Who has finished Caroline’s Lighthouse? I’d love to hear your thoughts! I would be so grateful if you’d drop a review on Amazon, as reviews help authors reach more readers. Thank you for your support!
Handwritten to Published
A year ago today, I posted these pictures, showing that Caroline’s Lighthouse was underway, as I was writing outside with my horses. The pages you can see (although blurred out), became Chapter Five.
From handwritten pages in a notebook, to the finished product, Caroline’s Lighthouse is now published and available now! Read this scene from Chapter Five, then order your own copy today!
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Caroline turned the gelding toward the grid again, his black mane bouncing in sync with his step. All three jumps were now bigger, the last one an oxer standing three feet, three inches.
She eyed it down, her focus becoming hard as steel.
Benji bounded through the grid eagerly. Caroline stayed with him, landing perfectly on the other side of the oxer.
“Good!” Holly yelled. “Turn down the diagonal line and catch those two jumps. You should get six strides between.”
Caroline didn’t let up on her focus as she looked for the two jumps her mom had directed her to. She kept her eyes up as they made the turn, balancing Benji as they bent through the corner. She found the perfect distance so naturally, and they sailed over the first oxer. Caroline gave Benji a half-halt on the reins as they headed toward the next jump.
“Stretch up, use your core, and leg and leg and leg and leg,” Holly reminded as they cruised down the line.
Their distance was once again perfect as they flew through the air. Caroline found her position and was in the perfect place as they landed. They cantered away, looking for their next jump.
“Good girl!” Holly cheered.
A smile spread across Caroline’s face, for so many reasons. Because of her mother’s praise. Because she had just cleared an oxer set to three feet, nine inches. Because she had finally let determination overcome fear.
But most of all, because she was starting to remember what it felt like to fly.
Caroline’s Lighthouse Release Day!
“I think that’s what I’m guilty of. Focusing on winning, in softball and horses, at the expense of everything else.”
“God is gracious and will show us the way back to Him, welcoming us with open arms every time. He’ll send us a lighthouse that will shine in the darkness to show us the way back to Him. Dakota was mine. You just have to keep your eyes open so you can see yours.”
Caroline’s heart skipped a beat as the word lighthouse rang over and over in her ears. She looked at Kris, her eyes wide open as realization flooded her heart.
The Lighthouse.
She stood as quickly as she could with her knee brace, looking down at Kris.
“I think I already have.”
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It’s finally here! It’s release day! I’m thrilled that Caroline’s Lighthouse is finally in your hands. It’s been a project that has taken many years of not just writing, but growing and healing, too.
I pray God uses this story to touch hearts for Him. May He show us all that He’s working through everything for our good, even when we can’t see our way through the pain. He’s writing our stories, and there’s nothing more beautiful than that.
You can order yours today!
One More Day!
ONE MORE DAY! Since we are just one day away from release, I’m sharing an extra excerpt this week! Here’s another glimpse into the budding relationship between Caroline and Kris:
“Can I tell you a bit more about my story? I know I told you about Dakota here, but there’s more to it.”
“Please. I’d love to hear it.”
Caroline adjusted her leg as she changed positions on the bench.
“I was a dressage trainer before I opened this place. I was highly competitive myself, like you, and I was successful, like you. People from all over wanted to ride with me and wanted me to ride their horses. I had Olympic dreams, but something always happened and I always fell short. It was such a dark time for me that even the wins started leaving me feeling empty. I almost walked away from all of it. If I couldn’t be the best, why would I do it at all?”
Caroline was hanging on to every word, recognizing that feeling Kris was talking about.
“I had one student who kept me from quitting, even though she didn’t know anything about it. But she was so talented, so gifted, that I wanted to see her through. That was Dakota’s owner, by the way. And you already know about him, and how he led me to open this ranch.”
“And how you took his story and started helping teenagers and horses.” Caroline looked over at Dakota.
Kris nodded her head. “I had to learn that there’s more to life than winning. And that sometimes, our plans and dreams aren’t what God has for us. He has His own plans, and they’re a lot more fulfilling than what we come up with for ourselves. Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with competing. There’s nothing wrong with going to the Olympics. But it can’t become an idol. Does that make sense?”
“Yes. It does,” Caroline said quietly. “I think that’s what I’m guilty of. Focusing on winning, in softball and horses, at the expense of everything else.”
“God is gracious and will show us the way back to Him, welcoming us with open arms every time. He’ll send us a lighthouse that will shine in the darkness to show us the way back to Him. Dakota was mine. You just have to keep your eyes open so you can see yours.”
Released day is tomorrow! But you can order yours today!
Sample Sunday Number Seven!
The video ended and a few tears spilled out onto her cheeks. She hadn’t let herself watch any videos of Beau since the accident. Seeing him on the screen made her miss him more than she had in a long time.
She was about to lock her screen and roll over when the next video on the website caught her attention. It was one she hadn’t seen before, one that she hadn’t even known existed. It was Beau and her. From the Young Rider Championships. Going cross-country.
It was the last time she’d ever ridden him.
Who would post a video of my accident? Caroline thought, anger swelling inside of her. She tapped the video, pressing her lips together to keep sobs from escaping as fear and pain tore at her heart.
There they were, galloping out of the start box to the first fence. Just like they had in the dressage video she had just watched, they moved as one. They cleared the first jump easily and continued along on the course. Caroline could remember the order of the jumps as if she had just walked the course that morning, not six years ago.
She gripped her phone tighter as they cleared the triple combination—a log, then two strides to a ditch, then four strides to a corner. Then they galloped down the path toward the fence that had ended it all.
To her surprise, the image of Beau and her faded out to a maroon background. Text appeared on the screen: “In loving memory of Beaus and Ribbons.” Then the video ended, and Caroline’s screen turned black.
