Posts Tagged ‘conspiracy theories’

President-elect Barack Obama joins U.S. living presidents for lunch

Our new release title, The Orphan Conspiracies: 29 Conspiracy Theories from The Orphan Trilogy, was borne out of reader curiosity for it was not something we ever intended to write. Nor was a non-fiction work something we ourselves would have naturally considered penning given we are novelists and feature filmmakers who specialize in writing and producing drama and works of fiction.

However, when The Ninth Orphan, the first book in our international thriller series The Orphan Trilogy, was published readers began commenting on or asking about the truth behind the real-life mysteries highlighted throughout. Since then, readers’ emails and social media posts have escalated with the publication of The Orphan Factory and The Orphan Uprising, books two and three in the trilogy.

For those who haven’t read the novels, The Orphan Trilogy is a series that’s partially set in the boardrooms of real organizations such as the CIA, MI6, the FBI, the NSA and the UN; it features controversial theories about public figures, including President Obama, Queen Elizabeth II as well as the Clinton, Marcos and Bush families; and it illuminates shadow organizations rumored to exist in today’s world.

Queen Elizabeth’s ‘true’ wealth examined.

In many ways, the trilogy merges fiction with reality. Or, as Amazon reviewer I.A.Wilhite, Ph.D., said of The Ninth Orphan: “The authors manage to weave political intrigue, espionage, and eugenics into an exciting fabric of mystery and entertainment. The reader can’t but believe that the novel may not be only a work of fiction.”

This book (The Orphan Conspiracies) bridges the gap between fiction and fact. It fully explores the real-world suppositions, assumptions and theories we included in our fictional universe and provides answers to the questions our readers have been asking.

The storyline of The Orphan Trilogy, which took about a decade to write, forced us to research all sorts of alternative concepts and seek out connected and learned individuals who could enlighten us. This comprehensive process not only enabled us to tell a layered and intelligent story, but also to acquire underground knowledge not easily accessible. Knowledge which we share, in depth, in this book and which upon reading we expect will enable, indeed encourage, the average reader to look at the world in a new light.

The challenge we face, of course, is that the subjects explored in this book are often in direct contrast with the way most of us view the world, and they invariably contradict the official line – the line that politicians, corporate leaders and other persons of influence convincingly peddle – that most of us have been conditioned to accept without questioning since childhood.

It’s our experience that people are prepared to entertain unfamiliar hypotheses when they are incorporated into novels or movies, but are considerably less open-minded when there’s no cozy fictional plot to soften the digestion of such concepts.

To counter this, we have avoided speculation wherever possible and have, for the most part, written about subjects that can be backed with hard facts. These facts include evidence substantiated in court cases, declassified government files, mainstream media reports and well-documented quotes from respected leaders in their fields. Wherever we do briefly deviate into mere speculation, we point that out so the dividing line between fact and rumor is always clear.

Ferdinand Marcos.JPEG

Marcos Estate worth trillions?

The other challenge in presenting this book is that many of the controversial topics we tackle can loosely be described as conspiracy, conspiracies or conspiracy theories. As a result, we will no doubt be categorized by many as conspiracy theorists.

Unfortunately, these have become dirty words and phrases in our culture. Any time a concern is raised by an individual who has been labeled a conspiracy theorist it’s usually dismissed by most government spokespersons, mainstream media journalists and the public at large as paranoia, or worse, delusional.

And for the most part, those critics and skeptics are correct!

Probably 95% of conspiracy theories out there are pure crackpot stuff with not a shred of evidence to support them. We are talking the-moon-is-made-out-of-cheese type of theories. Such absurd concepts are espoused by conspiracy theory extremists who we refer to throughout this book as the Tinfoil Hat Network – those who wear tinfoil-lined hats to block mind control frequencies they believe are being beamed their way!

Although nutty notions certainly provide good entertainment value, they also undermine those serious conspiracy theories which warrant investigation.

A good example of theories deserving airtime is the contention that there were no Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq, which most Western governments have now acknowledged to be true. It was initially brought up by conspiracy theorists before the West’s invasion of Iraq. Their claims were ignored, of course.

If society was prepared to listen to such individuals without pre-judging them, perhaps future wars could be averted.

Once you understand and accept that there are two types of conspiracy theorists – the Tinfoil Hatters, or lunatic fringe, and the more logically-minded – it becomes easy to distinguish between them.

You can spot the Tinfoil Hatters a mile off. They either present silly ideas like Marilyn Monroe being born a man or more dangerous ones like the Holocaust-never-happened – a theory which almost always has its roots in anti-Semitism. The more logically-minded, or sane, conspiracy theorists present more believable and potentially true ideas like there being cover-ups surrounding the deaths of JFK and Princess Diana – theories most Americans and Brits now believe likely, according to mainstream polls.

Chat: Monroe, wearing her famous dress, speaks with John F Kennedy following the rendition of Happy Birthday

The Kennedy Bros. (pictured with Marilyn) also feature prominently. 

As WikiLeaks’ founder Julian Assange succinctly put it: “There are conspiracies everywhere. There are also crazed conspiracy theories. It’s important not to confuse these two.”

Worth noting, also, is that when members of the Establishment mock conspiracy theories, they invariably quote the most bizarre premises that only the most paranoid and unstable in conspiracy circles – yes we refer to the Tinfoil Hatters – actually believe. This has proven to be very effective in undermining the more credible conspiracy theorist who may discover an awkward truth about an administration, a corporation or a well-known individual.

