Of all the manuscripts I’ve written, THE GIRL WHO REMEMBERED HORSES is probably dearest to my heart. I’ve always been passionate about horses, and this is a story about the bond between horses and humans. But it’s also a story about culture and society, and how easily we could lose important knowledge from the past. Could the world really forget the ancient bond between humans and horses? Could one girl’s dreams make people remember? Here’s a summary of the story:
Several generations into the future, Sahara travels with her clan in a barren environment where recyclables are bartered for sustenance, and few remember horses or their connection to humans. But Sahara has recurring visions of riding astride on magnificent animals that run like the wind.
With the help of Evan, a young herder from the Gardener’s Camp, Sahara discovers a crumbling book containing pictures of humans riding horses and learns her visions are real. Confronting a group of hunters led by hot-headed Dojo, Sahara rescues a wounded horse, but the animal escapes before it can be tamed.
Sahara is labeled a foolish dreamer and almost gives up her quest. Following horse tracks into a remote ravine, she finds wild dogs attacking a dying mare, and must drive them off in order to save the foal. Now she must attempt to raise the young animal, finally convince her clan of the ancient bond between horses and humans, and learn the secret of her true identity.
I searched through my journals recently, and found the exact spot where I got the seed of inspiration for this story. It was six years ago, right after Hurricane Katrina, when I believe all of us were realizing how easily nature, or some other catastrophic event, could wipe out almost everything about the world as we know it. At the same time, as a horseperson, I was aware of the dire fate of many horses in this country. As fewer people seem to have the knowledge or economic situation to own a horse, many are being shipped to slaughter, and reports of horses actually being turned lose to fend for themselves are common. Also, a few years prior, I had done a college research project on Women and their Passion for Horses – and more specifically, where this passion comes from. All of these factors triggered a story in my head – What if people actually lost all of their knowledge about horses? What then?
After living with this story for so many years, (and a very long journey towards publication involving some near misses and almost happens) I was thrilled when Musa Publication picked it up for one of their earliest releases from their brand new YA imprint called Euterpe. It’s a story perfectly suited not only to young adults, but horse lovers everywhere, as well as those who enjoy adventure stories set in an imagined future. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. THE GIRL WHO REMEMBERED HORSES is available now, ready to gallop into your e-readers!
It's available for $4.99 at the Musa website (in formats for all e-readers) on Amazon.com, Smashwords, OmniLit, BookStrand, and it should be available on Barnes and Noble soon.
And now for the contest - If you'd like to win a copy of THE GIRL WHO REMEMBERED HORSES - and I'm giving away two copies - simply leave a comment below to enter. It's great for readers from ages 9 to 99, and available in many formats. I can send you a PDF version to read on your computer, or PRC, mobi, or ePub if you have an e-reader.
Contest is open internationally, and I'll pick the winners on December 1, 2011.
And please check out the facebook page for THE GIRL WHO REMEMBERED HORSES, where I also post lots of cool horse links: https://www.facebook.com/Girl.Remembered.Horses.LindaBenson
24 comments:
Sounds like an excellent read.
I would love to win! Sounds like my kind of book :)
I would love to read and pass down to all my horsey friends!
Thanks for commenting and entering. Remember - this is an ebook I am giving away. Also, anonymous, make sure I have a way to get in touch with you if I draw your name. Leave an email address, or at least a name I can identify you with. If I can't contact you directly through email, I'll post the winners here when the contest closes, but make sure I know who you are. I'll call you Anonymous 1 for now. *grin*
Sounds like a fantasic story. Dec 1 is a long time off! Hope I can hold out. :)
I love horses! :)
I love the premise of this book and have often wondered--how would horses survive the zombie apocalypse? And won't people with horses hold all the power when oil finally dies?
This one sounds really interesting. Thanks for having a contest!
Why not spend time reading books about horses? Your imagination gets involved.
Thanks for everyone entering the contest. I thought I'd jump in here and say that although THE GIRL WHO REMEMBERED HORSES is set in the future, it's not billed as fantasy (for those who like that kind of thing.) No zombies, no vampires or werewolves, and the horse details are as real as I could make them.
I would call it speculative fiction, though, because it is set in an imagined future, with people and other animals. And it's a great horse story!
Sounds very intriguing!
Sounds like a fascinating story, Linda! Looking forward to reading it.
This would be the PERFECT christmas gift for my daughter:) Been searching everywhere for something to fit into my zero budget this year:/
I have always loved books about horses and would love to have a copy of yours. Sounds great!
egstanley(at)gmail(dot)com
@Vincent Diamond, I like what you say about the people who hold the horses winning when the means to drill for oil is gone.
I have always said that when the Dark Ages come again, we horse people will be the most desired artisans on the planet.
Remember that when you feel like you ought to be doing something more constructive with your time. Or depressed about the state of the world. Whichever :)
This is one of the most unique concepts for a horse book that I've seen in a while. I would love to win a copy.
petsitrwoman(at)juno(dot)com
I would love to read it. Pick me! Pick me! ;)
I don't want to enter the contest, because I got to read it for free-- whoo hoo, I love my job! I would like to say, though, that this is a beautiful and dramatic book. Everyone should read it!
I would love to read & review this book. I prefer a smashwords coupon, but kindle is fine. My email is Hannah.Hummel129@gmail.com.
Of course I'd love your book since I own a Friesian and he's the coolest thing to ever come into my life. I wish you well in your future and your book writing. We can always use more books about the animals who mean so much to all of us and do us so much good by co-existing with us humans.
Patti
I have never outgrown my love of reading horse books and still return to The Black Stallion, Misty, Black Beauty and others that are close to my heart! I will definitely be getting a copy somehow. Thank you for the giveaway!
rasenna@sbcglobal.net
My daughter would love this! And she's 11 and loves to write so if she wins I want her to review it too. :)
alchemyofscrawl dot blog at gmail dot com
Thanks!
I think my daughter would love this. :)
Hi Everyone - thanks for entering. Contest is now Closed - and the winners are: Once Upon an Equine and Coral Russell.
Please make sure I have your correct email address, so I can get your copy of the ebook to you. You can contact me here: linda (at) lindabenson (dot) net
Enjoy your read!
I was drawn to this by the cover - I didn't read the blurb & had no idea of the setting for the book. It was a unique concept of the future and very well done. Lots of depth to the characters & great story. Any animal lover in your family will enjoy it
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