Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 02:52.
65 below was absolutely amazing. i enjoyed every second of it. you should seriously consider pitching it to hollywood, because the movie running through my head as i listened to it would be a blockbuster. best of luck!
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 04/14/2010 - 04:57.
Mr. Sands, I'm a fifty nine year old male from the mid-west, as an old dog who jumped out of planes, learned who he was the hard way and thanked a merciful God to just do his duty and get through, your work is interesting, entertaining and contains an element of Heinlein? Maybe not. Keep up the great work, be well.
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 02/02/2010 - 21:33.
So I read Faithful Warrior last year and as a church going person, thought it was really interesting where Mike Farris was concerned but I loved it. But then got caught up with other podcasts and it's only January 2010 that I came back to listen to 65 Below. And I loved it. I finished it in about 3-4 days because I listened to it at work, which was funny because I had to take a pause when you got really descriptive with certain parts of the story (my imagination was really working) but I always came back because I want to rest of the story. I don't even care that I'm not reading in the right order. I love it and because I do, I'm sharing it with my friends. So keep up the good work.
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 15:38.
I just finished 65 Below. It was a wonderful albeit wild ride. I look forward to listening to your other novels, God willing. I am a disabled vet and I found this novel both encouraging and inspiring. I can't get out so much in the great outdoors like I used to but I loved the imagery of it that you shared.
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 15:33.
I just finished 65 Below. It was a wonderful albeit wild ride. I look forward to listening to your other novels, God willing. I am a disabled vet and I found this novel both encouraging and inspiring. I can't get out so much in the great outdoors like I used to but I loved the imagery of it that you shared.
Submitted by fsmithnc (not verified) on Thu, 12/31/2009 - 02:26.
I had listened to 65 Below several years ago through Podiobooks but have been listening mainly to Audible.com lately. I was listening to a Scott Sigler Crypt episode today that you wrote with him and came to your site. It was nice to rediscover your work again!
Submitted by phamilton12 on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 21:35.
Wow. Where do I start. Just finished 65 Below. I drive a truck for a living and have just recently purchased an I-Pod. Ergo, It was a natural sequence of events that I discover audio-books in podcast format. Once I started listening, I couldn't stop. I finished it in two days. I had to recharge the Pod is the only reason it took so long. I can tell you that those two long days in a truck flew by quickly. I can't wait to start the next one, but that is my problem. I notice in some of the comments people are talking about reading the books in order. What is the order if there is one. I am currently listening to In The Shadows and was hooked after only the very first one "Geeks Rule" outstanding story. Well I will quit rambling now and post this so I can get a reply. Keep up the Great Work.
Submitted by basilsands on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 22:54.
phamilton12,
Great to hear you enjoy 65 Below so much. As far as the order of the books it is a fairly loose order, but characters in each book show up or get a mention in each of the others. They were written in the following order.
Karl's Last Flight
65 Below
In The Shadows
Faithful Warrior
While each stands on its own, it does help to understand where certain characters come from and why they act a certain way when read in order. With the exception of in In the Shadows, which only has brief back story for two characters that occur in the other stories. (Kharzai Ghiassi from Storyman is a main character in Karl's Last Flight, and Mike Farris from The First Time is the main character from Faithful Warrior).
Again thanks for listening. Enjoy the rest and be sure to tell your friends about them as well. I look forward to hearing your opinion of the other stories.
Submitted by Aint4u2cme on Sat, 12/12/2009 - 00:53.
Hello Basil,
I listened to all your audio books and was riveted to each one. I noticed that they all intertwined with one another, and I am very happy that I listened to them in order. Are there any more in the works, and will they be connected somehow to the others?
Submitted by basilsands on Sat, 12/12/2009 - 01:04.
Glad to hear you enjoyed the stories, I enjoyed writing them. As far as more and related books, yes on both counts. I am currently working on what will probably be the last in the set that combines many of the characters from my last books. It will most likely be done and ready for podcast by spring 2010, at least that's the plan for now.
Once that is done, there is another whole series that is brewing in a slow cooker in the corner of my brain chamber. God willing, there will be stories for a long time to come.
Submitted by GMaAK53 (not verified) on Mon, 12/07/2009 - 00:26.
After 65 Below, I naturally listened to Faithful Warrior. I didn't expect more than a good read because the second book by an author is often a let down. Not so. It gripped me, encouraged me as a Christian to cling to my Heavenly Father. I loved it. There are some ugly parts; but, isn't the underbelly of life ugly and must be dealt with. Basil Sands did a good job handling the sinister. I was hesitant downloading the next (Karls Last Fligt) because iTunes has it labeled explicit. I'll just have to be careful. Thanks so much.
