TBB_ues_sm

Order Here

Ava Sykes wants to put the past behind her … but some things just won’t die.

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Undergraduate by day, bouncer by night, Ava Sykes works hard to build her life in New LA, a city experiencing the Aftermath of a seismic disaster. Her prospects improve until she stumbles upon an evil no sane person would want to confront. Suddenly, her life, her city and everyone she cares about is in danger. Pushed to the edge, Ava taps a power she never knew she had . . . and uses it.

The Situation

Undergraduate by day, bouncer by night … That’s me, Ava Sykes. I’m just trying to make my way in New LA, a city recovering in the ‘Aftermath,’ the time after the Big One. Think California earthquake on roids. I study hard, train in MMA, and teach kids self-defense. Sure, I have a rare immune disorder and a stolen identity, but who doesn’t keep a few secrets these days?

Permalink

Gallery

My BFF

Friends

I sensed Cate waiting for me, before I opened the door. I'd recognize her perfume anywhere. I also picked up the scent of green onions, mushrooms and basil along with a faint paper bag smell. [...]

Permalink

Gallery

The Stalker

Shen Mar

I crouched behind a dumpster, covered in sweat, sucking in deep breaths. The stalker kept up the taunts, giving away his position. Could he be more confident? Gunfire ricocheted off the metal garbage bin. I [...]

Permalink

Gallery

New Los Angeles

Post Big One, The Stalker

The Aftermath. What a mess. The initial repair efforts deserved a medal. Having relief funding in the trillions helped. Who couldn’t make things as good as new, with that kind of backing? But fifteen years [...]

Permalink

Gallery

Student by Day

USCL 4th Year Premed

Ten a.m. came with the expected physical signs: burning eyes, stiff neck, headache. Oh, boy. My palms were sweating as I walked to the podium, footsteps echoing through the virtually empty UCLA lecture hall. That [...]

Permalink

Gallery

My Martial Arts Academy

Jiu jitsu, MMA

Detective Rourk saved my life. He introduced me to Jujitsu when I was a teen. It set me straight when I went a little wayward. A kid surviving the Aftermath, who wouldn’t have issues? Okay. [...]

Permalink

Gallery

Guys . . .

The Men in my Life

First, there's Tom. We dated my sophomore year and studied like hell in his student housing apartment, among other things. I still have a key. He’s never asked for it back. Like I said, we're [...]