Flashpoint: Book One of The Underground

Matrix, move over! Frank Creed delivers non-stop action and pulse-pounding suspense in the best book I've read this year! Frank's dry wit laces the story with humor, breathing life into unforgettable characters, in a future you won't wish to see. The year is 2036, the place is Chicago, Illinois, and the world has joined together under one government called One State. Their primary objective: to outlaw Christianity. With persecution dogging their heels, the Church goes underground, digging in to protect the Body from annihilation. When Jen and Dave Williams find themselves dumped out of their father's car, he speeds away to distract the "Peacekeepers" while the children hide under a bridge. But as Peacekeepers surround them, a man of remarkable talents comes to their rescue, dazzling the children and disarming their enemies. His name is Legacy. Legacy leads Dave and Jen into the incredible world of the underground believers. They quickly discover their own talents and gifts, and learn to use them to rescue the Church from the brain-washing techniques of the Peacekeepers. Jen becomes e-girl, a whiz-kid with the ability to interface with computers, relay information, and burrow herself into a cyber-reality. Dave becomes a field agent like Legacy, adopting the name of Calamity Kid, who plans and executes rescue operations, endeavoring to keep the precious Saints safe from the One State. Travel the streets of Chicago with e-girl and Calamity Kid, as they struggle to find their places in the Body of Christ, delving into spiritual warfare like you've never seen it before. Frank Creed's style is pure genius, and you'll delight in the unique language he brings to this novel. Flashpoint, this first book in Mr. Creed's series, is sure to leave you clamoring for more! Review by Deborah Cullins Smith

I'm a self-admitted book snob, and really get into serious historical fiction... you know, the kind where the book has to be at least 900 pages long :) So when I began reading Flashpoint, which is so far out of the norm for me I was prepared to not like it. I was so wrong! I was completely hooked after the first page; the characters were so relatable and the story so engrossing that I whipped through the book in no time. The writing is excellent--I guess you could say I'm a Frank Creed fanatic now!

Flashpoint may just be one of the freshest pieces of Christian Fiction to come along in years. I've personally never read a christian novel quite like it. Frank Creed pushes the reader into a cyber-punk future where some Christians are become hyper enhanced warriors called Sandmen (anyone remember Logan's Run?) and Frank has included plenty of ultra-cool technology to help out in the fight against the One World Government which has seized control of the world. One of the coolest aspects of the many awesome fight scenes between sandmen and their foes is the way Mr. Creed takes the reader right into the action in "Bullet-Time" to catch every cool move as it happens. And if you're looking for family friendly, all of the "Kill'n" is done with tranquilizers by the Christians. "Thou shalt not Kill" is still in effect here for these high tech, mindware enhanced believers, but they still mean business. This short novel is full of "ultra-fresh" sci-fi ideas and its protags are two teens who are bent on rescuing their parents and their church. If you loved the Matrix, Terminator, or the like then you'll find "Flashpoint" to be fresh and fun reading from cover to cover and it leaves you wanting the next installment!--James Somers: Author "The Chronicles of Soone."

This book ought to come with a warning like the one on amusement park rides. People with hypertension or heart problems should exercise extreme caution when reading Flashpoint because it's an edge-of-your-seat, thrill-seeking, action-packed ride. Strap in, keep your limbs inside the vehicle, and hold on with white knuckles. Frank absolutely excels at action and he's chocked his under-200-page volume to the very brim with it. Excitement is an understatement. While it appeals to all ages, Flashpoint will be highly appealing to anyone under thirty, and especially to those of the male persuasion. The Matrix has nothing on Flashpoint which Keanu Reeves couldn't easily surpass were he to play Frank's hero, Calamity Kid. This is the best book I have read in years. And that is really saying something considering it's a dystopia. As a rule, I'm not fond of dystopian plotlines. I find them depressing and they usually run counter to my main motivation for reading, which is mental escape to a better world. But Frank gives us enough positive goodies (mindware) to couteract the negative (societal conditions) so that this story is emminently compelling and enjoyable. In all fairness, and just so you don't think I'm gushing through rose-colored glasses, I did feel that Flashpoint was slightly obsessed with descriptions of weapons, and being female, and not hip to weapons even in the present day, that wasn't my favorite aspect. I admit my eyes glazed over every now and then when extensive descriptions of the various high-tech, futuristic arsenals came up, which was kind of often. I suspect most guys would find this an asset rather than a drawback.

Flashpoint delivers an action-packed, shocking look into a possible future while bringing to life spiritual truths in a battle between good and evil that is guaranteed to keep your head spinning. Jam-packed with spiritual truths and Mr. Creed's unique style of writing, combined with his geeky knowledge of techno-babble, and incredible kung-fu style fight scenes, this story will certainly keep your head spinning. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in end-times speculative fiction.