What is the real relationship between gods, goddesses, and their followers? That's just one of the questions asked and answered in the enthralling new novel -- Nepenthes -- by John A. Schmidt. Lord Mystery previously had what could be considered a perfect life. He lived in the Valley of the Timeless Towers, a place of overwhelming beauty, had plenty of delicious food and drink, and except for companionship, all his needs were beautifully met. But one day he begins to have disturbing dreams about a woman he calls the Weeping Lady. She's in trouble somehow, held captive and longing to be free. Driven by his desire for her, Lord Mystery sets out to find this woman and set her free.
But along the way, he meets Jennifer, who guides him, and he discovers that the Weeping Lady is really a goddess. Although his devotion to the Weeping Lady remains unshakable, he can't help but struggle with his attraction to his adorable guide, Jennifer. The journey becomes more and more difficult and fraught with dangers, leading to an outcome none could imagine. Inspired by Schmidt's own dreams of the Timeless Towers, Nepenthes is both a beautifully written and masterfully told fantasy novel that is filled with humor, love, and drama. Schmidt artfully explores the symbiotic relationship between divine beings and their faithful followers. He also explores the sadness beneath great beauty, and the power of dreams and how they can guide us to great adventure. Whether you are a lover of fantasy-adventure or you are just looking for your next great read, Nepenthes is sure to satisfy and delight you, even as it announces the debut of a talented new author. Note from the author: My version of Provisional-Polytheism contends that: if there is a Goddess or God, then there are almost certainly many goddesses or gods; they are neither omnipotent nor omniscient, only extraordinarily powerful and probably immortal; and the relationships between goddesses and gods and their believers are symbiotic and synergistic. You see, the nature of goddesses and gods is such that their believers gain strength from them and they, in turn, are strengthened by the faith of their followers. I have come to believe that sometimes dreams cross the barrier into reality. I also believe that the journey is as important or more important than the destination because one lends meaning to the other and the greater part of our lives are lived during the journey.
About the Author: Author, John A Schmidt was raised on a farm in central Missouri, primarily by his mother, due to his father's death when John was eight. For some years after graduating from high school, he drifted from job to job and attended junior college sporadically. For entertainment, he and most of his close friends partied and participated in informal (illegal) road races. He eventually married his first wife, got serious about college, was awarded a BA in Mathematics from the University of Missouri in Kansas City, then moved to California. John became a computer programmer/analyst for income and founded a small church, which he pastored for about ten years. "The Church of the Random Blessing" had nearly forty members during its heyday and was sanctioned by the Universal Life Church. Time eventually brings decay: John's congregation moved on as did his wife. There followed; a year of desperation, a couple of years of enjoying being single, and eventually meeting the beloved Evelyn to whom John is currently wed. They remained together in Los Angeles until 1994 when his employer moved to Kansas City, Missouri where they bought a home in the country about forty-five minutes from the city. After taking early retirement, he worked for a while as a computer consultant before becoming a full-time writer.