This sparkling memoir gives a personal view of Irish rural life from the Economic War of the 1930s to the farming boom and recession of the 1970s. It describes the upbringing of a Protestant only child on a farm near Nenagh in north Tipperary-an idyll interrupted by school in Dublin during the 1940s. Taking over the farm on her father's death, working the land and animals (dogs, sheep, horses, cattle), the author recounts with great humour, acuity and poignancy her dealings, from the age o...

Part-time Writer guides the reader through all aspects of writing – from the embryonic stages of researching and planning, to the hard slog of the writing and editing, through to the presentation of the manuscript, and finally, approaching agents and publishers. At each stage, the author explains how she did it – and how the reader can do it too. * How can I write engaging dialogue? * What can I do to make my characters 'live' on the page? * Must I always 'show and not tell'? * How can I t...

Each book in the True Horse Stories focuses on a contemporary horse from a different part of the world, and each animal is, in his or her own way, a hero.PBJ Decks Smokin Gun (Gunner) is an American Paint Horse, one of the many of Heather Lott Goodwin's herd, and a valuable show animal that won the World Championship Paint Horse title. When Hurricane Katrina passed over the Goodwin property, it took with it the fences, the cattle, and several horses. Heather and her family lived in...

A big novel about a small town...When Barry Fairbrother dies in his early forties, the town of Pagford is left in shock.Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war.Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils...Pagford is not what it first seems.And the empt...

What if the best morning of your life suddenly turned into your worst nightmare? Sam Case is about to find out. Saving Rachel is the story of what happens when killers force a man to choose between his wife and his mistress...and the one he rejects must die. "If Dean Koontz collaborated with Alfred Hitchcock at the circus, this would be their brain child." –Vintage DM Book Reviews

When Jacqueline dies suddenly, her stubborn draft horse Groucho becomes the reluctant inheritance of seventy-seven-year-old stable owner Doyle. In working-class Montreal, an unlikely friendship develops between the grieving horse and the patient old man who understands that trust comes slowly. As city development threatens their stable and violence intrudes through unexpected quarters, Doyle, Groucho, and Jacqueline's estranged daughter Louise form an unlikely family. Together they discove...

Nancy Shulins had a great career, a loving husband, and was looking forward to having a family. Cheering as her friends got pregnant and dutifully bringing gaily wrapped gifts to every baby shower, she suffered bout after bout of unsuccessful infertility treatment. Devastated, she slowly heals through the most unexpected route: the love of a good (if cranky) horse named Eli.Everyone knows a woman who loves horses. Maybe she rides whenever she can find the time, maybe she rode as a ...

Series: Timber Ridge Riders--Book Four Ages: 9-13 More than anything in the world, Kate McGregor wants a horse of her own, but the pitiful mare she rescues from the dog-food factory is hardly the horse of her dreams. Still, Kate's betting that one day her scruffy horse will be a champion. Together they'll win blue ribbons. They'll beat Angela Dean once and for all, despite the fact that Angela's now being coached by a trainer who's as unscrupulous as she is. But...

Series: Timber Ridge Riders--Book Five Ages: 9-13 Now that she has the horse of her dreams, Kate McGregor’s next dream is to live in Vermont near her best friend, Holly Chapman. She wants to ride for the Timber Ridge team and attend high school with Holly. But Kate's father has other plans. He wants Kate to sell Tapestry and move 2,000 miles away. So does Angela Dean. She will stop at nothing to force Kate and her horse out of Timber Ridge ... even if it means p...

Miskeen was born in obscurity on a Russian farm, sold to a traveling circus, and earned a reputation performing in small towns in the 1980s. He was schooled first as a liberty (rider-less) horse and then as a “dancing” (dressage) performer. Dancing was what he did best, and he was often observed trotting on the spot whenever he heard music. He matured into a magnificent, highly trained and valuable animal. But then tragedy struck.Confined in his stall after an exhausting day of per...

Kate McGregor and her best friend Holly Chapman share the same dream. They want to qualify for the annual Festival of Horses where scouts from the United States Equestrian Team will be on the lookout for promising young riders. Pushed by her relentless mother, Angela Dean has the same dream, which means the girls are locked in a fierce competition to determine who will represent Timber Ridge at the next qualifying horse show. But when Mrs. Dean storms into action, Kate’s dream take...

Timber Ridge Riders, Book 3 Ages: 9-13   A movie is being filmed at Timber Ridge Stables and one lucky girl is actually going to be in it. Of course, Angela Dean wants the part, but Kate McGregor wants it even more. With the money from the movie Kate can make her special dream come true--she can buy a horse of her own. What will Angela do to stop her? She's tried all kinds of dirty tricks in the past . . . but now a beloved horse is missing. Wou...