Castle in the Mountains by Gray Artus
Embark on an enchanting journey through Architects of Illusion, a YA fantasy novel series inspired by my backyard neighbors, Biltmore Estate, in honor of the extraordinary land & legacy of George Vanderbilt. Each excerpt features details of the Biltmore House and grounds, spun with a fantastical twist. Greek mythology meets Night at the Museum and Harry Potter in this magical adventure series!
Join me, and a cast of brilliant film composers, as we awaken your imagination to the magic of the mountains for the 2014 international A to Z Challenge (representing #TeamDamyanti).
Biltmore transforms into a world rich in Greek mythology, where statues draw breath, legendary creatures abound, and the fate of mankind lies in the hands of extraordinary young scholars mentored by the Muses. Two girls, one raised in the grips of magic, one sheltered from it, must unravel the illusions surrounding Olympus to defy their destiny, or be forever bound to an ancient, deadly secret that spells the end for all humanity.
Architects of Illusion Storyboard
Architects of Illusion
Appalachian Mountains ▶ featuring composer Mark Petrie
Bowling Night ▶ featuring composer Florian Bur
Chariot of Aurora ▶ featuring composer Valentin Boomes
Diana, Goddess of the Hunt ▶ featuring composer Ryan Taubert
Elevator Music ▶ featuring composer Ed Watkins
Fountain of Hippocrene â–¶ featuring composer Hendric Bünck Â
Gargoyles, Grotesques &Â Bears â–¶ featuring composer Deane Ogden
Hearthstone â–¶ featuring composer Rahman AltinÂ
Indoor Swimming Cetus ▶ featuring composer Jo Blankenburg
Joan of Arc ▶ featuring composer/soundtrack vocalist Julie Elven
Knight of Stone and Steel ▶ featuring composer R. Armando Morabito,
                                              Tina Guo & Julie Elven
Lions of Nemea ▶ featuring composer Benjamin Zecker
Muse of Music ▶ featuring audiomachine
Naiads â–¶ featuring composer Jochem Weierink
Observatory â–¶ featuring composer Nick MurrayÂ
Pythia ▶ featuring composer, cellist & vocalist Tina Guo
Quill of Gryphus ▶ featuring composer Petteri Sainio
Ravens and Roses ▶ featuring composer Scott Glasgow
Secrets of the Sphinx ▶ featuring composer Ryo Ishido
Tale of the Tortoise ▶ featuring composer Daniel Suett
Urania, Celestial Searcher ▶ featuring composer Ivan Torrent
Visions of Venus ▶ featuring composer Renan Javier
Wishteria â–¶ featuring composer Sandro S. of MikroMatique
Xanthe â–¶ featuring composer Michael Maas
Youth of Legends Lost ▶ featuring composer Steve Jablonsky
Zenith â–¶ featuring composer Hans Zimmer
Castle in the Mist by Gray Artus
WriterlySam 
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Beautiful architecture here Sam. Just back from the US to home in South Africa .. will check out yr previous posts when not so bleary..
Garden of Eden Blog
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Many thanks, Susan! Always a seat at the bar saved for ya:)
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Wow what a great concept
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Thanks, Nigel! It’s been a blast to write!
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Fantastic illustrations! And what an incredible theme…. I’ve always want to visit the Biltmore Estate, especially during the holidays!
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Gray is a brilliant artist! Should you find yourself in my neck of the mountains, I’ll give you the grand “magical” tour:)
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What a great idea. I love that you have put such an interesting twist on an already incredible national treasure. I was hoping to visit there this summer but was outvoted and we’re going to the outer banks instead.
http://katloveswriting.blogspot.com
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Thanks, Kathryn! If you make it to Biltmore, be sure to take the “magic of the mountains” tour:)
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Very cool! Love what’s happening here…
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Thanks, Raquel! There’s always something magical happening over here:)
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Hi Writerly Sam-I-Am. Yes, it’s Penny the dog, at your blog. Almost four in the morning, a new day is dawning. Yet, have no fear, I am here. The Biltmore Estate, isn’t it great. Castle in the mist. I get the gist.
Pawsitive wishes,
Penny, the friendly host of the Alphabark Challenge! 🙂
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As the daughter of an architect I loved it! Thanks great post HAPPY #AtoZchallenge ☮Peace ☮ ღ ONE ℒℴνℯ ღ ☼ Light ☼ visiting from http://4covert2overt.blogspot.com/
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You couldn’t have a more inspirational neighbor! I loved that place and would return, especially to see it in all its December splendor.
I sip my morning coffee from my Biltmore mug and savor it and the memory of my visit. Thanks again for the gift. It was perfect.
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After selecting out a stage identify, a rap artist needs to figure out what music they’re going
to be performing.
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