Richard Herley's introduction: Here are ten short pieces of non-fiction, some about reading and writing; most have already appeared on my blog. I hope you enjoy them.Years of planning and preparations are finally culminating in the unification of the two countries of Gelendan and Treymayne. The year of Phoenix’s eighteenth birthday will mark the end of their rocky histories of blood-magic and the Order and the beginning of a new era. Being the figurehead of this momentous occasion comes naturally to Phoenix, but unsettling rumors have begun to swirl that portray her abilities in a negative light. Putting these out of her mind, she must act the Princess she is to host the lavish festivities that are her birthday party. While floating down the Great River in their moving celebration, their yacht makes an exciting discovery: They come across another ship, from a far off and unknown empire. With the heralds of the empire within the city walls, it is easy to forget rumors of the Princess reading minds. But when men start getting attacked through a power of the mind, it is more than the Princess’s reputation on the line…The Empire Trilogy is a follow-on to the BloodRunes Trilogy and The Forgotten Trilogy in the Eleventh World Saga, but may also be enjoyed on its own. For more information, please visit LauraRCole.com

It is 1997. The British government now runs island prison colonies to take dangerous offenders from its overcrowded mainland jails. Among all these colonies, Sert, 25 miles off the north Cornish coast, has the worst reputation. There are no warders. Satellite technology is used to keep the convicts under watch. New arrivals are dumped by helicopter and must learn to survive as best they can. To Sert, one afternoon in July, is brought Anthony John Routledge, sentenced for a sex-murder he did not commit. Routledge knows he is here for ever. And he knows he must quickly forget the rules of civilized life.But not all the islanders are savages. Under the charismatic leadership of one man a community has evolved. A community with harsh and unyielding rules, peopled by resourceful men for whom the hopeless dream of escape may not be so hopeless after all ...

thriller, science fiction, horror, adventure, satanism, apocalyptic fiction, suspense