Cirrus@Austlit

'She was on his sofa, reading a book. She was a complete stranger.

'And she was naked…

'Her name was Zoe, and she had survived a horrific ordeal.

'Fleeing from trouble and the threat of death, Zoe turned to her best friend, Helen. Driving for three days straight, she arrived cold and hungry on Helen’s doorstep.

'But Helen was at work. Leaving Helen’s husband, John, and Zoe together…all alone.

'Having escaped from a life of terror and violence, Zoe was sure she could hide out with them for a while. Just long enough to get back on her feet and her life in order again.

'John’s only mistake was to agree she could stay with them…

'Because Zoe’s past was fast catching up with her.

'And that past would draw them all into a game of life and death.

'By letting her stay, John had no idea of the horror that would be visited on them all…

'For someone had a game to finish – a game that could turn very deadly indeed.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'At Lake Mountain,

'Death is only the beginning…

'Her name is Raven…

'Raven – a bird of large size, with black lustrous plumage and raucous voice, who feeds chiefly on carrion or other flesh. The Raven is mischievous and thievish, and is regarded as an evil omen and of mysterious character.

'Quick-sighted, sagacious and bold, Ravens take away by force; to seize or divide and spoil. They plunder. They devour voraciously; feed hungrily or greedily; they prey on or upon.

'Her friend is Amber…

'Thrown out of home by her alcoholic father, and with no place to stay, Raven is the only friend Amber has. Raven takes her in and lets her stay in her small trailer at the Pine Hill Trailer Park. Amber relies on Raven, she needs her, she can’t live without her…

'But then there’s the body. And the need to flee…

'And the road to Lake Mountain is their only hope of escape. Until they meet Tyler…and everything changes.

'For their destinies lie along the long, lonely track to Lake Mountain. It’s gonna be one hell of a road-trip…'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'The fires were raging through Washington State. Nothing could withstand the fury. Easton, Lavender and Nelson lay in ruins. There was only one thing left to do now the fires had taken hold...

'Flee.

'THE BUS

'A handful of residents from Ronald take a school bus, grab all the worldly possessions they can hold and escape the flames as the fires near their town.

'THE CADILLAC

'Donna and Kurt are camping in the Wenatchee National Forest when they hear the news. They need to get back to Ellensberg before the fires cut them off. They need to leave - pronto.

'"In the distance the dancing red curtain of flame and destruction rose into the night sky."

'And then the sheriff detours them...

'Detoured onto a little-used and winding backroad that no one knows. Nobody knew what lay ahead - only what was behind them.

'They were all fleeing from hell. And they arrived someplace worse...'

Source: Publisher's blurb.