Kindle Edition Amazon Category:  Action/Thriller Publisher: Bookbaby ISBN-10:  1543914500 Type: Fiction Pages: 376 Copyright: Nov. 5, 2017 ISBN-13: 9781543914511 Price: $3.99 (eBook) America has fallen and two families struggle for survival under Chinese occupation. In the waning years of the American Empire when the liberties represented in the Bill of Rights are a fading memory, the nations reckless spending had left it in economic ruin. Unable to pay its debts, China came seeking payment in real assets. Smuggled nukes took down some cities and power is out across the nation. Burned out houses occupy neighborhoods like rotting teeth in the mouth of a crack addict. The story follows two families (Lang and West families) and their struggle to survive foreign occupation. (The above is the story of Truths Blood) In the riveting sequel to Truths Blood, RED STAR RISING, the Chinese military controls the former United States and begins implementing a world wide agenda to extract the resources of the fallen nation, including the enslavement of its people. The story continues with the Lang and West families struggling to survive while attempting to locate and rescue lost family members. In this brutal and unpredictable world, anything can happen. Both Truths Blood and Red Star Rising take the lessons of history and apply them to modern times. The subject matter is timely and provocative, and conveyed through a spellbinding tale. Excerpt Then the knife rose again, hovering, as if under its own power, before returning to be mirrored in the pupil of one green eye. Afraid to even blink, nothing but the image of the silver-tipped blade shimmering in her cornea mattered. It comprised her entire world, and not even the ropes contorting her wrists behind the chair could draw away her attention. Breathlessly, she waited…for the long blade to plunge and sear her brain. “You will meet with Messerschmitt and find this Eli. Though my men have lost track of him for the moment they will soon find him again. When they do, you will use your, eh…” Carlos hesitated, thinking of the English phrase while clearing his throat, “shall we say, charming personality to secure his confidence. Or you could of course,” pausing once again, this time to allow his eyes to roam over her body, “use other, more alluring assets to secure the answers to my questions.” Then nodding his head and smiling as if he was her best friend in the world, he asked, “We do understand one another now, don’t we?” Before she could force a response through the parched conduit of her throat, the glistening blade slithered across her cheek, snaking down to the depression below her Adam’s apple. There, in the imitation of a cobra, it paused just long enough to peer into her eyes before biting. Afraid to move, Maryann froze while Carlos watched the hot stream of blood trickle and then stream in a single red surge down her chest, between abundant breasts. “Yes Sir,” Maryann whimpered through unmoving lips, sucking in her breath, fearful of making the slightest movement. “And do not cross Messerschmitt. He is one sour Kraut.” Carlos chuckled at the poor joke while his black eyes threw a gleaming stiletto stare across the room at a sobbing wisp of a blonde cowering against the wall. Striking the mocking smile from his face, he hissed at Maryann, “I tell you he loathes all Americans and if you cross him I cannot be responsible for what he might do.” The knife moved entirely of its own power now, rising from her throat to offer a cold caress of the milky skin covering the jugular pounding at the side of her neck, before returning to levitate directly above the pupil of her eye. Instantly, her world returned to that which existed only in the dark, narrow tunnel containing the wicked point of the blade floating directly above her left eye. Then with a sudden flick of his wrist, before the gasp could even escape her mouth, Carlos drove the knife across the room, sinking it deep into the heart of the woman standing against the wall. The dull thump of her body slumping to the wooden floor seemed to please him immensely, and with a subtle smile, he turned back to Maryann. “She didn’t pass the interview,” he chuckled. “Fortunately for you, I find you useful.” He crossed the room to retrieve his knife, and before stepping from the room, turned back to face Maryann. Pointing the still dripping knife directly at her, he warned, “See that you don’t fail me.”

Red Star Rising
Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Red Star Rising by Tyler Roberts is a gripping novel with a strong dystopian and political setting. The American Empire is on the brink of collapse, economically weakened by its uncontrolled spending and mounting debts. Now, China wants the debt repaid and the US is unable to do so. So, China moves in, asking to be repaid, and does more than ask for what the US owes. Several US cities are bombed and the country is in a state of complete siege. China plans to extract the resources from the country and to enslave US citizens. It is against such a backdrop that two families, Lang and West, struggle to survive. Follow their journey in a world where the future is uncertain as they try to locate family members while warding off danger. Will they be able to survive?

Although this is a novel with a dystopian setting, this reader can’t help but think of this story as prophetic. The realism injected into the writing is stunning and, as one reads on, one feels seized by the unsettling feeling that events depicted in captivating prose and vivid descriptions could come to pass. Red Star Rising is beautifully plotted and the execution is masterly. I couldn’t stop reading. Tyler Roberts is a great storyteller with a particular gift for character and setting. The reader feels like they are part of the world he creates. The pacing is measured and the entire story features intense moments of action. This is balanced and deft, an entertaining story for fans of dystopian fiction.