Books published by publisher Patrick McDermott

The Galactic Alliance built an empire on the back of its Surfboard® propulsion drive.For decades, the G.A.'s enemies have tried to get their hands on the superior technology by stirring up dissent on remote Alliance planets. When an alien is seen performing miracles on the medieval world, Prosperine, the G.A.'s hierarchy sense trouble in the air. They enlist the help of the Alien Corps' Hickory Lace.Hickory thought she’d never get back to the field after she messed up her last mission. Now, she’s being told to take her team to an exotic world at the galactic rim. It promises to be a tough and dangerous assignment. Naturally, Hickory jumps at the chance.Prosperine is an exciting "sword and planet" series with likable characters, brave deeds, and intriguing aliens. If you enjoy the classic scifi works of Asimov, Herbert, Heinlein, and Anderson, download book 1, The Alien Corps today and begin a new adventure.Prosperine: A Science Fiction Adventure comprises:The Alien Corps (available in print, eBook, and audiobook)Rise of the Erlachi (available in print, eBook, and audiobook)The Scarf (available in print and eBook)Fractured Prophecy (available in print and eBook)

It begins with one moment of weakness.When a £10 note slips off a shop counter and lands right at Stephen’s feet, he thinks it’s his lucky day. He decides to head to the fairground and have some fun.What happens next sends the seventeen-year-old's well-ordered life spinning out of control and he finds himself racing down a dark path, driven by his own naivety and his fear of next-door neighbor, Archie.Stephen should follow his instincts and do what he knows is right. But where Archie is involved, that’s more difficult than it sounds… Told through the eyes of several characters, Small Fish Big Fish is a powerful coming-of-age novel, a psychological thriller, and a moving story of family and young love.Adults and older teenagers will enjoy the world building, drama, and suspense offered by this gripping page-turner. PJ McDermott's twist on the traditional coming of age story will keep you reading until the last page.Paperback and hardcover versions are also available and make a perfect Christmas gift for any with a Scottish heritage or those who simply enjoy a good story!What Readers Say'I found myself unable to put it down after the first twenty pages.''Every young person wants to know they're not alone. We are all Stephen at some stage in our lives, lost, confused, trying to fit in, struggling to come to grips with our lives and who we are. This book does this flawlessly.''A wonderful story that all young people can relate to. It takes an age-old battle and puts it splendidly into words that many will appreciate. I could not believe the climax.'‘Reminds me of Frank McCourt's biography of his life growing up in Ireland.''A fantastic story and a great read.' Scroll up and download this enthralling coming of age story!

A sword and planet adventure with likable characters, heroic deeds, and exotic alien worlds!The mystic known as the Teacher is missing, presumed dead, after his spacecraft plunged into the fiery inferno of Prosperine's sun. Hickory is devastated by the tragic loss and leaves her command to seek solitude in a small town in the far north of Australia. A tiny flicker of hope the Teacher might have survived takes her back for one last mission on the Bikashi home world. The truths she uncovers on the enemy planet ignites a fierce new purpose in her heart.Join Hickory as she faces the might and power of the Bikashi warlord, and confronts Earth's corrupt government, in a struggle to free both planets from tyranny.If you are a fan of the classic stories of Asimov, Herbert, Heinlein, and Anderson, you'll love Fractured Prophecy.Author's note: Fractured Prophecy is book four in the sword and planet series, Prosperine, and can easily be enjoyed as a stand alone story. However if you want the full experience download book 1, The Alien Corps, to begin the adventure! The Prosperine Series comprises:Book 1: The Alien Corps (available in eBook, print and audiobook)Book 2: Rise of the Erlachi (available in eBook, print and audiobook)Book 3: The Scarf (available in eBook and print editions)Book 4: Fractured Prophecy (available in eBook and print editions)

A daring heroine, a mysterious alien, a wild adventure. Hickory Lace is an empath, but her sixth sense has lain dormant for years. When the father who abandoned her as a child formally requests Hickory's release from the Alien Corps to check out the political stability on the remote planet Prosperine, she knows he's hiding something, but what? Hickory's superiors are reluctant to let her go after her last mission failed so spectacularly. But they agree on the proviso she checks out an alien spiritualist known as the teacher. They believe he could be the one referred to in an ancient prophecy discovered nearly a hundred years before. Prosperine is Earth's primary source of the liquid metal Crynidium, essential for faster-than-light space travel. When Hickory arrives, she discovers a planet drenched in radiation and a revolutionary who wants to auction off the precious metal and return the planet's society to the dark ages. Outnumbered and outgunned, Hickory is faced with a choice. Admit to yet another failure and abandon the planet to its fate or use the powerful empathic gift she was born with, and at the same time determine exactly who or what the teacher represents.

Likable characters—brave deeds—intriguing alien worldsThe Galactic Alliance built an empire on the back of its Surfboard® FTL technology. But the G.A.'s reliance on a rare catalyst to achieve light speed has left them vulnerable. For years, their enemies have sought to gain an advantage by stirring up dissent on Alliance planets located on the galactic rim. When an alien is seen performing miracles on Prosperine, the G.A.'s hierarchy sense something pivotal is about to take place. They send in the Alien Corps' Hickory Lace to check it out.Prosperine is an epic story spanning the galaxy with the survival of the Earth at stake. Intriguing alien worlds, a sword with uncanny powers, an alien who could be the second Messiah, and a warrior race seeking to turn Earth into a colonial food factory echo the classic scifi stories of Asimov, Herbert, Heinlein, and Anderson.Download Prosperine today to begin a new adventure.Prosperine comprises:Book 1: The Alien CorpsBook 2: Rise of the ErlachiBook 3: The ScarfBook 4: Fractured Prophecy

A sword and planet adventure with likable characters, heroic deeds, and exotic alien worlds!On her first mission to Prosperine, the Alien Corps' Hickory Lace formed a friendship with the alien mystic, Kar-sèr-Sephiryth. Together, they prevented the Bikashi/Pharlaxian coalition from overthrowing Prosperine's government.However, the Pharlaxian leader escaped capture, and now he's inciting the northern clans to war. The G.A. wouldn't be interested, except Sequana has stolen a high-tech symbiotic weapon that, in the wrong hands, could become a serious threat to Earth. Hickory and her team are sent to Prosperine to get it back.If you enjoy the classic scifi stories of Asimov, Herbert, Heinlein, and Anderson, you'll love The Prosperine Series.Author's note: although, Rise of the Erlachi can be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone adventure, to get the most from this sword and planet series, it would be best to start with volume 1, The Alien Corps.The Prosperine Series comprises:Book 1: The Alien Corps (available in print, eBook, and audiobook)Book 2: Rise of the Erlachi (available in print, eBook, and audiobook)Book 3: The Scarf (available in print and eBook)Book 4: Fractured Prophecy (available in print and eBook)

A sword and planet adventure with likable characters, heroic deeds, and exotic alien worlds!On her last mission, the Alien Corps' Hickory Lace defeated the leader of the Pharlaxian rebels, and entrusted the telepathic Riv-Amok to hide the sword of Connat-sèra-Haagar in a remote area of Prosperine known as the Scarf. When a Bikashi jet is spotted in the area, alarm bells clamor and Hickory and her team are dispatched to the Scarf to investigate.In the third episode of the series, Hickory faces her greatest fear, discovers the secrets to Prosperine's past, and unravels the mystery of the Teacher.If you enjoy the classic "sword and planet" stories of Asimov, Herbert, Heinlein, and Anderson, you'll love The Prosperine Series.Author's note: You can certainly enjoy The Scarf as a stand-alone adventure, but to get the most from the series, it would be best to start with volume 1, The Alien Corps.The Prosperine Series comprises:Book 1: The Alien Corps (available in print, eBook, and audiobook)Book 2: Rise of the Erlachi (available in print, eBook, and audiobook)Book 3: The Scarf (available in print and eBook)Book 4: Fractured Prophecy (available in print and eBook)

