Steven Ramirez

Steven Ramirez

Book Review—Never Less

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A book cover with trees and houses in the background.

The opioid crisis in America used to dominate the news. Everywhere, it seemed, families were destroyed when someone, usually through no fault of their own, became addicted to painkillers. And I have to believe that the children suffered the most.

In Never Less, author Geoffrey Wells uses this crisis as a backdrop for a thrilling story of two friends, Mindy and Pablo, who stumble on an illegal drug operation and decide to do something about it. Both have fathers who are in trouble. Mindy’s dad is a doctor addicted to painkillers. And Pablo’s father is an illegal alien. Then there are the criminals—a nasty bunch.

What I liked best about this story is how much these kids value their friendship. Though they are from different backgrounds, they are, in every sense of the word, simpatico. In an ideal world, young people shouldn’t have to deal with adult problems. But we know better. Sometimes, they have no choice. And in Never Less, they do not shy away from their responsibility.

Book Description

The day two twelve-year-olds stumble across a secret tunnel being used to smuggle opioids is the day they start to save their dads. Pablo is a Dreamer kid whose father is always one step away from deportation. Though their octogenarian mentor warns them about the infamous Prohibition tunnel that leads to the mill, they go back with Pablo’s dad, but cannot leave after witnessing a drug gang murder. Pablo bravely escapes and decides to go missing to figure out how the drugs are being smuggled. But self-assured Mindy surprises Pablo by insisting he help her distract her dad, a doctor, from taking any pills.

He realizes she too has a father to save.

Their friendship grows as the pair sleuth with cryptic clues in their gaming code that outwit the grown-ups. The pair uncover a callous scheme to lace pills with a fatal dose of fentanyl and must act to save their school friends—and that will happen because Pablo and Mindy are on the job!

Never Less is a thriller for middle grade readers that will help them come to grips with the opioid crisis in a fun, adventurous, and relatable way that will give them agency over even the toughest grown-up problems.

Where to Buy

Amazon

More Reviews

Did you enjoy this review? Check out my other reviews here. And don’t forget to follow me at BookBub.

October Book Signing at Barnes & Noble

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A couple of books that are on top of each other.

Greetings. Join me Saturday, October 15, at Barnes & Noble in Glendora from 1–4 PM. I’ll be signing copies of my supernatural thriller trilogy, Sarah Greene Mysteries. Check out what readers are saying about Book 1, The Girl in the Mirror.

“A totally believable story about ghosts and their visitations.†⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I love a good paranormal story and this one kept me guessing all the way to the end.†⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I loved this book. It kept me at the edge of my seat until the end.†⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“What a powerful, touching, and well-written story!†⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I read it fast. I couldn’t put it down.†⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you like ghosts and the women detectives who hunt them, this series is for you. I hope to see you there.

Supernatural September Sale—September 15-19

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JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN

A book cover with the title of the book.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Sarah, a reluctant psychic, discovers a ghost in a mirror and opens a door to the demonic.

Sarah Greene is a successful realtor who sees ghosts–and sometimes wishes she didn’t. While renovating an old house with her ex-husband, she finds a mirror haunted by a teenager’s tortured spirit.

As she sets out to discover the victim’s identity, Sarah stumbles onto something chilling.

The people who built the house had a demon-worshipping son, Peter. And Sarah comes to believe he murdered the girl. But there’s more. An insidious evil is infesting the town of Dos Santos. Could this dark force be tied to Peter Moody?

For Sarah, digging into someone’s murderous past is bad enough. Awakening a demonic spirit could be deadly.

A black and white image of an amazon logo.

September 2022 Highlights and Sabbatical

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A cat is sleeping on the bed with blankets

Greetings. This has been a tough year, writing-wise. As I mentioned in previous posts, I’m in the middle of updating my horror-thriller trilogy to coincide with next year’s 10th anniversary. It turned out to be more work than I thought, and I am just now finishing up Book 1. That’s not to say I’m not having fun. Which brings me to my point.

