65 Below
Basil Sands releases his second novel, 65 Below.
After twenty years hunting terrorists under orders to “render harmless”, USMC Master Sergeant Marcus Orlando Johnson, Mojo to his friends, settles into a quiet rural retirement on his childhood home in the Alaskan backwoods. But the idyllic retirement is shattered when Marcus comes across soldiers of America’s staunchest enemy who are about to unleash a nightmarish biological weapon on the world from the most unexpected of places.
With the help of his ex-fiancee, the beautiful Korean born State Trooper Lonnie Wyatt, and the chance reunion of his old special operations buddy Harley Wasner, they race to stop a potentially devastating terrorist attack with worldwide implications but even nature is against them as the temperatures plummet to 65 below.
September 18th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
I can’t wait!
October 21st, 2007 at 3:19 pm
This is starting out great.. really nice read..”jones’en” for more..
October 24th, 2007 at 9:18 am
Glad to be your addiciton supplier.
BTW - sorry some of the episodes have been a bit scattered, that’s all being worked out. In the meantime I will keep producing and keep the audio IV plugged in with your medication.
Keep an eye out for a Bonus Episode on my Podcast…Karl’s Last Flight…the cast of character recently did an interview to let folks know what’s going on.
In the meantime, it’s snowing up here in Alaska and I’m jones’n for the slopes at the moment…
October 24th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Go to my website, www.basilsands.com, and vote for your favorite Podcast / Story on the comments page. Leave a posting and let me know what you think.
November 2nd, 2007 at 8:34 pm
good book so far but is Chapter 15-16 only 5min ?
or did it get cut off ?
November 3rd, 2007 at 1:54 am
Yeah, I see what you mean. I believe it is a tech error and should be resolved ASAP. Thanks for bringing it right up….that’s a really intense chapter too…hate to get short changed on the blood and carnage….
November 3rd, 2007 at 8:39 am
no worry I was not sure if it was a cliff hanger lol
its all good
November 5th, 2007 at 11:28 am
Great storytelling!
November 7th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Basil, 65 Below is a great book you lit a slow burning fuse and I egarly wait for the explosion that will come. I listen to many audiobooks per month both commercial and Podcast (upto 6 books a week at times). I rank you with Koontz, Kellerman etc. Your reading style enhances the story you project excitement without going overboard, this can only come from the confidence of Knowing you have a solid story. I appreciate your depiction of many races in positive roles (being African American/Hispanic myself). Keep up the good work and I’ll keep my tray table in the up and locked position
November 8th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
I agree with P. Spencer. I also listen to a huge number of audio/podio/podcasts per week. I have a very boring job and your books keep me going through my shift. I look forward to the next episode. I would add to P. Spencer’s list with a touch of Tom Clancy. Very compelling reading.
Thank You
November 14th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Basil, I recently finished listening to “1917″ and “Karl’s Last Flight” and wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed them both! As a former member of the 75th Rangers, 101st Airborne Div. who served 2 tours of duty in Vietnam, “1917″ brought back the gut wrenching emotions I was very familiar with. As to “Karl’s Last Flight”, although I thoroughly enjoyed it, I have to say there was one sequence of events that seemed totally unrealistic and not explained at all. How in the world did Liam and Massoud get themselves onto the flightline of the MiGs at the Iranian base and why was there only 1 armed guard posted to guard 8 nuclear armed planes, even though there were scores and scores of Iranian armed troops on the base? I found this rather laughable and totally unrealistic. Other than that, I have nothing but praise for your work and look forward to listening to “65 Below” and any subsequent works you do. Thom
November 23rd, 2007 at 4:18 pm
lol just hear the news chapter chapter 22 is at the end not the beginning
thought it was a flash back of the bad guy of what happen. all though it still works
November 24th, 2007 at 1:05 am
Man…thanks for catching that and reporting it Matthew, the fix is on the way for the rest of the listeners…hope the mix up didn’t cause too much confusion
November 24th, 2007 at 9:39 am
like I said I just thought it was a flash back for the bad guy
November 27th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
Basil, I have just started listening to 65 Below and am thoroughly enjoying it, problem is I am getting through it faster than you are producing it so soon I will desperate! Thank goodness I have found another of your stories to download. Your writing style (and own narration) is just excellent. Please keep up the good work!
