Claire Youmans first went to Japan in 1992 and was immediately captivated.  After years of travel and study, she continues to be charmed and amazed by a fascinating history and a culture that's both endearingly quirky and entirely unique. She is a retired lawyer who now lives in Tokyo. Her family, including her daughter and two grandsons, live in Seattle, USA.

In 2014, she started Tales of the Meiji Era with The Toki-Girl and the Sparrow-Boy's unparalleled blend of historical fantasy in the first book of the series, Coming Home.  She continues exploring the combination of history and folklore to share her love and fascination with a very different country and culture. 

Exciting adventures continue to unfold in this delightful fantastical yet historical world as social and political changes expand, technology explodes, and two very unusual children grow up.  



The Toki-Girl and the Sparrow-Boy

Azuki concentrated on finding Blackie's rhythm so she wouldn't fall off his broad back. She gripped the reins tightly.


"Hey," Blackie called, "loosen up! Let me do it! Reins aren't for balance. Sit down and deep. Hang onto Shota. I won't let you fall!"


The reins ran to a bar in Blackie's mouth. Azuki could see why he wanted them loose, but her balance was so precarious! She tried to sit down and deep, and gently loosed her grip. If it wasn't for Shota in front of her, she could grab the saddle or the horse's mane. That didn't seem to bother them at all.


"As long as you don't pull too hard," Blackie confirmed. "We need to go fast for a while, so nobody can catch us!"


"I can outrun anybody!" Red Wind asserted. With Yuta clinging to the saddle, she speeded up and passed Blackie.


"Except me," Blackie said, lengthening his stride as he tried to catch her.


Chapter 34