Four Crows (Dreammaker, Book 1) - Hardcover

Peters, Andrea

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0975893386 ISBN 13: 9780975893388

Publisher: Bella Intl Ltd, 2005

Synopsis

SUPERANNO Five strangers agree to go on the adventure of their lives in exchange for the fulfillment of their dreams. Too late, they find themselves pawns in an unknown foreign land, caught between rivals in a deadly game of political maneuvering. As their lives unravel, the meaning of the four crows and the machinations of their tormentor become apparent. Simultaneous.

About this title

About the Author

Andrea Peters is a successful entrepreneur who has traveled the world. A prolific author and poet he pulls his stories from notorious, infamous and true world events combining them with life experiences and personal passions. His stories are character driven, carefully researched and fully developed in order to meld with plot lines that have powerful world influences. An experienced motivational speaker and life coach he spends much of his time volunteering to help others.

Peters lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest where he enjoys the spectacular surroundings as well as his hobbies of photography, the piano and flying. Andrea Peters is currently at work on his next novel "Chaos" as well as the sequel to "Four Crows" called "Four Told" and "Don’t Worry…Love Anne" the sequel to "I’m Sorry…Love Anne".

From the Inside Flap

When five strangers are chosen to become contestants on a hot new reality show they are promised the fulfillment of their wildest dreams in exchange for going on a once in a lifetime adventure. Little do they realize that they are about to become pawns in a deadly game of high stakes manipulation. Andrew, a successful businessman, Kristen, an artist, Sarah, a focused student, Ralph, a family man and John a hedonist begin their quest in an unknown country. Without any supplies or help they discover that the game is deadly, their rivals are ruthless, and their very humanity will be tested beyond what they could have ever imagined. As their lives unravel, the mysterious meaning of the four crows and the depths of the machinations of their tormentor, The DreamMaker, become readily apparent and each individual must determine what price he is willing to pay to survive and at what cost to the others. Some will not be returning home.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Chapter 1 Day Ten. 2005. Peace Arch Memorial park. Blaine, Washington. USA Canada border.

"Do you see them?"

"What? Those four over there?"

"Yeah."

"And?"

"And what?" He walked through the grass ignoring his friend.

"They look terrible," his friend said.

"So what? They all look strange. I mean, look at their eyes and their noses the way they walk. And what s with the clothing, anyway? It s winter, for God s sake." He stopped to pick up something off the grass.

"Well, I say we go over and see if they have anything we want." His friend took two steps and then hopped up on a short cement post where he adroitly balanced himself.

"Go ahead. No one is stopping you." He walked off to his friend s left in the opposite direction.

"Fine," he said. "Hey Gracie, you want to come?" He looked over to the female standing off to his left. She was using a stick to torment a beetle that was stuck at the base of a tree.

"Where?" she asked.

"Over there. Check out those four people. There s something different about them," he said.

"Sure, why not." She dropped the stick, walked over to him, and they proceeded toward the four people that were sitting on the bench.

The grass had been warmed by the sunlight and it tickled their toes as they got closer.

"I don t think that s a very good idea." They both stopped and looked over at their other friend. She had been methodically dismantling a small bush. A pile of leaves had gathered at her feet.

"You re too cautious Kimmy. Live a little. Come on," he said, as he yanked his head in he direction they were going.

Kimmy hopped over behind them.

"OK. You go first." The three of them headed west to the edge of the park where the bench and the four strangers were.

The sun cast a long shadow in front of them and Gracie dashed out and pirouetted in front of the group.

"Look! Lawn art!" She struck a ridiculous pose that her shadow only exacerbated.

"God, Gracie, you re so left headed," Kimmy said.

"Left head, right in the mind," Gracie replied.

"Uhhh. Did we forget something? Oh! Shoot. They re getting up!" The male replied.

"Want to follow them?" Gracie said.

"And do what, mug them?" Kimmy asked. "Let s just go back and do something else."

"Yea. I doubt they have any food anyway," the male said.

Gracie stopped to pick up something on the ground.

"The ..m alwa..mmm..ys..erms," Gracie said.

"Gracie, we can t understand a word you ve said."

"I said " Gracie stopped and looked at both of them with her brilliant ebony eyes and shiny black beak. " There are always worms." Several weeks prior. "How much?" Mr. Pandit asked.

"Twenty million," Mr. Baldwin spoke into the Satellite phone without hesitation, "and that is a deal."

"It s larceny is what it is. For that kind of money I could hire a professional crew and permanently solve the problem," Mr. Pandit replied.

"Yes, you could. But why use a sledgehammer when all you need is a velvet glove? You came to me for my subtlety. If you want something else I suggest we stop wasting both of our time. I ll wait for your call." Mr. Baldwin hit the end button and put the handset down on his side table while he stared out over the rippling blue water, his feet slightly buried in the warm talcum sand.

The phone rang a minute later and Mr. Baldwin smiled, then took a sip of guava juice before reaching for it.

"I have a proposal," Mr. Pandit sounded reticent, but Mr. Baldwin could picture his darkly tanned face seething with resentment.

"I m listening," Mr. Baldwin said.

"I ll give you ten percent of the deal, IF you succeed. That will be worth much more than twenty million if we go public."

"And what are your expectations?" Mr. Baldwin asked, as he reached for his hat. The sun had just peeked out from behind a large cloud and it made him squint.

"Just stop him. I need twelve months, then I don t care," Mr. Pandit said. "Actually, I do have one request. Use Americans. I think it will maximize the effect."

Mr. Baldwin pondered the offer for a moment as a young couple walked by, oblivious to the world. Yes, typical Americans, he thought.

"Fine," he finally said.

"We have an agreement then?" Mr. Pandit asked.

"I want two million up front to handle expenses. You can deduct it from the back end," Mr. Baldwin added with a smile. He could almost hear Mr. Pandit s aggravation, and he loved it.

Edition details

• Publisher: Bella Intl Ltd
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0975893386
• ISBN 13: 9780975893388
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 291