Book excerpt: Five-star reviews all around. On this political thriller, one reviewer writes, "Bale captures the deceits of politics on all levels. The local political angle morphs into national and then to an ominous, terrifying, startling state of affairs. Phoenix is an excellent read." Another writes, "This sweeping tale of corruption and ambition cuts across the landscape of Washington, DC to reveal a picture of its intricate political, diplomatic, and social worlds." This timely novel unfolds as David Grant, a former entrepreneur, is propelled into a sea of partisan politics, unscrupulous lobbyists, secret alliances, and corruption. Running for Congress as an Independent ultimately leads him into an unexpected conflict with the President of the United States himself. Grant's greatest trial comes when a constitutional crisis thrusts him into a precarious position, which might save the country, yet destroy all he cares about.