I need a break—not from writing but from book marketing. In addition to writing books, I handle all my own social media, advertising, and book signings. I used to kick myself, always believing I could be doing more. Recently, I joined TikTok, thinking I would post funny videos about writing. Well, that lasted a couple of months. I’m aware that other authors are getting a lot of value from the platform. For me, it was a massive time-sink. So, I gave it up.

And then it came to me. If university professors can take a sabbatical to tackle that book they’ve always wanted to write, why can’t I? Spending time focusing on writing is just what the doctor ordered, I feel. Though I still plan to post content, it might not be as frequent. I ask you to bear with me.

Okay, confession time. Last December, I turned seventy. It wasn’t the big deal I thought it would be, mostly because I was already heads-down planning my year. I’ve been writing steadily since high school and, other than my family, nothing is more important. If you’ve had the opportunity to read any of my books, you know that I throw everything I have into them. All I want is to create a powerful story for others to enjoy. Sounds corny, I know, but it’s true. I don’t have an agenda.

Well, as the English like to say, that’s me done. I’m going to play with my cat now, then get back to my trilogy. Peace and love.

Books to Enjoy

Horror Giveaway

Can’t wait for Halloween? Check out these free horror selections. Horror Giveaway

SciFi and Fantasy MegaGiveAway

And this is for those who enjoy science fiction and fantasy. SciFi and Fantasy MegaGiveAway

The Galston House

Clive and Adrien Done are eager to start their lives together when they purchase an old, dilapidated home for a steal. But as day turns to night, the couple faces unspeakable fear and a formidable sadistic ghost. The Galston House by Marc Layton.

Recommended Viewing

A man standing in front of smoke and fire.

You know me—I love Korean movies and television. Hellbound is a new show on Netflix. If you enjoy crime thrillers with elements of fantasy, this one’s for you.

Logline. People hear predictions on when they will die. When that time comes, a death angel appears in front of them and kills them.

August 2022 Highlights and Stillwater Lake

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A field of sunflowers with the sun setting in the background.

Greetings. Is it hot where you are? Recently, I spoke to a friend living in Las Vegas. He told me things weren’t so bad as long as the temperature didn’t rise above 107°F. And he actually said this—“Yeah, but it’s a dry heat.†Whatever. Me, I’m useless when the temperature hits 90, so. Wherever you live, I hope the climate is bearable and that you’re enjoying what’s left of summer.

Book News

A book sitting on top of a table.

My friend J.P. Choquette has just released the fifth book in her “Monsters in the Green Mountains†series. It’s called Stillwater Lake, and looks to be another winner. I’ve read J.P.’s work, and it’s a lot of fun. You can find my review of The Pact here.

Book Description

Legends aren’t always built on myths. Sometimes they’re created to hide dark secrets.

Stillwater is a sleepy, quiet place perfect for overcoming a case of writer’s block. At least, that’s what Jessica Brown hopes. The bestselling novelist’s life has recently been turned upside down. If she’s honest, she got out of New York City to heal her heart as much as to find her writing muse.

Tony Bradford is also looking for respite in the remote mountains of Vermont, though he came to Stillwater seeking adventure. Attending the town’s annual Gargun Festival, a summer celebration of the legendary creature who lives in Stillwater Lake has been on his bucket list for years.

But while many people have a lighthearted view of the folklore in the area, some know the creature—and town’s—true history. When people in the area start dying, Jessica and Tony, together with a documentary filmmaker and a group of teens, try to protect the rest of the town.

Where to Buy

Amazon
Apple Books
Barnes & Noble
Kobo

Other Books to Enjoy

The Lost Spear

Archaeologist Dr. Eve Blakeley wants to find an eight-hundred-year-old weapon shrouded in mystery and lore. But someone will do anything to keep the secrets of Genghis Khan buried forever. The Lost Spear by N.J. Croft.

Hidden Memories

After the wake of a terrible crime in her childhood, Harper Storm is determined to put whoever did it behind bars. However, what she doesn’t know is that the mystery is only beginning… And nothing is as it seems. Hidden Memories by B.P Stevens.

