Tag: novels

Special promotion!

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A GAME FOR ASSASSINS

New Promo Price!!!   £/$ 0.99

29th January to 4th February 2016

Available from Amazon

 

The assassination of a Caribbean dictator….The “hit” on a traitor in Beirut……The brutal murder of a young CIA officer behind the Iron Curtain…..

It is 1964, the height of the Cold War, and British Intelligence is riding high with its top double agent network: Constellation.

But in the secret war fought across Europe the enemy is never far away and soon the agents of Constellation are targeted by an unknown team of assassins. In desperation British Intelligence sends in their best agent to protect the network and hunt down the killers.

Jack “Gorilla” Grant isn’t your typical Cold War secret agent. Short, tough, uncompromising, rough edged. He doesn’t fit in with the elitist spies and debonair intelligence agents. He prefers working at the rough end of British covert operations.

But “Gorilla” is one of the best “Redactors” in the business. He’s an expert at close quarter combat: quick to the draw and deadly accurate when it comes to the elimination of traitors and extremists on behalf of the British Secret Service (SIS). He is soon drawn into a game of cross and double cross where nothing is as it seems and even the most perfect spy can die in a wilderness of mirrors.

“A Game for Assassins” is an action packed edge of your seat thrill ride played out across the global stage of the Cold War.

A GAME FOR ASSASSINS COMPLETE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

James Quinn spent 15 years in the secret world of covert operations, undercover investigations and international security before turning his hand to writing.

He is trained in hand to hand combat and in the use of a variety of weaponry including small edged weapons. He is also a crack pistol shot for CQB (Close Quarter Battle) and many of his experiences he has incorporated into his works of fiction.

The second book in the Gorilla Grant series – SENTINEL FIVE – will be available from Creativia Publishing in 2016.

He lives in the United Kingdom.

For more information check out the James Quinn Website: http://jamesquinn.webs.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/James-Quinn/1558765681046413

Amazon

http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00VRR0DYI?ref_=pe_1805931_64002121

http://www.amazon.com/James-Quinn/e/B00VRR0DYI/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

 

Excerpt from SENTINEL FIVE

Coming 2016

Reierson smiled the smile of a man that was satisfied with life. He stretched, heard his muscles click and then made his way to the drinks cabinet and poured himself a large Remy martin, no ice. He flicked on the record player and turned the volume up. Something rock and roll that Gorilla didn’t know. Someone was singing about being a wild thing.

Reierson sat back in the high chair facing the fire and the rug that he just made love on. His feet were tapping along to the music as he sipped at his drink. Gorilla was pleased. The man was relaxed, off guard, and the volume of the music would help to hide what was about to happen next. He did one final mental check: catch to the inside of the cabinet loose, gloves on, gun primed. Check. Then he gently pushed open the door, took three long steps forward so that he could reach the chair, brought the gun up to the side of Reierson’s head and pulled the trigger just as the drum beat intensified. The boom of the revolver was lost in the maelstrom of music. It had been that simple, that easy and that brutal, and no more than five seconds had elapsed since he had left the confines of the wall cabinet. Taking a life could take no time at all and Reierson hadn’t even been aware of what had happened. One moment here, the next gone. Permanently.

by dmcain84

Cover reveal for ‘Timeshaft’ by Stewart Bint

Today is the cover reveal day for science fiction thriller ‘Timeshaft’ by the amazing Stewart Bint. This book was originally published on Smashwords in 2013 and is a firm favourite of mine. Mind-bending time-travel science fiction and excellent writing make this an excellent read.

Now with with a brand new dazzling front cover by Troy Johnson, and a thorough re-editing (plus a number of new scenes including new begining and ending), I am very excited to read this brand new Booktrope edition!

So without further ado, here is the striking new cover!

9781513706887_cover FRONT.jpg

Blurb:

By the twenty-seventh century, mankind has finally mastered time travel—and is driving recklessly towards wiping itself out. The guerilla environmentalist group WorldSave, with its chief operative Ashday’s Child, uses the Timeshaft to correct mistakes of the past in an effort to extend the life of the planet.

But the enigmatic Ashday’s Child has his own destiny to accomplish, and will do whatever it takes within a complicated web of paradoxes to do so. While his destiny—and very existence—is challenged from the beginning to the end of time, he must collect the key players through the ages to create the very Timeshaft itself.

