Book One in the Alex Cort Adventures Series

A Shadow Away

When British archaeologist Andrew Seaton discovers a jewel-encrusted golden statue, he realizes he may have uncovered the key to the lost city of El Dorado. The statue disappears before he can verify his findings, and Andrew must rely on private detective Alex Cort to recover the prized artifact.

The two men find themselves caught up in a dangerous race against a corrupt colleague and a ruthless art thief who will stop at nothing to claim the statue for themselves.

As each new clue leads them up the Amazon River and deeper into the jungle, they soon discover things are not quite what they appear. When all seems lost, the mystical powers of a beautiful woman guide them out of danger and ultimately to the ruins of an ancient city, where Andrew must right the wrongs he committed in a past life and Alex discovers a secret of his own.

Fans of magical realism like Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time, or who like Clive Cussler with a touch of magic will love the world of Alex Cort’s first action adventure. If you’re a fan of Indiana Jones, and a quest like the Lord of the Rings, the race to the finish will have you clamoring for more.

Reviews and Endorsements for A Shadow Away

“Very well written with great characters. The story line has its twists and turns, and it all leads to a satisfying ending.”
—David Cartenuto

“Filled with mystery, magic and action!!!…The characters were very likeable and I can’t wait to read upcoming books in the series!”
—Christine, Reviewer

“Like a Clive Cussler adventure with a big touch of magic, Joan K. Lacy’s A Shadow Away  really makes this work beautifully…Lots of fun reading this book. “
—Margaret Bentley 

“The plot is really good, I loved the characters and the story line. It really got me.”
—Andreea Bindea, Reviewer on NetGalley

Joan discusses A Shadow Away and the characters

Book Two in the Alex Cort Adventures Series

All Under Heaven (Preview)

The ground of ancient China trembles, and earthquake reveals the magical Ninth Cauldron First Emperor Qin needs to legitimize his reign. When Alex and his British colleague, Andrew Seaton, are shanghaied in Macao and teleported to 18th century China, Angel must search for them through time.

Sorcerer Chang wants the cauldron for his own magic, but the prophecy is not for him to find it. When Chang’s demand to claim the cauldron for him is refused, the sorcerer conjures a mythical Rain Dragon to carry the two to a magician’s cave, where Andrew tests superstition, and disappears into a hologram. Alex must help break the spell that binds a hungry ghost searching for the ninth cauldron with clues in a prophecy which may lead the way to find Andrew and the cauldron, but can an ancient curse be broken?

Dark magic sends Angel to a lower dimension, where a black magician tempts her with the power of Light and the Dark, but is her magic strong enough to ward off the spells he weaves? Will Angel be lost to Darkness forever, or will Alex find a way to break the spell that holds her.

Secrets of the Crystal Skulls (Preview)

 Adventurer Alex Cort, British archaeologist Andrew Seaton, and a mysterious young woman with her own kind of magic, must enter the underworld, and time-travel to Atlantis, to solve the secrets of thirteen crystal skulls enchanted by an evil sorcerer with his own agenda.

Anticipated Future Books in the Alex Cort Adventures Series:

The Black Horseman:  Believed to be only an Irish legend, a dark rider steals magical Excalibur to give him the power to conquer all the kingdoms of the Otherworld.

King of the Sky, Lord of the Dead:  The discovery of ancient relics leads to confrontation with malevolent gods in the fabled deserts of Egypt.

Treasures of Cibola:  A murder in L.A. leads to an international chase through the capitals of Europe, and to a land of myths and legends in New Mexico.