
It’s something you just cannot avoid or escape. It’s everywhere, and no matter how much you struggle against it, eventually you have to give in.
Here it is, New Year’s Day, 2023. So I have to tell you my resolutions. Or plans.
So here we go.
The podcast
As you know, I launched Beyond Barbarossa, the first English-language podcast in the world to focus on the Eastern Front of World War II, on June 22, the 81st anniversary of the launch of Operation Barbarossa, Nazi Germany’s attack on the USSR and the greatest land invasion in history. I’ll continue with it, of course, every two weeks.
I resolve to working ahead more consistently, so I’m not scrambling to meet deadlines. And I’ll post more bonus content for supporters.
So here’s a bit of a look ahead:
- January 9: Life under Nazi German occupation
- January 23: Conversation with Ray Harris of the History of World War II podcast
- Second bonus episode: the Winter War between the USSR and Finland
- February 6: The Soviet Union strikes back.
Stay tuned! Visit BeyondBarbarossa.ca every second Monday—or if you’re anxious, late on every second Sunday—for the latest.
Books
I know I promised this last year, but I hereby solemnly resolve to finish re-writing and releasing another Hawaiian Storm mystery. Working title: Echoes of Vanessa.
This will be the fourth volume in the series featuring FBI Special Agent Vanessa Storm, which so far includes:
Torn Roots
Vanessa Storm enlists the help of an oddly intense geologist and an abrasive environmentalist to search for a kidnapped woman on Maui, Hawaii.

Palm Trees & Snowflakes
Vanessa Storm and partner Alan Terakawa investigate the flow of a new designer drug into Honolulu.

Dead Man Lying
Vanessa Storm returns to Hana, Maui to investigate the death of an aging rock star, and the bodies begin to pile up.

And now, Echoes of Vanessa will complete the series.
I may bring back Vanessa Storm in future books or stories, but not in the same role. I haven’t decided, yet. Let me know what you think.
Another project for 2023 is revising and reviving another old Kindle World Series, Van and LeBrun. I’ve completely re-thought it and have new villains, with the same heroes: the scruffy 21st century Robin Hood, Van Freeman and the tech genius Earl LeBrun. It will take a little more work, but I’m confident I’ll be able to republish at least a short, full novel by the end of the year.
Ideas for more books
I always have ideas for new stories and new books. I told you already about my idea for a dystopian near-future science-fiction story. I am also working on the details of an outline for a complicated spy story, set in … well, I don’t want to give much more away. That would destroy the point of the mystery I’m weaving.
Books edited
Three books I edited will be available soon.
Empires Will Fall
By Alan McDermott
Book 5 in the explosive Eva Driscoll action thriller series.
Eva Driscoll has discovered a chink in the armour of the ESO, the most powerful organisation on the planet. She plans to exploit it to take them down once and for all, but her plans are interrupted when she discovers that the ESO is targeting a doctor and his family, as well as a college student. Keen to use them as leverage against the ESO, Eva strikes first, only to discover a shocking secret that could change the world forever.
Pre-order now on Amazon.

Kim’s Story
By Lucy Appadoo
Book 3 of the Women of Strength series
Following Shadows of the Past and In Rio’s Shadows
Manuel Perez thought he could get out of the shadowy underworld he had slipped into. One more job. All he has to do is warn his brother, and there is only one person he can trust with the message: the only woman he ever loved, the woman who could not bear his criminal activities: yoga instructor Kim Mai.
When Manuel disappears, Kim travels to find his brother, Ricardo, in the picturesque medieval town of Patones, Spain. But the danger that took Manuel has followed Kim.
As the attraction between Kim and Ricardo becomes irresistible, the dark tide of drug smuggling and corruption closes around them. They have one last hope to escape—but that hope may be the very evil heart.
Taken
By Elyse Salpeter
A science-fiction castaway thriller.
That’s more than enough for one year, I think. A podcast, two books by me and more that I edit.
Here’s what I want from you
Keep me honest. Don’t let me miss deadlines. Tell me if you think I’m making mistakes, if something in the podcast is wrong or misinterpreted, or even off-topic.
Let me know about the books I’ve edited. Did you like the stories?
And let me know, too, about my next book. I’d love to hear what you think of Vanessa Storm in her most wrenching adventure in the FBI.
Happy new year
I wish you all a healthy, peaceful and joyous 2023.