What they’re saying about One Hot January ...

Failing to enter World War II in time to help the Allies defeat the advancing German forces, the U.S. tragically allows Hitler’s brutal empire to rise and rule the world. After years of oppression and systematic genocide, a rebellious faction of Hitler detractors hatches a plot to go back in time and alter the course of future history. Their main objective? To draw the U.S. into WWII, thereby aborting Hitler’s sinister plans before they even have the chance to be born. The unlikely key to their success? Joe January, a fast-talking private investigator who stumbles upon the plot while in the process of tracking down a missing Archeology professor who holds a potentially earth-shattering secret ...

One Hot January is nothing if not intriguing. In his thought-provoking tale of speculative fiction, author J. Conrad Guest skillfully combines dramatic fiction with historical fact to present a winding, suspense-filled mystery thriller. Driving the story along is the unflappable Joe January, who—despite finding himself thrust in the midst of a time-traveling conspiracy theory come to vivid life—remains the quintessential cool, sardonic hard ass with a heart of gold. As such, his unique energy alone is sure to captivate the reader’s interest as Guest unfolds his action-packed tale at a steady, compelling pace—all the way up to the bombshell surprise ending. A dynamic, highly recommended instant classic.

—Apex Reviews


New York City circa 1947—Written in the tradition of Raymond Chandler, mystery and intrigue along with wants, desires and regrets prevail for private investigator Joe January. When January takes on a case involving a missing person, he gets more than he bargains for as he uncovers a conspiracy along with a mysterious artifact that holds the key to a possible alternate reality. An unexpected spin lends to a highly enjoyable read and a much anticipated sequel.

—Deborah J Ledford, author of STACCATO


Joe January, detective and time traveler extraordinaire, is tangled in the web of a story so far-fetched, it threatens to knock his devil-may-care attitude right out the window—along with his self-professed emotional detachment from the women to whom he’s most attracted. Set in the WWII era, One Hot January slips and slides from one intriguing encounter to the next, with a surprise ending that will knock your socks off. I suggest you hang on tight and enjoy the ride!

—Terri Kirby Erickson, author of Telling Tales of Dusk

Joe January may be a man out-of-time—Bogart-cool and clever, sharp-tongued and fedoraed—but underneath the veneer he reveals himself both in his vulnerability and the most ageless adventure of all: a journey of the heart.

—Rachael Perry, author of How to Fly