In the Sirens of Oak Creek, the singers are often under the influence of a psychedelic, which appears to open a deeper realm of meaning within them—and in those who hear the song. Under this new perspective, nature is suddenly sentient, and the listener is drawn to it. Many scholars and doctors believe the mystical experiences brought on by drugs like psilocybin have the potential to revolutionize how we treat addiction and depression, and countless patients have claimed a session under a psychedelic drug was the most meaningful and spiritually significant event of their lives. It is no wonder that Amber (from the story) felt the heightened sensitivity to nature that was brought on by the song might change the world—if only everyone could see it this way.
The author, on Steamboat Rock, Sedona
Robert Louis DeMayo took up writing at the age of twenty when he left his job as a biomedical engineer to explore the world. Over the coming years he traveled to every corner of the globe, experiencing approximately one hundred countries. He is a member of The Explorers Club and The Archaeological Institute of America. During his travels he worked extensively for the travel section of The Telegraph, out of Hudson, NH.
For three years he worked as marketing director for Eos, a company that served as a travel office for six non-profit organizations, and offered dives to the Titanic and the Bismarck, Antarctic voyages, African safaris and archaeological tours throughout the world. Following this, Robert worked for three years as a tour guide in Alaska and the Yukon during the summers, and as a jeep guide in Sedona, Arizona, in winter. He was general manager at A Day in the West, a Jeep tour company in Sedona, before he decided to write full time.
He is the author of six novels: The Making of Theodore Roosevelt, The Light Behind Blue Circles, The Wayward Traveler, Pledge to the Wind - the Legend of Everett Ruess, The Road to Sedona and The Sirens of Oak Creek. Many of his experiences while traveling were captured in Random Thoughts from the Road, a collection of poetry and prose.
His novel, The Wayward Traveler, won a Pinnacle Book Achievement Award. This memoir-based story follows, Louis, a young adventurer, who runs out of money while abroad and creates a list of Rules for Survival to get by.
Pledge to the Wind, the Legend of Everett Ruess, is a historical fiction account of the young man’s exploration of the southwest between 1931 and 1935. This novel won a Silver medal in the eLit Awards, and another Historical Fiction Award by the Pinnacle Book Awards.
Currently he resides in Hollis, N.H. and Sedona, AZ, with his wife Diana and three daughters: Tavish Lee, Saydrin Scout, and Martika Louise.
Also by Robert Louis DeMayo
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Novels
The Road to Sedona (2016) – Creative non-Fiction.
*Available in print, eBook or audiobook.
Pledge to the Wind, the Legend of Everett Ruess (2014) – Historical Fiction. Winner of the eLit and Pinnacle Book Awards.
Available in print, eBook or audiobook.
The Wayward Traveler (2013) – Memoir-based Fiction.
Winner of the Pinnacle Book Award for travel & the John E. Weaver Excellent Reads award for Fiction: Travel.
*Available in print or eBook.
The Light Behind Blue Circles (2012) – An African ghost story that involves a few travelers and the Maasai.
Winner of the Pinnacle Book Award for travel.
Available in print, eBook or audiobook.
The Making of Theodore Roosevelt (2011) – Historical Fiction (1878).
*Available in print, audiobook or eBook.
Poetry and Prose
Random Thoughts from the Road (2011) – Poetry and Prose Collection from days traveling in Africa, Asia and Europe.
*Available in print or eBook.
The Sirens of Oak Creek Page 39