She locked her phone and put it back on her nightstand, rolling over. Tears fell freely as her anger faded. No one had posted her wreck. They had posted her last jumps with her favorite horse as a tribute to him.
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Sample Sunday! ❤️
Some losses are so painful that even remembering the good times can hurt.
In Caroline’s Lighthouse, Caroline hasn’t been able to bring herself to watch videos of Beau since the accident. But one night, she stumbles across a video she didn’t even know existed.
This moment brings back a flood of memories and emotions, forcing Caroline to confront some of the pain she’s been carrying for years.
Caroline’s Lighthouse releases September 29! JUST TWO DAYS AWAY! Order here!
Tidbit Thursday Number Six!
Connor lifted his eyes back to the fields, blinking away the sting of tears. In the distance, he could see the yearlings. Most of them were grazing quietly, resting and refueling after their exercise that morning. But one stood out to him. Her dark coat looked almost black against the bright green grass of the fields. She was at their water, with both of her front feet inside of the stock tank, splashing and splashing away. Oh, Luna, he thought to himself, shaking his head.
His eyes locked on to the white crescent moon on the filly’s forehead as an idea crept into his head. Without hesitation, he grabbed his baseball cap back off the dash and pushed it down onto his head. He jumped out of his truck, taking long strides across the parking lot back to the barn. He slowed as he approached Dr. Carnes’s door.
He took a deep breath. The door was ajar, but he knocked anyway. Dr. Carnes looked up from his computer.
“Connor? Come on in,” the professor said as he slid his chair back. “I could use a break. What can I do for you?”
Connor sat down in the chair opposite Dr. Carnes. He wiped his hands on his jeans, suddenly nervous, but determined to make this idea a reality. “I just have a question.”
“Sure, what’s up?”
Connor cleared his throat. “How much would it cost to buy Luna?”
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Tidbit Thursday! Today we get to see a piece from Connor’s perspective. What could he be up to?
Release is in four days! Preorder now!
Readers’ Favorite Review
Thank you Readers’ Favorite for this review of Caroline’s Lighthouse! Preorder now so this book can be in your hands in just six more days!
One Week!
One more week.
In one week, Caroline’s Lighthouse will no longer just be a story that’s in my head, but a book that is in your hands.
This book is about more than horses. This book is more than a love story.
It’s about what happens when you lose what you’ve based your identity on.
It’s about relationships that don’t go the way you wanted them to.
It’s about grief and healing.
It’s about learning you don’t have to earn your worth.
It’s about realizing that God is at work, even in the circumstances you never would have chosen.
Caroline’s Lighthouse.
September 29.
Sample Sunday Number Six
“You don’t have to pitch again if you don’t want to. No one is making you. But I think it might help you remember your dad and all the good times you had with him.”
Jenny sniffed. “But what good would it do? Where would it take me? No college will touch me with those grades.”
Caroline again recognized herself in Jenny. All about the future, all about the end goal. “It doesn’t have to be about college. Not right now. You could just get back at it, work on your grades, and see what happens. See what purpose God has for you.”
Jenny scoffed. “I think He’s done with me after all I’ve done.”
Caroline smiled. “Not possible. God never gives up on any of us.”
“Maybe not.” Jenny had stopped crying and was tugging on a few of the strings on her glove.
They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes. Caroline watched as Jenny pulled her glove back on her hand.
“Can I try again?” she asked, her voice just above a whisper.
“Absolutely. Whenever you’re ready.”
Jenny pushed herself up to her feet, picking up another ball. She set her feet again, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes. Caroline could see the change in her face as she got ready to throw the ball. Her muscles relaxed, and light filled her eyes for the first time that afternoon.
Caroline watched as Jenny swung her arm back, took a long step, swung her arm up and around, and snapped the ball off at her hip. She watched as Jenny’s smile spread across her entire face as the ball smacked the net, perfectly in the green section.
She worked with Jenny for another half an hour, enjoying every minute. Softball was something she had avoided since her injury, and she now realized how much she missed it. No, she would never play again. And that was okay. Because she had discovered something else.
Helping others heal was also helping her.
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Sometimes God has a way of taking the things we think we’ve lost and using them in ways we never expected.
Here’s a glimpse into one of Caroline’s visits to Raintree Ranch—and a girl named Jenny who needs someone to remind her that God isn’t finished with her yet.
Caroline’s Lighthouse releases September 29!
Preorder your copy today!
Tidbit Thursday Number Five!
“Caroline, this is Kris Wells, owner of Raintree Ranch.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said to Kris. “Your ranch is so beautiful.”
Kris stepped back from Caroline’s handshake. “Thank you. It’s taken some time to build, but, by God’s grace, here we are. Well, do you have time for a tour, since Caroline has never been here before?”
Connor looked over at Caroline. “Sure,” Caroline nodded.
The three of them started walking toward the main barn. The aisle was wide and neatly swept. The white paint looked fresh, giving the barn a clean, welcoming feeling. Each horse had a twelve-by-twelve stall, with a sixty-foot run attached. A large chestnut-and-white paint gelding had his head over the door. His ears were pricked forward, and his eyes were soft and full of light as he watched the group walk his way. He gave a soft nicker as Kris got closer.
Kris stopped and scratched the horse behind his ears. He leaned into her touch, half-closing his eyes. “This is Dakota,” she said smiling. “He’s kind of the whole reason this place exists.”
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Today’s Tidbit Thursday introduces you to a very special character: Kris Wells. Kris is based off of and named after someone very special to me. She taught me so much about horses. She passed away a few years ago, but I wanted to honor her by bringing her to life in Caroline’s Lighthouse.
To see more of Kris and Dakota, preorder Caroline’s Lighthouse today! Release date is September 29! Here’s the link!
