THE LEGEND OF THE GREAT HORSE trilogy

“Thrilling and intelligent fantasy … a great blend of academic and adventurous reading that is beach-ready.” ~ US Review of Books

The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy is an award-winning adventure about horsemanship in civilization … history comes alive as a teenager travels back in time and experiences how horses were used in the past.

Book I: Eclipsed by Shadow, begins the tale as young Meagan Roberts discovers her new foal is a Great Horse of legend … and is carried into an incredible adventure in history.

Eclipsed by Shadow won mainstream critical acclaim and national awards including the 2009 Eric Hoffer Award for Young Adult Fiction.

The story travels through prehistoric times when man’s interest in the horse was strictly culinary…

… and follows Meagan as she struggles to survive the harrowing thrills of Roman chariot racing, the hordes of Genghis Khan, and a season of chivalry among castles, Tournaments and knights.

Book II: The Golden Spark,
was published to the trade in April 2011 … continuing the ‘road-trip’ adventure amid a colorful cast of accurately-portrayed historical characters from the European Renaissance.

In this installment, our heroine finds herself an unwitting stowaway aboard a Spanish conquistador’s ship, rides among nobility at the Court of Versailles, and joins the struggles of a farming family in Merry Old England of the 1800’s.

2011 Independent Publisher Highlighted Title

LibraryThing Early Review Title

#63- Meagan’s complaint…

Meagan’s pony suddenly raised her head and whinnied into the wind, and hundreds of answers echoed across the empty grassland. The trumpeting of horses filled the open plain as if the land ahead were welcoming them. – Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

Somewhere in Outer Mongolia…

The sky is as empty as the landscape, she thought irritably. If these people were riding through the middle of nowhere, they rode through it with purpose. There was no stopping for items as trivial as food or water. Meagan’s saddle possessed a single skin canteen of water, which she had ineptly doused over her face and clothes while attempting a drink.

Meagan had a complaint, or rather a series of them. There seemed to be no rules to this legend, and it was very disorienting to keep changing places and time periods, to say nothing of being snatched away at the last possible moment—was it to be a deathmatch every time? This is the worst possible legend, Meagan told herself, sulking. It was more like a curse. Of course, I could have listened to Mrs. Bridgestone, added an unwelcome thought. She pushed it away…

When the other riders spoke, of course it was a language she could not understand. Also, Meagan was out of practice and the pony’s backbone was growing more distinct with each passing mile. She could not guess how the group of horsemen knew their way. The land was nothing except rolling grass in all directions. A line of dark clouds hugged the hazy horizon ahead, offering the hope of cool rain. Uncharacteristically, she thought dismounting would be the best relief.

Strangely, though, on closer inspection it seemed the bottom of the clouds hung below the horizon. Meagan’s pony suddenly raised her head and whinnied into the wind, and hundreds of answers echoed across the empty grassland. The trumpeting of horses filled the open plain as if the land ahead were welcoming them…

Excerpted from Eclipsed by Shadow, the award-winning first volume of “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy. (Hrdbk pg. 180)

Book II: The Golden Spark is available! Book III announcements coming soon…

Read the 1st Chapter online!

Cover Design for “The Golden Spark”

The trade cover for The Golden Spark (Book II of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy), published by Micron Press was designed by Allen Griffith of Eye 4 Design based in Austin, TX.

The striking cover of The Golden Spark (Book 2 of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy ~ Micron Press) was designed by Allen Griffith of Eye 4 Design.

The image features a gold coin on display in a drawing room of Versailles, the famous royal château of the 17th-Century King Louis XIV of France.

The coin is a reimagined period currency minted to honor one of the equine characters of The Golden Spark … shown performing the Capriole, one of the Airs Above the Ground of the Haute École, or High School, of dressage.

Eye 4 Design specializes in quality custom graphic design, and produced a stunningly rich image while remaining faithful to the book’s historically accurate scenes. The design continues the central ‘coin’ theme of Book I: Eclipsed by Shadow while artistically reflecting changes in color, variety and complexity that attended the rebirth of European culture in the Renaissance.

