Author-Illustrator
Young Adult Fantasy-Adventure Fiction
Dianne Gardner is both an author and illustrator living the
Pacific Northwest, Olalla Washington. She’s an active member of the Society of
Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and the National League of American
Pen Women. She has written Young Adult Fantasy novels as well as articles for
national magazines and newspapers and she is an award-winning artist.
Dianne spent many years living out in the desert wilderness of the
American Southwest, lived in a hogan made from adobe and cedar for thirteen
years, co-owned 25 horses both pure bred and Native American ponies, traveled
horseback and by wagon throughout the Navajo reservation, herded sheep and
goat, worked in the forest planting trees and piling, farmed on barren soil and
even lived in a teepee for a short while. She spent many long years using
survival skills as a way of life.
Later she studied pastoral counseling and was a Pastor’s apprentice
at a mainline church. She and her husband have been feeding the homeless for
over twelve years. Today she shares both her survival experiences and her love
for people, especially young people, into her writing as a way to not only to
give her readers a firm understanding of her stories’ characters, but a rich
appreciation of nature.
Sample
Ian’s thoughts vanished the
moment the dragon gave a deafening roar and emitted a blast of flame. Though
far above them, its marble-like eyes glowed bright like a lava lamp.
“He’s seen us,” Alex
shouted, and prodded his horse into a gallop.
Sparkles bolted. Slipping slightly, Ian's mare caught her
ground and then charged forward behind the buckskin. Ian clenched the saddle
horn, his knuckles white.
The dragon’s huge body
whipped around the mountaintop, and dove off the precipice toward them.
Boulders fell as the dragon’s weight broke the cliffs apart. Down the monster
came, half falling, half jumping. Its giant claws tore trees as it crashed onto
the rocky terrain of the foothills. Gaining its balance, the creature tucked
its wings against its body. It focused on Ian and began its chase on foot, its
huge claws shaking the earth as it moved. Lightning flashed. Whether from the
thunder, or the deafening sound of the dragon, the mountain rumbled and
rattled.
The faster their horses
galloped, the faster Stenhjaert charged. Sparkles raced behind the buckskin,
down the rocky foothills to the grassy plains. For miles they sped, and for
what seemed like hours. The ominous breath of the dragon ignited an inferno as
the grass of the prairie exploded in fire.
The two changed direction
and turned south into the forest, disappearing into the lush undergrowth. In the woods, Alex jumped from his mount and
handed Ian his reins.
“Take the horses,” Alex said as he caught his breath. A flash of lightning illuminated his strong features. His sweat was mixed with sleet and the rain that dripped from his brow. He panted as he spoke. “Take them to the bay and let them loose. Pull the canoe out of the reeds, and wait for me.”
Links
Publisher’s website: http://www.hydrapublications.com/shop/deception-peak/
Official book blog: http://dragontargeseries.blogspot.com/
Dragon Shield Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c2rm6mGBrM
website http://gardnersart.com
Twitter @DianneGardner
Author Central on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Dianne-Lynn-Gardner/e/B0090LIYEO
http://www.amazon.com/Dianne-Lynn-Gardner/e/B0090LIYEO
