BLUE RIBBON TRAIL RIDE - Miralee Ferrell - One Free Book

Bio: Miralee Ferrell’s debut novel released in the fall of 2007, and eighteen more have followed since. Her historical western romance, Love Finds You in Sundance, Wyoming, won the Will Rogers Medallion Award for Excellence in Western Media for Fiction in 2012, and her first book in the four-book Love Blossoms in Oregon series, Blowing on Dandelions, hit the ECPA Best Seller list, along with The 12 Brides of Christmas. Since then, she’s ventured into writing horse novels for middle-grade kids, and opened her own publishing company, publishing Christian novels. Miralee and her husband have been married over 40 years and live in the beautiful Columbia Gorge in Washington State, where she loves to ride horses, garden, take walks, play with her dogs, and minister to women.

Dear Readers, I’ve loved Miralee’s writing since I read her first book. We’ve become friends, and I’m happy to introduce you to her horse novels for middle-grade kids.

Welcome back, Miralee. Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

I wear a lot of hats—wife, mom, grandmother, multi-published author of 18 novels and novellas, as well as publisher/acquisitions editor for Mountain Brook Ink. I live in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge in southern Washington State, several miles out in the country. We’ve lived in this area for many years, and it’s where we raised our children. Someday we hope to travel south for the winter and escape the snow and cold, but right now we’re content to burrow in by the woodstove and enjoy life here.                                                                                               How did you become interested in writing?     It’s funny—I was never interested in writing, only in reading. I’ve always been an avid fiction reader, with no desire to write. Then ten years ago, a visiting pastor prayed with me and told me he felt the Lord was calling me to write. After praying and talking to my husband and pastor, I decided I’d follow that direction and see if God blessed it. He has. I now have 18 books in print with more on the way. It’s been an incredible journey with the Lord at the wheel.                              

                       

What compelled you to write a book on this subject?

A good friend and editor who was at Waterbroook at the time, read one of my historical romances set on a horse ranch. She loved it and suggested I consider writing a series of horse novels for kids. I wasn’t excited about it at first, but the idea grew on me. After time, I felt the Lord nudging me that direction. This book is the fourth in the series, and I’ve been having a ball writing these books and inserting subtle life messages into these stories for kids.

What is the main theme or point that you want readers to understand from reading your book? Are there any other themes present in the book? 

There are multiple themes—having adventures with friends, solving a mystery, learning how to work together, and of course, the major theme in all the Horses and Friends books centers around loving and enjoying horses.

Are there some specific lessons you hope readers will learn and apply to their lives after reading your book?

The main thing is trust—learning how to trust God and trust others when things go wrong. Also, not judging other people by outward appearances, as you’ll often get it wrong.

What makes your book different from any other books similar to yours that are in circulation today?    

I’ve had a number of readers tell me that my characters are very true to life and the adventures they have are more compelling than a lot of kids’ books they’ve read in the past few years. Plus, I weave life lessons into each story that many parents appreciate.           

                                

How does the book intertwine with God’s call on your life and how you are currently serving Him?

I truly believe He called me to write, or I wouldn’t be doing it. I had no desire to write books, so all the glory goes to Him for what’s happened in my career. My desire is, and always has been, to point other to Jesus. I try to do that in a soft way through my fiction, by encouraging, teaching, and weaving in real issues that people encounter in everyday life, and showing how the characters overcome.
            

Do you have a favorite Scripture verse?

Jeremiah 29:11-12 has been my life verse for years.

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

When you are not writing, what do you like to do? Do you have any hobbies?

I love horseback riding with my daughter, playing with my little granddaughter when her daddy and mother are able to bring her down, and going for long walks. I’m also the owner and publisher at Mountain Brook Ink, an up-and-coming Christian publishing house for fiction, and that’s cut into my hobby time this last year. But I do still take time to walk, go to lunch, or go riding with my grown daughter who lives nearby, or have an occasional hour or two visit over tea with a friend.

As we close, is there anything else you would like to add?

Yes, I’m thrilled to announce there will be two more books in the Horses and Friends series. The first is titled Rebel Horse Rescue. We’ll be working on the covers in March, and releasing more information with a projected release date (probably around November 1 this year) in another month or two. Book six is called Trouble on the Trail, and it will release next year. I’m thrilled I get to continue with this series, as the characters have become like friends.

Where can my readers find you on the Internet?

Several places:

Website:  www.miraleeferrell.com

Business website:  www.mountainbrookink.com

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/82316202888/permalink/10153755992982889/

Twitter handle: miraleeferrell

Thank you, Miralee, for sharing this new book with us. I will want to feature the last two books in this series on the blog, too.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

Blue Ribbon Trail Ride - Christianbook.com
Blue Ribbon Trail Ride (Horses and Friends) - Amazon.com
Blue Ribbon Trail Ride (Horses and Friends Book 4) - Kindle

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