Posts Tagged ‘action adventure’

Action-adventure novel HIGH COUNTRY CONTRACT now available as audiobook!

Posted: June 28, 2025 in Audiobooks, High Country Contract
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The crime novel HIGH COUNTRY CONTRACT, co-authored by Lance & James Morcan, is now available as an audiobook courtesy of Amazon’s Audible initiative for authors. (Listening length 3hrs. 43mins.).

To listen to the Introduction, click on “Virtual voice sample” at https://www.amazon.com/Audible-High-Country-Contract/dp/B0FDKSJ5G2/

In this crime-based adventure set in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, young Kiwi drifter Arch Quaid thinks he has landed the contract of his life when he’s hired to cull deer on a South Island high country property. He quickly changes his mind when he discovers he’s the hunted, not the hunter. Caught up in the middle of it all is his new love Janine, a beautiful Maori girl who will likely be the killer’s next target if Arch doesn’t overcome the most daunting of odds.

 “The book is a page turner that you won’t put down. The Morcans always deliver an exciting read which captivates the imagination of the reader.” -U.S. publisher George Shaddock

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Bestselling historical adventure INTO THE AMERICAS now available as audiobook

Posted: June 22, 2025 in Audiobooks, Into the Americas
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Our bestselling historical adventure novel INTO THE AMERICAS is available now as an Amazon audiobook. To listen to the novel’s prologue, click on the “Virtual voice sample” in the panel below the cover image accessed via the following link… https://www.amazon.com/ITEM_NAME/dp/B0FDKY28ZC/

So far, 19 of our books – fiction and nonfiction / co-authored and solo-authored – have been uploaded to Amazon’s Audiobook with more to come.

INTO THE AMERICAS (A novel based on a true story) is a gritty, real-life adventure based on one of history’s greatest survival stories. It was inspired by the diary entries of young English blacksmith John Jewitt during his time aboard the brigantine The Boston and also during his sojourn as a captive of the First Nations people at Nootka Sound, on North America’s western seaboard, from 1802 to 1805.

This novel has 925 global ratings and a 4.4 out of 5-star rating on Amazon.

According to Amazon’s A.I. summary: “Customers find this book an enjoyable and captivating read based on historical facts, with well-developed characters and a fast-paced narrative that draws readers into the excitement. The writing style receives positive feedback, and customers appreciate the historical notes that add clarity to the story.”

To view all our books, go to Amazon author page at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Lance-Morcan/author/B005ET3ZUO

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Deniable CIA foreign assets feature in book one in our action-adventure series ‘The Deniables’

Posted: April 26, 2025 in The Dogon Initiative
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Rumors of foreign mercenaries being hired as deniable assets by the CIA to aid the persecuted were the motivation for our action-adventure novel The Dogon Initiative.

The rumors, incidentally, remain unproven, but one of us at least believes they could be more fact than rumor – despite the CIA’s, um, somewhat dubious reputation.

Book one in our series The Deniables, the storyline sees a group of foreign mercenaries hired as deniable assets by a newly formed humanitarian division of the CIA. They are tasked with saving Mali’s persecuted Dogon people from genocide. The operation must be carried out in stealth while journeying across some of West Africa’s most hostile terrain.

As if all that’s not enough, they are also instructed to help solve an ancient astronomical mystery linked to the pyramids of Egypt.

The novel highlights some of the many myths and theories surrounding the fascinating Dogon people. In particular, their unexplained knowledge of the invisible-to-the-eye Sirius B white dwarf star, the rings of Saturn and other heavenly bodies, and their rumored ancestral relationship to ancient Egyptians.

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The Dogon Initiative is available via Amazon.

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Our other co-authored adventure novels by Lance & James Morcan include:

White Spirit

Into the Americas

World Odyssey

Fiji: A Novel

High Country Contract

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Early chapters of ‘New Zealand: A Novel’ herald the beginning of a new and bloody era

Posted: February 24, 2025 in New Zealand: A Novel
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It’s Winter 1500 AD in the land that would one day be named New Zealand. The Era of the Moa-Hunter had ended. Now, two centuries after the arrival of Pacific Islanders from Hawaiki, a new and bloody era was about to begin.

So begins an early chapter in my new release historical adventure New Zealand: A Novel.

