Pain (D'Ambrosio)

Marina is a hot-looking, cold-hearted courier of contraband who has a chip on her shoulder she shares with everyone who crosses her path. Her life as a loner is just fine until the delivery of a data chip ends her alias and makes her the target of a power-hungry warlord who wants her alive, while his sultry assassin lover wants her dead. The action-filled chase across the sector with two unlikely allies leads her to discover a secret that changes everything she ever stood for. Nothing is easy with Marina as she drives everyone crazy with her anger-driven arrogance and stubborn disposition.

Marina's attempt to lead a normal life falls short when her kingdom is besieged by dangerous mercenaries hired to bring her under the control of a huge corporation. Her return to a life of violence against a plethora of enemies, despite guidance from unlikely allies, becomes necessary to vanquish an enemy far superior and organized than any she faced before.

Marina takes on a new ally in reckless Mike Colby (Space Truckers) and uses her valuable asset, Margot, to keep him in line. Her attitude about war and revenge changes when Mike and Margot are nearly killed while defeating an assassin who is part cyborg-an assassin whom she feared would one day face and be killed. Feeling guilt and loneliness, she changes from a lone avenger to a team leader who would sacrifice anything for her friends. It's time to end this war and salvage what's left of her lonely life. Michael is a lifelong resident of the Philadelphia area and can be found at conventions around the country. Reign of Pain is his fourteenth novel and the third in the Pain Trilogy. Michael also writes screenplays, some adapted from his novels, and his goal is to see his projects on the big screen. Information on Michael's latest projects and appearances can be found on his website at www.fracturedtime.com.