“Do our actions as time travellers change what would otherwise have happened, or is everything already laid down in a predetermined plan?” he asks. Stewart Bint’s Timeshaft is an expertly synchronized saga of time travel, the irresistible force of destiny, and the responsibility of mankind as rulers of the world.

All about Stewart Bint:

Stewart Bint is a novelist, magazine columnist and PR writer. He lives with his wife, Sue, in Leicestershire, in the UK, and has two grown-up children, Christopher and Charlotte.

He is a former radio presenter, newsreader and phone-in show host, but always wanted to become a fiction writer — a dream that came true when his first novel was published in 2012 at the age of 56. Now the author of five novels, a collection of short stories and a compilation of his early magazine columns, he was signed by Booktrope in 2015, who published a revised edition of his paranormal novel, In Shadows Waiting, in August.

They are publishing a revised and re-edited edition of Timeshaft shortly.

As a member of a local barefoot hiking group, when not writing he can often be found hiking in bare feet on woodland trails and urban streets.

Stewart Bint online:

Website and blog: http://stewartbintauthor.weebly.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StewartBintAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorsjb

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stewart-Bint/e/B00D18IARS

Amazon USA: http://www.amazon.com/Stewart-Bint/e/B00D18IARS

by dmcain84

The Crown of Stones: Magic-Borne Cover Reveal

The Crown of Stones: Magic-Borne Cover Reveal

Around one and a half years ago I read the first book in the Crown of Stones trilogy (Magic-Price).

I don’t say this lightly, but that book changed my life.

It affected me emotionally, it drew me in with the exceptional writing, the characters stole my heart, and it made me look at the fantasy genre in an entirely new way. It has all the best elements of traditional fantasy, but with a unique, dark twist. Plus, check out the incredible artwork! That’s what drew me to Book 1 in the first place.

Book 2 cemented this series as one of my favourite fantasy series of all time (alongside His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman and The Word and the Void by Terry Brooks)

Now, Book 3 is nearly out! To say I am excited would be an understatement! So, today on my blog I am featuring the amazingly talented C.L. Schneider as she prepares for the release of The Crown of Stones: Magic-Borne.

 

He’s paid for his addiction. He’s been scarred by his spells. He’s borne magic’s weight, its pleasure, and its guilt. But will he surrender to it when the realm needs him most?

Magic-Borne, the final installment of my epic fantasy trilogy, The Crown of Stones, is almost here! The Crown of Stones follows the trials of Ian Troy; a man struggling with an inborn addiction to magic in a world where magic is reviled, not revered.

The cover of Magic-Borne was designed by artist Alan Dingman.

Magic-borne cover.jpg

Synopsis:

In one fell swoop, the resistance was shattered. Lives were taken. Hope was lost. Peace slipped like grains of sand through his fingers. So did the Crown of Stones. Now, forced into hiding, Ian Troy grapples for a way to save the realm—and free its people—from the sadistic clutches of Jem Reth; Mirra’kelan’s new self-appointed emperor. Plagued with the knowledge of a tragic future, he strives to influence events and save those he cares for. But his magic has betrayed him, and Fate has other plans.

Scarred by the crown, hindered by the transformation spell contained within, each cast brings Ian one step closer to becoming more beast than man. Each move brings the death and destruction foretold in his vision inexplicably nearer. With Langor on the brink of war, and King Malaq’s plan for peace hanging in the balance, Ian returns to the ancient past; seeking an end to the eldring spell and a means to thwart Jem’s growing domination. What he finds there sets off a chain of revelations that leads Ian places he never thought to go.

Entrusted with the future of his race, Ian becomes the linchpin for lasting change. But how much weight can one man carry? And how much is he willing to sacrifice in the name of peace?

Magic Price cover

Haven’t read book 1 yet? There’s still time to dive into the adventure before book 3 is released!

To celebrate the cover reveal, Magic-Price and Magic-Scars are both on Kindle Countdown from 1/28 to 2/4. Download Magic-Price (book 1) for only .99 & Magic-Scars (book 2) for $1.99!

 

 

 

Book 1 

Magic-Price Kindle

Magic-Price PB

Book 2  

Magic-Scars Kindle

Magic-Scars PB

Visit my Website for excerpts, teasers, reviews, and more!

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Bio:

Schneider.jpg

 

L. Schneider is a self-published author of adult epic and urban fantasy. The first two books in her Crown of Stones trilogy, Magic-Price and Magic-Scars, are available on Amazon. The third installment will be released in February 2016. She is currently working on Nite Fire, an urban fantasy featuring a shape-shifting dragon hybrid named Dahlia Nite. C. L. Schneider lives in the scenic Hudson Valley of upstate New York with her husband and two sons. She spends her days torturing characters, overdosing on coffee, and daydreaming about the zombie apocalypse.

