Question: When is Sudden Death Fun? Answer: When Clive Cussler Says it is.

PITTSBURGH, PA -SterlingHouse Publisher recently received notification that international best-selling author and literary giant, Clive Cussler gave a ringing endorsement of the mystery thriller novel, Sudden Death, by Michael Balkind, published by SterlingHouse under their PeroThrillers imprint. According to Cussler, Sudden Death is "Pure fun, pure intrigue. The action never stops till a fascinating climax".

"What makes Cussler's support so significant," says Cynthia Sterling, Publisher and CEO, "is that Sudden Death is Michael's first novel. It's not easy for new authors, but with this great review it just became less hard for Michael."

Sterling went on to comment about the ferocious competition that new authors and small publishers face as they struggle to make their mark in the publishing industry. "The sheer number of books published each year is staggering. That coupled with factors such as fewer independent bookstores and shrinking budgets for libraries a new author must have a plan and work that plan from every angle. Endorsements and reviews are necessary and often hard to get, especially from the great ones such as Cussler."

Hard? Impossible? That did not stop Michael Balkind from asking. "I'm a fan of Cussler. It was a fantasy of mine that one day I would write a book and Cussler would be a fan of mine," says Balkind. "I don't know if he is a fan, yet, but he liked my book and right now I'm enjoying a wonderful moment given to me by Clive Cussler… a fantastic author and all around good guy."


To interview Michael Balkind or to receive a review copy of Sudden Death, please contact please contact Jon Handel, Marketing and Publicity, SterlingHouse Publisher, at (412) 436-3100 ext. 103, or at jhandel@sterlinghousepublisher.com. For more information regarding the book, visit www.sterlinghousepublisher.com.