#10 – “Do you believe in legends, dear?”

“If you mean education-related, yes. Horses are said to be excellent teachers and only so much can be taught in a classroom.” The woman cleared her throat delicately. “Do you believe in legends, dear?” —excerpted from Eclipsed by Shadow (Book #1 of ‘The Legend of the Great Horse’ trilogy (p. 48)

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

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

After lunch, Mrs. Bridgestone adjourned to a warm room whose coziness made Jennifer wonder if brandy and cigars would be forthcoming. A low fire burned in an ornate fireplace, below a polished marble mantle inscribed with flowing letters in a foreign language. Dark leather punctuated with brass fasteners covered couches and stools, and framed art of horses filled the walls.

Beside the door, a pedestal bore a brass sculpture of a bearded, trident-bearing man mounted on a flipper-tailed horse. Meagan stood before it and reached out a finger.

“Don’t touch, Meagan,” Jennifer warned.

“No, let her, Jennifer. The child won’t hurt it.” Mrs. Bridgestone walked slowly to a pair of facing couches in the center of the room. “That is a statue of a Hippocampus, dear. They were the mounts of Poseidon, god of the sea. The ancients believed the horse came from the deep ocean wearing the froth of the waves for its mane. Do you like it?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Meagan answered quietly, and walked in wonder to an antique vase set upon a white pedestal. A team of horses charged over the curved surface.

“You may touch the vase, dear, it is only a copy. The original is sixth century B. C. Do you see the images of black horses over the red background? It was an early, crude form of vase painting called ‘black figure.’ Red figures were developed later, but I like the severe lines. Personal taste.”

Meagan softly agreed.

“They were interesting people, our forebears the Greeks. That particular vase shows a four-horse chariot called a Quadriga. Chariot racing grew so popular under the Roman Empire that it was considered a form of madness.”

Meagan walked on to an antique globe, hands clasped behind her. Dancing curlicues of fanciful horses adorned its colorful seas.

“I obtained that piece in Delhi, dear. I have a friend who believes the horse is the only animal to have reached Nirvana. He says Allah placed fear in the horse so that he would remain earthbound, to be an inspiration and guide to mankind. You find religion and early horsemanship very much intertwined.”

Jennifer moved to sit across from the woman. “It’s very nice to be here, Mrs. Bridgestone, but I am still not sure why. As lovely as this has been … I thought this meeting might be school-related?”

“If you mean education-related, yes. Horses are said to be excellent teachers and only so much can be taught in a classroom.” The woman cleared her throat delicately. “Do you believe in legends, dear?”

Copyright © 2008 John Royce

The above excerpt is from “Home,” the 1st section of Eclipsed by Shadow, and is set in modern-day California. (p. 48 Hbk)

The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy is an adventure through history … each section is from a different time period.

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.

__________

Quick Links:

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

» Read the 1st Chapter online.

» Check out Book #2 of the trilogy: The Golden Spark.

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

Check out the trilogy’s page on Facebook!

#9- Horse Talk with Mrs. Bridgestone

‘ “It is fascinating how closely horsemanship and culture coincide. When Europe fell into the Dark Ages, their horsemanship deteriorated into barbarism. It was not until the Renaissance that humane methods were rediscovered.” Mrs. Bridgestone stepped to the fence and reached a frail hand to stroke the filly’s neck. “In owning a horse, I feel I own a living piece of history.” ’ —excerpted from Eclipsed by Shadow (Book #1 of ‘The Legend of the Great Horse’ trilogy (p. 46)

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

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

Mrs. Bridgestone leaned to Jennifer. “Tell me something, dear. You have practical knowledge about horses. Are they really as intellectually … limited as one hears? It has always upset me to think so.”

“You mean, are horses stupid?”

“I have heard it said, and I am sorry. They are such splendid animals.”

“Don’t be sorry, Mrs. Bridgestone.” Jennifer was amused. “They are so different than humans. Right now that horse is watching Meagan, you and me and almost everything around her. And she will never forget, because horses have a photographic memory. Horses hear and smell almost as well as a dog, they are so sensitive they can feel a fly’s landing, and can even recognize people by the vibration of their walk.”

“Yes, yes,” the old woman said, “I have discovered the most engaging facts in my readings. Did you know that the horse’s eye is one of the largest in the animal kingdom, even larger than an elephant’s? I understand horses are timid because in nature they are prey. Have you found that to be true?”

Jennifer nodded. “It is hard to imagine how differently a horse sees the world. But the more you try, the better they respond.”

