MAY 2012 THE RIDER /51 Dark Days at Saddle Creek


Written by Shelley Peterson Dancing Cat Books/Cormorant Books Inc.


Softcover 273 pages


Well, if you haven’t been hooked by the “Saddle Creek” series of books yet, you may want to start by checking out the previous Shelley Peterson books, Sundancer, Stagestruck and Mystery At Saddle Creek. They’re found in the young adult section but are an enter- taining read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery or horse story. Reading them isn’t mandatory but do introduce the main characters with their com- plicated relationships, provide context and allow a deeper understanding of the story - plus it adds to the fun.


Accomplished writer, Shelley Peterson demonstrates her considerable expertise in the latest installment of the Sad- dle Creek series. Her charac- ters are multi-layered with well defined personalities with strengths and weaknesses, depth and quirks as they face their challenges. There is plen- ty of action, lots of great horses and exciting competition often from the perspective of the horse. Peterson, a horse person herself, includes plenty of horse lingo, horse riding, horse shows, horse rescue and of course horse love. As a writer, she gives us smiles, a bit of nail biting, sweat, and even tears. In Dark Days at Saddle Creek, fourteen year old Bird and her younger sister, Julia are back at beloved Saddle Creek


farm with Aunt Hannah, assort- ed two and four legged friends and Bird’s extraordinary best friend, Sundancer. It is a calm happy and loving home where there is always something going on - a much different place than their mother’s but the peace that belongs to the hills of headwa-


help bring the nefarious per- petrators to justice.


ter area is being threatened by a familiar enemy.


In small town Ontario, disturbing events are shaking the world of horse shows. Lying and cheating have esca- lated to sabotage, horse theft, animal cruelty, insurance fraud, and the very lives of horses are at risk. The investigating under- cover officer recruits Bird to spy for the RCMP using her special gift of animal communi- cation and Bird hears a kind of voice she has never hear before. Bird is drawn to the tall dark lawman’s big smile and gentle manner and happily agrees to


Never one to turn her back on a horse in need, she also offers to help a friend rescue a horse in peril, which ignites a confusing game of hide n’ seek by moonlight. By morning, her good intentions come back to bite her in the behind and Bird wonders about who her allies really are. You don’t want to miss Bird and Sun- dancer’s first experience in a derby when they are urged to register last minute, plunging head first into the Caledon Derby. Peterson’s narration is worthy of a first place trophy. As is commonly found in Saddle Creek books, there are valuable lessons to be gathered from the pages. Love enters and leaves our lives and though we don’t understand why, to every- thing there is a reason and a season. The truth always comes to light, like secrets from Bird’s past or the fate of a dear friend. Each comes in it’s own time although knowing and accept- ing the truth can be two differ- ent things. As a wise small coy- ote once said, you just need to learn to “take the good and leave the rest.” It’s that simple.


Bio:


Shelley Peterson is the best-selling author of young adult novels: Dancer, Abby Malone, Stagestruck, and Sun- dancer, Mystery At Saddle Creek. Newly released is num- ber six, Dark Days At Saddle


Creek. She studied theatre at Dalhousie University, the Banff School of Fine Arts, and West- ern University, and has over one hundred acting stage and screen credits to her name, including starring roles in the CBC TV series Not My Depart- ment and YTV’s Dog House. Shelley also owns and operates Fox Ridge Farm, a Caledon horse facility, stabling 20 horses. She and her husband David have three grown chil- dren and two grandsons, and share their time between Toron- to and Caledon. As well as being the mother of three accomplished children, Shelley is a businesswoman, actress, author, and has long been active in the communities of Toronto and Caledon. Whether knock- ing on doors, sitting on commit- tees, acting as chairperson, fundraising, or planning events, she’s assisted the United Way, Family Transition Place, The Cancer Society, Children’s Help-line, and Journalists for Human Rights - among many others in the performing and lit- erary arts.


Common Ground Professional Development Conference


On Friday May 25 Win- dReach Farm is hosting a pro- fessional development event for educators, clinical profes- sionals, representatives from organizations working with the special need community and parents, guardians and care- givers. With a keynote address from Dr. Stuart Shanker, Dis- tinguished Research Professor of Philosophy and Psychology at York University and opening comments from Alexander (Sandy) Mitchell, Founder, WindReach Farm and Christine Elliott, MPP Whitby-Oshawa, this conference is certain to set the bar for organizations look- ing to expand their knowledge and support in creating under- standing and opportunities for individuals with special needs. Workshop topics include Rediscovering Animal Assisted Therapy, Snoezelen Therapy, The ABC’s of Skill Building, Life Skills Beyond Everyday Life, Benefits of Therapeutic Riding and the Importance of Real Work Experience. A senior management forum enti- tled ‘Leadership – The Tension Between Collaboration and


Competition’ will be of special interest to organization and agency leaders. This panel will include Dan Carter, Author, International Speaker, Televi- sion Producer and Host; Wendy Legere, CEO Northern Lights Canada; Gary Pruden, CEO Community Living Toronto. The forum will be moderated by Joe Stokes, Joe Stokes Consulting.


WindReach Farm pro- vides an inclusive, safe and welcoming environment for persons of all ages and disabili- ties by providing unique pro- grams and opportunities in a farm and natural environment. These life enhancing activities provide personal growth through accomplishment, trans- ferable skills, confidence and self-esteem.


The Common Ground conference and workshops will be held on the Farm’s beautiful 100+ acre property in Ashburn Ontario, allowing attendees to explore all WindReach has to offer. For more information on these exciting learning oppor- tunities please visit www.win- dreachfarm.org. 905.655.5827


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72