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Excalibur Saga #1
The Secret of Excalibur
Hi, I’m Arthur Merlin. I used to be an ordinary guy, until a freak accident changed my life. Now my friends are afraid of me, and so am I. See, I developed superpowers: telepathy, pyrokinesis and telekinesis, to name a few.
The US government wanted to control me. But how do you control someone who can teleport anywhere he wants to in a blink of an eye? Fed up with their shenanigans, I headed for the Institute of Psychic Research in London.
But something is pulling me; calling me, and I don’t know what. I ended up at Lake George, where sightings of The Lady of the Lake and Excalibur have been reported. With the help of Dr. Burns and Commander Dobie, we uncovered the secrets of the lake, but they’re more than anyone imagined.
What would I sacrifice to save the world from Excalibur?
The US government wanted to control me. But how do you control someone who can teleport anywhere he wants to in a blink of an eye? Fed up with their shenanigans, I headed for the Institute of Psychic Research in London.
But something is pulling me; calling me, and I don’t know what. I ended up at Lake George, where sightings of The Lady of the Lake and Excalibur have been reported. With the help of Dr. Burns and Commander Dobie, we uncovered the secrets of the lake, but they’re more than anyone imagined.
What would I sacrifice to save the world from Excalibur?
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2014
37 people are currently reading
630 people want to read
About the author
Sahara Foley
20 books166 followersBorn and raised in Omaha Ne. I met the love of my life here and we were together for 30 years before he passed on 12-25-12. The stories that I'm publishing are his brain children. He loved writing, but never had any luck getting his stories published back in the late 1980's and early 1990's.
So now, with the advent of self-publishing and him glaring over my shoulder, I'm finally able to bring his children to life for the world of readers. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have. He had a wonderful but dark imagination. So much of himself and me are in these characters.
As authors our recognition comes from readers and their reviews. So please leave a review, whether good or bad, when done. They will be very much appreciated. Thank you.
So now, with the advent of self-publishing and him glaring over my shoulder, I'm finally able to bring his children to life for the world of readers. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have. He had a wonderful but dark imagination. So much of himself and me are in these characters.
As authors our recognition comes from readers and their reviews. So please leave a review, whether good or bad, when done. They will be very much appreciated. Thank you.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
April 3, 2016
The Secret of Excalibur by Sahara Foley is a delightfully entertaining, though unbelievable, science fiction tale. Arthur Merlin has abilities that no other human has. He's been experiment with, and all attempts by government agencies to control him have utterly failed. He is drawn to England and there the adventure begins. You think you know what he will find, then you realize it's going to something else, all to find out neither happens as you expect. The story only seemed predictable.
I had a few giggles while reading the book. There was one time the authors status as a Midwesterner really peeked through. She compared some food in England with the Midwest's Runza food phenomenon. Only a native, or someone who lives in a limited region of the Midwest USA, would understand the reference.
I did find a few things that editing missed; a couple places where the wrong word was used but it was spelled so close to the intended word that I knew what was meant and didn't let it ruin my enjoyment. If it were a movie I'd say it was one of those grade B science fiction stories that are entertainingly unbelievable. Cotton candy for the brain, which is also how I describe books like The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.
If you're in the mood to curl up on the couch and do some light reading this one will fit the bill.
I had a few giggles while reading the book. There was one time the authors status as a Midwesterner really peeked through. She compared some food in England with the Midwest's Runza food phenomenon. Only a native, or someone who lives in a limited region of the Midwest USA, would understand the reference.
I did find a few things that editing missed; a couple places where the wrong word was used but it was spelled so close to the intended word that I knew what was meant and didn't let it ruin my enjoyment. If it were a movie I'd say it was one of those grade B science fiction stories that are entertainingly unbelievable. Cotton candy for the brain, which is also how I describe books like The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.
If you're in the mood to curl up on the couch and do some light reading this one will fit the bill.
January 30, 2015
Please don't get confused between King Arthur, Merlin, and the hero here. Arthur Merlin is a modern day man, who finds himself with special powers. Although he doesn't quite understand them or why he has them, he has drawn interest from various government agencies, who'd love to get their hands on them.
No Spoilers! Meeting Dr.Ruth Burns is a fortuitous event for Arthur. With her, he manages to delve into his past, uncover a riddle from legend, and find answers related to, The lady of the lake..
This is a quirky tale, mixing legend and fantasy with a modern twist of super hero with an array of powers. Ms Foley delivers a good story with plenty of plots going on throughout. The writing was straightforward and smooth. I really enjoyed the characters and supporting characters, who were equally well developed.
I'm very happy that I picked this up.
No Spoilers! Meeting Dr.Ruth Burns is a fortuitous event for Arthur. With her, he manages to delve into his past, uncover a riddle from legend, and find answers related to, The lady of the lake..
This is a quirky tale, mixing legend and fantasy with a modern twist of super hero with an array of powers. Ms Foley delivers a good story with plenty of plots going on throughout. The writing was straightforward and smooth. I really enjoyed the characters and supporting characters, who were equally well developed.
I'm very happy that I picked this up.
April 7, 2015
‘Sex Scally Bond’ (Excalibur?) Or rather: ‘The name’s Merlin… Arthur Merlin.’
I don’t want to say too much about the book’s story – I think too much has been said about that already, and, after all, it’s up to us to find out for ourselves. And besides, it doesn’t take long to find out; this book moves along, reads, as rapidly as a Bond film.
The story is narrated by our mind-reading super-powered hero, Arthur Merlin, and when he’s not around, the author affords us the choice of either assuming she has taken over as omniscient author, or – and this is clever – that Arthur is still telling the tale because he can be where he wants when he wants…
Clever.
