Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Hannah’s Pony Twist (Dream Pony Riders) by Susan Count Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews and more!
Hannah’s Pony Twist (Dream Pony Riders)
by Susan Count
Hannah’s Pony Twist (Dream Pony Riders)
Middle-Grade Horse Novel
Reading age : 8 – 12 years
6th in Series
Publisher : Hastings Creations Group (October 8, 2024)
Hardcover : 190 pages
Will what the pony needs break Hannah’s heart?
Freckles can’t be convinced to trot sometimes, and even though that’s fine with Hannah, she suspects something must be wrong with the pony. The barn manager thinks it’s time to retire him, so the vet is called and tests are run.
But Hannah enjoys being with Freckles even if they only walk down the trails.
She ignores the facts. When all her efforts to help him fail, she tries desperately to write a happy ending to her pony story.
Will she have to put on her big girl breeches and let Freckles take his own trail, or is she the real problem?
Interview with Author Susan Count
Thanks for taking the time to share a bit about yourself with my readers and me!
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a fully devoted follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. My heart’s desire is that my life will reflect his character.
How long have you been writing?
Composing was always my gift, but I wrote my first novel in 2013. It was inspired by my granddaughter, Selah, at three years old, leading our precious paint horse around the pasture with just a rope around his neck. Now I have eleven novels for children ages 8–14.
Did you always want to be an author?
I never gave writing books a thought. Like the weather, life is seasonal. Different things take center stage as you walk through life. I was a stay at home wife and mom first and foremost. Then, I enjoyed a season of focusing on riding my Foxtrotter mare in the forest with friends. Then, a season forced its way in when my focus became care of my parents. My current season is filled with the blessings of a growing family.
Do you have a favorite place to write?
Sliding glass doors to my sun-room allows me a forest immersion experience. An expansive area thick with pine trees flows down a slight incline covered in knee-high grasses and beauty-berry bushes. It’s the favorite spot of a trio of young deer born this spring. When the heat relents, an assortment of birds will visit the bird bath until the Blue Jay claims it as his personal spa. The sun is filtered by the tree canopy and its rays dance with joy on the forest floor. Peaceful and tranquil; a place to praise the Lord.
What’s on your desk (if you write at one!)?
I use a standup desk because the only sitting I should do is in the saddle. To minimize the distractions, my desk area is as clear as possible. Depending on the season, there is either an Italian Soda or a hot cup of peppermint tea on a crochet flower made by a critique partner. The plot points of any work in progress are on sticky notes on the window in a pattern reflecting the crisis points.
Have you always loved horses? My daughter always read horse books as a little girl. Did you have favorites that you read? And if so, what were your favorites?
My grandmother Count was a librarian in Falls Village, Conn. A massive wooden door allowed entry into a magical place. The wooden floors squeaked and even tip toeing would not keep them quiet. Because of my being smitten with horses, she directed me to the dark stained, wooden shelves stocked with all the classic horse books. I inhaled The Black Stallion series and tenderly absorbed Black Beauty. Some of my modern-day favorites are Lexington, Scorpio Races, and The Flight Across the Ice.
If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose?
IF I could stand the cold, which is a hard no, I would love to do an immersion experience with Icelandic horses. I ride and adore gaited horses, especially the Rocky Mountain and Fox Trotter, so the Icelandic Horse Tolt is a gait I would love to try.
What or who has influenced you the most as a writer?
I’ve grown as a writer because a well-known author advised me to join the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Through SCBWI, I was able to attend conferences and get my work critiqued by agents and editors. My SCBWI critique group consists of published authors and aspiring writers. They are well educated in craft, dedicated, talented and supportive. I couldn’t have made the journey without them.
Do you have any author friends who support you while you’re writing? Do you belong to any writing groups?
My author friends are members of my Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators critique group. They were influential in the development of my books. They taught me critical things like how to build tension and how to breathe life into the characters. They helped me develop my voice for middle-grade novels. I will be forever grateful and indebted to them for guiding me with their expertise.
Finally, what are you working on now? Can you tell us a bit about it?
I’m working with an artist to redo the cover for Mary’s Song, the first book in Dream Horse Adventures Series. My first attempt at the cover, I had chosen an artist I’d long admired. While her foal is terrific, the cover didn’t do a critical job. It lacked anything making it clear that it is a book for girls 9 to 12.
Thank you again for taking the time to answer my questions!
You’re welcome. Thanks for asking.
About Susan Count
Susan Count writes for the joy and entertainment of young readers. She is an Amazon best-selling, award-winning author of the Dream Horse Adventures Series, Dream Pony Riders Series, and Texas Boys Adventures.
She prefers to create stories in a quiet zone. Out her window, her mind wanders through the forest and keeps her in a grateful, contented state of being. Susan writes at a fabulous antique desk that has secret compartments filled with memories, mysteries, and story ideas. As a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, American Christian Fiction Writers and Alliance for Independent Authors, she takes studying the craft of writing seriously.
Susan confesses to being overly fond of brownies, and horseback riding on forest trails. She is a lifelong equestrian and is owned by a Rocky Mountain Horse.
You are invited to saddle up and ride along. www. susancount.com
E-mail a comment:
su**************@ya***.com
Hearing from readers is a great delight and encourages
me to keep writing.
Please like Susan Count at https://www.facebook.com/susancount where I post only horse-related videos.
I’m also on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susancountauthor/
And Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/susancount/
Enter the Giveaway
Hannah’s Pony Twist TOUR PARTICIPANTS
October 29 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
October 30 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
October 30 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
October 31 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 1 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
November 2 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW
November 2 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
November 3 – Deal Sharing Aunt – SPOTLIGHT
November 4 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 5 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
November 5 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
November 6 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT
November 7 – Reading Authors Network – SPOTLIGHT
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This sounds like a book that kids will enjoy.
This looks like a fantastic read. Thanks for sharing and hosting this tour.