Philip S. DonlayCritiques

Speed of Dawn is a fast paced thriller by Philip Donlay. With the current California fires that are raging, the race to escape the fires in the novel definitely hits home. Would read more by this author.

This disaster thriller was my first read of this author but I will certainly go back to read his previous works. The plot grabs you from the beginning and fast pace and intense action follow. Big action, big suspense, big thrillers. Highly recommend.

I enjoyed this book. I wasn't able to put in down. It was a little a far fetched but it was intriguing.

Donovan Nash and his wife, Dr. Lauren McKenna are about to be separated by a wall of fire laid across California by fractured meteors and shattered satellites. The action is fast-paced and creates a vision of destruction that will keep you glued to the page as you hold your own breath, waiting to see what will happen next. Tsunamis, fire tornadoes and the institution of military law are not enough to stop Donovan and Lauren, along with the rest of their EcoWatch crew, from finding each other and coming to the rescue of hundreds of stranded survivors. Toss in a criminal, drug-raiding motorcycle gang and the shocking reveal of Donovan's true identity and this one keeps you going to the very last page.

A massive wildfire is started by the collision of a comet with man-made satellites in orbit around the earth. The large comet fragments into several smaller meteors and in a domino effect the comet fragments and sections of damaged satellites pinball into the other man-made objects in orbit. Without warning, a shower of deadly missiles begins to strike from the Mississippi west out into the Pacific Ocean. The greatest concentration falls on Monterey Bay, California, igniting massive wildfires that could destroy everything north as far as San Francisco and possibly even inland to Oakland.

Donovan Nash is in Monterey for the official launch of the “Howard ‘Buck’ Buckley,” an Eco-Watch ship named after a good friend and Eco-Watch colleague who died in Guatemala. He is in the path of a deadly tsunami created by the meteors striking the Pacific Ocean off Monterey Bay. His wife, Dr. Lauren McKenna is in a Gulfstream in route from the east coast to the ceremony when comet and satellite fragments begin to pelt the Gulfstream. McKenna makes it to safety and assumes the leading role in fighting the massive wildfires. Nash is encircled by fires, and the only feasible option for stopping them before they destroy San Francisco will cut off all possibility of escape for Nash.

“Speed The Dawn” is the eighth novel in the Donovan Nash series and Donlay’s uninspiring effort to inform readers of the earlier history brings the action to a screeching halt. His flat, stilted approach is the antithesis of the “show, don’t tell” axiom for effective writing. His description of the principle characters is straight out of Lake Woebegon, where everyone is above average: all are exceptional. We know because he says so, not because of anything they do. Readers who have not read earlier Donovan Nash novels will be able to understand and enjoy “Speed The Dawn,” although perhaps not without a bit of cynicism after being “told” about the special qualities of the supporting cast.

Following the resolution of the primary focus, Donlay prolongs the novel another 60 pages to resolve tangential, somewhat uninteresting subplots. Everyone congratulates everyone else, and everyone assures everyone else that they are “family” and that they love them. Enough already!

Perhaps the most troubling aspect introduced towards the end of the book concerns Nash’s identify. Nash is so concerned about the possible revelation of his identify that he contemplates leaving the country, hiding in Austria, and changing his name. I did not find this to be convincing. A stronger justification for the concealed identify or elimination the plot line would improve “Speed The Dawn”.

Nevertheless, “Speed The Dawn” sandwiches a solid action thriller between the troublesome beginning and anticlimactic end. I am not familiar with the dynamics of wildfires but the scenarios Donlay postulates seemed to be quite plausible and the conundrums they pose make for an interesting story. I found myself wondering time and again how Nash could possibly escape from the fires that encircled him and when he finally did I felt Donlay provided an honest (i.e., plausible as opposed to “magical”) solution.

In an exciting tale of meteorites, death, destruction and love; Philip Donlay puts together a cast of characters who rely on each other but work independently to solve the nation’s newest crisis.

Lots of good, researched information on disasters, fires, floods and the like pop up in this story. The characters, all tied together in a family bond without blood, are all very well written.

