What Working at Summer Camp and Being Around Horses Taught Me and How I Use it in My Books
By Michele Dunaway
Who wasn’t a horse girly? Besides reading about girls and their horses, there was nothing I loved more than summers when I went away to camp and got to ride. I did the wrangler week at Camp Cedarledge. Then there were my two weeks—two summers in a row—at Staghorn Ranch. I learned to ride, and I also canoed overnight on three rivers (the Courtois, Huzzah and Upper Meramec.) Those times in the Missouri Ozarks were precious.
Then came the two years after high school I worked at Camp Don Bosco, in Hillsboro, Missouri. I have so many memories of riding, including a ten-mile horseback ride with a group to move the horses from winter pastures to the camp. I can still remember that day—the heat coming off the gravel road, the sun on our faces, the creak of leather, and the way ten miles teaches your body exactly where every muscle lives. By the end I was dusty, saddle-sore, and grinning like a fool. Then there were my barrel racing lessons. I also competed in the Hillsboro (MO) Horse Show for Western style. Spoiler, I didn’t final, but our camp did place in the costume contest with the Stay-Puff Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters.
When my girls were little, I made sure they had riding lessons. My mom even bought my daughter a horse. This is Chase.
But life moves on, and Chase became more of a pasture pet, so we gave him to someone who would ride him more often. But that doesn’t mean I don’t try to pet horses any chance I get. Here’s my friend Liz and I on a Clydesdale tour (I’m on the left).
My background is one reason I was delighted to say yes to my editor when she asked me to write a western romances series. I set it in the fictional town of Legacy Canyon in homage to my friend Jodi Thomas, the bestselling author of the Ransom Canyon series (now also on Netflix) who once told me never to give up, and to leap and the net will appear. I’ve carried those words with me ever since. Saying yes to a western series felt like a leap, but it turned out the net was there, woven from every summer I’d spent at various camps, and from being in the stable with my girls.
Which brings me to Inheriting a Rodeo Cowboy, Book 2 of the Legacy Canyon series. While each novel stands alone and has a guaranteed happily-ever-after, Inheriting a Rodeo Cowboy picks up where Book 1, A Texas-Sized Fake Out, leaves off, with newly divorced Kristen Larrabee and her daughter attending her brother Wyatt’s wedding. I really leaned into the western themes. There’s a stable full of horses, there’s a rodeo, a foal is born, and you’ll meet one very sexy rodeo cowboy: Lucas Thomas. Throw in some matchmakers and forced proximity, this book features a literal match made in heaven between a vet and a cowboy as they discover their chance at true love.
You can find Inheriting a Rodeo Cowboy in Walmart, in bookstores, and many online retailers, including Harlequin.com and Amazon.
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Giveaway
Since horses have shaped so much of my life—and now my writing—I’d love to hear about your experiences. So, tell me, were you a horse girl growing up, or did you have a different childhood passion you still carry with you, even if you no longer pursue it? Do tell! I’d love to chat with you.
I’m also giving away a signed copy of Inheriting a Rodeo Cowboy, plus two other books from my backlist to two additional commentors (US paperback mailing only/ebook international).
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Thank you to Petticoats & Pistols for having me!
MICHELE
Michele Dunaway is a best-selling contemporary romance author who writes happily ever afters set in small towns with cookie stores and wine. With a career spanning more than 26 years, Michele writes “Hometown Sweet with a Hint of Spice” small town love stories featuring strong sexy heroes and feisty heroines who discover things about themselves as they travel the road to true love and self-fulfillment. Michele loves to travel, with the places she visits often inspiring her novels. Describing herself as a woman who does far too much and never wants to stop, Michele is a former English and journalism teacher who is serving as the 2026 NINC President Elect. A proud mom of two grown daughters, Michele shares her home with far too many rescued cats, who of course completely rule the roost. She loves to hear from readers at micheledunaway.com
I never had horse riding lessons.
I collected heart-shaped items, and I occasionally still buy one, but most of them only come out for Valentine’s Day decor.
I am one who doesn’t even think to decorate for Valentine’s Day minus putting something on my front door, so I love that you do this, and that they come out.
