A big welcome to Liwen Y. Ho today as she shares about a fictional town you’ll want to get to know!
You’re Cordially Invited to Visit Redemption Ridge…
Hello! I’m so honored and thrilled to have a chance to chat with you today. And what is it that I’m excited to share with you about? It’s the beloved town of Redemption Ridge in Colorado!
Established in 2023 in the hearts and minds of six Christian romance authors, me included, Redemption Ridge is the home to some lovely and strong heroines and their dashing and respectable heroes. Located in the heart of this small town is Redemption Ridge Ranch, a bustling tourist spot that offers riding lessons, equine therapy, as well as resort-style accommodations. Our stories are set around the Christmas season and take place on the ranch and around town.
You might be wondering, how does it work to have six authors write their own books in a shared town? Well, there’s a lot of teamwork and coordination involved!
All the important information of our stories is recorded in spreadsheets so we can refer to them when needed. And I do mean everything! From details about our characters’ hair and eye colors to their personality traits and their passions, we’re all aware of one another’s plots and characters.
We also chat online regularly about each other’s stories and how we can make them connect. Readers can expect to see characters from one book make guest appearances in other books. There are also mentions of the same restaurants and stores, as well as holiday events like the annual Christmas barn dance, so there’s plenty of continuity and familiarity throughout the series.
What about tropes?
I’m glad you asked! We already published six books in the Christmas in Redemption Ridge series last year and six more will be available before the year is over. Marriage of convenience, fake relationship, and autumn romance (later-in-life stories) are just a few of the tropes that are covered. One of the books that was released last month, Marrying the Billboard Cowboy, is a fun take on a modern mail-order bride romance. Another one releasing next week, Matchmaking the Cowboy, is a second chance romance with a matchmaking twist.
My book coming out next month will be Doting on His Best Friend. As you can tell from the title, this story features two best friends who have a reverse age gap romance (she’s nine years older). The leading lady is a therapist who specializes in equine therapy. Even with a background in counseling (something I did before becoming an author), I didn’t know much about this kind of therapy, so I had a lot of fun researching it.
One thing I learned is that therapy horses require a special type of temperament, specifically one that enjoys attention, is tolerant of the environment and riders, and has great ground manners. In Doting on His Best Friend, you’ll meet such a horse, an American Quarter Horse named Sully. He is a sweet horse known for his soulful, dark brown eyes and patience.
Speaking of horses, I’d love to hear about your experience with them.
Do you ride? Have you ever tried equine therapy?
Share your answer for a chance to win an autographed copy of Doting on His Best Friend when it releases next month!
(Please note: A print copy will be provided if the winner is a U.S. resident, and a digital copy will be provided to an international winner.)
Thank you so much for taking a trip to Redemption Ridge, Colorado with me today!
USA Today bestselling author Liwen Y. Ho works as a chauffeur and chef by day (AKA a stay at home mom) and a writer by night. Her strength is in creating character-driven, deep POV romance infused with faith, humor, and happy ever afters.
In her pre-author life, she received a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Seminary, and she loves makeovers of all kinds, especially those of the heart and mind.
She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her techie husband and their two children (AKA munchkins).
I haven’t been on a horse in decades.
There’s a horse therapy farm nearby for kids with special needs.
Hi Denise! Me either, actually, although I wouldn’t mind riding one again. That’s so cool to hear about the horse therapy farm near you. Thank you for reading and commenting!
I used to have a horse and ride. I am old and disabled now. I miss it.
Hi Robin! Oh, I can imagine how much you miss riding. How special that you used to have a horse. Thank you for sharing!
I have only been on a horse twice and it was years ago.
Hi Diana! That’s cool that you’ve got to ride a horse twice. Thanks for sharing!
We had a horse when I was growing up but saddley haven’t been on a horse in years.
Hi Molly! What a neat experience to have had a horse when you were growing up. Thanks for sharing!
I tried once. Bad experience. Owner had a dog in with the horse almost got thrown never got a horse again. Just never had another chance. Was not going to the guy who owned the horse again and I know it wasn’t the horses fault.
Hi Kim! Oh my, that sounds like a scary experience! I’m so glad you weren’t hurt. Thank you for sharing.
I love riding horses, though I don’t get to ride very often. Equine therapy–I have heard of the practice, but I’ve never done much research into it. Sounds intriguing, though! ?
Hi Elizabeth! Yes, it is an intriguing practice, and one that is effective, too. Thank you for reading and commenting!
I have been on a horse once when I was really young. I love reading about equine therapy.
Hi Barbara! Oh, that’s nice that you’ve had the experience of riding. And yes, equine therapy is a wonderful practice for helping people. Thank you for reading and commenting!
A cousin’s son has cerebral palsy that has kept him wheel chair bound but hasn’t stopped him from taking on life in a big way. A a very young age, he’s now in his 50’s, it was recommended Equine Therapy be tried, a move that proved to be very beneficial. Not only did his motor skills and balance vastly improve but his mental health and overall attitude did as well. The pure joy he received when sitting upon “his” horse was worth every minute it took to get him ready for the session. He still rides, has a positive outlook on everything he does with a great support group that allows him to “be all he can be.”
