The Zackary Richards Guarantee

"It was almost midnight.  The air was cold and crisp and white billowy clouds sailed across the wintry sky.  The giant evergreens of the Adirondack Mountains swayed gently in the breeze, their icy branches sparkling under the light of the full moon.  The air was thick with the smell of pine, birch and cedar.  The sky was covered with stars."

And so Zackary Richards' tale of Frostie the Deadman begins.  The opening descriptive paragraph seems more appropriate for a nice, peaceful, tale of winter hopes and dreams than what Richards unfolds in his first YA novel.

But in the midst of this midwinter's night dream scene, something is lurking in the shadows that is about to disrupt all the snowy white goodness.

Richards continues to lure his readers into this sense of false security, yet quickly begins to mix clever adjectives in with the snow white goodness.

"In the valley below, the wind skipped across the frozen lake like a playful child and danced with the cheery-faced snowmen that had been placed upon its surface . . Snow devils twirled around fence posts . . . In the distance a coy-dog howled."

So far, so good, but do you notice the tone subtly changing?

And just you wait!  Things are about to change from a Hallmark Christmas Card to the Night of the Living Dead real soon!

"Under the light of the full moon, he saw Lucas staring down.  His teeth were clenched and saliva dangled from his chin.  His eyes were wild, like that of a rabid animal. Walks was lost in the moment, lost in the passion.  He raised the club to deliver the final, fatal blow."

Yikes!

Who is this Lucas?  Why is Walks hunting him down?  What has happened to change the picturesque, fictional winter town of Sparks, NY? 

Well, I could tell you, but that would ruin the whole story for you, and since I really want you to read Richard's book, then I recommend that you pick yourself up a copy of Frostie the Deadman to find the answers!  Or you could wait and try to win the copy that we're giving away this month, or wait to borrow it from the library, but you might want to read about the Zackary Richards Guarantee.

Amazon has print copies available, but the Kindle copies are a great deal at $3.99! And here's even better news that might seem too good to be true:  Richards' guarantees that you will love any of his books that if you do not truly love them, he will refund the purchase of the downloaded book within 30 days with receipt!  

Can you believe that?

How many authors do you know would do that?

When I asked Richards about this odd practice he said,  "I have thrown out far more books than I have read. Primarily because the author forgot that it is his/her responsibility to entertain the reader. To often they get so impressed with their own artistry, they forget they are on the clock. I know times are tough and money's tight so if you don't like my book or if its simply not your thing, I'll refund your money. This way my readers will see I'm on the up and up and perhaps recommend me to someone he/she feels would enjoy my work."

Impressive!

Well, I have read the first three chapters so far, and love it and recommend it to all you lovers of Young Adult Fiction-especially for Halloween.  You won't be disappointed!  Richards' guarantees it!