THE LEGEND OF THE GREAT HORSE trilogy | Blog – Page 30 – Eclipsed by Shadow • The Golden Spark • Into the Dark

#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!

A Great adventure is about to begin…

Early excerpts from Eclipsed by Shadow have been posted on the book’s blog and Facebook page — and the story is about to take off.

Literally.

Eclipsed by Shadow begins an adventure through the ages when horses were everyday companions in work, war, sport and spectacle …

Our teenage heroine journeys to prehistoric days when man’s interest in the horse was strictly culinary, experiences the thrills of Roman chariot racing, rides with the hordes of Genghis Khan, and enjoys a season of Chivalry among castles, Tournaments and knights.

#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!

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)

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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Links:

» See All Excerpts from The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy.

» Read the 1st Chapter online.

» See the Media Kit for more information about the trilogy.

» Order Books

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#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!

Reader’s Review: “… this book would be fantastic for any horse lover—boy or girl.”

ECLIPSED BY SHADOW is such an interesting book! I learned so much about horses in history – it really was intriguing. I think that this book would be fantastic for any horse lover – boy or girl. There are so many different characters interwoven into the fabric of the story that it would appeal to a variety of young adults.—Vikki Gremel, Review the Book

The following is a review of ECLIPSED BY SHADOW by Vikki Gremel for Review the Book.

Review the Book | Vikki Gremel

Eclipsed by Shadow is such an interesting book! I learned so much about horses in history – it really was intriguing. I think that this book would be fantastic for any horse lover – boy or girl. There are so many different characters interwoven into the fabric of the story that it would appeal to a variety of young adults.

I enjoyed the “journey” very much. The opening chapters of the book provided a good background for the story, and I’m very anxious to read Book II. The end of the book leaves you hanging by a thread … wondering where the next adventure will take place.

Meagan, the heroine of the story, is a clever, levelheaded girl. She loves horses, and more importantly, KNOWS horses. Any future horsewoman can glean much from this book.

The importance of kindness both to people and to animals is prevalent throughout the story, and is not “preachy”, just appreciated.

I enjoyed this book! Well done, John Royce!

Eclipsed by Shadow is the first book of the award-winning fiction trilogy, The Legend of the Great Horse, a time-travel adventure through history—on horseback! The story follows the journey of a modern horsewoman lost in the distant past.

The title won the 2009 Eric Hoffer Award for best Young Adult Fiction, and the 2010 Mom’s Choice Award for best family-friendly Young Adult Fantasy.

Further information about this unique ‘creative non-fiction’ novel can be found at TheGreatHorse.com.

#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!

#18- How to know a Great Horse

“First, a Great Horse is born at dawn. That is an unusual time for mares, as they usually foal near midnight. Secondly, no one can ride a Great Horse without the owner’s permission.” ~ Eclipsed by Shadow (excerpt)

Mrs. Bridgestone tells all…

“First, a Great Horse is born at dawn. That is an unusual time for mares, as they usually foal near midnight. Secondly, no one can ride a Great Horse without the owner’s permission.”

“That’s a good rule,” Meagan said grinning, satisfied with the discussion.

“And third, only the owners of a Great Horse will believe the legend.”

“Why? It makes sense to me.” Meagan squinted at the last line. “What is this word, ‘ichone?’”

“That is how they spelled ‘each one.’ So much of Old English is spelled strangely to us yet has the same sound. Each one of the masters, the owners, is told by a previous owner of the Great Horse. As I am telling you.”

“You owned a Great Horse, Mrs. Bridgestone?”

The wrinkled face clouded. “No, actually not.”

“So why—”

“It is a very nice story.” Jennifer hushed her daughter with a glance. There was no need to disturb this nice woman’s fantasies.