Publisher: Palmetto Publishing
Date of Publication: January 5, 2021
Number of Pages: 468
SYNOPSIS
Dr. Sam Hawkins’s friend and mentor, Dr. William Roberts, has been struck down by an unknown and hideous disease. Roberts’s dying words are cryptic, and Sam is soon confronted by a massive cover up of his friend’s death. He reluctantly partners with Dr. Rainee Arienzo, an Italian infectious disease specialist, and together they uncover the terrifying truth about Factor-7, a bio-weapon with a 98 percent mortality rate.
Roberts’s journal tips them off that a clandestine plot for using the virus is about to be unleashed by a secret society, the Keepers Collegium. The Collegium, an international group of rogue intelligence agents, ex-military, and government officials, has a demonic plan to use the pathogen to destroy anyone who threatens their twisted ideology.
Sam and Rainee soon realize that public exposure of the evil plot would be as dangerous to the world’s security as the bio-weapon itself—the fallout could lead to World War III. Therefore, they must not only shut down the plans of the Collegium, but also keep the top- secret information away from the media. But as they work to stop the plot, Sam and Rainee are kidnapped by the drug cartel. The kingpin, who financed much of the Collegium’s plot, wants them to hand over Roberts’s journal because it lists the names of the major players in the Collegium who had double-crossed him. He plans to carry out his own revenge. In order to survive, Sam and Rainee have no choice—they must play with one of two devils or be burned by both.
Book Trailer
REVIEW
Clueless Gent’s Rating for Factor-7
Factor-7 is a thrilling ride through the best and the worst of humanity. The storyline is quite original, in my opinion, and its impact is deepened by the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The story follows the paths of several doctors and others, mostly in Texas, as they confront a new bio-weapon that was developed to kill everyone with DNA from the middle east region, such as Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc. The intent was to wipe out terrorism on all levels, regardless of the civilian casualties.
For me, the story started rather slow. Further, in the beginning I was very disenfranchised with the characters. Let me explain. Characters were described by both their actions and by their dialogue. I didn’t think the two connected very well. Characters would say things that I thought to be uncharacteristic. Sometimes, a character would do something that I didn’t think they would do. For example, one time the protagonist entered an office and demanded to see someone. At first the receptionist made a professional and expected reply, and then she acted frightened. I didn’t think the scene was very well explained.
There was another time when the protagonist got to his car and didn’t notice until he got in that it had been trashed. When the author described the damage, the front bumper was laying on the ground. I didn’t think it was likely that the character would walk to his car and not notice the bumper on the ground, regardless of his preoccupation.
However, with all of that being said, let me say this: IT GETS BETTER!
“Hate is a vile and virile enemy of the soul. Fear is almost as lethal. Both will rob and devour your soul, freedom, and judgment.”
As the story goes along, almost imperceptibly, those problems I had with the characters disappear. By the time that happened, I was genuinely enthralled with the story. As I said, the storyline was very original, and I was anxious to see how the story ended.
This book also had a very unusual climax. Actually, I wasn’t sure where the climax was until I finished the book. I didn’t know if there was more to come. I suppose that could be a good thing. I just didn’t expect it and didn’t know how to take it.
This novel is definitely rated R! The are some very steamy sex scenes, and some of the language was pretty ripe. (That was one of the things that I thought to be uncharacteristic of the doctors.) Some of the humor was a bit odd, as well.
All in all, I recommend this story just for the sheer uniqueness of it. If there was some sort of sequel, I’d more than likely read it.
About
the Author
J.D. May is a third generation Texan from the Lower Rio Grande Valley. She loves her band of house cats as well as the large tribe of fat, happy TNR’d feral cats that came with her rural property in a small citrus-growing community. Palm tree-lined roads, natural waterways, and roaming wild animals including alligators, deer, wild hogs, and birds of every color make Bayview a perfect place for a writer and painter. She also loves the beach, rock and roll, Tex-Mex food, cooking, Shiner Bock beer, and she believes wine is a legitimate food group. She shows her paintings at The Laguna Madre Art Gallery in Port Isabel, Texas.
J.D. May attended Sam Houston State University, San Miguel de Allende Instituto, and Rice University where she studied drama, art, creative writing and Spanish. J.D. May worked in advertising for most of her career. She is married to a former award-winning surfer and has a daughter and soon to have a brand-new granddaughter.
Signed Paperback + Coffee Mug, Coaster, Pen, Tote Bag, Travel Mug, & Bookmark
Signed Paperback + Coffee Mug. Coaster, Pen, and Bookmark
Ends Midnight, CST, February 12, 2021
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One thought on “Factor-7”
It’s good to know that despite some initial misfires, it’s a story worth sticking with — and especially since it sounds like a truly unique and original storyline. Thanks for the review!