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The Zentek novels are a series of epic fantasy e-books by Mark Richter. There are currently three books in the series. The fourth is soon to be published and a fifth is in the works. Visit the Authors website if you want to learn more about these novels or if you are interested in buying them. www. zentektales.com Or you can go directly to the purchase pages here:
Return 's daunting perils take place in a harsh, medieval world, a primitive throwback from a highly advanced civilization that totally collapsed several millennia ago. Nature has regained control, and lack of technology has forced mankind and its non-human allies to depend on cooperation rather than coercion. People develop their abilities, depending almost exclusively on their guild membership and support. Some become great knights, clever thieves, or powerful sorcerers, while others struggle just to survive their lives of impoverished peasantry or miserable serfdom. In this world, disparate forms of magic actually operate on divergent principles. Christophane Lord, a zentek (a sort of "spirit-warrior"), is the Duke of a small province in the chilly northeast corner of Idlewild. Darnak Sparre, a huge knight in the famous Kalsharia Cavalry and Chris's best friend, serves their prince as Chris's bodyguard. An exquisite but ragged novice thief named Minx plays only a small part at first, but this insouciant, ferocious beauty makes her provocative way into the heart of the tale. The adventure begins in the vast southwestern Idlewild desert, where Chris and Darnak narrowly escape the first in a mysterious series of vicious assassination attempts. On their weary way home from an extended diplomatic assignment, they chance upon some courageous old friends who join them along their journey, in spite, or perhaps because, of the hazards they face. Through the various obstacles of the different terrains, rural inns and urban intrigue, they make their precarious course across the treacherous wilds of their vast country, overcoming diverse, lethal challenges to their lives and skills along the way. Chris made it a point never to ignore his intuition discipline. He felt that small cringe in his mind warn of danger, imminent death ahead, as he and Darnak rode down the desert road. So he reined in his horse. Hard. The horse reared, then emitted a strange, weak snort and crashed to the ground. Chris leaped clear and tumbled to the cobbled road, his cloak flapping out around him like a large, two-toned bird, sandy hued on top, dark blue-gray underneath. As he fell, he saw the fletching of an arrow that had pierced his horse's chest, not too far from where his own vulnerable midsection would have been. The zentek awareness he had honed for years paid off as his intuition saved his life. Again.... Complete with a full color map of the entire western land mass of Wilderness, Return also includes a sneak preview of Book II: Minx .
Zentek Ascendant, Book II: Minx is the long-awaited second book in the Zentek Ascendant series that began with Return .
Minx relates the adventures of Chris and his friends as Chris continues to advance along his chosen life path, the Zentek Way. Chris shows more sides of his fascinating personality, Darnak's relationship with Lynzia blossoms, but a new bombshell comes into the story to turn Chris and Darnak's world upside down: Minx, a novice thief with talents for ferocious reactions, profound insights and an unleashed passion that also ensnares Chris. After some initial confrontations, visitations and preparations, Chris, Darnak and Minx set off for the adventure of her lifetime – Chris's courageous effort to reclaim his ducal throne from the usurper who has stolen it on behalf of his mortal enemies, the Manticora Cult.
The powerful, budding romance between Chris and Minx that arises along the way defies anything they've ever experienced, but also uncovers something dark and mysterious about Minx's past, something that could mean death for Chris and his grandfather, Elderonn Lord, the Sorcerer Supreme, founder of the Sorcerers Society itself, and the oldest man in the world. Darnak's bodyguarding and teaching skills get tested to their limits. The tensions strain everyone as they try to balance their mission, their survival, and the bonds of friendship and love
"We should all mount up," said Chris after the others had gone. "We will go north to Mariners Way West, then to the Crossroad." Darnak and Lynzia agreed. As they regained their steeds' reins and prepared to mount, a small figure shot out of the southern crowd and slammed into both Darnak and Chris at knee level, bouncing off each one in turn. Chris turned part way around as the force of the child's rush tugged him forward. "Hey! Watch out!" Darnak boomed angrily. He checked his belt but found nothing missing. As this occurred, Chris's intuition sort of blinked, or flinched, as if warning him of a slight danger. In the fraction of a heartbeat it took for him to slip into autodyne , he felt a feather touch at his waist. His reflex grab in response netted him a piece of the kerchief in which he normally carried his signet ring. The kerchief was half there, but the half which held the ring in its knot was gone. He spun around in time to see a booted figure with bare legs racing away south toward the thieves district, its ragged cloak flapping in the air behind them. He reached out with telepathy as he saw the thief begin to turn into an alley in the ranger area. ' Stop! ' he commanded mentally. The thief came to an abrupt halt, as though he had slammed into a brick wall. Chris saw this, an almost smug satisfaction leaking its way around his autodyne . He prepared to issue another mental command. He was just framing an order to the thief to return the ring immediately when he stopped cold. The thief had turned to face him. Only then did he notice that it was a girl. That alone only slowed him a little – what difference could it make? She tore open her cloak and tunics for a heartbeat or two, exposing her naked body underneath to his surprised view. Still, this was nothing especially new to him, although she was considerably more attractive that most of the maids or women he had ever seen. What stopped him was completely different, something so out of his experience that he froze. His dynavision seemed to come on, of its own accord. Her aura became instantly visible to him, and it was the most beautiful one he had ever seen. In addition, he saw all the way through it to the core of her soul – all of those changes and potentials that she could achieve, far beyond just her present attributes, skills and attitudes. She could be the greatest assassin, ever, if she but had the right guidance and support. Or she could die in pain and poverty, and, somehow, he knew he could not allow that to happen.
Featuring full color maps of Kalsharia City and the Duchy of Arborea, Minx blazes a new romantic adventure into the annals of epics. Minx also includes a sneak preview of Book III: Festival .
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About the AuthorMark Richter entered the world in 1955 in Washington, D.C. He received his B.S. degree in Information and Computer Science, Magna Cum Laude , from the University of California, Irvine. Mark has been a professional software engineer for over 29 years, but his first love has always been writing, particularly fantasy and science fiction. Mark has written several stories and books in both the fantasy and science fiction genres. This is his first venture into publishing his work. When he was still in high school, Mark ghost wrote for a work that was destined to become a definitive reference for The Lord of the Rings , but the author declined to publish when the Encyclopedia Hobitannica came out. Mark is a member of the Online Writers Workshop for fantasy and science fiction. He has gone on to complete the Zentek Ascendant epic, and continues to work on more writings in fantasy and science fiction. Mark currently lives in Santa Ana, California with his wife and their two children. Visit the Authors website if you want to learn more about these novels or if you are interested in buying them. www. zentektales.com |
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More Zentek Visit the Authors website if you want to learn more about these novels or if you are interested in buying them. www. zentektales.com
Newly Released - Zentek Ascendant, Book III: Festival continues the adventure, romance, magic and suspense that began with Return and continued in Minx . In Festival , Chris begins to set right his duchy from all the damage done by the impostor who usurped the regency he left behind almost a year before. He has only a short time to do this, since he must return to Kalsharia City to be present with the rest of the royal family at the annual Festival. His half-brother, the Prince of all four of the Kalsharian dynasty Duchies, has called for a conference to precede the Festival where certain matters that affect all of Idlewild need to be addressed and settled - alliances, kings and slaves all have arisen as challenges to the crown in Kalsharia City. Festival (book III)
Coming soon: Volume 4 in the Zentek Ascendant Series.
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Zentek Ascendant, Book I: Return is a newly-revised, thrilling, swords-and-sorcery epic adventure-romance from new author Mark A. Richter. 
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Cold Hearted Son of a Witch - The New Novel from M.R. Mathias
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