Castle in the Mountains by Gray Artus
Welcome to Olympus, where the Muses of Greek Mythology are charged with the responsibility of discovering, inspiring, and guiding the young incarnations of legends past until they once again take the form of greatness.
Embark on an enchanting journey through Architects of Illusion (Echoes of Olympus, #1), a YA fantasy novel series inspired by my backyard neighbors, Biltmore Estate, in honor of George Vanderbilt‘s extraordinary legacy.
Join me, and a cast of brilliant film composers, as we awaken your imagination to the magic of the mountains during this year’s international A to Z Challenge (representing #TeamDamyanti).
▶ For a detailed PHOTO TOUR of Biltmore Estate, including the lovely Belgian draft horses, Chester & Bert, click HERE! Want to read more? Visit my A to Z “Sneak Peeks” page!
Appalachian Mountains
IT WASN’T a Pegasus that stole me away in the dead of night, like the twins had hoped. Nor was it a grand golden chariot. It was, in fact, an unremarkable pair of tawny Belgian draft horses that stomped impatiently on our dusty farmhouse drive. Wild eyes peeked beneath drapes of milky manes that poured down the length of their necks. Their heads were enormous, leaving ample room for an exceptional sense of direction, as noted by the empty driver’s seat.
I climbed reluctantly into the covered carriage of polished mahogany and gleaming brass, barely finding purchase on the velvet cushions before the clinking of chains and screeching of wheels announced our sudden departure.
Looking back, I could still see the silhouettes of my siblings. Their tiny hands pressed against the second story window, the sticky breath of their disappointment fogging the glass. I tugged my coat tighter, the collar still damp with my mother’s goodbye. I breathed in the whispers of woodsmoke lingering from my father’s embrace.
The steeds’ swift descent drove me through the verdant veins of the Southern Appalachians, deep into the heart of the mountains. My gut twisted in knots with every road that unraveled before me.
A brick archway materialized in a hidden grove, its slate tiles glinting in the starlight. My frantic pulse tripped and fell through the gates marking the boundary between my world and the birthplace of legends.
The spiraling path stretched for an eternity. A wave of shifting shadows in an endless sea of trees swam past, until abruptly breaking into a clearing shrouded in mist and mystery.
Olympus
It was beyond anything I could have imagined.
I stumbled from the carriage, marveling at the beauty of my new home. My gaze traveled over the massive miracle of stone and steel, drawn by the winking of a hundred glass eyes and the towering spires spinning secrets from silken moonlight.
I barely registered the movement near my feet, where my luggage sat, neatly stacked. I turned to toss a word of thanks, only to catch a flash of the carriage being pulled into the night by two bare-chested men with long, fair locks falling over flesh that faded into the familiar hindquarters of horses.
© 2014 Samantha Redstreake Geary
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WriterlySam 
I can see you have driven through the mountains in Appalachia before.
You realize of course that now I have to find out what happens next!
LuAnn Braley
AJ’s Hooligans @AtoZChallenge
Back Porchervations
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To the detriment of my car’s overall well-being. It’s all part of my evil plan, LuAnn:)
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So beautifully poetic, loved it! Can’t wait to see what you have for tomorrow. 🙂
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Thank you:) Welcome back anytime, the bar’s always open.
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Beautiful, Sam, the words… and the music – incredible!
I blame you for making me keep this page open and playing that music on a loop.
But I am also packing you a bag of pure coffee for making me write two posts 🙂 thanks to the music.
Vidya Sury
Your #TeamDamyanti Mate
Affirmations
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Mark’s music is known to be addictive and inspiring. I should have warned you:)
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Am gripped already Sam thank you as you dismount from your horse. May your feet find firm purchase on the ground as Olympus rises to meet you.
I’ll be stacking up on coffee and chocs as I eagerly look forward to next instalment!
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Thrilled you could visit, Susan! I’ve about 10 lbs of coffee stockpiled for April, so I’ll bring an extra mug:)
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What a pretty home castle I would no mind living there. The story also sounds intriguing and something my husband would enjoy.
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The painting is of the Biltmore Estate, and it’s beyond gorgeous:) I highly recommend a visit. In the meantime, you & your hubby are welcome to hang out here:)
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oh, wow! i loved the bit where the steeds turned into centaurs! steampunk mythology . . . i can’t wait for more!
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Yay! I’m fond of that particular twist:) The two horses in the story are real–they pull the Biltmore carriages and hang out at the barn to be petted & pampered by visitors. Steampunk fits the era of the setting–lots of inventive tricks in store:)
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The ride is so detailed and descriptive. And hey, I’d rather live there in Olympus.
