What's My Favorite Line? The PRESIDENT'S HENCHMAN

Welcome to week three of the 'Favorite Line' segment. This week, Joseph Flynn edifies us on his favorite line from his novel, THE PRESIDENT'S HENCHMAN.

"…if you decide to hold hearings to question whether Lindell Ricker confessed freely, whether Erna Godfrey deserves to be on death row for killing Andy Grant…well, then I'm going to dedicate my life to investigating your life."

Jim McGill to Senator Roger Michaelson, after beating him to a pulp in a one-on-one basketball game. This shows that McGill, while basically a nice guy, isn't without his ruthless side.

Jim McGill is quite the man's-man hero that appeals to the reader in all of us! That is certainly my most favorite chapter... remember boys, athletic support is man's best friend.

Joe Flynn is definitely a talented author and THE PRESIDENT'S HENCHMAN is a must read if you are looking for a fun, yet serious and exciting thrill ride. You can find it at Amazon (also available on Kindle), Barnes&Noble, Borders or from your local retailer.

Don't forget, if you buy the book before the end of the year, you are eligible to receive a pdf copy of THE NEXT PRESIDENT, another Joseph Flynn thriller, that leaves you yearning for the next chapter. To see complete rules, visit The PRESIDENT'S HENCHMAN PROMOTION page.

To see more of Joseph Flynn, visit him at his website, www.JosephFlynn.com

What's My Favorite Line? TARGETS OF DECEPTION

Good day again, book lovers,

Today is the start of a new segment, What's My Favorite Line? In this segment, authors will state and explain (but not necessarily in that order) their favorite line from their Variance published novel (or novels if they have more than one). Today's premier guest is someone you've heard a lot of as of late, Jeffrey Stephens, and his raved-about novel, TARGETS OF DECEPTION.

My favorite line in TARGETS OF DECEPTION may well be its very first sentence:

“Jordan Sandor had no reason to expect this quiet autumn morning to erupt with the familiar sounds of his violent past.”

This opening sets the tone for the entire novel and all of the non-stop action to come. Sandor, a former CIA operative, is driving on a peaceful road in upstate New York when he is confronted by a deadly attack. As the stakes escalate, nothing will be as it seems for Sandor or the reader. From that initial confrontation and all of the deadly dangerous moments that follow, he is dragged deeper and more inexorably into the vortex of a catastrophic terrorist plot that he ultimately realizes only he can foil. The bucolic beginning turns, in just a few pages, to the complex and far-reaching events that define this story and lead to its surprising climax.

Endorsed by Steve Berry, Vince Flynn, Robert K. Tanenbaum, Jon Land, and Variance's own Steve Alten, with added flavor from a multitude of other authors and review sites, magazines and newspapers, TARGETS OF DECEPTION is sure to tantalize your mind to its core. Check out the two chapter sample to put the nail in your proverbial coffin.

Available at Barnes&Noble, Borders, Amazon, and your local retailer.

Another Successful Signing

Good day fans,

We would like to thank the folks of NYC for coming out to play on Tuesday night to the TARGETS OF DECEPTION signing at The Public House. It was quite successful at 100+ books signed! Both Borders and Barnes and Noble are quite impressed with Jeff Stephens and the turnout he commands. More signings are lining up for the holiday season - if you would like to see him in the tri-state area (CT, NY, NJ), be sure to let us know and we will do our best to turn him loose.

Targets of Deception in the Providence Journal!

Good day zealots,

Last week I was pleasantly surprised to hear that TARGETS OF DECEPTION was reviewed in the Providence Journal by fellow thriller author, Jon Land. For Jon's entire review on three different books, go here, or read the part on TARGETS itself below:

Jeffrey Stephens has a terrific voice as well. There remains no shortage of thriller writers who choose the world of terrorism as their artistic tapestry or dastardly plots to wreak more havoc on the U.S. in the post 9/11 world. But Stephens’ debut novel, Targets of Deception (Variance, $25.95, 324 pages) is fresh and exciting anyway.

Maybe that’s because the book’s hero, Jordan Sandor, left the CIA well before 9/11 and the Iraq War. But his reluctant return to confront a new al-Qaeda-spawned threat is fueled by a sense of loyalty and duty mostly missing from Nick McDonell’s more jaded heroes. Saving the world is pretty much business as usual for him as he embarks on a globe spanning, Bond-like trek to save millions of lives.

Stephens writes like a young David Morrell, but his plotting is straight from the school of Vince Flynn and Steve Berry. Targets of Deception is a smooth and seasoned effort.

For more blurbs and reviews, be sure to visit JeffreyStepehens.com. To pick up TARGETS, go to your local book retailer, or Amazon, Barnes&Noble, and Borders online.

If you haven't read anything from Jon Land, be sure to get his latest work, STRONG ENOUGH TO DIE, one of Land's many bestsellers.

