Deb Kastner here. If you read Love Inspired contemporaries on a regular basis, you'll know I enjoy writing cowboy heroes, cowgirl heroines--and all about their horses. I could go on and on about why I love
writing about horses in my books. In fact, horses often play large roles in the plot.
I’ve
been obsessed with them ever since I was a little girl. Every other year we
visited my grandfather’s ranch in Oregon (we live in Colorado.) You could
always find me out by the horses, and it was my greatest joy when I was allowed
to mount up and ride.I spent many summers at Camp Fire Girls camp in their trail riding
program. I even collected Breyer models. Horses are just so beautiful and
magnificent, not to mention intelligent.
We lived in the suburbs, which wasn’t conducive to owning a horse (not
that I didn’t beg…and beg…and beg…) so I read everything I could get my hands
on, both fiction like Black Beauty and Misty of Chincoteague and non-fiction
how-to-take-care-of-your-horse manuals.
By the time my younger sister Amy started begging for a horse, I guess
we’d worn my parents down enough. She was able to own a horse and boarded it
locally while participating as a member of the world-class Westernaires Drill
Team. She did everything from Roman riding (standing on two horses!) to trick
riding, eventually working her way into the coveted Red Team, the highest performance group of all.
Unfair, right?
Well, yes, but the Lord had special plans for Amy. She now runs a horse sanctuary (HappyHavenFarm.org)
for horses that would otherwise not stand a chance. I still don’t own a horse,
but I am blessed to be able to take trail rides with Amy.
And since I haven’t (yet!) been able to fulfill that lifelong dream--it's still on my bucket list--I do the next best thing. I write about them.
(Pictures compliments of Amy at Happy Haven.)
My next release, Yuletide Cowboys, which is a novella anthology with the wonderful Arlene James, will be available in stores October 20th. There are a team of beautiful black Percherons in the story--and a couple of mischievous reindeer.
Posts
I've never wanted a horse. In fact, I'm a little afraid of them. But Misty of Chincoteague is one of may all-time favorite books, and I'm a sucker for cowboy stories.
ReplyDeleteI begged for a horse, too. There was a boarding stable just three blocks from my house. The girl across the street had her house there :)
ReplyDeleteThere's just something about a girl and a horse.
What a wonderful glimpse into your life around horses. Bless your sister for running the horse sanctuary. They are magnificent animals, even though I'm more than a little nervous about getting on them.
ReplyDeleteI write about the country life I wish I had, too. Your book looks marvelous!
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