German novelist, pacifist and Nobel Peace Prize-recipient Hermann Hesse was labeled an eccentric and a traitor for resisting the ideologies of a popular candidate who was making waves in Germany’s political scene in the early 1930’s. As a result of Hesse’s rebellious stance against fascism, and especially against the new wave of anti-Semitism, the critically-acclaimed author was soon blacklisted by all major newspapers in the nation and had his books banned and systematically burned by that same leader’s political party.

As the politician swept into power and his party began beating the drums of war, Hesse continued to speak out in support of Jewish people and, living in exile outside of Germany, helped others flee from the brutal regime.

The political party was, of course, the Nazi Party and the individual who Hesse opposed was the charismatic Adolf Hitler.

Why Hitler hated being called a Nazi and what's really in humble pie – origins of words and phrases revealed

Did fascism really end with the death of Hitler and the Third Reich?

If a new, charismatic politician with intentions as evil as Hitler’s entered the political scene today and someone discovered that politician’s plans and revealed them to the public, would their theories be listened to any more readily than Hermann Hesse’s were?

By consistently reminding the public of the majority of conspiracy theorists who are clearly one missed-medication away from being locked up in asylums, the global elite are also able to discredit the 5% who may have stumbled on to something legitimate.

So the key with conspiracy theories is not to throw out the baby with the bathwater like the Establishment is relying on you to keep doing. In other words, don’t discard good info or intel with the bad.

A large number of conspiracy theories initially scoffed at have since been proven to be true. Examples include: the Gulf of Tonkin Incident – the fabricated event that started the Vietnam War; Watergate – the proven allegation that US President Richard Nixon spied on Democrats; MK-Ultra – the Central Intelligence Agency’s extensive mind control program was a conspiracy theory for over two decades until partially declassified in 1975; and the Dreyfus Affair – the 19th Century Jewish-French artillery officer wrongly convicted of treason by the French Government who later admitted to framing Dreyfus.

Richard Nixon.jpg

Nixon really did spy on the Democrats.

More recently, after years of claims by conspiracy theorists that the fabled Area 51, in Nevada, existed, the US Government and the CIA released declassified documents that clearly show it does exist and has existed all along.

We do not profess to be authorities on any of the subjects in this book. Nor do we get into absolutism. On the contrary, we believe very few people alive today can know for sure the whole truth about any of the complex topics we cover.

Our attitude when researching or writing about such topics has always been: We know very little. We took that approach when putting this book together. In our opinion that’s the best way to tackle conspiracy theories or, indeed, any contentious incidents, policies or claims not publicly acknowledged or admitted to by officialdom.

Many people are programmed to instantly dismiss all conspiracy theories while others are just as ready to gullibly believe every theory fed to them. Both approaches are different sides of the same coin, and that coin is absolutism.

Believing in absolutes is a recipe for dogmatism and ignorance. The middle-path of open-mindedness combined with healthy skepticism seems to be the wisest route to take in our opinion.

Although “Conspiracy Theories” features in this book’s title, many of the subjects we cover are actually conspiracy fact. Meaning they’ve already been confirmed as true by the appropriate authority or validated by the release of declassified documents and the like, but strangely remain categorized as conspiracy theories because confirmation of their validity has been ignored or at the very least not widely reported by mainstream media.

The conspiracy facts in our thriller series were noted by Louisiana-based author, historian and renowned US war veterans’ advocate Remy Benoit. “A page turning, frightening high action journey into the world of corrupted power,” Ms. Benoit says of the trilogy in her review, “that goes beyond conspiracy theories to tortured reality.”

Even though the pages of this book contain rare and extraordinary information, it’s surprising how much of it is verifiable and freely available in the public domain – there to be discovered as long as you know what you’re looking for.

In recent years, various celebrities have been branded conspiracy theorists by mainstream media outlets and government departments. These public figures include Martin Sheen, Mark Ruffalo, Rosie O’Donnell, Sharon Stone, Spike Lee, Bruce Willis, Oliver Stone, Willie Nelson, Mos Def, Charlie Sheen, Juliette Binoche, Billy Corgan, Russell Brand, David Lynch, Randy Quaid, Ron Paul, Joe Rogan, Roseanne Barr, Phil Donahue, Jim Carrey, Geraldo Rivera, Robbie Williams, Sean Stone, Prince, Jesse Ventura, Dave Chappelle, Shirley MacLaine, Jim Corr, Henry Rollins, Woody Harrelson and Michael Moore.

Bruce Willis's primary photo Shirley MacLaine's primary photo  Woody Harrelson's primary photo

Celebs branded conspiracy theorists.

This partial list of famous individuals with alternative viewpoints illustrates how being a conspiracy theorist isn’t as rare as it used to be, and may even be trending toward the norm depending on how the term is defined.

That’s not surprising given the balance of power between the state and the individual has swung to an unprecedented degree in favor of the state. Every day, it seems, more civil liberties are being eroded in the name of national security.

Events like the bailout of financial institutions ahead of regular citizens during the global financial crisis and the unwelcome post-9/11 foreign conflicts have left many citizens in the West second-guessing their governments.

Post-9/11 conflicts examined.

Surveys have also shown that a big percentage of the public feel they’re being manipulated by corporations, banks, international interests and the media as well as by politicians who appear to have less respect for voters than ever before. It’s almost as if the public sense there must exist within government little-known powerbrokers who are not for the people, but against them.

We believe these trends in society explain why The Orphan Trilogy has proven to be so popular and why it has established a loyal fan base of readers worldwide.

In all likelihood, the number of people labeled conspiracy theorists is going to increase exponentially. Internationally, they probably already number hundreds of millions and so can no longer be dismissed as lunatics on the fringes of society.

Therefore, if questioning the motivations of political administrations and reminding you of the well-documented nefarious activities of the global elite make us conspiracy theorists, then hell, we’ll accept that label and wear it with pride.

