Sorry for the duplication, but the version of this newsletter that went out this morning contained errors I introduced when copying the very generous blurbs from Brad Thor and Tosca Lee. My humblest apologies to Brad and Tosca and all my readers.
Thank you for your understanding!
Early Summer Edition – July 2025
Hello friends, readers, and fellow adventurers!
Summer has arrived in Toronto, and I’m excited to share updates from both my writing desk and the wild places that inspire me. Whether you’re reading this from a cozy nook, the backroads of your own adventure, or somewhere under the open sky, I hope you’re enjoying the season.
Blood Oath: A New Alex Martel Thriller
Mark your calendars: Blood Oath, the next installment in the Alex Martel series, launches on November 18, 2025!
What’s It About?
When CIA Special Agent Alex Martel’s father is abducted by rebels during a safari in the heart of Africa, her vacation turns into a desperate, high-stakes rescue mission. As Russian mercenaries and Chinese operatives descend on the Serengeti, Alex must lead an elite team across treacherous terrain while facing betrayals that reach the highest levels of global intelligence.
At the heart of the story are two blood oaths—one sworn by Alex and her father, and another by the Maasai warrior, Lemarti. For Alex and her father, their blood oath is a sacred, lifelong promise to protect each other at all costs, forged in love and loyalty. It’s a vow that has shaped Alex’s sense of duty and the lengths she’ll go to save her father, even when the odds are impossible.
In stark contrast, Lemarti’s blood oath is born of vengeance and grief. After losing his brother in a deadly encounter with Alex, Lemarti swears to avenge his family and restore his honor, binding himself to a path of retribution. As these two oaths collide, Alex is forced to confront not only her enemies but the true meaning of sacrifice, justice, and the ties that bind us—whether by blood, love, or loss.
In a world where trust is as scarce as water in the savannah, how much will Alex sacrifice to save her father and honor the bonds of blood?
A quote, perhaps?
Here is an evocative narrative passage from Blood Oath that I hope highlights for you Alex’s character and the novel’s sense of place:
Special Agent Alexandra Martel, contract CIA paramilitary officer, pushed forward. Each beat of her heart sent a rush of blood coursing through her veins, echoing in her ears like a Maasai drumbeat in the stillness of the heavy air.
Alex had always trusted her instincts. They had served her well as a young combat medic in her Ranger regiment, and with every posting and assignment ever since. Now, having lost sight of her quarry, she hoped those instincts wouldn’t let her down. But as the minutes ticked by without another sighting, she wondered if perhaps she had lost her edge, and the moment had escaped her. Maybe she’d been outsmarted. Maybe they were on to her. Or worse, maybe they had circled back and flanked her.
Praise for Blood Oath
Brad Thor, #1 New York Times bestselling author:
“BLOOD OATH is as unforgiving as the African savanna—raw, relentless, and charged with danger at every turn. Steve Urszenyi delivers a high-stakes, high-speed thriller packed with pulse-pounding action and puts us back in the field with one of the genre’s most unforgettable heroes—Special Agent Alex Martel. This is smart, razor-sharp storytelling.”
Tosca Lee, New York Times bestselling author of The Line Between:
“In BLOOD OATH, Steve Urszenyi delivers his most gripping thriller yet—an explosive mix of heart-pounding action, razor-sharp tradecraft, and the bonds that define heroism. Special Agent Alex Martel is fierce, unforgettable, and unstoppable.”
Tanzania: Beauty, Resilience, and Struggle
Blood Oath is more than a pulse-pounding thriller — it’s a tribute to the land and people of Tanzania. My experience of the country, including the Ngorongoro region and Serengeti National Park, left me in awe of the Maasai’s vibrant culture, strong bond with the land, and steadfast resilience. Their traditions, dignity, and harmony with nature are truly inspiring.
Yet, the Maasai and other communities face real challenges. In recent years, many have been forcibly displaced from ancestral lands to make way for game reserves and tourism, threatening their way of life and cultural identity. While the novel features a fictional Maasai antagonist, I want to emphasize that this character does not represent the Maasai people as a whole, who have historically opposed violence and demonstrated remarkable strength in the face of adversity.
Through Blood Oath, I hope readers will not only be swept up in the adventure but also gain a deeper appreciation for Tanzania’s greatness and the complex realities its people face every day.
Where to Preorder Blood Oath
You can preorder Blood Oath from a variety of major booksellers in both Canada and the United States. Here’s a handy list of direct links to reserve your copy ahead of the November 18, 2025, release:
| Retailer | Link |
|-----------——--------|----------------------------------------------————----|
| Amazon Canada | Amazon Canada)
| Amazon US | Amazon US
| Indigo | Indigo
| IndieBookstores.ca | Indie Bookstores Canada (Search for “Blood Oath”)
| Barnes & Noble | Barnes & Noble
| Bookshop.org | Bookshop.org
Tip: Preordering from any of these retailers helps support the book’s launch and signals strong reader interest to publishers and booksellers.
If you prefer to support local independent bookstores, IndieBookstores.ca allows you to find and order from shops across Canada. In the US, Bookshop.org supports indie stores with every purchase.
Happy reading—and thank you for supporting Blood Oath!
Launch Events & Book Tour
· Toronto launch events are in the works for release week — details to follow!
· I’m also exploring a US book tour. If you'd like to attend an event, please let me know!
· Your enthusiasm and support make all the difference.
Behind the Scenes
Last year’s launch for Out in the Cold had its share of wild moments—think last-minute book wrangling and hauling my own sound gear to Indigo. This time, I’m working closely with my publisher to ensure a smooth, unforgettable experience for everyone.
If you haven’t read Out in the Cold yet, do yourself a favor (okay, do me a favor) and pick up a copy now! There’s still plenty of time to get caught up before Blood Oath hits the shelves. It makes for a GREAT SUMMER READ!!! (Sorry for shouting, but I get so excited talking about my books.)
In the Wild: Summer Adventures
When I’m not writing, you’ll find me with my camera in hand, riding my Harley or driving the new Miata, or exploring the Ontario wilderness. If you spot me out there, say hello or share your own adventure stories! Sadly, for now at least, the Harley is gone. But I hope to get another soon!
I love to pop into indie bookstores wherever I go to sign books!
What I’m Reading & Listening To
· Nightstand: A stack of thrillers and true crime—always research, sometimes just for fun.
Brad Thor, Edge of Honor
“Edge of Honor” is the 24th book in Brad Thor’s Scot Harvath series, a thriller that plunges the protagonist into a high-stakes conspiracy with the fate of the country at stake. After six months overseas, Harvath returns to a new administration, global shifts, and a power struggle unseen before in the US. He is drawn into a web of deceit and dangerous politics where a shadowy elite is manipulating events to seize control, threatening to cripple the nation.
Jack Stewart, Declared Hostile
A treasonous plot. Clandestine actors. World order hanging in the balance.
Elite NCIS investigator Emmy "Punky" King, seasoned in global espionage, uncovers the edges of an intricate international conspiracy following the arrest of a U.S. Marine. Relying solely on her sharp intuition, she starts peeling back layers of a complex mystery that links the U.S. president to a clandestine corporation. As she navigates the corruption, Punky finds herself deep in an escalating game that threatens more than just national security.
Halfway across the world in Eastern Europe, Colt Bancroft and the Black Ponies are thrust into a high-stakes mission to prevent nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of rogue Russian operatives. But when their operation spirals into chaos following an ambush by an unexpected adversary, Colt finds himself navigating the deadly terrain of enemy territory, fighting for survival.
Although separated by continents, their missions are fatally intertwined. Colt must battle against overwhelming odds while Punky races against time to uncover the traitor behind it all—both unaware that if either fails, the world will plunge into chaos.
From Jack Stewart, former US Navy Top Gun instructor pilot, comes Declared Hostile, the intense fourth installment in the acclaimed Battle Born series. This riveting narrative is a must-read for fans of Tom Clancy and Dale Brown, packing high-stakes action and intricate conspiracy into every chapter.
· Podcasts: I’ll be appearing on several over the coming months to talk about Blood Oath, writing, and my medic days. Stay tuned!
What Readers & Reviewers Are Saying
Out in the Cold (Alex Martel #2)
· “OUT IN THE COLD is nonstop action, with a heroine who never gives up, never surrenders. Like a ride on a runaway rollercoaster.”
— Tess Gerritsen, NYT bestselling author
· “Well-developed characters battling their way through a complex plotline rich in conspiracy, espionage, and political and international intrigue keep readers highly engaged from the first page to the last in Out in the Cold. Highly recommended to fans of high-action, covert, political thrillers.”
— Mystery & Suspense
· “Alexandra Martel is the heroine readers are clamoring for, and Out in the Cold delivers the goods. Steve Urszenyi skillfully crafts a narrative as chilling as the Arctic winds, brimming with action that grips readers from start to finish and showcases Alex as a protagonist who effortlessly rivals renowned characters like Scot Harvath and Court Gentry.”
— Jack Stewart, USA Today bestselling author
Perfect Shot (Alex Martel #1)
· “Urszenyi’s plotting and the texture of his writing reads like post-modern John le Carré. He strikes all the right tones in crafting a modern-day masterpiece of international intrigue that qualifies as a major debut in this superb international thriller.”
— BookTrib
· “First-time novelist Steve Urszenyi introduces us to our new favorite hero—Alex is relentless and dedicated to taking down the bad guys, and we loved diving headfirst into her thrilling world of ruthless assassins, duplicitous agents, and cunning politicos. Perfect Shot is an action-packed read that left us looking forward to the rest of the series.”
— Apple Books
· “Gripping and on target, Perfect Shot hits with maximum impact. Steve Urszenyi’s debut thriller never lets up from the first page to the last. Read it today!”
— Jack Carr, New York Times bestselling author
Thank You
Thank you for reading, supporting, and sharing my books. Your encouragement keeps me going through long nights at the keyboard and early mornings on the trail.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER.
Wishing you a summer full of adventure, good books, and a few perfect shots!
Stay safe,
Steve Urszenyi
Author of OUT IN THE COLD and PERFECT SHOT | BLOOD OATH coming November 18, 2025
Former paramedic & tactical medic | Toronto, ON
P.S. Want to be first in line for Blood Oath updates, events, and exclusive content? Follow me on social media and check my website for the latest news!
Steve, great launch for your newsletter, and great information!