But back to the “Bond” thing. I can’t help thinking that, along with his own experiences, had ‘The Paranormal’ been so big in Ian Fleming’s day, he might have written something like this. Arthur Merlin is a wonderful fantasy figure, though hardly the alpha hero in that, to be honest, he’s very tongue-in-cheek too: he’s non-negotiable on most things – as for terrorists, they’ve got no chance – he’s a governmental loose cannon… Oh, and he has a sex-drive like mine. Except he can pull it off, as it were – hell, he can even convert the staunchest lesbian to come out of the closet and see what she’s missing: a man. He’s a real man, you see, and he just can’t get enough. Anyone remember Bond doing that, by the way? Well, Arthur can spy on her taking a shower while pouring brandies in the kitchen. Can Bond do that? No!
Maybe I’m exaggerating a tad, but the book is great fun.
And then there’s the whole King Arthur angle, adding a whole new dimension – Bond meets Merlin, it’s a fantasy world gone mad. And yet the author somehow pulls it off; she has a wonderful imagination.
I recommend this book to anyone wondering what to do at the weekend. Escapism at its best.
I don’t want to say too much about the book’s story – I think too much has been said about that already, and, after all, it’s up to us to find out for ourselves. And besides, it doesn’t take long to find out; this book moves along, reads, as rapidly as a Bond film.
The story is narrated by our mind-reading super-powered hero, Arthur Merlin, and when he’s not around, the author affords us the choice of either assuming she has taken over as omniscient author, or – and this is clever – that Arthur is still telling the tale because he can be where he wants when he wants…
Clever.
But back to the “Bond” thing. I can’t help thinking that, along with his own experiences, had ‘The Paranormal’ been so big in Ian Fleming’s day, he might have written something like this. Arthur Merlin is a wonderful fantasy figure, though hardly the alpha hero in that, to be honest, he’s very tongue-in-cheek too: he’s non-negotiable on most things – as for terrorists, they’ve got no chance – he’s a governmental loose cannon… Oh, and he has a sex-drive like mine. Except he can pull it off, as it were – hell, he can even convert the staunchest lesbian to come out of the closet and see what she’s missing: a man. He’s a real man, you see, and he just can’t get enough. Anyone remember Bond doing that, by the way? Well, Arthur can spy on her taking a shower while pouring brandies in the kitchen. Can Bond do that? No!
Maybe I’m exaggerating a tad, but the book is great fun.
And then there’s the whole King Arthur angle, adding a whole new dimension – Bond meets Merlin, it’s a fantasy world gone mad. And yet the author somehow pulls it off; she has a wonderful imagination.
I recommend this book to anyone wondering what to do at the weekend. Escapism at its best.
July 16, 2017
Magic. Myth. Power. Who wouldn't love a story with these elements, especially when they whirlwind around the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table?
I for one have been a huge fan of medieval legends, so reading a story that intertwines King Arthur's tale with modern-day action and suspense was beyond exciting. Not only does Sahara Foley weave a fascinating and passionate story that's centered on Arthur Merlin and his love interest Ruth, but she was able to lay the book's foundation around the actual myths and legends of Excalibur. The time and research this author put in really shows in her writing, and has made this story not only hard to put down but extremely entertaining to read. If I had to leave a critical remark, it would only be my personal opinion regarding the aliens, which I thought was a little different/weird. But hey, it's fantasy! It makes the story that much more interesting. I consider this book a total must read for anyone who likes a little action with their fantasy and romance.
I for one have been a huge fan of medieval legends, so reading a story that intertwines King Arthur's tale with modern-day action and suspense was beyond exciting. Not only does Sahara Foley weave a fascinating and passionate story that's centered on Arthur Merlin and his love interest Ruth, but she was able to lay the book's foundation around the actual myths and legends of Excalibur. The time and research this author put in really shows in her writing, and has made this story not only hard to put down but extremely entertaining to read. If I had to leave a critical remark, it would only be my personal opinion regarding the aliens, which I thought was a little different/weird. But hey, it's fantasy! It makes the story that much more interesting. I consider this book a total must read for anyone who likes a little action with their fantasy and romance.
May 17, 2015
I read a lot. Rarely do I find a book that captures my attention from beginning to end. Couldn't Put It Down! The author has really gone above and beyond using modern twists on legends that make the story so believable. I kind of expected the usual tale of finding the treasure of excalibur or something along those lines. This was so much more! The relationship between Ruth and Arthur was great. Yes, there were some steamy sex scenes and I normally just skip over them because I blush too much or get disgusted at some of the more graphic ones, but these were well written. You don't understand why there was so much sex going on till the very end and then you get it.
The imaginative twists of using aliens with the legendary Excalibur was brilliant and skillfully crafted. I really liked the secondary characters of this book. They weren't just fillers, you got a chance to really enjoy them and their own twists and turns.
Except for a few minor typos that are hardly noticeable and putting a sexual situations disclaimer on it, I think this book would be great for anyone to read that is over the age of 16. It has something for everyone! Sci Fi Fans, Romance, Adult, Fantasy, you name it, all the genre's are covered. WELL DONE!
The imaginative twists of using aliens with the legendary Excalibur was brilliant and skillfully crafted. I really liked the secondary characters of this book. They weren't just fillers, you got a chance to really enjoy them and their own twists and turns.
Except for a few minor typos that are hardly noticeable and putting a sexual situations disclaimer on it, I think this book would be great for anyone to read that is over the age of 16. It has something for everyone! Sci Fi Fans, Romance, Adult, Fantasy, you name it, all the genre's are covered. WELL DONE!
March 4, 2015
This book has been on my TBR for a long time, making my fingers itch as I’ve really wanted to read it, but the timing has always been on my way. You see, I’ve read bits and pieces, from this book and I knew it would be an excellent read. A book I wanted to savor instead of rushing into it without my mind elsewhere.
Oh, boy! Did this book deliver! Sahara Foley has definitely brought something new and refreshing on the Arthurian tales. A twist, I didn’t see coming, and glued me on the pages until the very end. A well known legend has been mixed with a modern time. The truth about Excalibur has been questioned…what really happened? What did they leave out when the legend was born? But, but, but…if you’re looking for a traditional way of presenting this legendary story, you’ve come to the wrong show, as that is not the case here. Sahara Foley has turned the cup upside down and created something completely new and unique.
