About

Welcome!

I was born in Africa and left out in the sun too often.

An early interest in philosophy and psychology was adequately exorcised by tending bars. And while trying to enroll in a class to read Science Fiction full time, I ended up taking an engineering degree which splendidly qualified me to move into marketing. That in turn spawned a late onset career in creative writing.

My first novel, ‘Sleight of Hand’ was released in August 2012, and proved a success with Urban Fantasy readers. My protagonist, Amber Farrell is ex-Special Forces, and on her last covert mission in South America, she was bitten by what the army reluctantly came to believe was a vampire. When she didn’t turn into the blood-sucking creature of myth, they let her return to her hometown of Denver, where she joined the police (part of her story covered by the prequel ‘Raw Deal’).  When we catch up to her in ‘Sleight of Hand’ she’s a private investigator, concentrating on keeping her company afloat and worrying that she’s inexorably sliding into becoming something not quite human.

‘Sleight of Hand’ is as good a place as any to start the ‘Bite Back’ series; books that are contemporary thrillers in the dark fantasy, adult paranormal genre. There are no sparkling vampires here, and the paranormal enhanced capabilities have to be earned. There are Athanate (meaning undying, not undead), Were (mainly werewolves, but covering all kinds of shifters) and Adepts (users of magic). The books are long and multi-threaded page-turners.

‘Sleight of Hand’ can be found here: http://amzn.to/Sa0D3n

If you want to just dip your toe in first, email me (mark@athanate.com) for a free copy of the prequel ‘Raw Deal’, stating Kindle or ePub format.

I also write companion series which are in the ‘Bite Back’ world, but following different characters. If you have a look at my Amazon page https://www.amazon.com/Mark-Henwick/e/B008SBO5YK/ you’ll see the current range of published stories and be able to gauge the reaction that readers have to them from the reviews.

I’ve also started this year to write some experimental serialized stories on this blog. This is a weekend effort which uses my development time rather than the time I allocate during the week to my main novels. As such, it is where I experiment with styles. Try one that has completed and is now available to buy: Change of Regime, which is in the Bite Back world, or  A Name Among The Stars which is Sci Fi Adventure/Romance.

I am now a full-time writer, and when not working, I get high by the slightly less conventional means of a small light aircraft, or down and dirty on a mountain bike. I also enjoy hill walking and travel.

I live with my family in the south of England, and can often be found in the Rockies. My wife Pearlyn is Singaporean Chinese. My daughter Jessica is far more famous than me – she’s Lady Nymeria in Game of Thrones, Jessika Pava (still the only female X wing pilot) in Star Wars, and Colleen Wing in Marvel-Netflix’s Iron Fist.

I try and respond to all readers – ask a question below or in one of the threads!