Rick Cox

Hidden Valley Rick Cox

Retired veteran Jonathan Ivory has received little from life and given back even less. After getting lost in the mountains, he stumbles into a secluded valley and falls asleep. He awakens to find himself the subject of conversation among a small group of animals whose destiny appears to be either starvation from the loss of their habitat, or becoming a quick meal for a marauding wolf. Could this unlikely candidate before them be their expected, albeit confused hero? Eventually resigning to his bizarre circumstance, Jonathan reluctantly agrees to help, brashly offering to hunt and kill the wolf. While tracking the beast, he encounters Petey, a lost and grief-stricken nine-year-old boy whose aid and friendship become critical components in Jonathan's redemption. Years later, recalling the sacrifice of surrender by the crusty old veteran, Petey comes to understand the essence of that thing called courage, which is paramount to unlocking the secrets of Hidden Valley. EXERPT- Elijah laid his fork on his plate, leaned over, and looked straight at Petey. "Adam's soul became hidden. Hidden from Eve, hidden from himself, and so he thought, hidden even from his Creator." "But nothing can hide from God!" said Petey emphatically. "You are right," replied Elijah, smiling and leaning back in his chair. "Nothing can escape the eye of the One who created all. Nothing is hidden, all is revealed. Someday Petey, all will be made right just like it was. No more lies, no more deceit, and perhaps...just perhaps we might talk to our animal friends again." - A greater, more vivid reality resides in the spiritual realm than the physical but this book does not have the genius of strict allegory. However places within, often give rise to allusion to the spiritual life and may prove instructive and provide underpinning substance that allows one to come away with something they did not have before reading. The book contains more than fairy tale morality. Each walks through their own Hidden Valley and each makes decisions along the way. Humans have been so gifted, that thoughts, will, and actions, have eternal consequences. But the story comes first and is intended for the reader's enjoyment. So have fun, sleep well, and tell a friend to tell a friend about Hidden Valley: Prelude to Light.