The Dream Defenders
by Neal DenHartog
Genre:
YA Fantasy
YA Fantasy
A vivid, dangerous dream world. Real-life consequences. Better ready your defense.
When fourteen-year-old Nolan Erling wakes up with a headache for the
fourth straight day, he suspects the likely culprit to be any number
of things—from his annoying baby brother, to vehicular crashes with
his elderly neighbor, or even his questionable late-night food
choices—not his dreams.
fourth straight day, he suspects the likely culprit to be any number
of things—from his annoying baby brother, to vehicular crashes with
his elderly neighbor, or even his questionable late-night food
choices—not his dreams.
Aeryn Sandman knows the true cause, though. She is a junior agent with the
DREAM Institute, a secret organization tasked with protecting the
world’s population while they sleep, and she’s on her first assignment.
DREAM Institute, a secret organization tasked with protecting the
world’s population while they sleep, and she’s on her first assignment.
Her mission: infiltrate Nolan’s life—and his dreams—and keep him
safe, all while persuading him to join their protective force.
safe, all while persuading him to join their protective force.
But recruitment missions are no walk in the park, and Aeryn’s goes
horribly wrong when Nolan’s powers unwittingly unleash two dream
creatures locked away in a restricted area of the dream world. While
Aeryn and Nolan search for ways to contain the escaped beings, they
uncover a much greater conspiracy.
horribly wrong when Nolan’s powers unwittingly unleash two dream
creatures locked away in a restricted area of the dream world. While
Aeryn and Nolan search for ways to contain the escaped beings, they
uncover a much greater conspiracy.
For these dreams can kill, and someone is orchestrating their actions in
the dream world. If Aeryn and Nolan can’t figure out who is behind
it, no dreamer will be safe, and neither will the organization that defends them.
the dream world. If Aeryn and Nolan can’t figure out who is behind
it, no dreamer will be safe, and neither will the organization that defends them.
Discover a book with a fresh voice, genuinely humorous characters, and a
compelling, original storyline. The Dream Defenders will
appeal to readers of all ages.
compelling, original storyline. The Dream Defenders will
appeal to readers of all ages.
★★★★★ -
"A spectacularly imaginative story." - Indies Today
"A spectacularly imaginative story." - Indies Today
**FREE July 29th – 31st!!**
If you could have been the author of any book ever
written, which book would you choose?
I suppose this is where I’m supposed to write down the title
of one of the classics, but I won’t. I’ll never write like anyone else, and
I’ll only take credit for my own, original stories.
Pen or type writer or computer?
Pen and paper for outlining. Computer for writing. A printed
copy and multi-colored pens for editing.
Tell us about a favorite character from a book.
Tom, from the Blackthorn Key series. He’s such a great
friend/sidekick. Someone who will go to bat for you and pull your butt out of
the fire when needed. Unwaveringly loyal and superbly well-written.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers
what they want?
I’m taking this story where it needs to go, and I’m hoping
the readers will continue to enjoy and crave more, but there’s no guarantee of
that. The characters are going to continue being put through the wringer.
That’s just part of fiction. Hopefully readers will appreciate that
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what
would it be?
Keep writing! I took a five-year break after college, then
another ten year break down the line. It’s a little depressing to think about
where I might be had I not done that, but I don’t like to dwell on that. My
book is out now and there are more to come. That’s all that matters.
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters
from the opposite sex?
Oh, geez. Not only did I write characters of the opposite
sex, but teenage characters of the opposite sex. If you’ve had a look at
my author photo, I am clearly not a teenage girl. I’m an old dude with no kids
in that age range either. I was so worried Aeryn’s voice would not resemble
anything close to real, but the reader feedback has been mostly positive. All
the YA reading I do must be paying off.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
This one took about a year and a half to make it to print,
but I also cranked out some short stories and the first draft of the sequel in
that time frame. I’m hoping to eventually get on a 6-8 month release cycle, but
we’ll see how that goes.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
No. I get stuck some times, but not so much that I can’t put
a single word down on paper. I can put a lot of crappy words down, but things
eventually get moving. You just got to keep moving forward and eventually
you’ll find a way to clear the hurdle in your way.
Neal DenHartog was born, raised, and currently resides in Iowa. After a
fifteen year career in the sciences he decided to rekindle his
childhood passion for writing. Now, when he's not donning a lab coat,
he writes stories about dreams.
fifteen year career in the sciences he decided to rekindle his
childhood passion for writing. Now, when he's not donning a lab coat,
he writes stories about dreams.
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I like the cover
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