Excerpt continues: For the first time, the hills and shores of Aotearoa echoed to the sounds of war. As competition for land and food resources increased, inter-tribal fighting became the norm. The inevitable result was war on a scale never before seen in Kupe’s land. Fighting was hand-to-hand, vicious and bloody. One ugly side-effect of the conflict was cannibalism. Eating the flesh of enemies provided a new source of meat as well as having symbolic significance for the victors. Cannibalism quickly became part of Maori culture, just as it had throughout the islands of the South Pacific. The losers in warfare accepted they would end their days in slavery or on the cooking fire, or probably both. Slaves provided labour and were a source of food when their meat-starved captors were hungry.

Feuds erupted between iwis (tribes) which had previously lived side by side in peace. As rivalries intensified, bloodshed followed. Given the Maori preoccupation with mana (prestige) any slight was an invitation to violent retribution. The concept of mercy was unknown and the cycle of revenge that resulted was known as utu, or blood vengeance.

Utu would become the law by which Maori lived. It would survive, indeed flourish, until well into the nineteenth century.

Apera’s Te Arawa iwi had consolidated their tribal base at Rotorua, the inland whakatikatikatanga (settlement) located on the shores of the same thermal lake where they’d resided since relocating from coastal Maketu. But like most tribes of the day they needed more land for their ever-expanding population. It was because of this their rangatira decided to lead a sizeable war party down the east coast in search of slaves and new territory.

The decision to make war was not taken lightly. The Te Arawa had long been insulated from the feuding that was now common amongst coastal tribes. Increasing demand for new territory had recently seen their own tribal lands come under threat. Fortunately, their superior numbers had enabled them to repel any invaders. However, this was not enough to ensure their survival. More land, slaves and riches were needed.

Winter was always the worst time to travel or to make war. The land was cold and food was at its scarcest, but the Te Arawa warriors chose to make their move in the middle of winter when their enemies would likely be least prepared.

Almost one year to the day after he killed the last surviving moa, Apera led a war party of two hundred warriors to the coast. Among the headmen in their midst was the rangatira’s younger brother and right hand man, Kaihautu. He, too, was a natural leader, which was fitting because his name translated as a man with leadership qualities.

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New Zealand: A Novel is available via Amazon, Waterstones UK & Europe bookstores, Mighty Ape NZ & via public libraries.

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Acclaimed U.S. book reviewer asks, “Could this be the Great New Zealand novel?”

Posted: December 20, 2024 in New Zealand: A Novel
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First reviews are in for the new-release historical adventure New Zealand: A Novel, and acclaimed American book reviewer Grady Harp asks, “Could this be the Great New Zealand novel?”

Harp, who is also an artist representative, gallery owner and published author of note, says, “This is a fine novel that invites understanding of New Zealand’s fascinating history!” He describes it as “Fascinating!”

Excerpts from the other 5 ★★★★★ reviews follow:

“What a fantastic story! This is a story of the beginnings of New Zealand, warts and all and very well researched and written. A good insight into the early settlers in NZ, both Māori and Pakeha but told with a flair for the story and information and facts laid out with clarity, that both New Zealanders as well as those who have never been here would find factual and interesting. “The sex scenes were tastefully done as well!!” –Kotuku

“Riveting. I could not put the book down. Historical facts were woven with some well-crafted narratives into a story of how the nation of New Zealand came to be. The knowledge of the author about native beliefs, customs, and the way of life in the tribal communities of the south Pacific coupled with Captain Cook, the explorer of legend, made this a compelling and exciting story to read. And now I am just waiting for the movie!” –Stephen Heartland

“Wow, what a fantastic novel. Lance Morcan has that special talent of being able to pull you into the story, so you can vividly picture everything that’s going on. The struggles of the indigenous people are not something one can possibly imagine, and courage it must have taken to leave their home in search of a better place. I always enjoy reading about Captain Cook, and this has been incorporated really well into this story. I’m amazed at how much has been packed into this wonderful book. It’s well worth a read and easily worth the 5/5 Star Rating.” –Todd Simpson

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New Zealand: A Novel is currently exclusive to Amazon as a paperback and Kindle ebook @  https://www.amazon.com.au/New-Zealand-Novel-Lance-Morcan-ebook/dp/B0DPTJTDCQ

The paperback will soon be available in public libraries, and the hardcover and audiobook versions will be published early in 2025.

