Crimson
Tor Books • November 2009
Dead World 3
ISBN-10: 0765359162
ISBN-13: 9780765359162
Mass Market Paperback
Amazon.ca | Chapters.ca
- Lynn Viehl, New York Times bestselling author
On the run from the law, Gina ‘Red’ Santiago and Sheriff Morgan Hunter continue their search for the proof needed to clear their names. Unfortunately, the danger doesn’t just lie in No-Man’s-Land. Someone near to them is about to betray them for the Other blood running through their veins.
Politician Roark Montgomery is desperate. The election is near and he still hasn’t found the fugitives. Roark’s not above using the traitor in his midst to kill the two people that stand between him and political victory. It takes a predator to catch a predator.
Morgan’s and Red’s only option is to face the assault head on. With Roark, nothing is ever that easy, but they know two things he doesn’t: Love is worth dying for. And it’s never smart to corner a hungry wolf.
Connected books: RED (Dead World 1) | SCARLET (Dead World 2)
The Dead World Series — The Story Behind the Story
This whole series started with one simple question: What if Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf turned out to be the same person?
At the time I asked the question, I had no idea the book would be set in a near-future, post-apocalyptic world. I just kept playing with the question in my mind and eventually Red appeared. I knew once I started writing her story that I wasn’t creating a typical shape-shifter book. The world I created isn’t based on magic or fantasy. It has its roots in science, while embracing the fairytale. On the outside, the world appears perfect, but upon deeper inspection cracks become visible. The cracks are dangerous enough to crumble the utopian society.
‘Nothing is at it appears’ is a theme that runs through many of my books. The Dead World series is no exception.
What People Are Saying About The Book:
Jordan Summers did an excellent job of providing just enough back-story to ensure that any reader can enjoy this dark, yet still romantic tale. If you like stories set in worlds unknown, plenty of characters with bite, and enough adventure and danger to make your pulse race, you should get a copy of CRIMSON today.
Lori Ann, Romance Reviews Today
This is the second book I have read in the Dead World series and have been pleasantly surprised with the outcome. As a big fan of the paranormal genre, I find myself reading these futuristic novels from time to time, but they are usually not my first choice. But with this series, I find myself more inclined to give them equal reading time. If this is your niche, be sure to check out RED, the first book of Dead World series.
Reviewed by Lori Sears
The Romance Reader’s Connection, Rating: 4
The third strong post apocalyptic science fiction thriller (see RED and SCARLET) CRIMSON continues the deadly trek in the world of Jordon Summers; this time the journey is into the dead zone of a depleted planet earth. The lead couple is terrific as survival depends in the short run of kill or be killed while in the long run they need to find proof of their innocence before the evil villainous Rourke finds them. Although it helps to read the previous two novels to better understand how devastated the planet is by 2160 due to the pandemic environmental disaster of the early previous century and what has happened to America now divided into independent republics, it is not necessary as CRIMSON stands alone although it also adds to the overall theme of a super saga.
Harriet Klausner, The Merry Genre Go Round Reviews
Read an Excerpt (unedited)
Red Santiago crawled out of the dark tunnel straight into the jaws of hell. Something growled near her ear and the hair on the back of her neck rose. She swallowed hard and glanced over her shoulder. She saw Morgan Hunter and Demery Wilson frozen in place. Red followed their gaze and her heart stammered in her chest. She had never seen so many carnivores. Something primal rose inside of her as the mixed pack of canids closed in around them, their jaws snapping in anticipation of an easy meal.
Morgan began to peel his clothes off. His movements deceptively unhurried. Demery’s dark eyes took on a red glow and his fangs lengthened. Out of habit, Red reached for her laser pistol.
Before she could pull the weapon, Morgan shook his head. “We don’t want to give away our position.”
They’d removed the identi-chips so satellites couldn’t track them, then they’d slipped across the boundary fence that divided the republics from no man’s land. They’d done all this to remain undetected. And they’d succeeded so far. One shot from a laser pistol would ruin that.
Red cursed under her breath at her carelessness. She knew how the International Police Tactical Team operated and what guidelines they followed. As an officer for IPTT, it had been her job to enforce those rules.
But there were no rules here. Her tactical team training was useless. The sound of the canid paws scrambling over the sand grated on her already frazzled nerves, leaving her edgy. Red flexed her hands, easing them away from the pistol. Why didn’t they just attack already?
Morgan was naked now, poised for the pack’s next move. The largest canid, coyote hybrid stilled, sensing the change in its prey. Something in his bloodline had given it added size and darker coloring from the rest. Saliva dripped from his powerful jaws. It yipped, which in turn spurred the whole pack on. They all started baying. Starvation overrode the alpha’s naturally cautious nature as it broke away from the pack to attack.
Morgan shifted, his scream fracturing into a pained howl. His amber eyes gave off a predatory gold glow as talons sprouted from his fingertips and his canines lengthened. Blood painted the sand crimson as his bones broke and muscles reshaped. His hair thickened, along with the skin on his chest and abdomen, which now formed a protective covering for his vital organs. Standing on two legs, Morgan was more wolf than man.
He was already moving by the time Red glanced around to judge the distance of the pack closing in behind them. He’d targeted the alpha male, his challenge for supremacy clear.
Demery hissed a warning to a few of the coyotes, wolves, and wild dogs who’d gotten too close. He swiped at them, his movements graceful and swift, but they remained just out of reach.
Morgan tackled the alpha, his teeth going for the coyote’s ruff. They tumbled upon contact, end over end. The hybrid was quicker than Red had expected. It leapt to its feet. Teeth bared, its head snapped back. Powerful jaws found Morgan’s arm and bit down——hard. Blood welled in its mouth as it shook its head, attempting to tear off bits of flesh. Morgan cried out, then slammed the heel of his palm down on the animal’s muzzle, trying to break his grip. Red could tell that despite the pain he had to be in, Morgan was trying not to hurt the starving canid.
The coyote released its hold, licking the blood and bits of flesh from its teeth as it did so. The hackles on its back rose higher and its tail stiffened as the alpha prepared for a second attack.
Pain seared Red’s hands as claws shot out of her fingertips, ejecting her short nails in the process. It couldn’t have hurt more had she been playing with razor blades. She screamed, drawing the alpha hybrid’s attention away from Morgan. He lunged, rolling the animal beneath him.
He placed his forearm over the alpha’s throat. The other hand held the coyote’s body to the ground. Morgan sunk his teeth into the animal’s neck. It stopped struggling. He held the coyote and growled, until its tail tucked between its legs. The hybrid exposed its abdomen and whimpered in defeat. Morgan slowly let the animal up. The coyote dropped its head and slunk away. The excited yipping stopped. The silence made the hair on Red’s arms stand on end. Was it over?
Morgan stood and made eye contact with each animal. In turn they ducked their heads and kept their gazes averted. A few tried to stand up to him, but all it took was a rumbling growl from Morgan to bring them in line.
“That’s more like it,” Demery said. “Way to go, wolfman.”
Blood smeared his skin. Morgan could smell its coppery tang. The aroma filled his nostrils and stimulated his senses, nearly making him drunk with desire. His mouth watered for a taste. He knew it would be hot, sweet, and sticky. Morgan licked a blood drop from his bottom lip and his gut clenched. What was happening to him?