WATERKILL Grabs Top Position on Amazon Kindle in TechnoThriller and Terrorism Thriller

My latest action packed thriller WATERKILL made it to #1 in Amazon Terrorism Thrillers and #1 in Technothrillers on its recent debut free Kindle release. See below.

Get your copy of WATERKILL for only $0.99 in Kindle format here. 

WATERKILL is on Sale for FREE Today and Tomorrow

Looking for an excellent wild-ride thriller to read? Get this one for free on Kindle today! It currently enjoys a 4.4 ranking on 90 reviews. See http://amazon.com/dp/B017Q9593K

Book Summary: A Yemenis man tragically loses his family, a plane disappears into the Alaskan bush carrying a secret, and thousands suddenly die in a German town.  Dave Henson is tapped by the U.S. government to help solve the related mysteries, but finds himself drawn in deeper when his wife goes missing.

Innovative sensors are empowering the smart factory robot, says AMS

My latest article on robotics titled "Innovative sensors are empowering the smart factory robot, says AMS" was just published in Robotics and Automation News.

"The next industrial revolution is arriving on a shore near you. It’s called Industry 4.0, and like its three predecessors, it’s about to bring sweeping changes to manufacturing that will globally affect everyone."  ... See the full article here.

Spend the Time and Money to have your Book Professionally Edited

Over the past four years I have written two techno-thriller books, the first titled NANO SURVEILLANCE, and the second titled WATERKILL. In both cases I released the books without having them professionally edited. I paid a very high price with NANO SURVEILLANCE in regards to negative reviews for editorial reasons. With WATERKILL, I went to great pains to avoid the same review wrath by having a dozen friends and family members review the book and provide feedback prior to its release. However, again I did not spend the money to have WATERKILL professionally edited. Sadly, the friends and family editing feedback route was still insufficient. Though the WATERKILL reviews were better, there was still that occasional reader/reviewer that found editorial issues with the book, and as a result, skewered me because of it.

Alas, after about 4 or 5 of those negative reviews, I took WATERKILL off the market and spent two months and paid nearly $2K to have the book professionally line edited. Without a doubt after the second release of the book the results, in regards to critically negative reviews due to editing, were much better. After 78 amazon reviews, WATERKILL enjoys a 4.3 ranking, with virtually no additional comments about editorial flaws in the book.

So for those who are thinking about self-publishing a book, I highly recommend you spend the time and money up front to have the book professionally edited. Though I have not recouped the cost of paying for the professional edit to date, at least I sleep better at night knowing I am not going to get that picky reader who rips the book for basic editing issues.

See for yourself by checking out WATERKILL at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B017Q9593K

NANO SURVEILLANCE is FREE Today Only on KINDLE

Get my political/technothriller "Nano Surveillance" for free today in Kindle format at: www.amazon.com/dp/B00DJSZ92O " Enemy White House, Media Deceit, Billionaire Greed, Hi-Tech Corporate Spying" Summary: With the country on the brink of financial collapse, billionaire and high tech entrepreneur Dave Henson breaks an old personal oath to himself to remain apolitical as he attempts a daring and dangerous mission to save the country. Dave, along with a small group of engineers at his company NSurv, and his old friend and news reporter Dana Cogswell, decide to use NSurv’s bio-nano sensor technology to bring a whole new level of transparency between the federal government and the public. In the process they discover and reveal a sinister plot by the President and his administration to secretly drain and transfer the country's wealth and power to foreign entities.

While Dave and his team covertly work to change the country’s political and economic direction by exposing the corruption in Washington D.C., the President announces his new plans to end global climate change and restore the country's economy. However the President's plans run sinisterly deeper, and include the required use of personal tracking sensors to be installed in every automobile and product sold in the country. If the President's plans become law, Dave is convinced it will destroy the country and provide the government with unfettered surveillance of the public. Dave’s team quickly finds itself intertwined in a deadly war with the President and his allies. As the NSurv team works to capture and report the ultimate story to topple the administration and save the country, the President and his allies stop at nothing to protect their self interests and to capture NSurv's new surveillance technology. Risking life and limb, and a rekindled relationship with Dana, Dave remains undeterred while he leads his team forward in accomplishing their mission. Mentally torn, Dave inevitably has to ask the most from Dana. His request, and her decision on how much to sacrifice of herself, tests their new found relationship and holds the key to their ultimate success.