ONE DREAMS OF THE FUTURE. ONE HAS NIGHTMARES ABOUT THE PAST.Seventeen-year-old Stephen lives in a neighborhood where street gangs rule. He wants no part of that, so keeps his head down to avoid becoming a victim. But staying invisible is tough, especially when Archie is in the vicinity.To Archie, Stephen is a painful reminder of everything he’s missed out on—sober, caring parents, a decent education, good friends, a bright future. When he spots a weakness in the younger boy, he targets him for payback.The inevitable confrontation results in a series of events that propels Stephen down a pathway of deception and criminality, threatening those closest to him. He must find a way out of the mess before it’s too late.Then one night, Archie’s dream becomes Stephen’s nightmare.Small Fish Big Fish is a coming of age story that echoes the struggles, uncertainty, and hopes of young people everywhere. The tension, suspense, and twists and turns in this gripping psychological thriller will keep you guessing until the last page. If you enjoy true-life settings filled with compelling characters, suspenseful mystery and a touch of young love, then you'll love PJ McDermott's twist on the traditional coming of age story.What Readers Say“Every young person wants to know they're not alone. We are all Stephen at some stage in our lives, lost, confused, trying to fit in, struggling to come to grips with our lives and who we are. This book does this flawlessly.”“This really is a wonderful story that all young people can relate to. It takes an age-old battle and puts it splendidly into words that many will appreciate. I could not believe the climax.”“Your book reminds me of Frank McCourt's biography of his life growing up in Ireland.”“The portrayal of the bully and the victim of bullying is brilliant.”Purchase your copy of this inspiring story today. E-Book and paperback also available.

One lie, a moment of weakness, and a life balances on a knife-edge.It began simply enough. Picking up the ten-pound note was a no-brainer. Spending it at the fairground seemed a good idea at the time. Lying about it to Archie? Not so clever.Seventeen-year-old Stephen is struggling to come to terms with his place in life. He only wants three things—a girlfriend, a better life for him and his family, and to stay off Archie’s hate list. So far, he’s batting zero.Following a vicious set to, Archie manipulates Stephen along a path of lies, betrayal, and petty crime. Stephen is in way over his head. His dreams are turning into nightmares. He must escape Archie’s net, but can he find the way out before it’s too late?>Set in Scotland during the nineteen-sixties, Small Fish Big Fish is a coming-of-age novel where love, courage, and friendship are tested to the limit. The tension, suspense, and twists and turns will keep you guessing until the last page. If you enjoy true to life settings filled with real characters, suspenseful mystery and a touch of young romance, then you will love PJ McDermott’s twist on the traditional coming of age tale.What Readers Say'I found myself unable to put it down after the first twenty pages.''Every young person wants to know they're not alone. We are all Stephen at some stage in our lives, lost, confused, trying to fit in, struggling to come to grips with our lives and who we are. This book does this flawlessly.''This really is a wonderful story that all young people can relate to. It takes an age-old battle and puts it splendidly into words that many will appreciate. I could not believe the climax.''Your book reminds me of Frank McCourt's biography of his life growing up in Ireland.'Scroll up and download your copy of this inspiring story today. Paperback and hardcover versions are also available.

