Spotlight & Excerpt - Chronicles of Trellah by T.S. Graham

The Chronicles of Trellah, Book One: The Perpetual Rain

"The World's Toughest Book Critics" have weighed in, and it's high praise for Trellah! "An excellent choice for readers eager for a suspenseful, emotionally satisfying fantasy adventure." -Kirkus Book Reviews Fourteen-year-old Sophina Murray will be the first to tell you: Bad luck comes in threes. First, her father is lost at sea. Then, the rains start . And don't stop. And finally, her little brother is taken from his bed by a monster straight from her worst nightmare. A glimpse into the parallel universe of Trellah - a land of giant trees, bizarre creatures, and a glowing red mineral with mystical properties - convinces Sophina that all may not be lost. But first, she'll have to survive in a hostile world where her darkest fears live and breathe. Trellah is an original and realistic fantasy for ages 12 to 112. Parental guidance suggested for advanced readers ages 10-11 for moderate elements of horror. The upcoming deluxe edition of this book will include illustrated paintings by artist Ryan Penney. Below is a sample of this talented artist's work. Purchase this book on Amazon.

About Author T.S. Graham

T.S. Graham was born and raised in midcoast Maine. He has worked as a sea urchin diver, fish monger, home renovator, and in several group homes for children and adults with disabilities. His original screenplay, Stone's Point, written as Clint Elliott, has won multiple awards. He studied English Literature at the University of Southern Maine, where, despite developing a strong dislike of the traditional curriculum focused on old, dead (and boring) scribes, he somehow managed to graduate with honors. His greatest influences are writers like Stephen King and Michael Crichton, whose talents would have allowed them to write more literary fare, but they chose to thrill and entertain instead. He now lives on a horse farm with his beautiful wife and five daughters, two poodles, two cats, two happy turtles, four playful ferrets, three fish, a corn snake named "Tiger," dozens of chickens, and, of course, four awesome equines. The Chronicles of Trellah, Book One: The Perpetual Rain is his debut novel.

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Excerpt  

“Mom, is that you?” she asked with a glimmer of hope.

The figure froze. Sophina squinted into the dark, trying to focus her eyes as what looked like a massive, closed fist extended toward Eliot. A soft red glow emanated from between its bony fingers.

One thing was certain: Whoever was down there, it wasn’t their mom.

Sophina inhaled to scream as the fist opened, revealing an incandescent red stone. A powerful aura of tranquility washed through her body and mind as her eyes fixed on the luminous rock—and she forgot what she’d been about to do.

Delicate waves of energy swirled behind the stone’s transparent surface, each one a different shade of crimson. It was like watching countless tints of red paint mixing together without ever fully blending. Sophina couldn’t look away from it. She didn’t want to. It was so beautiful . . .

Suddenly, a frenzied lightning flash revealed a ghastly sight. The hand beneath the rock was lined with scales, and yellow claws curved out beyond contorted knuckles. The figure’s head and body were masked by a black cloak, except for two reptilian legs with clawed feet exposed below the tattered fabric.

“It’s mine!” cried Eliot as he grabbed for the stone.

“Mom!” Sophina’s scream was engulfed by a thunderclap as the beast lurched down the hallway on all fours, its clawed hands and feet clacking on the floor as Eliot followed. Two huge, glowing red eyes glared up at her from within the cloak hood as the creature disappeared into the kitchen.