Kudos for the author! This book was so good, I’m still purring in my imaginary medieval-ish dress, enjoying the magic and science whirling around me! Prepare to be stunned as this story will blow your mind! Excellent!
Oh, boy! Did this book deliver! Sahara Foley has definitely brought something new and refreshing on the Arthurian tales. A twist, I didn’t see coming, and glued me on the pages until the very end. A well known legend has been mixed with a modern time. The truth about Excalibur has been questioned…what really happened? What did they leave out when the legend was born? But, but, but…if you’re looking for a traditional way of presenting this legendary story, you’ve come to the wrong show, as that is not the case here. Sahara Foley has turned the cup upside down and created something completely new and unique.
Kudos for the author! This book was so good, I’m still purring in my imaginary medieval-ish dress, enjoying the magic and science whirling around me! Prepare to be stunned as this story will blow your mind! Excellent!
May 21, 2015
Wow! I am a romance reader and had a small concern about the fantasy world, but the synopsis of the story drew me. I'm happy that I chose it. Ms. Foley writes a story of intrigue, humor, magic, suspense, hilarity and romance that immediately drew my attention, keeping me from putting it down.
After an accident, Arthur Merlin is left with supernatural powers that put fear in his friends and the desire of the government to control him. Something pulled him to England where he met Dr. Ruth Burns. They tear up the sheets. But, he is drawn to The Lady of the Lake and the legendary sword Excalibur which old stories say it lies at the bottom of the lake.
You will enjoy the twists, turns, action, romance and supporting characters in The Secret of Excalibur. Ms. Foley brings to life the emotions, pain and joy of characters. You will feel as if you were watching the story develop before your eyes. The storyline flows well and the main character, and even the supporting characters, are well-developed. The end surprised and pleased me.
Ms Foley is a talented writer. I look forward to reading her work again.
After an accident, Arthur Merlin is left with supernatural powers that put fear in his friends and the desire of the government to control him. Something pulled him to England where he met Dr. Ruth Burns. They tear up the sheets. But, he is drawn to The Lady of the Lake and the legendary sword Excalibur which old stories say it lies at the bottom of the lake.
You will enjoy the twists, turns, action, romance and supporting characters in The Secret of Excalibur. Ms. Foley brings to life the emotions, pain and joy of characters. You will feel as if you were watching the story develop before your eyes. The storyline flows well and the main character, and even the supporting characters, are well-developed. The end surprised and pleased me.
Ms Foley is a talented writer. I look forward to reading her work again.
May 28, 2015
A great twist on a popular legend.
It was actually a one star review that prompted me to read this book, and I'm so gad I did. One thing I must say up front is that this book is set in the 1980's, so attitudes weren't as politically correct back then. It's actually refreshing to see a bit of good old fashioned male chauvinism...only don't tell the wife, okay?
The story is about a guy, Arthur Merlin, who possesses extraordinary, superhero like powers. There is a suggestion that the CIA tried to control him, before he turns up at a psychic institute in England. There he meets Ruth, a prickly lesbian doctor. I won't ruin it for you, but the fireworks between them form the core of a great book.
I will admit that the first person POV took me a while to get used to, but after a couple of excellently written chapters I really enjoyed it.
The Arthurian theme takes a huge twist at the end of the book, turning the whole legend on it's head, and I cannot wait for book two. There is a story here that needs to be told, and Sahara Foley is the one to tell it!
It was actually a one star review that prompted me to read this book, and I'm so gad I did. One thing I must say up front is that this book is set in the 1980's, so attitudes weren't as politically correct back then. It's actually refreshing to see a bit of good old fashioned male chauvinism...only don't tell the wife, okay?
The story is about a guy, Arthur Merlin, who possesses extraordinary, superhero like powers. There is a suggestion that the CIA tried to control him, before he turns up at a psychic institute in England. There he meets Ruth, a prickly lesbian doctor. I won't ruin it for you, but the fireworks between them form the core of a great book.
I will admit that the first person POV took me a while to get used to, but after a couple of excellently written chapters I really enjoyed it.
The Arthurian theme takes a huge twist at the end of the book, turning the whole legend on it's head, and I cannot wait for book two. There is a story here that needs to be told, and Sahara Foley is the one to tell it!
July 4, 2016
This was a very unique and exciting take on the legend of Excalibur. A man, gifted with many amazing talents, is drawn to England from America where he teams up with a division of MI6 and meets a feisty lady with demons of her own.
Romance, mystery, and humor all underscore this unimaginable adventure to discover the secrets of the Lady of the Lake. Just when you think you know where it's going, the story shifts and you're left clueless again. Make another prediction, and BAM! It shifts again and you're left reeling. I love that- when the story is unpredictable and exciting.
My one negative- and it's a minor one- is the fact that our main character called his love interest "kid." She is in her thirties, and the moniker just kind of annoyed me, particularly at the end when he was using it every other sentence. The author is from the midwest, so it could be a regional thing that I don't understand.
Overall, I really liked the story. I can't wait to see what happens next and have the sequel: "The Revenge of Excalibur" already lined up on my Kindle to start tomorrow! Great job!
Romance, mystery, and humor all underscore this unimaginable adventure to discover the secrets of the Lady of the Lake. Just when you think you know where it's going, the story shifts and you're left clueless again. Make another prediction, and BAM! It shifts again and you're left reeling. I love that- when the story is unpredictable and exciting.
My one negative- and it's a minor one- is the fact that our main character called his love interest "kid." She is in her thirties, and the moniker just kind of annoyed me, particularly at the end when he was using it every other sentence. The author is from the midwest, so it could be a regional thing that I don't understand.
Overall, I really liked the story. I can't wait to see what happens next and have the sequel: "The Revenge of Excalibur" already lined up on my Kindle to start tomorrow! Great job!
May 27, 2015
When Arthur Merlin turns up at a facility in England, claiming to have strange powers, Ruth isn't really impressed. However, when it becomes clear he's not your average person, she finds herself falling for the charming man. The two embark on a journey to find out the mystery behind something Ruth saw many years ago. The result is something they both are unprepared for.
Although I'm not a huge fan of first person, present tense, I did enjoy this novel. I liked the characters and there was a smattering of humor though out the text. It's admirable that Miss Foley is taking the work of her husband forward for publication. I did feel a bit disappointed at the end because I wanted to know what happened afterwards! I hope there is a sequel in the pipeline.
Although I'm not a huge fan of first person, present tense, I did enjoy this novel. I liked the characters and there was a smattering of humor though out the text. It's admirable that Miss Foley is taking the work of her husband forward for publication. I did feel a bit disappointed at the end because I wanted to know what happened afterwards! I hope there is a sequel in the pipeline.
July 29, 2015
Lots of grammatical and spelling errors in this book, i.e., ‘cheak’ in every instance for the word cheek. Dialogues start and end with an *. Sentences are run-ons, i.e., YESYESYESYES. She writes. *They exploded in flames as the UFO flew over us, and I swear the water was boiling in its wake. I can’t imagine the velocity need for the water to boil kid, and from take off.* (UN BE LI EV AB LE, They’ll lock us away, Arthur.) “She lays her head and cries then she starts sobbing.” “TAP – Arthur, don’t you realize the problems you were having before took off last night?” I shake emphatically, NO. This one was not in quotes or *. There were several written this way. I could go on and on. I wanted to scream. This needs SERIOUS PROFESSIONAL EDITING. A complete waste of my money! Save yours!
September 23, 2016
This is a fascinating take on the story of Excalibur and not at all what I expected. It's well written and quirky and I enjoyed it. The plot constantly twists and throws you off the scent. The tension in the book is palpable and I was definitely terrified at points, especially during the underwater scenes.
The ending was wacky and deeply sci-fi in the finish which I should've seen coming, but didn't. I will definitely read this author again.
The ending was wacky and deeply sci-fi in the finish which I should've seen coming, but didn't. I will definitely read this author again.
January 17, 2015
Bright and amusing, an easy read. Inverted legends For young adults and those young at heart.
January 17, 2015
Fun read!
January 18, 2015
Loved this magical tale... fantasy at its best!
March 21, 2017
Excalibur
This story perfectly combines two imperfect humans in a moving, exciting tale that keeps the reader guessing what will happen next. Paranormal meets Star Trek, a must for those who enjoy both genres.
This story perfectly combines two imperfect humans in a moving, exciting tale that keeps the reader guessing what will happen next. Paranormal meets Star Trek, a must for those who enjoy both genres.
March 22, 2017
Great story of Excalibur. Definitely not what you'd expect! I loved it! This is my second book by Sahara Foley. She's an excellent author!
March 18, 2015
As a fantasy fan, the legend of King Arthur, Merlin, and Excalibur are some of my favorite themes to read. When I saw the cover for Sahara Foley’s The Secret of Excalibur, I decided I had to read it!
Synopsis (from the author): Hi, I’m Arthur Merlin. I used to be an ordinary guy, until a freak accident changed my life. Now my friends are afraid of me, and so am I. See, I developed superpowers: telepathy, pyrokinesis and telekinesis, to name a few.
The US government wanted to control me. But how do you control someone who can teleport anywhere he wants to in a blink of an eye? Fed up with their shenanigans, I headed for the Institute of Psychic Research in London.
But something is pulling me; calling me, and I don’t know what. I ended up at Lake George, where sightings of The Lady of the Lake and Excalibur have been reported. With the help of Dr. Burns and Commander Dobie, we uncovered the secrets of the lake, but they’re more than anyone imagined.
What would I sacrifice to save the world from Excalibur?
What I liked: The book had a nice blend of action and romance. I thought the use of the psychic ability Arthur possessed was a great vehicle to move the story forward. The relationship between Ruth and Arthur was steamy, and fun. Commander Dobie was a perfect bureaucrat always looking to use a situation to his or her advantage. One of the highlights for me was the revelations about Excalibur. Very interesting take on the legend of King Arthur, The Lady of the Lake, and the sword. The ending surprised me, but you’ll get no spoilers from me!
What I didn’t like: I could have used a little more background on Arthur and how his powers developed. The sexual transition Ruth experienced with Arthur was a little too predictable for me, and I still haven’t figured out the submarines. Lastly, the some of the sex scenes seemed gratuitous and didn’t add to the story.
Overall impression: I liked the story, really liked the characters, and loved the twist at the end. I would recommend it to anyone over 18, who likes a little steamy sex with their fantasy read!
My rating: 4 Stars
Synopsis (from the author): Hi, I’m Arthur Merlin. I used to be an ordinary guy, until a freak accident changed my life. Now my friends are afraid of me, and so am I. See, I developed superpowers: telepathy, pyrokinesis and telekinesis, to name a few.
The US government wanted to control me. But how do you control someone who can teleport anywhere he wants to in a blink of an eye? Fed up with their shenanigans, I headed for the Institute of Psychic Research in London.
But something is pulling me; calling me, and I don’t know what. I ended up at Lake George, where sightings of The Lady of the Lake and Excalibur have been reported. With the help of Dr. Burns and Commander Dobie, we uncovered the secrets of the lake, but they’re more than anyone imagined.
What would I sacrifice to save the world from Excalibur?
What I liked: The book had a nice blend of action and romance. I thought the use of the psychic ability Arthur possessed was a great vehicle to move the story forward. The relationship between Ruth and Arthur was steamy, and fun. Commander Dobie was a perfect bureaucrat always looking to use a situation to his or her advantage. One of the highlights for me was the revelations about Excalibur. Very interesting take on the legend of King Arthur, The Lady of the Lake, and the sword. The ending surprised me, but you’ll get no spoilers from me!
What I didn’t like: I could have used a little more background on Arthur and how his powers developed. The sexual transition Ruth experienced with Arthur was a little too predictable for me, and I still haven’t figured out the submarines. Lastly, the some of the sex scenes seemed gratuitous and didn’t add to the story.
Overall impression: I liked the story, really liked the characters, and loved the twist at the end. I would recommend it to anyone over 18, who likes a little steamy sex with their fantasy read!
