Gehenna
Book 2
Kaylin McFarren
Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
ISBN: 9781685640569
ASIN: B09KMNBNQG
Publisher: Creative Edge Publishing LLC
Publication date: February 3, 2022
Number of pages: 493
Word Count: 143,000
Cover Artist: Amanda Tomo Yoshida
Tagline: You can’t escape from what you are
Book Description:
With the death of Lucifer, Queen Lucinda assumes control of Hell, ordering her soldiers to prepare for a doomsday war with Heaven. Craving eternal power, she devours the souls of gifted demonic beings, acquiring their abilities to destroy her perceived political enemies.
Meanwhile, the Black Crows meet with the Knights of Darkness in their hidden headquarters, plotting against Lucinda in their efforts to maintain peace and the balance of power. Consumed by hatred over Crighton Daemonium's unrequited love, Lucinda is unaware of the secret conspiracy brewing, or that Lucifer's spirit has returned to Hell inside the body of a soul–trapped demon.
Reclaiming his throne, Lucifer punishes his daughter for her act of treason. However, his obsession with Samara, Crighton's beautiful daughter, leaves him incapable of controlling his stolen body. After forcing her into submission, he names Samara the new Queen of Hell yet continues his authoritarian rule. When an insurgency breaks out on Earth, he becomes distracted long enough for her to be kidnapped by Nexus rebel forces, believing her to be the prophesied savior of their planet.
Is Samara the Phoenix, destined to destroy Lucifer? Or is she his soulmate and the true Queen of Hell?
Reviews
"Annihilation, the sequel to Kaylin McFarren's award-winning Soul Seeker, is a decidedly Shakespearean thriller. Amidst the supernatural world, the novel is essentially a classic story about love, betrayal and power between and among royal families. McFarren's blatantly "human" portrayal of Samara Daemonium's youthful obsessions set her up to be both victim, royal and a star in a wholly compelling coming-of-age story. To get this most out of Annihilation, readers are highly encouraged to read Soul Seeker first." -- Bella G. Wright, BestThrillers.com
"Get ready for the steaming, twisted plot of Kaylin McFarren's Book 2 in the Gehenna series - Annihilation—where nothing is as it seems, and enemies are closer than anyone may think. Recommended!" - Chanticleer Reviews
"Simply couldn't put this book down, even when every hair on my neck was raised. It's that good!" -- Angela Fox, Publisher, Clackamas Review/Oregon City News
"This story is dark and decadent, and fans of such fare should find it largely entertaining." -- Blue Ink Reviews
"Hell has a new ruler, Queen Lucinda. A thrilling venture into the depths of Hell offers unrelenting intrigue and fearsome characters, including timeless stories of love, friendship, sacrifice, and identity... plot twisting toward an epic battle." - RECOMMENDED, The US Review of Books
"Annihilation is truly absorbing, shocking at times, and virtually impossible to put down!" - Theodocia McLean, Book Marketing Global Network
"Left on a cliffhanger and ready for the next book in this fiery series, Annihilation is an intense, dramatic power struggle and like a jigsaw puzzle, lots of different pieces hide the bigger picture until the end. We are happy to add this book to the Indie Books We Love section of the LoveReading website." - Charlotte Walker, Love Reading
Excerpt: Chapter One - Annihilation by Kaylin
McFarren
Two regiments of
ram-horned, cloven-hoofed demons marched through the blazing corridors of Hell
in preparation for the Red War against Heaven. Their stomping feet and thumping
spears shook dust loose in the solid rock tunnels leading to twenty massive
cellblocks, each identified by their cardinal direction: north, south, east,
and west. Confined in one of the cells on the lowest level was Hecate, the
Woodland Goddess and Queen Lucinda's loyal friend. Within a month of assuming
control of Hell, word had reached her that Lucinda's new regime was responsible
for numerous beheadings, boiling demons to death, and implementing monstrous
atrocities against woodland creatures and outspoken opponents within her own
council.
Believing their
friendship would make a difference, Hecate arranged a meeting with Lucinda two
weeks earlier and pleaded with her to abstain from cruel acts against mankind.
"Think of your legacy...the positive impact you could make." The
briskness she put into her voice was belied by the unshed tears glistening in
her eyes. She shifted her position in the high-back chair and drew a deep
breath. "Lucifer was brutal throughout his rein...up until the day he
died. You've always made brilliant choices, Samara. I know that better than
anyone. Lucifer made the worst decision of his life by sending Crighton to
England, and only the Sovereign Sector is responsible for the consequences that
followed. I'm just grateful that Lucifer didn't survive after that nasty battle
with his brother, Castiel. If he had, who knows what would have happened?"
