Mary’s Song by Susan Count

Compelling – Wholesome – Genuinely Touching

Twelve-year-old Mary was disabled at the age of four by the same virus that took the life of her mother. While she longs to have a horse of her own, she’s limited to reading horse books. A talented artist, she spends her days on a blanket in the grass sketching the horses at the farm next door. She falls in love with one of the foals and is outraged to learn the filly is considered worthless as it was born lame.

Mary befriends and enlists the help of twelve-year-old Laura, whose family owns the horse farm. Against the better judgment of the farm manager, a brief reprieve is negotiated for the foal’s life. The girls conspire to raise money to save her, but time is running out. Sadly, it appears the expensive surgery the foal needs has little chance to correct her problem anyway. Mary isn’t about to give up. She sacrifices what she holds dear, including the trust of her papa, to gain her heart’s desire. Will she lose everything in her struggle to save the foal?

Targeted Age Group:: Children
Heat/Violence Level: Heat Level 1 – G Rated Clean Read

What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
Mary's Song is the story of a legacy. After my first novel, Selah's Sweet Dream, I had to understand Selah's deep need to follow in the steps of her grandmother to become an accomplished equestrian. I learned the influence of a grandmother on the dreams of her darlings cannot be overstated.

How Did You Come up With Your Characters?
The plot came first. Life with horses is packed with interesting adventures. Soon, the voice of a character shone through and began telling me what happened next and why it mattered. The story is deeper than fun with horses. Mary’s Song struggles with the loss of a parent at a young age, explores life with a disability, and how to overcome what holds you back – with a little help from a friend.

Book Sample
The next morning, Laura rushed to the porch where Mary was waiting. “It was on the radio last night!” Laura said breathlessly.
“What?”
“Liz Hartel won silver in dressage for Denmark in the Olympics! Silver. She beat out all the top men in the world, except one!” Laura caught her breath. “As if that wasn’t amazing enough. The whole world found out at the medal ceremony that Mrs. Hartel was disabled from polio.” Laura grabbed the handles on the wheelchair and leaned right into Mary’s face. “She – can’t  – walk! Her doctors told her it was too dangerous to ride. But she showed them.” Laura swung her fist up and over her shoulder. “She’s my hero.”
“Mine too.”
“You haven’t heard all of it yet. The man who won gold. Wow. I want to marry him.” Laura slapped her hands on her cheeks and swooned. “He dismounted from his horse and carried Mrs. Hartel to the podium to accept her medal.”
“You’re making me cry.”
“I know. I flood every time I think about it. I wish we could’ve been there. But think what it means, Mary. If she can ride and win silver. What would stop you?”
“Papa.” Mary clasped her hands behind her head and her elbows closed over her face. “Papa would stop me.”

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