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A native of Upstate New York, Clifford Beck received the bulk of his education at the State University of New York at Albany. His writing began with experiments in poetry, inspired by ancient literature. Later, he attended Southern Maine Technical College, earning a degree in New Media. His work is largely an exploration into human darkness and the dynamics of madness. Having a background in design and illustration, he also creates the cover art for his novels. Now a resident of Portland, Maine, he tends to write what speaks to him the loudest, occasionally relying on music for inspiration. But ideas have always come to him during the most unlikely of situations and is always with pen and pad at the ready. During the course of his life, he has been seen as someone in possession of a rather peculiar personality, but has come to accept this as a commonality among writers in general and an expression of what makes the mind of a writer tick and using a strong sense of visual imagery, is able to bring his novels to life, immersing the reader in a world governed by a unique and separate reality.

Witnessing a terrible car accident on Portland's Congress St. , Ryan becomes inspired to help others. The victim of an abusive father, he rises above his demons and earning a premed degree is accepted into UNE's medical program. All goes as planned, until the ghosts of his past return. And his subsequent instability results in his dismissal from school. But, Ryan has a plan to get back into the good graces of UNE and be readmitted. So, retreating to a cabin in the woods near Lake Sebago, Ryan continues his medical education. But, even the best laid plans don't always work out as intended. And Ryan slips into the spiral of delusion, led by his new found fascination with death. But, some things are beyond escape. And as Ryan's mind marches down the road of deepening insanity, what he has referred to as 'work' becomes a gruesome act of control. Now, death has reached out a vengeful hand, arriving in the form not only unexpected, but utterly terrifying.

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Category: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

It is 2059 and Portland, Maine, like so much of the world has become largely a war zone of crime and poverty. Resources are all but gone, and as the swan's song of civilization rapidly comes to a close, the government develops a plan that officially does not exist. It is a plan designed to exploit the world’s last remaining resource – the beginnings of which lay hidden in an underground facility in the woods near Jay, Maine. Now, Edward Drake, a banking analyst in Portland will have his suspicions confirmed as his life is destroyed by a government that seems to have run out of options. He will be torn away from everything he has ever cared about. With his life stolen from him, all he wants is to go home – to return to his wife, Ajna, to resume his life. This is the story of a governments attempt at self-preservation, at any cost. And for Edward, there seems to be no way out.

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Category: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense; Politics & Social Sciences

It is one hundred years after the black death and with Europe still in ruins, many continue to die. Now, no longer able to feed their only child, Aiden Selwyn's parents are forced to give him up and three days walk through the English countryside, they arrive at isolated monestery. The abbot takes him in without hesitation, but all is not as it seems and after reaching adulthood, Aiden discovers their true intentions. Having made a daring escape, he wanders the countryside, committed to doing what he believes is God's work. But, death is an ever-present companion and Aiden reaches the conclusion that he is no longer able to accept the consequences of his obligation to God. It is at this point that the course of his life takes a sudden turn when he meets Aelianna, a beautiful black haired woman living alone in the woods. And after suspecting her to be a practitioner of the black arts, he suspends his judgement long enough to fall in love with her. For a time, life is idyllic and Aiden has finally found peace. But, the evil he has discovered to also be inherent in people finds them out, testing both his strength as well as his deep love for Aelianna. Heretic is a story of the things that can sometimes scar ones life. It is a story of resolve and transformation. That even the most misguided can be reborn with a new sense of purpose.

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Category: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

Tragedy befalls Maine's Carrabassett Valley as Catherine Thomaston, a theoretical physics professor with a brilliant career at Bowdoin College, takes ill after the sudden death of her father. Forced into retirement by this terrible illness, she has been living a quiet life of isolation just north of Farmington, Maine. But, her illness falls into a sudden downward spiral when she is faced with her worst fear. But through its course, her best friend, Nancy, has been there to support her at every step. Then, one night, a storm rages through, knocking power out for thousands. Now, in the dark, and out of touch with the rest of the world, Catherine finds herself truly isolated and is quickly confronted by her demons, while Nancy, the only person she has ever been able to count on, has accidentally stumbled into her world of terror, rage, and madness. But, her compassion has closed any doors of escape as Catherine's terrifying flight continues to rage and by the time help arrives, the final act has played itself out, leaving the people of the Carrabassett Valley with the shocking memory of an unforgettable tragedy.

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Category: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

The world is dead, but the earth lives on as humanity is brought to the edge of extinction by an act of war. But in the bowels of Los Angeles, Marty and Lucas, working in a small restaurant, are unaware of the unfolding events that will soon force them into a life of survival. During their escape to a distant place of safety, they meet Julie. She is a beautiful woman who has spent a considerable time in hiding. But due to unforeseen circumstances, Marty and Julie find themselves traveling across the county alone to a place where Marty feels their safety and privacy are certain. Initially, they are drawn to each other out the fear of being alone. But, it is death and hardship that pushes them together into a passionate, fiery bond as their souls become intertwined in something that quickly beyond the need for human contact. But life is cold, uncaring and favors no one. And after the pair becomes a group, tragedy raises its unforgiving head. With their destination in sight, Marty is confronted by the necessity to fight off a confrontation with humankind's animal nature. The losses are more than he can cope with as he gathers together the remainder of the group and continues their journey to find a place to start over, a place to call home.

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Category: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense