YA Fantasy – Book Excerpt – Temple of Eternity
Bobby Ether Series, Book 2
YA Fantasy
Release Date: September 24, 2020
Publisher: Main Street Publishing
Deep in the rain forests of Guatemala, an ancient Mayan temple holds a
mythical secret. The legendary Fountain of Youth lies within, but not all
myths are fairy tales. The temple ruins have been seized by the Core, a
sinister cult determined to unlock the mysteries of immortality.
When their captured friends are spotted near the temple, Bobby and his
cousin Jinx must journey into the dark heart of the jungle to save them.
Harnessing their extraordinary abilities, the boys will undertake an epic
quest to fulfill a centuries-old prophecy.
Cut off from their allies, Bobby and Jinx combat supernatural barriers,
raging rivers, and deadly beasts. They’ll face savage natives,
vengeful ghosts, and ruthless mercenaries who can conjure a person’s darkest
fears.
Past and present will collide, with the power of eternity on the line. Can
Bobby fulfill the prophecy and lay the temple’s spirits to rest?
Other Books in the Bobby Ether Series:
Bobby Ether and the Jade Academy
Publisher: Koehler Books
Release Date: April 24, 2019
YA Fantasy
When sixteen-year-old Bobby Ether is abducted and brought to the secluded
Jade Academy in Tibet, monks teach him and other special students how to tap
into their Anima—the universal energy that connects all living things.
But the headmistress of the academy is secretly exploiting the students,
looking for genetic triggers to create a new breed of humans with
metaphysical abilities. As his powers increase, Bobby is thrust into a
cesspool of conspiracy, lies, and betrayal. A jade amulet left by his
clairvoyant grandfather may provide answers, but what exactly is his
family’s connection to this mysterious place?
Can Bobby master his talents in time to uncover the truth? If not, his
fate—and the fate of the entire Jade Academy—may be
sealed.
Praise for Bobby Ether and the Jade Academy:
“Tragedy, mystery, and suspense make this scientific coming-of-age
story a fascinating read.” —Clarion 5-star review
“Bobby Ether and the Jade Academy is a thrilling action-packed
adventure you never want to end.” —IndieReader 4.5 stars
About the Author
Scott Boyer grew up in Santa Monica, CA and graduated from the Haas School
of Business at UC Berkeley in 1996. In 2008, he became fascinated with the
idea of blending young adult fantasy with new-age/spiritual fiction and
spent the next six years crafting his first novel, Bobby Ether and the
Academy, which won critical acclaim for blending Eastern spiritual
philosophies with a fun, fast-paced adventure style.
Contact Links
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EXCERPT
P R O L O G U E
From across the ravaged courtyard of the Jade Academy, the
Core agent known as Sandman watched the weathered Navajo
and his companions head for the mountain trail leading to the
forest below. Sandman ducked into the shadows, remaining there until
long after the travelers were gone. Then he turned and jogged back
down the trail that led to the garden near the cliffs.
Hidden back amid the rubble, the soldiers under his command
stood at attention. “Are we moving out, sir?” asked one of his men.
Some of the soldiers rose, checking their weapons and equipment.
“Mission review,” said Sandman. “Neutralize the monks if necessary.
The students are not to be harmed.”
“Rules of engagement, sir?” asked another of his soldiers.
“We’re only cleared for non-lethal force. Absolutely no explosives
or live fire. Can’t risk the noise.”
The soldiers saluted as one. “Sir, yes sir.”
“Radio silence. I will handle anyone who attempts to engage,”
commanded Sandman. “Not a peep. I want a bow on this before they
even know we’re here.”
“Sir, yes sir.”
Sandman nodded in approval and returned their salute. “Get some
rest. We roll out at zero three hundred.”
***
Their execution was flawless. In the stillness found only in the
dead of night, Sandman and his men crept into the courtyard occupied
by the sleeping refugees. The mountain had continued to rumble
and shake throughout the night, causing many of the students to have
trouble sleeping, especially on the cold hard ground.
Sandman sensed those who were still awake as easily as he would a
bonfire ablaze in the dark. With a wisp of anima, he sent each person
into a slumber so deep that even being lifted and carried wouldn’t
rouse them. The children were easy, their minds too poorly trained
and undisciplined to shield themselves from his power. Some of the
monks were tougher and required several attempts before they succumbed
to his hypnotic suggestions.
One monk in particular kept resisting. Sandman picked his way
through the mass of sleeping bodies until he located the monk in
question.
“You must be their leader,” said Sandman. The diminutive monk
at his feet twitched, as if he were struggling to break free. He looked
like an infant thrashing in a crib, restless with nightmares but unable
to wake.
Sandman’s soldiers wove through the sleeping crowd. One by one,
they picked up the children and carried them down the path to the garden.
There, the ropes he and his men had used to scale the cliff were
attached to each child to lower them down the mountain.
The process was slow, taking every minute of darkness. Once the
sun comes up, the biological imperative to wake will fight against my
control, thought Sandman as he turned to the nearest soldier and signaled
him to quicken the pace.
They lowered the last student shortly before sunrise. Sandman
stood in the remaining crowd of sleeping bodies, now nothing but
bald, middle-aged men. The baby-faced leader stirred once again,
thrashing from side to side.
Sandman sent the tiny monk a deep hypnotic suggestion for at least
the tenth time, causing the monk to roll over and resume his slumber
in silence. No nightmares for you. At least, not yet, thought Sandman.
But don’t worry, the nightmare will be real enough when you wake.
With a final glance around the clearing, Sandman slipped from the
circle and headed down the path to the garden. There, he strapped
himself to the harness at the edge of the cliff and began his descent.