The Martini of Destiny

One drink changed the world ""Jake Hongkong mixed the martini with the mastery of years, the gin, vermouth and glass all coming to the perfect cold temperature at his touch..."" A special martini gives courage to a doubting man, a ghost doesn't pay for his pints, a destiny-slinging bartender questions everything, and the world will never be the same. In this riveting fantasy novella, globetrotter and author Anthony St. Clair introduces us to the Rucksack Universe series, a new world of urban fantasy, adventure and indie travel. Bartender Jake Hongkong has served The Management longer than any other Jake or Jade, so today's instructions about influencing a man's destiny are nothing unusual. Trained to know when someone's life needs a nudge, Jake's special selection of mixers always gives them what they need. Renown for his cocktails throughout the independent city-nation of Hong Kong, Jake just wishes his confidence was as strong as his drinks. "The doubting man and the martini" Declan is directionless, excited and scared when he orders a martini. Jake knows just what else he needs, and he does his job to perfection, serving the very essence of liquid courage. As Declan makes an important decision and leaves to see it through, Jake questions how he affects people's lives, especially when how he influences Declan is for the sake of a woman he'll never meet and a larger destiny he'll never understand. "The ghost and the pint of stout" Jake then gets a strange warning from The Management, and the very ghost that concerns them is suddenly at the bar, ready for another pint of Galway Pradesh Stout, the most popular beer in the world. The ghost vanishes from the pub without paying for his pints... and after stealing something precious to Jake. "The garden stranger than a shot of absinthe" A chase through an otherworldly garden leads Jake to learn that there is much more to the ghost than he first realized. Jake also sees something he wasn't meant to see: Declan approaches the woman who lies at the heart of Jake's directions from The Management. Deeply shaken as he returns to the pub, the consequences of what Jake saw ripple through destiny and the world, forever altering lives and fates... especially Jake's. "Cheeky, sophisticated debut fiction" Amazon review from Choya Buy now or Look Inside to see why readers like you have called "The Martini of Destiny.".. a "great quick read" "entertaining and riveting" and "perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman" About the Rucksack Universe Combining elements of urban/contemporary fantasy, science fiction and speculative fiction, the Rucksack Universe fantasy series brings you indie travel fiction tales of adventure, love, destiny and beer, told in the spirit of Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Douglas Adams and Tom Robbins. "Fiction and Fantasy Book Categories: " Fantasy Novellas Urban Fantasy Series Travel Fantasy Fiction Contemporary Fantasy Speculative Fiction "I can't wait to read more" Amazon review from Taylor