Thank you to Jon Land and the Providence Journal!

Don't forget, if you are in the NYC area tonight and are interested in this book, make your way to the signing at The PUBLIC HOUSE restaurant at 140 East 41st St. where refreshments will be served and you can get your copy (or a friends... or holiday gift perhaps) of this raved about thriller!

Next Signing Announced!

We want to thank everyone who attended the official launch of TARGETS OF DECEPTION by Jeffrey S. Stephens. The book signing party was held on October 6th in the author’s home town and was a huge success and tremendous fun. Hosted by the renowned Polpo Restaurant, fans, friends and celebrities alike turned out as champagne was poured while books were sold and autographed. The next stop is a gathering in New York City at The Public House restaurant on October 20th (just a few days away!), and any of you in town are invited and encouraged to attend. The details are below. Bring your friends!




TARGETS OF DECEPTION has already been well received by reviewers around the country, and has been endorsed by such national bestselling authors as Steve Berry, Vince Flynn, Robert K. Tanenbaum, Jon Land and Variance’s own Steve Alten, among many others. A fast-paced espionage thriller, TARGETS OF DECPETION is as current as today’s headlines and—as some claim the fictional characters Jack Bauer and Jason Bourne are based on real people—questions have been raised about who the inspiration might have been for the main character in TARGETS, Jordan Sandor. So far the author is not saying, but Sandor has all the earmarks of a true covert operative, with all the assets and foibles of a modern American hero surviving in an increasingly dangerous world.

Pick up a copy of TARGETS OF DECEPTION soon, you will not be able to put it down. If you cannot join us for one of our signing parties, check out the reviews and the video trailer at www.jeffreystephens.com.

Welcome, David Sakmyster!

Please give a warm welcome to David Sakmyster. He has brought with him The MORPHEUS INITIATIVE, a mind-blowing thriller... literally. Here is the description,

Driven by visions of his dead father, Professor Caleb Swann reluctantly joins the Morpheus Initiative, a team of remote-viewing archaeologists determined to locate the remains of the seventh Wonder of the Ancient World—the Pharos Lighthouse—beneath which the legendary treasure of Alexander the Great is rumored to be hidden.

Swann’s quest spans two thousand years of visionary history that connects the ashes of Herculaneum and the lost Library of Alexandria with a secret government program and ancient society called The Keepers.

To discover a threshold guarded by deadly traps and forgotten prophecies is one thing, but facing the truth about himself is something else altogether.


I cant wait to see more on this thriller of the psyche.

David Sakmyster is the award-winning author of over two dozen short stories and two novels, including The MORPHEUS INITIATIVE. In 2009 Dragon Moon Press published his epic historical fantasy tale, SILVER AND GOLD. It's great to have you on board, Dave!

For more on the book, including seeing some past praise for his other works, be sure to visit the book page. You can also find Dave at his website, Sakmyster.com, and on Facebook.

Bouchercon 2009

Happy Friday!

Next Thursday the 'paper carpet' will be rolled out for the the annual Buchercon event where Variance Publishing will be represented by owner, Tim Schulte, and editor, Shane Thomson. If you are there and happen to meet them, be sure to give a healthy hello and introduce yourself.

What is Bouchercon? It is an event where mystery genre writers, publishers, and the like meet to discuss topics and trends in the mystery world, along with a bit of schmoozing. This year the conference will meet in Indianapolis, Indiana from October 15-18, where bestselling author Michael Connelly will be the guest of honor. 100+ other authors will be attending as well. If you are interested, you still have time to sign up at the Bouchercon website (where you can also find more information on the event).

Book Signings

Good day everyone!

I hope you had a great and fruitful weekend. I wanted to make you aware of a few signings going on over the next few weeks. If you want to find out what the buzz is about on Targets of Deception, go to see Jeffrey Stephens tomorrow night at Ron Rosa's Polpo Restaurant. It's from 6-9pm where refreshments will be served, in Greenwich, CT. The holidays are quickly approaching... what better gift to give than a great book that has been signed by an up-and-coming author?


Also, scheduled for the 20th there will be a signing in NYC. More details to come! Citizens of New York, find out what Jeff has in store for you in his novel... once you pick it up you won't be able to put it down.

Have a great week.

Welcome, October!

Happy October 1, fans!

With September ending yesterday, start October with a bang by acquiring our newest release, TARGETS OF DECEPTION, available at your local bookstore and all of your standard online distributors.

A former CIA operative, Jordan Sandor gives Jason Bourne a run for his money in this action-packed, globe-trotting thriller. Don't let this break-out novel slip from your grasp, Jeffrey Stephens has created a story that one won't soon forget. Laced with national and international terrorism, you will be left wondering where fact ends and where fiction begins.




Have you read TARGETS OF DECEPTION? We would love to hear from you. If not... don't wait, download it now to your Kindle!