HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., June 10, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Join a supernaturally gifted cleric and his friends as they battle against the coming Dark Ages. Thomas, Brosius and Brendan are a trio of sixth-century monks who have traveled from their native Ireland to the New World. In Race The Darkness: Book IV, the latest installment in author Fred Hoffman's epic fantasy series, our heroes travel to Rome, a fallen city full of debauchery and intrigue. What dangers await them there? Read on and find out.
On the brink of a dark age, the empire is in pieces and it is a time of great turbulence not only for Rome but for the Catholic Church and Europe as a whole. Adventurers Thomas, Brosius, and Brendan are not merely the meek holy men that people assume them to be. Brosius is a strong and loyal fighter, Brendan is a half-mad and power-hungry visionary, and Thomas can communicate with his Druidic ancestors and harness their powers. They are on a mission to preserve a storehouse of books and other knowledge before the Dark Ages arrive. But first, they must face the superstitions of their time, embodied in the twisted and sinister Papal Inquisitor Cardinal Barozia.
Thomas learns the hard way that Brendan's loyalties are for sale to the highest bidders. He has never regretted letting Brendan live but history must not repeat itself. Everything that Thomas has ever striven for in his life hangs in the balance as his fate will be determined by the actions he will take. Now, his Filid-Spirit ancestors encouraged him to move swiftly against both Brendan and the evil Roman Cardinal Barozia. Thomas must use all his shrewd talents in the final blow for freedom from the coming intellectual darkness.
Kirkus Review acclaims this novel as, "...far more enjoyable than a book so steeped in Roman Catholic history has any right to be, thanks to its fully developed characters, immersive action and scenes of political intrigue that crackle with energy... the action, intricate, engaging plot and impressive historical detail make for a winning combination. Exhilarating and fun, with a thrilling climax."
If you've missed the previous installments of this fantastic epic series, you can find his first three novels, Beyond Crystal Castles, Resurrection of a Demon and Dragons in Silk at www.empiresforthetaking.com.
About the Author
Author of the four book epic series, Empire for the Taking, Fred Hoffman is a member of the Archaeological Institute of America. He has traveled extensively to research historical backgrounds for his works throughout the British Isles and the Americas. He has published short stories while pursuing graduate studies in the behavioral sciences. He is also a lighting systems design consultant, businessman, lecturer and promotional speaker. He is a finalist in the Authorlink! new writer competition and recipient of numerous positive literary reviews.
Race The Darkness * by Fred Hoffman
Book IV: Empires for the Taking
Publication Date: November 27, 2007
Trade Paperback; $19.99; 222 pages; 978-1-4257-8765-3
Cloth Hardback; $29.99; 222 pages; 978-1-4257-8767-7
To request a complimentary paperback review copy, contact the publisher at (888) 795-4274 x. 7836. Tear sheets may be sent by regular or electronic mail to Marketing Services. To purchase copies of the book for resale, please fax Xlibris at (610) 915-0294 or call (888) 795-4274 x.7876.
Xlibris books can be purchased at Xlibris bookstore. For more information, contact Xlibris at (888) 795-4274 or on the web at www.Xlibris.com.