Fiction Author, Professional Writer, Published Author- Loganville, GA

“Well, I like it up when I’m riding. Besides, I’ll need to put it up when we go swimming later,” she said, holding out her hand.

Flashing his father’s smile, he dropped the hair band onto her palm.

Then she noticed! “Your hair, you cut it!”

“Yeah, I think it makes me look older, more sophisticated, don’t you?” he said in a low masculine voice, turning his head to give her a better view.

“No, I liked your hair long. It’s always been long.”

As the pair began walking side by side along the lake trail, Bonanza and Cisco breathing heavily in unison, Katherine snuck peeks at TJ. The geeky and goofy neighbor boy she had played tag and hide-n-seek with since they were toddlers, did look different, more like a young man than an awkward teen. Even though he was three months her senior, she had always looked younger than she did. Was it the shorter hair? For a moment she might have even felt attracted to him. Josephine shook her head, cracking a lop-sided smile to herself -enough silly thoughts.

“What did you bring us?” she asked, sliding her hair band over her wrist. For as long as they had gone on morning trail rides together, they took turns bringing breakfast.

TJ flipped a drawstring bag braided into Cisco’s mane over the gelding’s neck. “Ham biscuits, and they’re still warm, but they won’t be for long.” TJ cued Cisco into a trot leading the way down the trail toward the hunting cabin.

When they reached the log cabin built on stilts not far from shore, they slid from their mounts and tied them to the hitching post out front.

“Give me the sack and I’ll set things up inside while you get us some water,” Josephine instructed.

TJ gave her a smirk, but didn’t hesitate, grabbing the bucket off the front porch and heading to the handpump out back. She had always had the upper hand in their friendship. TJ had never been shy about showing his feelings toward her. As far back as she could remember he’d had a crush on her; kissing her as a toddler, long uncomfortable stares in puberty, and now looking for any excuse to touch her or be close to her, which had become a problem at school.

She didn’t like the strange looks and rude comments made by her white friends anytime he stopped to talk to her in the hall. “Why do you even bother with the Indian?” they would say. Sometimes she pretended not to see him or would turn away and begin a conversation with someone else before he could reach her. She felt bad afterward, but TJ seemed to understand and never brought it up. She was glad she wouldn’t have to choose between TJ and her friends at school any longer.

And next week, she was leaving for California! Certainly, in no time at all she would meet some surfers like the Beach Boys or perhaps an older pre-law or pre-med student who struck her fancy. Josephine was well aware of her beauty, having had her pick of boys through high school, and figured the possibilities would be endless at college.

Josephine pulled plates and glasses from the cabinet and tore a few paper towels off the roll that hung from a wire hanger above the water basin, setting the table for two.

TJ soon joined her, filled their glasses and sat down across from her. Before she could take a bite of her biscuit he leaned across the table and gently brushed a few loose hairs from her face. Josephine’s tummy flipped like a pancake. What was that? Was she going to be ill? She pushed his hand away – sending her full glass of water flying.

“Geeze, Jo, I was only trying to keep your hair out of your food.”

“Look at this mess, would you!” Josephine got up, took her plate to the basin in an effort to salvage her meal and grabbed the whole roll of paper towels. After wiping down her seat she got down on her hands and knees to dry the floor and wall. As she wiped up the corner, something brushed her hand. Stuck between the rough-cut baseboard and log wall was a Polaroid photograph. She pulled it out, got up off the floor and brushed the dust from it. She couldn’t believe her eyes! “What is this?!”

Award-winning author

FINDING THE TRUTH IN FICTION

Abel

Susan Abel writes from the heart, sharing her passion for horses and her love of nature through the eyes of a hopeless romantic. She hopes her stories, underscored by lessons in love, truth, and wisdom will inspire and lift the spirits of her readers.

The second book of the Two Ponies Trilogy, Into the Fire, winner of a "Winnie" Award for Adult Fiction in 2019, extends the family saga, picking up fourteen years later with Katherine pursuing her childhood goal of qualifying for the Olympics. Amidst chasing her vision, her dreams are suddenly blown to bits by a phone call reigniting her volatile history. Into the fire she rides to levy justice, protect her family, and bring a close to her troubled past.

The third book of the Two Ponies Trilogy, From the Darkness, also a winner of the "Winnie" Award for Adult Fiction in 2021, picks up four years later with Katherine once again pursuing her Olympic dream, while her family becomes emotionally fractured. A grave family loss brings the Walkers together momentarily, but sets into motion a chain of events that challenges and questions each of their paths. As tragedy strikes the family again, a shadow hangs over Two Ponies, shattering hearts and dreams. Can the strength of family and their love of horses see them through the darkness?

Lessons of wisdom have the most power over us when they capture the heart through the groundwork of a story, which engages the passions. ~ Lawrence Sterne

Through the Mist, the first book of Susan's adult fiction Two Ponies Trilogy, is about a young eventer from Boston, Katherine O'Reilly, who sets aside her dream of qualifying for the Olympics to take ownership of an inherited estate in Montana where she opens a riding school, but soon finds herself in trouble, financial, male and otherwise. This story is the unfolding of one woman's painful quest for love, the sacrifices she makes to obtain it and the lessons learned in the process. Set in Montana near a Blackfeet Reservation, histroy , racism and American Indian theology assist in driving the plot.

The first book of Susan's latest adult White River Series, Roots Never Die, is a mix of Women's Fiction, Historical Fiction and Equestrian Fiction. A woman who sets out to learn her family's history ends up rediscovering herself and reconnecting with her family, a past love and her passion for horses. The epic saga will span over a century, two continents and the limitless boundaries of love and family. Book Two, Worth Fighting For, is expected to be released in 2026.

View Two Ponies Trilogy Trailer Here:

All available in paperback, Kindle & Audible on Amazon at:

JUST RELEASED!

A Sweet Teen Romance & Action Novel set in Lexington, KY

Susan

JOSIE HAWKINS dreams of owning her own horse. But her mother, as single parent, can barely make ends meet. After cleaning kennels and picking vegetables for two years, Josie learns she still can’t afford the horse of her dreams, a bay Thoroughbred. While riding along with a large animal vet, Josie gets the opportunity to obtain her dream horse…only it’s a tiny, orphaned twin foal that is too weak to stand and is discarded by the breeder. Josie saves the filly who she names Annie. With the help of the vet, an old horse trainer and her best friend, Annie thrives. Years later, when Josie and Annie become a prize jumping team, a competitor tries to eliminate Annie from the competition. How far will he go to guarantee a win at the National Horse Show. Will Josie be able to save her Annie a second time.

Available in Paperback and Kindle on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=susan+abel&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss

Just copy and paste

SUSAN ABEL hopes this story will encourage young readers to set goals and work hard to obtain them. Saving Annie is a story of will and determination intertwined with a sweet teen relationship, while educating its readers on the finer points of horsemanship. Recommended for ages 10 and beyond. Glossary of horse terms included.

Susan@SusanAbel.com

Susan's EQUINE ART & MERCHANDISE is available at most events and by direct mail. See examples on her "About" page and find an event by you on the "Events" page, or email Susan for pricing and availability on her "Contact" page.

Excerpts of The Two Ponies Trilogy and Roots Never Die can be found on the "Work" pages, and a short story, Yellow Bird, which can be read in its entirety.

Comments and questions are welcome, or order your signed copy of either book, by contacting the author by email on the "Contact" page.

Follow Susan's progress on projects by signing up for the Susan Abel - Author Newsletter. Just contact Susan via the Contact Page on this website with your email address.