“How charming. It is fascinating how closely horsemanship and culture coincide. When Europe fell into the Dark Ages, their horsemanship deteriorated into barbarism. It was not until the Renaissance that humane methods were rediscovered.” Mrs. Bridgestone stepped to the fence and reached a frail hand to stroke the filly’s neck. “In owning a horse, I feel I own a living piece of history.” Guinevere reached to sniff Mrs. Bridgestone’s hand. The woman smiled. “Magical beings, aren’t they? There is history in their hoof beats—or is it hoof steps? I should tell you, my friends and staff have questioned my sanity since I started my horse project … but sometimes a touch of madness produces the sanest result.” She sighed, watching Guinevere trot off with her tail high. “I was surprised to learn horses have never been domesticated. Their instincts remain. Horses return easily to the wild, as with the American mustangs. I like that, somehow. In all the centuries they have never forgotten themselves.”

“Yes,” Jennifer said regretfully, “though we don’t need horses anymore. Now they are only expensive playthings.”

Mrs. Bridgestone looked at Jennifer sharply. “I wouldn’t say that, dear. I wouldn’t say that at all. People are no authority on what they need. Ignorance about our needs is one thing that separates us from animals. Oh, I truly wish we had had this meeting long ago, Jennifer. They say horses rush men to folly. Well, they do it to old women, too.”

Copyright © 2008 John Royce

The above excerpt is from “Home,” the 1st section of Eclipsed by Shadow, and is set in modern-day California. (p.46 Hbk)

The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy is an adventure through history … each section is about a different time period.

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.

__________

Quick Links:

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

» Read the 1st Chapter online.

» Check out Book #2 of the trilogy: The Golden Spark.

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

Check out the trilogy’s page on Facebook!

#8- Wait … who is Mrs. Bridgestone?

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

“Allow me time to explain.” The elderly woman waited as the tea was poured, accepting her cup with a polite murmur. “I have gained some experience with horses since we last met, Meagan.” Mrs. Bridgestone sipped her cup delicately. “What did you name your young horse, dear?”

“I named her Promise, ma’am. It was how you said, that animals sometimes name themselves.”

“They do indeed. At least, that has been my experience.” The woman thought for a moment. “Promise. Why, that is a lovely name! It is quite apt too, if somewhat misleading…”

Meagan looked shyly at the floor.

The woman reached for her cane. “Before we have lunch, I think you two might enjoy meeting a few friends of mine. Nelson, could you assist?” The man stepped forward to help Mrs. Bridgestone to her feet.

Jennifer and Meagan followed into a wide hallway that ended at a glass door. Beyond could be glimpsed lawn and white fences. A bay-colored flash floated by in the sliver visible through the window.

Meagan opened the glass door and ran out. Emerging into sunshine, she gasped to see a storybook stables nestled within a brilliant green landscape. White fences wrapped crisp lines around wood-shingled roofs and raked paths. Hanging chrysanthemums flanked yellow-and-white Dutch stall doors. The building looked more like a decorated cake than a working facility.

“Mom, look!” Meagan ran to the central paddock and leaned over the fence toward a husky bay horse. “It’s a filly too!” she called. “She is Promise’s age!”

“I own six horses altogether, Jennifer,” Mrs. Bridgestone confided. “All fillies. I’ve secured the services of a horseman to watch over them. A groom…” The old woman leaned on her cane and gazed at the stables. “What a lovely profession.”

“Have you had horses long?” Jennifer asked.

“Not at all.” Mrs. Bridgestone took Jennifer’s arm as they walked on. “I admit to a mostly academic knowledge of horses, Jennifer. I loved horses as a young girl, yet I have come to actual ownership late in life.” …

Copyright © 2008 John Royce

The above excerpt is from “Home,” the 1st section of Eclipsed by Shadow, and is set in modern-day California. (p. 44 Hbk)

The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy is an adventure through history … each section is about a different time period.

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.

__________

Quick Links:

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

» Read the 1st Chapter online.

» Check out Book #2 of the trilogy: The Golden Spark.

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

Check out the trilogy’s page on Facebook!