Happy reading!

Lance Morcan (Author)

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Early Maori face challenges in new land in this excerpt from ‘New Zealand: A Novel’

Posted: November 19, 2024 in New Zealand: A Novel
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The early days in Aotearoa were difficult days for those Islanders who survived the epic sea voyage from their Hawaiki homeland. In the first year more deaths further reduced their number although those were partly offset by the births of several babies. And so far, the land of the long white cloud was living up to its name: it was cloudy. With the clouds came rain and cooler temperatures, and the new arrivals shivered as they adapted to life in this foreign place.

Food, or lack of it, was the most crucial issue facing them. The abundant food sources of the islands of the South Pacific were sadly lacking. There was no sign of the pigs, turtles, bananas, coconuts, kumaras or yams they were familiar with. Wild berries from the hīnau, karaka and other native trees were the only fruits available. Though there was a profusion of fish and bird life, new fishing and hunting techniques had to be mastered before those creatures could be added to the recent arrivals’ diet in any quantity.

Hotu remained staunch. The rangatira knew there’d be hardships to overcome before his people would be at one with the land. He was sure Kupe’s followers had faced the same problems all those centuries ago. Whether they had survived was another story. 

So far not one sign of another human being had been found. Not even a solitary footprint.

The first hunting expedition into the unexplored interior provided a much-needed boost for flagging spirits. Concerned they’d seen no pigs, or any animals for that matter, along the coast, Hotu led a dozen hunters inland. Their number included Kafoa who made up for his tender age and inexperience with enthusiasm. The hunters never found pigs, but what they did find soon proved to be as good.

On the flatlands and rolling hills between the coast and the mountains, they discovered mobs of giant birds. The biggest of these emu-like creatures stood taller than the tallest man, and, Hotu observed, they had plenty of meat on their bones. Better still, like some other birds in this land, they were flightless. With no natural predators, until now, they had no need of wings. The moa, as they came to be called, were timid and easily killed. Moas quickly became a staple part of their hunters’ diet and would remain so until their extinction less than two centuries later.

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The paperback and Kindle ebook versions of ‘New Zealand: A Novel’ will be published on Amazon before Christmas; the hardcover and audiobook versions will follow in the New Year.

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Coming soon! NEW ZEALAND: A NOVEL

Posted: November 16, 2024 in New Zealand: A Novel
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This epic, historical adventure-romance is a tale of conflict, lust and adventure. It spans almost 500 years and covers the respective discoveries of New Zealand by Pacific Islanders and Europeans.

Watch this space!

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Paperback Cover Reveal for my epic historical adventure-romance novel

Posted: November 10, 2024 in New Zealand: A Novel
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Coming soon!

My thanks to the talented designers at Book Publishers NZ for designing such an eye-catching cover for this soon-to-be released novel. 

‘New Zealand: A Novel’ spans almost 500 years and covers the respective discoveries of New Zealand by Maori and European.

The novel will be published on Amazon before Christmas; the hardcover and audiobook versions will follow in the New Year.

Watch this space!

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New Zealand’s discovery by its indigenous people features in early chapters of ‘New Zealand: A Novel’

Posted: November 10, 2024 in New Zealand: A Novel
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Kafoa scanned the ocean ahead of the double-voyaging canoe that had carried his fellow Islanders, or those of them who had survived at least, so far from their homeland in Hawaiki. Finally, he saw what it was the men had seen.

Low on the horizon, at the limit of the boy’s vision, was a large landmass resting beneath a long white cloud. Studying the distant landmass, he murmured, “Aotearoa.”

His father nodded. “Aotearoa,” Hotu agreed. “Land of the long white cloud.”

Kupe’s land now had a name.

You are reading an excerpt from an early chapter in my soon-to-be-released historical adventure epic ‘New Zealand: A Novel’.

Excerpt continues:

The excitement on board was unrestrained as the landmass now referred to by all as Aotearoa came into clear focus beneath the umbrella of cloud. Everyone who could stand was standing. The only voyagers not on their feet were those too weak to rise from where they lay.

Hotu was now manning the tiller. His heart beat fast. Here at last was Kupe’s land!

