Thursday, March 14, 2013

"A special day for my novel- "We'll Have The Summer"


Howdy Folks,

Two years ago this week, Camel Press published my novel "We'll Have The Summer," and what an adventure it has been!
 On Amazon today my novel received its 90th review, 81 of them 5-stars! It has been so much fun, doing book signings, answering emails, meeting and making new friends. That has been the best part; making so many new friends.

I wanted to write a story of an uncommon, enduring love so powerful it could overcome life's challenges. I believe in the power of love and the spirit of the horse, those two forces came together to help me tell the story. All I did was fill in the details.

We'll Have the Summer connected with people in ways I never imagined when I wrote it. I've received touching emails from folks whose lives have been changed by cancer and how Mary facing her challenge with courage and determination helped them. How Mary and Sam's love comforted them. And from folks who knew and loved horses like Comanche, Chester and the Mustangs. Other folks have told me they could relate to young Barbara and her mother, as they've lived it too.  So many folks have thanked me for, "keeping it real." Sometimes the emails bring tears to my eyes. Thank you all so much for not only reading my story, but for taking the time to recommend it to friends, sending me letters and emails, and writing reviews.

I'd like to share the email I received last night from Terri Peterson that caused me to write this post …

Dear Dutch Henry,
I'm an avid reader… reading every night to sort of ease the stress out of my life and "escape." When I was growing up, horses were a big part of it from grade school on. Now, in my 50's, I have gotten back into horses after 30 years of being without them.
I loved this book for so many reasons. The characters were all so very real and believable... some I instantly fell in love with and others I took an immediate dislike to. I could relate to Barbara, having been that stubborn teenager, I could relate to Linda, having made poor choices in husbands in the past, AND I could relate to Mary, who was also, in a way re-living her dream one last time, with her horse Comanche, while feeling the effects of not only old age, but also her illness. The love between Mary and Sam is one most people can only hope to have.
Then there are the horses...and I could clearly picture each one with their unique personality.
I was in tears at the end of the book but still, I didn't want it to end. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, whether you are a horse lover, or not... it is such a heartfelt love story, and with a setting that really appealed to me.
Thank you Dutch Henry for sharing that story with us... I am crossing my fingers for a sequel!
Terri Peterson

Thank you Terri and everyone for loving my story! And a great big thank you to all my friends who helped make this happen.

If you'd like to purchase an autographed copy email me at dutchhenry@hughes.net


Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

2 comments:

  1. Wow! Your book in on my Kindle but I haven't read it yet. This post prompts me to make it the next one I read. What a wonderful review, Dutch. You've obviously written a book that touches people's hearts and that's one of the reasons we write, right? How cool.
    Patti

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    1. Thanks Patti, I can't wait to hear 'your review' :)

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