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Glass House
I wouldn't hesitate to liken the masterful Glass House Trilogy to Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" ... Christine Spindler, German Physicist and author of "The Rhythm of Revenge"
 The mysteries of Australia may just hold the answers mankind has been searching for millennium to find. When Doctor James Hay, a university scientist who studies the paranormal mysteries in Australia, finds an obelisk of carved volcanic rock on sacred Aboriginal land in northern Queensland, he knows it may hold the answers he has been seeking. And when a respected elder of the Aboriginal people instructs him to take up the gauntlet and follow his heart, James, Spencer, an old friend and an award-winning writer, Samantha Louis, along with her cameraman and two of James' Aboriginal students, start their quest for the truth.
Glass House will take you deep into the mysteries that surround the continent of Australia, from its barren deserts to the depths of its rainforest and even deeper into its mysterious mountains. Along the way, the secrets of mankind and the ultimate answer to 'what happens now?' just might be answered. Love, greed, murder, and mystery abound in this action-packed paranormal/thriller.
About the Authors
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Born in Malaysia to English parents, Max has traveled extensively, living in England, Germany and Jamaica before settling down in New Zealand. Moving to Australia in 1990, Max took up a position teaching at James Cook University. Meeting Ariana, an American author, in 1998, he married and they explored Australia before heading for Illinois, where he took a job unloading trucks for Wal-Mart. Within a year he was an Assistant Manager and finishing his Lion of Scythia trilogy. Following the death of his wife Ariana in 2003, he experienced a Michigan winter before heading back to tropical Australia, where he continues to write.
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Always versatile, Ariana Overton has led a life that spans continents and countries. Traveling around the U.S., Australia and New Guinea, meeting exciting people, experiencing exotic lands and cultures, gave Ari, a diverse catalog of characters, settings and storylines her writing can't help but reflect. After traveling to Australia to research her trilogy on the Australian mysteries, she met Max Overton, her soulmate, husband, best friend, and writing partner. Sadly, Ariana passed away in November 2003.
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Reviews
Mesmerizing start to a powerful new trilogy. Deep in the Australian outback, the world is changing. Australian myth and magic explode in this tense, thrillingly suspenseful story with a relentlessly optimistic outlook. Aliens, monsters, mythical beings and ancient mysteries are carefully measured into this light yet shadowed story that the Overtons weave, though romance readers who like character-focused fiction should take warning that the many adventures and ideas that (presumably) must be shared to understand the rest of the trilogy leave little room for character development. The theories that are submitted for the reader's consideration are quite interesting. The authors even include a few pages of discourse on the odd creatures Hay and his group encounter, along with a bibliography for those who wish more information, in the back of the novel. Glass House is a mind-bending journey into mankind's past and future and, though the story is far from complete, this first volume in the trilogy is a strong start. —Ann Leveille
I found myself blown away by the writing of Max and Ariana Overton. I also found myself a bit apprehensive. Could everything I have read be based on some type of truths? Or was it just hyped up legend and fantasy written to embroil the reader into a plot richly woven with mysticism. Either way I loved Glass House. It is the first book of it's kind that I myself have read and one of my best reads of the year so far. I found myself being hooked on a plot that mesmerized and terrified me at the same time. With plenty of action and tons of adventure it was at best a harrowing journey into the seeming existence of the world as we thought we knew it. I gained a knowledge of a people who are older then time itself could have predicted. A people dedicated to life and its ability to sustain itself. I attached myself and related to all of the characters. A cast so true to life and therefore all the more believable. I found myself searching along for the answers and wondering how and why all of this had come to pass. Was it always a part of me. A part of us all? Or was I just so attuned to my reading that I too had been caught up in a story meant to do just that. Ensnare the reader and pull him into a vortex the likes of which has never been tapped into. I recommend Glass House to everyone who considers themselves a child of this earth. A beautiful and hauntingly written story that tantalizes and hints at things that has always been foremost in most of our minds. To believe or not to believe is the question that Glass House longs to answer and in time does. intricately written with a certain flair and a voice that demands to be heard, Glass House commands the respect that it is due. I find myself awaiting the two more books in this trilogy. A Glass Darkly and Looking Glass. The book is available now in paperback and hardcover format from . Max and Ariana Overton have penned a winner in this fantastic voyage of novel wonderment. I look forward to an enriched future with this action and adventure laden engrossing trilogy and anticipate only the best that fiction has to offer. —Joann Ruffen
I truly feel there are no words to describe the magnificence of this story. This book and the way the authors tell it go beyond anything I have ever read before. Think of legends and lores and what would happen if they were real. Some parts of this story will really have you thinking what if there is more to make believe, or I should say what I would say is make believe. This is only some of the twists and turns in this book. Glass House, book one in the Glass House trilogy is a magnificent read. It's an out of this world plot that leaves you wanting more. The way to this reviewer's heart is through strong and believable characters and the authors capture that perfectly. James is one of my favorite characters because of all he's been through. The road to his happiness has not always been an easy one, but once he gets to where he's going he finds more than he ever imagined. Nathan is another of my favorites. I think it all has to do with the way the authors wrote his character. He's a strong individual and the ways he rights what he did wrong in the end makes his characters next too perfect. It has been my privilege being able to review this story. I'm also lucky enough to get the second and third stories in this trilogy. I can't wait to read more and find out what happens. I hope you all will join me, this is one trilogy you will not want to miss! —Jill, Fallen Angel Reviews.
Review by Cindy Penn for WordWeaving
Five Stars 
In Glass House, the first book of a trilogy, Ariana Overton once again weaves a fascinating tale of complexity and imagination. Confronting our cultural myths as well as scientific theory, Glass House deftly challenges the fine line between imagination and reality.
Drawing a bit from her own background, Ariana's American heroine Samantha Louis (Sam) and Australian hero James Hay are brought together by a remarkable discovery -- a black obelisk, made of such dense material as to defy a diamond bit. This find provides the opportunity for scientific study.
As the Aborigine Elders gather -- in defiance of politics and their own security -- to honor Dreamtime and the Ancient Ones at the scientific site, the obelisk is shattered and new possibilities for the human race begin.
The quest for answers regarding the destroyed obelisk brings together Sam, James, and a half dozen others. They head toward Glass House, a chain of mountains in remote Australia accessible only by hiking through a dangerous and almost inaccessible land. Along the way, they meet with both the face of death and the birth of salvation for the human race.
Glass House draws from science and myth, including Neanderthals, Yowies (similar to Bigfoot), UFOs, Bunyips (similar to the Loch Ness monster), and the mythology of the Aborigine. Such disparate subjects become a kaleidoscope of elements that resolve themselves into a remarkable pattern that leaves the reader wondering at the simplicity of the explanation for most mythologies. My hat is off to this remarkable author and this remarkable book. If you've an appetite for the paranormal or mythological beasts, Glass House is a must read.
Janice Wagner's Review of Glass House
In Glass House, Ariana Overton intricately weaves paranormal and mythological suspense with a breathtaking romance in this, the first installment in a trilogy of action/adventure books.
The hero, James Hay, scientist and professor, believes the world of dreams to his people is as real to them as the world of waking consciousness is to others. Dreamtime, a time and place where the cosmos was given shape and meaning. The Australian Aborigine relate to dreamtime in their daily life and base their cosmology for living, on it. Their remarkable respect for the earth and all life on it is an important focal point of this story.
Clues from his past, as well as present day scientific findings lead James, American journalist Samantha Louis and a few other rich and wonderful characters to the Glass House Mountains north of Brisbane in Queensland Australia. James, with the help of his team, are in search of answers to questions that have plagued him since a young age. They search for the truth and are rewarded with a glimpse of what is to come.
Along the way they encounter enemies of all kinds, many life threatening obstacles and mind boggling findings. We get a glimpse at the wondrous mythical Yowies, Bunyips, UFO's, and Neanderthals. We are given an opportunity to question our own beliefs of evolution and the unknown.