November 29th, 2007 at 10:08 am
I have just found your book 65 below…. I love it. How cool is it that you put it in place so close to home. I live in Healy and if ever in the area come on by. www.juhlhouse.com
I currently work at a Usibelli coalmine, and your book lets my brain run wild while doing the daily grind. Thanks again and God bless. Joe
December 19th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Found 65 Below on Podiocast and have listened to it every day on the way to and from work. Good book! Thanks for offering it as an audiobook for free. Hard to find new authors who write this type of story (techno,military,suspense) and aren’t afraid to still make the main character a male. Seems like so many, e.g Dale Brown, Stephen Coonts, now always have the main character be a woman who we are supposed to believe is super tough and ruthless. No thanks. Look forward to future chapters and have now started Karl’s Last Flight.
December 29th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Basil, I’ve been enjoying 65 below. I’ve been listening while shoveling my drive and commuting. Our winter started with some pre Christmas snow so I’ve been surrounded with lots of glowing sunrises through ground mist with white fields and stands of gray bare trees, your story has been on the pod the whole time. I can’t wait to hear the conclusion to the story. Peter Layer www.peterlayer.com
December 29th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Listening to 65 Below and really enjoying it. Great job!!!
December 29th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Basil, when is the next Chapt of 65 coming out? We here at BP Security are hooked and need a fix! DM
January 6th, 2008 at 2:20 am
Dear Basil i found 65 Below quite by accident and am now hooked, i listened to all the back episodes back to back until i caught up with your postings and am now downloading your other novels to fill in the time between postings. Your descriptions of Alaska and Alskan georgraphy and culture in 65 Below add greatly to the novel and bring a sense of being there, especially to me as a person living outside of North America. In Marcus Johnson I think you have a character to equal to Lee Childs “Jack Reacher”. Keep up the great work. Nicholas Macnab, Oban, Scotland
January 6th, 2008 at 2:21 am
I’m loving 65 Below. I’m ususally into romance novels so listening to this podcast was something new for me. I guess most people would concentrate on the mystery part of the story. I’m finding myself drawn to the romantic storyline between Wyatt and Johnson. Can’t wait for more!
January 16th, 2008 at 11:19 am
nice ending and I look forward to the next book you put out
January 16th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Abso-bl__dy-lutley fantastic story bro. Wish I was able to give it 10 stars instead of just 5. During the agonising weeks I was waiting for new episodes to be relieased, I listened to Karl’s Last Flight. You have so got to give us more of that crazy Persian. I definitely would pay money for more of your books, you writing style is rivetting. Well done.
January 17th, 2008 at 2:10 am
I just completed both Karl’s Last Stand and 65 Below on the same day. Terrific writing, takes my mind away from my troubles. The only trouble now is that they have left me wanting more, NOW. I demand more, hurry up, I’m waiting.
I always have nits to pick. It worries me, I don’t have any for either book.
January 18th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
A great story. Terrific action scenes! Realistic, gritty, and engaging.
Keep working on the interpersonal and romantic stuff. The ring of truth gets a wee clunky……
January 20th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Really loved the story. Great suspense and action and intrigue. Had me on the edge of my seat more than once and it was the first show I listened to every week. Really hope another story is in the works and will be podcasted soon.
February 11th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Great book! Enjoyed it from beginning to end- bioweapon little too rapid for me ( i work with real-life pathogens- nothing near as bad… for now) but fun nonetheless! This book had me hooked from chapter 1- rare for such a thing to happen. Can’t wait to listen to your other books now! And look forward to more!
February 27th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Are you an artist?
Do you know someone who is?
Do you want $50?
If so there is a contest to draw the face of the main character of my free audiobook titled 65 Below. His name is Mojo Johnson and he is the Half Black - Half Athabaskan retired Marine who saves Alaska, and the world, from a major Bio Weapon attack.
Check out the rules and get the free audiobook at http://www.basilsands.com
Find out more about the character by becoming facebook friends with Marcus Orlando Johnson and by downloading the free audio book from my website above.
No strings attached, I just need some art to go with the profile.
Basil Sands
Who Dares, Wins
March 4th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Hi Basil, I just finished listening to 65 Below. It was fantastic! I was hooked from the very first episode. I literally cried happy tears at the end. Oh, please continue to put your novesl on Podiobooks. I just love your style, the suspense, just everything. Thanks so much for your wonderful books. I will continue to listen to others. Kathy
March 4th, 2008 at 10:53 am
I came across Basil’s 65 Below at podiobooks.com and from the 1st episode I was glued on to the series..downloading like a mad man now I’m on to the last chapter and I regret it as I want this to be more! I’m sure we will be getting a sequel to this. 65 Below is an ideal candidate for a movie plot as each minute leaves you in curiosity! I want to thank you for all the hard work you put into this and the other audiobooks and I wish you all the best! Sri Lanka heard 65 Below!
