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False Love
Not yet published
Expected 26 Feb 26One disappearance. One corrupt deal. One nation on the brink.
When Australian Ambassador Andrew Lawson vanishes in Phnom Penh, officials scramble to bury the story before it ignites an international scandal. But when Orion intelligence operative Blake Willis is sent in to quietly locate the ambassador, he uncovers something far deadlier than a diplomatic mistake.
A billion-dollar casino management contract—on its surface a routine procurement process—has become the front line in a ruthless geopolitical war, fueled by cybercrime, deepfake blackmail, and human trafficking hidden deep in Cambodia’s jungles. What appears legitimate is anything but. A coup is already in motion.
As rival powers close in and corruption poisons every alliance, Blake and his team race against time to stop a hostile takeover of an entire government—while personal loyalties fracture and betrayal cuts close to home.
In a world where power is bought, truth is manufactured, and love is never what it seems, FALSE LOVE asks one brutal question:
How much is a country worth—and is it being sold… or stolen?
When Australian Ambassador Andrew Lawson vanishes in Phnom Penh, officials scramble to bury the story before it ignites an international scandal. But when Orion intelligence operative Blake Willis is sent in to quietly locate the ambassador, he uncovers something far deadlier than a diplomatic mistake.
A billion-dollar casino management contract—on its surface a routine procurement process—has become the front line in a ruthless geopolitical war, fueled by cybercrime, deepfake blackmail, and human trafficking hidden deep in Cambodia’s jungles. What appears legitimate is anything but. A coup is already in motion.
As rival powers close in and corruption poisons every alliance, Blake and his team race against time to stop a hostile takeover of an entire government—while personal loyalties fracture and betrayal cuts close to home.
In a world where power is bought, truth is manufactured, and love is never what it seems, FALSE LOVE asks one brutal question:
How much is a country worth—and is it being sold… or stolen?
ebook
Expected publication February 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 10, 2026
This is my first time reading any of Steve’s books and it’s not my usual genre but I really liked it! The characters are all so diverse and easy to like. There were plot twists and turns. Good descriptions so you would really picture where it was taking place at. The techy stuff wasn’t wordy so I didn’t lose interest. I plan to go back and read some of the ones before this one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
False Love is a well-paced, tightly written thriller that builds steadily toward a satisfying conclusion. As the fourth book in the series, it deepens the existing characters and raises the stakes while continuing to explore the intersection of technology, power, and personal consequence.
What stands out most is how effectively the various storylines converge. The resolution feels intentional and earned, bringing key arcs to a close in a way that serves both the characters and the broader narrative. The Southeast Asia setting adds grit and atmosphere and feels integral to the story rather than simply a backdrop.
What stands out most is how effectively the various storylines converge. The resolution feels intentional and earned, bringing key arcs to a close in a way that serves both the characters and the broader narrative. The Southeast Asia setting adds grit and atmosphere and feels integral to the story rather than simply a backdrop.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
They say never judge a book by its cover, but, I’ll add to that do not judge a book by the description either. I normally don’t (think) I like espionage or political intrigue fiction. This book kept me interested from the first chapter. This book was fast paced and definitely intriguing. The characters went through so much within just a few days. I liked the way they worked so well together even though the MC had his own pushy personality. I will definitely be going back and reading all of the previous books and also the next book in the series. I do apologize for waiting on reviewing but cataract surgery on both eyes kept me under the weather. I was granted the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy from Mr Shipley and as a Typo Hunter for Deanna’s World Author Services. I am now a fan!!!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews