#amwriting inspiration from horseback! #mustangs #cowboy

Yesterday I took one of my horses out on an exploratory ride, to see if I could connect a couple different trails from my property.

Although my horse had different ideas - all Pico wanted to do was canter - we wandered through the lava fields and old junipers. We came upon some old fencing and then what was leftover from a falling down gate. I was relieved, since that probably meant I was on the right track to find the main trail.

Just as Pico jumped into his attempt to win the race I didn't know we were in, I made him stop again. Several moss covered poles blocked the entrance to a little lava box canyon. I managed to take a couple pics before we were off to the races again.

When I posted on my "horse" Facebook personality, a local horse owner said the corral was used to capture wild horses "back in the day." I don't think there are any wild horses left in the area, but we aren't too far from a preserved herd of spanish mustangs - the Kigers. 

Ah, the images this conjures! I have a similar (although much bigger) horse gathering corral in my fantasy YA WIP. Hmm, now I might have an picture for a trailer! But also... story ideas! I love learning about the history of a new area.

Weekend Warrior Monday #weekendwarrior #amwriting

Did I say rocks?

Wow, what a weekend! Mine started Friday when I trailered my gelding Pico to an endurance ride. Normally we camp the night before, but this 25 miler started at 10am, so I had time to drive in the morning. Hubby was stuck working, so I went alone. I was a little unsure how Pico would handle being by himself, but I figured he'd find a buddy if he needed one.

Pico's had lots of issues in his past and doesn't have the greatest feet. That, along with our move, meant that we hadn't gotten in shape this spring. I was thrilled with how calmly he walked at the start, even when other horses were trotting away. He did the first few miles alone, then rode with a nice mare through the first loop.

After a break and vet check, he started strong, but we hit lots of hills and rocks. So many rocks! Pico didn't want to continue, certainly not at a trot. My rule is if we're walking, I get off and lead. I ended up leading up and down rocky hills for 6 miles. I kept an eye on the time, knowing we had 6 hours to complete the 25 and pulse down for a final vet check. We made it with 5 minutes to spare. Pico's first completion! I was so proud of him.

But then I had to run him home and pick up 2 more horses and hubby for Saturday's ride. We did another 25 miles, but on different trail. Only one mountain and far fewer rocks. We had a blast and best of all, hubby had a confident ride, something he hasn't had time for between his job and working with his young horse who is a little spooky.

Sunday was all about our new property. We started the morning spreading a little seed in some sparse areas of a field, then running the irrigation. Our irrigation skills are kind of laughable, we'll muddle along until we figure out where to put the pipes and how to hook them together right!

Back in the house, we tore open a wall. We're adding a washer/dryer to our walk-in closet, so plumbing, electrical, and setting up a cool all-in-one washer/dryer. Then we built a wall with a pocket door to separate the shower/toilet from the vanity side of the master bath. At 6pm, we ran out for dinner and to buy drywall and the door part, but got waylaid looking at some reduced price flooring. By the time we made a decision, Home Depot closed! We got the flooring, but will go back Monday for the original list and a new toilet (just don't even want to think about how gross the people were that lived in this house before us!)

Ah, now for the calm work week! Share your weekend warrior stories in the comments - would love to know how your weekend went.

I get to live here! #Oregon #horses #amwriting (not!)

If you've followed this blog for the last few months, you know I moved from Colorado to Oregon. Not for a job or any outside reason. Purely because I researched for well over a year and decided that central Oregon (Bend) was the perfect place for us.





The main draw is the dedication to outdoor activities - trails. Tons of trails. I found a book which lists 1800 miles of trails for horses. And there are even more geared to bicyclists and OHV users. Then the views. Wow.

We lived near Colorado Springs. Pikes Peak is incredible. But here, there are 5-6 peaks just as awesome and a couple with glaciers, so snow capped year round. It just takes your breath away to drive to town. And something about this beauty and being so close to it AND the accessibility seems to make people happy. Just plain happy. The guy at the gas station, the WalMart employee, the waiter. Everyone smiles and enjoys doing the job that enables them to live in such a fabulous place.

Some people think I live in the boonies - a whole 12 miles from town, which is closer than I've lived in ages. My driveway isn't great (we'll work on it) but I live at the end of a road, bordered on three sides by the Oregon Badlands Wilderness.

