Under The Neon Light

by J.D. Goland, Adam Finke, Alana M. Madison

This KU version explains the contest that created this book, and the creators' involvement with it including their character art for the characters they designed!!

When a hunt becomes an obsession, no one is safe.

Marco Vescari is an assassin with a code. Place a hit on someone, and he will come back to get you, too. Dangerous, suave, and loves to plan for everything, a random hit placed him in line with Alexander Mallory, the CEO of Hauth Technology, a known front for the criminal organization Anibus. The same empire he left after they frowned upon his sense of morality. What should have been a simple kill, but instead he stumbles into something much darker than he Anibus's top killer and his rival, Orias. Now he is in a deadly battle with one of the most unhinged assassins he has ever met.
Until she crossed his path.
Valentina Nerezza.
A strange name in a stolen file placed him at her address, and then everything unfolded for Marco. He can't think straight; he is screwing up kills and rushing into fights without any thought of a plan. He is doing the exact opposite of his methodical planning because he cannot get her off his mind. She is everything he wants in life, and he will have her by any means necessary..

445 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 31, 2026

About the author

A fun loving dabbler of world creation! Spent most of my life reading and enjoying other works of art. Finally decided to throw my hat in the ring with the Silver Series. The response I got from that pushed me to keep going! I’m a fantasy writer through and through, but I love mixing the sub genres together. Every book will have some humorous fun, dark scenes, and deception that makes you need the next page.
A happily married father of three beautiful daughters, I am lucky enough to have my soul mate with me. Without her, I wouldn’t be here writing stories that people fall in love with!

Reviews

[Gionna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Under the Neon Light delivers a gritty, atmospheric journey into a futuristic world that feels both immersive and wonderfully lived-in. The worldbuilding is easily one of the novel's greatest strengths. There's a raw, cinematic quality to the setting that makes it easy to visualize every neon-soaked corner of this dark and dangerous world.

The action sequences were another standout. Well-timed and skillfully executed, they brought an intensity to the story that kept me invested. JD has a knack for creating vivid, high-stakes moments that practically play out like scenes from a movie.

While I appreciated the darker direction of the story, I struggled to connect with the MMC, and the romantic elements didn't quite deliver the emotional chemistry I was hoping for. The pacing was occasionally uneven, with some moments feeling drawn out and others moving a little too quickly.

However, the ending brought everything together in a way I genuinely enjoyed. A clever, unexpected twist gave the story a satisfying conclusion and ultimately elevated my overall experience.

Under the Neon Light is an ambitious, action-packed story with compelling worldbuilding, a distinctive atmosphere, and an ending that makes the journey worthwhile. Despite a few elements that didn't entirely resonate with me, there's plenty to appreciate here, and I'm giving it a well-earned four stars.

[Alana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well damn. What a thrilling f*cking ride. What an absolutely deranged MMC. Throughout the entire book I thought I could guess at what he would do, what his actions or reactions would be. And yet... nope, not at all. On TOP of that... the WILD ride that included a character that was somewhat personable, and yet also somewhat disturbed... that had my name!

The unhinged MMC, the obsession, the destruction... but that ending? Keep the crown, "king of twist endings..." keep the crown.