I wa lucky in that my dad decided a long time ago that his kids would grow up around the creature he loved – he wanted to be a cowboy had a chance to be foreman on a spread here in western Colorado but fates decreed otherwise. But I still had my own horse, a big palomino and rode often. We rode in the mountains, I did barrel racing, not very successfully, participated in gymkhanas, went deer hunting – you name it. My dad found a sidesaddle he could borrow and I rode it in the July 4th parade several years in an authentic riding outfit from the late 1800’s until the saddle was no longer available. When that happened, Daddy found a sidesaddle tree and built me my own saddle which I still have.
I wasn’t successful at it either. I’m glad your dad did such nice things for you. I miss my dad daily. He was a banker, and it was fun to go into the office. Those memories we have are what will hopefully never leave us. Thanks so much for sharing.
My horses were literary, but I devoured them voraciously!
In high school and college I had an affinity for owls and collected owl-themed jewelry, clothes, knickknacks…
Thanks for running the giveaway.
You are welcome. My daughter collected owls because that was her sorority mascot. And yes, I read all the horse books. and Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys too.
I was never on a horse when I was growing up. Back then I was into reading and my mom took us once a week to the library.
That’s awesome of mom. I loved to read. I would ride my bike every two weeks to the bookmobile. Back then it was hard to keep track of what I’d read. And I think I went through most of the YA.
We had a horse when I was growing up. I loved “Comet” and being outdoors, but my main passion then, and still is today, is books.
I’m so glad you had a horse. That’s awesome. I was passionate about books too, but with writing, I read far less than I’d like now.
My family did not have horses or any horse riding opportunity when I was growing up. I was sort of a tomboy though and loved climbing up and down the trees in our yard. I liked reading the books that came on the bookmobile in the summer.
My favorite thing was the bookmobile! I had to ride my bike. But it was something I looked forward to each time.
We did not have horses. But, we always had dogs.
We had cats. We tried to have dogs, but our yard wasn’t fenced, so my mom gave Rags away. Then it was just cats. I can still picture him, though.
I have never been around horses, which is surprising since I was born, raised and live in Texas all my life. But I’m more of an indoor type girl and much prefer doing other things like spending time reading a great book, knitting, or scrapbooking
I’m amazed now how “indoorsy” I’ve become after being outside for so many years! I wish I could knit, but my fingers don’t like it and my brain simply can’t wrap around it. I tried!
I was not really a horse girl, we did have a few horses for awhile, but they were not my passion.
that’s okay! Horses aren’t for everyone!
My Grandfather had a palomino horse that we rode when we visited him. It was exciting
We did not have horses. I was a teenager with my first experience with horses. I was in my early 60s the first time I fed a horse from my hand.
Feeding by hand had to be a lot of fun!
I am unfortunately allergic but my daughter loved riding. She competed and had quite a collection of ribbons.
Oh no! Sorry you are allergic. How fun for you and your daughter!
Good morning and welcome! I grew up on a farm with cows and pigs. We had a few dogs over the years. At 12, I wanted a horse so bad. My dad talked my uncle into selling his Shetland pony to him. His name was Termite. I don’t know if my Dad wanted me over my horse love or if he was trying! Because I had a hate for that horse almost from the beginning! I sure tried though. Since you know about horses, I’m sure you know how a Shetland pony is! Needless to say, that wasn’t a good experience at all.
Years later, I rode my friends horses. I was around 15 years old and loved it! We would go horseback riding on most all Sundays after church.that was a better experience!
Many blessings to you!
Oh yes, Shetland ponies can be quite ornery, can’t they? So sorry that happened. Glad you had friends to ride with. Blessings back at you.
I was always excited and wished for more when my Grandpa let me ride his horse. I always wanted a horse but my folks lived in town where we couldn’t have a horse. I am one of these readers that if a dog or a horse are on the cover I will read that book.I read lots of horse stories when I was young and I drew horses mostly in Art classes.
I wanted a horse on my new cover, but I don’t necessarily get a say in that. And I read all the horse stories too, and I think my daughters were in one of those book of the month kid clubs that were horse themed.
Started riding as age 4 on a black Shetland mare named Nancy, who had a filly named lady bug!! That was 62 years ago and still have 2 horses in the pasture!
Yay! Must be fun to look out and see them. that is what I miss, but at least my condo feels like living in a treehouse as it backs to old growth woods.
I always Loved horses growing up our neighbor had one and we would visit them in the evening so we could enjoy their horses I don’t get to visit with horses that much anymore, but I sure love reading about them in books have a Blessed weekend and Happy Labor Day!
You have a fabulous weekend as well. Thanks so much for sharing.
You have a fabulous weekend as well. Thanks so much for sharing.