Eye 4 Design is a specialty commercial graphics design firm based in Austin, TX, delivering quality custom work for both business and individual clients. For more information contact Allen Griffith @ 512-454-5471.

Book II: The Golden Spark – Adventure Finds Young Horsewoman Lost in History

A fun and unique “creative non-fiction” story for adults and teens, The Golden Spark follows the struggles of a young woman carried unwillingly through the Renaissance, who uses her knowledge of modern horsemanship to survive.

Here is the final publication Media Release for The Golden Spark – Book II of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy … being issued this Tuesday! [PDF]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robert Hall
Email: R_Hall@MicronPress.com

ADVENTURE FINDS HORSEWOMAN LOST IN HISTORY

Book Two continues ‘The Legend of the Great Horse’

BOSTON, MA April 5, 2011 | Micron Press is pleased to announce publication of The Golden Spark, the 2nd book of the award-winning time-travel trilogy, The Legend of the Great Horse by John Royce. The book continues the journey of a modern-day teenager lost in history, delivering an entertaining adventure for horse-lovers … and those who don’t know a saddle from a bridle!

A fun and unique “creative non-fiction” story for adults and teens (Ages 14+), The Golden Spark follows the struggles of a young woman carried unwillingly through the time of the Renaissance through early 1800’s, who uses her knowledge of modern horsemanship to survive.

Book II: The Golden Spark is the sequel to Eclipsed by Shadow, John Royce’s debut title which won the Eric Hoffer Award and a top recommendation by Library Journal. This well-informed, wholesome series illustrates the importance of horsemanship in our past and offers a positive message for today.

Available through bookstores and major online booksellers. For more information, please visit TheGreatHorse.com.

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The Golden Spark and other books of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy offer an exciting adult-level “horse story” for the kid in all of us!

#62- The Time Jump

NOTHING HARMLESS FEELS so much like dying as having one’s breath well and truly knocked out. Heaving for air without result, Meagan fought panic as she waited for a breath. When it finally came, she leaned onto her hands and panted in great gulps. – Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

NOTHING HARMLESS FEELS so much like dying as having one’s breath well and truly knocked out. Heaving for air without result, Meagan fought panic as she waited for a breath. When it finally came, she leaned onto her hands and panted in great gulps.

Sounds of men came through the darkness, their speech fast and urgent. Meagan steadied her breathing and listened as words rose and fell around her, foreign words spoken in crisp, rapid strokes. The voices approached and hands gripped the fabric of her tunic, inspecting, pulling at the folds and letting them go.

A light colored horse was led forward, a faint apparition glowing in the darkness. Meagan reached out a hand and ran it along familiar contours. It was a pony, a short but fully grown equine. She was lifted and pushed onto the pony’s back, where she instinctively reached for the reins lying low on the animal’s neck. The stadium and chariots had evaporated into the night air. The last Meagan remembered was the rush of white wings, and the world seemed to melt and reassemble into new solid forms. Now Rome was a memory.

A knot of horsemen rode past Meagan. She could see faces in the light of the torches they carried, Asian faces, parched and grim in the flickering redness. Her pony mount swished its tail impatiently, and Meagan automatically reached to pat the animal’s shoulder. Her hand felt an irregular patch in the hair, and she leaned over to see. Branded on the shoulder, barely visible in the torchlight, was a crescent symbol over a circle.

Voices were receding into the night. Meagan allowed the pony to join the sound of hoof beats flowing through the warm darkness. All she cared to know was that she had moved closer to her own time—so far, there was no evidence. One thing was certain: she was not yet back home.

Excerpted from Eclipsed by Shadow, the award-winning first volume of “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy. (Hrdbk pg. 179)

Book II: The Golden Spark is available! Book III announcements coming soon…

Read the 1st Chapter online!

“History teaching curriculum failing pupils”

One reason “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy is a worthwhile read is its exploration of history in chronological order — with time lines before each new era — as it traces the development in horsemanship in civilization.

A new report from the UK has found students are being ill-served by ‘a curriculum which does not give them a “chronological understanding” of the subject.’

