REBEL HORSE RESCUE - Miralee Ferrell - One Free Book

Bio: Miralee Ferrell is the award-winning author of more than a dozen novels. She and her husband live along the Columbia River Gorge in southern Washington State, where she enjoys riding the wooded trails and spending time with her grown children. In addition to horses and dogs, Miralee once owned two cougars.

I�ll be attending a large inter-church two-day retreat where I�ll be sharing briefly then meeting and greeting at a book table. I�ve taken part for the past 4 years and love the ladies there. I may also be on staff again at Oregon Christian Writer�s, although invitations haven�t been sent out yet, as it�s later in the year. I�ve cut back on my speaking and conferences since starting my small publishing company, Mountain Brook Ink. That�s keeping me very busy!

Restoration. I�m passionate about that topic. I want to see Christian women healed in every way�spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

I think Beth Moore would be near the top of my list, as this is a subject she understands. I�ve taught several of her Bible studies, and women gain a lot from her teaching.

I don�t have a particular spot in mind, but I know exactly what I�d want it to contain. Nearby woods (no cities!) with peaceful walking trails. Outdoor seating with flowers, grass, trees, and water�preferably running water, as the sound is so soothing. The facility needs a spa, a Jacuzzi, lots of room to relax and chat, as well as serving incredible food. I�d want the ladies to be comfortable and feel pampered, so digging deep into their hearts and finding renewal and restoration wouldn�t be a chore.

A combination. I still love the feel of a print book and prefer it, but it�s so easy to slip my light-weight Kindle into my purse for when I�m waiting somewhere. But actually, most of my reading is now done via audio. I go through 1-2 books a week while driving, doing housework, or working outside.

The featured horse in the story with the mystery surrounding him is a bit wild and unruly�basically, a rebel. And due to circumstances I can�t reveal (without spoilers), he�s in need of rescue. Based on those details, the title came together and fit perfectly.

First, Rebel Horse Rescue is book 5 in the Horses and Friends series for middle-grade kids�although I�ve had adults enjoy these books as well, due to the light mystery threads and continuing growth of the characters. Here�s the short summary of this book:

Summer is winding down for Kate and her friends when a surprise visitor appears at her family�s stable�a beautiful bay horse wearing a halter and a bad attitude. Dubbing the horse �Rebel,� the friends set out to find the horse�s owner. Where did he come from, and why are horses all over the area disappearing from their pastures and paddocks? It�s a mystery that even the sheriff can�t figure out, so Kate decides to head up the investigation. When Kate�s autistic brother, Pete, develops a strong connection to the new arrival, Kate wonders�did God bring Rebel to them for a bigger purpose?

I�m going to cheat a little bit and skip forward a couple of pages to where we meet Rebel, since he�s the heart of the story:

Melissa stood and stretched, then stopped, one hand still in the air. �Listen. Did you hear that?�

�Hear what?� Kate scrunched her brows.

�Hoofbeats on the driveway. Are you expecting someone to ride over today to use the arena?�

Kate shook her head. �Nope. Someone could stop by, but most of the people who board their horses here come in a car, or ride a bike, or walk, since their horse is already in the barn. Probably someone riding by.� She smiled. �We do live in horse country, you know.�

A loud nicker outside was answered by two horses in the barn, and Kate swung around to face the outside door. �Better go check it out, though.� Kate was certain it wouldn�t amount to anything. There hadn�t been any excitement around here since the theft of her mom�s antique box containing the money for the trail ride and scavenger hunt. It had been quiet and boring the past couple of weeks.

The group hurried outside with Kate leading the way. She came to a quick halt a few paces from the barn and gasped. �It�s a loose horse with a halter on. And he�s gorgeous!�

Tori came to a sliding stop behind her and bumped her shoulder. �Oops, sorry. Hey, Jake, slow down, or you�re gonna knock us all over.� She shot Jake a smile. �Although I don�t have the right to talk�I ran into Kate.�

I�m all over the place! Right now my website is being moved to a new hosting site, so it�s not 100% yet, but it will be soon. I�m also active on Facebook and Twitter. Here are the links:

Website/Blog/Newsletter sign-up    www.miraleeferrell.com

Twitter                                                   www.twitter.com/miraleeferrell

Facebook group (I prefer people join me there rather than friend my personal site)