When a home invasion takes the life of a beloved neighbor, will his pursuit of justice bring him peace… or add to the tragedy?
Tommy Harris is seething with anger. At only twelve years old, he’s seen more than his fair share of violence, evil, and death. Awoken by gunshots and discovering his neighbor has been killed, he rejects his calling to use his magical powers for good and becomes hellbent on revenge.
Frustrated by his guardian cat’s insistence that they adhere to their sacred rules, Tommy unleashes his fury at school, defending a friend and taking on a school bully. After the bloody fight puts the other boy in the hospital, Tommy begins to fear he’s losing the last scraps of his control… and his childhood.
Is Tommy doomed to become one of the monsters that haunt his dreams?
Echoes of Innocence is the dramatic third book in the Linked urban fantasy series. If you like conflicted heroes, shocking crimes, and intricate character development, then you’ll love Alex G Zarate’s chilling page-turner.
Buy Echoes of Innocence to trade doubt for bravery today!
Embarking on a writing journey is akin to venturing into uncharted realms of self-discovery. It’s a path that winds through the landscapes of imagination, guided by the unwavering compass of passion. For me, this odyssey took a turn within my novel, Ripples Of Mind.
Awakening the Muse
The seeds to my novel writing began with The Orb. This science fiction novel pried open inner doors that had been closed for decades. With its publication, my passion for the written word reignited with a newfound intensity. When I completed my second book, Linked, an Urban Fantasy novel, I immersed myself into a story of psychic abilities and personal shadows intertwined with real-life mysteries. Although the story of The Orb needed to continue, the universe of Tommy, a young soul grappling with loss and his extraordinary feline companion, Snowy, beckoned me.
Origins of the Narrative
The aftermath of trauma within Linked and the resilience of its characters spoke to me, and a question lingered: What happens after gaining abilities and surviving an encounter with death? How do we overcome scars etched into our lives? With these questions, Ripples Of Mind emerged.
Unveiling the Shadows
As I made my choice and looked for a story to follow Linked, a dark chamber materialized in my mind. I began the first chapter describing a young man, imprisoned, frightened and alone. The shadows guided the narrative... and the story began. Snowy and Tommy continued to grow their abilities of mind-reading and teleportation, but in so doing, initiated a cascade of events where Tommy’s gifts morphed into a nightmare. The specters of his past trauma grew, transforming his gift of second sight into constant tormenting visions.
Conquering Inner Demons
Tommy’s journey mirrors the archetypal hero’s odyssey. His personal demons transmute into challenges, creating a narrative of resilience. The scars of the past intertwine with his newfound abilities and Snowy becomes his guide. Like a protagonist’s mettle is tested in the crucible of trials, Tommy confronts his own psychological monsters, echoing our real-world confrontations.
Deciphering Choices
As more villains came to light, I found the tapestry of Ripples Of Mind woven from diverse threads. The psyche of the criminal mind, the repercussions of trauma and the choices that define existence carried me into and out of every character in the story. From a hit-and-run incident emerges a kidnapping borne of desperation. The criminal psyche revealed choices forged under duress. Tommy’s dilemmas mirror our own, underscoring the gravity of difficult decisions. Snowy, ever the anchor of morality, imparts wisdom to navigate life’s turbulent seas.
Embarking on Lessons
Tommy’s transformation relates to our human experience of moving through light and darkness. Snowy guides him to face fears, discover hidden strengths, and make choices that lead to enlightenment. Ripples Of Mind is a mosaic of lessons learned, fears battled, and just rewards.
Epilogue
As the chapters of Ripples Of Mind unfolded, I realized this volume would not mark an end to his story but a new beginning. Tommy’s voyage is far from over, and his story, an ode to resilience and maturation, beckons me further. Crafting this tale was an odyssey of self-discovery and privilege. I enjoyed watching the characters grow, and as I watched them navigate tribulations, the world of Tommy became a profoundly enriching experience.
Horizons
As Ripples of Mind finds its place in my readers’ hearts, I am thrilled to have chosen this world’s continuation. Tommy’s path, Snowy's companionship, and the unfolding storylines, beckon. To all who join this odyssey, I thank you. Your presence adds new dimensions to every tale I share. My other narratives lie in wait on Amazon’s digital shelves.
In my many worlds of words, Ripples Of Mind continues to be more than a novel. It’s a journey of passion, self-discovery, and connected stories. Thank you for being part of this voyage.
Let’s stay connected. I take part in all social media platforms as alexgzarate. Feel free to connect, follow or simply enjoy my posts. As always, your feedback, reviews, and comments light up my journey.
Onward! +
These two videos are the trailer and teaser trailer I put together. If you saw them before coming to this site, I hope they made the story as interesting for an outsider as it was for me. Thank you!
This was the original cover I created for Echoes Of Innocence. It was a work of passion and I loved the final result. It was one of my favorites of the original designs.
I updated my cover design to one that was professionally done and matched the trilogy style. I am happy with the result and look forward to seeing the series in discussion boards.