Captain Yoni Arduus survived the explosion―but survival wasn't enough to save him from guilt. Stranded light-years from Earth after a catastrophic explosion, Yoni is the sole survivor of a fatal encounter on an uncharted world. Cut off from home, haunted by a failed marriage and the crew he couldn't save, he is taken in by an ancient alien society whose quiet justice and innocence stand in stark contrast to his own belief that he is a coward and unworthy of forgiveness. As Yoni begins to find something he thought he'd lost forever―belonging―he realizes his presence on the planet is no accident. A mysterious leader lurks behind the world's stagnation, subtly steering events from the shadows. When Yoni uncovers a secret tied to his own identity, the truth reveals a terrifying possibility: this world, and Earth itself, may be on the brink of annihilation. Faced with a chance to escape, Yoni must decide if protecting friends is worth of risking annihilation by confronting an adversary who embodies what he fears about himself. If he fails, the aliens he loves will die, and Earth will fall to invasion. If he succeeds, he may lose any hope of ever going home. ESCAPE FROM DESOLATION, Book One, is the first installment in a science fiction series about risking everything to protect someone else―and discovering that courage isn't the absence of fear, but the decision to move past it. In a universe stripped of hope, Yoni Arduus must discover who he will become. Rob is a former food scientist, corporate lawyer and systems manager who had a passion for art and writing throughout his professional life. Writing was the best way to pass the time on long train commutes, where he penned a full-length novel. He became a stay-at-home Dad and his artwork intensified, leading to active participation in local art shows, where he exhibited his sculptures, featuring an abundance of penguins. Over time writing gained more ground. Escape From Desolation was inspired by a painting displayed in Omni Magazine in the 1980s. The image stuck in his head until it became a book. https://escapefromdesolation.com