Before you read on, we’d also ask you to keep in mind that we are two working-class guys. We know all about the injustices that come with being humble citizens living in so-called democratic nations where democracy has all but vanished. We are tired of seeing honest, hard-working people being screwed over by greedy, corrupt corporations and are incensed by the spineless political leaders who permit them to commit such crimes.

Our mission in writing this book is twofold: to expose the global agenda designed to keep the power in the hands of a select few (the top 1%) and to empower the masses with essential knowledge that’s been withheld from them until now.

Whisperings in the corridors of power.

From what we’ve observed, nearly all other conspiracy theory books have either been by established conspiracy theory authors and written almost exclusively for like-minded people, or they’ve been penned by academic-types with a high-brow intellectualism that only other academics can decipher.

This book, on the other hand, is written for the lower classes and the homeless, the outcasts and the marginalized, the abused and the victimized, the unpaid and the underpaid, the overworked and the out-of-work, the refugees and the poor, the uneducated and the undereducated, the forgotten and the lonely, the misunderstood and all the other underdogs of society who together, collectively, form the majority – or the 99%, if you will.

Contrary to what we, the people, have been told, we are the power; we have supreme authority because we are the masses and true power always resides with the masses, never with the self-proclaimed global elite who, by their very nature, have always been in the minority and will always continue to be…

As long as the masses realize that, of course.

James Morcan & Lance Morcan (March, 2014)

 

Book bridges gap between fiction and fact.

The Orphan Conspiracies: 29 Conspiracy Theories from The Orphan Trilogy is available now via Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/The-Orphan-Conspiracies-Conspiracy-Theories-ebook/dp/B00J4MPFT6/

Happy reading! –James & Lance

 

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“The secret history of the 20th Century and the early 21st Century.” – That’s how Dr. Takaaki Musha, a former senior research scientist at the Technical Research and Development Institute of Japan’s Ministry of Defense, describes our new release book, The Orphan Conspiracies: 29 Conspiracy Theories from The Orphan Trilogy.

Book bridges gap between fiction and fact.

Dr. Musha, who is also Director of Japan’s Advanced-Science Technology Research Organization and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Space Exploration, kindly penned the Foreword in our book – a book he believes “discloses exactly what is happening right now…in the corridors of power, in prime banks and meetings of the global elite.”

Dr. Takaaki Musha

As the title of our new book suggests, The Orphan Conspiracies examines 29 conspiracy theories highlighted in our top rating international thriller series, The Orphan Trilogy. It fully explores the real-world suppositions, assumptions and theories we included in our fictional series and provides answers to the questions our readers have been asking.

Over the coming weeks, starting today with Dr. Musha’s Foreword, we will feature excerpts from The Orphan Conspiracies: 29 Conspiracy Theories from The Orphan Trilogy. Conspiracy theories explored range from false flag operations, international banksters, genius techniques of the elite and suppressed science to the Queen’s invisible riches, the Medical Industrial Complex and real-life Manchurian Candidates.

We welcome comment and feedback from you, our readers and followers…

 The Orphan Conspiracies: 29...

THE ORPHAN CONSPIRACIES

Foreword

The Orphan Conspiracies: 29 Conspiracy Theories from The Orphan Trilogy, by James Morcan & Lance Morcan, contains hard-to-find knowledge. This book is based on the political, scientific and financial insights contained in the Morcans’ bestselling international thriller series The Orphan Trilogy.

Throughout The Orphan Trilogy, James & Lance merge fact with fiction by incorporating real-world theories on known individuals and organizations. Now, with this non-fiction companion volume, they provide detailed analysis for each one of those controversial theories.

In many ways, this exhaustively-researched book is the secret history of the 20th Century and the early 21st Century. But more than a history lesson, it also discloses exactly what is happening right now behind the scenes – in underground bunkers, in the corridors of power, in prime banks and meetings of the global elite.

Currently, the world is in a desperate state due to environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources and food supplies, and economic inequalities. To solve these problems and to reach the next level of Mankind, a “new innovation of technology” is required. But nowadays innovative technologies such as cold fusion, and radical energy sources, including sonoluminescent-triggered fusionand anti-gravitational propulsion, are either being withheld or blocked by governments, old-fashioned science academia and multinational corporations.

The Orphan Conspiracies: 29...

I believe that the Big-Bang Theory and the Evolution Theory, as well as Einstein’s Special Relativity Theory which does not allow for the existence of faster-than-light (superluminal) phenomena, all have flaws in them and must be replaced by new theories that can give Mankind a more concise view of our Universe. But the fact is exceptional discoveries and theories that challenge official science have been ignored by the Establishment for decades.

I was employed for many years as a senior research scientist developing naval underwater weapon systems at the Technical Research and Development Institute of the Ministry of Defense, Japan, and I often suspected there existed extraordinary technologies developed by the world’s superpowers. I am of the opinion that most of these technologies have been concealed from the public’s eyes.

The world’s governments have many classified layers and outsiders rarely gain access to their hidden secrets. And certainly no common man can get confirmation of the existence of exotic technologies.

I was also part of a team of scientists in the Advanced Space Propulsion Investigation Committee (ASPIC), which was organized by the Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences in 1994. ASPIC’s purpose was to study all kinds of non-chemical space propulsion systems instead of conventional rocket systems for space missions to nearby planets, the Moon and the outer Solar System. This included field propulsion systems which utilize zero-point energy, the electro-gravitic effect and the non-Newtonian gravitic effect predicted in Einstein’s Theory of Gravity.

The Orphan Conspiracies: 29...

During my time with ASPIC, I strongly felt that some of the gravity control systems could have been realized, or had already been realized, but were being overshadowed by existing science. Such radical space technologies never reach the public because unknown groups do not wish humanity to have access to the highest knowledge or the most advanced scientific inventions. Perhaps this suppression is out of fear that the masses may be able to explore our Solar System and the Universe beyond it.

Whatever the case, it seems they want us to stay at ignorant levels forever.

This book is also about the purposeful bankrupting of nations around the world, the inherently corrupt monetary system and the scam of modern banking – all of which have obviously become major vices of our era. I believe that financial domination is one of the main methods used to enslave the people of this world.

I expect readers of this book will be surprised by the level of knowledge imparted in its pages especially with its revelations of exotic technologies, financial injustices, political deceptions and suppressed scientific discoveries. I also expect readers will be inspired by the lifting of the veil that occurs when long-guarded information is absorbed.

Lastly, I sincerely hope that the publication of this book contributes to a global awakening which assists the future creation of new scientific theories and technologies – including space propulsion systems – that are not currently on the mainstream scientific agenda.

-Dr. Takaaki Musha, Director of the Advanced-Science Technology Research Organization (Japan) / Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Space Exploration (Mehta Press) / Former senior research scientist at the Technical Research and Development Institute of the Ministry of Defense, Japan.

Product Details

The Orphan Conspiracies: 29 Conspiracy Theories from The Orphan Trilogy is available now as a Kindle ebook via Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/The-Orphan-Conspiracies-Conspiracy-Theories-ebook/dp/B00J4MPFT6/

 

Happy reading! –Lance & James

 

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“The moral of this tale is that you don’t ever, ever abduct the young son of your best and most dangerous operative.” – That’s according to c9c Reviews’ Andrew Thompson in his Amazon review of our conspiracy thriller The Orphan Uprising (The Orphan Trilogy, #3).

Thriller resonates

Andrew’s 4-Star review lowers this novel’s 5-Star average rating (to 4.9 Stars) on Amazon. However, it’s such an insightful review we thought we’d share it with you…

Be careful who you kidnap

The moral of this tale is that you don’t ever, ever abduct the young son of your best and most dangerous operative. Such people will go to great lengths to get their children back, especially as they are very aware of the horrors that await their offspring.

Nine does his very best to look after his pregnant wife while attempting to rescue his son. His employers should have known better and they learn their lesson. Nine is hampered by a heart ailment, but despite this he manages to keep his promises to his family.

Another, final, installment of the Orphan series which does not disappoint.

For a brief synopsis of The Orphan Uprising see c9c Reviews’ blurb at: http://c9creviews.com/

For more reviews of this novel go to: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BFC66DM/

 

Happy reading! –Lance & James

 

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Truthdig.com, the online news site that takes pride in “drilling beneath the headlines”, has done it again: it has conjured up the most insightful review we’ve managed to uncover yet on what surely will turn out to be one of the most talked-about books of 2014…

We refer, of course, to Luke Harding’s The Snowden Files, which provides an eye-opening overview of whistleblower Edward Snowden’s running battle with the National Security Agency after leaking thousands of classified files to news organizations.

Book reviewer Greg Miller, national security correspondent for The Washington Post, reminds readers via his truthdig.com review of Feb.21 that author Luke Harding is the same LH who is a correspondent for The Guardian newspaper, which broke the initial Snowden story.

Miller also reminds us that “the course that Snowden chose…surreptitiously stockpiling thousands of classified files, leaking them…and finally fleeing first to Hong Kong and then Russia has been polarizing. He has been condemned as treasonous and hailed as courageous. Either way, his story is one of the most compelling in the history of American espionage.”

Further excerpts (abridged) from Miller’s review follow:

“The Snowden Files”…is the first to assemble the sequence of events in a single volume. The book captures the drama of Snowden’s operation in often cinematic detail but doesn’t necessarily enhance our understanding of the magnitude and impact of the leaks. It is most successful when focused tightly on its then-29-year-old protagonist, whose youth and low station in the spy world were so at odds with the caliber of the material he accessed that his journalist contacts, upon meeting him for the first time, shook their heads in disbelief. Snowden comes across as almost icily composed. He seems to have been undaunted by the challenge of outmaneuvering his employer, the National Security Agency, the largest spy agency in the world. He choreographed his encounters with journalists and revealed himself to the world largely on his own terms…

…Although the book is billed as “the inside story of the world’s most wanted man,” there is no indication Harding had direct contact with his subject. Instead, it reads more like the inside account of Snowden’s interactions with The Guardian. The details drawn from those encounters are fascinating, if not always illuminating. Snowden was so concerned about security at the hotel where they met that the few times he left his room he placed a glass of water behind the door, positioned to spill on a piece of tissue paper marked with a symbol sketched in soy sauce…

…“The Snowden Files” won’t be the last book on this subject nor likely the best, with Gellman and Greenwald titles already in the works. But Harding has delivered a clearly written and captivating account of the Snowden leaks and their aftermath, succeeding beyond its most basic ambition, which was to arrive in bookstores first.

For the full review go to: http://www.truthdig.com/arts_culture/item/the_snowden_files_20140221

Many of the concerns Snowden has raised regarding America’s surveillance programs and its espionage methodologies are highlighted in our top rated conspiracy thriller series The Orphan Trilogy (The Ninth Orphan / The Orphan Factory / The Orphan Uprising). That’s not to say we necessarily sympathize with Snowden or approve of his actions, but we do sympathize with many of the ‘Big Brother’ concerns he and others like him have raised.

