All posts by Khaled Talib
Cover Reveal FAR OUT a new thriller by Khaled Talib
Here it is… the cover of FAR OUT. I hope you like it. I promise a story to be as thrilling as the design, which purports a sinister element on a dreary night. FAR OUT will be released on 8, January 2024 by Running Wild Press in California.
The idea behind the cover design was inspired by one of the many ideas I proposed to the publisher’s designer. It was based on a scene from the book.
The novel received praise from several notable authors including Josie Brown, author of the Housewife Assassin’s Handbook series, former Hollywood screenwriter Dennis Palumbo and Haris Orkin.
FAR OUT is available for Pre-Order at Amazon & Barnes & Noble.
Synopsis: Screenwriter Blake Deco’s life is upended when his Hollywood movie-star wife, Goldie Saint Helen, comes out of a coma after a car accident with a makeshift identity. Her lawyers see her condition as an opportunity to swindle her.
New book trailer of Smokescreen, a spy novel set in Singapore
Make time for No Time To Die
If you haven’t watch No Time To Die, expect the unexpected. I have to admit, Daniel Craig has never been more James Bond than now.
It was fun to watch Ana De Armas working again with Craig (both were last seen together in Knives Out). One thing I am sure, if Hollywood made a spin-off spy movie starring Ana de Armas’ character in NTTD, it’ll be a big hit.
All those nice cars. Needless to say, you know what happens to them in every Bond movie. That silvery Aston Martin DB5 in NTTD… big ouch. Trivia: Since the franchise began, the impetuous driving style of Daniel Craig’s James Bond tops the list when it comes to trashing cars.
Email me your thoughts if you’ve seen it. Did you like it or not?
Book Cover Reveal for Incognito, a Vatican thriller by Khaled Talib
Since getting back my rights from World Castle Publishing, which had released this Vatican thriller in 2017, I decided to give the book cover a fresh look for the second edition. There is no doubt it spells an intense thrilling read.
A Readers’ Favorite award recipient, Incognito tells the story of three specialists assigned by a secret organization to find the Pope who is missing. The artwork was created by Juan Padron from Venezuela who took some of my visual suggestions.
Synopsis
Pope Gregoire XVII was last seen waving to the crowd at Saint Peter’s square from the famous Apostolic Palace window.
Despite several layers of tight security, neither the Gendarmerie nor The Entity (the Vatican’s secret service) or the Swiss Guards claim to know anything about his sudden mysterious disappearance.
As the world mourns for the pope, a frantic search begins in Italy and beyond its borders amid speculation that the Holy See may know more than they are telling.
Ayden Tanner, a former British SAS commando officer — who is officially dead — is dispatched with two other crew members to find the Supreme Pontiff by The League of Invisible Knights, a covert division of Anonymous. But trouble unexpectedly starts from the moment Ayden arrives in the city that winter day…
In a gasping chase that races from the snowy mountains of Switzerland to the secret passages under Saint Peter’s Basilica to the hilly terrains of Istanbul to the harsh desert air of Egypt, Ayden and his crew are forced to match wits with lethal assassins as they struggle on a desperate quest to prevent a terrifying tomorrow.
Spiral: A new mystery thriller set in South Australia
I am really excited to announce that the Kindle version of my new mystery thriller, Spiral, is scheduled to be released on 22, December.
Spiral is my fourth novel and takes a slightly different tone from my previous works.
You are important to me and I wanted you to be the first to know that Pre-Orders are now available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QH312VB
I had visited South Australia on several occasions during my days as the tourism board’s external PR. Kangaroo Island is one of my favorite places. It is an extraordinary place and seven times larger than Singapore. If you get a chance, go and have dinner there at Bella Cafe and Pizza Bar.
The Advanced Readers Copy of Spiral is also available on Booksprout in exchange for a review: https://booksprout.co/arc/54155/spiral
I would love your help in spreading the word. Thank you so much for all your help and support.
I look forward to getting my new book in your hands and appreciate you telling the world!
Happy Holidays,
KT
Are you ready to be a writer?
Have you ever experienced good things popping up in your life after a long dry spell? I’m sure it has happened to you before.
It feels like finding easter eggs in places you least expected. How does it make you feel?