These pictures came from around and on top of a lava hill 2.5 miles from my house. I rode my horse on top.

Right now, because of all this, I'm taking a break from writing, but I've got great ideas simmering based upon this awesome setting. In the meantime, I'll still be helping other writers get their works noticed, so feel free to drop me a line about hosting your release announcement, interviews, or other promotions. I've got several reviews in progress along with getting back in gear with swapping critiques and beta reads. Never far from the words - just staring out the window more often!

4 Star Review - L.R. Trovillion's False Gods #ya

False Gods by L.R. Trovillion is available on Amazon in print and ebook.  All proceeds from sales during the months of December and January are being donated to the Glenelg United Methodist Youth Program (www.glenelgumc.org)  

My review:

False Gods by L.R.  Trovillion tells the story of Cory Iverson, a teenage girl afraid to fail. Her solution to avoiding failure is to avoid trying, running away at the first sign things are going wrong. She doesn’t have the most supportive home, her divorced mother sleeps with creeps and is addicted to prescription meds. Her sister is extremely focused on becoming a dancer, to the point of starving herself to have the right body.

In spite of Cory’s fear, she does try things and even takes things into her own hands like her clarinet lessons. But the scary band instructor sends her running from the room. Luckily, Cory’s dog leads her to the one thing with the ability to help her overcome her fears – a horse farm. At the barn she finds supportive people and, best of all, horses.

As I've found in my own life, horses are so forgiving and never have an ulterior motive or judge even when we make mistakes. Not only does Cory keep up with her  job at the barn and riding lessons, she makes a goal of qualifying for a high-level jumping competition.

But her boss remains a mystery – someone who used to be at the top and now refuses to show. Did she lose her nerve and run away too?

Cory digs around her bosses past, opening painful wounds and nearly ending her chance at finally sticking with something.

I won’t give an spoilers, but Cory’s fight to come to terms with herself and her family feels real and raw. Ms. Trovillion makes the reader care about Cory and want to solve the mystery of her boss along with her. The book is well written and cleanly edited (for those of you that know my nitpickiness!) Definitely worth reading for people who love horses, music, or remember those teen years when life controlled us rather than the other way around. And if you purchase in January, all proceeds are going toward a good cause, a youth group.

This book gets a solid 4 stars from me (high praise, I expect perfection for 5 stars). Recommended purchase!

Book release - False Gods by L.R. Trovillion #ya #horses

We're celebrating the release of False Gods by L.R. Trovillion, a lovely ya contemporary... and there's horses! Plus, buying this supports a good cause! See below for details. BTW, I already bought this book and am reading now. It's awesome, easily 4+ stars on my tough scale. I'll be reviewing here shortly.

Hippolyta Books announces the release of False Gods--a Young Adult novel by L. R. Trovillion--available on Amazon in print and ebook.  All proceeds from sales during the months of December and January are being donated to the Glenelg United Methodist Youth Program (www.glenelgumc.org)  

They say there’s no harm in trying.  Or is there?

Cory Iverson has her sights set on riding in the prestigious Washington International Horse Show—a tall order for even the most experienced competitors.  Problem is, she doesn’t even own a horse.  But there’s an even bigger problem: she’s a quitter.  Not a casual quitter, but a hard-core, serial, when-the-going-gets-tough quitter.  This all starts to change, however, when the opportunity arises to rescue the perfect horse from slaughter and work with an experienced trainer who has the means to get her there.  If she stays the course.

But Cory discovers the road to qualifying for Washington is littered with roadblocks when she finds herself surrounded by problems outside her control: prescription painkillers appear in her mother’s purse; her ballerina sister wastes away before her eyes; her boyfriend is keeping secrets from her; and her normally opinionated trainer becomes strangely evasive. Worst of all, the horse show world proves to be full of dangers, including an unscrupulous trainer headed for the same show who will stop at nothing to win, including killing. 

Unless Cory quits.

About the author:

L. R. Trovillion’s love of the written word began at the early age of ten when she penned her first mystery “novel.”  Since then she’s pursued degrees in Russian language and literature and has earned a living as a translator, teacher, reporter, and editor.  When not writing, she’s at work training and showing her horses or caring for her Maryland farm which she shares with her husband, daughter, and two dogs who think they run the place. Visit her website at www.lrtrovillion.com