Ajay was one of the best hackers in the world when he retired from the NSA, and a lonely life in a heavily surveilled Minnesota town hasn’t dulled his skills one bit, thank you very much. When his estranged daughter knocks on his door with her two daughters in tow, he hopes it’s his chance to become part of her family again.
But she needs more than just a sitter for his two willful granddaughters. She needs someone to keep them safe — from who, she won’t say.
Before, he failed at being a father so badly that he’s afraid he can never make amends. Thrust back into a world of secrecy and cyberwarfare, Ajay now must uncover what makes his granddaughters valuable — and dangerous.
Targeted Age Group:: Adult
What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
This book was inspired by my incredible grandfather. He was an inventor and immune to pain, so I thought he'd be a pretty good hero for a cyberthriller.
How is writing Science Fiction different from other genres?
To me, science fiction really unlocks the imagination. It lets me think about what our future might look like and gives me a view of what we might do to achieve or avoid that future. Really, it's all about the characters, but how those characters interact with technology is always going to be fascinating for me.
How Did You Come up With Your Characters?
My characters are inspired in part by real people. Ajay has traits that I've only ever seen in my own grandfather. His granddaughters take a lot of inspiration from my own kids and from other children I've taught or worked with.
Book Sample
The smile twitched at the corners of his mouth. “Do you ever feel like you ought to respect your elders a little more?” Ajay asked.
Jackson glanced at the back of his hand, where a holographic display showed red warnings. He shook it and tried again. “Are you jamming us?”
Ajay kept his face impassive, even as his heart skipped from the rush of adrenaline.
Jackson grabbed Ajay’s coat and pulled him close, looking him in the eyes. After a long moment, he shoved the old man back, causing him to stumble and fall painfully to the hard earth. Ajay reached into his pocket, wincing at the heat coming from the black box. Hoping it wasn’t damaged, he thumbed the control and switched off the jamming signal.
“It was nice seeing you again, Jackson,” Ajay said.
Jackson’s display came alive with alerts. “Bloody hell, Andersen,” said Jackson. Then, to the others, “Move back! Everyone back in the trucks.” In a flurry of movement and roar of diesels, the hired men retreated from the tower, leaving Ajay in a heap.
Ajay scrambled the final few feet back into the tower.
The explosion struck like a snow plow hits roadkill. Heat washed over Ajay, flattening him with concussive force. Bricks rained down outside.
Links to Purchase Print Books
Link to Buy Grandfather Anonymous Print Edition at Amazon
Links to Purchase eBooks
Link To Buy On Amazon
Social Media:
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
About the Author:
Anthony W. Eichenlaub (he/him) writes his novels while surviving yet another frozen Minnesota winter. His shorter works can be found in the anthology A Punk Rock Future as well as in the publications On Spec Magazine and Little Blue Marble. In his free time he enjoys woodturning, 3D printing, and long walks with his lazy dog. Find more of his works at https://anthonyeichenlaub.com
Leave a Reply