Mind Trap

by Tony Ruggiero

Eppie 2003 Finalist—Best Science Fiction! Sime~Gen Reviewers Choice Award Finalist—Favorite Science Fiction! The Presidential press conference was supposed to be an exciting announcement that the world finally had a space drive capable of allowing them to explore the planets...and, eventually, the stars. But then tabloid reporter Ray Schume turns it into an inquisition, accusing President Edward Samuel and his assistant, Sarah Ferguson, of being part of an alien conspiracy to conquer Earth. What's more, he says he has an alien corpse to prove it. The worst part the reporter is right, but the United Council for Developing Worlds is supposed to be a well-kept secret. Who revealed its presence to Schume? And is there a connection between the reporter who knows too much and the vivid nightmares UCDW leader Greg Carlson is having, the ones filled with the nerve-shattering laughter of a madman?

216 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

About the author

Tony Ruggiero is best known for his dark fantasy thrillers about vampires being used by the US military. Ground breaking and fast paced, the novels are a characteristic mixture of the vampire lore of Anne Rice and the clandestine secrets of the military found in Tom Clancy novels. The concept led to a series of books released in 2006 through 2010, labeled the Team of Darkness Declassified Files. The books include: Operation Immortal Servitude, Operation Save the Innocent, Operation Face the Fear, and Operation Endgame.
A longtime favorite for Tony is the old style of “space opera” type stories which is the center of his two book series: Alien Deception and Alien Revelation. The series deals with an alien organization that has infiltrated the American political system. The series runs the gauntlet from humorous and light hearted to deadly serious as a young man and woman search for answers.
His latest release is Coven. Little towns and secrets: a guilty pleasure for some and a harsh reality for others. Witches have secretly been in control of the town council for years and the town has prospered...until now. As they search for the truth behind the mysterious death of one of their shop owners, they uncover disturbing secrets about an ostracized witch and their own coven leader, making it unclear which one may have been using black magic to murder.
Tony retired from the United States Navy in 2001 after twenty-three years of service. He and his family currently reside in Portsmouth, Virginia. While continuing to write, Tony teaches at Old Dominion University and Saint Leo University. Visit his website to read sample chapters at www.tonyruggiero.com