Stuck at Home? Read one of my short e-Books - Free!

Thursday March 19 2020

Since the country is on restrictions right now because of the Coronavirus, reading is something we can still enjoy while keeping our social distances. How many re-runs can you watch on TV, anyway?

International travel is out of the question right now, so armchair travel is our only option. If you are craving adventure, here's an alternative. 

In honor of the older-than-dirt tradition of reading for entertainment, and to give back just a little spark of joy to people for a brief time, my short Kindle single, The Other Side, will be free on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of next week, March 23-24-25. It's the adventure story of my trek in Nepal's Himalaya on the Annapurna Circuit, conquering Thorung La pass at 17,872 feet. It was a doozy, and the scenery just stunning. I chose this one because it's one of my best-ever adventures and one of my favorite ones that I wrote. This story is horse-free, but intrepid nonetheless. 

Brew yourself a cup of coffee, grab a free copy of this ebook, and sit back and get ready to be amazed by the Himalaya and to be out of breath for a while.

(If you don't have a kindle, you can read it with Amazon's free app - click on "Read with our Free App" below the kindle price box.)

Enjoy the escapade, and stay healthy! 

Here's the link to the ebook, FREE on March 23-24-25:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EYL6CXA

Author Extraordinaire Laura Crum

Monday June 3 2013

Don't you hate it when one of your favorite authors goes and dies? (Or you discover he/she is already gone after you finished their published books - kind of like finding out your new favorite band, whose entire collection of albums you have bought with one mouse click, already broke up 2 years earlier).

If you wait long enough - a decade or so, and you don't have a photographic memory, you might be able to go back and re-read the author's entire collection, although it's not quite the same as the first time through.

I'm not a big fiction reader. The exceptions have been Walter Farley's Black Stallion series (which one can definitely read over and over!), and the masterful Dick Francis. His racing mysteries were excellently crafted with engaging writing, heart-stopping adventures, and intriguing characters, many that stay with you long after the stories have concluded.

Then Dick Francis went and died in 2010. I thought my days of reading good horse fiction were over.

OK, sure, I thought, when a friend Funder introduced me to Laura Crum's books, I'd try the first one, "Cutter". Sounded innocuous, and it couldn't be that bad; and sometimes I like some light, undemanding reading, where I don't have to invest too much attachment or attention.

My God. Was I in for a surprise!

Like Dick Francis (who - no surprise here - has "both entertained and inspired" Laura Crum), Laura's Western Horse Mysteries (12 books so far) are cleverly composed, the adventures erudite and authentic (I am not convinced Laura has not lived every one of these thrills), and the characters - human and animal - astute and charming. I know for sure I'd like to meet the main character Gail McCarthy and her horses and friends.

Gail is a diligent equine veterinarian who dabbles in the western disciplines of cutting and reining (a world I happen to be very intrigued by), and who always seems to stumble into danger.

I dare you to read slowly, and I dare your heart not to pound as you hide with Gail on a stack of hay bales from a killer, or run with Gail from getting shot at in an abandoned barn in the dark, or run with Gail from headlights chasing you, or wake up with Gail tied up with a gag in your mouth. Dare you.

The best part about Laura Crum's books is…. everything. The worst part (the only bad thing) about Laura Crum's book is… I'm going to finish them one day. They're like fine Belgian chocolates: to be indulged and savored, every bite, every word.

Do yourself a favor and pick up one (or all) of these excellent novels by Laura Crum. They are truly delightful works of art.

www.lauracrum.com

PS. Happy birthday Laura! And thanks for the great work! Now put down your cake and get back to writing, please.

Get Reading

Thursday February 25 2010

Mrs Mom of Oh Horsefeathers & Related Twisted "Tails" blog tagged me with the Beautiful Blogger Award. Thanks for that!

This means you get to hear 7 things about me, and I tag 15 other *new to me following* bloggers. (I am hoping that 'new' can be subjective...)

Here goes.

1. I looooooooooooooooooove the snow. Oh - wait - most of you know that, much to your annoyance.

2. I hate to backtrack for anything, whether I'm in a car or on foot or in a saddle.

3. I believe books are the greatest thing since sliced bread. sorry, you'll never catch me on a kindle.

4. I'm working on writing a book. I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel! (and you won't be able to appreciate it on a kindle).

5. I was probably a Raven in a former life.

6. I haven't owned a TV in 10-15 years. Although I *AM* a Days of Our Lives addict. Although I haven't seen it in about 3 years now...

7. I want a mustang. I really do want a mustang to start, finish, keep, and endurance ride on (though many many things would have to fall in place before that happens)


Here are the 15 bloggers I'm passing this award to:

1) Maryanne at Turn Right at the Sarcophagus. Maryanne lives in Egypt and she's helped play a bit of a role in my becoming The Equestrian Vagabond. She's a fantastic writer and has great insight on living in Egypt.

2) Maryanne at Living in Egypt. Same Maryanne. Same story.

3) Maryanne at Cairo/Giza Daily Photo. Can I pick Maryanne 3 times? Sure I can, it's my list.

4) The Raven at Forevermore The Raven. A special Raven goes on special adventures. Mostly with me! (Can I pick this one? Sure I can, it's my list.)

5) ~Crysta at Go Diego Go!. I actually had Diego here for a while before Crysta got him. Follow her challenging adventures in bringing along this endurance horse. (In fact, when Huckleberry choked the other night, the first thing I looked at was Crysta's account of when Diego choked and what she did for him)

6) Horse Of Course - the life and adventures of a scandinavian dressage nerd. If you think you're a good rider and you're tough, take a ride with her, bareback, in 20*F below zero. Plus I have a thing for Norway.

7) Adventures and travels of SS Sestina & Apache Bulero - a Junior's experiences through the sport of Endurance riding & Etc!. Watch while Zach aims and prepares for their first Tevis this year!

8) Musings from Montana. Running a B & B, Cid has beautiful photos and insights on life and living in Montana.

9) What are the ravens doing today?. If you are not entertained by ravens, there is something wrong with you!!!!! (JMO)

10) Blogabond.com. A collection of travel blogs. pick any place you want to visit, by any random traveler, for the day!

11) Karen of Karen's Musings & Endurance Ride Stuff has lots of useful information on endurance riding, lots of mileage and photos from rides. Of course, she may be too busy riding to do this, especially since she has a 100-miler coming up this weekend, but...

12) Wet Reins. A horse-ridin' traveler after my own heart! Lately she's posted about some of her previous rides/stints in Ireland, Egypt, Thailand, Budapest.

13) Notes from the Rookery. Danielle's art is wonderful (especially the horses and Ravens! JMO), and she has horses to boot!

14) Colorado Mountain Fever. A recount of climbs up the Colorado 14'ers. A bit early for climbs yet this year, but the photos and stories of past climbs are great.

15) Grey Horse Matters - one woman's journey with horses.... Amusing, fun, thought provoking stories on horses.

So - happy reading, and happy trails!