Amazon Order Rayna of Nightwind Category:  Fantasy Publisher: Apollo House Press ISBN-10:  0978751876 Type: Fiction Pages: 328 Copyright: 2008 ISBN-13: 9780978751876 . . . Rayna and her newfound allies uncover a startling secret about the world's origin—Library Journal. R. A. Baker takes us to a land where evil mages enforce the bidding of a mad ruler, and horrid beasts fight to break free of the prison that keeps them at bay. Following a bizarre lightning storm, college student Rayna Powell finds herself thrown into this treacherous world with only a mysterious woman as her guide. Now, Rayna discovers she possess magic so great as to be mistaken as a "Power", the greatest kind of mage. She must find a way to control her magic, and use it well if she is to survive what's to come. Excerpt Taking heed to her watch’s warning, Rayna quickly hid herself behind the corner of a brick wall and shoved her glowing hand in her pocket. Then she saw it. It stood over eight feet tall, and oozed a dripping, green ichor from every pore of its scaly body. Its face resembled a nightmarish hybrid of boar, and lizard, creased and knotted like heavy clay molded into monstrosity. Its bulging eyes had lids that closed horizontally, and as the creature squinted in the daylight sun, only its elongated red pupils showed through. It was an undeniable rendition of evil personified. Its pointed-toothed mouth opened and closed repeatedly, as if rehearsing for its next meal. Rayna dared not breathe; she feared the sound of her own pounding heart would give her away…

Library Journal
When Rayna Powell seeks to avoid running into a woman standing in the middle of the road on a rainy night, the ensuing crash hurtles her into another world, where she crosses a barren, lightning-filled plain to emerge in a land that hails her as a god returned. Rayna reluctantly gets drawn into an ancient conflict between the folk of West Taren and their eastern kin. Confronting inhuman magicians known as Red Robes and their ruthless king, Rayna and her newfound allies uncover a startling secret about the world's origin. Baker's first novel combines a fantasy-type world with quasi-scientific underpinnings to create a sf/fantasy blend suitable for large libraries.

Publisher
When Rayna Powell seeks to avoid running into a woman standing in the middle of the road on a rainy night, the ensuing crash hurtles her into another world, where she crosses a barren, lightning-filled plain to emerge in a land that hails her as a god returned. Rayna reluctantly gets drawn into an ancient conflict between the folk of West Taren and their eastern kin. Confronting inhuman magicians known as Red Robes and their ruthless king, Rayna and her newfound allies uncover a startling secret about the world's origin --Library Journal

From the stunning imagination of R. A. Baker comes the first novel in his Taren series. In the troubled land of Taren rules a bitter, oppressive regent named Nephredom, who alone maintains the Gate a Psi-magical barrier that contains thousands of mutated beasts, that were once men. However, the strain of keeping the Gate has pushed Nephredom to the edge of madness, and it is only a matter of time before the Gate opens. . .Into this world comes an outsider. Following a bizarre lightning storm, college student Rayna Powell finds herself lost and alone in Taren with only her stubborn instincts and logical mind to guild her. She is a student of science, but what she experiences in Taren defies science, and forces her to come to terms with the unknown powers growing inside her. Many of the people of Taren believe Rayna to be a Power , the greatest kind of mage, who holds wields the legendary magic chaotic. Treachery and political strife run rampant as opposing factions clash, with Rayna caught in the middle. She reluctantly joins forces with a mysterious woman with a bounty (imposed by Nephredom himself) on her head, who in exchange for Rayna s help promises to help Rayna in her quest to return home. However, as they flee and hide from Nephredom s red-robed minions, the price of the stranger s help may be higher than what Rayna is willing to pay. Rayna of Nightwind is a bold sci-fi/fantasy hybrid, resonating notes of Silverberg and Terry Brooks, yet starkly painted with the author s unique brush. Compelling, and sometimes humorous, the richly imagined world of Taren beckons.