My rating: 4 Stars
March 31, 2015
The Secret of Excalibur by Sahara Foley is a fantasy with humor throughout. This author’s ability at producing one-liners, either spoken or in the protagonist’s head, kept me shaking mine and even laughing out loud. I never laughed so hard as when the protagonist, Arthur Merlin, ends up landing on his backside in a pan of hot grease and two frying fish and then crashes into the fire pit. The hilarity just keeps going with Foley’s ability to make this serious scene something riotous. I stopped where I was and read this chapter twice and was laughing so hard I cried. Foley’s ability to tell a tale is not only amazing, so is her penchant for detail and defining people’s emotions, actions and reactions accurately to make the story seem real.
I found the dialog of each character perfect. Not only did the dialog move the story forward, it is astounding how Foley can comes up with the perfect verbiage for each character. Not one character sounded the same as another. Characters pushed and pulled at one another according to their personalities, ideals, wants and needs. This story has so many elements to it that it’s difficult to talk about the plot without creating spoilers.
This author’s new spin on an Arthurian tale is an extreme example of creativity at its best. This story is told from the mind of the male protagonist. While many people try to write a character of the opposite sex, I found nothing to fault in the way Arthur Merlin lives through the plot. His attitude is very male, and all the characters personalities are perfectly defined and honest. Even the paranormal events in this story feel real. Foley must have a raucous attitude when writing. I picture her laughing when writing what she has conjured for a story.
I cannot read another book right now, not until both the extreme hilarity and the shock of this story wears off. I loved this incredible fantasy and love this author’s writing. If you like reading extreme tales, this one will take you possibly where you’ve never been before.
I found the dialog of each character perfect. Not only did the dialog move the story forward, it is astounding how Foley can comes up with the perfect verbiage for each character. Not one character sounded the same as another. Characters pushed and pulled at one another according to their personalities, ideals, wants and needs. This story has so many elements to it that it’s difficult to talk about the plot without creating spoilers.
This author’s new spin on an Arthurian tale is an extreme example of creativity at its best. This story is told from the mind of the male protagonist. While many people try to write a character of the opposite sex, I found nothing to fault in the way Arthur Merlin lives through the plot. His attitude is very male, and all the characters personalities are perfectly defined and honest. Even the paranormal events in this story feel real. Foley must have a raucous attitude when writing. I picture her laughing when writing what she has conjured for a story.
I cannot read another book right now, not until both the extreme hilarity and the shock of this story wears off. I loved this incredible fantasy and love this author’s writing. If you like reading extreme tales, this one will take you possibly where you’ve never been before.
April 12, 2015
The Secret of Excalibur by Sahara Foley is a fantasy about a modern day young man named Arthur Merlin, who struggles with mastering his phenomenal psychic powers.
After a head injury that gave him incredible psychic abilities like pyrokinesis, astral projection, telekinesis, and resistance to nuclear explosions, Arthur is finding his way in life. His new abilities frightened old friends. Now, he wanders. No government agency or military can hold him because he teleports to safety at the first sign of boredom.
His journey has landed him in London. At a paranormal studies lab affiliated with MI6, he finds a lovely telekinesis expert named Doctor Ruth Burns. His powers make for an unusual romance. He ends up working for the government, and the dangerous work turns Arthur’s life into an exciting twirl.
But something draws him to a mysterious lake shrouded in Arthurian lore. The Lady of the Lake, and the legend of the sword Excalibur waiting in its depths, is a mystery that only Arthur’s fantastic powers can unravel. The truth under the waters is nothing like Arthur imagined.
The Secret of Excalibur is a delightful entwining of Arthurian mythos, a modern Merlin, and clever supporting characters. Arthur, despite his fantastic powers, is an ethical young man with a refreshing innocence. Ruth is a brainy and practical counterpoint to Arthur’s impulsive approach to life. The plot kept me guessing, and I could not wait to learn what was waiting in the lake. Contrary to the legends, Arthur’s fate was a delightful surprise.
For readers who are fans of King Arthur stories, The Secret of Excalibur is a satisfying blend of the legend with a modern day wizard. Be warned, because the real sword under the lake is nothing like the legend.
After a head injury that gave him incredible psychic abilities like pyrokinesis, astral projection, telekinesis, and resistance to nuclear explosions, Arthur is finding his way in life. His new abilities frightened old friends. Now, he wanders. No government agency or military can hold him because he teleports to safety at the first sign of boredom.
His journey has landed him in London. At a paranormal studies lab affiliated with MI6, he finds a lovely telekinesis expert named Doctor Ruth Burns. His powers make for an unusual romance. He ends up working for the government, and the dangerous work turns Arthur’s life into an exciting twirl.
But something draws him to a mysterious lake shrouded in Arthurian lore. The Lady of the Lake, and the legend of the sword Excalibur waiting in its depths, is a mystery that only Arthur’s fantastic powers can unravel. The truth under the waters is nothing like Arthur imagined.
The Secret of Excalibur is a delightful entwining of Arthurian mythos, a modern Merlin, and clever supporting characters. Arthur, despite his fantastic powers, is an ethical young man with a refreshing innocence. Ruth is a brainy and practical counterpoint to Arthur’s impulsive approach to life. The plot kept me guessing, and I could not wait to learn what was waiting in the lake. Contrary to the legends, Arthur’s fate was a delightful surprise.
For readers who are fans of King Arthur stories, The Secret of Excalibur is a satisfying blend of the legend with a modern day wizard. Be warned, because the real sword under the lake is nothing like the legend.
September 9, 2016
The story idea behind this book was very interesting. Learning about the history of the Lady in the Lake and the Excalibur was entertaining. The writing flowed well. The main character, Arthur had some amazing powers there! It was fun to watch him do what he could. I did find him to be very arrogant, although he mentioned in the beginning of the book that he was told to always remain humble.
I liked Ruth, the love interest, a lot and would have loved to have read some chapters from her POV instead of other smaller characters. It would have been nice to hear her side of the story and what she was feeling throughout.
