Martin and Leigha Vandorfor cut a deal in which she will join him for two fun filled weeks in the desert heat and afterward he would escort her to an entire theater season. The Sonora Desert proves inhospitable from the start as Martin drives off the road at night. In the morning, they find themselves buried under sand dunes that arrived rather quickly to inter their vehicle. The pair begins a terrible march in hostile conditions seeking help. There is nothing but sand everywhere until they reach rotting edifices under a rocky ledge. Needing rest they take shelter.
Leigha finds a strange-looking talisman that seems to appear out of nowhere. Not long afterward, an elderly sorceress medicine woman Maranther appears once again apparently out of the air; she informs Martin that she abducted his woman and if he ever wants to see her again he will need to look back at what brought him and Leigha together; in their past lies their hope for a future.
MARANTHER'S DECEPTION is a very intriguing tale that takes elements from a relationship family drama and fantasy, but places them inside a horror story; that is the skill of Nik C. Colyer as he effortlessly combines the sub-genres. The Vandorfors are a couple struggling to find commonality as he wants the great outdoors and she wants the arts. Their compromise seems to be the right thing, but instead leads to danger as the mysterious Maranther puts them through a relationship test like no other. The reason why and Martin's efforts to find and rescue his beloved spouse make for quite a vivid thriller; fans will taste the sand that is everywhere.
Harriet Klausner
June 27, 2005
Martin and Leigha Vandorfor have made an unusual pact: Leigha would spend 2 weeks in the scorching desert and in exchange Martin would accompany her for an entire thespian season.
Their great outdoor adventure immediately takes a turn when they drive off the road and by morning find a sandstorm has buried them!
At the deserts mercy, a tedious trek through parching sands leads them to a small cluster of decaying adobe structures that are tucked under a rock ledge. Hesitant the couple takes shelter within the first decomposing dwelling. A day later, inside the murky habitat, Martin is left bewildered by Leigha's pivotal claim to a talisman that mystically appears next to a stack of wood.
What happens next: no one expects.
An ancient sorcerer named Maranther exposes herself to Martin disguised as the apparition of an elderly woman. Maranther declares he has hidden Leigha from Martin and only the challenge and willingness to explore their past will reunite them. Can Martin and Leigha mend the affliction that keeps them in Maranther's game? For this, readers will have to dive into the pages of Nik C. Colyer's world.
Colyer's writing style is unique and dynamic. Maranther's Deception is well paced and action filled, and certain to seize readers, denying reprieve until the last page is turned.
Reviewed by Betsie
