Samuel DenHartog's Blog: The Road to 1,440 - Posts Tagged "english"

Hello, fellow adventurers and legend lover!

I'm thrilled to share some exciting news with you all — my latest book, "Tales from the Round Table," is finally here! This has been a labor of love, diving deep into the legendary world of King Arthur and his noble knights. Every day felt like a new adventure as I pieced together the valiant quests of Sir Lancelot, the wisdom of Merlin, and the undying spirit of King Arthur himself.

One of the most fun parts of this project was reimagining these iconic characters and their stories in a way that honors their legacy while making them accessible to modern readers. Whether it's the thrilling battles, the heartfelt romances, or the epic quests for the Holy Grail, each tale is packed with excitement and intrigue. And let's not forget the enchantments and prophecies that add a touch of magic to their legendary world!

I can't wait for you all to dive into these stories and experience the heroism, the drama, and the mystique of Camelot. "Tales from the Round Table" is an invitation to embark on a journey through time and myth. So grab your swords, mount your trusty steeds, and get ready to join the ranks of the greatest knights in history.

May your adventures be legendary!

Warm regards,
Samuel DenHartog

I’m excited to share "Fables from England", a collection of stories brimming with English folklore's magic, wit, and eccentric charm. Each tale brings readers on a fresh journey into the heart of England’s legendary past, from enchanted forests and towering castles to humble homes where magic sparks the everyday. The collection brings familiar stories to life with rich, immersive detail, capturing the mood of ancient England, where even a simple meal or a forgotten book might hold supernatural surprises.

One of my favorite tales in the collection introduces a humble woodcutter who stumbles upon a fairy, granting him three magical wishes. The simplicity of his life contrasts sharply with the hilarity and misadventures that follow his wishes, turning the tale into a funny and cautionary reminder of how hasty desires can lead to unexpected outcomes. The humor and humanity woven into the story are some of what makes this collection so engaging, as we see characters who are as relatable as they are comical.

Among the darker stories, a young apprentice secretly studies his master’s forbidden book, reciting ancient words that accidentally summon a terrifying demon. As the boy struggles to control the demon’s powers, the story blends suspense and dark humor, showing how the mix of curiosity and foolishness can lead to chaotic consequences. And when a clever child returns to his mother with magical treasure from a giant’s castle, we follow along as his luck—and bravery—carry him to new heights, outwitting dangers and foes that loom over him.

"Fables from England" is a journey into a land where animals speak, simple folks find themselves tangled in magical escapades, and each page brings fresh surprises. These stories are windows into a time when life was touched by wonder and risk, from enchanted birds to mysterious old women with secret knowledge. I can’t wait for readers of all ages to explore these timeless English fables, where the charm of the past meets the thrill of the magical.

The California Gold Rush is often remembered for its stories of fortune and ambition, but what about the untold tales of resilience, love, and determination? This book explores the grit and heart of a young woman determined to carve out a future for herself and her father amidst the chaos of prospecting life. Set against a backdrop of rugged landscapes and swirling tensions, it’s a journey that challenges the body and the spirit, uncovering what it truly means to strike gold.

At the center of this story is Eliza Harper, a 21-year-old with the courage to stand her ground in the face of greed and rivalry. As she battles the harsh realities of mining life, she crosses paths with Nathan Cole, a charming prospector with secrets of his own. Their growing partnership is tested by sabotage, betrayal, and the looming shadow of a ruthless speculator, forcing them to navigate a treacherous path toward not just survival but love.

The book invites readers to experience the untamed world of the Gold Rush era, where every decision feels like a gamble, and every glance can spark a connection. With high-stakes drama, tender moments, and characters who feel as real as the history surrounding them, this is a story of finding the courage to trust—not only in others but in yourself.

Readers looking for an unforgettable tale of romance, grit, and resilience will be drawn to "Gold Digger’s Daughter." It’s a story that reminds us that the greatest treasures are often those buried deepest within ourselves and those we dare to trust.

Empires do not fall quietly, and they rarely fall cleanly. In Ashes of the Feathered Throne, I set out to capture the collision between two worlds, one ancient and ceremonial, the other hungry and unrelenting, without reducing either to stereotype. The story follows Isobel Greystoke, an English traveler drawn into the wake of Hernán Cortés’s march through Tenochtitlan. With no banner to serve and no side to truly call her own, she becomes a reluctant witness to a war wrapped in both gold and blood.

The world of the Mexica is not just a backdrop. It breathes with heat and ritual, with resistance and sorrow. Every temple, every offering, every shifting alliance speaks to a culture under siege and determined to endure. The conquistadors are not made into heroes, but they are not stripped of complexity either. What pulled me most was the human layer beneath the violence: the friendships formed across language and loyalty, the impossible decisions made under pressure, and the way a person’s sense of honor can survive even inside the machinery of conquest.

At the heart of the novel is a story of trust, loyalty, and forbidden love. Isobel’s bond with Cuauhtli, a nobleman of the Texcocan and brother to King Cacama, begins in caution but grows into something that neither war nor politics can easily define. Their relationship is one of shared risk and quiet defiance, forged in the margins of a collapsing empire. It is not a love untouched by fear or grief, but it offers both of them a reason to hope, even as the world around them burns.

I wrote this book not only to revisit a turning point in history, but to explore what is left behind when empires fall. Some ruins are visible, carved in stone. Others are hidden in memory, in silence, in all the stories that were never told. Victory is not always what survives. Sometimes, what remains are the ashes and the memory of the throne that once stood there.