Happy Horsin’ Around Thursday! First, I need to share some happy news– about ten minutes ago, I signed off on the final edit of my YA novel,
Trail of Secrets. Yahoo! To celebrate, this week I’m featuring TWO horse-themed books on Horsin’ Around Thursday, both by a very special author,
Martha Deeringer. Martha is a Texas native and grandmother of four who has been riding all her life. She knows what she’s talking about! Her books are sure to transport any reader into the world of Texas ranches, unforgiving wilderness, and unforgettable horses!
SPEAK OF THE TIGER, Fire and Ice YA (March 10, 2015)
Summary: Justin MacArthur hopes to impress his ninth grade classmates with his outdoor skills on a long-anticipated school field trip to the famous YO Ranch in south Texas. Reserved and self-conscious at school, Justin’s expert horsemanship and knowledge of the outdoors—skills he learned from his father, a Texas Parks and Wildlife game warden—provide an opportunity to improve his status as a fringe member of the cool group. But a secretive Korean boy with a chip on his shoulder and a terrifying thunderstorm during a trail ride undermine Justin’s well-laid plans and change his life in ways he never imagined.
Recommended Age Level: 12-18
Can’t get enough Texas? Check out Martha’s other novel, Emma and the Cutting Horse.
EMMA AND THE CUTTING HORSE, Fire and Ice YA (June 24 2014)
Summary: When Emma Dean’s parents buy a plain sorrel mare with slightly crooked knees at a prestigious horse sale, Emma isn’t sure whether to be elated or disappointed. Cranky and irascible, the mare refuses to warm up to people or other horses. After she dumps Emma in the dirt on her first ride, Emma’s dad loads the mare in a trailer and takes her to a trainer to protect his daughter from the bumps, bruises and broken bones that can result from riding a cantankerous 2 year-old.
At first the mare seems like an outlaw, but beneath her plain red coat and independent attitude, the trainer slowly uncovers a surprising streak of hidden talent and an unexpected natural balance and athletic ability. When a well-known cutting horse trainer approaches Emma’s parents about training the mare for the NCHA Futurity, the family must make a difficult decision. Should they stretch their already strained budget to pay for training and futurity nomination fees? Could such a hardheaded little mare become a champion cutting horse?
Recommended Age Level: 11-18
Have you read any phenomenal horse-themed fiction lately? I’d love to hear about it!
Until next time, happy reading, riding, and writing!
