Title: The Search For Synergy
Author: Brett Salter
Genre: MG/YA Fantasy
Book Blurb:
"The Search For Synergy" is the first book in The Talisman Series by author Brett Salter. It follows the exploits of two middle-school boys, Rome Lockheed and Julian Rider, as they transition from normal kids into epic warriors fighting for the existence of the Earth realm. Rome is secretly a fire dragon from the Den of Volcana placed under a spell which hides his true form. Julian is an oddball, up-and-coming knight with a case of the "try-hards". Together, they perform an ancient pact which bonds their lives and souls forever. Under the tutelage and guidance of an eccentric, local librarian, Mr. Jones, the two learn of an impending invasion from an archaic evil desperate to invade from the other side of The Void.
Excerpt:
Mr. Jones abruptly clapped his hands together and smiled ear to ear. “Great Saturn’s rings! That’s marvelous!” he exclaimed with childlike glee. “We must prepare for The Great Synergy soon. I am sure you have many questions, and I promise to answer each one. But first, I must have a closer look at you. Please come this way.”
He ushered both boys from the table and led them over to the children’s literature section. Mr. Jones walked around Rome eyeing him up and down. He extended Rome’s right arm straight out and tapped his pointer finger up and down on Rome’s wrist.
“Nothing there yet?” he asked aloud. He stomped his right foot hard on the ground near Rome’s left foot and looked squarely at him. He did it again. He did it a third time using much more force. Each time he stared firmly at Rome. “Hmmmmm. Reflexes are still inert,” he mused.
Mr. Jones stared at Rome for a few more seconds chewing on his glasses then finally muttered, “Oh, there you are!” He leaned in closer to Rome and glared decisively into Rome’s eyes. “By the Knights of the Round! I see it!” he exclaimed. Then, he moved closer to Julian. “He is going to be very powerful, indeed.”
Mr. Jones turned back to Rome and saw the look of a scared cat about to run. His excitement abated. Mr. Jones had allowed his own excitement to supersede the boy’s need for understanding. If Rome left now, there would be no getting him back and another generation would go without having made a connection. He could not wait fifteen more years.
“Please excuse an old man’s excitement,” Mr. Jones offered. “Rome, do you ever read fairy tale books or fiction of the fantasy vein?”
Rome was bewildered. “Not really,” he said, trying to find an escape route. “I watched The Lord of the Rings if that counts.” Julian cackled out loud. He exchanged a glance with Mr. Jones then walked away from the pair towards a distant bookshelf.
Mr. Jones continued. “You see, young Master, most of, but not all of those tales about wizardry and knighthood are very real. At least, they WERE very real in olden times. Especially the tomes that pertain to the kingdom of Britannia and the good king known as King Arthur.” He suddenly stood up very straight. “I am going to tell you something, and I want you to please believe me when I tell you this. You are not what you think you are. You are not the normal person you see when you look in the mirror. You come from a long blood line of great power and tremendous bravery.”
Rome cocked his head not knowing what to expect next. He squinted his eyes and glanced at Julian who was fiddling with his die. Mr. Jones stepped back and crossed his arms. “You, young Master, are a dragon!”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
What makes your featured book a must-read?
Well, I hope you like dragons, magic, and adventure, because that’s what you’re going to get! My book is meant to inspire imagination. Whether it be with the relatable, quirky characters, or the cinematic action sequences. You are definitely going to be entertained by The Talisman Series. Especially the book where ewveryone’s favorite Master Dragon and Synergist Knight began their epic quest, “The Search For Synergy”
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Author Biography:
My background in writing stems mostly from the inspiration I found as a kid when I read Fantasy and Sci-Fi books. These include The Chronicles of Narnia, The Xanth Novels, The Time Quintet, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and everything from Shakespeare to Dr. Seuss. In my formative years, I joined several punk rock bands and wrote songs, poetry, and short stories aplenty. As an adult (?) I took on a dare and wrote the first book in my Talisman Series. I loved the feeling it gave me and the idea of inspiring others so much that I kept writing until I had an entire series. I am currently working to finish The Talisman Series. I have self-published 4 of the books which can be found on Amazon. At this very moment, I am on book 11 of the 12 I have planned. I also have plans for a series which will take influence from the portal fiction genre about a girl and 6 others that travel to another dimension to fulfill a destiny by saving a planet from cruel overseers. Keep a wary eye out for portals. Stay cool!
Social Media Links:
Instagram: @talismanbrett