March 4th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Hi Basil, I just finished listening to 65 Below. It was fantastic! I was hooked from the very first episode. I literally cried happy tears at the end. Oh, please continue to put your novesl on Podiobooks. I just love your style, the suspense, just everything. Thanks so much for your wonderful books. I will continue to listen to others. Kathy
March 4th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Thankyou for sharing your book 65 below with me, I was much impressed with it. I rarely can get into military thrillers as I come from a military background and find them less than realistic. It was well composed and hit the ground running from the very first chapter and stayed real which means a lot to me. For me it is your best work so far, I wonder if it just flowed the way it sounds or if it was a intence labour of love? But well, I do have one critism and that is just in the reading your scottish accent turns slightly irish lol, mind you I am probably one of the few people to notice it as I have lived in both places. I would like to hear the sequal if you do make one. Again thankyou for sharing your art, time and whatever else it took to write it. Stay well and stay brave Nathan L, Britain
April 25th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Check out Basil’s new
<href=”http://www.facebook.com/pages/Basil-Sands/12021249218″Facebook Page
Go there and join the Corps… give your input and chat with other listeners.
April 25th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Check out Basil’s new
Facebook Page
Go there and join the Corps… give your input and chat with other listeners.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Ive listened to both Karls last flight and 65 below. Both are great books. I couldnt wait to get into the Jeep for my hour commute morning and night. Cant wait for more stuff. Keep up the great work.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
First of your novels I’ve listened to is 65 Below. One of the best books I’ve ‘read’ in a long time. Keep em coming.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Just finished listening to 65 Below. It was an amazing story that I really hated to end. The pacing was excellent and the character development was very well done but not too much to be boring. Please keep writing books and I will keep reading/listening.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
I LOVE your books. It’s great to come across a novel with a spectacular story line that does not have the people in the story using language that insults the intelligence. Thank you very much for this. You have quickly become one of my favorite writers.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
I hate you. I have some impotant exams coming up and 65 Below kept me from my studies…..it was that good. I’m a vet and your book brought back some memories. Keep up the good work. I’m now a fan. Let’s hope I get through this semester!
May 14th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Basil,
I really enjoyed “68 Below” and “Karl’s Last Flight”. I enjoyed the character development and the pacing of both books. I felt as if I was right there next to Mojo and Karl when the action in the story came to a firefight. I’m so addicted to your characters and stories. I especially like the “interviews” with the characters–they’re hilarious. I’m now trying to satisfy my fix by listening to “In the Shadows”. Please keep the adventures coming.
May 18th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
G’day Basil, I just had to ‘put pen to paper’, as it were, to let you know how much I thoroughly enjoyed 65 Below and Karls Last Flight- your work, both writting and narration is a tonic!!! Listening to your audiobooks sure put my daily stresses to the rear and at night when I lay awake, due to illness, your story-telling makes time pass fantasticly. I thank you kind sir!!! On your website there is a picture for 1917, is that another audiobook? I cant find a download link! Please help! I wish you and your beloved well- with your wishes to come true!
Cheerio.
Janet, North Yorkshire, England
June 3rd, 2008 at 8:31 am
i rarely comment on a book that ive read or listened to , its only when i am really moved emotionly that i do, now this has on occasion got me into hot water because i dont suffer fools gladly so its more often than not that its a rant that i give rather than praise!
but i must say this book was outstanding, definetly the best book by far that i have listened to this year, its the first book ive listen to by Basil Sands but i hope not the last …keep up the great work basil! excellent stuff.
June 22nd, 2008 at 10:38 pm
I’ve listened to “65 Below” and almost all of “Karl’s Last Flight” and have enjoyed them both immensely. I congratulate and thank you for producing exciting, well-written thrillers with a bare minimum of crudity and profane language. I really appreciated Mojo’s commitment to sexual purity and Esther’s stand for Christ. It’s quite refreshing to have wholesome heroes who aren’t namby-pamby boring goody-two-shoes. Thanks! -Grant W. Coleman
July 29th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Basil: I so enjoyed 65 Below! I am a voice actor and many of the podiocasts I hear are not well done. Let me commend you on not only the production but your character accents. The Scots dialect was absolutely amazing. Congratulations on a great “listen” and a fantastic story. I hope to hear more about Lahni and MoJo soon!