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PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS

• January 2009: Historical Novel Society

• November 2008: Excerpt from Book

• October 2008: New Hardback Edition


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Contact author John Royce directly

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Mysterious Horse Legend_

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REVIEWS for Eclipsed by Shadow

_Library Journal

_Midwest Book Review

_Free Lance-Star

_Rebeccas Reads

_Reader Views

_Heartland Reviews
_The Publishing Contrarian

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT "ECLIPSED BY SHADOW"

-1- _Tell me about Eclipsed by Shadow

Eclipsed by Shadow is the first book of a new adventure trilogy, The Legend of the Great Horse. The series is a kind of "road trip" book, telling history from horseback as an exciting adventure. The story tells of a young horsewoman's journey through history, traveling through the past ages of mankind. Readers will enjoy themselves as they learn about both history and horses.

This first book begins the journey, and takes the reader back to prehistoric times and
then advances toward modern day. Included in this volume are periods up through the Medieval age, including the ancient Roman days of chariot racing and the Mongolian hordes fomented by Genghis Khan.

-2- _Who are the main characters?

The main characters are a teenager named Meagan Roberts, an avid horse enthusiast,
and her young horse, Promise. The story is about Meagan, who is only twelve when
this coming-of-age story begins but who advances past her teens. On her journey
through history she meets a parade of horses and colorful individuals.

The first section introduces the Roberts family and also an eccentric wealthy woman named Mrs. Bridgestone, who tells Meagan that her young Promise is the latest incarnation of the "Great Horse," an angel that has lived through history to help and
guide mankind.

Other major characters that Meagan meets in this volume include an intimidating
gladiator and a celebrity chariot driver of ancient Rome, two devout monks of the
Dark Ages with differing views on independent women and a protector knight of the Medieval era.


-3- _Who is the intended audience for the book?

The only readers Eclipsed by Shadow is not meant for is very young or sensitive readers, simply because parts of the story depict harsher sides of history. The book is meant for everyone beyond the earliest teens, men or women, horse fans or not--anyone who likes learning something new while enjoying a great read.

The story is engrossing entertainment, but also features accurate information, reflecting extensive research in both historical and equestrian aspects, making Eclipsed by Shadow worth a reader's valuable reading time.


-4- _In which genre would Eclipsed by Shadow be classified?

Eclipsed by Shadow and the rest of the trilogy is a genuinely cross-genre story: Historical fiction, Adventure, Suspense, Fantasy, Mystery, and of course, Equestrian.

Historical fiction fans will have a fresh and unique experience of traveling through well-researched worlds of our past.

Horse-lovers will thrill to read a fresh and exciting story that accurately portrays the wonder and excitement of horses.

Adventure and Suspense fans will find themselves enthralled with the tension and "fear-factor," Fantasy readers will enjoy the mythological elements from antiquity, and Mystery enthusiasts will be challenged to puzzle out the underlying plot surrounding the Great Horse.


-5- _What is the story about?

The trilogy is about horsemanship, one of mankind's oldest technologies, older than recorded history. It is fascinating to watch horsemanship mirror civilization through history, and to see how the growth of human empathy drove the progress of both.

A second theme is to observe how quality of thought shapes our ability to produce results in the world. Mankind floundered desperately on horseback for eons before discovering a true partnership with the horse, hampered all those millenia only by ideas.

Meagan is educated in the advanced horsemanship of the 21st century, and understands the horse as a partner rather than a mindless force of nature. One of the story's interesting themes is how Meagan's advanced viewpoints allow her to survive alien cultures by producing results with horses that more primitive people cannot.


-6- _Is this book a good choice for a Gifted or Reluctant Reader?

Eclipsed by Shadow was named by Heartland Reviews as a Grreat book (Gifted and Reluctant Readers Explore Amazing Titles), and is a rewarding book for the avid or gifted reader because it explores our history through engaging and literary writing. The book is a good choice for less motivated readers (especially if horse-interested) because the story is accessible and compelling--once the main character travels back in time, the story takes off and provides an incredible adventure to encourage even a reluctant reader.