Hi Carol! That is amazing to hear! I’m so happy your cousin’s son has benefitted so much from equine therapy. Thanks so much for sharing!
I enjoyed attending a camp 2 summers while in grade school. You were assigned a horse for the week. In the morning were classes in archery, first aid, others I can’t remember. The afternoon was spent on a trail ride then singing ghost riders in the sky around the camp fire at night. For an only child away from home and sharing a room for the first time was. challenging but so rewarding.
Hi Cindy! Oh wow, what a challenging and rewarding experience for you! I’m glad you got to go. Thanks for sharing!
I have ridden and enjoyed it but I allergic to hay and so had to stop. My daughter competed on horseback and won all sorts of ribbons and trophies.
Hi Debra! Oh my, that is too bad that you’re allergic to hay. I’m glad your daughter was able to compete and do well with horseback riding! Thanks for sharing!
I took riding lessons when I was a kid, but I haven’t ridden at all as an adult. I’ve never tried equine therapy, but it sounds like a great program!
Hi Susan! How fun that you were able to ride as a kid. Yup, equine therapy is a cool program! Thank you for reading and commenting!
I have only ridden a horse a handful of times.
I used to work as a home health nurse for a kiddo with special needs. His physical therapist often used her horses for therapy, but I have never had therapy.
Hi Heather! Oh, what a meaningful job you had as a home health nurse! Thank you for reading and commenting!
I have ridden horses but I use my dog as therapy.
Hi Joye! Oh, I totally understand. Our furry friends are the best kind of therapy, aren’t they? Thank you for reading and commenting!
I was 11 or 12 years old when I went with friends to ride horses (rentals). It was my first time aside from pony rides and didn’t go well (my horse didn’t want to move, and my friends trotted off before I could alert them). Needless to say, it wasn’t exciting…
My current occupation is school substitute but before that I worked a year at our public library. It may still have the Books and Barks program, which is children (some are problem readers) reading books to a trained therapy dog. Beyond this, I’ve been acquainted with a few blind persons who had therapy dogs.
Hi Mary! Oh, that is too bad that your riding experience didn’t go as expected.
Yes, I’ve heard of our library having a similar reading program with therapy dogs. It’s so neat how animals can help people.
Thank you for reading and commenting!
I don’t ride. When I was a child we did have some pony’s that was on a farm we owned that we road sometimes but they belonged to someone that was just keeping them there. That was the only time I was around a pony.
Hi Quilt Lady! 🙂 I’m glad you had some riding experience when you were a child. Thank you for reading and commenting!
I grew up with horses, and was riding with my parents before I could walk. When I was 12, I begged for a horse all my own, and my dad bought me a 3 year old Palomino mare. China and I grew up together, and taught each other so many things. She was my therapy horse when I was having a hard time at school, or in life. I cried into her mane so many times. We had 25 years together before I had to make the tough decision to ease her suffering. She is buried in the edge of my pasture in front of my house, and she has her own gravestone with her name, birth year and the year she passed. I miss her so much.
Hi Kim! That is such an amazing experience that you had with China. It must have been so hard when she passed. Thank you for sharing your story with me.
Of course I want to win a paperback copy of this book!! lol!!! How great to have you talking about the book here! I’ll be reading my ARC copy soon!! I have ridden horses, but it was a long time ago! I did enjoy it, though. I’ve heard about equine therapy, have books with it in them, but I’ve never tried it.
Hi Trudy! 🙂 How fun to bump into you here! That’s cool that you had some experience riding horses. I hope you enjoy the ARC! Thanks for reading it!
Good afternoon, all these books sound Great!! When I was a teenager we had a horse, I have 5 siblings and we all took turns riding him , his name was Big Red and he was a gentle horse. I have not ridden on a horse since then. My grandaughter just started college this year and she is volunteering at an Equine Therapy place and she loves it. She has really loved horses since she was very young. Have a great weekend and Thank you for the chance.
Hi Alicia! Aww, Big Red sounds like a sweetheart. And how cool that your granddaughter is involved with equine therapy. Thank you for reading and commenting!
I learned to ride during summer camp when I was a kid… loved it but have not ridden since then.
Hi Colleen! So glad you had a chance to learn when you were a kid. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Although I haven’t had a horse ? in many years, I used to ride when I was a child. I never had equine therapy, but I have talked to some who have taken part in it as a result their recovery from being used in human trafficking. I think it is wonderful for those who can have that opportunity for therapy!
Hi Diane! So nice that you had a chance to ride when you were a child. And that is wonderful to hear about equine therapy used in that way. Thanks for reading and commenting!
I used to ride all the time until I left for college and have never gotten back to it. I loved it. I’ve never done equine therapy, but there was definitely something therapeutic about being on the back of a horse.
