From author Steven Atwood, ‘Amari’ is a thrilling sci-fi novel with complex relationships, a dark and vibrant landscape, conspiracies and a good dose of romance, too. Following the path of young killer, Amari Prokop, Atwood’s debut raises powerful questions about the role of government in our lives, and how faith and strength can inform the decisions we make – and ultimately, lead to our redemption.

Carrolton, GA -- (SBWire) -- 02/19/2014 --A young girl, raised as a killer from the tender age of eight.

A United Nations that controls the Earth with an iron fist.

An enigmatic terrorist, on the run from the Interplanetary Space Security Force and hunted by a woman who has everything to gain from her successful capture.

These plotlines are the thrust behind Steven Atwood’s celebrated debut novel, ‘Amari’, which blends a dystopian future with captivating characters, sensual romance and electrifying adventure. Atwood navigates the intricate tale with the skill of an established author and offers a powerful underlying message beneath the elegant, assured prose.

“Amari’s journey is a tumultuous one,” says the author. “She’s been trained to be a ruthless murderer, and her livelihood depends on her doing what her employer wishes – no more, no less. All she wants is a pardon from the United Nations, which will enable her to leave a life she’s come to hate. When she meets Cloee, suddenly everything gets called into question – she is faced with the most difficult decision of her life.”

Synopsis:

Amari Prokop murdered her first victim at age eight...

She acquired her own starship at twenty-four...

She started smuggling people from Earth to the freedom on Europa for a price, but found that blackmail and murder paid much better. All that wealth should have made her happy. But it didn’t, nothing could fill that void she felt. She had to get out and start over.

Now on her last job, all she has to do was kidnap Cloee Thompson from a government transport ship and hold her until Amari’s employer was ready to take her. The promise of a pardon from the United Nations was too good to pass up. It was the only way to leave that life behind.

Colin Ross was an Interplanetary Space Security Force (ISSF) agent, handpicked by the United Nations to recapture the mysterious terrorist Cloee Thompson and stop Amari, dead or alive. With his partner Marlie, they began the chase across the stars.

Can Amari escape Colin and the ISSF? Will she get her freedom? Who will steal Amari’s heart? Why is Cloee Thompson so important? Who is pulling the strings and why?

As Atwood explains, he’s gratified by readers’ responses to the novel, and to the struggle faced by Amari.

“I’ve heard from a lot of people that they appreciate that Amari isn’t a Barbie Doll – she’s a real woman with real convictions and flaws,” says the author. “What Amari shows is that no matter what you’ve done in the past, you can always change your life and do the right thing. Cloee’s character shows how influential it can be to lead by example. Her strength and beliefs encourage Amari to become the person she’s always wanted to be.”

Since its release, ‘Amari’ has enjoyed a string of glowing reviews from readers.

“The characters are well presented and easy to relate to, with common issues such as love, fear and betrayal. The story flows nicely and I found this book hard to put down. Admittedly, I have long grown tired of the same old cookie cutter sci-fi novels that I've tended to steer clear of the genre. Mr. Atwood's novel, Amari, has changed that for me. His work falls into a class of its own and has made me fall in love with sci-fi once again. I applaud him for that,” wrote Craig Furchtenicht (author of Dimebag Bandits).

Calling it a “thoughtful and gripping space adventure”, Mike Robinson wrote: “A simple but profound story of Colin Ross (Interplanetary Space Security Force agent) working for the United Nations to recapture the cagey terrorist in a pulse-jumping chase across the cosmos. Great for those who love this genre and for those who are picking one up for the first time.”

“If James Patterson wrote sci fi… government conspiracies, kidnapping plots, and space pirates? What's not to love about Amari? I never thought that I'd become a sci-fi reader, but I'm definitely coming back for the next installment in this series...” wrote Live to Read, Read to Live.

‘Amari’ is available now from Amazon in both paperback and Kindle formats: http://amzn.to/1lJ2AEq

About Steven Atwood
Steven Atwood started his adult life by joining the United States Marine Corps right out of high school in 1989. As an infantryman, Steven served in both Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

After his enlistment was complete, Steven received a Bachelor Degree in Marketing from Plymouth State College in New Hampshire. During this break in service, he met and married his wife Christine in 2000. In early 2001, Steven and Christine moved down to Carrollton Georgia.

After the attack on New York and Washington D.C., Steven reentered military service in the United States Army Infantry. He went on to have a successful Army career.

Nearing the end of his military career, Steven began to write novels. An avid science fiction fan since he was a child, Steven was drawn into the genre.

Steven has been married for 14 years to his loving wife, Christine. They have three children and three dogs.