Many New 5 Star Reviews Coming in on WATERKILL

Over the past week or so I have received many new 5 Star reviews on WATERKILL. As a matter of fact, 8 out of the last 11 have been 5 stars and the other three have been 4 stars. WATERKILL now as a 4.3 rating on 73 Amazon reviews. Below are a few excepts from the latest reviews:

5 Stars - "This is a high octane, unpretentious mix of extreme action and knowledge that we all need to be cognizant of. I highly recommend this book. Set aside an afternoon because you won't be able to put it down!" says Penny Jane. See entire review at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R7IE90G05ODSQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B017Q9593K

5 Stars - "If you enjoy Action Thrillers with a great plot and well thought out characters, then this story is well worth a read. It’s definitely worth the 5 star rating." says Todd Simpson. See entire review at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R2UDAFLMTOUE1H/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B017Q9593K

5 Stars - "Author Mark Donovan has a well written story here and flow quite smoothly .I could tell you more about this story ,but that would spoil it for you. I highly recommend that you read this story you won't be disappointed", says Bella's Blog. See the entire review at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/amzn1.account.AGGFBNHO2JPWKGSSMNFJEAK336IQ?ie=UTF8&ref_=cm_cr_arp_d_pdp

Get your copy of WATERKILL today

My Latest Drone Video Combining Google Earth Flyovers and Drone Flyovers

A real estate agent up in the lakes region of New Hampshire, where I live, asked me recently if I could produce videos that blend Google Earth flyovers and Drone flyovers. Liking a challenge I did just that with the filming of my own home on Lake Winnipesaukee.

Check out my finished video below.

Falcon Imagery - Providing FAA Certified Aerial Drone Photography Services

Last week I went out and purchased a new DJI Phantom 4 Pro Drone. With the weather finally above freezing and the skies clear I filmed the below video of my home. The video was filmed on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in Moultonboro, NH. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkxOsbUvX3w.

If you live in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire and need drone aerial photography services check out my website: Falcon Imagery - Providing FAA Certified Aerial Drone Photography Services

Dave Henson is akin to Dirk Pitt of Clive Cussler Fame

Some reviewers of WATERKILL and NANO SURVEILLANCE have commented that Dave Henson reminds them of Dirk Pitt, the protagonist in many of Clive Cussler's books.

Their comment is not surprising to me on account of two reasons; (1) I have read nearly every Clive Cussler book that has ever come out, and (2) I wanted to create a protagonists in my books that were as equally intelligent and strong as Dirk Pitt. However, instead of being an expert in oceanography, I chose to have Dave be a "techie" with a penchant for aviation, two of my personal traits.

So if you are a fan of Clive Cussler and his Dirk Pitt series, then you might want to pick up WATERKILL or NANO SURVEILLANCE.

 

My Interview with Lit World Interviews

I recently was interviewed by Rosie Amber of Lit World Interviews for my latest techno-thriller book WATERKILL. See the full interview at: https://litworldinterviews.com/2016/08/19/interview-mark-donovan/

Drones Become the Latest Peeping Tom Tool

By Mark J. Donovan

Binoculars, telescopes, and high-end zoom lens cameras have all been used as “Peeping Tom” spy tools. Be it the private citizen pervert or voyeur, the CIA, the FBI, or Federal/State police agencies, all have historically used these tools for spying on neighbors, private citizens, criminals, international enemies, etc. Now the drone has been added to their arsenals. Last week in Hollis, New Hampshire, for example, a report came out that drones were being used as a “Peeping Tom” tool.  Apparently the perp(s) flew their drones in the late evening or early morning hours up to the windows of neighbors home, and then hovered and spied the activities going on in the homes. See here.

Sadly, this type of situation will most likely become much more rampant in the months and years ahead. However, unlike the Hollis, NH report, future drones will be much more difficult to hear and see. Most people won’t know they’ve been filmed or taped, until they’ve been notified that their images are posted on social media channels like Youtube.com, Instagram, and Snapchat, as well as many other more nefarious websites.

In my book “Nano Surveillance”, the story starts out with just such a situation. A housefly sized drone is flown and guided underneath a closed door, and then used to film the activities going on in a hotel room occupied by the Vice President of the United States.

It will be interesting to see how governments around the world develop solutions for combating this type of privacy invasion, and even more interesting how they themselves will use drones to conduct their own spying endeavors. See here. Only time will tell, but suffice it to say, privacy may very well become a forgotten word in the not too distant future.

NANO SURVEILLANCE - a Techno-Thriller that Portends the Future in Gov/Corp Spying

NANO SURVEILLANCE: A must read techno-thriller. See the future in spying & learn how it'll impact all of us. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DJSZ92O 

Waterkill - A Warning for our Most Precious Resource

WATERKILL - This thriller reveals the very real threat to our most important resource. See http://amazon.com/dp/B017Q9593K 

Book Signing Event at Bayswater Books in Center Harbor, NH on July 16

Hi,

I will be at Bayswater Books store located at 12 Main Street, Center Harbor, NH on July 16, 2016 from 1 to 3 pm for a book signing event for my two novels titled "WATERKILL" and "NANO SURVEILLANCE". If you are in the area stop by the store and get your copies of these fast paced action techno-thrillers. I will personally sign copies of my books for you.

