Publisher's Synopsis
Here's what readers are saying:
"It is a real page flipper...a great book for any girl who likes horses."
"An instant classic...adventure, mystery, and even some magic."
"This book is for ages 8 to 80."
A young girl with rodeo dreams. A worn-out mare with an incredible secret. This old horse is about to teach Moxie some magical new tricks...
Moxie Wyoming Woodson would give anything to be a rodeo star. But when her father brings home a broken-down mare called Misty, Moxie's excitement turns into disappointment in a hurry. She knows that whooping it up on an old sway-backed mare won't win her any medals.
With boundless compassion for all animals, Moxie is determined to care for the worn-out horse. But when Moxie and Misty get wind of an illegal mustang roundup, she wishes her birthday present could help her play detective. It's only after she receives a mysterious package from her grandfather that she learns there may be more to Misty than meets the eye...
With the horse thieves closing in, can the brave Moxie and the devoted Misty rope in the crooked cowboy gang, or will the young sleuth's hopes be trampled in the dust?
A Wild Ride is the first standalone book in the beautifully illustrated Adventures of Misty & Moxie Wyoming classic children's horse mysteries, suitable for readers aged 7-12. If you like plucky cowgirls, heartwarming animal adventures, and a light sprinkling of magic, then you'll love Niki Danforth's wonderful story.
Buy A Wild Ride to gallop into a fantasy horse adventure today!
Do you know an artist who wants to get up close & personal with the illustrations in this novel? Check out the ColorRead With Me(TM) Storybook version of A Wild Ride on Amazon.
Interview with the Author
Q - So, what makes The Adventures of Misty & Moxie series special?
A - This is a terrific page-turning book to read with children or grandchildren as young as five. And that is a big reason that illustrator Gary McCluskey and I spent more than a year working on the twenty-three pictures in this novel--one for each chapter. Gary is a very talented artist, and his illustrations are magical. As an author, this was a new and challenging experience. The hardest part of the process--making sure the pictures matched the details in the scenes. We also spent a lot of time on the faces of Moxie and Misty, working hard to make them just right!
And for those middle grade readers used to novels, well, we figured they'd enjoy the illustrations, too!
Q - Where did you get the idea?
I rode the real-life Misty for many years at the Darwin Ranch in Wyoming, and she brought me much joy. When it was time for this wonderful horse to retire from carrying guests on trail rides at the Darwin, I arranged to move her to another ranch where she could peacefully spend her golden years. There Misty met her new mistress, the real-life Moxie Wyoming, and their story inspired me to write this young readers' novel, and the second installment in the series, Runaway Rescue, as well as produce the audio books. For younger children, I've published the ColorRead with Me(TM) Storybook versions of the two middle grade novels.
Q - What order should I read the books in?
A - You can read them in any order, but starting with A Wild Ride is best. They are stand-alone action-adventures with plots that tie up nicely at the end. Whether it's as a Kindle eBook, paperback, hard cover, or audio book, I hope readers enjoy The Adventures of Misty & Moxie Wyoming.
