Legends aren't made-they're unlocked.Eighteen years ago, eccentric geologist Virgil Landowski vanished during an ill-fated Arctic expedition searching for a mythical cave said to hold red diamonds. All he left behind was a strange geode and a son who grew up believing his father's quest was madness.Now, Nick Landowski is content to live his life as a blue-collar mine foreman-until an accident cracks open his father's geode and reveals a hidden key. That discovery pulls him into a harrowing journey spanning both modern and ancient worlds, where enemies close in at every turn.Along the way, Nick uncovers a link connecting the secret Coke formula to powers older than winter itself- and a revelation that could threaten the survival of Christmas.Perfect for fans of James Rollins, Lincoln Child, and R.A. Salvatore, The First Descent is a high-stakes contemporary fantasy adventure where heists, hidden legends, and holiday myths collide."An origin story that eschews 'singing elves–dancing candy cane' territory for something grittier and more ambitious." - Kirkus Reviews"Following in the steps of modern hybrid masters like Doug Preston and James Rollins, Mike Pace's The First Descent is a blistering blend of the traditional thriller with just the right measure of fantasy. A wildly imaginative tale distinguished by a masterful plot, pitch-perfect pacing, and unforgettable characters we can't wait to meet again, The First Descent is not to be missed!" - Jon Land, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author"Thriller readers will find First Descent hard to put down. It's packed with satisfying twists, characters whose interactions are sometimes mercurial and intriguing, and situations that depart from the usual predictable outcomes. A creative winner!" - D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review Born in Pittsburgh, Mike received a B.F.A. degree in painting from the University of Illinois and a law degree from Georgetown University where he served on the editorial board of the prestigious Georgetown Law Journal. He taught art in a Washington D. C. inner-city public school before being appointed Assistant U.S. Attorney for Washington. After a stint as a commercial litigator, he served as General Counsel to an environmental services company before resigning to practice law part-time, thereby allowing him to focus on his first love, creative writing.Suspense Magazine said of his stand-alone supernatural thriller, One to Go: "A completely unique suspense novel; you hold your breath waiting for the next shoe to drop. The book also received positive reviews from such acclaimed authors as Steve Berry, Doug Preston, Gayle Lynds, and Jon Land-"blisteringly good," "pulse pounding," "explosive." Kirkus Reviews said of his supernatural thriller, Dead Light": "Compelling characters … thrilling plot." Writer's Digest called Mike's women's fiction book, The Chocolate Shop (writing as J.J. Spring) "Exceptional," and selected it as the magazine's 2019 first place award winner for contemporary fiction (sp-ebook.)Mike lives in Florida with his wife and parti-poodle, Handsome Jack.