 

 

Catch up with C. L. Schneider on social media

Website http://www.clschneiderauthor.com/

Twitter https://twitter.com/cl_schneider

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CLS.Author

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomCLSchneider

Amazon Author Page http://bit.ly/CLAmazonPg

Google +http://www.google.com/+CLSchneider

by dmcain84

Inspiration for The Phoenix Project

Inspiration for The Phoenix Project

The Phoenix Project is a story that is very close to my heart. I had the original idea in 2002 and it has slowly grown with the input of a variety of influences and inspirations.

Raven Kennedy: Raven began as the villain, Vincent, in my first novel “Dead End” (an idea which never came to fruition). The plot didn’t work, but I adored his character so I kept him and developed him more as an antagonist in the fantasy world of ‘The Light and Shadow Chronicles’ (You may have met him in the first of the series, ‘A Chronicle of Chaos’).

I loved the character so much that I took the idea of him and developed it in another direction—into the dark and depressed Raven in my next novel, ‘The Phoenix Project.’

Having worked with Raven for so long, I am very emotionally attached to him. Even though he is fictional, I feel that he is a part of my heart and soul. Hence this tattoo:

profile pictureRaven also features as a major character in ‘The Light and Shadow Chronicles.’ I don’t think I will ever write a book that doesn’t have Raven in it in some way. He is my muse and my access to my creativity.

The decline of religion: Religion plays an important role in my life, which is unusual, as I am agnostic. I feel that faith is beautiful and special. I, sadly, am not lucky enough to have it myself, but I don’t understand why people blame religion for the world’s problems. I wanted to portray a world which was clearly worse for the decline of religion in an attempt to show the benefits of faith.

Salverford prison: I travelled a lot whilst I was writing ‘The Phoenix Project’ and many of the places that I visited helped to fuel my imagination and give depth to my work. On a trip to Rome, I visited the Colosseum and was inspired by the ancient building. The exhibits on gladiators gave me a deeper understanding of the life of a person forced to fight to the death. I was able to pick out certain details and use them in ‘The Phoenix Project’ – such as the type of food gladiators were given to eat.

I also spent some time in Krakow, Poland, and visited Aushwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. I’ll never forget the horror of the place, particularly Block 11, the torture and incarceration block. The long, thin cell which Raven passes in the Ruby Tower dungeons comes directly from a cell I saw at Auschwitz-Birkenau. The descriptions of smoke billowing from small chimneys also come from things I saw at Auschwitz.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_11

The place which gave me the most inspiration for Salverford, especially the underground cellars of Ruby Tower and the dark room, was the Terror Haza Museum in Budapest. This museum is the old offices of the Soviet Union Stasi and, later, The Nazi party’s Gestapo. Underneath the building, in the cold, dark cellars, is a grim and depressing dungeon of tiny, damp cells and a crushing sense of futility. I crept inside one of the waist-high cells and sat in pitch darkness and felt despair crowding in on me. This is where the ‘dark room’ was born.

For more information on the Terror Haza Museum, visit:

http://www.terrorhaza.hu/en/museum/about_us.html

The Colosseum:

I love the city of Rome. I’ve visited three times and have loved it more every time! Setting the finale in Rome fitted in well with the religion theme and gave the novel a focus, but I also enjoyed writing about a place I loved so dearly. The Colosseum was a great place for Raven to end up as an ironic safe place.

As I was coming close to finishing ‘The Phoenix Project’, I was preparing myself to write the epilogue about Rome. My incredibly thoughtful husband surprised and delighted me by treating me to a holiday in Rome for Valentine’s day in 2010. It meant that I was able to write that final chapter in Rome itself.

Buy ‘The Phoenix Project’:

Nook:

http://www.nook.com/gb/ebooks/the-phoenix-project-by-dm-cain/2940157645656

Amazon:

US http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0195A6AYK
UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0195A6AYK

Barnes and Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-phoenix-project-dm-cain/1123117161

iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/book/id1066900946

by dmcain84

Tales of Crime & Violence by Paul White

Tales of Crime & Violence

The three book collector editions

 Tales of Crime and Violence.png

BLURB.

