Straight Browing from the Library: Descent from Truth by Gaylon Greer

A special thanks to Goddess Fish Promotions for sending a special excerpt from Descent from Truth to share with you today at The Library. A randomly chosen commenter will receive an autographed hardcover version of the author's previous book, The Price of Sanctuary. You can see the other stops on the tour here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/07/excerpt-tour-descent-from-truth-by.html.

READ THE BLURB

Alex Bryson is patrolling Rocky Mountain backcountry in his job as a security guard when he discovers a woman with a baby wandering alone in the snow far from the nearest road. He takes them to shelter in a weekender cabin and sees a newscast that suggests the woman, Pia Ulmer, kidnapped the baby from its rightful parents and that it is the sole heir of Peru’s wealthiest and most corrupt family. Pia claims that she is the baby’s mother, and Alex doesn't know what to believe. After turning her in, he continues to struggle with his budding feelings for her and remains unsure of the true story. He becomes more and more involved until finally there is no turning back—lives are on the line. He helps Pia get free from a brutal world that values money over life, and together they devise a plan to reclaim the baby. Just when it looks like they might succeed, they discover an international conspiracy that changes the game entirely.

READ AN EXCERPT

Alex's mood lightened as he watched Frederick eat. Seated in a highchair in the restaurant, the little guy pushed scrambled eggs into his mouth with both hands. But Pia belonged in the picture. An image of her sitting where his father was now, reaching from time to time to wipe errant egg from Frederick's face or to adjust the plastic bib the restaurant had supplied, stirred his rage anew. I’ll get her back, he vowed silently. For both of us.

Frederick, no longer hungry, began to fidget and fret. The colonel distracted him with teaspoons, handing them to him one by one. Giggling, Frederick tossed them onto the floor.

“Have you worked out a strategy?” the colonel asked Alex between tosses.

“Yes sir. I know exactly what I’m going to do.”

“I don't want to hear details. Just enough so I know you have a reasonable chance.” The colonel placed another spoon in Frederick's hand. “I don't mind having Freddy for company while you do whatever you think you must. But I need some assurance that you'll be able to reclaim him.”

Overnight rest had erased Alex's uncertainty. “If Pia's at Silver Hill, I'm going to get her. If she isn't there, I'll look for her in Peru. She’ll be with Faust, and he won’t be that hard to find.”

“Don't worry about Freddy,” the elder Bryson said. “Wherever I am, that's where he'll be. I won't tell you where. That way, nobody can get it out of you.”

Alex absorbed that while his father leaned down to collect spoons from the floor. The colonel handed one of them to Frederick and pulled a cash-stuffed envelope from his briefcase. He pushed the envelope across the table.

“Colonel, I . . .” Alex wanted to say Dad, but his mouth wouldn't form the word. “I want you to know . . .” His vocal chords refused to cooperate.

The colonel passed another spoon to Frederick and laid a hand on Alex's arm. “You do what you have to, son. I'm your home base.”

MEET THE AUTHOR

Working with traveling carnivals and itinerant farm labor gangs during his teen and early adult years took Gaylon Greer up, down, and across the U.S. and introduced him to a plethora of colorful individuals who serve as models for his fictional characters. After several years as an Air Force officer and then a university professor with a Ph.D. in economics, Greer developed an interest in writing fiction and attended workshops at the University of Iowa, the University of Nebraska, and Bryn-Mawr College. He also studied with the U.C. Davis Extension program and the Algonquian Writers Group. His most recent novel, THE DESCENT FROM TRUTH is available at www.Amazon.com and other e-book retailers. Please visit Greer at www.GaylonGreer.com.