Adventure Romances
"Altar of the Sun" is the first of three romantic adventures in a series for Caitlin Spencer, archeologist and 'Seeker of Myths', where-in a childhood adventure becomes an adult obsession. Written in alternating Chapters in alternating times, the reader may follow Sula and Jem's search for a new land and at the same time follow Caitlin's attempts to find their final resting place 300 years later. Her quest is at times mystical as she is driven to find 'The People' and she crosses paths with many interesting characters, not the least of which is 'Bear', a man of many talents and secrets. He joins in her obsession and together they seek the truth behind the myth, at the same time discovering certain truths about themselves. Will they discover the Secret of 'The People'? Will they discover the truth about each other?
Most of all, will they admit the truth about themselves?
What Readers are saying about "Altar of the Sun"
"Mr. Beres allows the tension to build by leaping dramatically between the centuries to mark Sula’s progress west through hostile Apache country and Caitlin’s dogged pursuit, alone and unarmed, across the continent. Steve is a fine storyteller who seamlessly weaves together the past and the present and, in the end, offers a tantalizing glimpse of the future. Altar of the Sun satisfies in all respects as a thriller, a mystery, a romance and, above all, as a stirring chronicle of a lost but not forgotten people."
Reviewed by Ellen Tanner Marsh
“S.J. Beres does a wonderful job of interweaving the two story lines of Altar of the Sun. As I read the stories, I realized why Caitlin was so intrigued by the burial site dig she had led so many years before. Altar of the Sun is a fascinating story that is well told. I am looking forward to reading the next episode of Caitlin’s saga. I cannot wait to read where Mr. Beres takes his characters.”
Dawn Myers
Writers Unlimited Reviewer
Excerpt
Caitlin slowed her climb, partly because of the darkness, and partly because she didn't want to surprise any snakes, which were sure to be out and about as the desert cooled. She stopped, periodically, to spray the south canyon wall with light, looking for the telltale pile of rocks, but at night, they all looked like piles of rocks. She thought she had seen a promising stack, and moved in that direction without looking, stepping on a loose rock that slipped from beneath her foot, causing her to fall forward, dropping her light, its errant rays dimly showing that she was face to face with the biggest rattlesnake she had ever seen! She had no time to think, only to react, rolling quickly onto her left side, her backpack hitting some rocks, preventing her continued roll. She felt the air move as the snake's head flashed by her face and then withdrew, to strike again. Her gun was pinned beneath her, her pack was keeping her from moving away, and she could only hope the light from her flashlight would blind it. She knew better, though, for a rattlesnake 'sees' with its tongue. She threw her hand in front of her face for protection, waiting for the inevitable searing pain of snakebite, but it didn't strike. She peered through her fingers, seeing the snake was gone! Then she noticed a looming shape above her in the dark, visible only because, from her position lying in the ground, it blotted out the stars behind it. She took a chance and grabbed her flashlight, turning it on the shape. The shape turned out to be a very large man with lots of hair and a full beard, and a very big grin. This had to be Bear, especially since she could see that he was holding the snake, having grasped it just behind its head. She could not believe her relief over this outcome, but she was not going to give him the upper hand in this situation.
"Aw, darn," Caitlin gasped, "just as the snake and I were becoming acquainted."
"No problem," the shape answered, "I can put it right back where it was."
"Naw," she said, rolling into a sitting position. "The moment has passed. I thought they were supposed to warn you, rattle or something."
"Well, he tried," the shape answered. "Only, this fella's lost his rattle." He placed the snake's tail in the light, and sure enough, no rattles. "That happens, sometimes. Isn't fair, is it?"
Caitlin saw his outstretched hand and grasped it, pulling herself to her feet, and then letting go to assess the damage, apparently only to her pride. "What are you going to do with the snake?" Caitlin asked.
"Well," he replied, "if you'll tell me which way you're going, I'll take him off a ways in the other direction. This is his land, and he serves a purpose. Without snakes, we'd be up to our butts in mice and pack rats. Which way did you say?" Caitlin pointed up the canyon. "Good enough, I'll take him off to the side, so you don't meet him on your way out."
Caitlin dusted herself off and checked her gun and pack. Then she remembered that she hadn't introduced herself and didn't know for sure who he was.
"Wait," she called out. "Come back when you're done, I'd like to thank you.”
No reply. Caitlin shined her flashlight in the direction she thought he had taken, but she saw no one. He was simply gone! How does he do that? She thought of the movement she thought she had seen at the little cave with the fire, and wondered if that had been him, too. Unless he returned, she would never know.