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You and me both, Alex. Every time the girls & I visit the Biltmore (roughly twice a week) I pretend to live there. They frown upon taking naps in the restored beds, just so you know.
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That was wonderful Sam! It leaves me wanting to know so much more!
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Thanks, girl:) Lots of fun twists in store. You’ll never look at the Biltmore the same again *evil laugh*
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Loved the ending. Horses to men! Now what will happen in this amazing new location.
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I’m not sure, but I hope Brad Pitt shows up somewhere along the lines:) He’d make a tempting centaur:)
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Oh yes. My imagination is set to high.
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That first paragraph alone is worth price of admission. You write so very well, Sam, with such resonance, beauty, and vividness.
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Thank you, my dear:) I don’t charge admission until the book is launched:)
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Ooo, mythology and Appalachia! I must know what happens next!
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I’m sure the Greeks are rolling their eyes at me about now:)
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Great start to the challenge!
Play off the Page
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Thanks, Mary!
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Oh my gosh, my sister dear… I hope you know that I am your hugest fan! Your writing style drips with such picturesque splendor! I can see the movie now….
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Thanks, sis! It plays like a movie in my head…thus the soundtracks:)
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Very nice, Sam. I have always liked your way to describe things.
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Lovely to see you, Al! Wait till you see what else I have up my literary sleeve:)
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Magical! In a few sentences, your descriptions transported me to another place, another time. Another reality.
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Thrilled to hear I’ve accomplished a mode of transportation without the pesky packing and jet lag:)
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I love your writing style! I also love everything with mythology in it 🙂 This is off to great start!
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Well, you’ve certainly come to the right place:) The Greeks and I are tight!
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Vivid and magical!
You paint such a beautiful picture with your words Sam!
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Trust me, you don’t want to see me paint with…paint…it’s not pretty *shakes head at lack of artistic gene*
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I”m so happy that you’re sharing some bits of this book! This is a fantastic novel, y’all. Keep reading–you’re gonna love it!
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Keep talking like this and I’m gonna have to send you more coffee:)
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Excellent start! I’m excited to see where this goes, as Asheville is my backyard as well! Happy A-to-Z Challenge!
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Hello, fellow mountain dweller! Hope you enjoy my version of the Biltmore:)
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Very descriptive, as only you can do! I will be back for more! Top of my list for the A to Z!
Oh, and I tired to post a review for the anthology, but Amazon won’t post if you are also a listed author, Goodreads did though!
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You’re so sweet, and welcome here anytime:) Amazon can be a bit persnickety, I wouldn’t sweat it:)
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This is lovely Sam, and it so evocative of Victorian England. I lived in NC for a year, in Charlotte and visited the Biltmore!
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Many thanks, Mary:) I think people familiar with the Biltmore will get an even bigger kick outta this story, since I incorporate even the smallest details into the plot.
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Aloha from Maui Jungalow. Hmm… noticed you threw in some boy candy here : )… “two bare-chested men with long, fair locks falling over flesh that faded into the familiar hindquarters of horses.”
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Aloha! That makes me feel warmer, just saying it:) I was envisioning a half naked Brad Pitt whilst creating the centaurs. It happens. It might happen again:)
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Oh no…I’m curious now…what is going to happen next?
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Only one way to find out! I’ll save ya a seat at the bar:)
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Ack! Now I’m totally tortured? Where can I get hold of that soundtrack? (Loved the writing too. Really love it.)
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Mark is pretty amazing:) I’ll ask him. He’s writing for audiomachine, too, so I’m not sure which of his pieces will be on their future releases.
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I have read it 3 times in the past fifteen minutes. I always keep coming back to this page. Even after repeatedly reading, I have a feeling that I’m missing out much more. Your writing speaks Sam!! Too beautifully articulated.
My best to you 🙂 x
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I’m thrilled you enjoyed it:) My writing often has multiple layers of meaning. Much of the “deeper” layers shine through when reading the entire manuscript:)
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Beautiful would be too less a word to say..Magical what you wrote..
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Magical is exactly what I’m shooting for! Thank you:)
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This is just brilliant, Sam!
anna @ Deeply Shallow
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I’ll take brilliant any day, Anna:) Thanks!
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The words roll so beautifully off your tongue Sam! Thank you so much for featuring my artwork! Gray
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Hoping to find out who the first person narrator is, and why s/he is coming to live at Olympus, and whether or not I can score an invite… Can’t wait to read more!
I’m participating in AtoZ, too.
See you around!
~Andi-Roo
@TheWorld4Realz
TheWorld4Realz.com
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