JOHN COURAGE: Based on a true story - Hardcover

TASHJIAN, MIMI

4

5 ratings by Goodreads

9780996817905: JOHN COURAGE: Based on a true story

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0996817905 ISBN 13: 9780996817905

Publisher: Maryanne Z. Tashjian, 2016

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JOSIE PARKER lives to spend every moment riding and caring for the horses at Hidden Green Farm. Here, just a stone’s throw from her own back yard, she is part of a unique subculture that, aside from her family, is more important to her than anything else. She and her best friend, Tessa, walk, talk, live and dream horses. They also do what best girl friends do best together - obsess over falling in love. At sixteen, Josie’s life is by all accounts perfect; she flits through every day happily, gently, inspired by her passion for horses and wholly intrigued by Cleve Gregory, the mysterious, handsome farm hand who kindles in Josie all the gut-wrenching qualities and curses that characterize a girl’s first love.

When her seemingly flawless life is rocked by family tragedy and a surprising turn of events that thwarts her blossoming romance, Josie devotes herself to Lars, a forsaken horse at Hidden Green. Hoping to find her lost joy, she is only to be derailed again. Shattered and defeated, she turns her back on Hidden Green, and horses, and heads to New York City, her sights set on a career in nursing. Bravely and with good intention, she pursues a life absent of the people and the avocation she truly loves most.

Serendipity and kismet compel Josie, the young woman, to face her demons, bringing her full circle and to an unexpected partnership with John Courage, a quirky but talented show horse owned by Addie Crawford, a young girl who reminds Josie so much of herself. The bond between the Crawford family, Josie and this promising show horse is immediately strong. Garnering championship after championship for his angsty teen owner, John Courage also becomes the catalyst for a series of events that bring clarity to Josie Parker’s journey toward enduring, true love.

Ultimately challenged by the uncertainty of Johnnie’s fate, Josie finds herself again staring into the eyes of loss. She is confronted with decisions that are, at once, frightening and life defining. She finds insight and possibility in an abiding, inherited gift, and she makes a difficult choice that stands to significantly affect Johnnie’s, and her, future.

Based on a true story, JOHN COURAGE is written with detailed credibility and compassion. Horse lover or not, Josie Parker’s spirit will fill your heart with the feelings of joy, sadness, defeat and triumph we all experience navigating our way through life’s uncertainties.

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About the Author:

MIMI TASHJIAN grew up on the New Jersey shore, where she began riding real ponies, at the age of six, when her rocking horse collapsed. Since her teens she has been a competitive equestrienne on the national A-rated circuit and has garnered several national championships with her winning hunters. She raised her three children in Greenwich, Connecticut and these days divides her time mostly between the beaches of Nantucket, Massachusetts and the show rings of Wellington, Florida. Tashjian holds a degree from Hood College and has been writing for as long as she can remember. This is her first novel, from which a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Equestrian Aid Foundation, among other equine related charities. Her second novel and a photographic essay, along with a series of children's books based on her Jack Russell terrier are in the works.

Review:

"Mimi Tashjian writes from first hand experience about the connection between humans and horses. She makes the characters feel like people you know, their wins and losses are relatable. But whether you are an equestrian or not the story will captivate you from start to finish." -Scott Stewart, reigning 6-time World Champion Hunter Rider and preeminent hunter trainer. "An incredible story of love, life and the undeniable bond between horses and the humans that love them. Mimi Tashjian expertly captures the way animals can help us through the hardest of times, give us unconditional love, hope, and yet also break our hearts when we are faced with losing them. The story of JOHN COURAGE, and the people whose lives he touches, is the perfect recipe for a book I couldn't put down." -Georgina Bloomberg, Author, animal advocate and United States Equestrian Team Rider

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