See "WATERKILL" at www.amazon.com/dp/B017Q9593K. Book Summary: “Waterkill” Weaves Nanoscience and Cult Religious Terrorism into a Major Threat to Western Civilization

See "NANO SURVEILLANCE" at www.amazon.com/dp/B00DJSZ92O. Book Summary: "Nano Surveillance" is about an Enemy White House, Media Deceit, Billionaire Greed, Hi-Tech Spying using nanotechnology.

See you there!

Mark Donovan
(Local author from Moultonboro, NH

Had a Great Book Signing Event at Bayswater Books Today

I was at Bayswater Books today for a book signing. It was a fun and very successful event. I wound up selling out of NANO SURVEILLANCE and sold many WATERKILL books. Not bad for a 4th of July weekend afternoon at the lake (Lake Winnipesaukee). Thank you to all that showed up to the event and purchased my books. Very much appreciated. I also fully enjoyed talking to all of you.

Warm Regards,

Mark J. Donovan


P.S. For those of you who weren't able to attend you can buy the book on-line at Amazon. Just click on the book below to be directed the respective Amazon page.

The Flight of the Commercial Drone has come to Fruition

New FAA regulations that relax commercial pilot/operator requirements for small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS), will accelerate the use of Drones / UAVs in commercial operations.

Instead of requiring a manned aircraft pilots license for commercial drone use, all future sUAS operators will need to do is pass an aeronautical knowledge test and self-certify their physical capacity to safely operate the drone. See - http://robohub.org/faa-announcement-for-suas-met-with-industry-excitement/

Home Improvement - My Other Writing Project

By Mark J. Donovan

Before I started writing techno-thriller novels I wrote for years about the home improvement space. Actually, I am still doing so. I started this website in 2005. HomeAdditionPlus has over 2,100 articles that I have written on all aspects of remodeling homes, building homes and home additions, and doing various other small and large home improvement projects. In the process I have filmed over 240 home improvement videos as well that can be found on my home improvement youtube channel.

So how did I get started in writing home improvement articles?

My younger son introduced me to blogger.com back in January of 2005. After writing a few articles on a couple of the major home remodeling projects I had done, and posting them on my blogger.com blogsite, I decided to build a full blown website. Thus HomeAdditionPlus.com was founded in February of 2005. For years I was prolific in my writing for the website, sometimes writing up to five articles a day, and none of them were very short. On average my articles were, and are, around 500 to 700 words, with some as much as 1,200 words. For examples, see my article on estimating the costs of building a room addition or this one on building your dream custom home.

Struck by Lightning, Twice

HomeAdditionPlus.com did extremely well in terms of traffic and revenue for years. The site was getting over 350K unique visitors a month and earning 6 figures income at its peak. Then came the Google Penguin and Panda search engine optimization nightmares in 2011 that negatively impacted tens of thousands of people like me. Those two SEO algorithm updates killed much of the traffic to HomeAdditionPlus.com and tens of thousands, if not millions of other websites.

HomeAdditionPlus.com has still not recovered from the impact of those SEO algorithms. I used to care, but no longer. I decided a long time ago that I would continue to write about what I am passionate about and give up trying to keep up with the SEO machinations of Google and other high tech internet purveyors.

So I continue to write about the home improvement and remodeling space, as well as writing novels, but just don't do the former as much. If, however, you are in need of home improvement advice or ideas you may want to check out this great home improvement website. Most likely you'll find answers to your home improvement related questions, as I've done it all after owning and building homes and home additions for 35+ years.

5 Star Reviews Keep Coming in on NANO SURVEILLANCE

By Mark Donovan

Since I revised/edited my technothriller NANO SURVEILLANCE a couple months back the latest reviews that are coming in our very positive, 5 stars in many cases. Below are a few experts from the reviews.

• 5 Stars - Nancy L. Silk - "Realistic And Awesome", http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RD561HTNPJ5FY/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00DJSZ92O

• 5 Stars - Cynthia Terrones SSgt/USMC - "MARK DONOVAN HAS A SURE FIRE WINNER HERE & A SERIES THAT CAN GO ON FOR SOME TIME. HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL." See http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R24YSBRBIFEX24/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00DJSZ92O

• 5 Stars - Jon Kasner, "Topical, to close to truth, enjoy" http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R2SBVG1LWB7FL8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00DJSZ92O

• 5 Stars - Nancy E. Hodson - "Our future is coming very fast." http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/REFUZMBZV7W22/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00DJSZ92O

Order your copy of NANO SURVEILLANCE today. It's only $0.99 on Amazon.com in Kindle format.