Whether you believe in the paranormal, mythical creatures yet to be proven or not, this is a book that must be read. The characters are believable, lovable and strong. The description of landscape makes you feel you are right there with them on their expedition.
If anything, you walk away with an understanding that if our destructive ways towards our land is not confronted soon, we may not have time to undo the damage and save our world for our children and theirs.
I look forward to the next piece of masterful prose form this very talented author.
Copyright 2000 Janice Wagner -- All Rights Reserved
Reviewed by--Tracy Eastgate
Dr. James Hay, a scientist at the James Cook University at Townsville, Australia, is one of the leading experts in the field of paranormal activity although he denies being so. He also specializes in Cryptozoology and is well respected. The discovery of a towering black obelisk is just the beginning for him. He is suddenly thrown into a quest for the truth and answers for something that he has yet no idea of or what. All he knows is that he is supposed to and that it is his destiny.
Ms. Samantha 'Sam' Louis is an award-winning journalist from the United States. She travels half way around the world to Australia for a story that could be one of the biggest in her life and her career. What she doesn't plan on though, is risking her life on the far-fetched things that Dr. Hay is trying to convince her of. That is, until she sees some of these things herself.
The dangerous journey begins. One that none of the small group of people are sure why they are going there together and why they have been chosen other than the fact that James' grandfather, an Aborigine elder, said they needed too and it felt right. But would they survive? The dangers to their lives are great and real, both from the known and the unknown. When one of James' enemies and his group suddenly shows up, James fears even more for their safety and whether or not they will survive the journey. But there is nothing they can do; the other group must travel with them.
This author has once again created a book that fires the imagination, pulls at your emotions and captures you with its magic. It grips you within its pages and brings you along as it unfolds and develops. To give you a peek at this book, it takes mystery and fantasy, love and hate, joy and anger and then blends them together to create a wonderful book. Glass House is a book that you will find very hard to put down until you have turned the last page, and even then it will have you reaching for the next book in the series.
J.B. Scott - Oz Reviews
Glass House is the first of a trilogy to paint on a rich canvass a culture where undeniable fact and creative fiction form a work of art that will keep the reader wondering long after the last page is turned.
From the very first paragraph, Ariana Overton envelops us all in a highly visual and belletristic cocoon to a rich land full of legend and beauty. We meet scientist James Hay and reporter Samantha Louis whom together with their friends, struggle to discern the truth where only mystification has previously lurked.
This remarkable author ensures the reader is transported on a fast pace literary vehicle to a Southern Land where Aboriginal culture, spiritual beliefs, scientific evidence and mystery is categorized to ensure you are left gripping the metaphoric steering wheel until the very end.
If you enjoy an intense quest where truth and tale blend into one… where characters are rich, warm and endearing then, Glass House is definitely a purchase guaranteed to be thoroughly enjoyed, and of course prestigiously left on your collective shelf to be read again and again.
Tim 'The Yowie Man', Cryptonaturalist, TV personality and international broadcaster for 4ABC Radio, Canberra, Australia
Five Stars
GLASS HOUSE is more than just a novel . . . it will spear you headlong into a mystical waking dream, entice you into a supernatural rescue mission and finally change the way you view the world . . . A must read!
Diana Kirk, best-selling author of SONG OF ISIS and BAD MEDICINE
For all who have yearned to visit faraway places, Ariana Overton's GLASS HOUSE is a delightful journey filled with intriguing characters. The story begins deep in the heart of an Australian Rainforest where scientist James Hay and reporter Samantha Louis begin a quest to solve ancient Australian mysteries. You'll just have to read this page-turner to find out what they discover. If you enjoyed Indiana Jones and the Mummy, you'll love this must read.
Louise Karczmarz, FictionForum
Four Stars
Overton's GLASS HOUSE is an entertaining story with both moral undertones and historical insight into the supernatural myths and legends of the world. The themes and facts covered within this tale have been thoroughly researched and documented for the readers to find out more for themselves. This book involves characters from Australia, America and England and although it does have some stereotypical features, it creates a slightly comical characterization of the nationalities of the main personalities, which is almost certainly intended.