I have always loved horses though we couldn’t have them on our farm. My brother was allergic to them. I have a niece who absolutely loves them and collects them.
I have loved horses forever! 🙂 I was lucky enough to go to a summer camp that had riding lessons for two years. I was saddened when they cancelled the program after that. My favorite horse was named Jackpot. Such a beauty! Nowadays, I collect horse figurines and statues.
didn’t have one
Great to meet you! My husband and I are both horse crazy! The first thing we got into when we got married was raising Quarter horses. We had a mare that delivered black foals every time. My husband had a chestnut named Misty. I had a Palomino named Shamrock. So fun! We’ve always ventured to be around horses. When we go ATVing in Wyoming in July, we always find the area where ranchers have brought up their horses to graze for the summer. We love on them. I also enjoy a ministry called Gabriel’s Home where rescued horses are used to help people.
Thank you for coming today.
My father was in the Army and we moved every couple of years, so I could not have a horse. I collected stuffed animals instead.
I was never around horses that much. I was raised on a small farm and we did have a few pigs at one time other then that no horses. I did do some sewing for a while so I do collect thimbles from different. I do love reading about horses in my books so I do get to visit them that way.
I loved animals growing up. I was not really a horse girl. I loved dogs and cats. I knew my family could not afford a horse. I had a friend growing up that had a horse and rode it in competitions. Thank you for the opportunity. God bless you. Have a blessed Labor Day weekend.
My diabetes summer camp included horses. That’s where I fell in love with them. However, we didn’t have them growing up. We raised sheep and piglets for 4-H. Well, we bred the sheep and bought the piglets to raise. It was definitely a learning experience.
I’ve always been a reader and wanted to be a teacher. Unfortunately, my vision started going bad and couldn’t finish my degree. Now, I try to help my granddaughters (7 and soon to be 5). I’m still a reader but audiobooks are much easier. When I win paperbacks from you lovely authors, I make sure to pass them on to someone by placing in the Little Libraries and other “inspired” places.
I was born and raised in NYC. I did not have any experiences with horses. From when I was a toddler until high school, I took ballet and tap dance classes. I still love dance even today even though I can’t do anything complicated due to back and knee problems.
I didn’t grow up in the country so there were no horses but my cousins neighbor had a horse and we would ride it when we visited them. I’ve always liked horses but my pets were all dogs .
Hi, when I was a teenager we had a horse and his name was Big Red, he was a sweet horse and my 5 siblings and I would ride him. It was so much fun. Growing up we had dogs, we also had chickens and rabbits. At one time we also had a reddish brown pig and her name was Queenna. Thank you for the chance, your book sounds like a great read and I love your book cover. Have a great weekend.
Like many young goals I wanted a horse. Of course there was no way I could have one, but I kept asking. On my 14th(?) birthday I got my horse – a small porcelain one on top of my birthday cake. About that time, I was at a neighbor’s farm leading a horse down a ramp when it reared up.. It was really intimidating. With me at the bottom of the ramp and it on its hind legs at the top, it looked much bigger than it really was. I have ridden a couple of times since then but only on scrawny little horses with no saddle in Southeast Asia. Many years later, I had another tense encounter on the interstate. The pickup truck pulling a horse trailer in front of me had some sort of issue and the horse trailer tipped on its side. I helped hold the gate open while they got the horses out. They handed me the reins and had me take them to the grassy median. Why they had me do it I have no idea. I was afraid of horses, they were spooked (maybe hurt), and the cars speeding by didn’t help matters any. I really don’t remember (it was over 50 years ago) but I might have been the only female except for the woman who owned the horses. The men were busy righting the trailer. Luckily they didn’t bolt and we all made it out alive. Our youngest daughter was a horse person and thanks to Scout camp got to indulge herself. She worked as a counselor for a couple of summers in the Wagon Train unit at a Boy Scout camp. Through some of the people she met there, she was able to participate in the
Virginia State wide wagon train in 1991. She was an outrider warning traffic. She could only do weekends because of school, but it was a good experience. The wagon train finished at the Virginia State Fair grounds.
I lived in a city growing up, so I wasn’t getting a horse. I was definitely a dog person and I love animals. I went on a trail ride once in the Smokey Mountains and loved it! I live in the country now, but off of the highway so maybe not the safest for a horse. I wouldn’t mind having a horse, but I don’t like all the flies they attract. We get enough of those already in the spring and summer.