Zalor

About the Book

Zalor is a world filled with secrets Trapped in the high-tech world of broadcast journalism, news writer Jason McSwain dreams of the good old days when reporters worked on real newspapers. Then his dream comes true. Banentine Inc., the company that owns the twenty-second century broadcast station transfers Jason to the recently purchased Zalor Observer -- a news publication on the Earth colony of planet Zalor. Due to communication restrictions and a lack of support from Earth, Zalor has evolved into a ranching frontier culture. There, the colonists have learned to domesticate indigenous species as livestock, and to farm edible plants. They also have developed their own folklore; such as the four Strangers -- hooded figures who appear as specters and visit only a select few of the colonists. And then there is the Zalor secret, which the locals do not discuss. On Earth, a growing demand for Zalorian solar crystals has created an upswing in the off-world mining industry and a financial boom is expected to follow. But after Jason arrives and begins to adjust to a lifestyle much different than urban Los Angeles, he learns that one mining company is working to establish an illegal cartel. The colonists, divided over property rights issues and the promise of wealth, split into factions. Faced with the threat of civil war on Zalor, and military intervention from Earth, Jason launches an investigation that reveals dangers far more insidious than anything he could have imagined. He needs to get the information to Earth, but the mining interests have blocked his passage. As his fact finding mission continues, Jason discovers that Zalor is a world that hosts many secrets. But will this revelation stop a pending war? Time is running out for Jason McSwain and the colonists on planet Zalor.

About the Author

Kim VanOver was born in the Appalachian region of eastern Kentucky, but was raised in Florida where he graduated high school. After a 4-year stint in the U.S. Army where he served for about two years as a paratroooper with the 101st Airborne Division (this was before the 101 went off jump status). VanOver also spent two years at Fort Richardson Alaska serving in the regular infantry. After leaving the military service, VanOver traveled for a few years, living in Colorado and Hawaii, before settling in Southern California where in continued his education, majoring in Journalism. During his time as a news reporter, VanOver returned to his first love, science-fiction and fantasy and wrote The Chai’ Cycle. This was followed by the sequel, Rebirth Of The Chai’ and now, the third book in the Chai’ Cycle series, Prodigy - daughter Of The Chai’ Kim VanOver makes his home now in east Texas.