Tuesday, June 02, 2015

SILVER SPURS - Miralee Ferrell - One Free Book

Welcome back, Miralee. You have a lot of books out now. What is your favorite setting to use in your books?
For my historical romances, I love any setting in the Old West, especially the states where cowboys, ranches, and outlaws could be found. But for my middle-grade contemporary horse novels, I love setting those close to where I live, as I know the area so well and have ridden my horse here for years.

What do you look for when you’re shopping for a book to buy for yourself?
I have a wide variety of interests. Right now I’m hooked on fantasy and other speculative fiction. Other times I’m hungry for a good suspense or mystery, while at others I’m in the mood for historical romance that contains action, adventure, and anything Old West!

Give us a little tour of the setting for this book.
It’s set in a very small rural town in Oregon, only an hour or less from Mt. Hood, and about ten minutes or so from the Columbia River Gorge. There are a lot of horses, orchards, hay fields and pasture, and a saw mill. Lots of green, snow in the winter, and it’s become more and more of a tourist area due to the beautiful setting and variety of things to do.

What other books do you have coming out soon?
There will be two more books in the Horses and Friends series, with the final one releasing in February, 2016. I also have two different novellas that are part of historical romance collections. Summertime Brides is the first collection, and my book is The Dogwood Bride, and the other book is part of Cowboy Brides, and my title is Love’s Sweet Storm, set in Colorado.

Please give us a glimpse inside your home.
Our home is located nine miles from a small town, across the Columbia River that separates Washington (our town) from Oregon. We own eleven acres, a two story house and garage, and a VERY large yard and garden area. I love all the flowers and grass, but it’s it takes a lot of time to keep up. I’ve planted delphinium, dozens of day lilies, roses, Canterbury bells, peonies, and many other flowers … not to mention blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries.

Is this novel part of a series or a stand-alone book?
Silver Spurs is the second book in the series, and the books follow the same kids and their adventures.

Tell us about the story.
Kate’s dream of owning a horse has finally happened. But now her best friend Tori has no money to buy a horse. So Kate comes up with a plan—she’ll raise money by boarding horses and hosting a show in her family’s barn.

It seems the perfect solution until Melissa, the girl who disses Kate and Tori at school, shows up to board her horse, determined to compete in their show and win the silver spurs. Will their plan be ruined—or does God have something better in store for them all?

Silver Spurs is a tale of overcoming fears and trusting God with your dreams.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Kate Ferris hauled back on the reins and brought her Thoroughbred mare to a stop. Her arms ached with the effort. Capri was a lot of horse to keep under control.

The mare tossed her head, and froth flew from her mouth. Kate patted the mare’s neck, her palms sweaty against the dark-red coat. “Easy, girl. Settle down. It’s okay.” It’s really not okay. Kate frowned, hoping her voice didn’t show her frustration. Determination pushed her forward. No way could she quit and let Capri win this battle. Kate hadn’t learned as much as she’d liked in the few lessons she’d taken while working at the English-riding barn a couple of miles from home, but she knew she shouldn’t reward Capri by dismounting when the mare wasn’t responding to her cues.

The chestnut horse threw her head again and pranced in place.

Kate gave an exasperated sigh. “All right, let’s try it again. Slower this time.” She nudged her mount into a trot along the rail of the outdoor arena, trying to focus on rising and falling to the beat of the Thoroughbred’s long stride. Getting the hang of posting hadn’t been easy, but Kate finally had it mastered. At least she hoped she’d mastered it.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
You can find me at my blog and website, and sign up for my newsletter there, at www.miraleeferrell.com
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/miraleeferrell

Thank you, Miralee, for sharing this new book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Silver Spurs - Christianbook.com
Silver Spurs (Horses and Friends) - Amazon
Silver Spurs (Horses and Friends Book 2) - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

24 comments:

Amy C said...

My daughter really enjoyed book one of this series and would love to add this one to her collection. :)
Thank you for the interview and giveaway!
Amy C
VA

Miralee Ferrell said...

