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Chosen by J. Troy Seate

Steve and Maria Swann live in a valley town where girls are vanishing and families share buried secrets. Someone hidden in the woods is watching Maria and her daughter, Renee.

About the book

Sometimes, real life is more frightening than nightmares. This is true for the protagonists, Steve and Maria Swann, in Chosen. The fates of the people in the story are linked by the secrets held within the Altinoma Valley.

Friends of the Swann's, Paul and Phyllis Harding, undergo a terrifying transformation with the disappearance of a daughter, which ultimately leads to Phyllis's death. The Swann's irreverent best friend and neighbor, Darlene Bixley, disappears as does another young girl from the town's Barrio. These events compel Steve to conduct his own personal investigation into the disappearances.

In the meantime, someone hidden in the woods has been watching Maria and her daughter, Renee. Alford's fascination with the Swann's lead to assaults on their property and their well-being, producing dire results. Equally alarming are Steve's confrontations with the community's movers and shakers.

Other principal characters include the Swann's country neighbors and various people that live in the small valley town. They are colorful players intertwined with the valley's closely guarded secrets. In mysterious ways, all are involved as the Swann's try to save Renee and themselves from the conspiracy to brainwash, and impregnate young girls.

As truths are revealed, precious little time for escape remains. The Swann's must finally confront the battles with not only the people of the valley, but also their consciences, while hoping for salvation. The story ends with Steve and Maria in the control of those wanting their daughter. There are signals, however, that the valley's secrets will be exposed and a reckoning is at hand.

About the author

Born in Hollywood, California, Troy grew up in Ft. Worth, Texas. After graduating from Texas Christian University, he traveled almost completely around the world, courtesy of Uncle Sam. This was the beginning of his life long desire to travel and to experience.

Traveling also gave him the opportunity to combine that passion with photography, selling photos to travel companies. Later, he freelanced for various publications, including Time/Life, Sports Illustrated and Golf Digest. Other interests include sports, mural painting, drawing, and Community Theater.

A career in managerial and investigative work behind him, Troy is pursuing new endeavors, including Tour Management, and of course, writing. Although he has writing and editing credits for articles, and organizational newsletters for past professional interests, Chosen is his first novel.

"Mysteries and thrillers are what I find myself relaxing with, and this is the genre I want to write; the type of story that stimulates me."

Troy lives in Golden, Colorado. His remaining dream is to enjoy the rest of his life by writing for a living.

Archived from the Harris Literary Agency website. The agency's listing is reproduced as published, with contact details removed.

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