The Shadow (Paperback)

When the Sun strikes a deadly blow, civilisation has twenty-seven hours left.

Professor Jin Dong Lee is one of the first to understand the scale of the catastrophe: an enormous coronal mass ejection is racing toward Earth, powerful enough to cripple satellites, destroy power grids, and plunge the modern world into darkness. But by the time the warning reaches the public, panic has already begun-and most people still do not believe what is coming.

Deep beneath Breckland Astronomy Observatory, Jimmy and young technician Zoe Williams take shelter in a Cold War standby bunker, stocked and ready for an unknown disaster. Safe from the pulse that shatters the world above, they survive the first 181 days, but survival is no longer enough. As society collapses into hunger, violence, and silence, the bunker becomes both sanctuary and prison.

With only radio voices to guide them, Jimmy and Zoe must decide when to leave safety behind and risk the ruined world outside. Somewhere beyond the snow, gangs, and broken roads, other survivors are building something new. They crave this human contact.

Finally venturing out into this new uncertain world, it soon turns out to be more costly than they imagined. The quiet professor, Jimmy, must decide what kind of man he will become in the new world. Has he the strength to save the women enslaved by a local warlord, Raven?

After the tragic loss of my girlfriend as a teenager, I sought an escape. My pub upbringing introduced me to a traveling gypsy family, and they allowed me to join their journey under one condition: I had to contribute. Soon, they discovered my talent for spontaneous storytelling, known as "pantsing."

In villages and towns, I showcased this gift, crafting stories based on audience suggestions after Mahala's performances. My dyslexia prevented me from pursuing writing as a profession, given the cost of ghostwriters and publishing.

Now, with five children and a 50th birthday surprise, a daughter, now a young teenager, I've told countless imaginative bedtime stories based on their prompts.

Reflecting on my time with the gypsy family, I've realised the profound impact of storytelling on people, contemplating the possibility of chronicling that journey someday.

During my 30s and 40s, I occasionally returned to the stage for charity events, fueled by my love of storytelling. My daughter encouraged me to channel that passion into writing, which led to the creation of my first series, *Bella*, named after my daughter, under the pen name Barrel Coops. Remarkably, I wrote the five-book series in just five months, though editing took an additional four months, largely due to my challenges with reading. After receiving extensive feedback and taking several courses, the series was rewritten and published in early 2024.

Despite dyslexia being a constant challenge, I'm committed to writing. I hope my stories will captivate and inspire you, bringing enjoyment to your life.