Fedhealth Fiction (FF Books) is extremely proud to announce the first 2 novels of the epic 5-part Primal Deity series by Allen Ozark are now available on Kindle!
The story explodes when former U.S. Navy Intelligence Officer, Denise Alexandria Southerland, takes a job she doesn’t want, but can’t refuse, in one of America’s most violent cities. Veteran FBI Agent David Chandler is losing ground as his team investigates a series of brutal murders involving young girls. After exhausting all other options, Chandler puts Southerland on the case and she goes deep undercover to flush out a psychopathic killer that can’t be tracked through conventional means.
Order Primal Deity I – The Chaos Engine now on Kindle or Amazon.com
In spite of another child's horrific death and a very public suicide on Alex’s conscience--not to mention an explosive family feud that nearly gets her killed--she clings to what she knows best; the job. At first glance, this next case seems hopeful, but something's wrong, and it's the kind of treacherous, murdering wrong she'd just as soon avoid. Suddenly, she's right back in the hornet's nest, only this time her life's in jeopardy too as she finds herself at the mercy of a sick, twisted sadist; a human trafficker; and the man holding all the keys that could bring a boy back home to his loving father.
Order Primal Deity II – Crisis Management now on Kindle or Amazon.com
We recently sat down with author Allen Ozark to discuss his action-packed series about the free-spirited, hot-headed and very sexy FBI Special Agent Alex Southerland.
Who was your inspiration for Special Agent Southerland?
I think Alex was inspired by just about every woman I’ve interacted with in my life. Alex says and does a lot of things the average woman would proudly put on her “to do” list … but only in the depths of her mind. It’s funny because sometimes ladies will tell me, “Allen, a woman would never say that!” But without skipping a beat, they realize most of Alex’s antics take place between her ears (in her mind) and suddenly they can relate on a deeper, more personal level. Most ladies tactfully keep certain thoughts and comments to themselves; but not Alex. Her feelings run her. She blames it all on her deity (Blondie), but most of the action you’ll see in the series is the direct result of her not thinking situations through. She’s extremely intelligent, but her intellect is constantly rivaled by her morbid desire to act on impulse more than not.
I imagine there’s no shortage of people out there--men and women--ready to scold Alex or bend her over their knee, but at the same time, I think they admire her spirit. She makes a ton of mistakes, which I think reflects real life, but she has a good heart, and of course she always saves the day. Alex is a unique individual in more ways than one, but she helps keep things interesting in this series. One minute you want to give her a big hug or an “atta girl” and the next you’re ready to grab her by both shoulders and shake her while yelling, “What the hell is wrong with you!” Alex has been there since the very beginning of the series. I’d go so far as to suggest she inspired the series itself. I could see this talented, sexy, smart young lady starting out rough on every edge, but then blossoming into a fantastic character as the series progresses. Watching her develop and change book after book is exciting, and I think that’s in part why my readers are all dying to know what every author hopes people will ask … “What happens in the next book?”
For me, that’s the key to enjoying a book. If I’m reading a story, and after a few paragraphs I have this burning desire to want to know what happens in the next paragraph; or on the next page; and in the next chapter; and the next book; then the author has done a good job in my eyes. Alex makes it easy for us all to ask that question. Watching her navigate through life is kind of like being on a high-speed rollercoaster with no safety restraints and your hands stuck up in the air … very exciting.
Your knowledge of the FBI, counterterrorism and other law enforcement topics and characters is spot on. Did you have to do extensive research to make the story line and twists so believable?
I’ve spent a good bit of time helping protect this country, working counterterrorism and homeland security with specialists from all over the world, so I didn’t have to do a ton of research. I was able to draw on a lot of my own field experiences. To fill in the blanks sometimes I chat with my dad, who was a special forces Army Ranger and my buddies who were also Spec Ops operators; Navy Seals and Force Recon 1, police detectives, SWAT and the list goes on. I love writing Fiction because you can let your imagination soar. But, I think part of what makes even the “tallest tale” enjoyable is when you can integrate a fair amount of reality and truth into the storyline, so I try to do that as much as possible.
Your cover artwork is impressive. What is the significance of the Primal Deity series name and the shield?