Novel Addiction Review – & Happy Summer Solstice

Here’s a descriptive new review of Eclipsed by Shadow posted by Morning Glow (aka Amanda), on Novel Addiction:

From the back of the book:   Eclipsed by Shadow is the first book of an exciting new trilogy, The Legend of the Great Horse, a journey through the ages when horses were everyday companions in work, war, sport and spectacle. The story is told through the eyes of a young woman, a horse-crazy teenager traveling through time with a knowledge of 21st Century horsemanship as her only defense. ”

Well, wow, the back of the book really doesn’t do this series justice. It makes the whole story sound flippant and childish, even. But really, I found this book to be far more powerful than the blurb. Yes, we do follow a young girl (she’s 15 through most of the book), and yes, she does travel through time, but these aren’t easy things Meagan is dealing with. And despite the young age of the main character, I’m not sure I would give this book to a fifteen year old.. unless he or she was very mature. There are definitely some harsh moments in Eclipsed by Shadow. Not to give too much away, but death, rape, slavery, beatings, etc, are all issues Meagan has to see and live in fear of. All this lends to a very powerful and thrilling tale, definitely, but this book should definitely not be taken lightly.

< read the entire review online  … >

Also: Happy Birthday, Promise!

Novel Addiction review: “Powerful and thrilling … not to be taken lightly”

FIVE out of FIVE … the history was accurately done, the journey is amazing, and Meagan rose to each occasion she was thrown into.— Amanda T, Novel Addiction

The following is a review of Eclipsed by Shadow by Amanda T of the book blog, Novel Addiction:

Novel Addiction | Amanda T (Morning Glow)

“Eclipsed By Shadow” is actually Book One in a trilogy, titled The Legend of the Great Horse. And holy cow, I can definitely see why this needs to be a trilogy. Quite a lot of interesting plot, way too much to be contained in one book.

Disclaimer: I received this book, and this book only, in exchange for a review. The book was posted on the Member Giveaways section, part of Librarything.com‘s Early Reviewers program.

Type: YA fiction, Time Travel, Fantasy/Magical

From the back of the book: “Eclipsed by Shadow is the first book of an exciting new trilogy, The Legend of the Great Horse, a journey through the ages when horses were everyday companions in work, war, sport and spectacle. The story is told through the eyes of a young woman, a horse-crazy teenager traveling through time with a knowledge of 21st Century horsemanship as her only defense.”

Well, wow, the back of the book really doesn’t do this series justice. It makes the whole story sound flippant and childish, even. But really, I found this book to be far more powerful than the blurb. Yes, we do follow a young girl, she’s 15 through most of the book), and yes, she does travel through time, but these aren’t easy things Meagan is dealing with. And despite the young age of the main character, I’m not sure I would give this book to a fifteen year old.. unless he or she was very mature. There are definitely some harsh moments in “Eclipsed by Shadow.” Not to give too much away, but death, rape, slavery, beatings, etc, are all issues Meagan has to see and live in fear of. All this lends to a very powerful and thrilling tale, definitely, but this book should definitely not be taken lightly.

As mentioned, Meagan does travel through time, in this book alone visiting several periods through History, and I’m sure even more in the sequels. As a bit of a History nerd, I was in love with the accurate details during each time period. A lot of research went into the writing of this trilogy, and I think the author should definitely be commended for it. The language was well done – Meagan didn’t just understand everyone she met. In fact, her first several stops on the way, no one spo[ke] English, and she had to find some way to get by without knowing the language. The settings seemed perfectly done, and even the people and their actions fit each time period perfectly.

You could also tell this book was written by a horse lover, knowledge of the breeds, rituals, and the connection one feels to horses is obvious throughout. I rode myself for several years (missing it almost every day), and I was amazed at the details that were mentioned. Even something as simple (or so most people would believe) as grooming is mentioned in perfect detail, with each type of brush and the order. It may seem a little information-heavy, but I think it helps to show how attached and connected Meagan feels to the great beasts.

I’ll be honest, when the “Legend of the Great Horse” was told to Meagan in the beginning, I thought it was a little cheesy. In fact, several of the beginning chapters weren’t really all that amazing. The prose and descriptions were well done, but it wasn’t horribly interesting… I actually thought I’d get aggravated with Meagan quickly. But once Meagan’s real journey began, I was positively enthralled. Meagan definitely showed her true colors, her spirit and her willingness to fight for herself and those she cared about.

I’m going to give “Eclipsed By Shadow” a FIVE out of FIVE. I truly think this book deserves such a good rating – the History was accurately done, even down the smallest detail, the journey is amazing, and Meagan really rose to each occasion she was thrown into. I do hope to find the rest of this series and continue reading them, and I hope everyone checks out “Eclipsed By Shadow” by John Royce.

» See original review online

graphic image of knight chesspiece

Eclipsed by Shadow is the first book of the award-winning fiction trilogy, The Legend of the Great Horse, a journey through history–on horseback!

The story follows the time-travel adventure of a modern horsewoman lost in the distant past. The title has won multiple 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.

