My Memoirs are on sale together as a special edition box set, just over the Christmas period.
Anna Rashbrook used to be a person who would proudly boast, ‘I am what I am.’ It took nearly forty years of the hard knocks of life before she found God, and that much of what she treasured was actually caused by damage.
In these totally frank memoirs, follow Anna through what should have been a privileged childhood, pony mania, a badly behaved teenage, student placement on a farm in Switzerland, working as a zookeeper, running a smallholding, marriage, and family.
Then, through a traumatic eviction, she finds God’s love and begins a new journey. Yet, it is only when her marriage comes under threat that she must come to terms with her past and find healing. Out of this comes a new job, where her passion for horses is reignited.
Has life finished with her, are there more hurdles to overcome, or even another new start on the horizon?
I promised not to do too much on the books, BUT! I am thrilled to be included in this ebook bundle of old and new horsey books. So I’m shamelessly pluggin it here. Available on Amazon!
I read the first book in the Gallant Hearts Series and was totally bowled over. I’ve never read anything about modern jousting and it was a mind blower. Great read, strong characters, romance and well understood horses. Possibly my book of the year for 2020!
Justinn,tell us a little about yourself, where you live, family, career, horses etc.
Hi, my name is Justinn Harrison, though I publish as J.D. Harrison. I love living in Colorado, though I have traveled all over the United States working with horses. I’ve been an upper level eventing groom, riding instructor, squire to full contact jousters, commercial carriage driver and mostly stall mucker, blessed with a huge variety of equine experiences. Currently, I am a part time stallion handler and barn manager, which gives me plenty of freedom to write and enjoy my own horse. My husband deserves an award for encouraging both of my passions, often to his detriment. He shares me with my dog, Cherry, a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix, and with my heart horse, Smoke. Smoke is a very rare breed, the Canadian Horse, or Le Cheval Canadien. They are very smart, hardworking, people oriented, courageous and sturdy. To my constant gratitude, they are also long lived. Smoke is 23 this year and while a bit slower some mornings, he is still going strong. We enjoy carriage driving and trail riding mostly, though he is game to try just about anything.
How did you get into writing?
I’ve been writing since I was old enough to put together works on paper, telling stories for myself or writing poems when I needed an emotional outlet. I always took advanced English and creative writing courses with high marks. However, I did not start novel writing until a very serious fight with H1N1 (swine flu) in 2009 shook up my world. When you unexpectedly have to face your own mortality it helps you reevaluate what is truly important to you. The first finished novel came about in 2014, with several more on its heels, but they weren’t quite publication ready. The Gallant Hearts series began in 2016 during National Novel Writing Month, and I’ve been chasing the stories that sprang from that point ever since.
Are you a plot in head first person or does it grow as you write?
I have ideas of where the story is headed, but it’s mostly pointing my characters at that objective and turning them loose. Sometimes I throw situations at them and am just as surprised as the reader at the results. Makes every writing day an adventure.
Plug one of your books!
I’m always going to love book one in the Gallant Hearts series the most. Well Armored Hearts is everything I love all rolled in to one story. A strong heroine, friends who become family, unlooked for romance, renaissance festivals, hard hitting modern day jousting, and more than anything, horses that you fall in love with just as much as the people. It’s a meaty story that reads fast and there’s something relatable for almost everyone.
Coffee or tea? chocolate or crisps? Romance or thriller? Horses or dogs, or both?
ALWAYS tea. Preferably Glenghettie (a Welsh tea) brewed dark with just a lump of sugar and the barest splash of milk.
Oh goodness! If I must pick, then chocolate. Dark mostly. But I do love a salty crunchy snack too. Torture!
Romance. Sometimes romantic thrillers, but honestly, I read to escape and not much beats a believable happily ever after.
And definitely both horses and dogs! The horse often fancies himself a bit dog like, but he’s too big to cuddle with in bed at night. LOL
I’ve been fighting for ages against mailing lists and suddenly remembered the book blog I started last year. Why not simply get people to sign up to that in return for a free book and other offers? So here’s the link and a preview!
Welcome to Hope! I found her latest book absolutely fascinating, the social history had me riveted, until the end!
Tell me about your life? Where do you live? Do you have a family or pets?
