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Obsidian Obsession
“Obsidian Obsession” is a 21st century adventure tied to a centuries-old legend of the Nazca and Inca Indians of Peru. A singular object provides the power to grant any wish to the person possessing the gift. This however comes with the knowledge that upon receiving the wish one will experience an unknown traumatic personal loss as well. This caveat creates an intense emotional warning to all that covet the power.
197 pages, ebook
First published February 21, 2012
19 people are currently reading
1015 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Zak
27 books31 followersMy career has focused on the fine art community as a watercolorist, and the marketing world as a creative designer. Yet, one of my special interests has always been to write fiction novels. Perhaps the best description of my writing would be "grab your buns" adventures. I write for enjoyment and to put the challenges of a full day behind me during those moments. My hope is that my writing accomplishes some “charged” moments for readers as well.
I’d like to thank those that have taken an interest and leave a thought or comment about each story along the way. Input, either positive or negative, is important for creative growth. Yes, there are times when I have to say “ouch” after reading an opinion, but hey, you cared to respond, and I can guaranty it effects a writer’s writing process.
My thoughts on the stories I have on Amazon in order:
“Obsidian Obsession” was the first story to launch a serious attempt to share my work. Two books followed. “Fragile Witness” became a continuation of characters from 'Obsidian' wrapped in a completely new adventure. My third book, “Ghost of a Chance” brought these characters to a finale that even surprised me.
Looking to shake things up a bit, in my fourth book titled “Death Cycle” I left the frantic aspects of dysfunctional governments and settled into the solitude of one man's trip through the Midwest. Surely the title suggests this is no ordinary trip.
As with my first three books Death Cycle spawned an idea for book 5, “Lazarus Protocol,” a blend of crime, morality, personable characters, and of course, dysfunctional government once again. This story is one of my favorites. Just sayin’.
Book 6, “They That Fall,” in short, demonstrates the dilemma and worldly havoc an innocent comment by a weatherman, of all people, can cause when it accidentally goes viral across the Internet. It's an action/adventure ride that threatens world order, while taking you places you’d never expect to go.
Book 7, “The Tailored,” veers from everything I've written to date and thrusts us out to the year 2165. What are some of the possibilities to be faced in 2165? I think some of those "tea leaves" are already evident and predictable if we allow them to happen without a fight. I've attached a two-minute video of "The Tailored" to this biography. It may be a taste of what's ahead. Enjoy!
Book 8, “Derecho Roars.” Have you every noticed how many problems we face are self-inflicted? Perhaps it’s ‘free will,’ inherent in each and every one of us, that may be the culprit. Sprinkle free will with that ‘inquisitiveness gene’ and mankind has an explosive situation on its hands. Somehow we seem to be missing a ‘think before you act’ gene.
“Derecho Roars” walks us into one of those ‘self inflicted’ dilemmas that may not be so far into our future. We’ve sent out the invitations into space without ever knowing who might come to the party. At first we bestow accolades on Shep Ferguson, a young dedicated NASA scientist. Then, in short order, he is singled out to take responsibility, then blame, and ultimately a frantic order to “Do something!” Shep is a good guy caught up in an out of control mindbender that could lead to … you can say it, … extinction.
I’ve attached a 2.5-minute video to my author page that may demonstrate the roller coaster ride you’ll be in for when you enter this Quagmire. Enjoy!
Book 9, “The Shadow Walkers” draws Dr. Brad Reagan into a world that can only be defined as the supernatural. I’ve come to think that around us at every turn we all sense something beyond ourselves; a greater power that perhaps steers our emotions, morality, and daily decisions. Does such a power walk the earth? If so does its reach envelop the universe? We first meet Dr. Reagan at his most vulnerable point as he struggles to save a life that had been rushed into the ER. And that’s the easy part.
I’ve attached a short “Shadow Walker” video to my biography.
I’d like to thank those that have taken an interest and leave a thought or comment about each story along the way. Input, either positive or negative, is important for creative growth. Yes, there are times when I have to say “ouch” after reading an opinion, but hey, you cared to respond, and I can guaranty it effects a writer’s writing process.