Product Details

The Orphan Trilogy exposes a global agenda designed to keep the power in the hands of a select few. Our antagonists are a shadow government acting above and beyond the likes of the White House, the FBI, the Pentagon and the NSA… Sounds familiar?

Merging fact with fiction, the trilogy illuminates shadow organizations rumored to actually exist. Our three novels explore a plethora of conspiracies involving real organizations like the CIA, MI6, and the UN, and public figures such as President Obama, Queen Elizabeth II as well as the Clinton, Marcos and Bush families.

The Orphan Trilogy is available via Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGGM05U/

 

Happy reading! –Lance & James

 

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Check out this Goodreads.com list of novels that have mind control as a major theme in their plots. Ranked according to Goodreads’ members votes, the books in our conspiracy thriller series The Orphan Trilogy occupy the first four places on the list!

Here’s the top 10 books (ranked 1-10) on Goodreads’ Mind Control Fiction popularity list courtesy of Listopia:

The Ninth Orphan (The Orpha... The Ninth Orphan (The Orphan Trilogy, #1) byJames Morcan 3.65 of 5 stars 3.65 avg rating — 328 ratings
The Orphan Trilogy The Orphan Trilogy byJames Morcan 4.55 of 5 stars 4.55 avg rating — 47 ratings
The Orphan Uprising (The Or... The Orphan Uprising (The Orphan Trilogy, #3) byJames Morcan 4.44 of 5 stars 4.44 avg rating — 68 ratings
The Orphan Factory (The Orp... The Orphan Factory (The Orphan Trilogy, #2) byJames Morcan 4.27 of 5 stars 4.27 avg rating — 100 ratings
Manchurian Candidate Manchurian Candidate byRichard Condon 4.03 of 5 stars 4.03 avg rating — 9,163 ratings
1984 1984 byGeorge Orwell 4.08 of 5 stars 4.08 avg rating — 1,133,976 ratings
Scott Bloom en de Dochters ... Scott Bloom en de Dochters van Chenchen byRosa Miller (Goodreads Author) 4.29 of 5 stars 4.29 avg rating — 14 ratings
Animal Farm Animal Farm byGeorge Orwell 3.78 of 5 stars 3.78 avg rating — 1,176,284 ratings
Brave New World Brave New World byAldous Huxley 3.92 of 5 stars 3.92 avg rating — 663,648 ratings
The Stepford Wives The Stepford Wives byIra Levin 3.61 of 5 stars 3.61 avg rating — 11,056 ratings

For the top 100 novels on this list go to: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/11984.Mind_Control_Fiction#13250061

Occupying first place, The Ninth Orphan is book one in The Orphan Trilogy. Here’s the storyline for anyone interested:

An orphan grows up to become an assassin for a highly secretive organization. When he tries to break free and live a normal life, he is hunted by his mentor and father figure, and by a female orphan he spent his childhood with. On the run, the mysterious man’s life becomes entwined with his beautiful French-African hostage and a shocking past riddled with the darkest of conspiracies is revealed.

Fast-paced, totally fresh and original, filled with deep and complex characters, The Ninth Orphan is a controversial, high-octane thriller with an edge. Merging fact with fiction, it illuminates shadow organizations rumored to actually exist in our world. The novel explores a plethora of conspiracies involving real organizations like the CIA, MI6, and the UN, and public figures such as President Obama as well as the Clinton, Marcos and Bush families.

The Ninth Orphan (The Orphan Trilogy, #1) is available via Amazon as a trade paperback and Kindle ebook. Here’s the Kindle link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0056I4FKC

 

Happy reading! –Lance & James

 

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Our coming-of-age spy thriller, The Orphan Factory (The Orphan Trilogy, #2), is available to Kindle users at the reduced price of 99c via Amazon.com and Amazon.UK until Feb. 17th PST.

4.6 Star average review rating

This top rated thriller is the prequel to The Ninth Orphan, book one in The Orphan Trilogy. It’s an epic, atmospheric story that begins with twenty-three genetically superior orphans being groomed to become elite spies in Chicago’s Pedemont Orphanage and concludes with a political assassination deep in the Amazon jungle. Embark on another frenetic journey with Nine, the ninth-born orphan, as he goes on the run across America.

Here’s a brief synopsis:

In the late 1970’s, in Chicago, Illinois, the secretive Omega Agency initiates the Pedemont Project – a radical experiment utilizing genetic engineering technologies – to create twenty-three orphan babies with the plan to turn them into the world’s most effective assassins.

One of the prodigies will rebel: meet Number Nine, an orphan with a mind of his own.

In 1998, when Nine reaches adulthood and graduates with honors from the Pedemont Orphanage, he is already an adept of the deadly espionage arts. Ordered by his Omega masters to assassinate a survivor of the Jonestown tragedy in Guyana’s Amazon rainforest, Nine is forced to draw upon all of his advanced training just to stay alive.

After 38 reviews, The Orphan Factory maintains its 4.6 Star average review rating on Amazon.

Here’s a sample of Amazon reviewers’ comments:

I loved getting to know more about Nine and his early years, his rivalry with 17 and interaction with other orphans, his self discovery and his ability to survive in a dangerous and deadly world. I am now looking forward to reading the third and final novel in this thrilling trilogy. –Pat O’Meara

Fast paced and never boring. I was drawn into the plot almost right from the beginning. –S.C.M. Hartstra-van Kan

Action and drama prevail in this exciting story. –Sheri A. Wilkinson

This novel explains how the orphans were produced and why and how they were trained…An awesome read. –“Westerntarheel”

A very well written, multifaceted book that is a joy to read. The authors have taken a genre which has been attacked from many angles and woven a modern, distinctive adventure. I am now going to re-read The Ninth Orphan.  –S.J. Hailey

An exceptional read, well written with just the right amount of explosive excitement that makes you sit up and take notice. Looking forward to the first and last in the trilogy which gives me the excuse to read the second one once again. –D. Catterall

The authors remind you The Orphan Factory is available now through to February 17th PST at the sharply discounted price of 99c. It’s available via Kindle at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008M9WWKW/

 

Happy reading! –Lance & James

 

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Books to read in 2014: From Murakami to Moore and more

Posted in #Chicago blog by Laura Pearson on Jan 8, 2014
From Going Clear to Tenth of December, from The Flamethrowers to less-talked-about-but-no-less-brilliant books (i.e., Mindsploitation), 2013 was a good year for reading. 2014 carries on strong, with a slew of noteworthy debut novels, new works by local authors and fresh fiction by familiar names such as E.L. Doctorow, Haruki Murakami and Lorrie Moore. With all the staring at screens we do, our resolution is to better balance a mostly web-based media diet with a healthy serving of escapist lit—both smart fiction and transporting nonfiction. No disrespect to e-readers, but we’re talking real books on real paper. Printed matter. Gutenberg shit. Here’s what will top our bedside stack of books this year. (It’s a tall stack.)

Little Failure by Gary Shteyngart (Random House, $27) The satirical novelist and prolific blurber‘s first memoir recalls his aspirations, struggles and family’s immigration to the U.S. from the Soviet Union. Out now.

Words Will Break Cement: The Passion of Pussy Riot by Masha Gessen (Riverhead, $16) Examining the arrest and incarceration of Russian punk band Pussy Riot, which captured international attention, this book by a Russian-American journalist was published early due to two members’ release from prison. Out now.

A Highly Unlikely Scenario, or a Neetsa Pizza Employee’s Guide to Saving the World by Rachel Cantor (Melville House, $16.95) In a future world where competing fast-food factions rule, an employee at a pizza chain manages the complaints hotline. It’s a mind-numbing job—until he’s contacted by a 13th-century explorer named Marco. Drawing comparisons to A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Shteyngart’s Super Sad True Love Story, this debut novel sounds anything but boring. Jan 14.

The Last Days of California by Mary Miller (Liveright, $24.95) We enjoyed Miller’s story collection, Big World, and don’t want to be left behind in reading her first novel, about a family from Montgomery, Alabama, on a westward road trip in anticipation of the Rapture. Jan 20.

Andrew’s Brain by E.L. Doctorow (Random House, $26) Exploring themes of truth and memory, Doctorow tells the story of a man with a habit of wreaking havoc. Jan 26.

Silence Once Begun by Jesse Ball (Pantheon, $23.95) The Chicago-based author of Samedi the Deafness and The Curfew returns with a story of the “Narito Disappearances,” in which eight people vanish from their homes in the same Japanese town, a single playing card left on each door. A journalist—also named Jesse Ball—is swept into the case. Jan 28.

A Life in Men by Gina Frangello (Algonquin, $15) The Chicago novelist, editor of The Nervous Breakdown and Sunday Editor of The Rumpus publishes her third book of fiction, about a woman with cystic fibrosis attempting to understand why a relationship with her best friend unraveled years prior—an investigation that leads to both questionable decisions and valuable discoveries. Feb 4.

The Dismal Science by Peter Mountford (Tin House, $15.95) A novel about identity, rationality and starting over, Mountford’s book follows a former VP at the World Bank as he tries to rebuild his life following a series of scandals and losses. Feb 11.

Bark by Lorrie Moore (Knopf, $24.95) Moore is often praised for her humor but we find many of her stories depressing. In particular, her most recent novel, A Gate at the Stairs, felt emotionally unsatisfying. That said, we’re still eager to read her first new collection in 15 years. The form suits her. Less is Moore. Feb 26.

A Man Called Destruction: The Life and Music of Alex Chilton, From Box Tops to Big Star to Backdoor Man by Holly George-Warren (Viking, $27.95) The first biography of the teen rock star, Big Star frontman, dishwasher and influential solo artist (in that order) was written by a Chilton acquaintance and draws on interviews with more than 100 bandmates, family members and friends. In the words of Big Star: Thank you, friends. Mar 20.

Every Day Is for the Thief by Teju Cole (Random House, $23) Revised and updated, this 2007 book by Nigerian-American writer Cole (Open City) was originally published in Africa and now makes its highly anticipated English-language debut. Mar 25.

You Feel So Mortal by Peggy Shinner (University of Chicago Press, $22) In a series of essays, the Chicago-based writer considers the body through various lenses—historical,  social and political—and via topics such as bras, feet and hair. Apr 1.

Let Go and Go On and On by Tim Kinsella (Curbside Splendor, $15,95) We’re fascinated by the premise of Kinsella’s second novel, a fictional riff on what happened to real-life cult actress Laurie Bird, who appeared in the films Two Lane Blacktop, Cockfighter and Annie Hall before committing suicide at age 26. Told in the second person, the novel considers the timeless lure of celebrity. Apr 15.

Walter Potter’s Curious World of Taxidermy by Dr. Pat Morris with Joanna Epstein (Blue Rider Press, $19.95) We wish we could go back in time and visit the quirky collection of curios of Walter Potter, a country taxidermist who created storybook-like scenes of kitten tea parties and sword-fighting squirrels. This book, stocked with photos, is the next best thing. Apr 17.

To Rise Again at a Decent Hour by Joshua Ferris (Little, Brown, $26) This novel follows the life of Paul O’Rourke, a man of many contradictions (i.e., a dentist who smokes), as someone begins to impersonate him online—and pretty well, creepily enough. It considers the real versus the virtual aspects of everyday life, and the absurdity of both. May 6.

