Reluctant Messiah
"Extraordinary things can happen to ordinary people."
In 1999, Corporal Patrick (Paddy) O'Kane's Royal Air Force truck was destroyed by an improvised bomb in Kuwait.
Thirty-nine years later, Paddy awakens in an abandoned London tube station, discovering he hasn't aged and is now revered by the persecuted populace. The city he once knew has been transformed under the rule of the Father and is now unrecognisable. This ruler is determined to either capture or kill Paddy.
After a failed attempt to capture him, Paddy unwittingly teleports into the past and escapes.
He sets out on a journey to acquire the skills required to travel back to 2038 and save his sister and friends. During his journey, he faces unexpected challenges and meets fascinating individuals who help him in his quest. Throughout his journey, he may even unravel the mystery of the afterlife
Reviews
Amazon Customer
I really enjoyed this book and the characters. Hard to believe that this is a debut novel. It's left me wanting to know more!
I hope there are more adventures of Paddy O'Kane.
Lee
Wow!!! I'm not a big book reader, and I was out of my comfort zone reading a book like this, but I thought I'd give it a go as the idea intrigued me. The more I got into the book, the more I couldn't put it down. My brain was jumping from different scenarios from time to time just like the book. Great debut novel by the author Michael R Heppell and his inventiveness imagination is brilliant. The book has been left open for a possible sequel?
Would recommend purchasing this book, you won't be disappointed and feel you want to be Paddy O'Kane
Mr M Fowler
Many times I have read reviews saying they were sad that a book had finished, and now I understand what they meant. For I am sad that this book is now over. Enjoy the journey dear reader.
Inspirations for RM
About Me
I was born in Beckenham, South London. Although writing wasn't always a lifelong passion, I've always loved storytelling, which was first sparked by my deep interest in TV and movies. As an avid movie watcher, I especially enjoyed the humour of the Carry-On films, a love that has stayed with me to this day. Being a sci-fi fan, I prefer stories that entertain without being overly serious or complex, and that influence is reflected in my writing.
I spent fifteen years serving as a driver in the Royal Air Force, with deployments during the First Gulf War and assignments in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. My writing journey began during the first lockdown when I decided to work on a memoir of my military career.
However, I quickly realised that the story would be more engaging as fiction, which led to the creation of "Reluctant Messiah" —a blend of time travel, dystopia, and redemption.
“I joined the Royal Air Force at seventeen after attending seven different schools and leaving with only a few formal qualifications. During my military service, I earned my GCSEs and gained the life experience that would later shape how I approach storytelling.
Over time, my writing style has evolved. What began as a somewhat naive approach has matured, though I still like to leave plenty of room for readers to use their imagination regarding my characters. When I'm not writing, I'm usually immersed in audiobooks, which continually broaden my education and help inspire and refine my craft.
I currently reside in Cornwall with my wonderful, albeit patient, wife Claire, and work at Cornwall Airport, Newquay. The stunning surroundings and laid-back lifestyle here provide the ideal setting for my writing. Juggling my job at the airport with my love for storytelling has been a fantastic journey, and being in such a picturesque part of the country continues to fuel my creativity.
