Deryl Stephen’s uncontrollable telepathic abilities have landed him in a mental health institution, where no one believes in his powers.
But when Joshua Lawson, a student of neuro linguistic programming, takes part in a summer internship, he takes the unique step of accepting Deryl’s reality and teaches him to work with it. As Deryl learns control, he finds his next challenge is to face the aliens who have been contacting him psychically for years—aliens who would use him to further their cause in an interplanetary war.
...a refreshing read... Strong yet unsure, Deryl learns not only how to control his powers, he also learns who exactly he is. (It's) first in a trilogy... Mind Over Mind has a satisfying conclusion as it sets up the second book... a worthwhile and entertaining read.
From the Author
What can we expect from Mind Over Mind?
To get caught up in the lives of a young man at the mercy of his telepathic abilities and a psychiatric intern trying to help him while not placing them both in danger of the chief psychiatrist. Along the way, expect some romance, some scenes that will make you shudder for Deryl, and to learn a few cool things about psychology. When you're done, expect to be anxious for the next book.
Who is the book aimed at?
Adults (or older teens) who enjoy fantasy and science fiction, who like to look at an old cliché in a new way (telepathy), and who want to enjoy an adventure of the mind as well as of the quest.
I have to ask, do the books get gradually 'darker' as the trilogy progresses?
It will get more intense, that's for sure. Deryl's not the only one dealing with sanity issues, it seems. Joshua (the psychiatric intern) is going to have his hands full, poor thing.
Humour features heavily in some of your other work (I'm thinking Neeta Lyffe here). Can we expect more of the same in Mind Over Mind?
The Mind Over trilogy is not comedic. The humorous moments are more of the chuckle and move on-type. If I had to give this book a single descriptor, "Gripping" would fit best.
The main character is Deryl Stephens. What is he like?
Conflicted! He has tenuous control of his telepathic powers (loads of fun in a mental health institution, he'll tell you.) One alien being thinks he's some kind of oracle and has the ability to "call" him from consciousness and demand he look up stuff for her. Another alien has been slowly trying to recruit him as a psychic assassin. That's messed with Deryl's mind, for certain. And of course, only three people sort-of believe in his abilities: Dr. Malachai who is treating him like a lab rat with the hopes of inducing this "skill" in others or at least making his fame and fortune through his psychic client; Sachiko, a nurse at the institution who can't really do anything to help him; and finally, Joshua who will help him.
So he's conflicted, and as a result, he's surly, paranoid, defensive, and overall without much hope for his future. But he's also at heart a caring and intelligent young man, so when Joshua offers him a lifeline, he grabs on with both hands.
Can you tell us anything about the aliens featured within Mind Over Mind?
I have two worlds locked in intermittent combat. Barin is in a terrible orbit that means seasons so extreme the population mostly lives underground. They also have intermittent worldwide disasters (centuries part and at no pattern they can discern) that shifts their planet's orbit and causes population-destroying natural disasters. Kanaan, on the other hand, is in the perfect spot for a world and enjoys temperate climates and lush vegetation and life. The aliens are psychic as are some of the animals, called the Greater Beasts.
The Barin have a species goal of taking over Kanaan--and wiping out the indigenous population while they are at it. The Kanaan were a peaceful people, but they learned to defend themselves fast--mostly due to knowledge they get from Deryl. (He's called Ydrel for most of the book--the Kanaan name for him.) In the meantime, the wacky orbits mean Barin gradually pulls closer to Kanaan. I won't say any more on that--spoilers, you know--but these are the conflicts that Deryl will eventually have to resolve.
As for the aliens themselves, they are pretty much humanoid. The psychic nature of the Kanaan has been fun to play with. For example, one race of Kanaan, the Bondfriends, must mentally tie themselves to a Greater Beast in order to survive. As a result, they take on some traits different from the Kanaan. However, they are in the second book. In Mind Over Mind, Deryl only learns the slightest bit about the aliens in contact with him. I've told you far more than he'll know until the third book!
Telepathy is a major theme in the novel - did you do much research on the subject?
Are you going to be disappointed if I say, "no"? I really took the basic idea of telepathy, telekinesis, etc.--stuff most folks know--and kept asking myself "what would it be like if..." until I knew what I wanted my telepaths to be like.
From an interview on Dreams of the Damend, leemather.livejournal.com/2011/09/18/
Description:
Deryl Stephen’s uncontrollable telepathic abilities have landed him in a mental health institution, where no one believes in his powers.
But when Joshua Lawson, a student of neuro linguistic programming, takes part in a summer internship, he takes the unique step of accepting Deryl’s reality and teaches him to work with it. As Deryl learns control, he finds his next challenge is to face the aliens who have been contacting him psychically for years—aliens who would use him to further their cause in an interplanetary war.
**
Review
Nicole Zoltack, nicolezoltack.blogspot.com/2011/09/mind-over-mind-book-review.html
...a refreshing read... Strong yet unsure, Deryl learns not only how to control his powers, he also learns who exactly he is. (It's) first in a trilogy... Mind Over Mind has a satisfying conclusion as it sets up the second book... a worthwhile and entertaining read.
From the Author
To get caught up in the lives of a young man at the mercy of his telepathic abilities and a psychiatric intern trying to help him while not placing them both in danger of the chief psychiatrist. Along the way, expect some romance, some scenes that will make you shudder for Deryl, and to learn a few cool things about psychology. When you're done, expect to be anxious for the next book.
Adults (or older teens) who enjoy fantasy and science fiction, who like to look at an old cliché in a new way (telepathy), and who want to enjoy an adventure of the mind as well as of the quest.
It will get more intense, that's for sure. Deryl's not the only one dealing with sanity issues, it seems. Joshua (the psychiatric intern) is going to have his hands full, poor thing.
The Mind Over trilogy is not comedic. The humorous moments are more of the chuckle and move on-type. If I had to give this book a single descriptor, "Gripping" would fit best.
Conflicted! He has tenuous control of his telepathic powers (loads of fun in a mental health institution, he'll tell you.) One alien being thinks he's some kind of oracle and has the ability to "call" him from consciousness and demand he look up stuff for her. Another alien has been slowly trying to recruit him as a psychic assassin. That's messed with Deryl's mind, for certain. And of course, only three people sort-of believe in his abilities: Dr. Malachai who is treating him like a lab rat with the hopes of inducing this "skill" in others or at least making his fame and fortune through his psychic client; Sachiko, a nurse at the institution who can't really do anything to help him; and finally, Joshua who will help him.
So he's conflicted, and as a result, he's surly, paranoid, defensive, and overall without much hope for his future. But he's also at heart a caring and intelligent young man, so when Joshua offers him a lifeline, he grabs on with both hands.
I have two worlds locked in intermittent combat. Barin is in a terrible orbit that means seasons so extreme the population mostly lives underground. They also have intermittent worldwide disasters (centuries part and at no pattern they can discern) that shifts their planet's orbit and causes population-destroying natural disasters. Kanaan, on the other hand, is in the perfect spot for a world and enjoys temperate climates and lush vegetation and life. The aliens are psychic as are some of the animals, called the Greater Beasts.
The Barin have a species goal of taking over Kanaan--and wiping out the indigenous population while they are at it. The Kanaan were a peaceful people, but they learned to defend themselves fast--mostly due to knowledge they get from Deryl. (He's called Ydrel for most of the book--the Kanaan name for him.) In the meantime, the wacky orbits mean Barin gradually pulls closer to Kanaan. I won't say any more on that--spoilers, you know--but these are the conflicts that Deryl will eventually have to resolve.
As for the aliens themselves, they are pretty much humanoid. The psychic nature of the Kanaan has been fun to play with. For example, one race of Kanaan, the Bondfriends, must mentally tie themselves to a Greater Beast in order to survive. As a result, they take on some traits different from the Kanaan. However, they are in the second book. In Mind Over Mind, Deryl only learns the slightest bit about the aliens in contact with him. I've told you far more than he'll know until the third book!
Are you going to be disappointed if I say, "no"? I really took the basic idea of telepathy, telekinesis, etc.--stuff most folks know--and kept asking myself "what would it be like if..." until I knew what I wanted my telepaths to be like.
From an interview on Dreams of the Damend, leemather.livejournal.com/2011/09/18/