The Queen rested
her chin on her fisted hands. "Indeed. But you need to remember that my
name is now Lucinda. I changed it after meeting with the Knights of Darkness
and taking control of Hell."
"Yes, of
course. I'll never forget the day before that happened. I was in the old arena
when Crighton's mother stabbed your father repeatedly," Hecate said
somberly. "I understand she was welcomed into Heaven along with her
soulmate, though I don't understand why..." She let her voice trail off,
shaking her head. "I guess we should thank them for your justly-deserved
position."
"I already
have...thanked Crighton, I mean. I offered him a more substantial token of my
gratitude as well, but he turned it down."
"Politely,
I hope?"
"I was
afraid to sit on the throne," she admitted. "That's why I waited so
long to make changes. Tyrus helped Crighton escape from Hell, and Lilith played
a large part in saving Ariel. But I was responsible for saving them all by
agreeing to take my father's place."
"True
enough, Lucinda." Hecate felt her eyes burn once more. She drew another
deep breath before adding, "I'm sure your generosity will never be
forgotten and will be celebrated for years to come."
"Since I
managed to keep them alive, I suppose it's time for the three of us to assume
our rightful responsibilities."
"Three of
us?"
"That's
right. Crighton, Tyrus and myself. We have a lot of unfinished business to
resolve."
"Of course,
Your Majesty." Hecate smiled at her, believing she was making progress.
"But
first," Lucinda said, "I'd like to discuss your view on the way
Tyrus' allies are likely to respond to our meeting. Especially with them
opposing me at every turn. Then I'd like your personal impression on how the
loyalists in my council will interpret your views on diplomacy in the
woodlands. After that, there are a couple of treasury issues I promised to
investigate. It's past time that my advisors and I established a tax structure
and common currency. And now that we have the Imperial chambers remodeled and
relaxed rules in place regarding horns, tails, and bat wings, we can start
thinking about other things like enforcing appropriate punishment where it's
due."
"Since you
brought it up, don't you think it's a bit extreme...the way punishment is being
handled? I thought you wanted to be a just ruler...the exact opposite of your
father. If that's true, then why are you taking extreme measures with outcasts,
human souls, and defenseless creatures? They would sing your praises if you
allowed them to– "
"–run rampant and refuse to obey my
laws?" Lucinda growled. She stood up with her eyes blazing red hot and her
thin lips frowning. "So, that's why you're here. Not to support me but to
oppose me like the rest of the ingrates in my kingdom. Leave and never come
back here again! Your deception will not be forgiven or forgotten. Is that
understood? I want you out of here...NOW!!" she screamed.
Kaylin McFarren has received more than 60 national literary awards, in addition to a prestigious RWA Golden Heart Award nomination for FLAHERTY'S CROSSING - a book she and her oldest daughter, New York Times/USA Today best-selling author Kristina McMorris, co-wrote in 2008. Prior to embarking on her writing journey and developing the popular THREADS psychological thriller series, she poured her passion for creativity into her work as the director of a fine art gallery in the Pearl District in Portland, Oregon; she also served as a governor-appointed member of the Oregon Arts Commission.
Her award-winning time-travel adventure, HIGH FLYING, asks challenging questions that will linger long after the final twists are revealed. Jumping to the supernatural-horror genre, Kaylin's clever GEHENNA series leads readers into the pit of Hell, through the mechanisms of secret societies, and across the Earth’s crust, ever raising the stakes for her leading duo—a wicked demon and guardian angel presented with shocking revelations.
With each story she writes, this author delivers unexpected twists and turns and keeps her readers on the edge of their seats, leaving them guessing and thoroughly entertained. When she's not traveling or spoiling her two pups and three grandsons, Kaylin enjoys giving back to her community through participation and support of various charitable, medical and educational organizations in the Pacific Northwest, and divides her time between her homes in Portland, Oregon and San Diego, California.
FUN TIDBITS
Kaylin is proud of the fact that her great aunt Bessie B. Cordell, an evangelistic missionary during WWII, was instrumental in opening an orphanage in Tientsin, China and also wrote two published novels, Precious Pearl and Blossoms of the Flowery Kingdom, documenting her dangerous, harrowing experiences.
She keeps a glass of wine close by while writing love scenes, Kleenex on her desk while writing heart breakers, and has been known to empty a box of chocolates when she's completely stumped.
A consummate "pantser" and perfectionist, she writes and edits as she goes, and uses photographs of models and actors from tabloid magazines to visualize her characters.
She loves her husband of 48 years dearly. However, if Josh Holloway, Hugh Jackman or Ian Somerhalder came knockin', well... their marriage just might be put to the test.
