Fall of the House of Echelon - Revelation is the first book in a trilogy, which is solidly in the horror genre. It combines horror, action and suspense into a masterful tale. The action takes the reader from Ireland, to America then to the great forests of Russia. It ends in the luxurious retreats of the wealthy in Italy.
In many regards this book was easier to write than my first novel Sinni63. I have learned how to use my tool set and have streamlined away things in my process that were distracting me from being productive. The great thing about this is that it has allowed me to write more in less time. The second book in this series is almost complete, so my readers will not have to a year or possibly longer to get the second book. For those of you that discovered my site through a random internet search, I have included select chapters of the book below. I hope you enjoy it enough to buy the book. And as always please subscribe to my mailing list to be alerted to upcoming efforts as well as
I walked down the street of Dunfanaghy in Northern Ireland looking for a local pub that was highly recommended. After a fifteen minute walk I had found it. The sign swung lightly in the breeze, “The Wayfarer.” This little town had become a popular tourist spot, and I was trying to find a local place to hang out and supposedly, this was it. I Looked across the horizon and glanced at the sun setting on the ocean. It was beautiful. I swung the door open and stepped in. The place was bigger on the inside that it looked like from the outside. There were a couple of big guys sitting on either side of the door. We looked one another over. I walked in and sat down at the bar. A gorgeous brunette walked behind the bar and down to where I sat.“What are you drinking?”“I’ll have a Guinness, is there anything else?”She gave me a look that said, “tourist”, but I did not care. The semi-warm brew came quickly, and I sipped it. I pulled my phone out and started going through pictures from the trip. I had been going from seaside town to town, kayaking bays and fjords. Sea kayaking is strenuous and dangerous, but the scenery and peace had been well worth it. The third beer in, I noticed the lights had dimmed and music had picked up.I flagged the bartender down and asked, “Can I get fish and chips?”She said, “Sure.”I inhaled the food when it came and washed it down with water. I had really wanted iced tea, but it had been hard to find cold tea in Ireland so far. I stretched and let the food hit my stomach. I had sat in a corner and looked around the bar. It had become quite busy. I was by far the oldest person in the bar, seems I had picked a hot spot for the local “in” crowd. The music had thumped, and the lights dimmed a notch lower.
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Echelon was thinking deeply about Niko’s appearance. Why now? What was he going to do? Would the changes be minor or a major upheaval? History was littered with the stories of the Myslyvtsi. He used to be up on his history, but it had been so long. Some had died quickly, others had started wars that had lasted decades and cost countless lives. The bumpy road brought him back to the present. A thin smile formed on his lips as he felt the plush leather seats wrap around his body. I am old. I can enjoy the finer things in life, now he thought. He wondered how Niko would take what he had to say today. Niko heard a ding. Niko and his body guards all grabbed a weapon of choice.Niko had them spread out to be harder targets to shoot at. Three large grey SUVs pulled into the driveway. Echelon got out along with his bodyguards. He was dressed so well and his grooming was impeccable as always.Niko rose and said, “Echelon, it’s a surprise to see you. I was expecting Danny or one of his crew.”“Yes, that would have been the case, but there are developments we must discuss.”Niko chuckled, “Of course there are. Carin, get us some tequila please? Have a seat Echelon and tell me what is on your mind.”Echelon sighed and said, “Of course, but a toast first.”Carin poured two fingers’ worth of tequila for the men.Echelon raised his glass and said, “To the future.”Niko echoed, “To the future.” The two men sipped their tequila in silence.Echelon said, “Well, your call to the Maximus Foundation did not go unnoticed by Agrippa Maximus. Between what I charged them and what you charged them, Sidonious Rex could not hide the cost. I got a rather interesting call from Agrippa Maximus. Seems like he wants you dead.”Niko laughed, “Of course, what else could there be. I killed the crazy brothers, took their slaves and cost him coin. Not surprised at all.”Echelon replied, “It is no laughing matter, the Maximus Foundation can bring almost limitless resources to bear to kill you.”“I’ll take your word for that, but I don’t feel terribly concerned now. Perhaps it’s the Liky. I have felt better and better since the other day.”Echelon said, “Perhaps you could come to an agreement with them. One that would allow them to save face and gold.”“I don’t think so, Echelon. The way those three women were treated is unacceptable. And I sure as hell will not ask for his permission to do what I want with something I own.”Echelon thought, “Definitely a hunter personality.”He said, “Niko, you are free to do as you please, but the Foundations will also do what they will.”A loud grumbling noise interrupted him. He cocked his head to the side and looked at Niko.Niko said, “I’m hungry as hell. Sharin, get me some meat please, just flash fry it.”“How much have you been eating, Niko?” asked Echelon.“Lots, more than I ever could have imagined. Going to call Danny to make some food arrangements.”“Danny can see to that for sure. So I cannot change your mind about your call to the Maximus Foundation then?”“No, it’s a done deal.”