This remarkable three volume collection encompasses numerous and varied stories of acts and deeds of crime and violence. Paul White has once again woven his masterly spell of intrigue into each stories plot. Secrecy, scheming, plotting and conspiracy live hand-in-hand with outrageous and shocking violence, viciousness and brutality.

All three volumes of Tales of Crime & Violence are packed with carnage and bloodshed and mayhem, while an ominous sense of sinister, physiological apprehension lingers in the dark shadows.

Tales of Crime & Violence contains graphic acts of violence, profanities and sexual reference. It is not recommended for reading for those under adult age.

Tales of Crime & Violence is available in a paperback collection of three volumes, or on Kindle as a complete ‘box-set’.

EXCERPT.

……….The Sheriff stopped, as did the two deputies in the following cruisers. Together we walked to the car. I handed one of the deputies the keys. You could feel the heat reflecting from the steel of the bodywork.

It was one hell of a hot day.

When the deputy opened the driver’s door a blast of superheated air escaped. It was so extreme it forced us to take a step backwards and twist our heads away from its intensity. But it was the smell which was most overpowering. I saw, but did not comprehend the glance between the law men. However, I knew that my day was going to get worse when they handcuffed me.

My day certainly became a living nightmare when they opened the trunk. Bobby lay inside. His throat had been sliced from ear to ear and his eyes gouged out. The heat had caused his body to swell and the blood to cook.

I only recognised him by his jeans and boots.

After that it was all a bit of a blur. I was bundled into the sheriff’s car and we raced the few miles to the motel. It looked as deserted as when I left a few hours ago.

From room fourteen all the way to room twenty the doors were open. They were the doors I kicked open during my frantic search for the others.

I explained this to the Officers.

The thing that interested the Sherriff was the sign hanging from the doorknob of room thirteen.

I had not noticed that sign in my earlier panicky state. It said ‘Do not disturb’. What was interesting the lawmen most was the smudged bloody handprint on that sign.

The Deputies drew their guns and crashed the door.

It flew open. The intense odour of putrid dead flesh flooded my nostrils.

Inside the room, laid out across the bed were Kathy and Taylor. They were tethered to the bedstead with strands of rusting wire cable, spread-eagled and naked. Their stomachs had been slit open and their entrails extended across the floor.

Those black flies and an army of brown rats were busily feasting on their remains………

BUY LINKS.

UK Paperback

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=tales+of+Crime+%26+Violence

US paperback

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Tales+of+Crime+%26+Violence

Kindle (worldwide).

http://authl.it/B019VNDE5E

by dmcain84

The Phoenix Project Blog Tour!

My 4Wills blog tour for The Phoenix Project will take place over the next few weeks, stopping at the blogs of lots of wonderful writers. To see where I’ll be on each day, check out the tour schedule here:

https://4willspublishing.wordpress.com/upcoming-events/blog-tour-author-d-m-cain/   

You can also win some goodies!

I am giving away two free book bundles, where you can win a signed paperback of The Phoenix Project, plus a paperback of my children’s book, Soren.

Soren – middle-grade adventure fantasy

To be eligible to win one of these sets, merely leave a comment on any stop along the tour, including this one and you could be one of our two lucky winners!!!

The first stop on our tour starts today at the blog of the wonderful John Fioravanti, where you can learn about the changes from the first to the second edition of The Phoenix Project:

http://fiorabooks.com/introducing-d-m-cains-the-phoenix-project-2nd-edition/

Don’t miss my Author Party Event (http://4Wills-DMCain.chatovod.com/) on Friday, January 15th at 1pm CST!!

by dmcain84

The Eye of Mares Blog Tour

ROTE - Eye of Mares Revised Cover Art

The Eye of Mares Blog Tour

To celebrate the release of the second instalment in the Rise of the Elohim chronicles, the Eye of Mares is going to blog hopping like a headlining rockstar, multiple showings for over the course of two weeks, with a new page shared with each appearance, continuing from where the last one went off and today I get to host the latest page:

The Eye of Mares – Part 22

…“What news?” Mako probed.

An illness of an unknown origin, has taken hold of Retina. Already half of its inhabitants have fallen seriously ill and the island’s doctor is struggling to identify the cause.

“That is most serious, but we are warriors, not doctors. Just what is it you expect us to do about it?”

Well, for starters, I believe the illness may well be the work of the Shanzi.

“Shanzi? I can see how you would make such a conclusion. We both know of a Shanzi who fits the bill.”

You refer to Shaymon, bringer of diseases?

