Books with author J. J. Carlson

THE PERFECT WEAPON HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN.Jarrod Hawkins, a security contractor with a troubled past, is ushered into an underground facility where a group of DARPA scientists use his body for biotechnological research. They use genetic editing, nanomachinery, neural rewriting, and next-generation armor to turn him into the most fearsome weapon on earth. But as they push the limits of human performance and lethality, the facility begins to experience unexpected power outages. There is evidence of sabotage, and the security team is plagued with sickening pranks. There is only one explanation—their creation has turned against them. As the experiment nears its completion, Jarrod struggles to understand his new abilities. His memories have been shattered, but his instincts scream at him to escape at any cost. On the outside, he has become a machine of war, but inside, the remnant of his former self fights for control. As a team of surgeons prepare for a final operation, Jarrod must make a choice: Will he let them take control of his mind, or will he use his enhancements to break free? Will he become a perfect soldier, or the most fearsome vigilante the world has ever known?

In the future, androids have taken over most jobs, leaving humans with little to do and even less to motivate them. Enter the World Tree Online, a fully immersive virtual reality experience. Join Byron in his first 30 days of a non-stop fantasy adventure in the cursed province of Hurlig Ridge, a land filled with monsters, mysteries, murderers and treasure. The people of the province have been tormented for centuries by a pack of voracious wolves. Now, with the arrival of the adventurers, dark forces have begun to stir, accelerating their dark plans. Can Byron unravel the mystery of this curse before it’s too late?Adventure and excitement await anyone brave enough to join the World Tree. Will you be one of them?This is a litRPG or Gamelit novel in which the story takes place within a world that applies rules commonly found in video games and tabletop role-playing games.

Thrown into a conflict beyond the scope of anything Bye-bye ever imagined, he will be tested in ways he never imaged. Whether that means stopping a war or just taking the girl he likes on a date, he certainly has his work cut out for him. Tensions are rising and if Bye-bye and his friends can’t put a stop to a brewing war, Anvilton and Hammerton might just destroy each other. That is, if the other adventurers don’t destroy them first. With the odds stacked against them, will Bye-bye and his friends survive the Mountain Valley War? Or will the flames of war consume them, leaving nothing but ash in their wake?This is a litRPG or Gamelit novel in which the story takes place within a world that applies rules commonly found in video games and tabletop role-playing games.

A Colorado mountaintop has been transformed into a self-sustaining utopia by a man who claims to be the second son of God. He has built a perfect city—a sanctuary for his most devoted followers. Heaven on earth. Holy Mountain.But the children trapped inside the high walls of Holy Mountain know the truth: this isn’t heaven, it’s hell. Cameron Rollins, a fourteen-year-old boy who grew up in the arms of the cult, sneaks out at night, climbs the wall, and calls for help. When he is captured, he knows the punishment will be severe. It wasn’t his first offense, and it won’t be his last. But this time, someone has heard his cry.Eric Larson has been tasked with retrieving a young girl trapped inside Holy Mountain. And when he records a video of Cameron crying for help, he plans to use the evidence to stop the depraved cultists once and for all. But Holy Mountain’s dark influence extends farther than he thought possible, and his hopes are dashed by a corrupt judicial system. The law has failed to protect the children trapped inside Holy Mountain, so Eric decides to take matters into his own hands. He will enter the city and gather undeniable proof of the wickedness inside. And if he fails, he will call upon the most dangerous vigilante the world has ever seen—a genetically enhanced assassin known as “The Nightmare.”

Author J. J. Carlson keeps up his trademark unrelenting pace with the next installment in the Jarrod Hawkins series, where science and technology give rise to a global conspiracy to change mankind forever.The Nightmare lives.He cannot be stopped,And he knows no mercy.Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the CongoJarrod Hawkins, a human weapon forged in a secret DARPA laboratory, returns to Africa seeking answers - and revenge. He leaves a trail of dead terrorists and human traffickers as he closes in on a powerful warlord. Then, Jarrod finds himself on a collision course with a pair of talented investigators - who happen to be two of his oldest friends. With the assistance of an anonymous benefactor, the investigators track their quarry, and they soon discover that the man they are hunting is more dangerous than they ever imagined. They consider abandoning the case and fleeing the country, but someone is secretly directing their every step, and they find themselves drawn toward an inevitable confrontation with The Nightmare. Meanwhile, Eugene Carver clashes with a secret organization behind a string of unprecedented terrorist attacks in the United States. As he and his teammates search for answers, they begin to realize exactly what they are up against: a global conspiracy decades in the making. Fear the Nightmare is a thrill-ride, following a dark hero in a disturbingly familiar world of human trafficking, conspiracy, and near-future technology. The hard science and breakneck pace will appeal to thriller, sci-fi, and suspense fans alike.

Jess always felt different. Little did she know losing both her parents would lead her to discover just how different she truly is. Join Jess as she discovers a secret her parents have hid from her her entire life. A life and world she never knew existed. Jess soon discovers that friends can come from anywhere... and enemies are everywhere! Will she survive her new home? Is her Uncle as weird and scary as he seems? Who is the Lady in the Hedge Maze? Join Jess as she finds the answers to these and many other questions.