Thanks, Amy. I'm so glad your daughter enjoyed reading A Horse for Kate. The story continues with the same kids in Silver Spurs. I hope she has a chance to read it.

Melissa M. said...

I have the first book, and I like reading children's stories, though I'm a grown-up. :) There's something simple and refreshing about them. Thanks for the giveaway!

-Melissa M. in TN

Anonymous said...

angela in ky would love to win.

Miralee Ferrell said...

Hi Angela, thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you have a chance to read this book, or get it for a girl in your life, if you don't win it.

Hi Melissa, than you so much for stopping to say hi. I agree about enjoying kids' books. There are still many I love to read, all these years later. :-)

Mary Preston said...

This sounds like such a fabulous series. Love the first page thank you.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

R Merr said...

My daughter is loving this series! We live in down east Maine. In the winter it's barely live able, but our other seasons are lovely! :)

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me in your awesome contest!!
Conway, SC.

Miralee Ferrell said...

Mary, be sure you read book one, A Horse for Kate, before you read Silver Spurs, if you can, as you get a great feel for the characters in the first book. So nice to see you from Australia!!

R Merr, I'm thrilled to hear your daughter is reading and enjoying my Horses and Friends series. We have three lovely seasons, and a 'real' winter, as well.

Reader's Cozy Corner said...

My daughter loved book one. I know she will love this one too! Pikeville TN

Melissa L said...

My daughter is really enjoying this series. We live in the foothills of NC.

Becky Dempsey said...

My daughters and I are reading this series and really enjoying it. They want the rest of the series now instead of having to wait. :)


Becky in Greenville, Michigan

Miralee Ferrell said...

Rachel, I'm so glad your daughter enjoyed A Horse for Kate, thanks for sharing!

Melissa, Has your daughter read both of them now, or only book one?

Becky, I got a chuckle out of this...I was the same way--always anxious for the next book. It's so hard to wait when you're into a series. It's only 2 1/2 months until Mystery Rider releases, and it's already available for Pre-order. They ship the pre-orders first when they hit the warehouse, before any new orders.

Thanks everyone, for entering!

Connie Porter Saunders said...

This sounds like a great book (and series). Thanks for offering a lucky reader a chance to win!
Connie from Kentucky

Pam K. said...

I think my 11 year old niece would like this book. It would be fun to win it and give it to her. Thanks for the excerpt and the interview with Miralee. I've read at least one of her adult books so know she's a good writer.

pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
Kansas

Miralee Ferrell said...

Thanks, Connie, I"m always happy to meet one of my readers. I agree, I do believe your daughter (or any young girl) would enjoy this book, as it covers several different areas of interest for kids. I hope she gets a chance to read it.

Connie, thank you for stopping by and entering. I appreciate your interest!

Melissa L. said...

Miralee my daughter has read both books now!! She loved both of them. Especially the second as she is getting to know the characters better.

Miralee Ferrell said...

That's so cool, Melissa! She'll get to know them even better in book three. I'm so glad she's enjoying them.

Patricia said...

Having 15 grandkids many of them lovers of horses I am sure several of them will enjoy reading this book, that is after I read it first. ;)

Patricia Blackmon
Shepherd, Texas

Miralee Ferrell said...

Patricia, love your comment that you plan to read it first! Let me know what you think, but be sure you read A Horse for Kate before this one, if possible.

Beth Gillihan said...

Sounds like a book my daughter would like! Thanks for the chance to win!

Beth in Montana

Brenda Arrington said...

Thanks for the chance to win the "next in the series" books.

happygrammaof3(at)Comcast(dot)net

Alisha said...

Great interview! I've been wanting to read this series, but I haven't been able to buy the first book yet. It sounds like a series I would enjoy.

~Alisha L. in Florida

Miralee Ferrell said...

Hi Brenda and Alisha!! I'm so tickled you stopped by before the contest ended. I hope you both get a chance to read this series. Alisha, be sure if you win Silver Spurs, that you get A Horse for Kate first, as they build on one another.

Blessings!