Political Thriller
Date Published: June 17, 2022
Publisher: Mindstir Media
"Over my dead body would I ever leave him and return to the agency." Norma remembers those words that now prove to be untrue as she rejoins Atropos-a covert government organization-after so many bloodless years. She has just carried out her first mission back, suspiciously without her team. Something tells her things are not what they seem and betrayal is imminent.
It turns out a devastating weapon created by the agency may soon be decommissioned, and things need to change. Norma is beginning to speculate that it isn't her skill set that the agency wants, Instead, accepting her back was their way of gaining access to a more lethal successor.
Is her gut feeling right? Will the agency soon turn on her? Norma must escape the clandestine smoky mirrors of Washington DC and see clearly before it's too late.
Reviews
"‘The Atropos Maker’ is a fast-paced and expertly plotted two-fisted political thriller focusing on corrupt international and domestic organizations, secret weapons, and conspiracies," wrote IndieReader in their 4.8-star review.
"Stylishly written," wrote Joe Kilgore - The US Review of Books. "This is an engaging read that pushes the envelope of the thriller genre. Author Lujan has chosen to steep her tale in an intensely introspective tone. Burrowing deeply within the psyche and soul of her protagonist, she paints a harrowing picture of how one individual musters up the fortitude to go from victim to survivor to ruler of her own fate—but not without the toll the harshest of life’s injuries often inflict.
"The suspense in the book is irresistible," wrote Pacific Book Review in their Starred Review. “The author knows how to entice readers by introducing subplots which increase one’s focus to finish the book . . . ‘The Atropos Maker’ is a great read for those who fancy thrillers, drama, conspiracy stories, military fiction and a great plot.”
Other Books in the Series
The Atropos Maker II: A New Order
Atropos, an American black-ops agency, is on the hunt for a missing boy named Charlie. He has been kidnapped, disappearing deep into a child trafficking ring. Norma, the director of Atropos, quickly learns that someone they know is tied to the terrorist that are in the center of this ghastly ring of missing, innocent children. So begins the hunt as Norma takes the lead of Atropos once again to trot the globe, from Iraqi Kurdistan to the mean streets of urban America to search harrowing tunnels and bunkers in order to find Charlie before it's too late? In the end, who will pay the ultimate price in order to complete their mission, and will the cost be too much?
The Atropos Maker III: The Awakening
"Since I am an actress, I absolutely love to find books that I can see visually in my mind... Step on this ride with me... The Atropos team is exciting and fun and you are sure to enjoy the journey as much as I did."
- Mariel Hemingway, Oscar-nominated actress and author, and granddaughter of Nobel Prize-winning novelist Ernest Hemingway
What is more terrifying than a covert mission to North Korea? Try raising a 12-year-old girl.
Elina struggles with the countless rules in her life, especially when they keep her from a mysterious new boy who arrives at her school.
What is Alexander Veurr to do?
As the leader of Atropos-one of the government's most elite tactical teams-Alexander assigns retired agent Xavier to guard his budding daughter. With Xavier's skills and agency resources, what could possibly go wrong?
A lot, it turns out. Elina goes missing and Alexander is exiled from the agency. Two things become clear.
One- Someone in the agency is as crooked as a dog's hind legs.
Two- Elina may be someone's unwitting secret weapon.
The fate of Atropos is in the hands of a father and daughter in this epic novel of parental fear and adolescent wonderment.
INTERVIEW
Tell us about your book? The Atropos
Maker series goes deep into the psyche of black-ops agents Norma and Alexander while
they struggle to balance dangerous missions for the government, with parental
fears. They learn that the real threat lies not within the agency or some far
away country… it resides inside their minds.
What is the PRIMARY benefit, above all
others, that your potential reader will gain from reading this book? The reader
will step into the shoes of government agents, veterans, and even first
responders to personally feel the internal torment these courageous people
suffer from, and the effects it has on their loved ones. And perhaps, a little
Greek.
If you had to compare this book to any
other book out there, which book would it be?
I keep hearing Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan
series.
Hundreds of thousands of books come out
every year. Why should someone buy THIS book? I work tirelessly to develop each
character to not only put you in each character’s headspace, but make you feel
the adrenalin as if you are a part of the team. When they are hit, I want you
to feel the sting of failure. When they love, I want you to feel the warmth of
their shield.
Who is your target audience? A mature
audience, rather male or female, that would like to take an emotional glimpse
into the life of a loved one, friend, neighbor serving their country, their
community, or the government.
Did your environment or upbringing play
a major role in your writing and did you use it to your advantage? As a
previous Army soldier, it helped mold the characters into believable people. I
also used my hometown, Martinsburg, WV, as a backdrop in the first, and my
birthplace, Washington DC, as the stage for the second and third in the series.
Tell us your most rewarding experience
since publishing your work? Seeing it released to the world. And I must admit,
the very first professional review I received, after a decade hiatus, giving
the book a 4.8 (out of 5 stars). I felt like my fingers were cold on the keyboard
when writing the first, even the second in the series. It was rather rewarding
to read that I retained the ability to tell a compelling story, rich with
characters.
How would you describe your writing
style? I write quite descriptive, and love to spin webs with sub plots that
will keep you guessing.
Are your characters pure fiction, or did
you draw from people you know? Oh no. I served with men that could mirror some
of these characters. I think there is a piece of all of us that served together
in this series.
Are you more of a character artist or a
plot-driven writer? I like to think both. I love when people cry for certain
characters, but also feel accomplished when they relate the series to a good
action story with twists and turns that, “I never saw that coming”.
What do you hope to accomplish with your
book other than selling it? I really hope this series raises awareness of PTSD,
human trafficking, childhood trauma, and how it can mold someone.
About the Author
N. J. Lujan was born in Washington, DC then raised in a small town of West Virginia. Her first experience with journalism and writing complex, thrilling stories was as a teenager when she was the R.O.T.C. (Reserved Officers’ Training Corps) public affairs officer for her high school. It was then she discovered her love for writing. After graduation she entered the Army then later went on to enjoy a successful corporate career while still fueling a passion for creating complex fictional stories. Today she continues to use parts of her backdrop to vividly take you on a journey that will leave you wanting for more.
N. J. Lujan, a accomplished ghostwriter, now lives in North Carolina and splits her time between writing, work, family, and three very spirited pups. To learn more, visit njlujanoffical.com.
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