The Poet's Secret - Softcover

The Poet's Secret is an upmarket romantic suspense adventure novel powered by two remarkable yet fractured characters: Elia Aloundra, a young lit student, and Cameron Beck, the reclusive, suicidal poet she is on a quest to find. Decades earlier, Beck penned his acclaimed masterwork inspired by an anonymous muse, only to thereafter disappear. Elia always found sanctuary within the works of the literary greats and considered Beck worthy of that pantheon. Hoping that the poet will unveil the secret to eternal love, Elia faces off with Beck's protective circle on an exotic island hideaway, the same island where decades earlier a Spanish shipwreck entombing mystical Aztec relics was found. What Elia cannot fathom is that Beck's secret will change both of their lives forever. Declared a "lyrical tour de force" by Foreword Reviews, The Poet's Secret was selected as a Golden Heart Finalist by the Romance Writers of America (romantic suspense). Other reviews include: "A Beautifully Crafted Gem" - Dirk Cussler, Best Selling co-author of Dirk Pitt adventure novels, with Clive Cussler; "Exotic Mystery and Romance" - Judy Reeves, writing provocateur and author of Wild Women, Wild Voices; "A thought-provoking blend of romance, poetry and adventure, The Poet's Secret satisfies on many levels. Elegant prose explores the infinite promise of art, while a quickening pace unveils the story of star-crossed lovers, whose union feels timeless and exceptional at the same time. More than a good read, this is a book to savor." - Kim Fay, Edgar Award Finalist author for The Map of Lost Memories. The Poet's Secret is filled with aquatic imagery and also subtle conservation and slow movement themes. The author wrote the novel while on a three-year personal pilgrimage while traveling abroad, writing, reading, surfing and slowing down his existence. Thus, the original manuscript was conceived in a hovel perched atop a one-table taverna in the hillside village of Avdou, just a scooter ride from the blue waters of the Aegean Sea on the island of Crete. Each chapter begins with brief excerpts of poetry from the reclusive poet before moving into the narrative prose. The author's influences include Pablo Neruda, Rumi, Wallace Stevens, Paulo Coelho, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Haruki Murakami and others. Penju Publishing is a member of 1% For the Planet, dedicating 1% of sale proceeds from The Poet's Secret to conservation causes. In addition, the author, an avid surfer, will donate $1 for every book sold to the Surfrider Foundation, an organization dedicated to preserving our oceans and beaches. The poem "Two Bits" from The Poet's Secret previously appeared in Kelp Magazine. Zak's short fiction "A Promise" appeared in A Year in Ink, San Diego Writers, Ink Anthology, Volume 4 and his short fiction "Thea" appeared in A Year in Ink, San Diego Writers, Ink Anthology, Volume 8. The Poet's Secret is his debut novel. For more information, please visit www.kennethzak.com and Kenneth Zak Author on Facebook.

Author Kenneth Zak is an aquatic nomad. He was born in Parma, Ohio and now resides in San Diego, California. He wrote The Poet's Secret while on a three year personal pilgrimage writing, swimming, surfing and free-diving around the world. Declared a "lyrical tour de force" by Foreword Reviews, the original manuscript of The Poet’s Secret was selected a Golden Heart® Finalist in romantic suspense by the Romance Writers of America. The poem Two Bits from The Poet’s Secret previously appeared in Kelp Magazine. His short fiction A Promise appeared in A Year in Ink, San Diego Writers, Ink Anthology, Volume 4 and his short story Thea appeared in A Year in Ink, San Diego Writers, Ink Anthology, Volume 8. The Poet’s Secret is his debut novel. For more information, please visit www.kennethzak.com and Kenneth Zak Author on Facebook.