Category: Book 1 Excerpts

#28- Where am I?

Meagan climbed to her feet and looked around in astonishment. She stood on a ledge overlooking wide, empty fields. – Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

In the silence came a familiar rumbling. The ground was beginning to vibrate.

Meagan climbed to her feet and looked around in astonishment. She stood on a ledge overlooking wide, empty fields. A canyon corridor opened here, onto the ledge.

Where am I?

She started to call again to the children above, but the vibration suddenly broke free into rushing sound. Rounding the angle of the canyon wall, a galloping herd of horses swept towards her in panicked fright, thundering echoes off the canyon walls.

Meagan darted to the cracked rock wall and clawed up the side as the sound of horses exploded behind her. Whinnies echoed through the corridor. The first horses to see the cliff’s edge skidded before being pushed into the abyss by the horses behind.

In seconds, the train of sliding horses passed, leaving the last animals milling in confusion. Hanging against the canyon wall, Meagan stared disbelieving into the empty dust.

Excerpted from Eclipsed by Shadow, the award-winning 1st volume of “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy. (Hrdbk pg. 88)

Book II: The Golden Spark will be published Fall 2010.

Read the 1st Chapter online!

Copyright © 2008 John Royce

#27- The Adventure Begins…

An empty landscape spread before her, basking in late afternoon sun. This is strange, Meagan thought, swallowing. Solid rock walls rose on either side of her, marbled with green moss and snaking black fissures. Nothing manmade was in sight. – “Eclipsed by Shadow” (excerpt)

MEAGAN OPENED HER eyes. Thin wisps of clouds brushed the bluest sky she had ever seen. Her first thought was that she had woken from a dream. Groggy, she watched the clouds drift.

That dream was the most realistic of all, she thought absently. She noticed shapes above her and focused. A line of shadowed children stared down, silent as pigeons on a ledge. She closed her eyes again. Great, my riding friends. Every time I fall off I have an audience … wait—where is Promise?

Her head cleared with sudden memory. What if the dream—she sat up quickly and stared at her surroundings. She was still in her nightgown, perched on a rocky cliff over an expanse of prairie grassland. An empty landscape spread before her, basking in late afternoon sun. This is strange, Meagan thought, swallowing. Solid rock walls rose on either side of her, marbled with green moss and snaking black fissures. Nothing manmade was in sight.

In the silence came a familiar rumbling. The ground was beginning to vibrate.

Excerpted from Eclipsed by Shadow, the award-winning 1st volume of “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy. (Hrdbk pg. 87)

Book II: The Golden Spark will be published Fall 2010.

Read the 1st Chapter online!

Copyright © 2008 John Royce

#26- The Great Escape

Wind rose in Meagan’s ears, and time stretched into a series of still photographs as the young thoroughbred gathered and stretched. The ground blurred and together they lifted into the air. – Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

“The horse must never be ridden…”

“It’ll be all right, girl.” Meagan led Promise a step toward the waiting thieves. The filly put her head low into Meagan’s hair, trembling. “Come on, girl, you’ll be fine.” Promise took another tentative step, stopped and snorted, then went another. Meagan hesitated. What am I doing? She trusts me.

Glancing at the fence joining the Cromwell’s yard, Meagan saw an escape. With a quick motion she jumped up and pulled herself onto Promise’s back. The filly swung around, accepting the weight and understanding instantly.

Meagan heard shouting behind her as Promise reached for the safety of speed. The pasture was small but both horse and rider meant to go beyond. Fluid strides lengthened, swallowing the earth in quickening gulps as the pasture fence rushed towards them. Wind rose in Meagan’s ears, and time stretched into a series of still photographs as the young thoroughbred gathered and stretched. The ground blurred and together they lifted into the air.

Excerpted from Eclipsed by Shadow, the award-winning 1st volume of “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy. (Hrdbk pg. 83)

Book II: The Golden Spark will be published Fall 2010.

Read the 1st Chapter online!

Copyright © 2008 John Royce

#25- Panicked Thoughts

Promise let Meagan come close, but gave no signs of relaxing. Every fiber in the horse was prepared for flight, and her wide eyes never left the two men. – Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

There was no time to do anything except cooperate. Meagan took the halter and walked back to the patio.

She spoke softly to her frightened filly. Promise let Meagan come close, but gave no signs of relaxing. Every fiber in the horse was prepared for flight, and her wide eyes never left the two men. Meagan reached to carefully remove the broken bridle.

“Leave it on!” Randy growled, stepping forward.

Promise flinched, tearing the bridle from Meagan’s hands and racking her raw mouth as it twisted. The horse stepped into a patio chair, tangling herself and almost falling. Hooves clattered on brick as the filly bolted across the patio and through the gate to escape. She ran bucking wildly into the pasture, running to the farthest corner.

