Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Ian's Realm: The Dragon Shield


 As a young man, Ian returns to the Realm to fight against the tyranny that has befallen his friends. But the Realm is a different place, the forest is dying, the Kaemperns have lost the shield that protected them from the dragon, and Ian has a hard time proving his allegiance when trouble follows him through the portal. His struggle to do right buries him in confusion, and he must fight his own will to prove his integrity.
 
 
 

 Dianne Lynn Gardner

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

 
 
 
 
 
Twitter @DianneGardner
 

 

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