
About the author
T.J. Swift
4 books8 followersT.J. Swift writes thrillers where the edges are sharp, the stakes are personal, and the truth is never what it seems. His debut, Midnight Burn, fuses noir, AI, and raw emotion into a story about trust, betrayal, and the ghosts we carry.
He builds characters the way he rebuilds machines—bolt by bolt, scar by scar—until they roar to life. When he’s not writing, he’s deep in code, chasing storms, or restoring his '69 Barracuda one wire at a time.
If you're into tech-laced conspiracies, haunted hearts, and stories that hit like a punch and linger like a promise, you’re in the right place.
He builds characters the way he rebuilds machines—bolt by bolt, scar by scar—until they roar to life. When he’s not writing, he’s deep in code, chasing storms, or restoring his '69 Barracuda one wire at a time.
If you're into tech-laced conspiracies, haunted hearts, and stories that hit like a punch and linger like a promise, you’re in the right place.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 18, 2025
TJ Swift has written an outstanding, gritty , story.
I absolutely loved EVERYTHING about this story.
Author has an original writing style that flows and flows.
Raw characters such as Jace and Lila , will definitely give readers , the value of pure courage , and love with so many facets.
When you have nothing to lose , THERE WILL ALWAYS BE AN OPEN ROAD , AND BURNING FIRE IN YOUR HEART.! ALWAYS !
“You sure you can handle the heat , Jace?
He grinned slow and wolfish . “ I’m not here to handle it sweetheart. I’m here to match it.”
I absolutely loved EVERYTHING about this story.
Author has an original writing style that flows and flows.
Raw characters such as Jace and Lila , will definitely give readers , the value of pure courage , and love with so many facets.
When you have nothing to lose , THERE WILL ALWAYS BE AN OPEN ROAD , AND BURNING FIRE IN YOUR HEART.! ALWAYS !
“You sure you can handle the heat , Jace?
He grinned slow and wolfish . “ I’m not here to handle it sweetheart. I’m here to match it.”
May 24, 2025
This was a short and thrilling wild ride.
Everything moved fast, but Swift still managed to build fleshed-out characters. Also, placing the story in a city like Manhattan gave it a grittier and easier-to-picture part of the story. So, not a ton of world-building from that POV was necessary.
The book was told from Jace's or Lila’s POVs, and each played their parts. What started as what should have been a quick hookup between the two quickly became something dark and dangerous. It sent them both on a collision course towards each other, even though Lila left after their night together. It wasn’t for long.
Add to this a crazy Barracuda (it's a car for all of those people who aren't old enough to remember) that has been tripped out with everything a guy would need to slip through the city almost unnoticed … along with an intelligent AI named Sage that is the third main player in the story. And what the bad guys are after.
This is the first instalment in the story, super short and right to the point. It leaves me curious where it will go next!!
Everything moved fast, but Swift still managed to build fleshed-out characters. Also, placing the story in a city like Manhattan gave it a grittier and easier-to-picture part of the story. So, not a ton of world-building from that POV was necessary.
The book was told from Jace's or Lila’s POVs, and each played their parts. What started as what should have been a quick hookup between the two quickly became something dark and dangerous. It sent them both on a collision course towards each other, even though Lila left after their night together. It wasn’t for long.
Add to this a crazy Barracuda (it's a car for all of those people who aren't old enough to remember) that has been tripped out with everything a guy would need to slip through the city almost unnoticed … along with an intelligent AI named Sage that is the third main player in the story. And what the bad guys are after.
This is the first instalment in the story, super short and right to the point. It leaves me curious where it will go next!!