I did agree with other reviewers that the first half of the book had a lot of back story, explaining, chatting, history, and it slowed the pace. Some scenes I thought were maybe just filler scenes.
The plot twist at the end was not expected at all and kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to get to the the last few chapters as fast as I could. It was an interesting twist from how the book started.
The only thing i didnt like was how Arthur manipulated Ruth throughout the book. She had a sad, horrible past and he didnt seem to care. I'm not sure if Ruth really did fall in love with him in 5 days or it was his mind control that made her, but with her traumatic past and how she chose a different romantic path for her life, I didnt like that he disregarded that from day one. It turned me off from him for the rest of the book. What he did to her at the end was unkind, regardless of his reasons. Ruth was nothing but loyal no matter what he asked of her. Not sure how she was okay with that. I felt that was unbelievable.
All in all a good read for those into myths and legends.
I liked Ruth, the love interest, a lot and would have loved to have read some chapters from her POV instead of other smaller characters. It would have been nice to hear her side of the story and what she was feeling throughout.
I did agree with other reviewers that the first half of the book had a lot of back story, explaining, chatting, history, and it slowed the pace. Some scenes I thought were maybe just filler scenes.
The plot twist at the end was not expected at all and kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to get to the the last few chapters as fast as I could. It was an interesting twist from how the book started.
The only thing i didnt like was how Arthur manipulated Ruth throughout the book. She had a sad, horrible past and he didnt seem to care. I'm not sure if Ruth really did fall in love with him in 5 days or it was his mind control that made her, but with her traumatic past and how she chose a different romantic path for her life, I didnt like that he disregarded that from day one. It turned me off from him for the rest of the book. What he did to her at the end was unkind, regardless of his reasons. Ruth was nothing but loyal no matter what he asked of her. Not sure how she was okay with that. I felt that was unbelievable.
All in all a good read for those into myths and legends.
June 17, 2015
Reviewed by Michelle Stanley for Readers' Favorite
“A mind is a terrible thing to waste,” but sometimes necessary when saving your own life, and telekinetic Arthur Merlin finds himself damaging a few in The Secret of Excalibur by Sahara Foley.
Arthur, who possesses paranormal powers countries want to control, teleports himself to the Institute of Psychic Research in London to demonstrate his skills, and becomes Doctor Ruth Burns’ case study under the watchful eyes of Commander Dobie, MI6. While fishing at Lake George, Arthur’s sensors detect unusual activity beneath the lake, where the Lady of the Lake supposedly resides, guarding Excalibur. He realizes an unseen force is weakening his powers and enlists the help of Commander Dobie to investigate the mysterious undersea cave that appears to be operated by dangerous enemies.
I have read several adaptations of King Arthur, but The Secret of Excalibur is a fast-paced, urban fantasy by Sahara Foley. She has created a sci-fi theme that is intriguing, and the main characters - who are not afraid to speak their minds or express their feelings - narrate it. She writes very nicely and allows all her characters to participate in the drama, whether it is a big scene or a minor one. This strengthened the story, which has witty dialogue and adventure.
Just when you get comfortable with the events unfolding, Sahara Foley pulls another creative twist without warnings or previous hints that divert The Secret of Excalibur onto a new route. Although the conclusion is unexpected as well, I still liked it and recommend this entertaining book.
“A mind is a terrible thing to waste,” but sometimes necessary when saving your own life, and telekinetic Arthur Merlin finds himself damaging a few in The Secret of Excalibur by Sahara Foley.
Arthur, who possesses paranormal powers countries want to control, teleports himself to the Institute of Psychic Research in London to demonstrate his skills, and becomes Doctor Ruth Burns’ case study under the watchful eyes of Commander Dobie, MI6. While fishing at Lake George, Arthur’s sensors detect unusual activity beneath the lake, where the Lady of the Lake supposedly resides, guarding Excalibur. He realizes an unseen force is weakening his powers and enlists the help of Commander Dobie to investigate the mysterious undersea cave that appears to be operated by dangerous enemies.
I have read several adaptations of King Arthur, but The Secret of Excalibur is a fast-paced, urban fantasy by Sahara Foley. She has created a sci-fi theme that is intriguing, and the main characters - who are not afraid to speak their minds or express their feelings - narrate it. She writes very nicely and allows all her characters to participate in the drama, whether it is a big scene or a minor one. This strengthened the story, which has witty dialogue and adventure.
Just when you get comfortable with the events unfolding, Sahara Foley pulls another creative twist without warnings or previous hints that divert The Secret of Excalibur onto a new route. Although the conclusion is unexpected as well, I still liked it and recommend this entertaining book.
December 1, 2015
The Secret of Excalibur by Sahara Foley is a wonderful fantastical tale of the infamous sword, but set during modern times - or least in the 1980's. The story centers on Arthur Merlin, a once ordinary guy, who possesses superpowers like teleportation and pyrokinessis. Trying to make sense of his new found powers, he travels to the Institute of Psychic Research in England and there he meets Dr. Ruth Burns. Besides being an expert in psychic powers, she is also an expert on tales of Excalibur and "The Lady of the Lake" - the higher being who supposedly gave King Arthur his sword in a time of great need.
Ruth and Arthur have an instant attraction to each other that quickly leads to earth shattering sex (I'm not sure what sex had to do with story, but there are several relatively short sex scenes, some of which are comically written and thoroughly enjoyable). Together Arthur and Ruth travel to Lake George - the place where Excalibur and the Lady of the Lake stories supposedly originated - where they find the answers they were seeking. There are a few plot twists that caught me off guard in addition to hints of Excalibur having a mind of its own (similar to the "Sword of Gryffindor" of the Harry Potter stories).
I listened to the Audible version of this book narrated by by Lynn Roberts who did an admirable job. She clearly differentiated between male and female voices and changed the tempo in the performance when warranted. I received a copy of this audio in exchange for an unbiased review. Simply put, I highly recommend this audiobook!
