Dylan Eaglegod is on the run from the monsters of his old life after spending years living closeted with homophobic friends in Manhattan. He escapes to the Jersey Shore for new adventures and the potential for romance but is confronted with dark secrets from his past after learning that Joshua, the ringleader of his old friend group, is after him and more dangerous than ever.
Dylan has to learn from Antonio and the other Immortal Philosophers as he embraces his powers to discover how to defeat Joshua before Joshua discovers them. Everyone has a part to play, but only Dylan can save them all.
THE IMMORTAL PHILOSOPHERS
Join the Magic of Marcus Aurelius and the Immortal Philosophers
Follow Dylan Eaglegod through Sunset in the Valley of Now and Then to uncover the mystery behind the auric magic wielding group of ancients as they try to make amends for past failures and help Dylan out run the demons of his past in a summer fantasy thriller down the Jersey Shore. Antonio, the local coffee shop owner and Immortal Philosopher gives him a lot to hope for from his summer of fun, but the fates of them all rest in Dylan's hands. He has to learn new abilities, uncover the mystery of Joshua's past, and take back his life on his own terms.
In Sunset in the Valley of Now and Then also meet:
Marcus Aurelius: Stoic philosopher and former Roman Emperor. Founder of the Immortal Philosophers and leader of its members worldwide. Hunter of thieving and murderous predators lurking among us desperate to manipulate the innocent to steal the auric life force innate in all of us but powerful in a few of us.
Antonio Aurelius Antoninus: Adopted son of Aurelius was born and raised on his home island of Puerto Rico. Antonio grew up around his extended family and the protective eye of a fatherly Marcus Aurelius. His Puerto Rican styled coffee shop in Ocean City, New Jersey is his heaven on Earth, until his world is turned upside down after meeting Dylan Eaglegod.
Ikkyu Sojun: Bastard son of an emperor, Ikkyu was sent to become a Zen Buddhist monk as a child. At a young age, he achieved enlightenment and unlocked abilities he was told were legend. After fooling and chastising everyone he met in his life for their hypocrisy and extravagance, Ikkyu took to training his body as well as his mind. Becoming a master of all historic fighting styles over his long lifetime, Ikkyu trains with his sister and wife while running a Japanese restaurant on the island of Ocean City.
Zenda: The oldest of the Immortal Philosophers, and by far the most in tune with ancient energy. Zenda was a leader of a group of Spirit Warriors in South China, North Vietnam before time was recorded in any organized way. Her tribe was known far and wide as the people to turn to when nothing else worked, or when the danger was too mysterious. They kept centuries safe from demonic predators as far as the Indus Peninsula and to the plateau of Tibet. Wife of Ikkyu, Zenda organizes the American based Immortal Philosophers and spent time raising and training Antonio.
Kana: Powerful sibling of Ikkyu and miracle in her own right. Kana was daughter of an emperor and is of the same mother as Ikkyu. Kana was raised with love and care in an imperial enclave, before her history took a dark turn. She is one of the most battle ready Immortal Philosophers, and always has something to prove.
ALEXANDER CASILLAS, a gay Puerto Rican author, editor, and writing coach near the beach between Philadelphia and Manhattan, explores the experiences of gay characters in literary fiction and young adult fantasy through his short stories and novels. He holds degrees in literature, creative writing, and philosophy and religion from Stockton University. Author of short story "In the Opposites' World," published by Blunderbuss Magazine.
