Friday, June 10, 2016

Book Review and Giveaway: "Whispering to Horses" by Thomas Nye



When the fence was built, not much was different on either side of it, but as time went on, one side changed with the times and the other did not. Now Matt moves in and can't wait to get the yard fixed up so he can move away. When he forms a friendship with young Eli from next door, his priorities start to change.

 It took me a little bit to get into this novella, partly because I started it right after reading a suspense book with a completely different writing style and partly because it was written in a way (at the beginning) that made me think of the reading segments on the state tests that kids have to take.  It took a little reading to get my brain into this author's style. The story is short and a very quick read. I was wishing for more at the end. Maybe there will be a sequel. Matt and Eli both changed/grew during the story and it was fun to see their transformation-particularly Matt's. It is told in third person and follows Matt. The chapters were named and then had sub headings throughout the chapter.  I enjoyed reading the novella and would like to know what happens next.  

About the Author

thomasnyecroppedThomas Nye, author of the Amish Horses Book Series, Lives near an Amish community where he grew to know and respect his Amish neighbors. During grade school Thomas developed an interest in history and loved reading anything he could find about the 1800s. His love of farm, history, and horses all came together in real-life experiences with his Amish friends, who also happen to share his Christian faith.  He purchased draft horses from Amish farmers in his neighborhood and set out to learn the art of working with horses in harness.  After years of buying, selling, and trading work horses with Amish farmers in his community, Thomas had many wonderful memories of those experiences. His novels based on those adventures. Learn more about Thomas Nye on his website.

Guest Post from Thomas Nye

Last spring, I visited numerous Amish communities throughout the state of Indiana. My original goal was to bring awareness of my Amish Horses book series to the Amish and tourists in that region. As I traveled down quiet country roads, my heart was overwhelmed by beautiful farm scenes. Conversations with Amish families, and especially Amish children, brought a new awareness and inspiration to me. Springtime and its rich aromas flooded my senses and filled my heart with a story, Whispering to Horses.
Whispering to Horses is a very short novel which spans several generations. It is the story of two families that live side-by-side for years, and yet are strangers to each other. A fence that was installed to keep livestock apart has become a dividing line, separating Amish from their non-Amish neighbors. Years ago, when putting in the fence, an Amishman remembered his grandfather’s advice, almost prophetically, “… a gate opens the way for help in time of need.” Generations later, a gentle Amish boy named Eli, seems to have inherited his great-great-grandfather’s wisdom, as he opens the gate and communication between neighbors.
Kalona, Iowa has been my home for the past 35 years. Living in an Amish/Mennonite community, I have experienced many situations exactly like the one described in this book. It is so easy for us to look over a fence and have a disdain for people we don’t know, or understand. Sometimes, a little child can use their simple wisdom to break through our misconceptions, and soften our crusty opinions. In my hundreds of visits to Amish farms, it has been the children that have surprised me most. Even though English is their second language, Amish children speak with wisdom that has become a treasure to me, and I want to share it with you. I hope the story of Whispering to Horses opens your eyes, and brings back memories of your own childhood, when we all shared that simple wisdom.

Blog Stops

June 7: Quiet Quilter
June 8: ArtisticNobody
June 8: Petra’s Hope
June 12: Bigreadersite
June 14: A Greater Yes

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Thomas is giving away an entire set of his Amish Horses Series! Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/9b7f

 "Whispering to Horses" is available in paperback: 
  • Series: Amish Horses
  • Paperback: 52 pages
  • Publisher: Crosslink Publishing (November 2, 2015)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 163357041X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1633570412
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.1 x 9 inches

 and in Kindle edition:
  • File Size: 2455 KB
  • Print Length: 48 pages
  • Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
  • Publisher: CrossLink Publishing (November 2, 2015)
  • Publication Date: November 2, 2015
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B016CP7N92

 I received a free copy of this book from the author to review during the blog tour through Celebrate Lit. All thoughts and opinions are my own and no other compensation was received.
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