So happy to have you with us today, Liwen!
Hi Shanna! 🙂 That’s so neat that you were able to ride often before. And yes, the one time I got to ride, I found it to be therapeutic, too. Thanks so much for the chance to blog today!
I have ridden, but not as much as I would have liked. Even though I grew up on a farm and begged for one, my parents never got me a horse. As an adult, I’ve never lived where I could keep one.
I have never tried equine therapy.
Hi Janice! That is too bad that you haven’t been able to ride as much as you would have liked. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Hello. I have not rode since I was a child. We had a local park that would offer horse rides. I also rode when I went to 6th grade camp. I enjoyed my time, but was never very good at it. I have never been involved with equine therapy. Thank you so much for being here today. God bless you.
Hi Debra! That must’ve been fun to ride at the local park and at your 6th grade camp. Thanks for reading and commenting!
My son has done horse therapy and I have helped at times as a side walker at times. It can help. I have not been on a horse.
Hi Erralee! Oh, that is so wonderful to hear that your son has benefitted from horse therapy. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I have never tried equine therapy. I haven’t even been on a horse since I was 14, at Girl Scout camp. My daughter is 23, almost 24, and has never ridden a horse. I’m hoping when I get a job after my eye treatments, I can take her to a nearby horse riding facility. Thanks for the chance to win.
Hi Gari! I hope you and your daughter get to go riding sometime soon. Best wishes on your eye treatments. Thanks for reading and commenting!
I have not tried equine therapy and it has been years since I’ve been on a horse.
Hi Kerri! I’m the same, it’s been years since I’ve been on a horse, too. Thanks for reading and commenting!
I rode a horse, once, years ago. It was fun but being the far off the ground, on an animal, isn’t for me.
Hi Megan! I’m glad you were able to try riding and still have fun even being so far off the ground. Thanks for reading and commenting!
I rode a horse Once in a trail in the Smokey mountains when i was a teenager and loved it!
My mom’s cousin has a horse equine for special needs and troubled youth.
I haven’t tried horse therapy but mainly because I can’t travel due to my health.
Hi Joannie! How cool that you rode in the Smokey mountains! And that is so nice to hear about your mom’s cousin’s equine therapy practice. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Rode a few times at summer camp as a child. I have only read in fiction books about equine therapy.
Hi Heather! I’m glad you got to ride as a child. And yes, it’s neat to be able to experience things through the books we read. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Never rode a horse in my life except for reading books lol
Books look like great reads and I am really looking forward to reading books in print format
Hi Crystal! Yes, it’s so nice that we can experience a lot of things through books that we may not get to do in real life. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Sounds like a great book. Our whole family used to ride, back when our kids were still in school. Now they are married with grown married kids of their own. Our favorite horse was Hawk, a Tennessee Walker. We also had two quarter horses and an Arabian. They have since are gone on to horse heaven and we never bought any replacements. Too old to ride now. lol Would love to win these books and can’t wait to read your contribution to the series. It amazes me how you authors write series like this and they are so connected. I really enjoy them. Thank you
Hi Sarah! How wonderful that your whole family used to ride. And I appreciate you checking out our series! Thanks for reading and commenting!
No & no… but I do enjoy watching horses
Hi Abbie! Yes, horses are amazing animals to watch. Thanks for reading and commenting!
I have ridden a couple of times, but not in over 50 years. My main experience with horses has been either leading or holding them. My first experience was leading a horse down a ramp and having it rear up on me. Having it at the top of the ramp up on its hind legs with me at the bottom of the ramp was not a pleasant experience. The next time I held the lead on a horse, I had stopped at an accident after seeing a horse trailer run off the road and tipping partly over. They got the horses out and handed me the reins. I stood in the median of the interstate with them while traffic sped by until they got the trailer righted. A rather nerve wracking experience.
More recently, I have helped supply items for a local equine therapy program through our local Red Cross Service To The Armed Forces. The stable has therapy programs for children and for veterans, many with PTSD.
Hi Patricia! Oh wow, you’ve had some unique experiences with horses! And how wonderful to hear that you’ve helped with your local equine therapy program. Thanks for reading and commenting!
I have only ridden a horse once and have not tried equine therapy.
Hi Cherie! Good to know. Thanks for reading and commenting!
My family raised horses, donkeys and mules for decades in Michigan. There are only a few left now. My daughter did equine therapy in middle school to help with PTSD. Her therapist holds training for others from across the nation to become equine therapists.
Hi Jennifer! How wonderful for you to have been around horses, donkeys and mules and also for your daughter to experience equine therapy. Thanks so much for sharing!
I do not ride and have not tried equine therapy but like horses. Thanks for the chance to win a book.
Hi Vickie! Horses are beautiful animals, aren’t they? Thanks for reading and commenting!
My grandpa always had horses and we rode often as I was growing up. My daughter has had horses – one of which stayed at our place after she married and moved away! I love them and it was great to have a horse around.