Brink of Dawn (A Chosen Novel Book 2)

by Jeff Altabef

  You can find Erynn online at:

  Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ErynnAltabefAuthor.

  More from Jeff Altabef

  For lovers of young adult fantasy, this first book in the Chosen series is suitable for readers 13 and up:

  WIND CATCHER

  (A Chosen Novel – Book 1)

  By Jeff Altabef and Erynn Altabef

  This multiple award-winning first book in the Chosen series of young adult fantasies is now available. For more information, please visit the Evolved Publishing website.

  ~~~~~

  Juliet Wildfire Stone stands between two worlds. Her eccentric grandfather tells her stories about the Great Wind Spirit and Coyote, but he might as well be speaking another language. She’s started to hear voices and see visions, but even they don’t make any sense. All she wants to be is an average sixteen-year-old girl, but she has never been average—could never be average.

  She is the Chosen and the Seeker Slayer, and our only hope.

  Recently transferred to an exclusive school, Juliet is forced to choose between her new wealthy life and her Native American heritage. Unsure where she fits in, she stumbles upon a series of murders. Worried that her grandfather is involved, she discovers an ancient secret society, the Order of the Twisted Arrows—a society formed over two hundred years ago to keep her safe.

  When the mysterious Seeker learns of Juliet’s existence, he threatens everyone she loves in the world, willing to kill to have her.

  Betrayed by the young man she loves, she must decide whether to run or to fulfill her destiny as the Chosen.

  SHATTER POINT

  By Jeff Altabef

  This multiple award-winning suspense thriller is now available. For more information on this book, please visit the Evolved Publishing website.

  ~~~~~

  When her 19-year-old son Jack miraculously recovers from a serious head trauma, Maggie is sure her luck has changed. But when she’s abducted by a shadow from her past - a phantom with dangerous sapphire eyes - it’s up to Jack and his younger brother Tom to unravel the mystery and save their mom from a deadly psychological battle.

  The brothers seek help from their colorful great aunt, who exposes them to a world of nefarious family secrets, explosive government conspiracies, and a series of horrific murders. Together they must navigate a dark underworld full of political subterfuge and class warfare.

  Yet as they search for their mother, Jack changes—he’s raked by skull splitting headaches and weird visions. How exactly did he recover from his coma, and how does this tie into the psychopath who’s abducted their mother?

  Will Jack and Tom save Maggie before Cooper reaches his shatter point? Does Jack have enough time left?

  More from Evolved Publishing

  For lovers of dystopian science fiction, this series is suitable for readers 13 and older:

  THE SEEKERS

  By David Litwack

  Book 1 – The Children of Darkness

  Book 2 – The Stuff of Stars

  This dystopian sci-fi series offers a post-apocalyptic look at the battle between religion and reason, offering not just extraordinary settings and circumstances, but memorable characters. For more information on these books, please visit the Evolved Publishing website.

  ~~~~~

  THE CHILDREN OF DARKNESS:

  “But what are we without dreams?”

  ~~~

  A thousand years ago the Darkness came—a terrible time of violence, fear, and social collapse when technology ran rampant. But the vicars of the Temple of Light brought peace, ushering in an era of blessed simplicity. For ten centuries they have kept the madness at bay with “temple magic,” and by eliminating forever the rush of progress that nearly caused the destruction of everything.

  Childhood friends, Orah and Nathaniel, have always lived in the tiny village of Little Pond, longing for more from life but unwilling to challenge the rigid status quo. When their friend Thomas returns from the Temple after his “teaching”—the secret coming-of-age ritual that binds young men and women eternally to the Light—they barely recognize the broken and brooding young man the boy has become. Then when Orah is summoned as well, Nathaniel follows in a foolhardy attempt to save her.

  In the prisons of Temple City, they discover a terrible secret that launches the three on a journey to find the forbidden keep, placing their lives in jeopardy, for a truth from the past awaits that threatens the foundation of the Temple. If they reveal that truth, they might once again release the potential of their people.

  Yet they would also incur the Temple’s wrath as it is written: “If there comes among you a prophet saying, ‘Let us return to the darkness,’ you shall stone him, because he has sought to thrust you away from the Light.”

  ~~~

  Praise for The Children of Darkness:

  “A tightly executed first fantasy installment that champions the exploratory spirit.” – Kirkus Reviews

  “The plot unfolds easily, swiftly, and never lets the readers' attention wane.... After reading this one, it will be a real hardship to have to wait to see what happens next.” – Feathered Quill Book Reviews

  “The quality of its intelligence, imagination, and prose raises The Children of Darkness to the level of literature.” – Awesome Indies

  “...a fantastic tale of a world that seeks a utopian existence, well ordered, safe and fair for everyone... also an adventure, a coming-of-age story of three young people as they become the seekers, travelers in search of a hidden treasure—in this case, a treasure of knowledge and answers. A tale of futuristic probabilities... on a par with Huxley's Brave New World.” – Emily-Jane Hills Orford, Readers’ Favorite Book Awards

  ~~~~~

  THE STUFF OF STARS:

  “But what are we without dreams?”

  ~~~

  Against all odds, Orah and Nathaniel have found the keep and revealed the truth about the darkness, initiating what they hope will be a new age of enlightenment. Yet the people are more set in their ways than anticipated, and a faction of vicars whispers in their ears, urging a return to traditional ways.

  Desperate to keep their movement alive, Orah and Nathaniel cross the ocean to seek the living descendants of the keepmasters’ kin. Those they find on the distant shore are both more and less advanced than expected.

  The seekers, caught between the two sides, face the challenge of bringing them together to make a better world. The prize: a chance to bring home miracles, and a more promising future for their people.

  If they fail this time, they risk not a stoning, but losing themselves in the twilight of a never-ending dream.

  An epic fantasy suitable for readers 15 and older:

  SHADOW SWARM

  By D. Robert Pease

  This epic fantasy, with its cast of diverse and intriguing characters, is now available. For more information on this book, please visit the Evolved Publishing website.

  ~~~~~

  ~~~~~

  Aberthol Nauile doesn’t know that he once led legions in a war that had raged since the dawn of time, against an enemy that could not be killed. He doesn’t know that he rode on a dragon with his father, or that his mother died while giving birth to him. He doesn’t know that he once saved his great, great, great grandfather by defeating the black enemy on the slopes of a volcano.

  Aberthol doesn’t know that he beheld the creation of the world, as his grandfather eight generations before took the planet, ravaged by a war of the gods, and began anew.

  All he knows is that he awoke in a coffin deep within a tomb, and now the whole world thinks he is their savior. All he really wants to know is his name, and why he keeps hearing voices in his head.

  ~~~~~

  Praise for Shadow Swarm:

  “Having read other offerings from this author, I quickly found myself fully immersed in the story, unable to willingly set it aside for anything but short periods of time. The quality of writing was such that, as I tell my students
, I was able to “see a movie in my mind”; a key, I tell them, to tell whether or not you’re encountering good writing. The development of the characters made them believable, realistic, and genuine.”— usafe7ret (Reviewer at Amazon)

  “I love how this story just sucked me in and took me to another land. The detail was perfect. I could use my imagination and felt like I was there. I loved the dragons and all the different species. I've since passed this book on and my friend loves it too!” – Cheshire Cat

  “Once I picked up this book, I had a hard time setting it down when I needed to, I wanted to stay in the story. The world building is very good and the story-line is equally as good. The characters are very well developed and written. I am sad as this seems like it is not going to be a series, I may be mistaken, but I have not seen anything telling me otherwise.” – Dalene’s Book Reviews

  An award-winning historical glimpse inside American Indian culture (suitable for readers 13 and older):

  SHINING LIGHT’S SAGA

  By Ruby Standing Deer

  Book 1 – Circles

  Book 2 – Spirals

  Book 3 – Stones

  This award-winning, critically-acclaimed Native American Indian Historical Fiction series is now available. For more information, please visit the Evolved Publishing website.

  ~~~~~

  ~~~~~

  Circles:

  With much of the world still undiscovered, a small band of people live a peaceful life, until the dream vision of a young boy, Feather Floating In Water, changes everything. Only nine winters old, Feather’s dreams turn his seemingly ordinary childhood into the journey of a lifetime. He must help his people face a terrifying destiny from which they cannot turn away. He must find a way to make his people listen.

