​​I discovered fantasy stories when I was very young. It was probably in third or fourth grade when someone at school introduced me to The Lord of the Rings. My mom bought the books for me (including The Hobbit) and I read them in a state of wonder. Even still have those old paperbacks somewhere. They were far above my ability to comprehend, and I admit that I’ve not read them since, but it was too late – that totally invented world had me enthralled. It was also around that time that I discovered Dungeons & Dragons, probably from Kevin, who I think is the person who first turned me on to LOTR. But it could have been anyone; there were a bunch of kids at my school back then who were reading it. At any rate, D&D had me under its spell (didn’t realize I’d written that pun until editing this; I’ll leave it in, cheesy as it is), and my little group of friends and I played it vigorously. I will admit, for those of you who know anything about D&D, that we most definitely did not play strictly by the rules, but followed them in a very general manner that was completely malleable and capricious. What can I say – we were kids! And if you’ve ever tried to actually read the Dungeon Master’s Guide, you’ll know that it probably can’t hold the interest of the average ten year old for more than about seven seconds.

This was the early 1980’s, and we had Showtime at my house. That was back when you actually had to get up out of your chair and turn a knob on a little box in order to change the station. The first remote I ever saw was part of a VHS machine my dad brought home from one of his overseas military jaunts. It was a massive top-loading affair, and the remote was actually attached to the machine by a cord! But I digress. Showtime (and maybe HBO), back then, played movies like Excalibur, Hawk The Slayer, Conan the Barbarian (the original with Arnold, of course), and Dragonslayer. These films, in addition to D&D, and to a lesser degree LOTR, planted within me a love and fascination for fantasy stories, which still exists today.

I’ve always been a reader, losing myself in books for hours on end. (I just finished chapter 24 of The Count of Monte Cristo before writing this missive.) The dedication to my mother in Blackfire Volume 1 is true – she did read to me a lot when I was little, before I could read for myself. I credit that more than anything with instilling in me my love of stories. Maybe there is some genetic mutation in my DNA that causes me to love stories as much as I do, who knows. The fact remains – I have always, and always will - love stories.
​
As I aged I discovered other authors and genres. I read Stephen King’s The Tommyknockers right after it was released, and have read lots more of his stuff. He’s amazing! Dean Koontz is another favorite whom I’ve been reading for a long time. Sometime in early adulthood I discovered non-fiction, and that’s where I discovered my love of history. I’d always enjoyed documentaries, particularly about World War II, and I’ve consequently read several books on that conflict. So when I started college, at age thirty, I took almost all of my electives in either History or English Lit. I was going to major in Computer Science, but realized early on just how inept I am at math. Pre-Calculus almost killed me! My mind just doesn’t work that way. There was a break of several years between the time I finished my Associates degree, and before I went back to get my Bachelor’s, and when I finally did, I ended up majoring in History.

​The idea for the Blackfire, as it is now written, did not come to me early in life. I’d wanted to write a fantasy series for many years, even sat down a couple times and typed some garbage that I threw away. But the notion, the desire to write something akin to all the great fantasy series I’d read was always there. I’ve got to name a few authors who were instrumental in either kindling that desire or helping to keep the idea going: Terry Brooks, Stephen R. Donaldson, Robert Jordan, and David Eddings. Thank you to all of them!

We are offering a tiny bit of Mark Sowers The Blackfire Chronicles, Volume I © in image format.  If your interest is piqued, please read it on Amazon.  It is available in Kindle edition and Kindle Unlimited.  Please leave a review on Amazon and Facebook.  

These reviews were shared with the permission of the individuals who wrote them.  Thank you so much for your encouraging words, the insight and amazing support!  These are the kinds of reviews a brand new author dreams about receiving and here they are-better than imagined and as real as life!

We hope these reviews help you decide to give Mark's book a try!  You can purchase it here!

A birth one might call beautiful. This is the first of many in a series that will captivate and enthrall.  Learn for yourself the mysteries and adventures of Revan and his friend as they toil away for much of their young lives to unearth a behemoth monolithic structure.  Will you join Revan on the journey? 

​We sure hope that you will!  Please leave a review as you get to the end of the book, every bit of encouragement, insight and commentary help authors make their works exactly what the readers want! Released today in Kindle Edition and available for Kindle Unlimited on Amazon.com!  The paperback edition will be released soon.  

After years of rolling around in Mark's brain the first book in a series of many is about to be published!

The artwork is finished and we are giving a sneak peak of his cover!

Follow Mark on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to get updates on his latest works.  

The Blackfire Chronicles, Volume 1 will be available on for purchase on Amazon in Kindle edition and Kindle Unlimited.

Thank you dear friends, family and fans! Mark has had a lot of support from family, friends, co-workers, and other professionals to get this far.  
​  
And thank you in advance if you choose to purchase the Kindle edition even if you have Kindle Unlimited. Every new author hopes to have their work successful in captivating readers!  This saga is one that strives to be different from the rest.  Please join us on this journey with Revan and it's ultimate culmination.  Welcome to the world of The Blackfire Chronicles!