PEGASUS #Excerpt by Marilyn Holdsworth @M_Holdsworth #MustRead #Women #Contemporary
Posted on Friday, December 26, 2014
HANNAH RIDES PEGASUS ON A RACE TRACK
from the novel PEGASUS by Marilyn Holdsworth
Hannah
slowed Pegasus to a walk as they entered the gate of the ranch's old
training track at the far end of the paddock. Once inside the ring,
Pegasus pawed the dirt eagerly, flicked his ears forward looking down
the long stretch toward the first turn.
“Think
you’ve seen somethin’ like this before, fella? I just bet you have.”
She leaned forward to smooth his arched neck, tightened her grip on the
rope and wound her fingers more firmly into his mane. “Okay boy. Let’s
see what you remember.” Hannah crouched low on the horse, speaking
softly as he pawed and pranced impatiently. Then suddenly she dug her
heels sharply into his sides. “Go,” she yelled. “Go boy, go.” Her heels
pummeled him and she slapped the rope against his neck.
Pegasus responded instantly, lunging beneath her into a full gallop, he bolted down the track.
Thundering
toward the first turn, he hugged the rail, his powerful stride
lengthening as he rocketed on toward the backstretch. Hannah held on,
hair streaming in the wind , her chanting words, “Go, boy go,” drown out
by his pounding hooves. She clung to his neck , girl and horse melded
into one as they streaked around the course.
She
caught a blurred glimpse of two figures standing by the rail as she
flashed past. And when at last Pegasus slowed and she was finally able
to pull him up, she saw Win vault over the fence. He reached her just in
time to catch her as she slid to the ground.
“My
God, Hannah, you could have been killed. What the hell did you think
you were doing? It’s a wonder you weren’t thrown and trampled. And
Pegasus, you could have lamed him,” Win seethed.
You can read more about Pegasus at: http://marilynholdsworth.com/pegasus/
As a novelist, I draw on many real life experiences to provide
background for my books. After completing studies in Literature and
History at Occidental College, I became a staff writer on a travel
magazine, and throughout my career I have traveled extensively all over
the world. Because
I love horses, I owned and trained them. I support horse rescue and
wild mustang preservation. Based on my experience with horses and my
research on abuse issues, I wrote Pegasus.
As a descendant of James Monroe, I did extensive research at the James Monroe Museum in Virginia about him and his wife Elizabeth Kortright Monroe. I also visited their home, Ashlawn/Highland in Albemarle County. This resulted in my novel, The Beautiful American. Making Wishes, was based partly on my experiences as creator, owner and operator of a greeting card company.
Elloree
Prince is an attractive, creative young woman who marries a wealthy
businessman, Tom Randall. After courting his bride with unrelenting
determination, Tom moves her into old-moneyed Oak View, where
generations of Randalls have lived for years. Outwardly, Elloree appears
to settle into raising their two sons within Oak View's stifling social
structure, but inwardly, she yearns for her artistic work.
An
unexpected phone call from Mark Williams, her former employer, offers
her the career opportunity of a lifetime, and she must make a choice.
She is torn between her devotion to her sons and her love for her work.
Her decision to return to Wishes, Inc. brings dramatic life changes to
her and the people she loves.
Buy Now @ Amazon
Genre - Women's fiction
Rating – PG-13
"Abby Long is thrilled when she offers the winning bid for an antique desk at an auction. With its intricately inlaid woods and elegant style, the desk is perfect for Abby; it is the gift she promised herself to finally celebrate her thriving antique business. She has no idea that the antique desk holds a secret that will lead her on a fascinating, life-changing journey back in time.
When
Abby discovers a hidden diary stuffed inside a secret compartment in
the desk, she can hardly wait to read the spidery, faded script. As she
carefully turns the tattered pages, she reads the captivating story of
two remarkable women from opposite backgrounds who somehow manage to
form an unforgettable bond against the backdrop of a fledgling America
struggling to find its place in the world. Elizabeth Kortright Monroe,
the wife of James Monroe, and Jasmine, a young slave girl, develop an
extraordinary relationship as they are united by pivotal historic
events, political intrigues, and personal tragedies.
From
a bucolic Virginia plantation to the bloodied, starving streets of
post-revolutionary Paris, this powerful tale follows the lives of two
courageous women from the past as they quietly influence—and inspire—a
woman of today’s world."
Buy Now @ Amazon
Genre - Historical fiction
Rating – G
Widowed at thirty, Hannah Bradley is a successful journalist focusing on animal abuse issues. An accidental meeting introduces her to lawyer, Winston Caughfield III. Drawn to Hannah’s gentle beauty and fierce commitment to her work, Win joins her in a fight to save wild mustangs from slaughter. Together they rescue a badly injured horse with a mysterious background. Hannah’s search to discover the animal’s true identity leads them into a web of black marketeering and international intrigue.
Action
packed with crisp colorful dialogue the story propels the reader to a
race against time conclusion. Marilyn Holdsworth delivers a gripping
tale of mystery, adventure and romance guaranteed to hold the interest
and capture the heart. She brings true-life characters together with
real-life issues to create a fast-paced irresistible story.
Buy Now @ Amazon
Genre - Contemporary fiction
Rating – PG
More details about the author
Website http://marilynholdsworth.com/
Discussion