Meagan remained frozen as Randy stooped to pick up the halter she had dropped. He threw the harness to her. The halter fell on the bricks.

Excerpted from Eclipsed by Shadow, the award-winning 1st volume of “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy. (Hrdbk pg. 82)

Book II: The Golden Spark will be published Fall 2010.

Read the 1st Chapter online!

Copyright © 2008 John Royce

#24- Thieves in the Backyard

In moments Meagan was down the stairs and out the back door. On the patio, still in her nightgown, she stopped in shock. The filly’s bridle was pulled halfway off and both reins had snapped. – Eclipsed by Shadow excerpt

Promise returns…

In moments Meagan was down the stairs and out the back door. On the patio, still in her nightgown, she stopped in shock. The filly’s bridle was pulled halfway off and both reins had snapped. Cuts covered her lower legs and a scrape along one shoulder was crusted with blood.

Promise’s nostrils dilated as she raised her head in jerks, backing a step. “Easy, girl,” Meagan soothed, approaching. “Let me clean you up and get you some food.”

“I am afraid there won’t be time.”

Meagan turned to see an unknown man standing beside Mr. Wells. The trainer held the most incongruous of objects—a gleaming handgun.

“Your horse came to say goodbye,” Mr. Wells said evenly. “She’s caused a bit of trouble.” As he stepped forward, Promise tensed and blew out strongly.

“How did she escape?” the second man asked anxiously. “The animal is a Houdini! Across all the traffic, too!”

Mr. Wells waved his gun toward Meagan. “It looks like that headpiece is about finished. Why don’t you find something else? Fast.”

“I do wish this wasn’t necessary,” the second man told her apologetically. “I wish I’d never seen a betting booth.”

Mr. Wells waved his gun again and Meagan ran out into the tack room, thinking in panicked flashes. Her parents were still upstairs asleep. If the men were going to hurt her or her family, they would have done so—they only wanted Promise and there was no time to do anything except cooperate.

Excerpted from Eclipsed by Shadow, the award-winning 1st volume of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy. (Hrdbk pg. 81)

Book II: The Golden Spark will be published Fall 2010.

#23- Stolen Promise

Meagan stood quietly and lifted the window blinds. The early sky was gray and turbulent. Birds chirped in the cool pre-morning. She folded her hands on the window sill, ready for tears. Promise was gone, stolen. – Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

That night Meagan cried herself to sleep. Police had been called and neighbors alerted, but nothing had been heard. Jennifer tried the phone number Pamela knew for Mr. Wells—it had been disconnected.

When she did finally sleep, Meagan dreamt of riding. She galloped with Promise across clear stretches of green. Fences rose up before them and she twitched in her sleep as she and Promise soared over … and then up into the bright sky. Meagan opened her eyes to the gray of early pre-dawn and lay in bed, staring at the ceiling remembering her remorse.

So the dream of the flying horse had finally returned. It gave her no comfort now; the vivid image seemed to mock her loss. Meagan stood quietly and lifted the window blinds. The early sky was gray and turbulent. Birds chirped in the cool pre-morning. She folded her hands on the window sill, ready for tears. Promise was gone, stolen. Even if found, the poor young horse could easily be traumatized. Please be safe, girl, Meagan prayed, putting her head in her hands. She happened to glance down to see a dark shape.

Promise was standing on the patio.

Excerpted from Eclipsed by Shadow, the award-winning 1st volume of “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy. (Hrdbk pg. 81)

Book II: The Golden Spark will be published Fall 2010.

Read the 1st Chapter online!

Copyright © 2008 John Royce

#22- The Horse Thief

Heavy clouds curtained the morning’s light. The previous day had been like early spring, but today was going to be gray, damp and cold. Pneumonia weather, Randy grumbled to himself, tramping across the pasture with a halter. ~ Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

Heavy clouds curtained the morning’s light. The previous day had been like early spring, but today was going to be gray, damp and cold. Pneumonia weather, Randy grumbled to himself, tramping across the pasture with a halter.

The ground near the pasture’s stables was cut by horses’ hooves. The stables door was fifteen feet tall and was meant to slide on a track now rusted and bent. Randy braced all his weight to force the door open. Once he was inside, the early gloom made it hard to see. It didn’t matter: a golden palomino would be easy to spot.

Walking down the aisle, Randy peered into each stall. He was surprised not to see the filly’s pale yellow coat in the semi-darkness. He walked back down the aisle slowly, looking again. Finally, Randy risked turning on the lights. Fluorescents blazed overhead, and every horse in the stables stuck its head into the aisle in hopes of an early feeding.

Excerpted from Eclipsed by Shadow, the award-winning 1st volume of “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy. (Hrdbk pg. 70)

Book II: The Golden Spark will be published Fall 2010.

