Psychic Elizabeth Phoenix is a former cop tending bar at a local hang-out. A throw-away as a child, she's lived her life forming few attachments. When her foster mother is brutally murdered, and another of the world's throw-aways is a suspect in that murder, Liz's world is thrown upside- down.

With her dying breath, foster parent Ruthie gives Liz an unexpected gift, the gift of sight, and in that instant Liz becomes the untaught leader of the Foundation, a collection of seers and demon killers. Ruthie's death has plunged the world into an epic battle of good and evil of biblical proportions. Helping lead the charge is Jimmy Sanducci, Liz's childhood friend and former lover, a man she discovers isn't all he seems to be on the surface.

Jimmy knows the fate of the world rests with Liz and her gift, and he takes her into the desert to Sawyer. Liz knew Sawyer as a teen, had been sent to him years ago by Ruthie so he could help her accept her psychic gifts. While Jimmy seeks to discover those responsible for Ruthie's death, Sawyer will teach Liz the full potential of the abilities she doesn't want. The spiral toward doomsday is set in motion, and Liz will have to use all her powers, and those of her friends, to battle an enemy that may be indestructible.

Lori Handeland's ANY GIVEN DOOMDSDAY, the first of the Phoenix Chronicles, is a brilliantly crafted tale -- and one of her best. Liz is a multi-faceted heroine, and the battle she fights with herself as she struggles to accept the fantastic, as well as the abilities she's uncomfortable with, is compelling. Jimmy and Sawyer, the two men in Liz's life, are equally fascinating and more than a match for the tough and tender Liz. Ms Handeland's world is an amazing blend of biblical prophecy and paranormal creatures, a few of them new to me, and all of them exciting and frightening. I always enjoy a walk on the paranormal side, and ANY GIVEN DOOMSDAY is well-worth the trip. I eagerly await DOOMSDAY CAN WAIT, coming in May of 2009!