The Enchanted Opal explores the "dream" world of a young girl from the 21st century and the "struggle for survival" of a young boy from the 11th century, each of whom overcomes heartbreak and calamity through their strength of character and a belief in themselves. They will meet on the docks of Venice just before the First Crusade.

Opal will transport the listener to ancient lands to experience the skullduggery of pirates, shipwrecks, a kidnapping, an emperor and the queen of Egypt, the befriending of a princess, a first infatuation, and a final reckoning with the always-stalking, dangerous time traveler Abbadon the Assassin. Written with great sensitivity, The Enchanted Opal weighs the challenges of responsibility and integrity.

Alan R. Smith spent 37 years as a US Marine, serving on both active and reserve duty. He has traveled extensively throughout the world, studying people and their cultures. He served as a corporal in Vietnam and a colonel in Iraq. During his time as a Marine Reserve, he taught third- through 12th-graders to love history and encouraged them to travel to the lands of enchantments. In addition, as a college professor, he taught at Georgian Court University and Ocean County College where he shared his passion of world history with his students.