Read the 1st Chapter online!

Copyright © 2008 John Royce

Book I: “Rome wasn’t Read in a Day”

Jennifer wished the answer could be different. “Meagan, there are no such things as Great Horses. I like that you are taking an interest in history, but you can’t believe in fantasies.” – Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

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This excerpt is from Eclipsed by Shadow, Book #1 of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy, an adventure through history―on horseback.

The scene is set in modern day America: young Meagan is convinced the legend is true, but no one believes … including her mother…

I think that if I become a horseman,
I shall be a man on wings.

– Xenophon (c. 400 BC)

Jennifer wished the answer could be different. “Meagan, there are no such things as Great Horses. I like that you are taking an interest in history, but you can’t believe in fantasies.”

“Mrs. Bridgestone said only true owners will believe the legend,” Meagan replied stubbornly. “You are just proving it.”

“I’m sorry, Meagan.” Jennifer glanced down at picture of chariot race with teams of galloping horses. “Horses can make people act very strangely. Now, will you promise me? No talking with Mrs. Bridgestone.”

Meagan shrugged. “Maybe we should bring Promise back home, just in case.”

“Meagan?”

“I said okay.”

Jennifer went to the doorway. “Tell the books goodnight, Meagan. Rome wasn’t read in a day.” Jennifer closed the door behind her and returned downstairs. She sat beside her husband on the couch. “I’m worried about Meagan, Tom.”

“Of course you are, Jen. It’s how we know you’re her mother.”

Jennifer shrugged. “She spends all her time reading history books. It’s that silly legend. Meagan is absolutely convinced.”

“Yes, she told me. It sounds like this Bridgestone woman is a bit … should I say it?”

“There is nothing wrong with being a little eccentric, Tom.”

“That wasn’t the word I was going to use.”

Eclipsed by Shadow (Book #1 of the trilogy) won national awards including the Eric Hoffer Award for best Young Adult Fiction, and the Mom’s Choice Award for best family-friendly Young Adult Fantasy.

__________

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The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy books (2015)

#20- A final warning from Mrs. Bridgestone

The old woman leaned close, and the measure of centuries seemed to weigh in her words. “No one would want to see all that we have shown horses…” ~ Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

“Horsemanship was a foundation of classical education for many centuries. We seem to have gotten away from the tradition and it is unfortunate.” The woman’s face grew grave. “If you discover the whereabouts of the Great Horse, please alert me. I would like to bring her here for safety. You may think me eccentric, but my concern is quite sincere.”

“Mrs. Bridgestone,” Meagan asked politely. “What kind of darkness do you think will happen if someone rides Promise? Is it for sure a bad thing?”

“It seems so, dear.” The old woman leaned close, and the measure of centuries seemed to weigh in her words. “No one would want to see all that we have shown horses…”

Abridged excerpt from pg. 64 of Eclipsed by Shadow, the award-winning 1st volume of “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy. (Hrdbk)

Book II: The Golden Spark will be published Fall 2010.

Read the 1st Chapter online!

Copyright © 2008 John Royce

#19- Maybe it’s a good kind of darkness

The woman’s tone was solemn. “My sources call her the Great Traveler, with power to bring darkness to the world. Of course, we wouldn’t be sure unless the Great Horse was actually ridden, but that must never happen.” Meagan’s eyes were wide. “I admit it is strange. In all my readings, Great Horses have never done evil. Perhaps this event has something to do with the millennium change. I can’t explain it.” ~ Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

Meagan gets some not-so-good news about her horse…

The old woman spoke softly. “Seven female foals were born in California at exactly dawn on the summer solstice of 2001. I have acquired all of the foals. All, that is, except yours.”

“Of course, Mrs. Bridgestone,” Jennifer said breezily, “you don’t take this seriously?”

“Oh, but I do, dear. Most seriously.”

“Mrs. Bridgestone?” Meagan asked, hesitating at her mother’s expression. “Do you really think Promise could be the Great Horse?”

“Yes, dear, I do.” The woman’s tone was solemn. “My sources call her the Great Traveler, with power to bring darkness to the world. Of course, we wouldn’t be sure unless the Great Horse was actually ridden, but that must never happen.” Meagan’s eyes were wide. “I admit it is strange. In all my readings, Great Horses have never done evil. Perhaps this event has something to do with the millennium change. I can’t explain it.”

“Maybe it’s a good kind of darkness,” Meagan suggested hopefully.

“Unfortunately, I have found other references that are less reassuring.”

Jennifer interrupted. “Less reassuring?”

Excerpted from pg. 61 of Eclipsed by Shadow, the award-winning 1st volume of “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy. (Hrdbk)

Book II: The Golden Spark will be published Fall 2010.

Read the 1st Chapter online!

Copyright © 2008 John Royce