“I do, and furthermore, if Shaymon is the cause, than it only stands to reason that Mongra and Stavros are too.” Dark thoughts filled Mako’s mind. If all three were roaming Mares, true danger lay in wait. Together, the combined powers of Darkari’s sons and trusted Generals overwhelmed that of the Shanzi King’s. “If they are indeed the freed Shanzi, we must find all three at once.”

I am of the same mind and I believe I may have already found all three of them. Izal’s words sparked hope inside Mako.

“Let mind form words and make them heard,” Mako replied immediately, eager to know.

On Pupill, some mouths let slip a story of a phantom wolf. One that came to their little island in the dark of night before it was slain by Cooper, the resident Watcher.

“How long ago did such an incident occur? I never heard of this.”

If the accounts I have heard are true, it was the same night that you and Zach drew swords against Shimay.

“Stavros has been known to take the form of a great wolf and Pupill is just the kind of place he would strike.”

Again, I am of the same mind.

“And you say the phantom wolf was defeated by…

****Here concludes todays Page****

Be sure to pick up a copy direct from Amazon: The Eye of Mares – Out now!

You could even let the adventure continue and check out its prequel, where the story began and the series was created: The Spirit of Iris – Out now!

****Book specifics****

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Author: Rocky Rochford

Illustrator: Ashleigh Longman

Title: The Eye of Mares

Series: Book 2 of the Rise of the Elohim Chronicles

Genre: Illustrated YA fantasy adventure

Book Content Rating: Suitable for ages 12 and up

Tag-line: “Darkness has many forms and Mares is its playground.”

Blurb:

Nearly four years have passed since Zach drew blade against the Shanzi Shimay and now the time has come for him to draw his sword once more. The Realm of Mares has fallen victim to invasion as three terrifying beasts of darkness, seek to destroy the world around them, as they await the inevitable arrival of their King.

With dark times ahead, the numbers of the Watchers on Iris has grown, as Zach is joined by seven fellow students, all too eager to prove their worth. It’s not long before the students are put to the test facing off against the Nein Navy and uncover a dark secret.

The stage is set and the Battle for Mares is under-way. 

Author Shot - Rocky Rochford 2015 

Rocky Rochford Biography

Rocky Rochford is your standard guy, if your standard guy scuba dives, partakes in underwater photographer and is a wake-boarding, adventure seeking, sword collecting, marine conservation supporter. After living life on the road and the places between, he finally settled down but not without benefiting from all the lessons life had to teach him.

Self-professed “Student of Everything, and Master of Nothing,” Rochford does not choose what he writes, but writes what chooses him, be it fantasy, crime, poetry, philosophy or even adventure. Life is a journey we all get to experience, just like a good book.

Every read into another of his typed works is another trip into the imagination of his mixed up, crazed and deranged mind and this year along those works include the likes of full novels and novellas such as:

London Calling – a Deep Water Novel (Spy Thriller)

Don’t Even Blink – Part of the Don’t Turn Around Trilogy (Horror)

Wait and Bleed – The Don’t Turn Around Collection (Horror collection of the entire Don’t Trilogy)

And now The Eye of Mares – Book 2 of the Rise of the Elohim Chronicles (Illustrated YA fantasy adventure) 

Other works released by him, are a number of short stories pertaining to horror, paranormal and romance, as well as other works released as part of an anthology:

The Devil You Know (Paranormal short)

Salt in the Wound – Part of the Entwined Saga (Paranormal short)

The Food of Love (featuring Him & Her) – An Anthology by Solstice Publishing (Romance filled Anthology)

Him & Her (Romance Standalone release)

Don’t Say A Word (Horror)

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Volume II (featuring The Devil Before) – An Anthology by the Solstice Shadows (Paranormal themed Anthology)

Awethology Dark (featuring Ghosts) – An Anthology by the #Awethors (Adult stories pertaining to a darker theme)

The December Awethology Dark Volume (featuring Seven Years Bad Luck) – An Anthology by the #Awethors (Adult stories pertaining to a darker theme, set around December)

****Welcome to the World of Rochford****­

Social Media Links:

Rocky Rochford’s website: rockyrochford.wordpress.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IamRockyRochford/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RockyRochford

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7310280.Rocky_Rochford

Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Rocky-Rochford/e/B00O3AA3KU/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1449272442&sr=8-1

Rochford writes a little something for everyone, so if Mares isn’t your cup of tea, you can guarantee one of his many other works certainly is!

by dmcain84

Want to win a £10 Amazon giftcard?

