Adventure Writers Competition 2025 Update

by


Photo credit: Jeff Edwards

I’m thrilled to share that my novel was named a finalist in this year’s Adventure Writers Competition. Although I didn’t take home the grand prize, I couldn’t be prouder to have stood among such talented storytellers.

The winning novel, Deadly Vision by T.D. Severin, is a masterfully written thriller—cinematic, tightly plotted, and packed with tension from start to finish. Reading it reminded me why I love this genre: stories that keep your heart racing and your mind turning long after the last page.

 

Here are my reviews of the other two finalist novels:

Deadly Vision

T.D. Severin writes with a filmmaker’s eye and a surgeon’s precision—Deadly Vision is both thrilling and meticulously crafted. Every scene feels clipped, cinematic, and alive with tension. Even the medical details are seamlessly woven in, clear enough to engage without ever slowing the pace—a rare balance to achieve. Severin’s control of narrative rhythm and rising stakes is masterful, pulling you through a whirlwind of action and intrigue. A sharp, smart, and deeply satisfying thriller that reminds you why you fell in love with storytelling in the first place.
5.0 out of 5 stars Taut, vivid, and cinematic.
Taut, vivid, and cinematic. Nogales Pass is the kind of thriller that plays like a film in your head. Keith Weber keeps the pacing tight without rushing, building pressure scene by scene and paying it off with action that’s easy to follow and genuinely nerve–jangling. What I admired most is the clarity: the geography of each fight is crisp, and the cause-and-effect is logical. The final showdown is crystal-clear and tense, and the closing beat leaves just enough room for Sean Wynn’s world to keep going. In short: tight prose, clean action, believable stakes, and momentum that never flags. If you like lean, propulsive thrillers with cinematic blocking and a hero you can root for, this one delivers.

I’m so grateful to the judges, organizers, and fellow finalists for the encouragement and camaraderie throughout this process. Every round of this contest has helped me grow as a writer and sharpen my focus for what’s next. Thank you to everyone who’s been cheering me on! Your support means more than you know.

Onward to the next adventure.

~ L.S.