Publisher's Synopsis
About the story ...
As the sun sets, eerie contrails appear on the dome of the firmament, ghostly streaks that have replaced the stars that should fill the night sky. These "ribbons in the sky" appeared 70 years ago. Since that time, planet Arkos has experienced increasing climatic and seismic activity. Jo'el is the director of the Jomo Langma Mountain Observatory, a high-altitude astronomical facility situated atop its namesake. Tasked with finding a solution to this problem, he has concluded something outside the universe is tearing apart the very fabric of space-time. He has also discovered a gateway to another universe. Sadly, any pathway to this portal has now become compromised. The solution? Go back in time and engineer a planetary exodus to the safe haven before it becomes inaccessible. It is a seemingly impossible task, but desperation is the mother of invention and the stuff of storytelling. Jo'el is not alone in this quest, with him are two lifelong friends, Chief Physician Kyros and Chief Psychology Officer Auberon. While only aware of Jo'el's need for their support, they have a camaraderie born of trust that enables them to jump into the unknown knowing they will land safely. Space-time mechanics are outside the realm of Jo'el's expertise. So, he has enlisted the aid of Prefect Godvina, head of the Cosmological Data Collection and Compilation Center. His plan is to meet with her, confirm his findings and proceed on with his friends. However, their meeting arouses the interest of Prefect Tarsus, Head of Intelligence. The unwanted scrutiny disrupts Jo'el's plans. Now, the Director must improvise, and he reluctantly includes Godvina in the fold. Are they successful in their travel back through time? Of course! Without it, there is no story, but how do they get there, what do they find and do they make good on Jo'el's plan? Mirror in Time will take you on a journey beyond the galaxy then to the ancient world of Ziem as a band of intrepid time travelers struggle to save existence. About the cover ... Shades of gray dominate the cover. That palette combined with a hooded woman gives it a gloomy, gothic feel. It could imply travel back to a period like that. On the other hand, it might reference time itself. The past is shrouded in mystery. Tomorrow is dark. Tomorrow unknown. The accent color is green and appears in the globe of light and around the lettering. No interpretation is required to know the tendrils represent plasma. It is in front of the woman, implying you have to go through it to get to the end, which you do. The woman stares back, a cryptic Mona Lisa smile on her lips. She knows something. What could it be? One interpretation is the story itself. She knows what is in the pages that follow. The reader does not. So, it is an invitation to journey past the cover and delve into the narrative. Her smile could also be a bright spot in an otherwise dreary color scheme. Again, a hint of what follows. In the face of impossible odds, there is always hope. On another level, it could be like looking in a mirror at our own reflection. It asks the reader a question: What are you thinking?