I woke up one morning recently to learn BookRiot recommended my book The Little Book of Muses as one of the 8 best Nanowrimo prep books for writers. What a surprise!
The Little Book of Muses is a collection of abstract quotes to inspire the writer in you.
Obviously, I treated myself to a nice cake afterward, realizing my effort has not all gone to waste. It’s been a long journey, I can tell you that, which started on the Twiter platform.
The phrases drew such a crowd of I decided to compile them into a book. It’s one of those books you take along with you, like an energy bar, in case you need a little pick me upper.
I’ve been trying to write a sequel, but it’s going to take a while. Writing such a book is different from writing a novel or a non-fiction work; it involves putting your mind in a philosophical mode.
A few months ago, I was invited by a million-copy NYT bestselling author, Ruth Harris, to write on Anne R. Allen’s blog.
So, if you’re curious to know about my writing journey, give this essay a read. How Pursuing A Writing Passion Saved My Life
People always think you have to be imaginative to write a book. They’re not wrong, but you need to pack a few more things before you begin.
Find yourself before life finds you. A bit of patience, a bit of tenacity, and you’ll be on your way. Trust your inner voice.
“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.”
The Dead of Jerusalem Ridge by Jean Rabe, USA Today bestselling author
I was honored to have been invited by USA Today bestselling author, Jean Rabe, to write a blurb for her latest Sheriff Piper Blackwell series novel, The Dead of Jerusalem Ridge.
This book is a must-read. It is written in a style where the small-town characters feel so real.
You can now pre-order the book on Amazon. It will be auto-delivered to your Kindle on 25, July 2020.
“Jean Rabe weaves a deceptively staid tempo of a tale in this new Sheriff Piper Blackwell novel that quickly barrels into a starkly taut and terse murder mystery. The main plot, supported by a riveting subplot, is masterly crafted with an intriguing cast of characters, a unique setting, and an ending that feels like a double sucker punch!” ⸺ Khaled Talib, author of the highly praised thriller, Gun Kiss.
Synopsis
Sheriff Piper Blackwell’s three-day vacation with old Army buddies ends in tragedy. At the same time, a vile hate crime along a county road enrages her department.
Their forces divided, Piper and her deputies must solve both cases before tensions boil and threaten the rural fabric of Spencer County, Indiana.
Only eight months on the job, the young sheriff must weave together clues to uncover both a killer and a secret that could scar her soul.
Smokescreen hits No.3 on Amazon Australia bestselling list
It’s nice to see your novel making waves on Amazon Australia’s bestselling list. Smokescreen is also enjoying the No.3 position on Amazon Canada (Spy Stories & Tales of Intrigue).
Smokescreen has had a chance of cover, and I plan to redo the paperback version soon. You can see the old book cover here in the Times of Israel.
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/spy-thriller-exposes-israel-singapore-ties/
I took a long time to write this book, my first, but it boosted my experience to write another and then another.
After finishing it, I decided to quit. The time I had taken to make this book a reality – wow! Not to mention what it did to my physical and mental well being.
However, I decided to stick with it, hoping for better days. Besides, this is what I do; this is what I want to do. It’s hard to say no when ideas come forward. But when passion calls, you answer…
The mysterious art of Fengshui
I once wrote a story for an Egyptian magazine about Fengshui. Now, I know a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. But I decided to see if this ancient geomancy thing could really work.
Near my old place in Cairo was a Japanese-styled restaurant with a pretty back garden. The menu, oddly, served Arabic, Mediterranean, Continental — and shisha.
For a year, I watched waiters and waitresses lolling here and thereabouts as the place suffered poor patronage.
One night, I decided to have dinner over there. I had no idea what came over me, but halfway through I requested to speak to the manager.
When the manager showed up, I started giving him some Fengshui tips.
I told him to shift the mini bridge they had in the back garden to the right because it was blocking the back gate, which was never opened.
I explained the bridge had been blocking the “energy flow” and only increasing “pressure.” I also suggested leaving the back gate open.
Well, the restaurant decided to explore these options. Nothing to lose, right?
Within two weeks after my visit, the restaurant’s business took off like crazy. As the months went by, you had to queue to get a table, inside and in the garden.
Imagine that.
As they say in the Fengshui world, “Too many things in too small a space cut off flow, block creativity, and bury beauty, much like a bad cold can make it hard to breathe.”