Ruth and Arthur have an instant attraction to each other that quickly leads to earth shattering sex (I'm not sure what sex had to do with story, but there are several relatively short sex scenes, some of which are comically written and thoroughly enjoyable). Together Arthur and Ruth travel to Lake George - the place where Excalibur and the Lady of the Lake stories supposedly originated - where they find the answers they were seeking. There are a few plot twists that caught me off guard in addition to hints of Excalibur having a mind of its own (similar to the "Sword of Gryffindor" of the Harry Potter stories).
I listened to the Audible version of this book narrated by by Lynn Roberts who did an admirable job. She clearly differentiated between male and female voices and changed the tempo in the performance when warranted. I received a copy of this audio in exchange for an unbiased review. Simply put, I highly recommend this audiobook!
February 23, 2015
A Tale to Remember
I think The Secret of Excalibur by Sahara Foley is one of those stories that will stand out in my memory. Expecting another take on the famous sword, this love story took me by surprise as it wound its way from a laboratory in London that specializes in paranormal characteristics in humans to the surprise twist at the very end.
Between laboratory and the end, Foley dips into some of the lore around the famous sword. Ruth our heroine is fascinated by the Arthurian legends, so when she and our hero, Arthur Merlin, need to get away from the city, she takes him to the St. George Inn on lake St. George, where the sword is said to have been cast. Could the strange psychic sensations Arthur feels coming from the lake have anything to do with the famous sword? What did Ruth and her classmates really see out on the lake? The two set out to discover what mysteries the lake really holds, occasionally stopping for some lovemaking.
Any story of Arthur’s magic sword must contain a multilayered palette of romance, mystery, magic and characters both honorable and not-so-honorable. Foley manages this modern tale in classic form with the lovely heroine, a superhero, who is also very human, a few incompetent government paper-pushers and even the local buffoons.
Her descriptions of the English Inns and countryside make me want to visit England again.
I highly recommend this book.
I think The Secret of Excalibur by Sahara Foley is one of those stories that will stand out in my memory. Expecting another take on the famous sword, this love story took me by surprise as it wound its way from a laboratory in London that specializes in paranormal characteristics in humans to the surprise twist at the very end.
Between laboratory and the end, Foley dips into some of the lore around the famous sword. Ruth our heroine is fascinated by the Arthurian legends, so when she and our hero, Arthur Merlin, need to get away from the city, she takes him to the St. George Inn on lake St. George, where the sword is said to have been cast. Could the strange psychic sensations Arthur feels coming from the lake have anything to do with the famous sword? What did Ruth and her classmates really see out on the lake? The two set out to discover what mysteries the lake really holds, occasionally stopping for some lovemaking.
Any story of Arthur’s magic sword must contain a multilayered palette of romance, mystery, magic and characters both honorable and not-so-honorable. Foley manages this modern tale in classic form with the lovely heroine, a superhero, who is also very human, a few incompetent government paper-pushers and even the local buffoons.
Her descriptions of the English Inns and countryside make me want to visit England again.
I highly recommend this book.
February 5, 2015
A wonderful meld of magic, paranormal powers and myth. What happened to Excalibur? Did it exist? Did Excalibur give Arthur special powers? I have always been fascinated by the story of King Arthur and Knights of the Round Table. This book takes me back to those original tales of legend or fantasy, I doubt if we will ever know which.
If you think this is just another Arthurian tale, you’re mistaken. It combines fantasy with intrigue and suspense and with the reality of the world we live in now. It takes you on a lovely trip through the English countryside to the lake where Excalibur is said to lie. The author must have done a lot of research on the book and it is very interesting to read all the legends of Excalibur.
The characters are full of quirks and you will find them amusing. I got a bit confused at the end with all the revelations, since there were Russian subs and aliens popping up. I feel like the story has been left dangling a bit at the end. I’m not sure whether it was intentional, and if we will be hearing more about Arthur Merlin soon but I do hope so. I wouldn’t mind meeting these characters again. I recommend this book to all lovers of fantasy and lore. Great job, Sahara Foley!
If you think this is just another Arthurian tale, you’re mistaken. It combines fantasy with intrigue and suspense and with the reality of the world we live in now. It takes you on a lovely trip through the English countryside to the lake where Excalibur is said to lie. The author must have done a lot of research on the book and it is very interesting to read all the legends of Excalibur.
The characters are full of quirks and you will find them amusing. I got a bit confused at the end with all the revelations, since there were Russian subs and aliens popping up. I feel like the story has been left dangling a bit at the end. I’m not sure whether it was intentional, and if we will be hearing more about Arthur Merlin soon but I do hope so. I wouldn’t mind meeting these characters again. I recommend this book to all lovers of fantasy and lore. Great job, Sahara Foley!
November 26, 2015
After a freak accident, Arthur Merlin began to develop "super powers" like pyrokinesis, telekinesis, telepathy, and teleportation, among others. Of course, the government tries to control him and his newfound powers. But how can you control the man who can teleport anywhere he wants to go at a blink of a hat? Arthur finds himself inexplicably drawn to London so he goes to the Institute of of Psychic Research. Though, he still feels himself being pulled, called to keep traveling. With the help of Ruth, one of the Institute's researchers he makes his way to Lake George, which is where the sightings of Excalibur and The Lady of the Lake have taken place. Ruth, Arthur, and the rest of the Institute begin to uncover the secrets of the lake and, believe me, no one would have expected what they found!! Now, it's up to Ruth and Arthur to save the world from Excalibur.
Honestly, I enjoyed reading Sahara Foley's take on the legend of Excalibur. I've always been interested in the legends concerning King Arthur. The story flowed well and I loved the adventures they experienced. I loved all of the characters, especially Dobie, Ruth, and Arthur. I also did not see the ending coming so I was genuinely and happily shocked.
http://amzn.to/1lLfDuj
Honestly, I enjoyed reading Sahara Foley's take on the legend of Excalibur. I've always been interested in the legends concerning King Arthur. The story flowed well and I loved the adventures they experienced. I loved all of the characters, especially Dobie, Ruth, and Arthur. I also did not see the ending coming so I was genuinely and happily shocked.
http://amzn.to/1lLfDuj
April 11, 2015
An unconventional book on several levels, with a unique twist on the Authorian legends. The Secret of Excalibur is the story of Arthur Merlin, who, interestingly, ends up with great psychic powers.
Leaving the CIA and FBI and all their testing of him behind, Arthur goes to England where he is promply garbled up by a professpr and MI6. But Arthur isn't easily caught, unless he wants to be caught, and so the adventure goes.
There is a romance/affair between Authur and the professor's assistant, Ruth, which happened a little to quickly for my taste, but the secenes involviong their romantic tryst we a lot of fun - you'll understand why when you read the book.
That's as much book info as I will give—you'll get the rest when you read it, and you should. I found it to be, despite some issues, a page turner!
The issues, which stop me from making this a full 5 star review are preferential. I am not a fan of a book written with a narrator telling the story, but can live with that; however, switching between narrator, first person perspective and omniciant threw me off stride several times, hence the 4 star rating instead of a five.
Leaving the CIA and FBI and all their testing of him behind, Arthur goes to England where he is promply garbled up by a professpr and MI6. But Arthur isn't easily caught, unless he wants to be caught, and so the adventure goes.
There is a romance/affair between Authur and the professor's assistant, Ruth, which happened a little to quickly for my taste, but the secenes involviong their romantic tryst we a lot of fun - you'll understand why when you read the book.
That's as much book info as I will give—you'll get the rest when you read it, and you should. I found it to be, despite some issues, a page turner!
The issues, which stop me from making this a full 5 star review are preferential. I am not a fan of a book written with a narrator telling the story, but can live with that; however, switching between narrator, first person perspective and omniciant threw me off stride several times, hence the 4 star rating instead of a five.
February 17, 2015
Not What You Think.
After seeing the title, the first thing I thought was---this is a King Arthur story. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, I enjoy everything to do with the Knights of the Round Table and King Arthur. But, this is not that story. Or at least not that story, as you know it. This unique book brings in elements of the ancient tale but with a new and innovative twist.
The main character Arthur Merlin discovers he has what I would describe as superpowers. He can teleport and read minds. There are other powers I’ll leave for you to discover. Because of his special talents, the U.S. Government would like to control him.
The Lady of the Lake and Excalibur play roles in this book, but not the traditional roles you’d expect. This is a genre mix of legend, fantasy, and science fiction. The pace is perfect and the characters are engaging and interesting.
After seeing the title, the first thing I thought was---this is a King Arthur story. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, I enjoy everything to do with the Knights of the Round Table and King Arthur. But, this is not that story. Or at least not that story, as you know it. This unique book brings in elements of the ancient tale but with a new and innovative twist.
The main character Arthur Merlin discovers he has what I would describe as superpowers. He can teleport and read minds. There are other powers I’ll leave for you to discover. Because of his special talents, the U.S. Government would like to control him.
The Lady of the Lake and Excalibur play roles in this book, but not the traditional roles you’d expect. This is a genre mix of legend, fantasy, and science fiction. The pace is perfect and the characters are engaging and interesting.
April 1, 2015
Fresh Approach to an Old Legend
Arthur Merlin seems like a regular guy. He's a normal man on the street, except for his paranormal abilities, which include telekinesis, teleportation, pryokinesis, astral projection, levitation in any form.
Dr. Ruth Burns spends her days researching paranormal phenomena. She wonders if a subject may possess multiple paranormal abilities, rather than just one. Based on a case over a decade the past, she thinks it was just a fluke. At least, she did think it was a fluke, until she met Arthur.
Sahara Foley's The Secret of Excalibur is an interesting, fresh take on the ancient legend. Arthur has a devilish sense of humor, which sometimes gets him in trouble. The ending is both surprising and poignant.
Ms. Foley is also the author of the horror work, It Lives in the Basement. If you're in the mood for some of Ms. Foley's work and you like horror, this is a great story.
Arthur Merlin seems like a regular guy. He's a normal man on the street, except for his paranormal abilities, which include telekinesis, teleportation, pryokinesis, astral projection, levitation in any form.
Dr. Ruth Burns spends her days researching paranormal phenomena. She wonders if a subject may possess multiple paranormal abilities, rather than just one. Based on a case over a decade the past, she thinks it was just a fluke. At least, she did think it was a fluke, until she met Arthur.
Sahara Foley's The Secret of Excalibur is an interesting, fresh take on the ancient legend. Arthur has a devilish sense of humor, which sometimes gets him in trouble. The ending is both surprising and poignant.
Ms. Foley is also the author of the horror work, It Lives in the Basement. If you're in the mood for some of Ms. Foley's work and you like horror, this is a great story.
May 6, 2015
The Secret of Excalibur wastes no time jumping into the supernatural scene. A story that reads like a spy novel, with a twist, yet still contains something for everyone: romance, mystery and adventure.
Written in present tense, (which for me took a little adjusting to) the author does a good job of delving into the mind of her main character (and the minds of everyone else due to Arthur Merlin’s abilities.)
I think my favourite part was the humour laced throughout, but there are enough qualities in this novel, including a few twists, to keep one reading and thoroughly invested.
I did find the beginning a little vague, in terms of what the plot truly was, but the Foley remedies this well and I by the second half of the novel I was engrossed. And though I am not easily fooled and tend to guess the endings more often than not, I have to say that this caught me a tad off guard and made reading enjoyable until the end.
Written in present tense, (which for me took a little adjusting to) the author does a good job of delving into the mind of her main character (and the minds of everyone else due to Arthur Merlin’s abilities.)
I think my favourite part was the humour laced throughout, but there are enough qualities in this novel, including a few twists, to keep one reading and thoroughly invested.
I did find the beginning a little vague, in terms of what the plot truly was, but the Foley remedies this well and I by the second half of the novel I was engrossed. And though I am not easily fooled and tend to guess the endings more often than not, I have to say that this caught me a tad off guard and made reading enjoyable until the end.
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