An Untamed State by Roxane Gay (Grove Press, $16) In her first novel, Gay—co-editor of PANK, essays editor for The Rumpus and teacher at Eastern Illinois University (among other things; she’s everywhere!)—writes of a Haitian woman kidnapped for ransom, and what happens when her father refuses to pay her captors. May 6.

The WORN Archive: A Fashion Journal about the Art, Ideas, & History of What We Wear by Serah-Marie McMahon (Drawn and Quarterly, $29.95) This best-of collection of the smart Canadian fashion journal explores the places where fashion, art and pop culture intersect. Seems like a must-read for people who love clothes but, for example, hate the word “clothes horse.” May 6.

The 40s: The Story of a Decade by the New Yorker Magazine (Random House, $30) This portrait of an endlessly fascinating decade, from the perspective of The New Yorker, features contributors old and new, including Elizabeth Bishop, John Cheever, Shirley Jackson, Jill Lepore, Susan Orlean and Zadie Smith. May 6.

Once I Was Cool by Megan Stielstra (Curbside Splendor, $15.95) The seasoned storyteller—who, in addition to teaching and writing, has performed at Chicago’s 2nd Story storytelling series for more than a decade—presents a collection of personal essays that sounds quite cool. May 13.

Another Great Day at Sea: Life Aboard the USS George H.W. Bush by Geoff Dyer (Pantheon, $24.95) The veteran writer recalls his time aboard the American aircraft carrier and his lifelong fascination with military service. May 20.

The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez (Knopf, $24.95) The Chicago writer’s highly anticipated novel tells the love story of a Pananamian boy and Mexican girl—the latter of whom suffers a near-fatal accident—and the language, racial and cultural obstacles their families face in America. Jun 3.

Paper Lantern: Love Stories by Stuart Dybek (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $24) The distinguished author of I Sailed with Magellan and The Coast of Chicago publishes a collection of love stories, the titular one of which first appeared in The New Yorker in 1995. Jun 3.

Nobody Is Ever Missing by Catherine Lacey (FSG Originals, $14) In this new novel, a woman abruptly leaves her life in Manhattan, including a husband who has no idea what happened to her, on a one-way flight to New Zealand. There, she drifts farther into unknown territory—emotionally, mentally, as well as physically. Jul 8.

California by Edan Lepucki (Little, Brown, $26) Lepucki’s debut is an inventive take on the post-apocalytic novel, about a couple who moves from an isolated existence in the wilderness to a guarded community that, they soon realize, harbors terrifying secrets and unforeseen dangers. We’ll probably read this one on the morning commute instead of at bedtime. Jul 8.

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami (Knopf, $25) The English translation of the latest work by the much-loved Japanese writer arrives this summer. Thousands of people lined up at Tokyo bookstores at midnight to buy a copy. Aug 12.

Ancient Oceans of Kentucky by David Connerley Nahm (Two Dollar Radio, $15.50) Exploring small-town life in the middle of Kentucky, this debut novel tells the story of Leah, whose brother, Jacob, disappeared during their childhood. Now, as an adult, she directs a nonprofit organization, and a man shows up at work claiming to be Jacob. We anticipate a haunting and riveting read. Aug 12.

The Organized Mind: Thinking Straight in the Age of Information Overload by Daniel J. Levitin (Dutton, $27.95) What can we distractible types learn from those who manage to stay focused in a hyperconnected, details-drenched, technology-dependent world? Levitin lets us know. Aug 19.

The Fame Lunches: On Wounded Icons, Money, Sex, the Importance of Handbags, and Other Cultural Inquiries by Daphne Merkin (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, $27) The former New Yorker columnist examines faded icons, famous writers and the pervasive desire for celebrity in our present world. Aug 19.

A Load of Hooey by Bob Odenkirk (McSweeney’s, $24) We’re not quite sure what to expect from this first book by the hilarious comedian-writer, which promises to contain absurdist monologues, intentionally bad theater and “free-verse more powerful than the work of Calvin Trillin, Jewel and Robert Louis Stevenson combined”—besides utter hilarity. Sept 9.

A Different Bed Every Time by Jac Jemc (Dzanc Books, price not yet listed) Following her highly praise poetic novel, My Only Wife, the Chicago writer, poetry editor of decomP and fiction web editor for Hobart returns with a story collection this fall. Don’t miss it. October.

RECOMMENDED: Best books of 2013

To read more go to TimeOutChicago’s excellent blog at: http://www.timeoutchicago.com/arts-culture/books/16524926/books-to-read-in-2014-from-murakami-to-moore-and-more

Happy reading! –Lance & James

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In her revised and significantly expanded second edition of Writing a Killer Thriller, award-winning author Jodie Renner names our thriller series The Orphan Trilogy (The Ninth Orphan / The Orphan Factory / The Orphan Uprising) as a good example of a series thriller writers should read.

Recommended series

Ms Renner lists The Orphan Trilogy alongside selected works of James Patterson, Michael Crichton, Steve Berry, David Ignatius and others, describing them as “Thrillers that take you all over the world…Great for the armchair traveler!”

As the author says in her description of Writing a Killer Thriller: An Editor’s Guide to Writing Compelling Fiction:

Whether you’re planning your first novel or revising your fourth, you’ll discover lots of concrete ideas here for taking your fiction up a level or two, captivating readers, and gaining fans. Both published and aspiring authors of fast-paced, popular fiction will find these tips indispensable for plotting a riveting story and creating compelling characters, then writing a gripping opening and designing suspenseful scenes.

We haven’t read Writing a Killer Thriller yet. (Have been too busy writing to read unfortunately!). However, it’s on our ever-growing list of books to read. When we do, watch this space for our review.

Meanwhile, here’s a selection of reviews plucked from Amazon:

“Finally, someone who understands the thriller! More than ever an author must also be his own best editor and Jodie Renner is there to help. Writing a Killer Thriller should be on every thriller writer’s desk. It breaks down the thriller into its must-have component parts to write a scintillating, edge of the seat novel that will get readers buzzing and sales flowing.” ~ Robert Dugoni, New York Times bestselling author of The Jury Master and Murder One

“Writing a Killer Thriller by Jodie Renner is an in-depth journey through each component of the thriller. Renner breaks down the process into key elements, each essential to keeping the reader turning those pages. From character development to building suspense, Writing a Killer Thriller should be on the desk of every thriller author out there. A staple for the beginner, a refresher for the pro.” ~ Joe Moore, #1 Amazon and international bestselling co-author of The Blade and The Phoenix Apostles

“A killer of a thriller guide! Jodie Renner lays out, in clear, easy steps and lists, how the best writers craft their works of art – and shows how you can do it, too. A terrific how-to in avoiding the pitfalls and burnishing the gotta-haves of writing a bestselling thriller novel, by an editor who knows her way around action, drama and creating characters so fresh and real you’ll swear they were your friends.” ~ Shane Gericke, national bestselling and No. 1 Kindle bestselling author of Torn Apart

 

Warning: blatant advertising ahead!

The Orphan Trilogy is available as a Kindle ebook at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGGM05U/

 

Happy reading! –Lance & James

 

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                                                                          To be released soon!

The Orphan Conspiracies: 29 Conspiracy Theories from The Orphan Trilogy will be a departure from the usual for us: it’s non-fiction whereas all our other published titles to date – including The Orphan Trilogy (The Ninth Orphan / The Orphan Factory / The Orphan Uprising) and Fiji: A Novel – are works of fiction.

Most of our research into conspiracy theories comes from scoping and writing The Orphan Trilogy between 2004 and 2013. The Orphan Conspiracies will highlight the 29 conspiracies that feature in the trilogy, and will provide in depth studies of each with additional comment.

Dedicated to truth-seekers and whistleblowers everywhere, just some of the conspiracies featured will include False Flag operations, MK-Ultra and the secret history of mind control, human cloning, the US Federal Reserve, suppressed technologies, Bilderberg, the pharmaceutical conspiracy, the myth of a free media, Project Paperclip, secret CIA prisons, Area 52 and, most appropriately, experimentation on orphans…and many more.

Meanwhile, The Orphan Trilogy continues to be a regular visitor to Amazon’s bestseller lists. While the series has fictional characters, it shines the spotlight on real organizations and also on shadow groups rumored to exist in the real world. In many ways it merges fiction with reality.

           

The Orphan Trilogy thriller series is available via Amazon at:         http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGGM05U/

As one Amazon reviewer said of The Ninth Orphan (book one in the trilogy):

The authors manage to weave political intrigue, espionage, and eugenics into an exciting fabric of mystery and entertainment. The reader can’t but believe that the novel may not be only a work of fiction.

The Orphan Conspiracies will help readers bridge the gap between fact and fiction…

Watch this space! –Lance & James

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Book three in our conspiracy thriller series The Orphan Trilogy has maintained its average 5-star rating with Amazon reviewers with a stellar review from Lynelle Clark, Editor of the respected ‘Aspired Writer’ literary blog.

The Orphan Uprising

Here’s Ms Clark’s (abridged) review:

***** Great end to a series

A sad but fitting ending to a great series. It was my privilege to read all three books in this series, and what a wonderful and exciting read it was.

Book 3 continued years later with Nine and Seventeen as the main characters. Isabella in her supporting role as wife, mother and sister-in-law brought the human aspect back in as their struggle continue to outrun and outwit the Omega Agency.

This time the Agency’s target was Nine’s son, seven year old Francis. Abducted from his home, we once again traveled the world with Nine as he searched for his son. As always you are drawn into the plot as it unfolds with its many layers, that kept you guessing and hoping until the very end…

Fast paced and well written the story meet up with the family, Isabella far advance in her second pregnancy, and Nine struggling with a heart condition when their son is abducted. It took all of Nine’s skills to search and destroy the Agency that once trained him. Now he used everything he knew against them, running against time to get his son from this diabolic group.

Led by Naylor, they did everything they could to prevent Nine…This man was brutal, ruthless, and a heartless bastard with no emotions as he tried to catch Nine and Isabella, using people as he wished with no second thought. Their was no remorse as he hunts them down, his main objective to get them out of the way to go ahead with his cloning project, with Francis as his main focus…

I loved the way the authors brought in each orphan as Nine and Seventeen met them, reminiscing about their youth before they did the ultimate…As always the book was filled with descriptive and in-depth scenes, interesting characters and great story line. From Tahiti, Greenland, America and to the heart of the DRC this was evident. Plotting and scheming with Drug Lords and Militia Captain’s to get the job done…

Nine’s determination, skills and cunningness put him ahead of the Agency, willing to risk all to save his son. His humanity more at the forefront as he raced against his own heart problems, not willing to stop until…

A great book and series I can recommend to all readers who loves a good spy thriller with all the elements of action, adventure and humanity inside to give you hours of enjoyable reads…Loved it.

For Lynelle Clark’s full review go to:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BFC66DM/

For anyone interested in The Orphan Trilogy box set (3 books in 1) go to: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGGM05U/

 

The Orphan Trilogy (The Ninth Orphan / The Orphan Factory / The Orphan Uprising) 

                                               

Happy reading! –Lance & James

 

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