Twilight Returns to Noah's Mountain by Linda Regula-Warren

About the book

Twilight Returns to Noah's Mountain, first book in a trilogy, begins a loose narrative of my childhood, as seen through the eyes of a lonely mountain child and her imaginary playmate and protector, Princess Twilight.

Living in a tar-papered shack on Noah's Mountain, nine-year old Lindy Cooper uses powerful imagination to mask rejection and poverty while Princess Twilight thrives within the labyrinth of crystal caverns Lindy's imagination has created beneath the mountain. Since reality and fantasy walk hand-in-hand in this tale, also living in this secret underworld are eccentric counterparts to the mountainfolk living above: Fearsome, pale-scaled Dragon, keeping it's lair within the blackness of Ebony Cave, exhibits the same cruel coldness of Lindy's white-haired father; Guardian, the age-weathered protector of Amethyst Cavern so closely resembles 85-year old Granny Smoke that even Lindy has difficulty telling them apart; Teacher, a giant translucent spider that feeds on knowledge, has the kind heart of her beloved teacher, and of course Prince William, now a spellbound unicorn, held prisoner within it's crystal perimeters by an evil enchantment, possesses the same heroic spirit as her brother, Billy, also held captive in a manmade prison.

Fearful that Lindy is gradually forsaking her harsh world of realty for the world of fantasy in which she lives, Princess Twilight sets her Creator upon a quest to find seven golden Keys of Wisdom; Pride, Truth, Laughter, Honor, Hope, Compassion, and Perseverance, to equip Lindy with skills needed to grow into a loving, productive adult. In return, Lindy creates mental orbs of power to aid Princess Twilight in her courageous battles with Dragon, the creature now threatening to destroy the fantasy that both she and her make-believe companion desperately need to survive.

As each key is revealed, Lindy uses its knowledge to guide her through the deeply rooted poverty and despair that lingers upon the slopes of the mountain, yet no key, no magic, can ease the sorrow left behind after her mother callously deserts the family.

Each time the warrior princess bravely places herself and the orbs of magic between Lindy and Dragon's fury, she gains strength, while her Creator's will to remain in the human world grows weaker each time Lindy mentally crosses the illusive barrier of Amethyst Cavern. Together, the human child and child of fantasy share misadventures as they explore the ever-changing mountainside, interact with eccentric mountainfolk, and visit quirky cavern characters; all while searching for the treasure Lindy most desires.

Following an abrupt relocation from Noah's Mountain and forced to leave Guardian and Prince William behind, Lindy again utilizes the power of imagination, not only to create another safe sanctuary in a charmed grove of ancient willows, but also to reveal a puzzling tapestry on which five verses, stitched into its warp and weave, promises liberation for Prince William, and a joyful reunion with her loved ones.

As Lindy attempts to ease the guilt of leaving them behind, and apprehension of starting over among strangers living in this flat bleak landscape, she unexpectedly discovers the precious treasure she has been seeking all along: A human friend.

However, this is not a happy ending for Princess Twilight for upon her return to Noah's Mountain, she discovers that Amethyst Cavern, and its labyrinth of caves are slowly deteriorating since Lindy's imagination is now focused on Woodland Palace.

About the author

Born in the poverty-stricken mountains of West Virginia, oil painting and the written word became the vehicles Linda chose to carry her away from its narrow dirt roads and for many years those treasured memories of lush timbered slopes provided the inspiration for many of her haunting landscape paintings. Although her choice of subject matter may vary these unalterable recollections still underlie each choice she makes as to form, color, or brush stroke on a painting, as well as each descriptive word she types on the keyboard.

Although mostly self-taught, Linda received formal art training at Kent State University where one professor in particular instilled in her the love of creating and promoting art. She has spent the last 28 years, doing just that.

Following a successful career as museum curator and gallery owner, Linda now devotes full time to painting and writing fiction. Memories of mist-laden mountains, childhood friends, misadventures, and heartbreak, have become the subject matter she now brings to life in both book form, and on canvas.

In the historical third-floor studio she shares with her husband, James, in Zanesville, Ohio, Linda continues to create powerful, yet beautiful paintings that address issues adversely effecting women, make social commentary, and portray personal life experiences. She is also working ont he third book in the Twilight trilogy, loosely based on her childhood, as seen through the eyes of a mountain child, Lindy Cooper, and her imaginary playmate and protector, Princess Twilight.