I grew up on a dairy farm in rural Southeast Tennessee, USA. We milked 125 head of Holstein cattle and raised crops such as alfalfa, corn, and soybeans on two farms totalling 600 acres. I love all animals but was born with a passion for horses. I got the first horse that I actually owned when I was 12 years old. She was a 13.2hh Spotted Saddle Horse (pony) that I rode English and western. While over the years I rode a variety of pony and horse-sized equines, my actual first horse-sized partner of my own was an Arabian gelding named Faax El Din. I won him as a prize in an essay contest when I was 16 years old. I have been devoted to the Arabian breed ever since. I attended college at Middle Tennessee State University where I was on the horse judging and equestrian teams while working toward my bachelor of science degree in horse science. I attended graduate school at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville earning a master of science degree in agricultural education. I hold teaching credentials in agricultural education and business education. I am married and have a 17-year-old daughter who is a senior in high school. Writing is my side job that I do on a part-time basis. I’m a full-time career and technology education teacher, instructing classes in business education at a local high school. Presently, I live near a small town about forty-five minutes away from where I grew up. My family and I reside in a remodelled 1927 farmhouse that was originally built by my husband’s grandparents. My husband and his family own the farm on which we live. It is a Tennessee Century Farm meaning that it has been in continuous agricultural operation by the same family for over 100 years. Our farm has met that criteria for 195 years! On our farm, we raise hay and black Angus cattle. My half-Arabian mare, Sally, lives on the farm with us along with her pet donkey, Harmony. We also have two Border Collie farm dogs, Gus and Daisy, and a house cat, Rose.
Why did I begin writing?
I’ve had a love for writing for as long as I can remember. In school, I often wrote short stories just for fun. Prior to my teaching career, I worked for the extension service which allowed me to write newspaper articles, newsletters, and some educational material. In 2015, on a whim, I wrote a true, short story about a horse show experience and submitted it to EQUUS magazine for consideration. It was picked up and it really all began then. Since then I’ve written everything from true stories to more technical pieces relying on my expertise in the horse industry which dates back over thirty years. My articles have covered everything from trailer tyres to pasture management, and everything in between. My client list is one I am proud of and includes: EQUUS, Horse Illustrated, the American Quarter Horse Journal, Arabian Horse Life, Sidelines, US Equestrian, and Hoof Beats magazines. I have also written for TheHorse.com blog.
Tell me about your latest book:
In March of this year, I released my second book, “Always Hope: How dairy cows and Arabian horses inspired grit in a young girl’s life.” It’s my coming of age story about growing up on a dairy farm and my amazing first Arabian horse. It’s both sad and humorous and paints a true picture of farm life. It’s available on Amazon.
What are your future plans for writing?
With my current one just out, I haven’t thought much yet about another book. Certainly, I plan to continue writing for my clients.
What is your all-time favourite book?
I have always loved Gone with the Wind. Not only is it my favourite book, but it’s also my favourite movie! The main character, Scarlett O’Hara, is such a strong female personality. I admire her strength and resilience.
The third in my series of books about horses, love and faith. I thought the series was finished, but there’s going to be a Christmas story and one set in Austria… Here’s the blurb!
Chris and Mollie thought it was time to move on; change is good, isn’t it?
But in going their separate ways, they just hit more problems and complications.
Chris leaves the farm to meet his mentor Alan. But his dream of a happy time sorting himself out in the community on the Dorset coast is ruined by a terrible accident. Chris must return to work with horses to make amends. Returning home brings more shocking revelations throw new light on his troubled gender identity. More trapped than ever before, can he find a way out?
Mollie starts her dream of boarding girls from her old school but finds herself out of depth and struggling with the teenagers’ demands and moods. It seems the idea is a disaster for all. But maybe, Ann from the stables has a solution.
Galloping through all these misadventures is the equestrian sport of Vaulting and the struggles of Keith, the stallion who has caused the two so many problems. Strange arrivals, a new horse, a Nun and Mollie’s mother all combine to bring even more chaos to the struggling pair. The journey for all ends in a shattering conclusion but will Mollie and Chris finally get their happy ending? Does it need God to step in and change things?
So where's the snow? 