Sunday, October 28, 2012

THE KEEPERS OF CAMELOT by Cheryl Pierson


Who likes the stories of King Arthur and his knights? I do! I have been fascinated with the entire legend of Camelot since I was a child. The Sword In the Stone, the Disney cartoon movie, was a favorite when I was young.

As I got older, I couldn’t get enough of the movie musical, Camelot, with Vanessa Redgrave, Franco Nero, and Richard Harris in the starring roles. I valiantly tried to struggle through T. H. White’s “The Once and Future King” but finally had to admit, it was too heavy for a twelve-year-old. As an adult, I enjoyed it, along with Mary Stewart’s series of the Arthurian legend as told from Merlin’s POV—a “must read” set if you’re a Camelot fan.

So, the story I wrote for the “Six Guns and Slay Bells: A Creepy Cowboy Christmas” anthology is one that is dear to my heart in many ways. Even the title, “The Keepers of Camelot”, was not something I had to think about for long.

Legend says that Arthur will rise once more when the world needs him the most. But in

my story, something goes awry, and Arthur has returned in many times, many places, throughout the centuries since his final battle.

The story opens with Arthur on a stagecoach in the American west—Indian Territory—of the 1880’s. But in this life, he comes across two people he’d never thought to see again—Lancelot and Guinevere. Why are they here—and how will it all end…this time?

The stage is attacked by Apaches minutes before the driver gets the passengers to the safety of the next stage station. Though they’re safe for the time being, a nerve-wracking Christmas Eve is in store as the Apaches wait for them outside.

Arthur has a plan. He’s seen the fearless leader of the Apache—the man they call “Sky Eyes”, a man he knew as Lancelot du Lac a hundred lifetimes ago.

Will Lance’s prowess as a warrior combine with his legendary arrogance to seal the fate of the people inside the station—including Guinevere, the woman he gave up everything for in the past?

One young boy in the group unknowingly holds the key to Lance’s decision. But will the glorious legend of Camelot be remembered?

There are some excellent stories in this book by many great western writers, including Troy Smith, Courtney Joyner, Robert Randisi, L.J. Washburn, James Reasoner, and many more. They’re all paranormal in some way, all about Christmas, and they all take place in a western setting.

I'll be giving away a pdf copy of SIX GUNS AND SLAY BELLS to one lucky commenter. Please be sure to leave your e-mail address in your comment so I can reach you if I draw your name. Drawing will be held on Monday evening, October 29. If you just can't wait to see if you won, this collection makes a great gift for others—or for yourself! http://www.amazon.com/Six-guns-Slay-Bells-Creepy-Christmas/dp/1478189169/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351380533&sr=1-1&keywords=six+guns+and+slay+bells

All my other short stories, anthologies, novels and novellas can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/author/cherylpierson

17 comments:

  1. Cheryl, what a great twist for a western tale. Can't wait to read it, as well as the stories by other great writers. Hope I win, but I'll be buying it if I don't.

    caroline@carolineclemmons.com

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  2. Hey Caroline! This story just practically wrote itself, and I'm thrilled because in the review from PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY, they mentioned my story and my name in the review! I thought of printing that off and framing it...LOL
    Cheryl

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  3. Hi Cheryl! Congrats on the new Christmas release. My brain is conjuring up all kinds of scenarios from what you said about the book. I love stories that a different and what could more unusual than a story of Arthur and Lancelot and Gweneviere set in the old west of all places. How interesting. This is going on my list to buy. Wishing you much success!

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  4. LINDA!!! Thanks so much for coming over and taking time out of your busy schedule. I appreciate that so much. This collection is really different and good. It's not romance, of course, but with authors like Bob Randisi, James Reasoner, and LJ Washburn included, it's a "can't miss" read. Oh, I LOVED writing this story. And I especially love the ending. Getting a mention in Publisher's Weekly just has had me on "cloud 9" for a month. LOL
    Hugs,
    Cheryl

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  5. Wow, Cheryl - what a unique cross-over type story. I'd never have pitched King Arthur into the Wild West. Just brilliant! Magic, myth and the wild west.

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  6. No idea how to bring my name up!

    The last comment was from Livvie.

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  7. Hey f62d:
    Thanks so much--I really loved writing this story, and it just seemed to know right where it wanted to go. I worried about writing a perfect ending for it, but I think maybe that might have been part of the "magic" -- It just wrote itself. Thanks for coming by today!
    Cheryl

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  8. Livvie, it shows up as livvie20. Thanks for coming by---and I know where to find you, lady! LOL
    Cheryl

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  9. Hey Cheryl,

    Just stopped by to see how it is going. It is indeed a great story and well worth the acclaim that it is receiving.

    Keith

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  10. Hi Keith! Thanks so much for coming by. That means the world to me, coming from an expert on King Arthur such as yourself! THANK YOU! I'm reading James Reasoner's story right now, Presents for One and All--got two more to go before I get to your Snake Oil. I'm really enjoying these stories, for sure.
    Cheryl

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  11. I loved Cheryl's story, and I enjoyed having the opportunity to come up with my own spooky tale. There are some great ones in this tome!

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  12. Thanks, Troy! I loved your story, Bitter Mountain. I haven't made it all the way through the book yet, but am about halfway through so far. You're right, there really are some good stories in this book.
    Cheryl

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  13. Love this combo of Camelot and the wild west, Cheryl! This sounds like a fantastic and novel book...definitely a must read!
    ivegotmail8889@yahoo.com

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  14. PC, I promise you these stories are so different, it's one of those anthologies you'll never forget, for sure! I loved the combo of Camelot and the west, too--that story just flowed.
    Cheryl

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  15. I've tossed all the names into the Stetson, drawn one out, (DRUMROLL PLEASE) AND....MY WINNER IS.....

    LIVVIE 20!!!!!
    CONGRATULATIONS, LIVVIE! I will be in touch soon!

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  16. Thank you so much, Cheryl! How exciting. Can't wait to read it. Just know I'll love it - Camelot and cowboys. Can't go wrong!

    Liv x

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  17. Aaaargh!

    Now I'm coming up as Rosie!

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