Reader Views – THE LEGEND OF THE GREAT HORSE trilogy

Book awards

To support the launch of the finished book covers by Marti Adrian this fall, there is supposed to be ‘marketing’ going on. That hardly makes sense because it’s my book. Instead I’d like to refresh the trilogy’s awards … something I’ve wanted to do because they were rushed together at the time.

The first award for Eclipsed by Shadow was the Reader Views Literary Awards, winning second in the Historical Fiction category in 2009.

Absolutely it was exciting, and also because the honor showed the story engaged with people who didn’t especially know or even like horses.

It was my hope to engage people with no particular interest in horses, yet who might enjoy them and don’t know it.

The horse’s human story deserves to be remembered–and as many horse-lovers know, it is a joyful experience to share.

Adventures in Publishing: Irene Watson & Reader Views

The Legend of the Great Horse is a historical fiction account of a young horsewoman’s adventure through history … publishing the story has been an interesting journey of its own.

ECLIPSED BY SHADOW | 'The Legend of the Great Horse' trilogy book cover (90x135px) In 2008 the trilogy opened with a close. Its small press publisher went out of business as the (ongoing) financial crisis was initiated–since that time we’ve seen endpoint consolidation of publishing, the advent of both ebooks and social media, Amazon’s rise as the newest industry monopoly, and the closure of 1/3rd of all US bookstores. It’s been an interesting ride.

Along the way I encountered obstacles and many “good guys” too … often these were honest book reviewers, perhaps because this section of traditional publishing was among the first to be taken down by corporate consolidation and its all-excusing bottom line.

One of these good guys was a woman, Irene Watson, who had the idea to build an organization (Reader Views) to provide free reviews to small and self publishers … while offering promotion assistance as an optional paid service.

Only Library Journal and Reader Views offered an all-important prepublication review of Eclipsed by Shadow. Irene and the support staff of Reader Views were unfailingly positive and supportive. The story went on to win several national awards: only Reader Views and the traditional, highly-respected Library Journal noted it beforehand.

Amazon did later crush her business, removing many thousands of ReaderViews reviews (and those of the Midwest Book Review, another ugly incident).

targa-small Irene died of pancreatic cancer the following year. Today the site is being carried on by Irene’s supporters, preserving the path that her vision, energy and solution-oriented approach brought to independent publishing.

As traditional publishing completes its folding up and vanishing act, it will be ideas and energy from people like Irene Watson who can show new paths … may her memory be honored. The future contains challenges, and I wish Reader Views success in blazing even brighter.

ReaderViews features “Eclipsed by Shadow”

This week the site ReadersViews is featuring Eclipsed by Shadow. (!) Their reviewers and writers did a great job, and interested readers can check out the review by Wendy Cleveland and also for a more in-depth talk about the book with Tyler Tichelaar.

Reader Views: “Fascinating and Well-researched”

ECLIPSED BY SHADOW was a magical horse story that is suitable for both teenagers and adults alike. The equine and world history aspects were fascinating and well-researched by the author … The ending left me breathless wanting to find out what time period Promise was taking Meagan to next.—Wendy Cleveland, Reader Views

The following is a pre-publication review by Wendy Cleveland of Reader Views of Eclipsed by Shadow:

Reader Views | Wendy Cleveland

Eclipsed by Shadow centers around a teenager named Meagan Roberts who is a young equestrian. The story starts out in the present-day of the summer solstice, June 21, 2001, when a very unique horse is born. Meagan felt that a horse should name itself, so her foal became “Promise.” Everyone around town seemed to be interested in this special palomino, especially her neighbor Eleanor Bridgestone. Ms. Bridgestone tells Meagan the tales of “The Great Horse” throughout history and seems to think that her horse is the next in line. “The Great Traveler, with mysterious powers to bring darkness to the world. Of course, we wouldn’t be sure unless the Great Horse was actually ridden.”

Crooked horse trainers get wind of this discovery and try to steal Promise. This invokes Meagan to protect her. She gets on her horse’s back and tries to jump a fence to get away. When she does, Promise sprouts wings and turns into “The Great Horse.” She flies Meagan back in time for her to the see the way horses were used for work, war, sport, spectacle and even food.

Meagan’s adventure in this first book in a three book series goes from 20,000 B.C. (where the cavemen used horses for food) to 100 A.D. Rome (where horses were used for sport in Chariot fights), and 1240 Crusades (where horses were blindfolded and used in Jousting matches). In each time travel, Meagan uses her 21st century equine insight to try and help people understand the beauty and sole purpose of horses.

“Eclipsed by Shadow” was a magical horse story that is suitable for both teenagers and adults alike. The equine and world history aspects were fascinating and well-researched by the author. Some facts that I did not know were that horses existed back in 20,000 B.C. or when stirrups, saddles, and horseshoes were discovered. The ending left me breathless wanting to find out what time period Promise was taking Meagan to next.

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.