Submitted by basilsands on Wed, 11/18/2009 - 03:35.
In November '09 basilsands.com died a horrible digital death. As in total annihilation from the server. The site has been rebuilt but three years of listener comments and reviews was lost.
Below is a short list of several online reviews and comments that were retrieved from sites across the web. In the near future I am sure the list will start to grow again on its own. Perhaps even with your review.
Michael Spence writes:
June 2009
Excellent work! Mr. Sands takes two occupations most people would consider contradictory—pastor and government assassin—and demonstrates that they actually fit together very well. (One recalls that John the Baptist did not tell the Roman soldiers to forswear violence, but rather not to abuse their authority. And the Sixth Command does not address execution of the convicted; indeed, Romans 13 shows it to be a governmental responsibility.)
Like any good novelist, Sands does not make this a blind assertion, but puts it to the acid test, showing us what happens when both activities are thrust together. Here, Marine Major/Pastor Michael Farris finds a terrorist plot threatening himself and his church. They've killed his family, and they're not stopping at that. How will this shepherd protect his sheep, and what will he have to do in the process?
One gets the impression that Mr. Sands has been often asked, "How can you call yourself a Christian and write violent thrillers?" and that this is part of his answer. A shepherd among wolves must be prepared to take appropriate action if he is to protect his charge. And sometimes waging war is the only way for a warrior to remain truly faithful
Dave Alcock writes: 65 Below:
I am not sure how I found this author, I suspect it was a promo on the end of a podcast I was listening to. 65 Below is a action thriller based in Alaska, its set in a post 9-11 world and every second American character appears to be ex Marine or special forces. I hope no international terrorists read this as there is enough in here to give people ideas regarding how to kill off large population areas without damaging property or infrastructure. In fact its so simple and obvious I am not sure why it has never been done. The bad guys are interesting as well. Basil has given the Americans a new enemy. An action thriller well worth the time, a good one for conspiracy theorists as well.
On his website Basil describes his writing as “extreme fiction” from my perspective its not as extreme as Sigler, but has extreme plots that are well thought through and crafted.
-------
Karl's Last Flight:
This is the second Podio-book from Basil Sands that I have listened to, the previous book was 65 below. Apparently this book was written first and 65 below followed. So I have read them in the wrong order, luckily the stories are not related in any way.
Basil Sands website describes his fiction as extreme fiction. Its not, its not gruesome, its not explicit. It is adventurous and alot happens very quickly, but there is very little to upset the stomach or the mind. Thinking is not required to enjoy this book. That doesn’t mean that as an audio experience it isn’t worth it, it is.
The plot is simple and uncomplicated. Karl is the pilot of a space tourism flight. He takes a famous, wrestler actor up for the experience (could this be The Rock? I suspect not but you get the picture of the type) . It all goes wrong and as a result the space plane crashes behind enemy lines and in the process starts WW III, most of the story is the behind the lines stuff, action orientated, with of course a love interest thrown in. I might be doing Basil a disservice but it has a very American republican feel to it.
Having ” done ” two of his podcast books I have enjoyed them enough to download another two, which one day I will get around to listening too.
Faithful Warrior isn’t finished yet so I haven’t started listening . In the Shadows will just have to wait till I am in the mood for another short story experience.
-------
In The Shadows:
This collection hits the mark perfectly (for me). Most of the stories are between 18 and 30 mins, which is as I like it. They are enough different as to make each of them interesting. Some of the stories relate to characters or events, in his previous books. They are well narrated without being over-produce. The stories are hard and have an violent/thriller edge to them, romances they are not.
If you haven’t read / listened to any of Basil Sands stories then I suggest that you give this collection a try.
-------
Faithful Warrior:
OK you might ask, what is this fascination with Basil Sands. I tend to do this with books and music. If I find and artist/author that I like, I go all out to catch up with their output!
This is another stunning podiobooks120x90novel acquired through Podiobooks. This is the story of a ” marine ” who is also a minister. From his perspective he is looking forward to a life of harvesting souls and fighting the ” evil on the streets of his community”.
If you have read the short story collection “In the Shadows” you will recognise Pastor Michael Farris. If you have read “65 Below” you will recognize one of the main characters from that book.
Pastor Michael’s world forever changed when Drug dealers attack his house. Revenge becomes a motivating factor and as Mike hunts out those that committed a crime against his church we are treated to flashbacks of his service life.
Basil uses that literary trick of having two time-lines moving towards one point in time at the conclusion of the book.