My thoughts on the stories I have on Amazon in order:
“Obsidian Obsession” was the first story to launch a serious attempt to share my work. Two books followed. “Fragile Witness” became a continuation of characters from 'Obsidian' wrapped in a completely new adventure. My third book, “Ghost of a Chance” brought these characters to a finale that even surprised me.
Looking to shake things up a bit, in my fourth book titled “Death Cycle” I left the frantic aspects of dysfunctional governments and settled into the solitude of one man's trip through the Midwest. Surely the title suggests this is no ordinary trip.
As with my first three books Death Cycle spawned an idea for book 5, “Lazarus Protocol,” a blend of crime, morality, personable characters, and of course, dysfunctional government once again. This story is one of my favorites. Just sayin’.
Book 6, “They That Fall,” in short, demonstrates the dilemma and worldly havoc an innocent comment by a weatherman, of all people, can cause when it accidentally goes viral across the Internet. It's an action/adventure ride that threatens world order, while taking you places you’d never expect to go.
Book 7, “The Tailored,” veers from everything I've written to date and thrusts us out to the year 2165. What are some of the possibilities to be faced in 2165? I think some of those "tea leaves" are already evident and predictable if we allow them to happen without a fight. I've attached a two-minute video of "The Tailored" to this biography. It may be a taste of what's ahead. Enjoy!
Book 8, “Derecho Roars.” Have you every noticed how many problems we face are self-inflicted? Perhaps it’s ‘free will,’ inherent in each and every one of us, that may be the culprit. Sprinkle free will with that ‘inquisitiveness gene’ and mankind has an explosive situation on its hands. Somehow we seem to be missing a ‘think before you act’ gene.
“Derecho Roars” walks us into one of those ‘self inflicted’ dilemmas that may not be so far into our future. We’ve sent out the invitations into space without ever knowing who might come to the party. At first we bestow accolades on Shep Ferguson, a young dedicated NASA scientist. Then, in short order, he is singled out to take responsibility, then blame, and ultimately a frantic order to “Do something!” Shep is a good guy caught up in an out of control mindbender that could lead to … you can say it, … extinction.
I’ve attached a 2.5-minute video to my author page that may demonstrate the roller coaster ride you’ll be in for when you enter this Quagmire. Enjoy!
Book 9, “The Shadow Walkers” draws Dr. Brad Reagan into a world that can only be defined as the supernatural. I’ve come to think that around us at every turn we all sense something beyond ourselves; a greater power that perhaps steers our emotions, morality, and daily decisions. Does such a power walk the earth? If so does its reach envelop the universe? We first meet Dr. Reagan at his most vulnerable point as he struggles to save a life that had been rushed into the ER. And that’s the easy part.
I’ve attached a short “Shadow Walker” video to my biography.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 20, 2025
4☆
This was a great action packed, Indiana Jones type of read that required no thinking. Just adventure. I admit that there were too many close calls for the group of intrepid relic seekers but it was still a fun journey.
The characters were very clearly good guys or bad guys. There was zero romance involved, which I greatly appreciated, and the friendship between Connor and Delphi was perfect.
There are several typos throughout but they don't effect the story. I guess that can happen when a book is self-published, but a good proofreader can be golden.
The adventures will continue in a second book, Fragile Witness. I intend to read it at some point.
I received a free copy of Obsidian Obsession and I am voluntarily leaving my opinions of this novel. Thank you to the author, publisher and Goodreads for this opportunity.
This was a great action packed, Indiana Jones type of read that required no thinking. Just adventure. I admit that there were too many close calls for the group of intrepid relic seekers but it was still a fun journey.
The characters were very clearly good guys or bad guys. There was zero romance involved, which I greatly appreciated, and the friendship between Connor and Delphi was perfect.
There are several typos throughout but they don't effect the story. I guess that can happen when a book is self-published, but a good proofreader can be golden.