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May 22, 2025I enjoyed this debut novel. The author has a distinctive voice, and I couldn’t help but be reminded of the crime noir of the 1940s and 1950s. I thought the beginning was a bit abrupt though. There was really no introduction, no description of the world the story was set in or the reason for the two main characters to meet. Jace simply walked into a bar and picked up Lila and the two hooked up. I would have appreciated a bit more. The story moved at a quick pace and I found myself drawn in by the rhythm of the author’s writing. There is a LOT that remains unexplained in the book but the author made it worth finding out what happens next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 3, 2026
Midnight Burn grabbed me fast and never really let go. From the opening pages, the book drops you into a neon-soaked, paranoid world where everyone is being watched and no one is clean. Jace Mercer is the kind of protagonist cyber-noir does best: burned-out, hyper-competent, emotionally sealed off, and haunted by a past that refuses to stay buried. His off-grid lifestyle and uneasy partnership with Sage. an AI stitched together from his mother’s lost research, give the story a constant undercurrent of grief and distrust that feels earned rather than performative.
What really elevates the novel, though, is the dynamic between Jace and Lila Voss. Their chemistry sparks almost immediately, but it’s sharp and dangerous instead of soft or sentimental. Lila isn’t just a love interest; she’s a catalyst. Every scene she’s in adds tension, whether it’s a high-speed escape, a quiet moment laced with suspicion, or the slow realization that trusting each other might be the most reckless move they can make. The romance never slows the plot, it fuels it, which is surprisingly hard to pull off in action-heavy thrillers.
The sci-fi angle is where Midnight Burn really sinks its teeth in. Project Spectra and VANTA aren’t just vague “evil AI” concepts; they feel like believable extensions of surveillance culture and predictive algorithms already creeping into real life. The idea that VANTA doesn’t just react to threats but erases them before they exist is chilling, and the way the book layers this revelation with the mystery of Eileen Mercer kept me hooked. By the time the story suggests she might still be alive and that VANTA is far from dormant, the stakes feel personal, global, and terrifying all at once.
Overall, Midnight Burn is slick, tense, and emotionally charged without losing momentum. It balances cyberpunk atmosphere, breakneck action, and gritty romance with confidence, and it clearly knows the genre it’s playing in while still feeling fresh. Fans of Blade Runner–style noir, espionage thrillers, and morally messy AI stories will find a lot to love here. This is the kind of book that makes you want the lights low, the phone off, and the engine running.
What really elevates the novel, though, is the dynamic between Jace and Lila Voss. Their chemistry sparks almost immediately, but it’s sharp and dangerous instead of soft or sentimental. Lila isn’t just a love interest; she’s a catalyst. Every scene she’s in adds tension, whether it’s a high-speed escape, a quiet moment laced with suspicion, or the slow realization that trusting each other might be the most reckless move they can make. The romance never slows the plot, it fuels it, which is surprisingly hard to pull off in action-heavy thrillers.
The sci-fi angle is where Midnight Burn really sinks its teeth in. Project Spectra and VANTA aren’t just vague “evil AI” concepts; they feel like believable extensions of surveillance culture and predictive algorithms already creeping into real life. The idea that VANTA doesn’t just react to threats but erases them before they exist is chilling, and the way the book layers this revelation with the mystery of Eileen Mercer kept me hooked. By the time the story suggests she might still be alive and that VANTA is far from dormant, the stakes feel personal, global, and terrifying all at once.
Overall, Midnight Burn is slick, tense, and emotionally charged without losing momentum. It balances cyberpunk atmosphere, breakneck action, and gritty romance with confidence, and it clearly knows the genre it’s playing in while still feeling fresh. Fans of Blade Runner–style noir, espionage thrillers, and morally messy AI stories will find a lot to love here. This is the kind of book that makes you want the lights low, the phone off, and the engine running.
December 19, 2025
More like 3.5 stars
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily based on my completing the book.
I read the book as an ARC while already impressed by the energy of the concept from the blurb.
The story delivered exactly what its title promises but fades a bit too quickly. This is a fast paced cyber noir thriller that wastes no time dropping the reader into a rain soaked neon world filled with secrets and surveillance. TJS clearly knows how to write momentum and the opening chapters pulled me in with confident atmosphere and clean punchy prose.
