Blog Archives
The Drama Of A Personal Vendetta
Harshest Dawn: Beyond Cascadia: Four follows a husband and wife who are trying to escape a sadistic enemy with a revenge-filled plan to destroy them. What was your inspiration for the wild journey you take readers on in this novel?
Harshest Dawn picks up plot threads that were laid in the second installment of the series, Eclipse Rising. I had readers tell me how much they liked the rapport between Owen and Sofia, plus how menacing they thought Hayden Singer was, so it felt natural to continue those themes. I also liked the idea of having the drama of a personal vendetta enacted against the broader elements of a realistic political scenario. As I got into the nuts and bolts of how this might play out, I really had fun setting up obstacles and narrow escapes for the characters!
Were you able to relate to your characters while writing them?
I always get inside a characters’s head as I’m writing, even the ones on the side. It was challenging emotionally to get inside the antagonist, Singer, but I felt he needed to be depicted as believable as possible. However, I think the character I related to most closely was Sofia, especially when she switched to ‘mama bear’ mode and became more engaged in the action.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
That’s a really tough question! I certainly enjoyed plotting Enrique’s rescue sequence, but overall, my favorite was the final escape scene, because I really felt I was alongside Owen and Sofia, holding my breath until the last line of that chapter!
Where does the next book in the series take the characters?
While the main plot of Harshest Dawn is resolved by the end of the book, it’s obvious there’s much more political intrigue and personal drama to explore. The setting will deal with the U.S.’s response to China and Russia gaining a foothold in Pacifica, but the main focus will be on Owen’s entanglement with the insurgent movement, and Singer’s lust for more power in the new country. Of course, those two goals are going to end up on a collision course!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Website
The progressive “Successor” party has seized control of the West Coast, further isolating the region from the decayed and feckless United States. Imposing their warped utopian vision on the defenseless citizens, the leaders of the new nation of Pacifica swiftly ramp up persecution of all social and religious opposition.
In a haven far from the chaos, American cyber defender Owen MacIntyre hears disturbing rumors about conditions in his former home, but there’s little he can do to help. Frustrated and powerless, he wonders if it’s time to abandon politics and focus instead on building a peaceful life elsewhere with his wife, Sofia.
But Owen’s ex-supervisor, Pacifica’s Chief Enforcer Hayden Singer, has other ideas. Even a world away, he has MacIntyre dead in his sights and is determined to make him pay for his disloyalty.
Thus politics becomes personal when the fugitive couple is caught in a revenge-fueled scheme that rips their family apart. Desperate and driven, Owen and Sofia will need every skill at their disposal—and some top-secret, risky new technology—to overcome the nightmare of Singer’s sadistic plans.
Although Harshest Dawn builds on the events in Eclipse Rising,the author includes enough backstory that readers new to the series will have no trouble getting up to speed and enjoying this fast-paced tale of high-stakes personal drama, played out against a backdrop of all-too-believable political turmoil.
Harshest Dawn
In S. Kirk Pierzchala’s Harshest Dawn: Beyond Cascadia: Four, readers are transported to a world where the former American states of Washington, Oregon, and California are now under the control of a political faction known as the Successors, following a well-planned coup. The novel follows the story of Owen MacIntyre, a fugitive cyber defender, and his wife, Sofia, who were fortunate enough to escape the country before the borders were shut. However, Owen’s former supervisor, Hayden Singer, the Chief Enforcer of Pacifica, is eager to punish him for his betrayal, putting Owen’s family in harm’s way. The novel is a multilayered dystopian thriller that centers on Owen’s struggle to protect his family and seek freedom while facing the harsh realities of a nation slipping into oligarchy and cronyism.
Kirk masterfully weaves technology into the narrative, adding mechanical rodents used in an escape plan, artificial womb technology, life-like sex androids, and other intriguing technological elements. The book’s well-developed political setting provides an immersive and high-risk environment, where every action against the populace increases the stakes and makes the story more intriguing. Readers will also be drawn to the story’s relatable elements as Owen and Sofia try to maintain a sense of normalcy amid chaos. Their everyday issues, such as Sofia’s insecurities about her pregnancy, help readers connect with the characters on a deeper level. However, some readers may find the book’s shifts in tone and perspective too abrupt. The book’s themes and moods jump from one idea to another. Readers are kept on their toes following the fast-moving plot and character development. Harshest Dawn offers a diverse range of stories and characters. The novel features kidnappings, rescue operations, religious quests, retribution schemes, hidden societies, dystopian objectives, technological innovation, and other themes. Its intricately woven storylines and the thrilling plot will appeal to readers who enjoy dystopian and thriller genres.