Excerpt
A high-pitched shout echoed throughout the foliage. Flocks of birds suddenly took flight, their calls almost deafening as they flew out of the treetops. James, tall and wide-shouldered, and Spence, small and quick, didn't hesitate. In tandem, they took off in the direction of the shout, ignoring the thick growth trying to slow their progress.
With a suddenness that surprised them, they rushed out into a small clearing surrounded by large trees and thick brush. The entrance they entered through looked like a tunnel of living green.
Guilford and Ian stood just inside the circle with rifles pointing toward the trunk of a tree on the far side of the clearing. A five-foot tall, hairy shape, partially hidden in the foliage beside the tree, stood very still, it's eyes gleaming yellow at the rifles pointed at it.
"It's the proof I've searched for years to get. Finally, I'll make all you idiot academics stand up and acknowledge me as the best." Guilford sneered when he saw James and Spence standing, dumbfounded, in the clearing.
James eased closer; his eyes glued to the creature now snarling at the sudden arrival of two more humans. "Shut up, Guilford. This isn't the time." When he saw Ian edge closer to the brush, he whispered, "For God's sake, Ian, don't shoot. It won't harm you if you don't threaten it. Back up."
The young man ignored him, a malicious and self-satisfied smile on his thin face. He stepped closer to the creature, which responded with a weak cry of fear. Ian stepped even closer, the rifle steady on the dark shape.
When the women, led by Nathan and trailed by Marc, stepped out into the clearing, James held up his hand to them, indicating they should stay where they were and keep quiet. Nathan halted and held himself motionless, his gaze glued to the brush with the others. One of the women gasped as the hidden creature stumbled and reached out a hand to steady itself against the tree, revealing a thickly coated arm.
Spence moved quietly up beside Guilford and whispered. "Whatever it is, it's dying, King. Let it be. You'll still have your prize but let it die in peace."
Guilford snorted in derision then stepped closer to Ian, leaving Spence standing behind him. Their two rifles never moved from the target. James took a step toward the two hunters, intent on convincing them to back off. As his foot hit the ground, the long, hairy arm stretched out of the brush toward the knot of people beyond Guilford and Ian. A loud whimper issued from the shape as its hand, palm upward, reached out in supplication. Slowly, the bulky creature began to move into the clearing, its hand still held out in peace.
The leaves parted, revealing a face with large, liquid eyes dulled with pain. Ian pulled the trigger. A hole the size of a golf ball appeared in the middle of the sagging creature's chest, blood blossoming like a crimson flower against its thick coat of hair. It finally fell, unmoving and fully revealed out of the brush.
When the report of the shot died down, the silence in the clearing was deafening in its intensity. Then pandemonium broke out. Ian war whooped at the top of his lungs and ran toward the dead creature lying at the foot of the tree. Guilford lowered his rifle and stamped his foot in rage at the younger man's action, the women screamed and James moved back to the small group standing behind him as if to protect them against the madmen with the rifles.
Spence still stood inside the clearing, his shoulders slumped and his fists bunched into knots of rage. His face, a mask of hatred and loathing, worked and twitched. His chest heaved as he sucked in large gulps of air. Gradually, his body straightened and tensed. He slowly pulled the long fishing knife out of its sheath on his belt. Crouching into a defensive stance, he slowly moved toward Guilford's back. Standing so close he could smell the man's sweat, Spence poised the knife to plunge it into Guilford's kidneys.
Nathan roared, "No, Spence!" and pushed past James to run into the clearing.
James spun around to see his friend ready to commit murder and leaped into the clearing right behind Nathan. Guilford, now aware of the threat at his back, turned around with his rifle raised. Nathan hit him at a dead run, grabbed the rifle out of his hands and slung it into the undergrowth. James grabbed Spence, pinning his arms down against his sides. The old man cursed and spat like a cat that had just been bagged. In spite of their size differences, James struggled to hold onto his friend.