This is a military/action thriller that is easy to listen to, has enough plot turns and twists to ensure that you stay focused as you listen. I cant wait for his next book.
Trucker Rich Says:
I listened to this wonderfully entertaining story in one day. The characters were believable and kept me on the edge of my seat. Basil Sands does a great job reading this Military style story. His character voices are smooth and entertaining. I highly recommend this story and look forward to the next books from Basil: 65 Below, In the Shadows and Faithful Warrior. FNH Podcast review:
Karl's Last Flight:
This is an exciting thrilling modern ( or very close future ) adventure. The author has cleverly run two stories into one. One story follows the lead character as a young man while the other story follows the same man many years later. So we have two slightly (very slightly) linked stories running at the same time with the switch between them taking place every chapter.
It's very well written, and very well read. High action, high adventure with never a break in the steamroller of a plot. We have space ships, fighter planes, terrorists, jungles and spys, what more could anyone really want.
Simply put this is well worth a listen.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
-------
65 Below:
The author has written a very good thriller and produced a very good podcast version!
The story follows two timelines in parrellell following the same characters but about 10 years apart. It's very well done, the two stories weave to explain the reactions and motivations of them in the modern part of the story. Both threads are exciting, the "old" thread serves to action-up the beginning of the modern story.
The characters are well written, the action is tense and dramatic and the way the story has been constructed keeps you hooked because you want explanations for the mysteries set up at the beginning.
A very good story.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
-------
faithful Warrior:
When I found this book at podiobooks I was overjoyed. I've really enjoyed all of the books from this author ( Basil Sands ) that I've heard. This story was not a disappointment.
Mr Sands opens the book with a flashback, a technique that he's used in his other novels to great effect and likewise here. This gives his lead characters a history that you can use to build the characters in your mind as you're following the modern half of the story.
The novel is very engaging and starts with two very emotive scenes that shock, enthrall and draw you into the story. It doesn't take long for the story to tie the two story lines together ( the current and flashback ) into a single thread and the later half of the book then stays firmly in the present.
I have to say that I was rather pleased to find the lead character so unusual, a Marine turned Minister, that's two character traits that seem an unusual pair yet are dealt with here is such a way that they are believable.
Another feature of the book that appealed to me was the inclusion of some favourite characters from his other novels edging into this story and giving me that happy nostalgia that always comes with familiar characters.
Was this story vastly different from his other novels? No. It dealt with the same topics in another way and was all the better for it. I like the writing style, I like the reading style and I like the hero's. A good book.
65 below was absolutely amazing. i enjoyed every second of it. you should seriously consider pitching it to hollywood, because the movie running through my head as i listened to it would be a blockbuster. best of luck!
Mr. Sands, I'm a fifty nine year old male from the mid-west, as an old dog who jumped out of planes, learned who he was the hard way and thanked a merciful God to just do his duty and get through, your work is interesting, entertaining and contains an element of Heinlein? Maybe not. Keep up the great work, be well.
So I read Faithful Warrior last year and as a church going person, thought it was really interesting where Mike Farris was concerned but I loved it. But then got caught up with other podcasts and it's only January 2010 that I came back to listen to 65 Below. And I loved it. I finished it in about 3-4 days because I listened to it at work, which was funny because I had to take a pause when you got really descriptive with certain parts of the story (my imagination was really working) but I always came back because I want to rest of the story. I don't even care that I'm not reading in the right order. I love it and because I do, I'm sharing it with my friends. So keep up the good work.
I just finished 65 Below. It was a wonderful albeit wild ride. I look forward to listening to your other novels, God willing. I am a disabled vet and I found this novel both encouraging and inspiring. I can't get out so much in the great outdoors like I used to but I loved the imagery of it that you shared.
God bless you, Ron
I just finished 65 Below. It was a wonderful albeit wild ride. I look forward to listening to your other novels, God willing. I am a disabled vet and I found this novel both encouraging and inspiring. I can't get out so much in the great outdoors like I used to but I loved the imagery of it that you shared.
God bless you, Ron
I had listened to 65 Below several years ago through Podiobooks but have been listening mainly to Audible.com lately. I was listening to a Scott Sigler Crypt episode today that you wrote with him and came to your site. It was nice to rediscover your work again!
Floyd
Wow. Where do I start. Just finished 65 Below. I drive a truck for a living and have just recently purchased an I-Pod. Ergo, It was a natural sequence of events that I discover audio-books in podcast format. Once I started listening, I couldn't stop. I finished it in two days. I had to recharge the Pod is the only reason it took so long. I can tell you that those two long days in a truck flew by quickly. I can't wait to start the next one, but that is my problem. I notice in some of the comments people are talking about reading the books in order. What is the order if there is one. I am currently listening to In The Shadows and was hooked after only the very first one "Geeks Rule" outstanding story. Well I will quit rambling now and post this so I can get a reply. Keep up the Great Work.
