Thanks to Katie Schnack of Smith Publicity, Inc., I am giving away one print copy of Blue Gold by David Barker.
Description of Blue Gold by David Barker
The near future. Climate change and geopolitical tension have given rise to a new international threat – a world war for water. This most vital of resources has become a precious commodity and some will stop at nothing to control its flow.
When a satellite disappears over Iceland, Sim Atkins thinks he knows why. He is given the chance to join the hallowed Overseas Division and hunt for the terrorists responsible. But his new partner Freda Brightwell is aggrieved to be stuck with a rookie on such a deadly mission.
Freda’s misgivings are well founded when their first assignment ends in disaster – a bomb destroys a valuable airship and those responsible evade capture. Seeking redemption, the British agents follow the trail to a billionaires’ tax haven in the middle of the Atlantic ocean and uncover a web of deceit that threatens global war. Whom can they trust?
As the world edges ever closer to destruction Sim and Freda must put their lives on the line to prevent Armageddon – and protect the future of ‘blue gold’.
Praise for Blue Gold by David Barker
“…the writing is so taut and atmospheric. [-] This is a very intelligently written novel… The description of his characters as well as settings is top rate. [-] I thoroughly enjoyed this one and flew through it, eager to find out what happens next” – The Quiet Knitter Book Blog
“…characters are strong enough to haunt you. [-] I love a story where everything comes together at the end… a very well written novel.”- Addiction of Books
“a page-turning tub thumping action adventure that is fun to read and shows a real potential”.-Next to the Aisle
About David Barker
Part-time author, part-time economist. Full-time Dad and husband. Sports when he can find the time. Debut novel, Blue Gold, due out in May 2017 with Urbane Publications.
Peter Van Dooren’s wealth and prestige mean that his family wants for nothing – except a husband and a father.
When the president of a sinking tropical island in the south pacific calls on the world’s most ingenious entrepreneurs to help save his people, Van Dooren reckons his plan can save the island and its people’s way of life.
If it works, Van Dooren’s plan will not only make him richer, it could also change the very idea of nations and borders. After all, changing the world is what Peter really wants to accomplish.
The thing is, not all of the islanders share Van Dooren’s vision for their homeland. That won’t stop Peter from risking everything to prove that nature can be tamed. Playing God may cost Van Dooren his fortune and his own family.
While Peter plots a world away, his wife, son and daughter sink deeper into their own personal abyss of retail therapy, amateur pornography and Christian fundamentalism.
Everyone is adrift on the same tide of greed, lust and fear. This is the current that shapes the world. It always has; it always will.
‘The Current’ is a novel about the difference between having a house and losing a home. The style of writing is literary (thoughtful but humorous), and will appeal to readers of Jonathan Franzen (particularly Freedom), Ian McEwan (particularly Solar) and Michel Houellebecq (particularlyPlatform). Stylistically, The Current offers readers a back and forth split storyline and portent of danger comparable to Paul Thomas Anderson’s film, Magnolia (1999).
My Thoughts:
Peter Van Dooren’s family has just about everything they want, except for Peter. His wife, Alma, daughter, Grace, and Son, Stephen all overcompensate for his absence in different ways, all dysfunctional. Alma uses retail therapy, Stephen uses pornography, and Grace hides behind Christian fundamentalism.
Yet, Peter is away for a noble cause. The small country of L’eden de Sur Mer is located on a small tropical Island and the Island is sinking. He and other executives are invited to stay on the Island to try to come up with a way to save the Island.
Set among climate change and politics, the Island is drowning and so is the Van Dooren family. Can all be saved?
I really loved this book! There are countries that are physically shrinking, being eaten up by the sea. The time to act is now. Our governments have to look past politics and do something to stop further damage to our planet! ‘The Current’ shows how silly all of the political arguments are.
I loved how Thoraval contrasted the drowning of a country with the breakdown of a family. It’s both man versus nature and nurture. His characters are all well drown out into an excellent character study. His writing is fresh and creative. I just couldn’t put this book down. When I finally finished it and looked at the clock, it was just after 4:00 am.
I highly recommend “The Current’! Note: A portion of the proceeds for this book will go to help refugees.
5/5
I received an ebook copy for my honest review.
About Yannick Thoraval:
Yannick Thoraval is a professional communications adviser and university lecturer.
Best known as an essayist, Thoraval has published widely for both academic and general audiences.
He formally studied film, philosophy and American political history, attaining a masters degree from the University of Melbourne before leaving academia to pursue commercial writing interests. He ended up working as a copywriter in marketing and communications.
Thoraval’s fiction has received critical acclaim. His first screenplay, Kleftiko, was a finalist in the International Showcase Screenwriting Awards. Judges of the prestigious Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards, Australia, highly commended his first novel, The Current.
The novel draws from Thoraval’s personal and professional experiences of working in the Victorian State Government, particularly his work in international development with the nation of Timor-Leste.
He is a career migrant and has lived in the Netherlands, France, Cyprus, Canada and Australia. Moving internationally from a young age has left him feeling culturally stateless, despite holding three passports.
Thoraval is a quiet advocate for refugees and asylum seekers. He is a founding member of the World Writings Group, which helps refugees write about their experiences of forced migration.
He has pledged to donate 10% of the proceeds of this book to assist the settlement of refugees.
He currently lives in Melbourne, Australia, where he teaches professional writing and editing. He is working on his second novel.
This giveaway is open internationally and is for print or ebook. Print is available to the U.S., Canada, and Australia only. This giveaway ends on November 27, 2014. Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
Blue Gold by David Barker
Blue Gold by David Barker