  Bright Sun Flower, the boy’s grandmother, guides his beginnings, teaching him about the Circle of Life, and how without it, no life can exist. But he needs a bigger push, and gets it from a grey wolf and a Great Elder. The boy’s journey leads him to discover that the Circle of Life involves all people, all living things, and not just the world he knows.

  In the end, an ancient People guide the boy in his visions, toward an unexpected place hidden from outsiders.

  This story is steeped in American Indian life, in their beliefs and humor, and in their love of family. It shows how we might benefit from the old ways today.

  ~~~~~

  Praise for Circles:

  “This novel of historic fiction is a must for any fan of Native American history, or seeker of knowledge, or lover of life. It is expertly crafted with vivid imagery and characters that will become beloved. If you don’t know what it means to sing someone home, prepare to swallow hard. It is heart warming and moving. Truly a thing of beauty.” – T.W. Griffith

  “Gorgeous language, an inspiring story, and unforgettable characters--Circles has it all. I fell for this book in the very first chapter when we’re introduced to Feather Floating In Water, and I didn’t fall out from under its spell even after I had read the final word. I found myself “thumbing” back through the pages to read particular passages just like I return to my favorite poems.” – Yvonne Rupert

  “From the first chapter, truly the first paragraph, I was transported into the lives of the characters, feeling their joys, pains, their lives. The gentle way in which the author writes, you feel deeply fulfilled. Your soul expands as you read, you wish for it to continue forever.” – Rosaleen MacQueen

  “In today’s age, where everything is delivered at a high speed pace, we have a book that slows us right down and allows us to take a breath as we follow the simple life of an American Indian people at the time of the conquistadores. If you want to read something that is not formulaic, but original and captivating, then this is your book.” – Silby Grant

  ~~~~~

  Spirals:

  A Holy Man, who lives in both this world and the Spirit world, waits hidden in a cave in the canyons, as a newly made woman runs toward him. She flees her would-be suitor, who wants from her more than she can give.

  The Holy Man and his constant companions, a colony of mice, accept the woman within the cave. She worries that he may be crazy, but given her fear of the man who desires her, maybe crazy is not so bad.

  In this sequel to Ruby Standing Deer’s first novel, Circles, the main character of Shining Light is now grown and with family. He dreams of the woman and the Holy Man in the canyons, and knows that, after four seasons of calm and peace in the Forest of Trees, he must go to them.

  He seeks guidance, but the Spirits tell him only that he must rescue these two people. Yet he need not go alone. Ever Shining Light’s faithful companion and Wolf Brother, White Paws senses he must follow his Human Brother. Thus, one Human, one Wolf, and their two families set out for the unknown.

  The adventure exceeds all of Shining Light’s expectations, and he learns more about his place in this world than the Holy Peoples of his band could ever teach him.

  ~~~~~

  Stones:

  In this 3rd installment of the saga of Shining Light’s people, the reader is swept into the changing world of ancient Native America. The peace that Shining Light and his family have enjoyed in the Land of the Tall Trees is shattered by his young daughter. Dove’s dream of mustangs, and of a young American Indian boy named Singing Stone, and his family known as the Mustang People, will not let her rest.

  The coming of the wild mustangs blessed Singing Stone’s people with a better way of life, and now these beautiful creatures are being slaughtered. Spurred on by the discovery of the yellow stone, the Hairy-Faces join with the Likes to Fight People to drive out other bands. What better way to weaken the Mustang People than to capture or kill the mustangs? Singing Stone and his family fight to protect them, but what can three do against many?

  Far away in the Land of Tall Trees, Dove still dreams of the mustang boy. Certain that her destiny is to be with him, young Dove begs her father to take her to him, back out onto the dangerous grasslands. Will they arrive in time to save Singing Stone and his people?

  When an attack by the Likes to Fight People leaves all of their possessions destroyed, Singing Stone and his family join the Blue Sky People, and together they become the Blue Sky Mustang People. With winter and danger looming ever closer, the mustangs and their protectors must keep moving, even though it is the season to stay in one place. Can they stop the Likes to Fight People and the Hairy-Faces from killing the mustangs?