The Art of Danger

John Kite goes to meet a criminal to swap a hefty cash reward for a stolen picture, but finds the man shot dead and the picture stolen again. Then he discovers a Middle Eastern conspiracy and realizes getting the picture back is a matter of life and death. The Art of Danger by Stuart Doughty.

Recommended Viewing

A poster of the gray man

Recently, Netflix dropped a new action thriller called The Gray Man. Wow, this thing is fun and stars Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans (sporting a goofy moustache), and Ana de Armas.

Logline. When the CIA’s most skilled operative—whose true identity is known to none—accidentally uncovers dark agency secrets, a psychopathic former colleague puts a bounty on his head, setting off a global manhunt by international assassins.

Okay, that’s a wrap—stay cool. Peace and love.

July 2022 Highlights and Screenwriting

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A red firework is lit up in the dark.

Greetings. For those of you in the US, I hope you had a chance to enjoy time with family and friends. Maybe see some fireworks. When I was little, my dad used to make the annual run to the nearest Red Devil stand so that later his boys could enjoy shooting off Roman candles and twirling sparklers. These days, fireworks are illegal in many towns in California because of the fire danger. Yep, droughts are a bitch.

Screenwriting News

A man with a gun in his hand and a text box.

Well, I did it—I entered not one but three screenplay competitions. Last August, I mentioned I was taking a break from writing novels to return to screenwriting. As I’ve mentioned before somewhere, screenwriting is the hardest writing you’ll ever do. It’s rigid and unforgiving. In fiction, the standard advice is to kill your darlings. When writing a screenplay, you pretty much need to take out the whole family.

I went through lots of drafts and finally ended up with 100 pages of what I hope is pure thriller fun. We’ll see. I should have some news toward the end of the year, so stay tuned. Oh, and wish me luck.

Recommended Reading

A book cover with the title blackout written in red.

I just finished reading a sci-fi thriller that’s pretty wild. Imagine you start suffering from occasional blackouts, only you haven’t been drinking. Then, you discover other women are experiencing similar symptoms. That’s the premise behind Blackout by Erin Flanagan. You can read my review here. Also, check out my other book reviews.

Book Description

In this unforgettable psychological thriller, the dark is a terrifying mystery for a woman on the edge.

Seven hard-won months into her sobriety, sociology professor Maris Heilman has her first blackout. She chalks it up to exhaustion, though she fears that her husband and daughter will suspect she’s drinking again. Whatever their cause, the glitches start becoming more frequent. Sometimes minutes, sometimes longer, but always leaving Maris with the same disorienting question: Where have I been?

Then another blackout lands Maris in the ER, where she makes an alarming discovery. A network of women is battling the same inexplicable malady. Is it a bizarre coincidence or something more sinister? What do all the women have in common besides missing time? Or is it who they have in common?

In a desperate search for answers, Maris has no idea what’s coming next—just the escalating paranoia that her memories may be beyond her control, and that everything she knows could disappear in the blink of an eye.

Where to Buy

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Books-A-Million

Books to Enjoy

Simya Academy

Dawn is a student at the mysterious Simya Academy. Something about her starts changing, and she realizes that not all is as it seems. Simya Academy by Tanya Lisle.

Stained Torment

As a young child, Kora failed to rid herself of the physical and haunting presence of the bad man, Mr. Red Eyes. Then, he revealed himself to be Evil personified. Stained Torment by Colin Morom.

Recommended Viewing

A poster of the movie, the man from toronto.

If you’re a Netflix subscriber and looking for some big laughs—who isn’t?—you should check out the new Kevin Hart-Woody Harrelson flick, ‘The Man from Toronto.’ It’s the classic mistaken identity trope taken to the max. I can hear my wife now after I screw up again. “You Teddy’d it.†Watch the movie, and you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Logline. The world’s deadliest assassin and New York’s biggest screw-up are mistaken for each other at an Airbnb rental.

Okay, that’s a wrap. See you next month when I try to figure out how to celebrate National Lighthouse Day while living on the West Coast. Peace and love.

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