RE-RELEASED JUNE 2012 with over 90 Pages of never before published Bonus Material. THE JAKARTA PANDEMIC In the late fall of 2013, a lethal pandemic virus emerges from the Islamic Republic of Indonesia (IRI) and rages unchecked across every continent. When the Jakarta Flu threatens his picture perfect Maine neighborhood, Alex Fletcher, Iraq War veteran, is ready to do whatever it takes to keep his family safe. As a seasoned sales representative for Biosphere Pharmaceuticals, makers of a leading flu virus treatment, Alex understands what a deadly pandemic means for all of them. He particularly knows that strict isolation is the only guaranteed way to protect his family from the new disease. With his family and home prepared for an extended period of seclusion, Alex has few real concerns about the growing pandemic. But as the deadliest pandemic in human history ravages northern New England, and starts to unravel the fabric of their Maine neighborhood, he starts to realize that the flu itself is the least of his problems. A mounting scarcity of food and critical supplies turns most of the neighbors against him, and Alex is forced to confront their unexpected hostility before it goes too far. Just when he thinks it can't get any worse, the very face of human evil arrives on Durham Rd and threatens to destroy them all. Alex and his few remaining friends band together to protect the neighborhood from a threat far deadlier than the flu, as they edge closer to the inevitable confrontation that will test the limits of their humanity. From the author: "The Jakarta Pandemic was an enjoyable, yet sobering story to write. The likelihood of experiencing a devastating pandemic in our lifetime is quite real, and this cautionary tale explores the strengths and weaknesses of community bonds, in the face of such an epic civil disaster. Told from a father's point of view, the story focuses on the human elements that shape our ability to survive, and should never be ignored. Survival in the face of desperation, anger and betrayal...a bad combination in the crowded suburbs, as food and life-critical supplies start to vanish. This book puts you in the middle of a likely and frighteningly realistic scenario, where everyone is a potential victim...no matter how well you think you prepared for The Jakarta Pandemic. Enjoy the ride, Steve."
"I write techno-thrillers and apocalyptic stories with gritty, often unapologetic themes. I don't believe in black and white, so strap in for a roller coaster ride through conflicted territory, where the right decision is rarely obvious...and always comes at a difficult price."
Steven graduated with merit from the U.S. Naval Academy, receiving a Bachelor of Science in English Literature. At one point, he studied Shakespeare and Electrical Engineering during the same semester. He was one of sixteen graduating Ensigns selected for the U.S. Navy's elite Special Warfare program (SEALs).
He served the next eight years on active duty in various Navy and Marine Corps units, training with the Navy SEALs, driving warships, and directly guiding every conceivable munition onto target. From Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations as a boarding officer in the Arabian Gulf to directing Close Air Support (CAS) as a Forward Air Control (FAC) assigned to a specialized Marine Corps unit, Steven's "in-house" experience with a wide variety of regular and elite military units brings a unique authenticity to his writing.
Upon resigning his commission, Steven moved with his family to coastal southern Maine, where he wakes up at "zero dark thirty" to write, before reporting to his day job. When "off duty," he struggles to strike a balance between a woefully short sailing season and unreasonably long winter.
You can contact Steven directly by email (skonkoly@earthlink.net) or through his blog (www.stevenkonkoly.com).