The first book originally was called “Death Peddler”, a title focused in on the serial killer in that story, but I knew I needed to have a unique title for the entire series that set it apart from the average book on the shelf. It sounds crazy, but I write primarily from listening to my characters--basically I write what they tell me they would say or do in the various scenarios I throw them into. Alex is hell bent on believing that she gets in trouble because some supernatural “thing” is pulling her strings as if she were a helpless little wooden puppet. The whole “deity” thing is fairly ancient, but not something you’ll find mentioned much in stories today.
When I went back to re-read Alex’s explanation for her wacky behavior, I zoomed in on the “goddess” aspect of it and ran with it. I actually referenced deities just based on my knowledge of them, but when I stumbled upon that symbol, that was the icing on the cake, and I immediately dug deep into that fascinating world. When it was time for the covers to be designed, I just knew that shield had to be on each one. It’s even on the cover of the third book; you just have to look a bit harder for it. I think the title of the series flows well with each installment and even though each book stands alone in many ways, the series title “Primal Deity” really ties them all together well.
Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?
Yes. Absolutely yes from the very start. Every time someone asks me that, I think of that silly giraffe story I wrote back in grade school. It may not have been a big publishing house, but that story in the Rambler was my first published work and it may have taken twenty plus years for me to actually get a real book deal, but in my mind I’ve been a published author for the majority of my life--give or take a few years.
Okay … you mentioned this earlier and yes, we’re dying to know about your next book. Can you give us a little glimpse into Primal Deity III – Containment..?
It would be my pleasure. I’m going to give you a quick snippet so you’ll know just how much trouble she’s gotten herself into after Vice President Keller gave her that special assignment at the end of book 2. Book 3 starts off with Alex in hot water AGAIN. She’s locked up, and unfortunately Tony Crane, one of my personal favorites in the series, is missing and presumed dead. You know what they say, give a gal a little power and… well, just see for yourself:
“Your honor, I am not a Naval Officer, which is why I am unclear why charges are being brought against me in a Navy court-martial. I received an honorable discharge from the Navy years ago.”
“Let the record show the appellate refuses to state her rank. Lieutenant, you are hereby remanded to-”
“Wait!” I exclaimed. I could see where all of it was going. Honestly, I didn’t have a choice but to play along for the moment, so I yelled out my alleged rank. “Southerland, Denise Alexandria, Lieutenant, United States Navy, Sir!”
Judge Scott sighed heavily. “Thank you Lieutenant. You have been convicted of the following charges … four specifications of wrongful use of cocaine, three specifications of wrongful distribution of cocaine, one specification to wrongfully introduce cocaine onto an installation used by the Armed Forces, and most recently the abduction and murder of the Vice President of the United States of America, Mr. James Keller. Do you have any questions before we proceed?”
I looked over at my attorney, who at the time was in a fucking daze. I cleared my throat loudly and finally he sprang into action.
“Uh, um, yes,” he stuttered, “your honor … if I may?”
“Please go ahead Lieutenant Saunders,” replied Scott.
“My client received an honorable discharge more than ten years ago. If it pleases the court, I respectfully raise an assignment of error as the convening authority was disqualified from forwarding the charges in question based on the fact that the appellant was not, and is not a naval officer. We believe the referral of these charges was improperly influenced, and ask that Agent Southerland be released on her own-”
“Duly noted Lieutenant Saunders, however-”
“But your honor, we-”
“Duly noted Lieutenant Saunders,” he repeated sternly. “The late Vice President Keller, in his efforts to authorize Southerland for clearance to Special Access Programs, reinstated her as a naval officer and bridged her service, thus making the prior discharge null and void. Lieutenant Southerland was and is still a Commissioned Officer. As a result, all activities she engaged in during the specified period of time were taken in consideration. We have carefully reviewed the record of trial, the appellant’s assignment of error, and the Government’s response. This court concludes the findings are correct in law and fact and that no error materially prejudicial to the substantial rights of the appellant was committed. Lieutenant Southerland’s lack of cooperation during the trial is the reason for this special hearing. It is imperative that we establish a complete and accurate account of events, and I encourage your client to exercise extreme caution in withholding details from this review board. Lieutenant Southerland, although your testimony will not affect sentencing, my opinion of you will. Now, you can start by telling us about your assignment in Los Angeles.”
Coming soon...
Follow Allen on FB at www.facebook.com/allen.ozark or visit www.primaldeity.com … and order Primal Deity I - The Chaos Engine (Kindle or paperback) and Primal Deity II – Crisis Management (Kindle or paperback) today!