WATERKILL now available on Kindle Unlimited

My latest technothriller "WATERKILL" is now available on Kindle Unlimited to read for free for those who have subscribed to this service. Get the book at: amazon.com/dp/B017Q9593K.

WATERKILL currently has a 4.3 star ranking on 54 reviews.

Book Summary:

With the mysterious outbreak of a deadly disease in a Yemeni village, followed by an increase in terrorist chatter after the crash of a small airplane in eastern Alaska, CEO Dr. Dave Henson and colleague Ron Blackwell of NSurv Inc. are tapped by the Department of Homeland Security to locate the aircraft wreckage and its suspected deadly contents.

While Henson and Blackwell are in the eastern mountains of Alaska helping the U.S. Border Patrol locate the missing aircraft and its contents, Dave’s wife, internationally known journalist Dana Cogswell, goes missing while covering another sudden and suspicious epidemic in a small town in Germany.

Dave races from Alaska to Germany to rescue Dana and ends up on a quest to the Middle East to find her. Along the way he learns of a shocking betrayal of friendship and that the path to Dana ultimately leads to the terrorist leader behind the deadly outbreaks.

“Nano Surveillance” and the Politics and Money behind the Global Warming Theory

By Mark J. Donovan

In 2013 I wrote my first book titled Nano Surveillance, a techno-thriller about politics, corruption and greed. The impetus for writing it stemmed from listening to the constant sermons from elitist politicians about the threat of global warming. Or more specifically, their assertions of man-made global warming and accusations that the United States was the leading offender.

After researching global warming myself, I soon learned that much of the international meteorological scientific community was not on-board with the left-wing political scientists’ messaging and threats of global warming. In many cases much of the meteorologist scientific community had outright rejected the concept of man-made global warming.

And today, even more meteorological scientists are speaking out on the dubious assertions of man-made global warming. Their main reason for rejecting the theory; that scientific data shows no real statistical proof of global warming. And in some studies, data suggests the Earth is actually cooling in some places.

A 2013 report in Forbes magazine, for example, states “barely half of American Meteorological Society meteorologists believe global warming is occurring and humans are the primary cause”. See http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamestaylor/2013/11/20/the-latest-meteorologist-survey-destroys-the-global-warming-climate-consensus/#4f4921d9535f. According to the report forty-eight percent of the meteorologists surveyed about global warming questioned if global warming is really happening or would not support that humans are the primary cause.

In another example of dissension in the meteorological community on the concept of global warming and climate change, the founder of the Weather Channel, John Coleman, reiterated in November of 2014 his stance that climate change is not happening. See http://cnsnews.com/news/article/patrick-goodenough/weather-channel-founder-man-made-global-warming-baloney.

Also, the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that have come out over the last several years have been rejected by the majority of meteorologists, e.g. 75% of them. See http://news.heartland.org/newspaper-article/2010/02/01/meteorologists-reject-uns-global-warming-claims

Again, the major concerns from the meteorological scientific community on the IPCC reports is that the reports make assertions on man-made induced global climate change that are not backed up by scientific facts or data. These same scientists also raise other factors that could cause the tenths of a degree (^oC) rise in temperature that the Earth has seen over the past several decades. Yes, tenths of a degree (^oC) rise.  For example, variations in the Sun’s energy output, volcanic eruptions, variations in the Earth’s orbit (Milankovitch cycles) and tilt, and changes in ocean currents all can, and do, play a role in varying the Earth’s temperature.  

Also in my research on global warming I learned quite a bit more about the politics and money behind the global warming theory. Suffice it to say, many politicians have created paths for personal financial gain by supporting the theory of global warming. Since President Obama was elected in 2008 he has committed tens of billions of dollars in clean energy investments, as either direct United States investments or investments backed by the United States government. Many of these were in questionable solar energy companies like Solyndra and Abound Solar. Since 2009, 112 solar energy companies in the United States and Europe have declared bankruptcy. See http://dailycaller.com/2014/12/08/112-solar-companies-have-closed-their-doors-in-5-years/.

What is even more interesting in many of these solar energy company debacles are their political connections with left-wing politicians, including the Obama administration. See http://dailycaller.com/2011/09/01/bankrupt-solar-company-with-fed-backing-has-cozy-ties-to-obama-admin/

So for all of the above reasons, I decided to write “Nano Surveillance” first and foremost to show how political elites and big business have colluded in promoting the concept of global warming for their own personal financial agendas. Secondarily, I wrote the book to address another objective of the political elite, for creating a borderless world where the planet’s entire human population is governed by a single government entity such as the United Nations or some future derivative of it.

I conclude with a picture of the below book cover to show the irony in today’s concept of global warming, and how the elitist politicians and their journalistic servants never cease in their efforts for creating fear in the public. This book was written in 1977 when the elitist political puppeteers of the day were steering in the opposite direction.