History teaching fails to give pupils proper view of the past, says watchdog:

The Ofsted report said many primary and secondary pupils are being let down by a curriculum which does not give them a “chronological understanding” of the subject …

Schoolchildren fail to grasp how events in history are linked because the subject is taught in “episodes”, an official report has warned….

A “fundamental weakness” in primary schools was that some teachers “did not teach to establish a clear mental map of the past for pupils”.

One reason “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy is a worthwhile read is its exploration of history in chronological order — with time lines before each new era — as it traces the development in horsemanship in civilization.

The books of the trilogy convey accurate history in a fun and engaging story … the books give readers solid overview of history as they ride along with an exceptionally well-written and intelligent literary tale. (For ages 14 and up)

#61- Leaving Ancient Rome

The following excerpt is from Eclipsed by Shadow, the award-winning 1st Book of “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy.

Heavily-scented guards pressed around Meagan. No wonder claustrophobia is a Latin word, she thought as they jostled her. This was happening too quickly. “Of course I will visit you, Horace. Do I have to go?”

“We could escape.” The baritone voice was husky as he leaned close. “I have family in Lazio. We could be married. We could…” Horace stopped himself, seeing her head shake slowly.

Meagan was surprised by the matter-of-fact proposal. She had not until that moment fully realized she was of marriageable age. Of course she would be considered mere property in the arrangement, but the offer touched her. “Horace, I can’t. It’s not my choice. I … I don’t belong here. Please understand, I cannot.”

Horace raised his gaze to the sky and recited softly, “Her voice rings through me like a song on a lyre, yet it is only an echo on the wind.” He looked down again, his expression carefully composed. “Does it sound like the great Horatius, even a little? It is mine, for you.”

A tear streaked down Meagan’s face. “Please, Horace …”

“You make me think of the dog of my boyhood, Highest Lady. I always thought my Hercules was very stupid because he chased birds. Now I know why.”

“Horace,” Meagan smiled as she wiped her eyes. “As advice, never tell a girl she reminds you of a dog.”

The expression on his ruined face was soft. “It is to see them fly.”

A tightness grew in Meagan’s chest. “You saved me, Horace. Don’t forget that.”

“It was only my destiny. I will remember you.” Horace stepped forward and kissed her forehead. He bowed as guards pushed her on.

A cleared space followed Meagan like a spotlight as she was escorted through the tight crowd. A beaming Master of Horse called warmly, hurrying closer. “There she is, Excellency! My assistant!” The man’s voice was familiar but his manner was not: he was being nice. “Are you well, sweet child?” the man doted. “I hope you had no trouble with the Blue fans!”

Seated on the high bench was a smiling Emperor. His voice was gentle. “Bring the slave closer, Cornelius.”

Excerpted from Eclipsed by Shadow, the award-winning first volume of “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy. (Hrdbk pg. 172)

Book II: The Golden Spark is available! Book III announcements coming soon…

Read the 1st Chapter (free) online!

The 3 Rules of “The Great Horse”

The Three (3) Rules of The Great Horse (aka “3 Great Rules”) are derived from legends and (possibly apocryphal) history associated with the supernatural equine manifestation herein and heretofore described as “The Great Horse.”

These guidelines have been issued by The Bridgestone Institute in the interest of protecting generally innocent but unwary victims, by assisting in the identification of any suspected “Great Horse” (or “Horses”) … and specifically to rescue one such individual, Meagan Roberts, who vanished from a suburb of California in June of 2001 and is currently considered quite hopelessly lost.

Rule #1

(alternative labeling: The Great Horse Rule Numero Uno)

The Great Horse is born at dawn.

Rule #2

(aka the Bucephalus Rule, or bronco-loco-mojo-juju)

No one may ride a Great Horse
without the owner’s permission.

Rule #3

(otherwise known as “the Bummer Clause”)

No one but the owner of the Great Horse
will believe the legend.

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* Available information is admittedly scant, being virtually (and actually) limited to words the above, and no ascertainment of its validity or usefulness will be described. – The Bridgestone Institute Law Office