As my novel, An Alliance of Stars, finds a second life in self-publication I’m reminded of the sweetness of the relationship Isa, my main character, has with horses. In her grief over the deaths of all those she loves, in the midst of abuse no young teen should have to face, she finds acceptance and perked ears willing to listen to all her woes, all her hopes, all her plans for escape and they demand nothing back. They love her soft touch, her attention when she rides, her low voice, and the absolute trust they’ve built with her.

Even when she must sell them off and run for her life, she turns to horses in her new life and across many planets. They mean home to her.

It is the same for me. In this world, filled with hate, filled with no regard for anyone who doesn’t share your view, filled with name-calling and sticking people in categories, this face brings that gentle and loving spirit back to life for me. When I let others make me feel like I don’t count, like I’m invisible, like the only purpose I serve is to meet their needs, I run a soft brush over warm skin, saddle and ride or stand and speak my own woes, and find my home, my safe place to fall.