The story follows Jace, a damaged but capable protagonist whose past slowly unravels as the stakes rise. I enjoyed his voice and the sense of isolation that clings to him but I wanted more depth both from him and from the side characters who feel more like ideas than people. The emotional beats are there and occasionally they land well but they often move on before they can fully settle.
Where this book shines is in its pacing and tone. Where it stumbles is in its ambition. The world hints at something bigger and richer but never quite commits to exploring it and maybe we will see a bit more of the expectations in subsequent books. This was an entertaining read and a solid series starter but it left me wanting more substance. Three stars for strong style and promise with room to grow.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily based on my completing the book.
I read the book as an ARC while already impressed by the energy of the concept from the blurb.
The story delivered exactly what its title promises but fades a bit too quickly. This is a fast paced cyber noir thriller that wastes no time dropping the reader into a rain soaked neon world filled with secrets and surveillance. TJS clearly knows how to write momentum and the opening chapters pulled me in with confident atmosphere and clean punchy prose.
The story follows Jace, a damaged but capable protagonist whose past slowly unravels as the stakes rise. I enjoyed his voice and the sense of isolation that clings to him but I wanted more depth both from him and from the side characters who feel more like ideas than people. The emotional beats are there and occasionally they land well but they often move on before they can fully settle.
Where this book shines is in its pacing and tone. Where it stumbles is in its ambition. The world hints at something bigger and richer but never quite commits to exploring it and maybe we will see a bit more of the expectations in subsequent books. This was an entertaining read and a solid series starter but it left me wanting more substance. Three stars for strong style and promise with room to grow.
January 30, 2026
Midnight Burn is a fast paced book filled with action. The plot is simple yet satisfying, leaving room for expansion in the next books.
The way the author shows the instant connection between the two main characters felt truly real, although I don’t know how any human can have that amount of sex in an hour or two. Alas, it’s cyberpunk, maybe they have love enhancers, or something. I felt it was a bit too much in the beginning, I felt by the time they left the cliff the point was already made, they could have just gone to Jace’s safehouse and cuddled. That part felt too dragged out, but, after that, we started rolling fast, like the Barracuda, and the action made ir all worthwhile.
Starting the next book soon, can’t wait to know where this all goes.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The way the author shows the instant connection between the two main characters felt truly real, although I don’t know how any human can have that amount of sex in an hour or two. Alas, it’s cyberpunk, maybe they have love enhancers, or something. I felt it was a bit too much in the beginning, I felt by the time they left the cliff the point was already made, they could have just gone to Jace’s safehouse and cuddled. That part felt too dragged out, but, after that, we started rolling fast, like the Barracuda, and the action made ir all worthwhile.
Starting the next book soon, can’t wait to know where this all goes.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 28, 2025
If I could give fractions of stars I would have given the book 3.5 stars, but would rather round up rather than down.
The book, for me, read in two halves.
The first half was a bit confusing and not 'explained' well enough for me (why were the MC's in the bar, no back story on them so if I hadn't read the synopsis I wouldn't have known their jobs and why did they act as the did initially).
The second half was completely different and was very engaging. I wanted to race to the end of the book.
It was left on a bit of a cliffhanger and I am looking forward to the next book in the series to see what happens.
The book, for me, read in two halves.
The first half was a bit confusing and not 'explained' well enough for me (why were the MC's in the bar, no back story on them so if I hadn't read the synopsis I wouldn't have known their jobs and why did they act as the did initially).
The second half was completely different and was very engaging. I wanted to race to the end of the book.
It was left on a bit of a cliffhanger and I am looking forward to the next book in the series to see what happens.
March 16, 2026
I give Midnight Burn 4 stars out of 5.
Because the prequel set my expectations so high, I honestly felt a bit let down here. The runtime is frustratingly short. I was also disappointed by how early the narrative rushed into a sex scene, which sacrificed valuable plot development.
