I ran across this author the same way I have discovered other new authors: in the HOA type Facebook group, Avid Readers of Christian Fiction. (I joke about them being like an HOA, but there are reasons for that 😀).
When Charles was coming out with his first Christian suspense novel, he asked for reviewers. The book Deceitful Above All Things, #1 in his Hank Lin Series, sounded really good. I did review an advance eBook copy of it, and loved it. I went on to buy the paperback.
There are a lot of men - and even women - looking for books that are geared more for men than for women. The Christian fiction market - and even the secular - is such a women's market. Try looking for memes and book related products. If they have a person on it, 99% of the time, it is a female.
And not knocking women authors and books more for women. I just wish it was more evened out.
Book #2 in the Hank Lin Series, Deliver Us From Evil, just came out in November, and was even better than the first one. I preordered it from him and got some cool "swag".
Hank Lin is the main character, hence the series name....I'll put the book description of the first book below, which describes Hank, who is an Asian American:
Grisly murder comes to the shores of Lake Tahoe.
The victim’s identity sends the local sheriff’s department into a tailspin.
An overly curious resident discovers a dangerous cover-up and races to find the murderer before they kill again.
Deceitful Above All Things is the first book in a new series of murder mysteries set at majestic Lake Tahoe.
Former Army Criminal Investigator Hank Lin returns to his childhood home at Lake Tahoe after suffering a battlefield injury. With the addition of Hank’s father’s death, he’s left nursing his pain and disappointment. Depressed and lonely, Hank is forced to start over with only his grief and inner demons as companions.
After rekindling an old friendship with Deputy Sierra McLean, Hank is infused with fresh energy. Simultaneously intrigued by the case and the irresistible Sierra, Hank pursues both with a curiosity that calms the inner turmoil. His independent side investigation frustrates Sierra and earns him the attention of the unidentified killer.
The hidden evil is as cold and deep as Lake Tahoe itself. A trail of greed and revenge exposes several suspects, but when Hank discovers the killer’s true identity, the hunt turns personal and Hank risks it all to stop them.
And book #2:
When an emergency air ambulance goes missing, former Army Criminal Investigator Hank Lin finds himself wrapped up in a dangerous investigation in the mountains overlooking Lake Tahoe.
Still adjusting to civilian life, Hank volunteers to assist the Ponderosa County Sheriff’s search for the missing helicopter. The disappearance of the air ambulance rocks the sheriff’s department as the search and rescue mission spirals into a murder investigation. Finding four victims complicates the case and reveals the killer’s unique set of skills. When Deputy Sierra McLean finds herself on the back foot and frustrated with dead ends, she accepts Hank’s offer to help.
The discovery of long-buried motives sends the investigation in a new direction. As the hunt for the killer heats up, the stakes escalate, forcing Hank to do what he does best.
I have been very impressed with these two books, and am looking forward to more in the series. So far there really isn't any romance, other than a hint of interest between Hank and the female Deputy. There is no bad language or anything inappropriate.
I am already looking forward to the next book in this series.
Charles' real name is Keller Charles Hakbusch....he hacked off part of his name for his author name. (Pun intended 😃)
In addition to the Hank Lin books, he has also written some Sci-Fi books. That is not a genre' I am into, so I have not read those. I am guessing if you like Sci-Fi books, you would like them.
I follow him on a couple of social media platforms, and he seems like an interesting guy. In addition to being an author, he is also a pastor. He is an author I would love to sit down with and eat a meal and chat....though if I ever did eat with an author I read, I'd probably be nervous and knock my drink over, or something else embarrassing. Since he lives in Nevada and I in Ohio, he is safe from spilled drinks by me. 😎
About the author:
Charles Hack is the author of the Space Warfare Group Sci-Fi/Space Opera books and the Hank Lin Mysteries. After writing for over twenty years, his first published novel is Into the Darkness. He studied electrical engineering in college and is still a licensed professional engineer with over twenty years of experience before retiring and entering full time Christian ministry. He currently serves as a pastor in his hometown and has a master’s degree in systematic theology. Writing is one of his passions along with reading, woodworking, and coffee. Charles is married with two children and three noisy dogs. They live on a small ranch, known as the Ranchini, in the Great Basin of Northern Nevada.
Check out his website: CharlesHack.com
