…at opposite ends, whereas Jason took up position in one of the two desks closest to Mako.

A large blackboard hung on the wall, behind Mako’s desk, were the words “Silence! Exam in progress” written in eight languages. The Mari version was penned by Mako and the rest written by his students.

Hearing fluttering wings, Mako’s eyes darted to the windows. He hoped to see a bird fly past them, but instead saw nothing. He shifted his gaze to the desk before him.

To one side was a four-inch high pile of stacked parchment, already marked and graded. To the other was a second pile twice the size of the first, which was yet to be marked. 

Mako tried to focus on the students, dutifully filling out their exams, but he was distracted. He had heard the wings again, this time much closer.

Knock, knock, came a telepathic communication.

Mako turned.

Standing in the open doorway was a large pitch-black raven.

Can I have a word with you? the raven asked. 

Mako nodded, pushing himself back and rising. His attention turned to his students.

“Class, I am leaving the room for a moment. In my absence, you are to continue your examination in silence. No chatting and no cheating!” he said firmly, directing the words at Damien. 

No one looked up, continuing on dutifully with their test. 

Leaving quietly, Mako followed the bird down to the rec room, which was currently vacant. He sat down in a chair and Izal made himself comfortable on the back of the one opposite. 

“What can I do for you, Izal?” inquired Mako.

I bring news, the telepathic avian replied. His eyes were green, as they always were whenever he spoke…

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

                                                                      ****Book specifics****

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. 

                                                  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!

And here's my review of The Phoenix Project

A Never-To-Be-Forgotten Masterpiece
 
In my humble opinion The Phoenix Project is a masterpiece in every sense of the word.

It succeeds in an extremely difficult task of being both thought-provoking and entertaining at the same time – while also being uncomfortable but essential reading.

DM Cain has created a terrifying scenario set in the not too distant future where terrorists and other violent prisoners are pitted against each other in a fight to the death – televised for the world to see.

Terrifying on two counts; one, for the prisoners incarcerated in the brutal world of Salverford prison, and two, terrifying for us readers because this way of legally disposing of violent prisoners is brought alive and believable by DM Cain’s skilful writing.

While some of the detailed description of the fights is particularly brutal, showing the inmates’ inhumanity to fellow prisoners, this is a vital aspect for what follows as we join Raven Kennedy on his horrifying journey. The various fighters’ deliberate and prolonged cruelty within the ring is more than matched by Raven’s cruelty to himself as he struggles to come to terms with the terrible crime that landed him in Salverford.

And that is the book’s strength. DM Cain pulls no punches as she introduces us to Raven’s self-harming attitude, and we see why he is desperate to stay alive so he can suffer more and more until he is satisfied he has atoned for his crime. But will he ever reach self-forgiveness?

The heart of this once-read-never-to-be-forgotten story is Raven’s own guilt and self-loathing, which comes
alive with clarity and believability.

Although he committed a monstrous crime, I still sympathised for every injury he sustains in the ring, and every pain he causes himself through self-harming. Here is a guy we want to come through! The actual tale of what led up to his crime runs parallel with his life in Salverford, and indeed both timelines reach their shattering climaxes at the same point in the book.  

The descriptive scenes take us into the very heart of Salverford – I could see every nook and cranny, feeling as if I were locked in that cell with him – and the extensive, wonderfully written, dialogue between leading players gives us a unique and changing insight into their characters, what drives them and motivates them.

​When I first started reading this book I described it as fastening a collar around my neck and dragging me along, relentlessly, behind it – I couldn’t stop even if I wanted to. That applied right through to the end. The Phoenix Project will remain in my memory for a very, very long time to come.             

I'm hosting a page on December 30th. But how about you follow the story from the very start, by moseying on over to each of the blogs in turn? It starts tomorrow (Dec 10th), with the author himself, then moves on to Paul White on the 11th, and so on.

Oh, and while you're on these wonderful authors' websites, you ought to take a look around and see what wonderful worlds their books can take you to.
 
Rocky Rochford – December 10th – Part I    https://rockyrochford.wordpress.com/
Paul White  – December 11th – Part 2   https://ramblingsfromawritersmind.wordpress.com/
Rainne Atkins – December 12th – Part 3     https://rainne15.wordpress.com/
Joe Compton – December 13th – Part 4    http://nevermindfineprint.net
Anita Kovacevic – December 14th – Part 5       https://anitashaven.wordpress.com/
Cindy L Schneider – December 15th – Part 6    http://www.clschneiderauthor.com/
Jason Greensides – December 16th – Part 7    http://www.jasongreensides.com
Karen J Mossman – December 17th – Part 8    http://karensbooksandreviews.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1
Elizabeth Noreen Newton – December 18th – Part 9     http://elizabethnnewton.com/
Marnie Cate – December 19th – Part 10   www.marniecate.com/
LE Fitzpatrick – December 20th – Part 11  http://l-e-fitzpatrick.blogspot.com/
Chrissy Moon – December 21st – Part 12    www.chrissymoon.com
Jay Norry – December 22nd – Part 13   blog.jaynorry.com
Matthew William Harill – December 23rd – Part 14    http://www.matthewharrill.com/
Sharon Lipman – December 24th – Part I – Part 15    www.sharonlipmanauthor.com/blogs      www.sharonlipman.com/blogs
Deidre Mapstone – December 25th – Part 16     http://ddsiddeas.blogspot.com/
Michael J Elliott – December 26th – Part 17   https://thewritersemporium.blogspot.com
Chess Desalls – December 27th – Part 18   chessdesalls.wordpress.com
Patrick Elliott – December 28th – Part 19    http://patrickelliottwrites.blogspot.com/
David Spell – December 29th – Part 20    http://thescaryreviews.com/
Stewart Bint – December 30th – Part 21   http://stewartbintauthor.weebly.com/
DM Cain – December 31st – Part 22     www.dmcain84.com