Newark, New Jersey's Central Ward is home to some of the most notorious, ruthless thugs alive. It's also home to citizens who are struggling to have a better way of life. Citizens trying for a second chance, like ex-convict Shannon Davenport, whose eight-year-old daughter Jasmine is the light of his life. But when Jasmine is cut down by a sniper's bullet, Shannon vows to find his daughter's killer...
But Jasmine is not just another innocent casualty in the world of gang warfare. There's something more sinister than Shannon can possibly imagine. A legendary curse cloaks the Ward in an invisible shroud, poisoning its residents, destroying their minds—and their souls. . .
As Shannon's obsessive search for his daughter's real killer drives him to the edge of insanity, an evil spirit remains loose—and those who die young, escaping with their souls, are the lucky ones...
"Fascinating. . .will keep you flipping pages to the very end." —Brandon Massey, award-winning author of Within the Shadows
"Masterful. . .original, chilling." —Black Issues Book Review
"A roller coaster ride of terror, wildly inventive. . .a well-tuned morality tale." —Robert Fleming, author of Havoc After Dark: Tales of Terror
The Barnes & Noble Review
Stephen King's The Stand meets Donald Goines's Black Gangster in this novel by Evie Rhodes (Expired and Criss Cross), a spiritually powered supernatural thriller set on the mean streets of Newark's crime-ridden Central Ward.
Shannon Davenport is an infamous Newark OG (original gangsta) who, after the birth of his daughter, Jasmine, has tried hard to keep himself out of trouble and make a better life for his family. Now 36 years old and married to Tawney, a successful bank manager, Davenport is shattered when eight-year old Jasmine is gunned down in broad daylight while playing hide-and-seek with her friends. Obsessed with tracking down his daughter's killer, the streetwise Davenport becomes entangled in a quickly escalating conflict between two ruthless thugs. As the power struggle ignites into all-out gang warfare — and the body count skyrockets — Davenport uncovers the unbelievable truth: There is a vengeful presence behind all the tragedy, busily collecting souls for the kingdom of darkness. . .
Fueled by darkly poetic imagery and allegory — as well as numerous relevant biblical references (Proverbs 1:16: "For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.") — Out "A" Order is equal parts gritty crime fiction thriller, graphic inner-city fantasy, and spiritual cautionary tale. Readers who enjoy edification with their literary escapism should definitely check out this novel. Paul Goat Allen
Evie Rhodes is a novelist, award-winning songwriter, and music video scriptwriter. She wrote "Standing in da Spirit," which won a Canadian Music Award for Best Gospel Album, and scripted "Changed," which won for Best Gospel Music Video. Her musical contributions are aired on radio and television in the U.S. and in 168 countries around the globe. Evie has been interviewed and showcased in numerous television, radio, and print media features, and has been a featured writer in The Gospel Magazine.
