Book Nook - Zephyr's War

 Corporate branding excerpt and influential business author Dr. James R. Gregory takes readers into the underbelly of Wall Street in his debut novel, Zephyr’s War (Morgan James Publishing, August 13, 2024), a gripping tale of ambition, temptation, and the precarious nature of wealth’s pursuit.

A retired international expert in corporate branding and its effect on Wall Street, as well as the author of six influential business books, Dr. Gregory has spoken around the world, including in Ukraine, which sparked the idea for the story. Melding his real-life business background as the leader of an unconventional consultancy with the freedom the fiction genre affords, Dr. Gregory presents this fast-paced thriller which contains all the elements of business realism along with plenty of thrills to captivate and entertain.

Synopsis:
Growing up in the shadow of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Zep Zephyr dedicated his young life to growing sunflowers on his family’s farm. When the Chernobyl reactor exploded, Zep and his brother Ziggy set out on a journey to start anew. Zep, hoping to uplift his brother’s spirits, painted a vivid picture of a luxurious life as champagne-drinking, cigar-smoking capitalists in America, a stark contrast to their upbringing in the Soviet Union.

Driven by this new and overwhelming desire to embrace capitalism, Zep and his brother make their way to New York City. Zep immerses himself in the world of finance and soon discovers the alluring promise of great fortunes: an initial public offering on Wall Street. Yet, his triumphs draw the attention of a sinister syndicate—the Russian mafia—who desire a slice of his success.

Meanwhile, the Securities Exchange Commission and the FBI have launched a relentless investigation into the surging criminal underworld seeking to infiltrate Wall Street’s impregnable fortress. Time becomes the enemy as the clock ticks ominously, propelling Zep into a high-stakes battle for his reputation, his future, and his very life.