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

#6- Holidays with Promise

“Promise looked on hungrily, a demented blonde reindeer wearing fake antlers and a white beard…” —excerpted from Eclipsed by Shadow (Book #1 of ‘The Legend of the Great Horse’ trilogy (p. 22)

Excerpt from Eclipsed by Shadow, the first book of “The Legend of the Great Horse” trilogy …

Halloween was memorable, as is any disaster. It began with Meagan’s decision to use the good tablecloth to make Promise into a horse-ghost. She was explaining this to her mother when the foal bolted and shredded the linen. In the interests of family harmony, it was agreed Tom would take Meagan trick-or-treating this year.

The tablecloth was mended for its new career as a horse costume, and father, daughter and foal set out—though Meagan’s authentic “Headless Horseman” pumpkin-head quickly succumbed to an inquisitive nudge from Promise. At the first house Tom nervously agreed to hold the foal and let Meagan trick-or-treat. While waiting, the foal glimpsed the top of Tom’s wallet in his back pocket and mistook it for a treat. Tom’s shouts attracted children from all over the neighborhood. By the time Meagan returned, Promise was disrobed and Tom’s wallet was a sodden lump. He handed the lead rope to Meagan without a word.

Switching duties brought little improvement. Meagan grew upset when her father invited pennies and apples in place of candy and, more ominously, Promise discovered Halloween bags contained her favorite red fruit. A boy standing too close was ransacked for goods. The hysterical child streaming candy and costume down the street concluded the evening.

Thanksgiving Day arrived with the foal still in the backyard. It was a day of relatives, picture taking, and general feasting on the patio. Tom acknowledged the patched linen tablecloth with thanks that the day was not Halloween, while Promise helped the children closest to the pasture fence finish their salads.

The above excerpt is from “Home,” the 1st section of Eclipsed by Shadow, and is set in modern-day California. (p. 22 Hbk)

The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy is an adventure through history … each section is about a different time period.

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.

__________

Quick Links:

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

» Read the 1st Chapter online.

» Check out Book #2 of the trilogy: The Golden Spark.

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

Check out the trilogy’s page on Facebook!

Ebook of “Eclipsed by Shadow” to benefit New England Equine Rescues (NEER)

A free ebook edition of “Eclipsed by Shadow” is being offered in return for donations to New England Equine Rescues (NEER).

UPDATE 4/21/14: The free ebook offer has closed … thank you for your interest!

A free ebook edition of Eclipsed by Shadow | The Legend of the Great Horse ~ Book I of III is being offered in return for donations to New England Equine Rescues (NEER).

Eclipsed by Shadow won the national Eric Hoffer Award for YA Fiction, and Gold in the Mom’s Choice for best YA Fantasy. The book begins a trilogy adventure about a teenaged rider, Meagan, who discovers a horse that takes her back in history.

“NEER actively rescues horses from a variety of situations, including owner surrenders, abuse and neglect situations, and horses at risk for slaughter. NEER provides sanctuary and rehabilitation in foster homes with the intention of adoption into new families as appropriate. “

#4- Meagan’s mother, Jennifer

“You never got to meet any of the old girls. Just as well, son. Be a shame if they’d scared you off.”—excerpted from Eclipsed by Shadow (Book #1 of ‘The Legend of the Great Horse’ trilogy (p. 15)

Jennifer always dismissed the suggestion that she was beautiful, but Tom disagreed. Both mother and daughter were like the thoroughbreds they loved, possessed of long lines, graceful and athletic. Jennifer’s most striking traits were the ones Tom had fallen in love with and his daughter had inherited: green eyes and auburn hair—and also a fiery temper and an intractable stubborn streak.

Words came into Tom’s mind as he watched his wife, something her father had said the night Tom was married. His father-in-law generally spoke little, but on that night he put his arm around Tom’s shoulders and gave him advice. “She can seem a bit tough at times, son, but Jennifer is a good girl. She’s like all the Owens women. They came west by oxen and went right back for their horses, and no one got in their way.” His father-in-law’s eyes had been full of amusement, but his expression grew serious. “You never got to meet any of the old girls. Just as well, son. Be a shame if they’d scared you off.”

Copyright © 2008 John Royce

The above excerpt is from “Home,” the 1st section of Eclipsed by Shadow, and is set in modern-day California. (p. 15 Hbk)

The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy is an adventure through history … each section is about a different time period.

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.

__________

Quick Links:

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

» Read the 1st Chapter online.

» Check out Book #2 of the trilogy: The Golden Spark.

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

Check out the trilogy’s page on Facebook!