Phantom, the White Arabian Stallion

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Laurel in Double Cross escapes the stress of her FBI work by spending time with Phantom, her white Arabian stallion. We all need a way to keep our stress level low. For some it’s exercise, prayer, or quality time with family and friends. But if you’re lucky enough to have a horse, you understand the joy of loving and caring for a magnificent animal. I had a horse growing up, and it not only instilled responsibility but also gave me hours of unforgettable pleasure.

        

The name Phantom signified the regret and unforgiveness of Laurel’s past. She dealt with a tragic childhood and rebellious teen years that followed her into her adult life. Those happenings stalked her like a phantom. Odd, she’d call her beloved horse what she feared most. Perhaps this was a subconscious way to overcome that which she could not change.

        

I chose a white Arabian stallion for Laurel to show her strength in handling a powerful animal and to pave the way for how she’d experience growth and change in the story.  
Five characteristics of an Arabian impressed me:

1. Oldest breed of horse, dating back 4500 years, beginning with the Bedouins of the Arabian desert. “ . . . their horses were strong, with deep chests, straight legs, large joints and good lungs to carry them across large stretches of their desert homeland.” http://www.arabianhorses.org
2. Arabian horses are noted for their endurance. This trait paralleled with my heroine’s need to endure the pressures and hardships of her life to become a survivor.
3. This breed can be affectionate, and I wanted that characteristic for my heroine. Phantom missed Laurel when she couldn’t get away to the stables, and she missed him.
4. Arabians are noted as intelligent, sensitive, and alert. I needed my heroine’s horse to exhibit some of her traits and save her from a sniper.
5. Spirit! Arabian horses have carried kings and warriors into battle. They are a proud breed and carry their heads and tales high. My heroine had spirit to not give up on herself or the crime that needed solved.

These magnificent animals have stolen the hearts of people for thousands of years. From war horses to racing champions to prized pets, Arabians are and well remain a part of man’s history. Are you a horse lover? Leave a comment below and be entered in a random drawing for a personalized copy of my new release Double Cross.

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DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. 

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. 

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.