The only thing I don’t like is this is the 8th Donovan Nash novel and now I have to backtrack and read the rest!½

This is my first experience with author Philip Donlay and his Donovan Nash series. While there are several previous novels in the series, I did not feel lost starting with this one. The relationships between characters were quickly established and were plausible for their character type. The pace was that of a runaway train that keeps the reader engaged. Some reviewers have criticized it as beach fiction but if you enjoy a good thriller for any reason this is an excellent choice. I have another series to populate my groaning bookshelves.

I have never read any books by this other, but I was not disappointed in the book. Right from the start it was a run away. This is a fast passed thriller. It will keep you turning the pages to find out what is going to happen next.

This book is part of a series but it can be a stand alone book. The characters are well round and you can't but love them and cheer them on. The author makes you feel like you know each one of them

We meet Donovan, his wife Lauren who works for the government and the group they work with called the EcoWatch. They are in California when a giant meteor shower hits setting of fires. From there on a hell breaks loss and people are trying to get away. They try to work to find a way of controlling the fires and but them out. Also to save the lives of many of thousand of people trapped and no way out.

You need to hold on to your seat for a ride of your life. You will find yourself holding your breath. There where times I did not know if they would make it out. You will sit there and cheer for them and times you will cry for fear they would not make it out. I could not put it down because I had to know what would happen next.

Speed the Dawn bu Philip Donlay is a pretty good book. I would probably have enjoyed the book if I had read the earlier Donovan Nash novels. It took awhile to catch up on some of the characters and how they fit together.

The story is based on unknown meteor striking the earth and a number of man-made satellites in orbit. Most of the impacts were on the west coast in the Monterrey peninsula. The impacts cause a tsunami that strikes the peninsula and sets off a number of wild fires. The story revolves around the rescue of people trapped, fighting the fires, and interpersonal story among the main characters.

Overall it was a good read for my vacation.½

book was an easy read and very enjoyable. although it was fiction you can see how it could become a reality. i will be looking to go back and read the first book in the series so i can read and find out more about the key players. this was a library thing give away which is why i read it to give the reveiw because sadly library thing dosen't let you know when offering the book that it was the eight book in the series like goodread dose

If I owned a book store there would a section for books ideal for beach/pool/summer reading. This book Speed the dawn would be in that section.
Yes what happens in the “could happen” in real life, though probably not like it does in the book.
There is plenty of action and the main characters all seem to make it through in the end.
I have not read any of the previous books in this series, but the author does a good job of filling in backstory throughout the book.
Like all beach/pool/summer books you have to suspend some logic and belief as the events unfold, but is that a bad thing? These type of books are supposed to entertain you, and this book succeeds in doing that.
A meteor smashes into some satellites breaks apart and while taking out more satellites then everything begins to fall to earth, mostly in California and into the Pacific. You have massive fires, tsunamis, carnage, looting, government ineptness, and the hero group.
What is there not to like and enjoy.
I will definitely check out other books in the series.
Thank you to Oceanview books for the ARC copy of this book.½

Let me begin by saying I received this book through Library Things give away and I am offering my thanks you for selecting me to receive the book I am not big on writing reviews that outline the plot or characters of a story that I am commenting on here because by the time you read this you will most likely know what the book is about. Speed the Dawn is well written and fast paced - in fact it was almost like watching a movie in my head. As an older person I appreciate the type size and line spacing in the book. That may seem an odd comment to you - but I have vision problems and sometimes although I would like to read a particular book I don't because the print is so smell and the lines crammed together. This book, while I am glad to have had the opportunity to read it, is in fact not my taste in literature. For those of you who read this - please give the book a chance and rad it and judge for yourself. I do feel this is a book many men might well enjoy.

Generally, when I read thrillers or mysteries I find them falling into one of two types. The first gets my mind working outside of the story itself. I find myself wondering about a character or the setting or an art style or an historical event or ...... The second is what I call beach fiction. Mindless entertainment suitable for the moment, but worthy enough that I don't feel like time wasted away.

This belongs to the latter. It served as a pleasant distraction from a heavy snow storm in the upper midwest without requiring much effort to digest. It served its purpose well enough, and I will add Donlay to the list of authors to take on a camping trip when I might want to steal a few moments of relaxation. But I will not look for a Donovan Nash novel when I want some time to get lost in a book.½

Meteors have struck earth. Satellites are either coming down with the meteors or are in jeopardy. One strike caused a tsunami, meteors still falling & fires everywhere. No utilities. Emergency personnel have evacuated. Story starts late afternoon of the first day and follows the main characters thru to morning. Extremely well-written action and suspense thriller. Right up my alley.

This is my first Donlay book and being impressed, I’ve been trying to find the first 7 books in this series. No luck! Why? IDK. Very intense thriller (sometimes a little too intense). And no bad guys to blame for the disaster. I like that for a change. Feels like it could come true. Lots of backstory-probably from first 7 books-but didn’t detract from this story. Free LibraryThing ARC. Happy to give it 4 out of 5 stars. Hope to find and read more from this author.

This is the 8th book in the Donovan Nash series but my first. I won't bother with writing what this book is about because if you've gotten this far then you know. From the first paragraph I was hooked and knew that I would not be able to put this book down until I finished the last page. In the first couple of chapters there was enough back story that I knew who was who and who belong together. The characters are written in such a way that they practically jump off the pages and you immediately feel like you know them and like them. Every page had me sitting on the edge of my seat and I had to remind myself to relax. From the beginning to the end I was not disappointed. If you like an action packed book then this is the book to read. As I said this is my first Philip Donlay/Donovan Nash but I see the first 7 in my future as I now have another favorite author.

I received this from LibraryThing Early Reviewer for an honest review.

If you love books where the storyline moves quickly and will grab your attention making you want more then get this book! I just couldn’t put it down and even braved the cold to sit outside while I waited on my dogs so I could keep reading; I needed to know what was going to happen. The author has a great talent for character development so that you become invested in these characters making them seem like they are real people. It’s just a fantastic adventure.

This was my first time reading a Philip Donlay book and since he proved his talent for writing great books I really want to read more by him.

Thank you Netgalley and Oceanview for allowing me to review this book.

A plane disappears in Eastern Europe.
No one knows if it was brought down deliberately, but Donovan Nash's attempt to find the truth centres on his estranged wife, Lauren, also known as Pegasus by CIA, who was on the plane.
A fast moving gripping story which kept me on the edge of my seat.
A great read!

A CIA plane disappears in Eastern Europe.
No one knows if it was brought down deliberately, but Donovan Nash's attempt to find the truth centres on his estranged wife, Lauren, also known as Pegasus by C I A, who was on the plane.
A fast moving gripping story which kept me on the edge of my seat.
A great read!
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Ocean View Publications via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.

DEADLY ECHOES
By Philip Donlay
I picked this book up thinking it sounded interesting. Boy, was I wrong. It was more than interesting. Fantastic comes to mind. So does gripping. Once I started, I couldn’t put this book down.
Eco-Watch is a scientific research organization founded by Donovan Nash. It took Donovan a long time and a lot of sweat to build this international institution up to being one of the most solicited in the world. Its technology has been applied to protect the environment in ways other companies could not. But now it’s being attacked by Garrick Pearce, the one person who knows Donovan’s true past. Garrick wants to not only tell the world Donovan’s real identity but to annihilate Eco-Watch and kill anyone close to Donovan. Garrick has a personal vendetta—he believes Donovan is responsible for Meredith Barnes’s death, a woman who fought for the environment and whom Garrick was in love with.
From Alaska to British Columbia to Los Angeles and many other places in between, Donovan follows leads. Garrick taunts him with past pictures of Meredith. He is forced to commit his own crimes as he tries to protect his wife Lauren, daughter Abigail, and a new woman he meets—Erica. Donovan’s marriage was already on the rocks and when Erica makes an appearance in Donovan’s life, it makes Donovan’s personal life go from upsetting to terrifying. Erica holds information that can take down Garrick and his cohorts, but Donovan must keep everyone from getting killed, himself included, in order to use that knowledge.
Not only is Donovan fighting to save Eco-Watch but he’s also racing to save his family, friends, his marriage, and his personal past from being made public. If the world finds out who he really is, not only will Eco-Watch be ruined but his world as he knows it will implode. It’s a race to the finish. From beginning to end, this is one thrill ride that I highly recommend.
Reviewed by Starr Gardinier, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story”

This book is all action from the get go and does not let up until the last page. The pace is relentless.

The characters are well defined both initially and throughout the story with flashbacks. You get to feel for the characters and hope that Nash will be successful in his mission. What I did find distracting was the author’s constant references to very recent events (possibly what happened in the previous book) namely a recent injury and marital issues. Yet the plot twists make this for an edge-of-the seat read.

This book has everything that murder, mystery thriller readers love. Yet we know from early on who the protagonist is and what they are doing so it is more a case of cat and mouse than a true mystery thriller. Although this could be read as a standalone book, this reader feels that more would be gained from reading the entire series in order. The book is very well written with brilliant prose and this reader wished that they had started at the beginning of the series, so I will have to go back and start again.

Full Disclosure: ARC received from Netgalley for an honest review.

DEADLY ECHOES
By Philip Donlay
I picked this book up thinking it sounded interesting. Boy, was I wrong. It was more than interesting. Fantastic comes to mind. So does gripping. Once I started, I couldn’t put this book down.
Eco-Watch is a scientific research organization founded by Donovan Nash. It took Donovan a long time and a lot of sweat to build this international institution up to being one of the most solicited in the world. Its technology has been applied to protect the environment in ways other companies could not. But now it’s being attacked by Garrick Pearce, the one person who knows Donovan’s true past. Garrick wants to not only tell the world Donovan’s real identity but to annihilate Eco-Watch and kill anyone close to Donovan. Garrick has a personal vendetta—he believes Donovan is responsible for Meredith Barnes’s death, a woman who fought for the environment and whom Garrick was in love with.
From Alaska to British Columbia to Los Angeles and many other places in between, Donovan follows leads. Garrick taunts him with past pictures of Meredith. He is forced to commit his own crimes as he tries to protect his wife Lauren, daughter Abigail, and a new woman he meets—Erica. Donovan’s marriage was already on the rocks and when Erica makes an appearance in Donovan’s life, it makes Donovan’s personal life go from upsetting to terrifying. Erica holds information that can take down Garrick and his cohorts, but Donovan must keep everyone from getting killed, himself included, in order to use that knowledge.
Not only is Donovan fighting to save Eco-Watch but he’s also racing to save his family, friends, his marriage, and his personal past from being made public. If the world finds out who he really is, not only will Eco-Watch be ruined but his world as he knows it will implode. It’s a race to the finish. From beginning to end, this is one thrill ride that I highly recommend.
Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story”

Deadly Echoes by Philip Donlay

Outstanding thriller by a seasoned storyteller. Loved the characters, the fast moving plot, the weaving of the sense of place into the story at every turn. A first-rate thriller is every respect. Highly recommended.

DP Lyle, award-winning author of the Dub Walker and Samantha Cody thriller series

Book Review & Giveaway: We’re participating in the Spring Cleaning Giveaway Hop and have chosen Zero Separation by Philip Donlay as our giveaway. To make it even more fun, we’ve got multiple copies to give away! The first person chosen will receive a hardcover finished copy and the next two people chosen will each receive an advance readers copy (ARC) of this political thriller!

Zero Separation is an action-packed, nail-biting thriller featuring political intrigue and the threat of biological weapons unleashed on an unsuspecting public. It never stops moving from Page 1 and I couldn’t put it down. If you like roller-coaster rides with in-your-throat suspense then you’re going to want to check this one out! And you could win a copy at http://popcornreads.com/?p=5607.

Donovan Nash has a secret. Veronica (Ronnie) Montero figures it out and threatens to reveal it unless he helps her track down some extraordinarily evil bad guys.

If you like thrillers, this will be a great read for you. The twists and turns. The suspense. I liked these people and rooted for them to make it all better. They come close. Sometimes, life doesn't turn out like we what it to.

One thing I really appreciated about the book was the lack of swearing. Too many of this genre think that saying bad words will help us to recognize toughness. It doesn't.½

2.99

March 21, 2013

325 pgs