Audio Book Crazed
phamilton12,
Great to hear you enjoy 65 Below so much. As far as the order of the books it is a fairly loose order, but characters in each book show up or get a mention in each of the others. They were written in the following order.
Karl's Last Flight
65 Below
In The Shadows
Faithful Warrior
While each stands on its own, it does help to understand where certain characters come from and why they act a certain way when read in order. With the exception of in In the Shadows, which only has brief back story for two characters that occur in the other stories. (Kharzai Ghiassi from Storyman is a main character in Karl's Last Flight, and Mike Farris from The First Time is the main character from Faithful Warrior).
Again thanks for listening. Enjoy the rest and be sure to tell your friends about them as well. I look forward to hearing your opinion of the other stories.
Basil
Thanks for the quick reply on the order. I will let You know what I think of each one as I finish them. Again, thanks for a great time of listening.
Audio Book Crazed
Hello Basil,
I listened to all your audio books and was riveted to each one. I noticed that they all intertwined with one another, and I am very happy that I listened to them in order. Are there any more in the works, and will they be connected somehow to the others?
Glad to hear you enjoyed the stories, I enjoyed writing them. As far as more and related books, yes on both counts. I am currently working on what will probably be the last in the set that combines many of the characters from my last books. It will most likely be done and ready for podcast by spring 2010, at least that's the plan for now.
Once that is done, there is another whole series that is brewing in a slow cooker in the corner of my brain chamber. God willing, there will be stories for a long time to come.
Basil
After 65 Below, I naturally listened to Faithful Warrior. I didn't expect more than a good read because the second book by an author is often a let down. Not so. It gripped me, encouraged me as a Christian to cling to my Heavenly Father. I loved it. There are some ugly parts; but, isn't the underbelly of life ugly and must be dealt with. Basil Sands did a good job handling the sinister. I was hesitant downloading the next (Karls Last Fligt) because iTunes has it labeled explicit. I'll just have to be careful. Thanks so much.
In November '09 basilsands.com died a horrible digital death. As in total annihilation from the server. The site has been rebuilt but three years of listener comments and reviews was lost.
Below is a short list of several online reviews and comments that were retrieved from sites across the web. In the near future I am sure the list will start to grow again on its own. Perhaps even with your review.
Michael Spence writes:
June 2009
Excellent work! Mr. Sands takes two occupations most people would consider contradictory—pastor and government assassin—and demonstrates that they actually fit together very well. (One recalls that John the Baptist did not tell the Roman soldiers to forswear violence, but rather not to abuse their authority. And the Sixth Command does not address execution of the convicted; indeed, Romans 13 shows it to be a governmental responsibility.)
Like any good novelist, Sands does not make this a blind assertion, but puts it to the acid test, showing us what happens when both activities are thrust together. Here, Marine Major/Pastor Michael Farris finds a terrorist plot threatening himself and his church. They've killed his family, and they're not stopping at that. How will this shepherd protect his sheep, and what will he have to do in the process?
One gets the impression that Mr. Sands has been often asked, "How can you call yourself a Christian and write violent thrillers?" and that this is part of his answer. A shepherd among wolves must be prepared to take appropriate action if he is to protect his charge. And sometimes waging war is the only way for a warrior to remain truly faithful
Dave Alcock writes:
65 Below:
I am not sure how I found this author, I suspect it was a promo on the end of a podcast I was listening to. 65 Below is a action thriller based in Alaska, its set in a post 9-11 world and every second American character appears to be ex Marine or special forces. I hope no international terrorists read this as there is enough in here to give people ideas regarding how to kill off large population areas without damaging property or infrastructure. In fact its so simple and obvious I am not sure why it has never been done. The bad guys are interesting as well. Basil has given the Americans a new enemy. An action thriller well worth the time, a good one for conspiracy theorists as well.
On his website Basil describes his writing as “extreme fiction” from my perspective its not as extreme as Sigler, but has extreme plots that are well thought through and crafted.
-------
Karl's Last Flight:
This is the second Podio-book from Basil Sands that I have listened to, the previous book was 65 below. Apparently this book was written first and 65 below followed. So I have read them in the wrong order, luckily the stories are not related in any way.