To earn that fifth star, the author needed to deliver a longer, slower-burn story that prioritized the overarching plot over immediate physical romance.
Despite these flaws, Swift's core storyline and gripping intensity still shine through, securing a solid rating.
P.S: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Because the prequel set my expectations so high, I honestly felt a bit let down here. The runtime is frustratingly short. I was also disappointed by how early the narrative rushed into a sex scene, which sacrificed valuable plot development.
To earn that fifth star, the author needed to deliver a longer, slower-burn story that prioritized the overarching plot over immediate physical romance.
Despite these flaws, Swift's core storyline and gripping intensity still shine through, securing a solid rating.
P.S: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 11, 2025
This is a story that loses its way early on. The plot revolves around a former operative and rogue AI I found it difficult to follow due to the back-and-forth splashes of content and smut. This would normally be fine, but the actual content was difficult to follow. It was sluggish, which made it harder to stay invested. I did not read the Book 0 prequel. It might have helped me gather character information more quickly.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 3, 2026
TL;DR: Good book. Good author. Will continue the series!
I found the writing style to be very unique. Very choppy. Segmented.
As if the novel was transcribed from a comic strip. If it was a movie, it would have been a stop-motion animation. It is fast paced. No time to dwell on the mundane and stop to smell the roses.
The story arc blends thriller, mystery, and scifi in a way that makes it a page-turner.
Enough said. I need to get back to reading the second book in the series (Signal Lost).
I found the writing style to be very unique. Very choppy. Segmented.
As if the novel was transcribed from a comic strip. If it was a movie, it would have been a stop-motion animation. It is fast paced. No time to dwell on the mundane and stop to smell the roses.
The story arc blends thriller, mystery, and scifi in a way that makes it a page-turner.
Enough said. I need to get back to reading the second book in the series (Signal Lost).
May 25, 2025
“Promise me -he learns why we build. Not just how.”
If you enjoy Sci-fi and thrillers give this book a go!
There is a cadence to TJ Swift’s writing that is very unique-it drew me in. The plot is engaging; the tech does not overpower it but rather feeds it. The emotions portrayed bring to life the characters- my favorite is Sage. I won’t give any spoilers but trust me…her character development was perfectly executed. Looking forward to both the prequel and the 2nd book.
If you enjoy Sci-fi and thrillers give this book a go!
There is a cadence to TJ Swift’s writing that is very unique-it drew me in. The plot is engaging; the tech does not overpower it but rather feeds it. The emotions portrayed bring to life the characters- my favorite is Sage. I won’t give any spoilers but trust me…her character development was perfectly executed. Looking forward to both the prequel and the 2nd book.
June 15, 2025
Jace and Lila’s chemistry was off the charts from the moment they met. When they become part of something neither of them saw coming, they are fighting to survive. This was a quick read with twists and turns that were absolutely intriguing. This story was out of my normal reads, but I’m glad I came across it! Looking forward to book 2.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 22, 2025
I couldn’t put this book down. What truly sets Midnight Burn apart is the writing. Swift’s prose is evocative without being overwrought, poetic in places, and always purposeful. Each chapter feels meticulously constructed, leading to a finale that is as satisfying as it is surprising.
May 25, 2025
fast paced, spicy, engaging. it’s definitely one of the books you should pick up if you’re in a slump because the writing style is just smooth. also, lila and jace are hot. as fuck. loved them. loved this.
June 19, 2025
I couldn’t tear myself away from Midnight Burn. The writing is just incredible—so vivid and emotionally resonant without ever feeling overdone. Every chapter built beautifully to an ending that blew me away.
June 19, 2025
Swift’s prose in Midnight Burn is a masterclass in balance-lyrical yet grounded, elegant without excess. The story unfolds with precision, leading to a finale that’s as clever as it is fulfilling.
June 19, 2025
This book held me captive. What stood out most was the writing-it’s the kind that sinks in slowly, rich with meaning but never flashy. The ending? Worth every page it took to get there.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews