Matthew Bayan

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

I’m really excited about the 250th birthday of the United States. Starting last year, I began writing two adventure/thriller novels to shed light on how and why the American colonists turned their backs on England. The first, 1756: SEEDS OF FREEDOM, features an orphaned teen boy who must grow up quickly as the Seven Years War between France and England erupts around him. This war sowed the seeds of dissent as the British more and more treated colonists as second-class citizens.

In 1776: REVOLT we see where those abuses have become so onerous that revolt becomes inevitable. Connor, the hero from 1756, is twenty years older. He engages on a spy mission for his friend, Ben Franklin, and finds himself in a crucible of espionage, betrayal, and the constant threat of torture and death.

I’ll try to squeeze a third novel into the series while we’re still in 2026, but it might have to spill over into 2027.

Weird Note: A number of years ago I released BLAST RADIUS, which featured a futuristic jet called the FX (because it flies like sci-fi special effects). I used the advanced weapon almost like a character. I gave it capabilities far beyond the current crop of US weaponry, maybe something that would exist in twenty or thirty years. Or so I thought. I was "contacted" by a government agent who wanted to know how I got top secret information. He wouldn't accept that the FX was a product of my imagination until I produced my early computer notes for the book which were dated in 2003. From his questions I inferred that several of the capabilities of my imaginary jet were, in fact, being developed for the next generation of American military jets.

Am I off their radar? I don't know. Since then I watch what I say on the phone.

12-24-2023 - With the Iran-sponsored attacks on Israel, BLAST RADIUS suddenly becomes relevant again. One of the main plot elements is Iran stirring up a war with Israel that results in a nuclear confrontation. How close are we to that now?

The most moving thing that ever happened to me was after the publication of EAT FAT, BE HEALTHY. I got an email from a man in Australia who told me I saved his life. I stared at the wall for five minutes thinking that I almost didn't write that book.

THE TAKER. This book gave me nightmares as I wrote it. So, readers might want to sleep with the lights on for a while.

FOUND

Time travel to ancient Egypt and solving the mystery of how King Tut died. Murder or accident?