The Secret Guardian
Genre:
Fantasy
Publisher:
CreateSpace & BookTango
Release
Date: April 2013
Book
Description:
A
Sacred Society exists amongst us all. Believed only as a myth—its origin
thrives in secret. Once transformed, each generation of its members become the
elite of our society—some for good and some for evil as well. Troy Anthony,
unknowingly and somewhat unwillingly, is about to join the elite, like his
father before him. It takes a close family friend to ultimately expose the
Secret to Troy, revealing his true destiny, and then she becomes a valuable
ally. They inadvertently share a unique bond—one of which many doubt its very
existence. Troy is taken to two magical places where he learns many secrets of
the world, many of which we all have been curious about. It becomes an epic
battle where Troy clashes with an evil tyrant, his father’s assassin, a distant
cousin sharing many of Troy’s unique abilities.
Excerpt
Claire Anthony
suddenly rose up in bed, escaping the nightmare which held her hostage.
Breathing heavily as if running from fear, she threw back the deep heavy quilts
and sat nervously on the edge of her bed. Still shaken, beads of sweat rolled
down her forehead, gently sloping along her narrow cheekbones. Her silken
auburn brown hair was drenched along the hairlines. She sighed heavily as she
glanced at the clock on her night stand—2 a.m.
This was not a rare nightmare, but rather
a recurring one, brought on by a Secret she had kept for many years, an ancient
secret known by only a few. She needed to reveal the Secret to her son, Troy,
even sooner than she wished. The Secret would change their lives forever if
Troy decided to fulfill his destiny—like
his father before him.
She noticed a mysterious shadow lingering
on her rug from the bright moon shining through her window. Driven by
curiosity, she walked to the window to take a peek, as if searching for someone
or something in particular. The brilliance from the moon illuminated the entire
farmyard, almost like day. After a thorough examination and seeing nothing out
of the ordinary, she quietly returned to bed. She once again buried herself
within heavy handmade quilts passed down to her from her grandmother, most of
which Claire as a child watched her make.
Claire and her son, Troy, lived on her
grandparents’ farm in Virginia where she was raised. She lost both of her
parents in an auto accident when she was barely eight years of age. When her
grandparents both passed, she inherited the farm. She and Troy moved back there
after the loss of her husband, Bruce, in the North Tower during the 9/11
attacks in New York City. Much like herself, Troy had to deal with death at a
very early age. After the tragedy and some healing time, she thought it best to
get her son out of the city, which prompted her move back to the farm. The farm
was nestled in a small valley amongst the Blue Ridge Mountains near the sleepy
little town of Sweet Springs. Claire recollected the good times she had growing
up there. The clean fresh country air and the friendly people made it a perfect
place for raising her son and teaching him strong values. The beautiful scenery
and a laid-back lifestyle made it perfect for her as well.
Claire was a slender woman of forty years,
about five-and-a-half feet in height. Her vivid green eyes and captivating
smile made everyone take notice when she entered a room. Even with hints of
gray blending in with her auburn brown hair, she appeared to be at least ten
years younger than her age. Many men had come calling on her, but she had
turned them all away—graciously.
The next morning dawned cool and crisp
with a bite in the air that rendered noses and cheeks rosy red, much like good
old Saint Nick’s. The heavy frost had the appearance of a coating of freshly
fallen snow. As the sun peeked over the horizon, the trees sparkled and
glimmered as if infused with magic. The hillsides were speckled orange with
pumpkin patches. The valley was consumed with the fragrance of seasoned oak and
hickory burning in fireplaces. In the home of Claire and Troy, the aroma of
freshly cooked bacon filled every room—making your tongue tingle, mouth water
and stomach cry.
This aroma awakened Troy every morning at
6:30 sharp. He would always leap out of bed, bounce down the stairs, and be at
the table anxiously waiting before his mother could finish preparing breakfast. This morning was oddly
different. Claire had finished cooking and Troy was not yet at the table. She
glanced at her grandmother’s antique clock on the old mantle—6:45. She was
astonished, for she had never had to call him for breakfast before. She made
her way to the hallway, then called up the stairs, “Troy, are you up yet?”
About
The Author:
Wes Dodd was born in
Lynchburg, Virginia in 1958, currently residing in Southside Virginia. He has
two daughters and three grandchildren. Within the last couple years he has
discovered a passion for creating and breathing life into great stories. He has
published three novels: The Crimson Key, a mystery, The Secret Guardian,
fantasy and Saving Faith, a romantic thriller.
Giveaway: $20 Gift Card
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The book sounds good, would love to read :)
ReplyDeleteand thank you for the giveaway!
Karina V
You're welcome Karina. Wes Dodd writes some good books.
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