Jul 98 min read
A Journey Through History: An Interview with Travis Davis, Award-Winning Author of 'One of Four'
In this exclusive interview, I had the privilege of sitting with Travis Davis, the acclaimed and award-winning author of One of Four ...
“Smart, detailed, and highly entertaining! The story resonates with spirit, blending fiction with reality and tragedy with triumph into a compelling thriller.
Check it out!”
— Steve Berry —
New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author
Going Dark is a gripping dual timeline thriller that takes readers on a high-stakes journey through the hidden world of hackers and terrorism, exposing the vulnerabilities of a society increasingly reliant on technology.
In the aftermath of 9/11, remnants of Bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda network quietly infiltrated the U.S. heartland, lying dormant for over two decades. On Thanksgiving Day, they strike—triggering a sinister cyber-terrorist plot poised to plunge America into unparalleled digital darkness. But it’s only the beginning.
Paul Knox, a seasoned NSA cybersecurity expert and former Air Force communications officer, is thrust into a clandestine conflict spanning generations. As Knox delves into a complex web of cyber intrigue, he must confront both the mission's high stakes and personal demons, including the unwitting involvement of his daughter, Emma, a brilliant MIT computer scientist who holds the key to the next-generation internet.
The narrative intertwines with the origin story of the Liberty Unit's first member, John "Jack" Jouett. In 1791, Jouett embarks on a perilous mission to deliver a critical message from Thomas Jefferson to General Henry Knox, altering the Revolutionary War's trajectory.
As the lines between past and present blur, Knox races against time to save his daughter and unravel mysteries that could reshape history. Going dark won’t be a problem for a man who’s spent his life tracking the “worst of the worst” on the dark web. But in this game, every move could be his last.
“Smart, detailed, and highly entertaining! The story resonates with spirit, blending fiction with reality and tragedy with triumph into a compelling thriller. Check it out!”
— Steve Berry —
New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author
“With its gripping blend of cyber intrigue and historical drama, GOING DARK is more than just a thriller—it's a testament to the enduring power of loyalty, legacy, and the unbreakable bond between a father and his daughter. A must-read for anyone who's ever pondered the price of freedom and the sacrifices made in its name.”
— Ryan Steck —
The Real Book Spy and author of the OUT FOR BLOOD
***
“If you are a fan of thrillers, historical fiction, and great writing, this one is for you. I highly recommend it. How he put two parts of history together is masterful.”
— Travis Davis —
Pulitzer Prize Nominated Author and author of One of Four
***
“Riveting! George Mehok delivers a stunning debut. With vivid story-telling and intricate plotting, he peels away level after level of today’s most challenging issues. GOING DARK is a multi-layered and compelling thriller, weaving history into the future with a tapestry of strong characters and compelling moral and personal choices. Mehok really does know his stuff.”
— Humphrey Hawksley —
author of best-selling DRAGON STRIKE future history series and RAKE OZENNA international espionage series; Editorial Director, Asian Affairs; Host, The Democracy Forum; Anchor, The Goldster Magazine Show; former BBC Beijing Bureau Chief, Asia and World Affairs Correspondent.
***
“Going Dark by George K. Mejok was packed with suspense, which kept me engaged until the very end! It successfully merges a contemporary storyline with a historical backstory in a way that makes you feel like you are concurrently living in two different eras. As you turn the page, you are compelled to read further in order to live through both a modern day flawed hero and a historical hero who is nothing short of traditional. Yet these two heros are tied in an unimaginable way. My recommendation: read this book! I promise you will not be sorry, only captivated until the end, and possibly wishing for more!”
~ Jessica S., Goodreads
***
“Wow. Amazing. I just wasn't expecting such a griping, cannot-put-down read. I finished it in one day. I never thought I would like the two stories - one current and one in the past to work, but boy does it. I found it gripping and the author has a way with words. Everything seemed so smooth I was engrossed in the storylines from the beginning. I love the parallelism with the history of our nation. A wonderful and great read. This will become a classic and what folks will be talking about in the months to come.”
~ Kenn H.
“This dual timeline follows two men in the Jouett family. Jack is fighting in the Revolutionary war and is on a special mission for Thomas Jefferson. Paul is living in the present and is fighting in the war against the dark web and cyber terrorism. Both became members of an elite unit that answers only to the President. One is fighting to create a nation; the other to preserve our nation. While I did not understand much of the coding and networking language, I did appreciate the complexity and our utter dependency of it working correctly. Going Dark, by George Mehok was a fascinating and scary read.”
~ NetGallery Reviewer
***
“This is an explosive dual timeline story that is perfect for history buffs. This is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat. You won't want to put it down.”
~ Teresa W.
George is an author, technologist and angel investor. He’s spent his career designing software and leading high-performing technology teams for global leaders in the financial services, telecommunications, and aerospace industries. He has contributed to numerous tech journals and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, CIOReview, and InformationWeek on topics such as mobile, cybersecurity, and data analytics. In 2013, he won Craine's Business Magazine CIO of the Year award, and his work has been recognized by InformationWeek's Annual Elite 100 ranking of the most innovative US-based users of technology. Society's ever-increasing dependency on everything tech―and the vulnerabilities it creates―has inspired his thriller writing.
and receive
How To Protect Your Data From Hackers and Ransomware Attacks,
plus a sample of my soon-to-be-released book:
GOING DARK: A Liberty Unit Novel.
I enjoy receiving feedback from my Beta Reader Team members and in return let me send you an article I wrote, "How to Protect Your Data from Cyber Hackers and Ransomware Attacks."
I've spent the majority of my professional career implementing security protocols to ensure corporate data is protected and want to share that experience with my beta reader community. However, don't be surprised by the simplicity of the recommendations, the tips to protecting your information are not rocket science, and like most things in life require a bit of common sense combined with knowing how the enemy thinks.
“Your mind expands when you give, your heart expands when you share, and your soul expands when you are charitable.”
~ Matshona Dhliwayo