Denice Garrou's Blog - Posts Tagged "fantasy"

Book Description

To avoid being hung as a witch, young Shion sets herself on a harrowing journey only to be further engulfed into the hidden realm of forbidden magic.
Unbeknownst to her, for centuries, she is has been one of thirteen others like her with the daunting task of helping to bring balance back to Mother Earth, a time when man walked harmoniously with the Fae and dragon.
With the world now in the dark ages ruled by the Church, Shion, with the help of handsome Ryven Blackmour, must find and take refuge with the Gypsy, to be taught the Gypsy Shuvani way, in hopes of remembering who she truly is.
There, she will meet and save her greatest teacher; a dying horse named Nero. Through him she will be swept into a whirlwind of tests. Assisted by her new found coven of young witches, her heart and determination will be challenged, bringing her and them to the very brink of death and back in order to seek the forgotten knowledge, kept by the horse and the dragon; the dark secret of dragonhorse.

Okay, so let me say I am more of a right brained thinker, living in the world of ever changing color and glimpses of magic that could be.
This Facebook and Goodreads stuff is way out of my league. I find myself fumbling around and apologizing under my breath for all the wrong doings I think I might be doing and trespasses I might be making.
I am a one on one person. I love intellectual conversations as long as they include horses, magic,spells,gypsies, fantasy...well as long as they are on subjects of my choosing...I don't have much time to listen to things that no longer serve or interest me..I sound like a snob...but actually it's the old soul speaking out.
I would like to thank all who have registered for a copy of my long awaited book! And I look forward to conversing with the winners or anyone who has read my book for that matter. I did not think it was appropriate to just try and friend all of you like on FB, since I know none of you...yet.
I would like to friend request all of you who have registered for my giveaway and this in a invitation to--friend me!
There are some of you who have already read my book and have told me they are as inept at this Goodreads and FB challenge as I, and want to "pick my brain". If you cannot reach me here or on FB, remember my website www.denicegarrou-dragonhorse.com. You can always reach me there.
I anxiously await chatting with all of you! And, good luck!
Denice
Oh, we just got another 15 inches of snow in the Colorado Rockies, my poor little mare is trying to spot me through my office window...she is sending me messages to come out and play. I will dress up like the little boy on the Campbells Chicken Soup commercial and go feed her some carrots.

Shion meets Ryven Blackmore for the first time...unbeknownst to her this was not the first time Ryven had seen Shion...was this meeting just chance?

Seeing the wolf and half-naked girl, the muscular, black horse came to a sliding halt, his deep, red nostrils flared.
“Steady there, my friend, I do doubt this half-naked waif can harm us,” soothed the young rider. The great horse spun; the raven-haired young man craned his neck around. His crystal-green eyes locked upon Shion. His thick, dark brow came together as he studied her and her wolf.
“Are you not afraid of the ghosties?” the young man asked, a slight grin spreading across his face. The black steed reared, pawing the air. “There, there, Black, ‘tis rude not to stop and chat when you come upon a true and lovely faerie of the woods!”
So, he thinks he is charming, she thought. Sticking her nose in the air to peer at him sideways, she replied, “I have no reason to fear the spirits at this place. I have been coming here since I was a wee girl.” She could feel the heat in her face rise from the fluttering sensations of attraction. Besides his elfish—yes, that’s the word—elfish good looks, she had never seen a man handle a horse in such a controlling, yet gentle manner. That intrigued her more than his appearance—granted, he did have great appeal sitting so confidently upon his stallion, but it was his horsemanship that made her forget she was half dressed. So lost in her self-banter, she was startled when he spoke to her.
“Well, my lady,” he said, then let out a loud laugh, “I will carry on and leave you to your—endeavors. Might I give you a warning first?” He flashed a toothy smile, his eyes expressing the enjoyment of her manner of undress. “I would cover yourself…you just never know who you might meet in these woods. Not all are as honorable as I.” With that said, he clucked to his black steed and they loudly cantered off. He managed to turn his head to take one last look before he disappeared into the tag alders.
Shion stood silent, watching the rider leave. She didn't realize her mouth was agape until a fly flew in; she coughed, trying to dislodge the bug from the back of her throat.

P.S. I have just started compiling character boards on my pinterest account. They depict my ideal image for each of my characters. This is in the works so stop by often to see what is new. Also, some of my boards have more, shorter excerpts from my book.
www.pinterest.com/dragonhorses

For me writing fantasy is more than taking a year and plotting out a good story.
I do not like the term "fantasy" because what I write is not necessarily made up.
Not all of it anyway. For those of you who read fantasy must ask yourself why? What draws you to it. Is it a wish to live in a different world? Is it the inner quest for knowledge and power? Or could it be something much deeper?
Is it with out actually knowing, a way to recapture something that once was a part of you. Something you lived before, instilled in your cell memory. Reading fantasy helps to keep you somewhat sated and connected to that hidden truth, but it is never enough...it keeps you reaching for that next book hoping some message or character in there will resonate with you; give you that "Ah Ha" moment.
I write fantasy because I must. This is my path in life; (even though I have tried to ignore it) to reach others with my written word. My writing is about the hidden truths to the world, hidden and made into riddle and rhyme waiting for those of you who read to resonate and awaken and go "AH HA", I do know what she is talking about. To awaken you to the true magic and power to do good, that is within yourself. My story is not just a "story" I challenge you to find the hidden truth. And if you don't get what I am writing about, that is fine...you are not ready yet. Someone once told me I would be a great teacher; maybe this is how I am to teach. Coming in the back door so to speak.

I am a great fan of the Arthurian legends and really enjoyed reading the 21 Lessons of Merlin. I love the meat and potatoes of the magical world and enjoy reading books that are written by authors who actually know and live what they write about. The Merlin series that just ended here in the states was one of my favorite series on SYFY. Booooo that it ended and yes I am one of the 9000 people who joined the FB campaign to bring it back.
Since I am a horse woman I always find myself wondering about the horses when watching these series. Could be why when I write, it is like Walter Farley meets J.R.R. Tolkien; Black Stallion meets Lord of the Rings.
I am not a fan of Urban fantasy, I am old school, so I typically look for the traditional fantasy stories. I just stumbled upon Mary Stewarts, Crystal Cave trilogy and have ordered all three! I think there are more since this one started 30 years ago.
Has any of my friends read any of her books? I think those of you in the UK might have.I am so excited to get them!
I do go to bed early just to read. Much more enjoyable than what is on TV now..especially since Merlin is done...
Happy Reading!
Denice

Hi friends,
So was at a meeting and we discussed shortening our book pitches down to 60 seconds! Now mind you my book is over 300 pages with a big plot and several messages. My synopsis was 30 pages long!
So here goes my 60 second pitch more or less...Oh, and I will be at Tattered Book Cover in Denver, Colorado Saturday giving it if anyone is in the area.

Dragonhorse is written as a fantasy, but not just any fantasy;this one is a little different since it is based on my experiences studying magic, healing arts and having a love and respect for horses. As the cowardly lion said on Wizard of Oz, "I do believe in witches!"
I like to say it is "Lord of the Rings" meets "The Black Stallion" with a little "Pillars of the Earth" mixed in.
If I had to pick a genre it would be YA but all ages are enjoying it.
Dragonhorse is set during ancient earth about an orphaned girl groomed many lifetimes for one purpose;to ensure Earth's great shift. (sound familiar 2012'ers)
Her time has come and she is awakened by a wizard from her distant past who sets her on a harrowing journey to uncover dark secrets and relearn forbidden magic. She will find love in the most unusual beings and will have to pass many tests and challenges which will bring her to the very brink of death and back.
Now I have to practice and memorize this! I am not very good at impromptu pitches..LOL!
Happy Reading

If you are here and reading my blog I am thinking you like my book and got the message. And if you didn't and you are now rolling your eyes at what I have to say don't worry...your 3D world will still be here for you to keep experiencing pain, fear, anguish and yes...hell. I wish there was a New Age Fantasy genre for writers because my book would be there.

The message....so many messages in that book. And no, I did not write that book out of pure enjoyment. I and the world, Gaia, Mother Earth, Pacha Mama, and her natural realms have a message! And it was something I had to do to just get it out of my head! It is time to remember who we are and forget what we were told, and why we have come here for starters!

Did you know that we almost killed our own planet back in the 70's? Did you know that our planet has been the only planet under quarantine due to our evilness? WE are the 'evildoers" of the Universe! Something needed to be done and fast. IF you believe in other worldly beings you are awake and correct in your thinking. They put out a call of service to help our planet and the call was answered (man that sounds like another great book).

In my book most of the characters are other worldly beings hidden behind fantasy titles such as dragon, gypsy, Fae, horse! Do you catch my segue?? Shion herself is a volunteer soul who chose to come and help, just like 100's of thousands of people on this planet today! I am one of them and that was how I was able to write my book. Whether you like this information or not this is of the norm these days and you should probably catch up...

Once the volunteer souls/indigo's/rainbow/crystal beings came, things changed and the Earth's balance was and is being restored. Since 2012 we have been bombarded with photonic 5D energy (the Shift). Yes, it has been hard for most of us but it is like being born again..it can be difficult. Our DNA IS changing and science has proven this. We are (those of us who consent) becoming homo luminous or a light body!

I get a lot of people out there who still roll their eyes at me! And why, why on Earth would you want to stay in such limitation? Yes, we have a choice to stay with the 3D Earth..and you chose this out of fear. Yes the 3D Earth is a place of hell! It is the same as not believing you have gifts. This one really floors me...we all love to watch superhero shows but when confronted with our own inherent powers we ignore and suppress them..out of fear...STOP THAT!!!! Claim what is yours and lets get on with changing our world. But....if you choose to live in fear, pain, anguish, and like that kind of life that so be it.

