Waterborne by J. Luke Bennecke
Publisher: Jaytech Publishing, May 2024
Category: Medical Thriller
Tour Dates September 16-October 7, 2024
ISBN: 978-0965771597
Available in Print and ebook, 320 pages

Description Waterborne by J. Luke Bennecke

Civil engineer Jake Bendel is in danger—in danger of running afoul of the Governor of California.  Jake, the project director of a multi-billion-dollar plan to solve California’s drought crisis, is spearheading a controversial, polarizing, but revolutionary desalination project.  But the project is only 3/5 complete, and time is running out on what’s hailed as a last resort in California’s battle against a brutal, decades-long drought.

Running afoul of the Governor is about to be the least of Jake’s concerns when he and his longtime friend and fellow engineer Paige Terner find themselves terrorized by a maniacal, stop-at-nothing terrorist intent on revenge—revenge and catastrophe.

Jake learns that a mysterious waterborne virus is poisoning people throughout the state—and the source of the virus is his desalination plants.  But how has this mystery virus wiggled its way into the water supply?

In a pulse quickening race against time, Jake must uncover the truth. And that means dodging bullets, confronting the ghosts of his past, weathering a mounting body count, and withstanding threats that come way too close to home.

What Jake uncovers is a secret network of vengeful terrorists with an unspeakably sinister plan. But before Jake can find a way to cure the masses, he is injected with the virus.  Against the backdrop of a ticking clock, Jake is forced to track down the leader of the terrorist group. The stakes couldn’t be higher as he navigates through layers of betrayal and manipulation.

Millions of lives hang in the balance—including Jake’s—in this standout thriller about bioterror unleashed, the brilliance of scientific pursuit, and the enduring spirit of a man who refuses to give in.

A high octane, high tech, high stakes thriller that brims with action, tantalizing twists, and a pulse-racing plot, Waterborne grabs readers from the first page—and doesn’t let go.  Arresting, imaginative, disquieting, and teeming with tension, Waterborne is unrelenting, unquestionably realistic, and unputdownable. J. Luke Bennecke’s Waterborne is a masterfully-rendered, gripping tale that will leave readers breathless.

Praise for Waterborne by J. Luke Bennecke

“With intriguing concepts and well-rounded protagonists, J. Luke Bennecke’s WATERBORNE is a high-octane page-turning thriller, elevated by fascinating scientific detail and an empathetic hero.”- Indie Reader

“An entertaining, action-packed tale involving viruses and terrorism.”- Kirkus Reviews

“Waterborne is recommended to those who love thrillers with a technological and engineering basis rather than a militaristic or espionage one. And anyone who enjoys thrillers where regular (though brilliant) people find themselves in incredibly high-stakes situations will find plenty to dig into as well.” Independent Book Review

“This is an action packed, fast paced thriller set in the immediate future that is equal parts thought provoking, edge-of-your-seat thrilling. Easy to read and fast paced with plenty of thrills.”- Avonna Loves Genres

“Bennecke was able to create a suspenseful story that was driven by an action-packed plot. The book pulled me in and left me eager for the next installment.”-OnlineBookClub.org

Interview with J. Luke Bennecke Author of Waterborne

Teddy: Please tell us something about Waterborne that is not in the summary.  (About the book, character you particularly enjoyed writing etc.)

JLB: Waterborne, although technically a standalone story, is actually the second book in a trilogy. At the very end, the reader is introduced to the primary antagonist, Tracy Ciacchella, who fully comes from behind the curtain in Book #3 (currently with my agent, looking to find a publisher who can help it go BIG!)

Teddy: I always enjoy looking at the names that authors choose to give their characters. Where do you derive the names of your characters?  Are they based on real people you knew or now know in real life? How do you create names for your characters?

JLB: When I started writing my first novel (Civil Terror: Gridlock), I never thought I’d accomplish more than that. So, I figured it would be “cool” to have some characters named after friends and family, which I did. Apparently, this is not a good idea, but hey, I didn’t get the memo! 😊 My newest novels, however, have characters with names that convey something about their backstory, if possible. I also work to make sure two or more character names don’t sound the same. So, none of my books will have names that start with the same letter, for example.

Teddy: Where did you get the inspiration for your cover?

JLB: The current iteration is actually the third version. The original had a beautiful palette of blues (representing water) and yellows, with the biohazard symbol (the one with the three curved, pronged shapes forming a circular pattern with a central circle) at the center. The publisher ended up designing a new cover with virus particles on it, but changed the colors to various shades of purple. After a few months with minimal sales, we changed the cover design to incorporate the virus particles, but brought back the palette of blues/yellows, and sales skyrocketed (e.g. had 23,000+ Amazon downloads July 23, 2024, #2 most downloaded book that day).

Teddy: Which actors would you like to see play Jake Bendel, if the book were to become a movie, play, or mini series. 

JLB: I think any of the 45-65 year old leading male role talent would be great, so maybe a Bradley Cooper, Matt Damon, Jon Hamm, or former General Hospital hearthrob Jon Lindstrom.

Teddy: What kind of messages do you try to instill in your writing?

JLB: The Jake Bendel trilogy has three cautionary tales, all of which are intended to shed light on what I believe are preventable future tragedies. The first deals with self driving cars, the second with bioterrorism in our drinking supply, and the third with our country’s ailing power grids. Engineers and science have solutions, if we could simply be provided with leaders who understand the power of bringing people together and rowing in the same direction, instead of those who know only to sow division.

Teddy: What draws you to this genre? 

JLB: I’ve always enjoyed fast-paced, high-stakes stories that thrill, oozing with suspense. And I’m not alone, so I try my best to give my readers an intense, absolutely thrilling ride.

Teddy: Will Jake have more to tell readers in the future?

JLB: Yes! Book #3 of the trilogy (working title “Blackout”) is currently on submission with my agent, so with any luck it will be out in 2025 or 2025 (or better, within the next two years). I packed a lot into the story, so I think it’s easily five times as much of a ride as the first two books combined.

Teddy: Do you have any writing projects that you are currently working on?

JLB: Yes! I’ve also completed the first book in (hopefully!) an eight-book speculative thriller series, with a strong female protagonist (28-year-old MIT doctoral candidate in physics, Nicole Archer). I’m currently writing book #2 in that series. I’ve also written a psychological suspense novella (working title: “Duplicity Design”), but feel that I’m going to have to turn it into a full novel in order to properly flesh out the characters and story.

About J. Luke Bennecke

Multi award winning and best selling author, J. Luke Bennecke is a veteran civil engineer with a well-spent career helping people by improving Southern California roadways. He is the author of three bestselling, award-winning thrillers: Civil Terror: Gridlock, Waterborne, and his 2023 release Echo from a Bayou

Website: https://www.jlukebennecke.com/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jlukebennecke
(X) Twitter: https://x.com/jlukebennecke
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlukebennecke/

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