Gideon's Spear (26 page)

torc
: A neck ring made from strands of metal twisted together. Most are open-ended at the front and were worn as a sign of nobility and high social status. Many examples of these have been found in European Bronze Age graves and burial sites.

deadnettle
: A plant used as a curative tea amongst various peoples in northern Europe and the British isles.

Amandán
: Mythical Irish and Scottish figures which are said to reside in fairy mounds. They are feared because their touch (called the fairy stroke or
poc sidhe
) is said to cause paralysis or death.

The Song of the Tuatha De Danaan
: The words that open the novel and are whispered by Gideon in Chapter Twenty-Five are a portion of the famous early Irish “Song of Amergin.” This translation is from the article “Echoes of Antiquity in the Early Irish ‘Song of Amergin'” by Lloyd D. Graham, 2010.
Gideon's favorite song,
The Minstrel Boy
, was written by Thomas Moore; 1779-1852.

Fairy (Fey) rings
: Round, barren patches of soil are found throughout Namibia, South Africa, and Angola. These circles are devoid of vegetation and range from several feet to several yards across. According the Himba people of southern Africa, these circles are said to have been created by gods or spirits.
(This kind of stuff just makes me break out in geek-bumps.)

Acknowledgements

Dear readers, the words “thank you” does not begin to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you. A book is only a half-book until a reader opens it. Writing a book is a team sport—I'm grateful to count you on my squad.

Once again, my editors and fellow shieldmaidens, Trisha Wooldridge and Vikki Ciaffone, worked their Celtic magic—
Gideon's Spear
is a better book for having passed under their critical eyes. Besides their editing skill, they both have an extensive knowledge of mythology and weaponry, as well as a wicked sense of humor that makes working with them pure bliss.

I also want to thank my publisher, Kate Kaynak (Kaynak the Great), Rich Storrs (oh, ye of the quick wit—it's a high privilege to be edited by you, Rich), and Kendra Saunders and Jennifer Allis Provost (Publicists Extraordinaire) for believing in the series, and Lisa Amowitz, for the stunning cover.

Thank you, too, to my family who have encouraged me along the way: my mother, Mary Louise Maes, who passed away just a few months before publication of
Spear
, Lee Geer, Kelly Austin, Derek Geer, Hunter and Harlene Geer, and Jennifer Espalin. My family simply rocks.

And my deepest appreciation to my friends and fellow teachers: Kaci Guthrie (Monday runs and Thursday bookclubs), Lynn Lawonn (all things Celtic), Greg Watkins (Green-Golds rule the world), Lori Smith, Tiffany Kentile-Wolf (Friday coffees), Todd Craig (Thor), Ashley Perricone, Lerin Miller (kick a pig), Jeff Milliron, Candice Johnson (for timely advice on child abuse laws), Natalie Kachnowski (winter is coming, indeed), Laura Koselak, Beth Gorab, and all the other staff members who never failed to ask me when the next book is coming out.

To the 7th and 8th graders of Cheyenne Mountain Junior High—thank you for sharing the 2012-2013 school year with me: I will never forget unicorns, the smell of morning coffee, lightsabers, bacon, Pop-Tarts, book club, and the
Lord of the Rings
action figures. And crayons.

And to my husband, Wes. “And the best of all ways.”

About the Author

Award-winning author
Darby Karchut
has long been fascinated by mythologies and hero stories from around the world. Drawing from her extensive knowledge of world cultures, she blends ancient myths with modern urban life to write stories that relate to young teens today.

She currently lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado with her husband, where she still teaches at a local junior high school. She enjoys running, biking, and skiing the Rocky Mountains in all types of weather, and owns more backpacks than purses. As she should.

Gideon's Spear
is the second in
The Adventures of Finn MacCullen
series. The first book,
Finn Finnegan
, was published by Spencer Hill Press in 2013. Her other teen books include
Griffin Rising
,
Griffin's Fire
(from Twilight Times Books) and
Griffin's Storm
(Copper Square Studios).

Darby is currently working on the next books in
The Adventures of Finn MacCullen
series.

Visit her at:
www.darbykarchut.com

* * *

A portion of the net profit of each copy of
Finn Finnegan
and
Gideon's Spear
goes to the Gava Kids (Topnaar Education Fund). Gava Kids is a non-profit organization focused on educating and empowering Topnaar students from the southern African country of Namibia. They work with traditional Topnaar community leaders to identify children based on need; most are either orphans or are from extremely compromised family situations. For more information, visit them at
www.gavakids.com