Basil Sands website describes his fiction as extreme fiction. Its not, its not gruesome, its not explicit. It is adventurous and alot happens very quickly, but there is very little to upset the stomach or the mind. Thinking is not required to enjoy this book. That doesn’t mean that as an audio experience it isn’t worth it, it is.
The plot is simple and uncomplicated. Karl is the pilot of a space tourism flight. He takes a famous, wrestler actor up for the experience (could this be The Rock? I suspect not but you get the picture of the type) . It all goes wrong and as a result the space plane crashes behind enemy lines and in the process starts WW III, most of the story is the behind the lines stuff, action orientated, with of course a love interest thrown in. I might be doing Basil a disservice but it has a very American republican feel to it.
Having ” done ” two of his podcast books I have enjoyed them enough to download another two, which one day I will get around to listening too.
Faithful Warrior isn’t finished yet so I haven’t started listening . In the Shadows will just have to wait till I am in the mood for another short story experience.
-------
In The Shadows:
This collection hits the mark perfectly (for me). Most of the stories are between 18 and 30 mins, which is as I like it. They are enough different as to make each of them interesting. Some of the stories relate to characters or events, in his previous books. They are well narrated without being over-produce. The stories are hard and have an violent/thriller edge to them, romances they are not.
If you haven’t read / listened to any of Basil Sands stories then I suggest that you give this collection a try.
-------
Faithful Warrior:
OK you might ask, what is this fascination with Basil Sands. I tend to do this with books and music. If I find and artist/author that I like, I go all out to catch up with their output!
This is another stunning podiobooks120x90novel acquired through Podiobooks. This is the story of a ” marine ” who is also a minister. From his perspective he is looking forward to a life of harvesting souls and fighting the ” evil on the streets of his community”.
If you have read the short story collection “In the Shadows” you will recognise Pastor Michael Farris. If you have read “65 Below” you will recognize one of the main characters from that book.
Pastor Michael’s world forever changed when Drug dealers attack his house. Revenge becomes a motivating factor and as Mike hunts out those that committed a crime against his church we are treated to flashbacks of his service life.
Basil uses that literary trick of having two time-lines moving towards one point in time at the conclusion of the book.
This is a military/action thriller that is easy to listen to, has enough plot turns and twists to ensure that you stay focused as you listen. I cant wait for his next book.
Trucker Rich Says:
I listened to this wonderfully entertaining story in one day. The characters were believable and kept me on the edge of my seat. Basil Sands does a great job reading this Military style story. His character voices are smooth and entertaining. I highly recommend this story and look forward to the next books from Basil: 65 Below, In the Shadows and Faithful Warrior.
FNH Podcast review:
Karl's Last Flight:
This is an exciting thrilling modern ( or very close future ) adventure. The author has cleverly run two stories into one. One story follows the lead character as a young man while the other story follows the same man many years later. So we have two slightly (very slightly) linked stories running at the same time with the switch between them taking place every chapter.
It's very well written, and very well read. High action, high adventure with never a break in the steamroller of a plot. We have space ships, fighter planes, terrorists, jungles and spys, what more could anyone really want.
Simply put this is well worth a listen.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
-------
65 Below:
The author has written a very good thriller and produced a very good podcast version!
The story follows two timelines in parrellell following the same characters but about 10 years apart. It's very well done, the two stories weave to explain the reactions and motivations of them in the modern part of the story. Both threads are exciting, the "old" thread serves to action-up the beginning of the modern story.
The characters are well written, the action is tense and dramatic and the way the story has been constructed keeps you hooked because you want explanations for the mysteries set up at the beginning.
A very good story.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
-------
faithful Warrior:
When I found this book at podiobooks I was overjoyed. I've really enjoyed all of the books from this author ( Basil Sands ) that I've heard. This story was not a disappointment.
Mr Sands opens the book with a flashback, a technique that he's used in his other novels to great effect and likewise here. This gives his lead characters a history that you can use to build the characters in your mind as you're following the modern half of the story.
The novel is very engaging and starts with two very emotive scenes that shock, enthrall and draw you into the story. It doesn't take long for the story to tie the two story lines together ( the current and flashback ) into a single thread and the later half of the book then stays firmly in the present.
I have to say that I was rather pleased to find the lead character so unusual, a Marine turned Minister, that's two character traits that seem an unusual pair yet are dealt with here is such a way that they are believable.
Another feature of the book that appealed to me was the inclusion of some favourite characters from his other novels edging into this story and giving me that happy nostalgia that always comes with familiar characters.
Was this story vastly different from his other novels? No. It dealt with the same topics in another way and was all the better for it. I like the writing style, I like the reading style and I like the hero's. A good book.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9