Harshest Dawn is a thought-provoking novel that explores themes of oppression and brutal leadership, making it a must-read for those who appreciate great world-building and powerful narratives. S. Kirk Pierzchala’s skillful crafting and meticulous attention to detail are evident throughout the novel, creating an immersive and unforgettable world.
Pages: 436 | ASIN : B0BZF56ZSV
Sharing the Truth and Love
Solitude of Light follows a brother that has dedicated himself to God’s will as he tries to save his atheist brothers’ soul and fix the broken relationships they have. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
The conflict between Tomás and Francisco was already a theme in the first two books in my “Beyond Cascadia” series (“Echoes Through Distant Glass” and “Eclipse Rising”). As I got to know these two characters better, I found that Francisco’s self-centered, antisocial behavior had painted him into a very nasty, confined corner, psychologically-speaking. I was curious if he would stay in that dark place forever, or if he could be enticed closer to the light. When Tomás advanced on his own spiritual journey, he became the perfect foil to test Francisco. That’s when I had the idea for a stand-alone story that was virtually independent from the rest of the series.
Tomás has made dramatic changes in his life and wants to follow the path God has directed him to. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Tomás has an innate, natural sincerity and hunger for truth and love—two things that were scarce in his childhood. After following a few dead-ends and suffering more heartbreak, he finally finds peace and solace in God. He is zealous about sharing the truth and love he’s discovered with the one person he knows needs it the most—his arrogant, estranged brother.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The importance of admitting when you are wrong and have hurt people is one theme. The set-up between the two brothers also became an opportunity to explore some of the darker ramifications of the idea of self-sacrifice. Another is that sermons ultimately don’t touch people the way examples and actions do. However, I feel the most important theme is that love in action is much more demanding–but can be more rewarding–than mere words on paper.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
The next book in the series is entitled “Harshest Dawn. The action in this new novel takes place right after the conclusion of “Eclipse Rising”, and includes events only vaguely hinted at in book three. Unlike “Solitude Of Light”, which is sort of a psychological side-quest, “Harshest Dawn” returns to the more political-action, thriller type story. It’s still very character-driven, though. I hope to have it published by the end of 2022 or early 2023. I’d be delighted if readers followed me on Goodreads, Amazon, Twitter or my website to get updates!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Yet living within the sacred confines of a seminary is harder than he expected; soon, he’s challenged to learn new skills while navigating both minor jealousies and global politics—all while making friends and maturing as a person.
But will his virtues of patience and humility help him when he is ultimately put to the test?
Because when he finds himself at the very ends of the earth, he must confront his exiled brother Francisco and force him to face the twisted and deadly shadows of their shared past…and he may not survive the encounter.
This stand-alone entry in the Beyond Cascadia near-future saga is a unique, intense and intimate journey through tangled human relationships, exploring how—and if—remorse and forgiveness can ever be enough to conquer the darkest heart.
Solitude Of Light
In Solitude of Light’s not-too-distant future, Tomás Estéban Chen-Diaz engages in a heartfelt attempt to save his brother’s soul by joining him on a remote island. Believing himself to be following God’s will, Tomás spends years training at a facility for Christians hoping to travel to Mars before being ordained. He faces challenges to his faith along the way but none more difficult than his brother Francisco’s strict and aggressive adherence to atheism and his disdain for religious practices of any kind. Francisco’s attitude makes attempted reconciliations for past wrongs difficult, and if Tomás is to succeed, he must prove faithful to what he believes is right and just.
S. Kirk Pierzchala’s Solitude of Light takes place in a creative near-future setting with much to recognize from our own time and with the added fictional elements complimenting our own technology rather than appearing too far advanced to be realistic. Because of this, the fictional future seems plausible, perhaps distressingly so given some of its darker elements, as scientific advancements continue along the same trends they follow today.
With the narrative split into two parts, the first often seems slightly removed to the extent that it appears to be a lengthy prologue to the second part, which is where the real heart of the narrative resides. Despite this, part one is essential for the context, which gives part two much of its emotional weight.
With only two characters alone on an isolated island, there is potential for the story to become repetitive or drawn out. Still, Pierzchala manages it admirably with an excellent and often emotional portrayal of two diametrically opposed brothers engaging in a battle of wills. Interspersed between these moments are excellent scenic descriptions which lend their backdrop to this narrative of fraternal compassion, arrogance, and self-superiority.
Solitude of Light is a thought-provoking dystopian novel that takes readers deep into the emotional battle between two brothers. The suspense builds as the brothers battle for moral ground and examines their complicated relationship.
Pages: 474 | ASIN : B09WG4VY3N
LITERARY TITAN 