An Act of Violence by Brendan Mays

Brendan Mays is a journalist and author, and An Act of Violence is his first novel. It has been written and stylised especially for smartphones and the e-format.

According to Amazon.com, ebooks now outsell print books in the online store, not including free copies which would further separate the market. In the UK, Kindle books outsell hardcover books two to one.

“Ebooks are suited to the modern reader. It’s not always comfortable for me to carry a book through the week, but I like to read on the train and bus. I wanted something quick and easy to read on my phone, which was one of the reasons for writing my current work,” says Brendan Mays. You can read the book on your phone using the free Amazon Kindle app.

There are several other major benefits to the e-format, especially as we approach Christmas. Typically a time where wallets are stretched, ebooks are a cheap alternative to other gifts. Many major titles now retail from only a few dollars, which makes new books more accessible than ever.

Ebooks also save on waste, sparing hundreds of millions of trees across the globe, not including packaging and other emissions involved in production and transportation. This makes ebooks the green alternative, and another reason why conscientious buyers are continuing to warm to the e-format.

“If you look at growth online, it’s clear the e-format will gradually become the dominant force in the publishing industry. I think it is great to be able to pull out your phone or an ebook reader for five minutes here and there, and be able to jump into a story. With a good book, that’s all you need, and it‘s something I‘ve strived to achieve.”

5 Quick Reasons To Try Ebooks

1. They are customisable.
2. They are better for the environment.
3. They are cheap.
4.They are good for readers and authors.
5, They save space and make reading easy.

Ebook Description
Richard Resner recently asked the love of his life to marry him. He was happy, normal – complete. Then she disappeared without a trace.
What followed began a twisted spiral of events that would lead them both down a dark and violent path. Worst of all, they had invited it to happen. With their bodies, minds and souls facing the greatest of peril, the fight of their lives began.

Excerpt
Moving down the alley was a blur as she tripped and stumbled, and the further she walked, the longer away the seat became. Elysia struggled to put one foot after the other, and holding her stomach with her hand, she had the sudden urge to vomit.
In an instant, a renewed clarity dawned upon her as she realised things were far from right. She felt like she had been drugged and fear penetrated her skin like short sharp fangs were injecting it directly into her bloodstream. She pulled out her phone and called Richard, realising she could no longer tell where she was.

The ringtone sounded a few times, but before anyone answered, the phone was snatched from her hand and promptly crushed. Pieces of electronic circuitry twisted and trailed wisps of smoke as they fell down to the street, and horrified, she looked up at a broad, dark silhouette.

There was not much to see except a heavy black trench coat and hat. It was as if a mix of light and dark colours obscured her view. She tried to scream, but the air in her lungs would not push her voice on. Everything was frozen.

Elysia fell to her knees and heard a snarling, slobbering voice whisper her name. She started to sob, but in a flash, the daylight and the world around her lifted away with an uncontrollable pull. It was as if an invisible magnet was sucking her down, and then, all the colours swirled into their simple primary forms before dissolving completely into black and white.

The world disappeared.