It's easy to go down the wrong path. The descent to hell is gradual… Scotland, 1965. Seventeen-year-old Stephen McBride has a dull, grey, average life in the impoverished town of Ferguslie Park. When he sees ten pounds on the floor of the corner shop, he takes a risk and spends the money on himself at the local fairground. He doesn't know it at the time, but his one dishonest decision changes the rest of his life. Bully Archie Stewart and a gang of thugs corner Stephen at the fairground and grabs the money. When the gang leader later apologizes and takes Stephen under his wing, Stephen finds himself drawn into an escalating world of criminality from which he can't escape. After the owner of the corner shop is found dead, Stephen knows Archie is the one responsible. If he comes clean, he'll clear his conscience, but he may lose his best friend, his family, and the girl he loves in the process. Set in Scotland during the 1960s, Small Fish Big Fish is the gripping coming of age story of a young man finding his place in a difficult world. If you like gritty settings, compelling characters, suspenseful mystery thrillers, and a touch of young romance, then you'll love Jacob Carlisle's twist on the traditional coming of age tale. Buy Small Fish Big Fish to start the well-written and riveting novel today! Interview with Jacob Carlisle Q. What's the story behind your latest book? I was born in the town of Paisley on the west coast of Scotland, near Glasgow. It was pretty rough going when I was a teenager—there was a lot of poverty, unemployment and petty crime in the locale, and not many fun outlets for young people. A lot of us ended up in gangs, and in trouble with the police. Not everyone was a crook—some of my neighbors were 'the salt of the earth', and there were a lot of unique characters around. In writing a young adult crime novel, I wanted to accurately represent this historical environment and the challenges faced by growing up there in a fresh way to this generation of readers. So many of the issues faced by Stephen are mirrored in today's society, such as bullying, friendship, romance, sex, self-confidence—just finding your own space in a complex world. Q.What is the greatest joy of writing for you? When I write, the world and everything in it fades away and there is nothing except creating my characters and stories. This total involvement in creating something that comes from my inner soul, is the reason I write and keep writing! Q. What do your fans mean to you? Everything! Without an audience for my work, what is the point? The more fans I have, the better I'll write. Q. What are you working on next? Actually, I'm working on a Science Fiction series under the name PJ McDermott that I'm really excited about. The first ebook, Avanaux: A Hickory Lace Adventure is already out, and book two will be published in November. It can be pre-ordered on Amazon. I'm also about half way through a sequel to Small Fish Big Fish. Q. Who are your favorite authors? Not an easy question to answer. There are so many! I enjoy reading gripping crime fiction especially murder mysteries. I loved Frank McCourt, Stieg Larsson, and Patrick O'Brien, and more recent writers such as Robyn Hobb, Graeme Simseon, JK Rowling, etc. but I also can't go past earlier authors like Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert L Stephenson, Charlotte and Emily Bronte, Dickens, and other British literary fiction writers.

The payoff is huge, but the enemy is dark and deadly.The success of the Galactic Alliance is due to their FTL technology, which requires the heavy metal crynidium to operate. Crynidium is found in only three places in the known galaxy, including the primitive planet, Prosperine.Religious fanaticism is soaring on Prosperine and there are reports of miracles being performed by a local cleric. The Teacher, as he’s known to his followers, is a thorn in the side of the planet’s government and he's also become the target of a powerful rebel leader whose aim is to return Prosperine to its fundamentalist past.The planet’s administration has asked the Alliance to step in, which gives the G.A. a huge headache. They can’t afford to say no and risk derailing their crynidium negotiations, but their charter doesn't allow them to become involved in local politics.They requisition the Alien Corps’ Hickory Lace to investigate on their behalf.When Hickory discovers a sinister galactic force seeking to take advantage of the chaos, she is forced to act. The future of the Earth and its allies is at stake. Hickory has one chance to prevent a catastrophe. She must rediscover the powerful empathic gift she was born with, and at the same time determine exactly who or what the alien miracle worker represents.The Alien Corps is book one of four in the epic science fiction series, Prosperine, and is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.Books in the Prosperine Series:Prelude: Born of Fire (also available as an audiobook)Book 1: The Alien Corps (also available as an audiobook)Book 2: Rise of the Erlachi (soon to be released as an audiobook)Book 3: The ScarfBook 4: Fractured ProphecyWhat readers are saying about this fantastic space adventure."Creative imagination at its best. Interesting characters, lots of action, a light sprinkling of mysterious super powers, creatures of unbelievable evil, and an interesting balance between war and it's cruelties and love for all beings."“A Great read. Had me at the first chapter. Did not want to stop. Love the plot, the storyline, the action!!”“Great characters; storyline with action, drama, and fast-paced intrigue; and unique description of an alien planet, society and its population. Highly recommended. I would get other books in the series.”“McDermott creates a very original and hopeful future world similar to the kind of sci fi I grew up loving. His alien characters are delightful and believable. I could not wait to read the second book, Rise of the Erlachi which is even better!”“This is a full-blown outer space adventure. Well described characters and a story that has a nice flow to it. I read it straight thru cover to cover.”