This competition has just one more day until closure – follow the steps below to win be entered into a draw to win a £10 Amazon giftcard. I’ll be announcing the winner at 9pm GMT (4pm EST) on 14th December.

Would you like to win a £10 Amazon giftcard?

All you have to do is share the links below for The Phoenix Project to your facebook wall and tag five friends who might be interested in reading it. (Also tag DM Cain so I can see your post!) Then you will be entered into a draw to win the giftcard. It’s that simple!

Here are the links you can share:

Amazon:
US http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0195A6AYK – http://amzn.to/1NKjbrt

UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0195A6AYK – http://amzn.to/1QAoJW9

Nook:
http://www.nook.com/gb/ebooks/the-phoenix-project-by-dm-cain/2940157645656

Barnes and Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-phoenix-project-dm-cain/1123117161

by dmcain84

Dark, psychological dystopian ‘The Phoenix Project’ gets a makeover!

It’s taken many an hour slogging away over the manuscript, making tweaks and changes and tearing my hair out, but the new version of The Phoenix Project is finally here!

This brand new edition of my dystopian, psychological thriller The Phoenix Project will be re-released on December 11th. It was originally published in May 2014, and this new Booktrope edition has had a complete editing overhaul plus a stunning new cover design.

The Phoenix Project Cover - Booktrope

The book will be available to buy from a wide range of digital and paperback distributors, including Amazon:

Nook:

http://www.nook.com/gb/ebooks/the-phoenix-project-by-dm-cain/2940157645656

Amazon:

US http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0195A6AYK – http://amzn.to/1NKjbrt

UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0195A6AYK – http://amzn.to/1QAoJW9

Synopsis:

How can you fight to the death, when you’ve given up on life?

A thought provoking and compelling dystopian world that will change the way you view justice…

A man fights for life—and redemption—in D. M. Cain’s riveting re-released novel, The Phoenix Project.

Britain has descended into chaos as violence and terrorist attacks seethe across this once-peaceful country. Outraged by the steady stream of lawlessness, citizens demand a harsher penal system, and the Phoenix Project is born.

In prisons across the country, inmates fight to the death in a weekly bloodbath while the nation cheers them on.

Raven Kennedy, a prisoner who has never forgiven himself for his unspeakable crime, struggles against his own guilt and self-loathing. But even as the real war wages on within himself, Raven is forced to battle some of the prison’s most ruthless killing machines. Can he survive long enough to unravel the anger and regret that shackle him—and one day find the forgiveness he seeks?

‘The Phoenix Project by D.M. Cain is a superbly written debut, soaked in tension and intrigue,’ Jack Croxall, author of the ‘Tethers’ trilogy.

An interesting fact about The Phoenix Project: The horrifying ‘dark room’ in The Phoenix Project (a pitch-black sensory deprivation cell) was inspired by D.M. Cain’s visit to the Terror Haza in Budapest—a museum dedicated to the fascistic and communistic regimes that operated from the building. In the cellar of the Terror Haza are the old cells used to imprison and torture inmates. D.M. crawled inside a very low cell and shut the door, casting herself into total darkness. It was terrifying and claustrophobic, and she only lasted five minutes in there!

 

Extract from Chapter One:

This is the opening, which throws us straight into Raven preparing for his first fight to the death
Cold, dark terror trickled through Raven Kennedy’s veins, freezing him on the spot. There was a thunderous drumbeat echoing around his skull and it took him a while to realise it was the relentless, agitated pounding of his own heart.

As he became more nervous, more afraid of his looming fate, his breath came quickly, sticking in his throat and choking him. A cough threatened to burst forth from his lips, but he held it in, afraid it would bring with it the contents of his stomach—the bland, tasteless meal he had been given in his cell.

It was the worst possible time to feel weak, but Raven felt like he could hardly lift his arms, his exhaustion was so great. He hadn’t slept a wink last night. How could he with today hovering over him?
The time for his first fight had come around quickly. He’d hardly been given time to think about it at all. Raven looked down at his hands and was not surprised to see they were shaking.

His opponent’s name was Wilson. Raven knew nothing else about him. He’d never spoken to him, had never even met him. Had they passed one another in the dining hall and never even looked up? If he had spoken to him would that make what he was about to do any easier?

He heard heavy footsteps in the corridor and his heart jumped into his throat. They were coming for him.

 

by dmcain84