Synopsis
After his mom disappears, Jason Lex and his family move to a small town where he has no friends, no fun, no life. Things get worse when he’s chased by weird flying creatures that only he can see—Jason thinks he’s losing it.
But when Jason discovers new information about his family, he’s stunned to learn that creatures like Skyfish, Kappa, and the Mongolian Death Worm aren’t just stories on the Internet—they’re real and they live unseen alongside the human race. Many of these creatures naturally emit energy capable of incinerating humans. An invisible shield keeps these creatures hidden and protects the human race from their threatening
force, but someone, or some thing , is trying to destroy it.
Unsure who he can trust, Jason is drawn into the fight to save the people closest to him, and he finds help in surprising places. Confronted with loss, uncertainty, and a devastating betrayal, Jason must make a gut-wrenching decision: Who lives, and who dies.
Excerpt
An odd sensation ignited at the base of Jason’s neck and crawled down his spine. It burned like a flame held close. He reached around, touched his neck. A shock zapped from his hand and he jerked.
What the…?
Noise crackled in his ears, in his head. He scanned for thunderclouds. But the sky was clear blue. He refocused his gaze on the path. And he saw them. Shiny, golden things, dozens of them, of different lengths, fluttered like dark-eyed ribbons on the wind.
They flew at Jason.
Targeting him.
They waved, or flapped their wings, or flapped their…fins? Jason didn’t know what he saw. But they were coming straight at him and they were coming fast. The crackling got louder.
He smashed his brakes and put his foot down to balance the skid as he U-turned. Unexpected power shot into his legs. He stood on the pedals and pumped, moving faster than ever.
He glanced back—only a few feet away.
How are they so close?
He jolted around. The bike pitched beneath him. He shifted his hips, regained his balance. So many. Right there. Fast.
He begged his legs to pedal harder. The creatures accelerated and closed in. They packed around him, above him, next to him.
Jason punched. Swatted.
Their fins and wings twitched and dodged. A longer creature swooped toward his face. He swung. It dove. Missed.
An instant later he reached the bridge. At the last millisecond he hit the brakes, put his food down, cranked the wheel.
Too fast.
Praise for The Rampart Guards
“A delightful novel that delivers a tightly plotted, character driven story. This paranormal fantasy is not only wildly entertaining, but also undeniably unique. The cast of authentic and endearing characters is one of the novel’s many strengths, along with the brisk pacing, action packed narrative and creation of the novel’s fascinating creatures. Both adult and YA audiences should find this book appealing.” Starred Review from Kirkus Reviews
“ Terrien has created an intriguing world that seamlessly integrates the fantastic with the realistic and is supported by a relatable cast of characters. This appealing novel is sure to find an appreciative audience.” A
Five Star Review from Foreword Clarion Reviews
” An intriguing introduction to what promises to be an expansive series. The Rampart Guards introduces engaging characters, a unique concept and the potential for developing both more fully in future novels.” Blue Ink Review
About the Author
Wendy Terrien has been writing stories since she was in grade school. Her debut novel T he Rampart Guards (February 26, 2016) is the first in her intriguing urban fantasy series. Inspired by an episode of B ones that suspected a killer to be a fabled chupacabra, Wendy was fascinated and dove into research about cryptozoology – the study of animals that may or may not exist, or cryptids. Pouring over stories, videos and photographs of creatures others had seen all over the world, Wendy developed her own story to share with middle grade, young adult and grown-up readers.
Raised in Salt Lake City, Wendy graduated from the University of Utah and soon transplanted to Colorado where she completed her MBA at the University of Denver. Having applied her marketing expertise to the financial and network security industries, it wasn’t until a career coach stepped in that she fully immersed herself in her passion for writing. Wendy began attending writers conferences, workshops and retreats.
She regularly participates in two critique groups and i s the Secretary of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and a member of Pikes Peak Writers and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. In 2014, she was a finalist in the S an Francisco Writer’s Contest and in March, will release a novella in the anthology Tick Tock: Seven Tales of Time.
Wendy lives in Colorado with her husband Kevin and their three dogs: Maggie, Shea and Boon. All three of her dogs are rescues and Wendy is passionate about promoting shelter adoptions. If you’re ever in Colorado, you may even be able to spot her by her “Adopt a Shelter Pet” license plates.
