Information – Page 8 – THE LEGEND OF THE GREAT HORSE trilogy

“Eclipsed by Shadow” Shortlisted for Major Book Award

“In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future.” – Eric Hoffer, American Philosopher

Boston, MA, May 8, 2009 (PressReleasePoint) – The YA historical fiction novel Eclipsed by Shadow has been named to the Eric Hoffer Book Award Grand Prize Shortlist. The Eric Hoffer Book Award is presented each year as a means of opening a door to independent writing of significant merit.

Eclipsed by Shadow is the first book of a new fiction trilogy adventure, The Legend of the Great Horse, which is gaining critical praise for its engaging portrayal of the history of horsemanship in civilization. This first volume begins the journey of a modern-day rider traveling back in time to hope_logo experience how horses were used in the past. Vivid writing and colorful characters (both two- and four-legged) create a fresh, page-turning adventure that educates as it entertains.

The author, John Royce, is a veteran horseman from Texas with over twenty-five years of experience in competitive riding, training horses and coaching students. His unique story is the product of ten years of research. Mr. Royce explains the enduring popularity of horses: “Horses have been with mankind since the beginning—the history of horses is the history of civilization.”

The story is a delightful read for history buffs and horse fans alike, YA 15+ to adult.

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Eclipsed by Shadow (Micron Press | 2008) by John Royce

ISBN 978-0-9724121-3-1
292 Pages, Softcover $15.95

ISBN 978-0-9724121-5-5
304 Pages, Hardcover $22.95

Contact:
Robert Hall (R_Hall@MicronPress.com)
Micron Press
71 Prince Street, #35
Boston, MA 02113
(617) 301-2901

First Chapter, Bio, Press Kit, and more online at: TheGreatHorse.com

History at a Gallop: “Eclipsed by Shadow” wins 2009 Reader Views Literary Award

For Immediate Release
Contact: Robert Hall | Micron Press 617-301-2901

History at a Gallop: “Eclipsed by Shadow” wins 2009 Reader Views Literary Award

» See Reader Views Literary Award Review

BOSTON – The critically acclaimed first volume of a bold new trilogy about the history of horsemanship has won in the Fantasy category of the 2008 Reader Views Literary Awards. Veteran horseman John Royce has crafted a fast-paced literary journey through civilization’s earliest history that is gaining the attention of YA+ readers and educators.

Readers are transported to long-ago cultures through vivid characters and events. One does not have to be a horse enthusiast to recognize that horsemanship has been a central force of civilization, and Eclipsed by Shadow tells the history through a fun and engaging story. As the Award review states, “John Royce introduces us to one of those works you will remember forever.”

Since its publication in late 2008, Eclipsed by Shadow has received recommendations from Library Journal, Midwest Book Review and the Historical Novel Society as well as a growing list of excellent reviews from newspapers, Top Amazon reviewers and others.

“I believe a wholesome story can be a page-turning adventure,” says author John Royce, veteran horseman turned writer, “Horsemanship provides a colorful link to our human past, and that inspiration sparked an adventure which spans the arc of civilization.”

Readers and reviewers are finding this first book of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy to be an authentic and engaging experience. In the words of a Top 50 Amazon Reviewer: “This sweeping historical fantasy should have an impact on its reader that penetrates far beyond the boundaries of the usual YA (Young Adult) novel. It teaches lessons about history & horsemanship, and what it really means to be ‘civilized.’ “

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Eclipsed by Shadow | The Legend of the Great Horse ~ Book I of III
By John Royce

ISBN 978-0-9724121-3-1
292 Pages, Softcover $15.95

ISBN 978-0-9724121-5-5
304 Pages, Hardcover $22.95

Micron Press
71 Prince Street, #35
Boston, MA 02113
(617) 301-2901

First Chapter, Bio, Press Kit, and more online at: TheGreatHorse.com

Anyone who loves horses or who loves history will love “Eclipsed by Shadow”

Throughout, the book successfully blends fiction, character and plot with history and more than solely the history of horses. I am not interested in horses, but historical fiction, but I did come to appreciate the history of horses without ever being overly bored by the book containing too many details.—Tyler R. Tichelaar, Ph.D., author

The following is a new 5-Star review of Eclipsed by Shadow.

HISTORY IS A TALE OF HORSES

Anyone who loves horses or who loves history will love “Eclipsed by Shadow”

by Tyler R. Tichelaar, Ph.D., and author of “The Marquette Trilogy”

“Eclipsed by Shadow” is an epic history of horses, complete with time travel, and educational material, but best of all, it is strong historical fiction.

The plot is pretty simple. Meagan learns from an eccentric neighbor lady that her newborn horse may well be “The Great Horse” of legend that has reappeared over the centuries. The Great Horse first originated as a horse meant to help Adam and Eve when they left the Garden of Eden.

I knew from what I had already heard about the book that it would include time travel and Meagan would experience how horses were used throughout the centuries by mankind.

When I started, I was a bit disappointed to see the first section went on for so long. I wanted to get right into the time travel, but once I started reading, I was thoroughly captivated by the plot and how well the author, John Royce, built up suspense in the first section. I actually think this was my favorite part of the book as Meagan learned about the legend of the Great Horse and also avoided having her horse stolen.

As for the time travel sections, the scene in prehistoric North America was brief and not quite as interesting as the later ones because after all it was prehistoric history, but I thought both the Rome and the medieval section were well done. Even though the book reads like a collection of short stories because of the different time periods that the characters do not cross over into, Royce successfully created some believable characters in each section.

Throughout, the book successfully blends fiction, character and plot with history and more than solely the history of horses. I am not interested in horses, but historical fiction, but I did come to appreciate the history of horses without ever being overly bored by the book containing too many details.

Anyone who loves horses or who loves history will love “Eclipsed by Shadow,” and readers will be impatient to read the next two volumes in this trilogy about the Great Horse.

– Tyler R. Tichelaar, Ph.D., and author of “The Marquette Trilogy”

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Eclipsed by Shadow is the first book of the new fiction trilogy, The Legend of the Great Horse, arriving this Summer with a fresh and original look at the colorful role of horses in civilization. The story follows the time-travel adventure of a modern horsewoman lost in history.

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

Saddle Up for a New Reading Adventure!

– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –

Contact: Robert Hall
Tel: 617/301-2901
Email: R_Hall@MicronPress.com

OCTOBER 20, 2008 | Eclipsed by Shadow, the first book of the new trilogy The Legend of the Great Horse, arrives this Summer 2008 with a fresh and original look at the colorful role of horses in civilization.

Horseman and author John Royce has crafted a mix of history and horsemanship into a page-turning event. Lively writing combines suspense, mystery and humor into a startlingly realistic adventure through man’s past—on horseback.

Educational, literary, fast-paced and vivid in detail, Eclipsed by Shadow brings to life man’s ancient partnership with the horse. Readers travel through the pages of history to a time when primitive man stalked horses as prey, and witness the fascinating development of horsemanship in ancient and medieval cultures.

Further information about this unique and imaginative novel can be found at www.TheGreatHorse.com. The book is available for review upon request.