Tears filled the rangatira’s eyes and he murmured a prayer of thanks to the spirits of his Hawaikan ancestors. This land, their land, would be his people’s salvation. Of that he was sure.

From around twenty miles out, the land appeared dark and mysterious in the shadow of the cloudbank above it. Forbidding even. The sight had a sobering effect on the voyagers. All conversation ceased as they studied their new homeland.

As the canoe sailed onwards, floundering deeper than ever in the water, the land mass ahead slowly took shape. It was high – higher than the tropical islands of the Pacific – and it was covered in dense, lush, green bush.

Although still too far away to ascertain, the land appeared to be unoccupied, and some sixth sense told Hotu it was. Which meant he and his fellow survivors would be the only people on these shores. He wondered what had become of Kupe’s fellow voyagers all those centuries ago.

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The paperback and Kindle ebook versions of ‘New Zealand: A Novel’ will be published on Amazon before Christmas; the hardcover and audiobook versions will follow in the New Year.

Watch this space!

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Mali’s Dogon tribe to feature in movie helmed by emerging New Zealand film director

Posted: June 20, 2024 in Morcan films, The Dogon Initiative
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New Zealand writer-director James Morcan, best known for his new-release, Australian-produced film Anno 2020, has attached to direct an action-adventure movie set in Mali and featuring the West African nation’s enigmatic Dogon people.

Titled ‘Deniables: The Dogon Initiative’, the movie will be based on the novel ‘The Dogon Initiative’, one of 12 novels co-authored by Morcan and his father Lance, and the first book in a planned ‘Deniables’ series. The New Zealand father-and-son writing team’s books are published under the Sterling Gate Books banner.

Book 1 in planned ‘Deniables’ series of novels and films.

Speaking from Sydney, Australia, this week, James Morcan said he and his father knew from the outset their novel, which is currently exclusive to Amazon, would translate to an exciting feature film.

“Reviewers of this and other adventure novels of ours have commented that the storylines feel very cinematic,” he said. “That’s not surprising as we both have a love of film and are both screenwriters as well as novelists.”

The younger Morcan said ‘The Dogon Initiative’ is about a group of foreign mercenaries who are hired as deniable assets by a newly formed humanitarian division of the CIA.

“It was inspired by a true-life mystery of astronomy, and it covers some of the many myths and theories surrounding Mali’s fascinating Dogon people. We highlight their unexplained knowledge of the invisible-to-the-eye Sirius B white dwarf star, the rings of Saturn and other heavenly bodies, as well as their rumoured ancestral relationship to ancient Egyptians.

“Our leading characters, the foreign mercenaries, have been nicknamed ‘the Deniables’ because their existence isn’t officially acknowledged by the CIA. They’re tasked with saving Mali’s persecuted Dogon people from genocide.

“The operation must be carried out in stealth while journeying across some of West Africa’s most hostile terrain. As if all that’s not enough, they’re also instructed to help solve an ancient astronomical mystery linked to the pyramids of Egypt.

“Our Deniables soon find themselves fighting for their lives when they get caught in the middle of warring ethnic factions in Mali. Their only way to survive is to join with the Dogon in a race against the clock. The stakes are so high that not only could an entire indigenous group be wiped off the face of the Earth, but all evidence that supports advanced ancient technology theories surrounding the Dogon and a lost civilization thesis may be destroyed in the process.”

Morcan is currently celebrating the successful Australian red-carpet cinema screenings of his mystery-drama movie Anno 2020, which represents his directorial debut. As well as directing that award-winning film he adapted it from his solo-authored novel of the same name.

Several of the Morcans’ co-authored novels have been regular visitors to Amazon’s bestseller lists. They include the historical adventures ‘White Spirit’ and ‘Into the Americas’, and the international thriller ‘The Ninth Orphan’. These and several others, including some with name actors attached, have been adapted to feature film screenplays and are in early development.

Amazon link to ‘The Dogon Initiative’: https://www.amazon.com/Dogon-Initiative-Deniables-Book-ebook/dp/B07NKTD515

IMDb film industry link to James Morcan: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1909596/  

James’s contact details for media enquiries: Ph. +61 431 981 415

Email: jamesmorcan@yahoo.com   

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