SEAMS IN REALITY is the first book in the Seams in Reality Series.
As a freshman in a suburban college near Chicago, Andrew leads a mundane life until he meets a professor named Tonya. She is secretly a master sorcerer, and she invites him into a conspiracy of magic. Only those few who possess exceptional talent may join. A resourceful young woman named Charley has the same supernatural gift. She accompanies Andrew on his journey into a dark profession, and romance quickly blooms between the young apprentices. When Andrew meets Blake, a sorcerer who knew his grandfather, Andrew becomes embroiled in a game of lies and treachery. Blake’s thirst for power leaves a trail of casualties, and in the end, only Andrew can stop him.
CRACKS IN REALITY is the second book in the Seams in Reality Series.
The Vault is a fortress in the desert protected by the United States Army, and it contains the most dangerous, forbidden secrets of sorcery. Blake, master sorcerer and fugitive from justice, has a plan for robbing the place. He will create a tangled web of lies to trick the Army into delivering the treasure into his hands. He intends to use the stolen knowledge to destroy his enemies and become the most powerful sorcerer on Earth.
Two apprentices are on a mission to kill Blake. Andrew is a war mage, a genius at psychic combat. Charley is a young woman who commands physical sorcery. Their instructor, Tonya, will turn the two teenagers into warriors capable of defeating Blake, if they can endure the extreme mental and physical tests.
Tonya’s training is just the beginning for Andrew and Charley. They must discover Blake’s hidden objectives, and they don’t have much time. A government agency called the Bureau of Physical Investigation has the same assignment, but the agents are unprepared for the dangers they will face. Other surprising threats await the apprentices as they pursue their enemy along a trail of bloodshed.
About the Author
Alex Siegel grew up a math and computer geek. At the age of twenty-five, he received a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Cornell. He continues to make a good living as a software developer in Chicago. In his late twenties, he took up creative writing as a serious pastime with the intention of eventually making it his career. This goal has been elusive, but failure is not an option. In 2001, his wife gave birth to triplet boys. People often ask him how he still finds time to write. In 2009, he began the Gray Spear Society series, and he hopes it will be his key to literary fame.
The Eternal Curse Series Blog Presents an interview with author: Randy Attwood.
So tell me, who is Randy Attwood.?
I grew up on the grounds of a Kansas insane asylum where my father was a dentist. I attended the University of Kansas during the troubled 1960s getting a degree in art history. After stints writing and teaching in Italy and Japan I had a 16-year career in newspapers as reporter, editor and column writer winning major awards in all categories. I turned to health care public relations serving as director of University Relations at KU Medical Center. I finished my career as media relations officer of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Now retired, I am marketing the fiction I’ve written over all those years. And creating more.
I can see you’ve already had quite a career, but now that you’re retired, I’m sure the adventures will begin. Being an author is a lot more involved than most people realize.
So whacha got for me today?
Growing up on the grounds of a mental hospital and working in the cafeteria that fed its 1,500 patients meant I got to know a lot of crazy folks. “Write about what you know,” goes the adage. “Crazy About You” is told in first person from the point of view of a high school student who will have a week that grows him up far faster than he could have every wanted. Crazy is a coming-of-age, murder mystery, thriller story. It’s my most downloaded and purchased book with 17 five-star reviews. You can see them here.
Not too many people can write from firsthand experience in a mental hospital. Already your story sounds very intriguing.
So who’s starring in this 2 dimensional script read of “Crazy About You”?
Brad Adams is a high school junior. He’s a folk singer and a dreamer. When his dad, the mental hospital’s dentist, goes on a work trip, Brad has no idea that he will spend the week grappling with questions about sexuality, sanity and death. And some of the answers aren’t pretty.
There was once a time when hearing of a teen grappling with questions of sexuality meant that someone was having their first crush. Teens are so mature these day and subjects that were once taboo are now being openly discussed in healthy ways. This definitely sounds like a tale that will appeal to a wide audience.
Past, present, future, is there a rhyme or reason to your writing?
I write by the seat of my pants. A scene or situation or character comes to me and I start creating that scene and character and see what happens. I never know the ending of a story when I start it. I used to be upset when people would ask me how much of “Crazy About You” really happened. Then I realized that the writing created a reality for those readers. And that’s what I’m trying to do with words: create a reality.
I try to write by the seat of my pants, but I think I need a better belt. It never goes well for me. I need to plan; however, I do appreciate the creativity of others who can simply write.
What author(s) has most influenced your writing? Why or how?
I think I’m detecting a theme here. Lots of crime fiction and thrillers here, but that’s great for influence and inspiration in your genres.
Whose brain are you just itching to scratch?
Joseph Conrad. We seem to know so little of what he was like as a person.
Nice choice and for good reason.
Who is so you and why?
I seem to connect deeply with many of Eric Remarque’s characters.
Fair enough. We can’t all always identify with just one person or character, but I can understand relating to many.
What’s your ideal reading spot for your next highly anticipated read?
Outside when the weather is nice. Right now I’m reading Camp Concentration by Thomas Disch, which I’ve had on my shelf for decades and just reading. It’s brilliant.
I also enjoy reading outside though I hardly get to do it.
What was your favorite book or story, pre-teen years?
The Black Stallion series. I liked the character and set up and looked forward to the next tale. I’ve only tried to do one series, the Phillip McGuire series and found out how difficult it is to achieve.
I tried to read this book as a child, but had no luck. I never seemed to warm to books about animals, mainly horses, but I don’t mind to watch the film versions. I’m sure it’s all psychological.
There is more fun and insights to this interview, visit the Eternal Curse Series Blog for the full experience. For more information about this author, Randy Attwood, please visit the links below.
This October 21, 2013 I’m celebrating my birthday by independently publishing two new works of fiction and baking myself cupcakes. I’m so excited about all the wonderful things happening with my Eternal Curse Series and the pending release of Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel, but these two works are something completely different from me. I hope you will consider taking a look at what I’ve put together and also check out my companion guide if you have chance.
Thank you all…and here’s to another wonderfully blessed year!
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