The Hammer Falls

By: Travis Heermann

Narrated by: Charles Kahlenberg

The next time he dies....
...will be the last.

Can he save the woman he loves before his heart gives out for good?

Horace “The Hammer” Harkness is a gene-modified pit fighter 20 years past his prime. He loves the life of screaming fans and thundering theme music, but too many injuries and resurrections have wrecked his heart. If he loses one more match, game over.

Now his big comeback is in deep, deep trouble. If he fails, how will he repay all the money he borrowed to finance this fiasco?

In a world of blood-drenched circuses and fleeting fame, can a battered pit fighter outsmart the Russian mob before they exact revenge on Lilly? Or will he die trying?

If you love stories with high-tech weapons, high-stakes action, snarky ninjas, and a touch of romance, you'll love The Hammer Falls!

Get it now!

©2019 Travis Heermann (P)2019 Travis Heermann

a great story from an absolutely new prospecftive

this story may foreshadow future of profession wrestling and the future the mega corporation are working hard to create. This tail may be a reality soon than many think.

Hammer Time

A while back, I decided to expand my listening experiences into genres I like, but at that point, wasn't reading that often. To that end, I found a web-list that advertised review copy audiobooks given for free with an agreement to post an honest opinion when finished. I requested "The Hammer Falls" from this list and have written this voluntary review.

This story centers on Horace 'The Hammer' Harkness, a genetically enhanced pit fighter that has seen his glory days pass by about 2 decades prior. In an effort to stage a comeback, he has borrowed a large sum of money from the Russian mob with the arrangement that he return payment after the bout. Circumstances prevent him from repaying the mobsters and he is now a marked man. Can he and his new companions get him out of this jam?

Travis Heermann has created a near-future world that seems all too plausible. MMA fighting is taken to the next, deadlier level thanks to advances in medical technology. Corruption is rampant. Technology is even more sinister and dangerous. And Hammer is attempting to maneuver through a world in which he is no longer relevant. Hammer's effort to help those he cares about sends him on a rip-roaring ride that will have readers on the edge of their seat. There is suspense and action, political and corporate intrigue and even a smattering of romance. What starts out sad, with Hammer desperately trying to reclaim his glory days, ends with him ultimately accepting help from those around him to save not only himself but the people he loves. It's an enjoyable redemption story full of grit and guts (literal and figurative) that will leave the reader satisfied.

Charles Kahlenberg's narration had to grow on me, but in the end it's a good performance. The banter between characters (my favorite thing about the narration) is superbly interpreted.

Recommended. It's a solid stand-alone novel.

You Gotta Love 'Em

This is not a "pretty" but, rather one that takes a battered, older Hero and puts him through Hell and back to try and make up for past mistakes both large and small. This dystopian future world holds horrors, and the bad guys are running the show. With a lot of help from his "friends," will our protagonist win victory AND live through it!?! Really enjoyed the story. The narrator did a good job but there's some sexy lady talk to which No Man can do justice.

Truly excellent!

This book is a lot of fun and the narrator hits it on the head! All the characters are memorable and full of personality. And the back-and-forth between them is brilliant. You won't regret listening to this one.

A great story

**** SPOILER ALERT ****
I read/listened to "The Hammer Falls' in Audible narrated most excellently by Charles Kahlenberg, more on him later. I would encourage you, my fellow readers, to get this book in whatever format that you prefer, hardcopy, ebook, or audio.
In "The Hammer Falls" Heermann gives readers a finely woven tapestry of a story that balances action and exposition.
The author does a superb job of world building and character development. 
For those of you that prefer to read this book by eye, you can skip this next bit as it's going to focus on the narrator and audio production values of the book.
Mr. Kahlenberg does a fantastic job of bringing the story and characters to life. His delivery puts me in mind of old time radio dramas of the golden age of radio.
As a long time patron of the Talking Book service provided by the Library Of Congress National Library Service, I can personally attest that the choice of a narrator is VITAL to the success of a book as a not so good narrator can destroy a "reader's" enjoyment of a book. Mr. Kahlenberg was a fabulous choice to narrate this book. Other Talking Book patrons will recognize the following as very high praise for Mr. Kahlenberg. Mr. Kahlenberg's narration of "The Hammer Falls" is on a par with that of Bob Askey.
Q: Can Horace survive long enough to save Lilly and the kids?
A: Grab this book and find out!!
In the interest of transparency: I was given a free review copy of this book and I am voluntarily sharing this review.
It is my own honest opinion.