Book #3 – Page 3 – THE LEGEND OF THE GREAT HORSE trilogy

Into the Dark (Book #3): Encountering the reality of history

Into the Dark (bookcover) WWII cavalry horse Cavalrymen knew the situation: there were no waves of doomed galloping charges against superior weaponry as enemy propaganda claimed. However in countries such as Poland in the early days of WWII, there was no time to adapt, and tragic scenes of onslaught–metal against blood–gave mankind’s insensate use of horses in battle its final tragic setting. – Into the Dark: The Legend of the Great Horse (Book #3)

Into the Dark (bookcover) WWII cavalry horse
This bookcover image by Marti Adrian Gregory is perhaps the most difficult horse character of Into the Dark.

It is of a cavalry horse wounded on a WWII battlefield.

Horses on this battlefield probably did not suffer more than on others, but the ultimate folly of war was shown most clearly—and further folly too—as our ancient partner fell to man-made machines.

In the early 20th Century, the bright hope of liberating humanity from the tyranny of fanaticism, corrupt wealth and war was darkened by those same forces … in this era technological change swept away the last major remnants of mounted cavalry.

Horses were already being replaced by motorized horsepower when war came … the saying that ‘Generals always fight the last war’ was tragically played out as mounted units and draft animals mingled with tanks, artillery fire and aircraft.

Cavalrymen knew the situation: there were no massive waves of doomed galloping charges against superior weaponry as enemy propaganda claimed. However in countries such as Poland in the early days of WWII, there was no time to adapt, and tragic scenes of onslaught–metal against blood–gave mankind’s insensate use of horses in battle its final tragic setting.

The last part of “Into the Dark enters a recent historic change that seems to be already blended in memory with ages past; we are careless with our history. The scene is only three short pages, included because it was a turning point in the modern world that should not be forgotten.

Into the Dark (Book #3 of The Legend of the Great Horse) is to be published on July 20th, 2012 … the book’s new cover images and excerpts from the book will be shared in the run-up to the launch date…

Book III: A Tunnel of Wind

“About the head of a truly great horse
there is an air of freedom unconquerable.
The eyes seem to look on heights beyond our gaze.
It is the look of a spirit that can soar …
It is the birthright of eagles.”
—John T. Foote (1881-1950)

The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy is an adventure through history―on horseback. Into the Dark (Book #3) was named to the Midwest Book Review Bookwatch and listed as a Highlighted Title by the Independent Book Publishers Associate (IBPA).

In this excerpt, the year is 1920 and the Great Horse is a fleet hero of the American racetrack…

—John T. Foote (1881-1950)

Her first time riding a Thoroughbred had been a little frightening. The horse stood prancing and eager as she took the reins and tried not to look at the ground so far away. She remembered hinting to the horse that she was ready and the sudden jolt forward in response.

She was riding quicksilver; such a steed demanded her utmost skill and focus. She had to balance and reassure the animal; she had to both follow and lead. She had to remind herself to breathe.

Only once did she truly gallop on a Thoroughbred. Her mount had been a claim horse on a backwater racetrack, a “prospect” being bought by her trainer. She remembered letting the reins out a notch and standing in the stirrups, feeling the horse opening his stride. The chiseled head mouthed the bit and pushed into the bridle, bounding forward in fluid strides that spilled across the soft earth.

She had opened the reins and felt the horse leap into them. The wind rose above all sounds, narrowing the world to just hooves exploding along the ground—and then the horse uncoiled and lifted, and the gallop was not a gallop anymore but a bolt and she was shooting through a tunnel of wind leaving the world outside stopped and static, a frozen background to the thunder beneath her that pounded on and on…

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Quick Links:

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

» Read the 1st Chapter online.

» Check out Reviews for the trilogy.

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

“Nice teeth … for a parrot.”

Red and Blue from "Into the Dark" “There is something about riding down the street on a prancing horse that makes you feel like something … even when you ain’t a thing!”– Will Rogers (1879-1935)

The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy is an adventure through history. The Golden Spark (Book #2) won the 2011 Written Arts Awards for best Science Fiction/Fantasy.

The year is 1861 in this excerpt, the location is Texas (USA) … Meagan is trying to keep the Great Horse from being sold away.

“There is something about riding down the street on a prancing horse that makes you feel like something … even when you ain’t a thing!”

—Will Rogers (1879-1935)

“Can’t take less’n thirty-five dollars. He’s a real work horse and I’ll take what he’s worth.” It was Dan Beardon … he was talking quickly to two men as they exited together out the front door.

Concerned, Meagan decided to begin with cleaning the spittoon by the front window. She walked to it and casually rubbed a spot in the foggy saloon glass to see out. The dark sorrel horse, Blue, and the buckskin, Red, were standing tethered to the establishment’s hitching post. Dan and his two prospects were walking around Red, patting his backside. He was selling the Great Horse!

Dan seemed to recognize Meagan as she walked outside to join them, but he deliberately looked away and kept talking. She crossed her arms and listened.

“Thirty-five dollars, you say?” asked one of the buyers.

“Yup. And I’ll throw in the halter.”

Meagan made herself think quickly. She had to stay near Red … an idea was forming: “Excuse me, sir, is this the horse you ponied me into town on?”

The buyers glanced at her as Dan scowled. “Yes, I think I’d remember that tale of woe.”

“It can’t be … how did you get rid of his spavins?”

“Ignore her,” Dan advised. “The poor girl is touched.” He made a tapping gesture on his temple for illustration.

“Why, it is the same horse,” Meagan peered closer, sounding impressed. “Tell me, is he over that wheeze? Oh, that’s right, you said it was just heaves.”

The two buyers looked at each other.

“This horse never had spavins nor heaves,” Dan hissed. “Now get.”

Meagan stepped up to the buckskin’s head, patting him gently. “Nice teeth,” she said innocently, opening the buckskin’s lips, “for a parrot.” Smiling, she sidled up to a potential buyer and pointed at the horse’s rear portion. “You look like a horseman, so tell me … would you say the horse is sickle-hocked, or just cat-hammed? It’s hard to tell, isn’t it, on account of the goose rump?”

Dan simmered, turning crimson. “Lady, I’ll tell you this just once—if you don’t get back inside, I’m contacting the establishment. This is pure harassment of the clientele.”

“If you come back here,” Meagan led the two prospects to stand a distance behind the horse, “you can see a rare thing. A horse pigeon-toed in front and cow-hocked behind!”

“That’s it! I’m getting Geez!”

“What’s the matter, Beardon?” asked one of the buyers. “Can’t answer the young lady’s questions?”

“That’s no lady, if you catch my meaning.”

“Oh?” Now Meagan reddened too. “At least I’m not trying to pawn off a slab-sided, ewe-necked wasp-belly with no wind and asking thirty-five good dollars for it.” Meagan smiled at Dan’s murderous expression as the two ex-buyers mumbled something and went back inside.

Dan went to Red and tossed his lead rope over the buckskin’s neck. “All right, that one’s going to cost you. See I felt sorry and didn’t press charges before, but I had witnesses. I think I’m going to poke into the sheriff’s station and see what’s what…”

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Quick Links:

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

» Read the 1st Chapter online.

» Check out Reviews for the trilogy.

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

Book #3: Into the Dark – info and pricing

Into the Dark, the final book of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy, is being published in hardback on July 20, 2012.

>> Pre-order price: the pre-release paperbk edition may be ordered direct for $11.95 … orders begin shipping July 10th!

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Into the Dark, the final book of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy, is being published in hardback on July 20, 2012.

The hardback will retail for a special discounted price of $19.95 through the summer, and will be available online and for ordering through local libraries and bookstores.

Paperback and ebook editions will be released in October 2012. Author-signed copies of Into the Dark (paperback) will be available for direct ordering after publication (7/20/12).