The adventures will continue in a second book, Fragile Witness. I intend to read it at some point.
I received a free copy of Obsidian Obsession and I am voluntarily leaving my opinions of this novel. Thank you to the author, publisher and Goodreads for this opportunity.
May 7, 2018
Well done
October 24, 2015
Delphi, a science teacher, inherited all of her famous explorer uncle’s estate. She brings along her good to friend Connor to help her sort through his stuff and they find that she’s inherited not just a house, but a complete science institute and a mysterious stone along with it.
They decide to join forces with Dan Fallsburn, the director of the institution in tracking down the mystery leading them on a dangerous adventure on Peru. To make it worse, a powerful financier, Ian Radford also wants to find the secret and doesn't care how.
If you want a light-hearted adventure story this is it. It’s an exciting story with a lot of cool scenes that I enjoyed reading. I like the friendship between Delphi and Conner. It’s cute, but there’s no heavy romance to get in the way of the story. Dan’s quick involvement in the search felt too easy for someone Delphi didn’t know. But the later dynamics of the group was great. Poor Conner seemed to get into a lot of problems.
Another thing I like is that the good guys are truly good and the bad guys truly bad without the usual frustrating wishy-washy characters. I don’t mind turn coats or traitors in the ones that are too cowardly to take a side. And I love, love, love the ending.
As to the writing, it’s good, but not on the level of McDermot or Rollins. Some of the conversations and/or actions seemed either stilted or too obvious. And check out my quick thoughts. There are a lot of directional and other errors in here.
Quick Thoughts: 1)Following their travel through Peru their path doesn't make sense. Going from Lima to Huaraz they would have to reverse direction and go back the way they came to Chiquian. There’s a lot of better highways they could have taken to get to Chiquian. And it looks like there’s dirt road they could have taken a 4 wheel truck to get a lot closer than just burros.
2)Urubamba river aka Vilcanota river. Also why would the bad guys be on the east side when the good guys are on the river on the back west side of the city?
3)Trying to look up where the science ministry building is in Lima, I found an article from 2013 that said Peru was hoping to create a science & technology ministry. Hmmmm?
Fave Scenes: the cans of spaghetti, the anaconda, the giant bagworm and Alberto & Sam’s American slang batter
They decide to join forces with Dan Fallsburn, the director of the institution in tracking down the mystery leading them on a dangerous adventure on Peru. To make it worse, a powerful financier, Ian Radford also wants to find the secret and doesn't care how.
If you want a light-hearted adventure story this is it. It’s an exciting story with a lot of cool scenes that I enjoyed reading. I like the friendship between Delphi and Conner. It’s cute, but there’s no heavy romance to get in the way of the story. Dan’s quick involvement in the search felt too easy for someone Delphi didn’t know. But the later dynamics of the group was great. Poor Conner seemed to get into a lot of problems.
Another thing I like is that the good guys are truly good and the bad guys truly bad without the usual frustrating wishy-washy characters. I don’t mind turn coats or traitors in the ones that are too cowardly to take a side. And I love, love, love the ending.
As to the writing, it’s good, but not on the level of McDermot or Rollins. Some of the conversations and/or actions seemed either stilted or too obvious. And check out my quick thoughts. There are a lot of directional and other errors in here.
Quick Thoughts: 1)Following their travel through Peru their path doesn't make sense. Going from Lima to Huaraz they would have to reverse direction and go back the way they came to Chiquian. There’s a lot of better highways they could have taken to get to Chiquian. And it looks like there’s dirt road they could have taken a 4 wheel truck to get a lot closer than just burros.
2)Urubamba river aka Vilcanota river. Also why would the bad guys be on the east side when the good guys are on the river on the back west side of the city?
3)Trying to look up where the science ministry building is in Lima, I found an article from 2013 that said Peru was hoping to create a science & technology ministry. Hmmmm?
Fave Scenes: the cans of spaghetti, the anaconda, the giant bagworm and Alberto & Sam’s American slang batter
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews