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Secrets Under the Mesa
Rumors exist of a secret government base buried deep under the Archuleta Mesa in New Mexico. Joshua Hawkins, a feature writer for a major newspaper in Dallas, travels to Dulce, in search of his missing uncle. Along with his friend Ben, Josh also hopes to gather information for an article about the mysterious ‘Dulce Base’.
Are the rumors true? Is the government conducting genetic experiments utilizing extraterrestrial DNA? And if so, for what purpose?
Josh discovers the horrific results firsthand. And what’s worse, he has reason to believe the scourge is not contained within the mesa. No one is safe — especially Josh and his friends back in Dallas. To what lengths will he go to ensure the safety of the people he loves? And if he fails, how dire will the consequences be for the rest of the world?
Are the rumors true? Is the government conducting genetic experiments utilizing extraterrestrial DNA? And if so, for what purpose?
Josh discovers the horrific results firsthand. And what’s worse, he has reason to believe the scourge is not contained within the mesa. No one is safe — especially Josh and his friends back in Dallas. To what lengths will he go to ensure the safety of the people he loves? And if he fails, how dire will the consequences be for the rest of the world?
326 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2014
55 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Nicki Huntsman Smith
30 books77 followersI love books.
Everything I've learned about writing has grown from my love of reading. I began my writing career at the tender age of seven, when I wrote a play for my third-grade class. It was not an assignment; I did it because I discovered I loved creative writing as much as I loved reading. I received a children's typewriter the next year, and countless short stories followed.
I wrote some awful poetry during my teen years, then some not-so-awful short stories over the next two decades. I became serious about writing books ten years ago. The timing felt right, and I created the world-altering habit of writing every day.
My first published novel, Secrets Under the Mesa, began as a short story. I decided it had some legs and went with it. The inspiration for The Troop of Shadows Chronicles emerged from two directions: my love of post-apocalyptic fiction and a recent interest in disaster preparedness.
Stephen King says, "Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work."
The hard work is worth it. I hope you enjoy my novels. I wrote them for fellow book lovers just like you.
I live in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas, with my husband and three spoiled rotten rescue dogs.
Everything I've learned about writing has grown from my love of reading. I began my writing career at the tender age of seven, when I wrote a play for my third-grade class. It was not an assignment; I did it because I discovered I loved creative writing as much as I loved reading. I received a children's typewriter the next year, and countless short stories followed.
I wrote some awful poetry during my teen years, then some not-so-awful short stories over the next two decades. I became serious about writing books ten years ago. The timing felt right, and I created the world-altering habit of writing every day.
My first published novel, Secrets Under the Mesa, began as a short story. I decided it had some legs and went with it. The inspiration for The Troop of Shadows Chronicles emerged from two directions: my love of post-apocalyptic fiction and a recent interest in disaster preparedness.
Stephen King says, "Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work."
The hard work is worth it. I hope you enjoy my novels. I wrote them for fellow book lovers just like you.
I live in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas, with my husband and three spoiled rotten rescue dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 11, 2018
This lady can write!
Exceptional writer, especially as compared to many of the writers of books in the Kindle Unlimited library. I've read all her books and I hope to have more to read soon.
Exceptional writer, especially as compared to many of the writers of books in the Kindle Unlimited library. I've read all her books and I hope to have more to read soon.
September 11, 2018
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” Atticus Finch
For her first published novel, Nicki has really given herself a challenge. She chose to write in first person narrative – no big challenge there – but when the first person is a male character?! To tell the story through the eyes of a male, and get into the male psyche Ms Huntsman Smith either: (a) grew up with lots of brothers, (b) had LOTS of advice from partner, (c) Is really a male, or (d) is just plain brilliant. Can you imagine how hard it would be for a MALE to write his first book from the perspective of a female? I’ve seen male actors do female roles (unconvincingly) but not too many authors. Anyway – kudos to the author – Josh was a convincing male.
One of the biggest problems for any author these days is coming up with something original. There you are, struck by sudden inspiration in the middle of the night. “Ahaaaaa! A storyline nobody else has thought of!” You leap out of bed and start typing your masterpiece. After writing five chapters, your research shows that not only has your original story already been written, but a movie has been made about it too....and a sequel. Damn! What was that TV series called? You know - the one with Sculder and Mully...err no....Mulldy and Sculler...err...Mouldy and Scummy? The one with David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson? *Wife walks past, reads this and says, “X-Files you dummy”.* THAT’S IT! Then there’s Invasion of the Body Snatchers, I Am Number Four, The Thing, and They Live. Well if you liked them, you’ll like this too. There’s plenty of action, interesting characters, a none-too-taxing plot and a great writing style.
I can’t believe this is Nicki’s first book – so professionally written. I was so impressed I’ve already downloaded her next book. That says a lot because I’m not a fan of long stories and her next one is longer than Mesa. Good job!
P.S. I'm convinced the dude doing restoration work on my car is an alien.
For her first published novel, Nicki has really given herself a challenge. She chose to write in first person narrative – no big challenge there – but when the first person is a male character?! To tell the story through the eyes of a male, and get into the male psyche Ms Huntsman Smith either: (a) grew up with lots of brothers, (b) had LOTS of advice from partner, (c) Is really a male, or (d) is just plain brilliant. Can you imagine how hard it would be for a MALE to write his first book from the perspective of a female? I’ve seen male actors do female roles (unconvincingly) but not too many authors. Anyway – kudos to the author – Josh was a convincing male.
One of the biggest problems for any author these days is coming up with something original. There you are, struck by sudden inspiration in the middle of the night. “Ahaaaaa! A storyline nobody else has thought of!” You leap out of bed and start typing your masterpiece. After writing five chapters, your research shows that not only has your original story already been written, but a movie has been made about it too....and a sequel. Damn! What was that TV series called? You know - the one with Sculder and Mully...err no....Mulldy and Sculler...err...Mouldy and Scummy? The one with David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson? *Wife walks past, reads this and says, “X-Files you dummy”.* THAT’S IT! Then there’s Invasion of the Body Snatchers, I Am Number Four, The Thing, and They Live. Well if you liked them, you’ll like this too. There’s plenty of action, interesting characters, a none-too-taxing plot and a great writing style.
I can’t believe this is Nicki’s first book – so professionally written. I was so impressed I’ve already downloaded her next book. That says a lot because I’m not a fan of long stories and her next one is longer than Mesa. Good job!
P.S. I'm convinced the dude doing restoration work on my car is an alien.
December 16, 2015
This is a conspiracy theorist dream which includes the Secret underground Dulce base, aliens, genetic engineering, men in black, the Illuminati and the plan to take over the world. It was fast paced and well written with great characters which entertained me until the very end. Reminded me of the William Cooper story.
Hope to see more from this author.
Hope to see more from this author.
December 21, 2016
Secrets
Thanks .Vicki for writing such a heart warming book...at least that's how I saw it...Experimenting with Alien D N A then crossbreeding it with human subjects? What could go wrong?....everything ....well written ..Loved the characters of Josh, Ben, Abby,, Dylan and of course their tall alien friend Grog....
Thanks .Vicki for writing such a heart warming book...at least that's how I saw it...Experimenting with Alien D N A then crossbreeding it with human subjects? What could go wrong?....everything ....well written ..Loved the characters of Josh, Ben, Abby,, Dylan and of course their tall alien friend Grog....
December 12, 2016
The author watched too much tv
The majority of the book seemed to have been scripted directly from the television series about ancient aliens. Predictable characters and a predictable plot left me grateful the book was free.
The majority of the book seemed to have been scripted directly from the television series about ancient aliens. Predictable characters and a predictable plot left me grateful the book was free.
October 23, 2023
Fun read
I really enjoyed the story. Lots of good characters and is well written. Hope for more story in the future.
I really enjoyed the story. Lots of good characters and is well written. Hope for more story in the future.
December 13, 2016
I was initially unsure if I'd really like this book or not but seeing as I've pretty much read my way thru most of the horror selection available via Unlimited (my genre of choice), I decided to give it a try and I only regret one thing; starting it so late in the day meaning I was up most the night reading.
This is not the typical sci-fi extraterrestrial novel, but rather one that actually digs deep back into human history to expand upon the huge leap in human evolution made in an extremely short time period that should not have been possible, as well as ancient Sumerian and American Indian tales of a people from beyond the stars. Add in 4 friends, a newly found missing uncle, along with a friendly alien/human hybrid all trying to get to the bottom of a situation that grows quickly out of their control until no one knows who to trust. Be prepared for an adventure that keeps you rolling through and an easy to follow narrative that draws you in until you just can't put the book down. I hope a sequel is to follow soon!
This is not the typical sci-fi extraterrestrial novel, but rather one that actually digs deep back into human history to expand upon the huge leap in human evolution made in an extremely short time period that should not have been possible, as well as ancient Sumerian and American Indian tales of a people from beyond the stars. Add in 4 friends, a newly found missing uncle, along with a friendly alien/human hybrid all trying to get to the bottom of a situation that grows quickly out of their control until no one knows who to trust. Be prepared for an adventure that keeps you rolling through and an easy to follow narrative that draws you in until you just can't put the book down. I hope a sequel is to follow soon!
December 15, 2016
Mind numbing idea
Mind numbing idea of possible alien genetic code being mixed with ours to create a new enhanced super human. Very thought provoking journey which if it does occur will have good moral people to shepherd it to fruition.
Mind numbing idea of possible alien genetic code being mixed with ours to create a new enhanced super human. Very thought provoking journey which if it does occur will have good moral people to shepherd it to fruition.
December 24, 2016
Gripping
As a fan of the X Files, I've always enjoyed a good alien story. This one surprised me. Well written, engaging, and even funny at times. The adventure of Joshua and his friends is one to be savored. I look forward to reading more from this author.
As a fan of the X Files, I've always enjoyed a good alien story. This one surprised me. Well written, engaging, and even funny at times. The adventure of Joshua and his friends is one to be savored. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews