The Hike: A Novelette
Releasing May 4, 2026!
On the Appalachian Trail, instinct is the only thing keeping you alive.
Tom Barkley had lost everything—his marriage, his career, his future.
Then he won the lottery.
With nothing left tying him down, he and his best friend Dan set out to hike the Appalachian Trail, chasing freedom, healing, and a fresh start.
While taking a break and visiting Gatlinburg, Tom ignores his instincts and goes missing. Dan begins a desperate search that leads him toward something ancient and predatory—something that has adapted perfectly to a world where humans no longer listen to fear.
Some creatures don’t chase you.
They wait for you to walk willingly into their grasp.
The Last Round
Bullied, broken, and underestimated, Mark Reilly finds refuge—and purpose—inside the boxing ring. The Last Round is a raw coming-of-age novel about pain, perseverance, and learning how to fight back when the world keeps swinging first. Inspired by classic boxing stories, this emotionally charged debut blends brutal realism with heart, tracing one boy’s journey from isolation to self-worth—one punch, one round, and one hard-earned victory at a time.
Available now in print, ebook, and audiobook
Praise for The Last Round
“The Last Round is an excellent story about never giving up. If you grew up liking The Karate Kid and Rocky, this book is for you.”
– Wesley R.
“This was a quick fun read, and it tugged at the heartstrings. The boxing felt brutal and realistic.”
– John
“An excellent read! This book grabbed me from the first couple of pages and I couldn’t put it down.”
– Peggy G.
About The Author
Mike Saska grew up in Madison, Connecticut and currently works full time managing a manufacturing team. He lives in Apopka, Florida with his fiancée, Natalia. When he isn’t writing, Mike enjoys hiking, watching football, and unwinding with video games. He is currently hard at work on his next novel, The Soteria.
The Soteria (Coming Soon)
When a mutated virus exterminates nearly all mammalian life, survival fractures into two paths. On land, a small group of survivors—Leroy, Herschel, Mae, Genshin, Max, Taro, and Henry—build the Hope Colony in Groton, Connecticut, clinging to cooperation and restraint. At sea, the Soteria descends into tyranny as Jennifer Bennet seizes control, forcing Captain Bill Stark and his officers into moral compromise. As Hope and the Soteria evolve into opposing visions of humanity’s future, survival becomes a question not of who lives—but what kind of world is worth inheriting..
The Last Round by Mike Saska 