Bøker av Dawn Joy Marks

Kelly and Chip are off to an unexpected adventure when Chip spies a Native American Indian up at Skull Rock in Bayside Bluffs Park. Is he the Medicine Man of local folklore who resides in the hills, a ghost, or . . . connected to the UFO sightings around the gulf coast of Florida? On one of their treks up to Skull Rock, they get caught in a thunderstorm, seek shelter under a cliff ledge, and fall into a secret cave. They have entered the Otherworld, a place of magic and mystery. In this sacred place, Kelly and Chip meet Xandu, a Shaman who enhances their knowledge of anthropology, astronomy, and the connection between ancient cultures. He teaches them about their own Native American heritage and initiates them into apprentice shamans. Kelly and Chip discover a sacred tree (the axis mundi) and learn to shape-shift and fly through time and space, yet still arrive home for dinner with their parents. Their hunger for knowledge and meaning lead them to a teacher who opens the door for them towards love and understanding; and the power of the mind to accomplish the impossible. As a result, Kelly and Chip gain self confidence, self reliance and learn to become true warriors.

"The Golem Experiment", set in New Orleans and Los Angeles, is a Faustian SF story about an experiment in free will whose outcome brings unexpected and chaotic results. A neurosurgeon, Dr. Fatalis, undertakes a secret experiment to solve that elusive of questions: Is personality determined by heredity or environment?Neuro-scientists define the brain as a biological mass of cell assemblies, which through action and repetition, creates learned behavior and language. Centuries before science, ancient Vedic scriptures described these imprinted patterns as "sanskaras". They believed continuous chanting of prayer increased sanskaras and eliminated more mundane thoughts.Alison enters Dr. Fatalis's life after a drunk driving accident. He transforms her into his unknowing puppet by molding her physically with cosmetic surgery, and mentally influencing her through hypnosis and remote access to become his ideal female half. Combining religious rituals with modern nano-technology, he replaces her existing brain imprints with newly programmed information; she becomes his remote controlled robot; a female golem. With the help of subliminal messages, this mechanical singing goddess turns her fans into automatons by spouting ideology with massive appeal. Fatalis guides her step by step towards his plan of dominion over his perceived kingdom. His plan appears successful until he comes face to face with the one thing he can't control. Meantime, a core of Alison's old self tries to break through; that "still small voice" questions her existence as she battles with her identity.After a virtual reality type sexual encounter, Alison gives birth to a baby of ambiguous gender, and "the 3rd Sex" becomes the wave of the future. Her child will come to play a most ominous role in her life, an ancient tale they are fated to enact. This is the game that moves as the players play. An experiment in free will with many solutions, none of which the participants expects . . . nor the Experimenter.

Set in Death Valley, chaotic events leading up to a high school reunion offer another chance to choose the road not taken and amend the past. Each person comes to a crossroads in their life and relates their tale, unaware that a fly on the wall has been observing everyone with his own unique perspective on the human condition. Every day we make choices; oftentimes based on what we're told is the "right thing to do"; while other decisions are made in the heat of the moment. What if you were given a 2nd chance for love, career, or happiness? Would you recognize this opportunity before it was too late? Or have the courage to try again? 10 years after graduating high school, a handful of students end up in a remote location, re-united but unrecognizable to one another, and are given a chance to fulfill their destiny. Change comes about only after much soul searching, and as a result, finding the catalyst to enable that change. Sometimes, the one missing puzzle piece in your life is right there beside you but you don't recognize it. This story takes a metaphysical look at why we make the choices we do, and where those choices lead, told from the varying perspectives we each perceive at different points of our lives; and the way our life path changes as we change.

"Traveling" - Prologue"ZOMBIE APP" - A computer application guaranteed to feed anyone's addiction."BLACK & BLUE" - An emotional catharsis triggered by a trip to the emergency room."CRYSTAL" - A man seeking refuge in Sarasota whose experience is lost in translation."DAIMON" The Greek word for the Muse who opens Pandora's Box and inspires poetry, prose, and art."ESCAPE FROM PORTAL LAND" - A train ride with an unexpected detour reveals that things are not always what they appear to be."GODDESS KATRINA" - 2005 Hurricane's wrath and aftermath in the deep South."MAYAGOLEM" - A Florida woman's search for a soulmate leads her to a magical realm of desire. "MERMAID LOUNGE" - Inspired by the New Orleans bar of the same name located in the Warehouse District."PDX" - A Portland dog changes the lives of the people he interacts with."RAPTURE - Apocalyptic prophecy comes to pass in a most unexpected way."REAPER" - A chance encounter challenges a Southern California woman to redefine love and sacrifice. "SECRETS" - An artist whose paintings reveal more than meets the eye."V.L.G." - A non-traditional Vampire from Venice, California seeks revenge for an unforgivable sin."PLAYGROUND.NET" - Become as a child again, in this magical place where dreams and fantasies are fulfilled."3rd CHANCE INN" - Epilogue