Synopsis

What if the Darkest Minds on Earth Discovered How to Subdue Future Generations?

When Californians start getting sick with flu-like symptoms, traumatized engineer Jake Bendel is once again forced to work with the FBI to discover the cause. With his new desalination plants behind schedule and searing pressure from the California Governor, Jake uncovers a secret network of vengeful terrorists planning catastrophic genetic modifications.

But before the engineer can find a way to cure the masses, he himself is injected with the virus, forcing him to dig deep to track down the leader of the terrorist group. Using strength from recent losses in order to save the lives of millions, Jake overcomes drone strikes and bunker bombs to discover the mastermind behind the plot, but not until the very end does he realize he’s been chasing someone who can’t possibly be caught.

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Praise

“With intriguing concepts and well-rounded protagonists, J. Luke Bennecke’s WATERBORNE is a high-octane page-turning thriller, elevated by fascinating scientific detail and an empathetic hero.”- Indie Reader

“An entertaining, action-packed tale involving viruses and terrorism.”- Kirkus Reviews

“Waterborne is recommended to those who love thrillers with a technological and engineering basis rather than a militaristic or espionage one. And anyone who enjoys thrillers where regular (though brilliant) people find themselves in incredibly high-stakes situations will find plenty to dig into as well.” Independent Book Review

“This is an action packed, fast paced thriller set in the immediate future that is equal parts thought provoking, edge-of-your-seat thrilling. Easy to read and fast paced with plenty of thrills.”- Avonna Loves Genres

“Bennecke was able to create a suspenseful story that was driven by an action-packed plot. The book pulled me in and left me eager for the next installment.”-OnlineBookClub.org

Review

This fast-paced thriller intrigued me, frightened me, and kept me on the edge of my seat. How would this virus affect the population and crops?

The crux of this story takes place over a few days, but the whole book spans about two weeks, from the initial chapter until the end. The story begins with Jake being kidnapped, leaving a diner, and injected with a drug that makes him susceptible to coercion, but he won’t remember anything that he said or did afterward. That is until weeks later when his project with a water plant starts to go awry. That is when everything starts unraveling.

While it isn’t necessary to read the first book by this author, Civil Terror: Gridlock, I think it would be very helpful. I will admit I was a bit confused at the beginning, not understanding the relationship between Jake and Viktor, how their lives intersected and why there was such animosity between the two. However, I did finally put the pieces together, but had I read the first book, I wouldn’t have felt discombobulated in the beginning.

The book does have some technical jargon peppered throughout, but I didn’t find it to be overwhelming or take away from the story. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and their relationships with one another. There are some surprising twists in the story, so don’t think you have it all figured out! We do know who is behind everything early in the book and there is a surprise near the end that has me intrigued and ready to read the next book to find the answer.

This book hits a range of emotions and is well done. Sure, some of it may not be realistic, but that is the great thing about fiction: you can make anything possible, and in the future, it just might become a reality.

We give this 4 paws up.

Guest Review by Nora

“Jake remembered the words of his mentor, Dr. Everton, who told him during grad school at Cal Poly Pomona, ‘You can make some of the people happy some of the time, but you can’t make all of the people happy all of the time.’ This rang true to Jake and he knew some people were out there who would never be satisfied, no matter how beneficial a project was to people and the environment.”

I read this book in one sitting. It’s amazing how the story pulls you in and doesn’t let go until the very last page! ‘Waterborne,’ is the first novel that I have read by J. Luke Bennecke, but I hope that it will not be the last, because what a thrill ride it was!

Everything in this book centers around a plan to end the drought in California via a series of water treatment plants that are being built according to the direction of a civil engineer named Jake Bendel. However, there is a problem.

One night, as he is waiting to meet up with a friend, Jake is kidnapped and drugged by terrorists who want to gain access to the water supply. When people around the state begin experiencing illness, it doesn’t take long to figure out that Jake’s treatment plans may be the cause. But Jake will have to work hard to find out what the terrorists want and exactly how to stop them.

‘Waterborne’ was a reading experience like no other and one that I highly recommend if you enjoy thrillers! Jake was such a sympathetic and intelligent character, Bennecke made it very easy to cheer his main character on as he solved the terrorist plot. At the same time, this story had just enough heart to fully flesh it out. I loved every second of it!

About the Author

Multi award winning and best selling author, J. Luke Bennecke is a veteran civil engineer with a well-spent career helping people by improving Southern California roadways. He is the author of three bestselling, award-winning thrillers: Civil Terror: Gridlock, Waterborne, and his 2023 release Echo from a Bayou.

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Giveaway

This giveaway is for 1 print or 1 ebook copy and is open worldwide.

This giveaway ends on October 18, 2024 midnight, pacific time.

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