Going Bovine meets Trainspotting in this gritty portrait of at-risk teens gaming the prescription drug trial system. Meet Audie: Professional lab rat. Guinea pig. Serial human test subject. For Audie and her friends, “volunteering” for pharmaceutical drug trials means a quick fix and easy cash. Sure, there’s the occasional nasty side effect, but Audie’s got things under control. If Monday’s pill causes a rash, Tuesday’s ointment usually clears it right up. Wednesday’s injection soothes the sting from Tuesday’s “cure,” and Thursday’s procedure makes her forget all about Wednesday’s headache. By the time Friday rolls around, there’s plenty of cash in hand and perhaps even a slot in a government-funded psilocybin study, because WEEKEND! But the best fix of all is her boyfriend, Dylan, whose terminal illness just makes them even more compatible. He’s turning eighteen soon, so Audie is saving up to make it an unforgettable birthday. That means more drug trials than ever before, but Dylan is worth it. No pain, no gain, Audie tells herself as the pills wear away at her body and mind. No pain, no gain, she repeats as her grip on reality starts to slide. . . . Raw and irreverent, Placebo Junkies will captivate readers until the very end, when author J. C. Carleson leans in for a final twist of the knife.

THE PERFECT WEAPON HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN, AND IT CANNOT BE CONTROLLED. Jarrod Hawkins is not a man to be trifled with. His career in professional security has made him the perfect candidate for Project Nerium, an experimental program meant to create an unstoppable soldier. There’s only one thing standing in the way: Jarrod's will to live. After witnessing the darkest side of humanity on a protective detail overseas, Jarrod returns home and seeks a new life. He vows to leave his violent past behind and focus on what is really important—his wife and son. Tragedy strikes, and Jarrod slips into a vacuum of depression and PTSD. He is ushered into Hillcrest Trauma and Rehabilitation center, a special facility for patients with a top-level security clearance. While in treatment, he draws the attention of Dr. Wagner, the man in charge of Project Nerium. Jarrod is ushered into an underground facility where the world’s greatest minds use his body for biotechnological research. They use genetic engineering, nanomachinery, brainwashing, and next-generation armor to turn him into the most fearsome weapon the world has ever known. As they push the limits of human performance and lethality, they quickly learn their creation cannot be contained. Or controlled. **************** From the author: I absolutely love books by Michael Crichton, Robert Ludlum, Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, Douglas E. Richards, David Baldacci, A.G. Riddle, and Lee Child. If these are some of your favorite authors, I bet you'll love this story. Note: Forging the Nightmare is book one of the upcoming Jarrod Hawkins Technothriller series

Author J. J. Carlson keeps up his trademark unrelenting pace with the next installment in the Jarrod Hawkins series, where science and technology give rise to a global conspiracy to change mankind forever. The Nightmare lives. He cannot be stopped, And he knows no mercy. Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo Jarrod Hawkins, a human weapon forged in a secret DARPA laboratory, returns to Africa seeking answers - and revenge. He leaves a trail of dead terrorists and human traffickers as he closes in on a powerful warlord. Then, Jarrod finds himself on a collision course with a pair of talented investigators - who happen to be two of his oldest friends. With the assistance of an anonymous benefactor, the investigators track their quarry, and they soon discover that the man they are hunting is more dangerous than they ever imagined. They consider abandoning the case and fleeing the country, but someone is secretly directing their every step, and they find themselves drawn toward an inevitable confrontation with The Nightmare. Meanwhile, Eugene Carver clashes with a secret organization behind a string of unprecedented terrorist attacks in the United States. As he and his teammates search for answers, they begin to realize exactly what they are up against: a global conspiracy decades in the making. Fear the Nightmare is a thrill-ride, following a dark hero in a disturbingly familiar world of human trafficking, conspiracy, and near-future technology. The hard science and breakneck pace will appeal to thriller, sci-fi, and suspense fans alike.

“Filled with political intrigue and emotional tension, Carleson’s riveting novel features a teenage refugee caught in a web of deceit and conspiracy.” —PW, starred review When her father is killed in a coup, Laila and her mother and brother leave their war-torn homeland for a fresh start in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. At her new high school, Laila makes mistakes, makes friends, and even meets a boy who catches her eye. But this new life brings unsettling facts to light. The American newspapers call her father a brutal dictator and suggest that her family’s privilege came at the expense of innocent lives. Meanwhile, her mother would like nothing more than to avenge his death, and she’ll go to great lengths to regain their position of power. As an international crisis takes shape around her, Laila is pulled in one direction, then another, but there’s no time to sort out her feelings. She has to pick a side now, and her decision will affect not just her own life, but countless others. . . .Inspired by the author's experience as a CIA officer in Iraq and Syria, this book is as timely as it is relevant.Praise for The Tyrant’s Daughter: “Carleson, a former undercover CIA officer, infuses her story with compelling details and gripping authenticity.” —The Boston Globe “Every American should read this book. It’s an eye-opener.” —Suzanne Fisher Staples, Newbery Honor–winning author of Shabanu

A Colorado mountaintop has been transformed into a self-sustaining utopia by a man who claims to be the second son of God. He has built a perfect city—a sanctuary for his most devoted followers. Heaven on earth. Holy Mountain.But the children trapped inside the high walls of Holy Mountain know the truth: this isn’t heaven, it’s hell. Cameron Rollins, a fourteen-year-old boy who grew up in the arms of the cult, sneaks out at night, climbs the wall, and calls for help. When he is captured, he knows the punishment will be severe. It wasn’t his first offense, and it won’t be his last. But this time, someone has heard his cry.Eric Larson has been tasked with retrieving a young girl trapped inside Holy Mountain. And when he records a video of Cameron crying for help, he plans to use the evidence to stop the depraved cultists once and for all. But Holy Mountain’s dark influence extends farther than he thought possible, and his hopes are dashed by a corrupt judicial system. The law has failed to protect the children trapped inside Holy Mountain, so Eric decides to take matters into his own hands. He will enter the city and gather undeniable proof of the wickedness inside. And if he fails, he will call upon the most dangerous vigilante the world has ever seen—a genetically enhanced assassin known as “The Nightmare.”