It is amazing how the gypsy/boho them is so popular today. I have a Pinterest board for my characters and on it is a beautifully crafted Indian/Gypsy bracelet that gets pinned at least 10 times a day on other "I wanna be a gypsy" boards! And why is that? Simply because people are yearning for that way of life that they think the gypsy lived; the free spirit living with nature. Even thought the gypsy has had it pretty tough for the last 1000 years!

So we are looking to reclaim what we have lost or what we already know: the forgotten knowledge! We are the seekers of the forgotten knowledge. For yes, we have already seen our new 5D earth and all it's glory! We are remembering what is there. We just need to wake up and peel away the dense layers of our physical self holding fast to things that no longer serve us. Shion had to go through the same initiations in order for her to expand enough and fulfill her part of the Great Shift.

We are so close you and I. Let's cross over together in our lightbody and no longer have to experience the physical death. Hurry, because I am so sick of putting on makeup every morning....
I have started a Pinterest board for the 5D world. http://pinterest.com/dragonhorses/asc....

Well, I just entered Dragonhorse into the Nautilus Book Awards contest. Since Dragonhorse has a huge message that fits the genre. Dragonhorse...not just a fantasy.

Excerpt from Nautilus website:
The Nautilus Awards seeks and promotes well-written and -produced books with messages about caring for, understanding, and improving every aspect of our lives and relationships.

We look for exceptional literary contributions to spiritual growth, conscious living, high-level wellness, green values, responsible leadership and positive social change as well as to the worlds of art, creativity and inspirational reading for children, teens and young adults.

As I drove to Canon City this morning in the rain marveling at the once desert looking town now lush and green with a ghost like vapor rapping around the mountains, it reminded me of the word dimension. I wondered as I drove if everyone else saw and appreciated what I saw or did they look at the now ever present of rain and wash-outs as an annoyance. I have noticed that a great majority of the population are pessimistic and find fault with all of our earthly changes. The word flood and flooding has been the word of choice on the news as of late. But I choose to look at this as Gaia’s cleansing process and my spiraling upward into the new dimension of ascension.
I too questioned this change as cyclical or as something new that his happening? I choose the latter. I have set my mind up the Great Shift, our Golden Age since we passed through the Grand Cross of 2012.
So what does this have to do with my book Dragonhorse? For those of you who have read it will remember Shion and Ryven as they travel to their destiny notice the changes of the earth…the towns are dense and dark with unpredictable and extreme weather. The flowers and the sky have lost their vibrant hues. They noticed that all realms of nature have begun to shrink away into the veil of darkness.
When Shion and Ryven find the Gypsy Travellers and they follow them to the town of Dragonwyck they immediately notice the change in atmosphere. Shion feels as if she has entered into a different world; a world of lightness and beauty, cooperation, love, and all knowing.
Looking back when I sat and wrote this story I did not yet understand the enormity of what I was writing. I just thought I was “creating my setting”…which I was but even more so. You see in my mind I was describing a different dimension, a dimension with a higher vibration than our present 3rd dimensional world. But like the title of my book, Seeker of the Forgotten Knowledge I too was on a journey to re-remember. I was Shion, recounting my past and carefully documenting my growth and the work that I needed to do in order to raise my level of vibration into the 5th dimensional world and beyond that is now available to us. You see, this world is not free, you must do the work and you cannot be “told”. Just like Shion in the story she had to learn it in her head first, but it did not mean anything to her until she felt it in her heart. And Bethia, the queen of the gypsies told her this is what she had to do…she had to go out into the world and experience until it was in her heart. And as she learned and experienced she gain more knowledge and her world began to expand and open to her. Began to see things she never saw before, things that were legend to have been there before. So as her conscious expanded she began to see the dimensional world that we share that is around us waiting for us to step up into. That is how she was privileged to see Elspeth the faerie diva of the wood and her unicorn.
But Shion, also learned that this new dimensional world is not always accessible and that she would slip in and out of the higher dimension, just as we do today…especially the true seekers!
Even though my story is written as a “fantasy” it is much about what is happening in our world today. All we have to do is believe, do the work, and open our hearts. The more me do this the more we will get our little “ah ha’s” and the more and more ah ha’s we will see. Before you know it you will have re learned the forgotten knowledge. The knowledge that has always been there, the new world that has always been there just waiting for each and every one of us who so chooses, to walk up the spiral and into the 5th dimension.
So in the end of the story when they had to go through the barrier of protection they were taking the last steps needed into the 5th dimensional world. Even though the crimson army of the church was beating at it’s walls,still believing, thinking and living the 3rd dimension was not a match to the vibration of the 5th dimensional world and would never be able to enter.

For those of you who have read Dragonhorse I have uploaded the first chapter, ROUGH DRAFT to the Prequel.
You can go and read the first chapter draft on my website.

www.denicegarrou-dragonhorse.com

On the menu at the left click on the last link that says "The Prequel"
Enjoy, and remember this is a draft..but this might give you an idea of where my writing guides are taking me with this one..
I have the first 5 chapters written and feel the creative juices flowing once again....Hopefully I will have it written by spring and ready for the editor...
Like they say, "Here be Dragons!"