The women rushed toward the knot of men. Marc remained at the mouth of the entrance, pressed against the thick bush that made up its impenetrable walls. As he stood at the edge of the clearing, Marc's head moved from side to side like an autistic child who refused to believe the evidence of his eyes. Sam reached James and stretched out a trembling hand toward his arm as he shook Spence and roared, "Get a grip on yourself, Spence. We need you to have a cool head right now. Spence!" When Sam's hand gripped his arm, James ignored her and continued to glare into Spence's unfocused eyes.
Clutching her boyfriend's shredded pack, Cindy stumbled toward the huddle of inert fur at the base of the tree. She moved like a sleepwalker, her eyes fixed and her face smooth with disbelief and horror. She froze next to the body, her arms rigid at her sides.
Cindy's somnambulant walk across the clearing alarmed Sam. She dropped her hand from James's arm and moved quickly across the clearing toward Cindy. When she reached the silent girl, Sam searched her face and patted her shoulder. She took a deep breath and squatted next to the limp body. Sam looked down into its peaceful face and reached out to lightly touch the silken coat with trembling fingers. When Cindy crouched beside her to put a comforting hand on hers, tears suddenly began to stream down Sam's face as she murmured over and over again, "My God, it was just a baby. It was crying. My God…"
James used all his strength to hold Spence while he shouted into the old man's ear to snap out of it. Spence stopped struggling so suddenly James thought he might have had a seizure. Then he saw what the rest were beginning to see.
Ian had rushed from his hiding spot among the thick brush and was now standing triumphantly with one foot on the Yowie's body, his rifle held high in a parody of an old African white hunter. The women were crouched beside the body and staring behind Ian into the thick trees. He didn't notice what was happening just behind him but the women rose slowly and began to back away from him, their eyes huge with fear.
The green of the foliage began to shimmer and take on form. Shapes of varying height and width began to solidify and move. They moved toward Ian with clenched massive hands. Before he could move to protect himself, two of the huge man-like creatures appeared behind Ian's back and had his struggling body locked inside massive arms before he could react to their presence. Several other figures began to appear inside the trees, each standing as if watching an execution, silent, somber and unmoving. The two larger ones each took hold of one of Ian's arms, growling and snarling their rage. Their brilliant yellow eyes flashed like liquid sunlight as they held his puny body between them. When the blood and death smell of their companion lying dead under Ian's feet reached their wide, flaring nostrils, they bellowed with a roar that shook the dusty leaves on the trees. They lifted Ian off the ground like a rag doll and his screams of terror began.
The silent watchers in the trees moved silently forward in anticipation. Ian screamed again and the duo, with roars of triumph, began to pull Ian's body tight between them. His limbs pulled from the sockets like they were made of tissue paper, tearing and popping with the incredible pressure put upon them.
It happened so fast Ian had no time for the pain to register in his numb brain. By the time it did, the pair still holding his torso upright had a firm hold on his legs. The scream of agony that finally erupted from Ian's throat drowned their sounds of revenge as they pulled him apart.
With a movement that clearly spoke of utter contempt, the largest Yowie reached up and twisted Ian's head off like a soda bottle's lid, ending the man's scream as abruptly as shutting off an annoying audiotape with the press of a button. The dominant Yowie held the head high in the air and roared, showing long, yellowing fangs, while the other casually tossed the limp body aside. Holding Ian's head in front of his eyes, the larger Yowie stared into the face of the dead man, roared once again and, with an attitude of disdain and revulsion, threw it into their midst. Totally ignoring the other humans standing stunned before them, they lifted the body of their dead companion as tenderly as a mother with a child and disappeared as mysteriously as they'd appeared. Not a trace was left to verify they'd been there except the metallic stench of blood in the air and Ian's mangled head lying in the clearing at Guilford's feet.
Guilford's eyes gleamed with naked admiration, respect, maybe even love, as he stared at the huge beasts.
Marc's whimpers, Spence's labored breathing, and the sound of Ratana vomiting as she knelt in the dirt only broke the utterly complete, shocked silence that remained.
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