Wonderful Visits in CT& DE!

After maybe 15 years, we were finally able to visit with Lee of Lee's Riding Stable and Windfield Morgan Farm in Litchfield, CT. That's where it all began for me - my horse career that is! I worked for Lee when she lived in Wilton and then moved with her to Litchfield. Farewell was foaled there in 1976 and I bought him as a four month old colt, taking him to Langhorne, PA where we first started our Unicorn Stable in the haunted house! The spirits liked us because we had animals :)

Scout enjoyed playing with her two dogs!

It was wonderful to see all the horses, especially the Morgan Horses! Her stallion is the palomino (center) on the bottom.

On the way south toward warmer Florida, we stopped at Chicks' Saddlery in Harrington, DE - they carry a large selection of my books, and all are signed. Lots of tack, clothes and gifts there, too. So, if you are in that area, stop by! Then we had lunch with good friends, Dennis and Diane, at the casino across the street.

Toll Booth Saddlery has Holiday Gifts for Everyone!

If you need holiday gifts for the equestrian in your life, or the future horse lover, visit Toll Booth Saddlery in Mt. Holly, NJ. They have baby/children clothes and toys (including Breyer horses), jewelery, stationary, riding clothes, tack and lots more. Also, they carry my books including my Beloved Horses series, Woogie's Travels and The Delmarva Conspiracy. And they are already signed!

Visit their site to learn more, and find them on Facebook!

10th Anniversary Beloved Horses Book Tour

This fall marks the 10th Anniversary of my Beloved School Horses. I wrote this collection of true short stories after we closed our Unicorn Stables, which ran from 1975 to 2000. It started in Langhorne, PA then 20 years in Salisbury, MD and finally Honesdale, PA.

I wanted to share my memories of the wonderful horses and ponies that provided safe, educational and fun riding lessons/horse shows/vaulting/ocean swimming/picnic trail rides/pony rides for all my students. Each story is a glimpse into the life of horses such as Farewell (the Morgan on the cover), Sonny the vaulting horse, Sandy Mae the Palomino show pony and Mini the sweet Shetland pony.

Sketches from old photographs are included in the 20 stories.

The Book Tour begins October 27 from Tampa and ends November 9, with stops at Apple Brook Farm in Cookstown, NJ, Toll Booth Saddlery in Mt. Holly, NJ, Shady Maple Amish Buffet in Lancaster, PA, Lee's Riding Stable/Windfield Morgan Farm in Litchfield, CT (where I began my equestrian career and where Farewell was foaled), Chicks Saddlery in Harrington, DE and the final stop in Charleston, SC.

See more about my books at my website: http://sharonminer.com/

Spot has Crossed the Rainbow Bridge

Due to beloved Spot's sudden passing today, my scheduled event on Nov. 1st there has been cancelled. We will always cherish the memories of the Paint Horse on the cover of Beloved Horses in Second Careers.

By Greenwell Foundation:

 

It is with sadness that we share that our friend, Spot, crossed the rainbow bridge. We tried to count how many people were touched by this amazing horse. We could not.

He was beautiful, strong, sometimes stubborn, always patient, never too naughty. Our friend is pain free now and at peace.

Spot's registered name was Lucky Leo. But the truth is we are the lucky ones.

Please help us remember Spot by sharing your stories....

Somewhere...somewhere in time's own space
There must be some sweet pastured place
Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow
Some Paradise where horses go.
For by the love that guides my pen
I know great horses live again.
-- Stanley Harrison

Rest in Peace, friend.
Spot 1989 - 2014

Returning to Greenwell Foundation Stable!

On Saturday, November 1st, I'll be visiting the Greenwell Foundation Stable in southern Maryland once again. The event is to celebrate both my 10^th Anniversary of my Beloved Horses Series and Spot’s 25^th year. I'll be reading Spot’s story which is included in Beloved Horses in Second Careers, the fourth book in the series.

Spot is a Paint Horse who foaled in Texas in 1989 and was first trained as a reining horse before becoming a Pony Club mount for Caitlyn Keyes in Maryland. After Spot could no longer show in the jumping events, Keyes decided to donate him to the Greenwell Foundation. In Spot’s third career he blossomed as a therapeutic riding mount providing a safe ride for the program participants. Now, in his 25^th year, he is enjoying retirement at Greenwell.

I interviewed Caitlyn via email about Spot. In 2010, after Beloved Horses in Second Careers was released, I was invited to Greenwell to meet Caitlyn, Spot and his riders in person. Spot was as handsome and as friendly as I wrote about in my book!

On November 1^st from 10 am until noon, I'll share Spot’s story and sell signed copies of all my books, discounted to $12.00 each. Spot will be there to share in the dual celebration.

A raffle to benefit the foundation will also be held and will feature a set of the five Beloved Horses books, and valued at $60. Smaller equine novelties will be given to other winners. Tickets will be $5 each, or five tickets for $20. The drawing will be held at noon, and participants need not be present to win as long as they can return to the stable to pick up the prizes during normal business hours.

Greenwell offers a comprehensive equestrian program including a horseback riding program as well as their Therapeutic Riding Program, which is a Center Member of PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship). Greenwell’s Director of Equestrian Programs and lead instructor, Julie Raley, is a PATH International Certified Instructor. Greenwell is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization located in southern Maryland at 25420 Rosedale Manor Lane
Hollywood, Maryland and more information can be found on their website at http://greenwellfoundation.org/

 

 

Online Book Tour SALE!

The good news after seeing an orthopedic surgeon yesterday about my right wrist is that it is a clean break and shouldn't need surgery. A better soft cast is on. The bad news is that I won't get a hard cast on until the end of May so no pet grooming for me until then = no income. 

Therefore, my Spring 10th Anniversary of Beloved Horses book tour will be an online sale! Only $12 per any book with free shipping! If you need a gift for a horse, dog or mystery lover or want a copy or two for yourself, em me at sharonminer@yahoo.com. I take Visa and Master Card!

See my books at http://sharonminer.webstarts.com/books.html

Thanks for your concern, prayers & support!

Book tour postponed until fall!

Due to a fractured right wrist, my May book tour is postponed until the fall.

April Event in Lakeland, FL

I'll have my Puppies & Ponies Booth at this event! All 10 of my books will be on sale and the cost of decorating a real horseshoe with bling will only be $5. 

See my site for info on my books: http://sharonminer.webstarts.com/books.html

10th Anniversary Beloved Horses Book Tour Announced!

In 2004, my first horse book, Beloved School Horses, was released by Infinity Publishing. It soon became a series, all featuring illustrated collections of true short stories about the special bonds between horses and their riders. The latest, Beloved Horses From Around the World, was out in 2012.

So this year's book tour will celebrate with discounts on the books - instead of $14.95, each book will be only $12 when purchased from me. I accept cash, money orders or Visa/MC. Checks from businesses are also accepted.

The tentative stops will include: (Let me know if you'd like me to stop at your school, library, stable or store while in the area for a signing and/or writing workshop! Call my cell: 814-937-0704 or e-mail me at sharonminer@yahoo.com)
May 5th: Brunswick, GA
May 6th: Norfolk, VA
May 7th: Chick's, Harrington, DE
May 8th: Wesport, CT
May 9th: Tollbooth Tack Shop, Mt Holly, NJ
May 10th: Philadelphia, PA
May 11th: Greenwell Foundation Stable, Hollywood, MD
May 12th: Richmond, VA


More details of signings to be posted soon!


Purchases can also be made at any time this year via e-mail: sharonminer@yahoo.com or online at Amazon for print or e-books.

Happy Trails!

Reader Reviews Wanted! Win a Free Book!

Attention Book Lovers!

I'm working on final revisions for my latest historical fiction novel, The Wildcat Orphan.  And I need pre-publishing reviews to include in the final project!

If you love to read this genre, both children eight years through adults are invited to participate and win a free copy of the book if your blurb is selected for promoting the book.

What is the story about?

In 1897, a horse-loving orphan boy is banished from his first foster home in New York and sent by train to Colorado where his assigned family fails to meet him so he's taken home by the town drunk. Mac is determined to control his Irish temper in order to be accepted by his new foster family despite a cold welcome from the teenage son. The ten-year-old learns about western family life and mining gold in the Rocky Mountains while trying to avoid a strange man who seems to be following him. 

How to Enter?

 E-mail me your request to enter at sharonminer@yahoo.com with your name, age if child or "adult" if over 18 years, and state. If under 18, please note that you have your parent's permission.

I will reply that I received your request and send you some sample first chapters with a deadline to return a quote for a review.