First Edition, 2014 as CRAZY OLD HORSES; ISBN: 978-1500800086
Second Edition: 2025; THE HORSEMAN’S WALTZ; ASIN: B0G4SVGD5V
Available in: Paperback, Kindle
The Horseman’s Waltz
A Dance Between Love and Loss
“I kept that vision of her, just at that instant, for a long time. Kept it hanging over the mantle in the great room of my heart, out-shining everything else light and dark, brightening the room, blazing my path through nights where I lost my way. Kept it there until I couldn’t anymore.”
THE HORSEMAN’S WALTZ (formerly Crazy Old Horses) is a richly human tale of love, heartbreak and redemption set against the wide-open landscape of Texas ranch country. At its heart is a story of chasing dreams, whether it’s capturing the heart of the dazzling and elusive Donna Jean, training young horses, or finding meaning after loss. Told with a warm, lyrical voice and vividly drawn characters, this novel blends the grit of cowboy life with the poetry of the human spirit as men and women grapple with love that can save — and sometimes shatter — a life.
Awards
Writer’s Digest Self-Published eBook Awards 2014
Mainstream/Literary Fiction
Writer’s Digest Judge’s Commentary:
“Crazy Old Horses has a wonderful voice and cadence that makes the story sing for the reader. Nice job! Word choices by the author, in various character voices, bring the reader into the story world and keep them happily captive. Really enjoyed that each character is distinct. This is an extremely talented writer.”
USA Best Book Awards Finalist 2015
Praise for The Horseman’s Waltz
“Once the book was begun it was really hard to put it down. One of the best stories I’ve read in some time. I really like this author’s style and the warm descriptive way he weaves his story-making. You feel like you are part of it. A real and genuine storyteller.” – Amazon Review
“I found myself turning page after page and finishing it in one night. His style is like popcorn. You can’t stop reading. I loved the old guys, especially, because as an old woman I found them really believable.” – Book club comment
“Read this book last month and really enjoyed it! Characters were fleshed out well; story well told; dialog natural. Writing was good. Author seemed comfortable in the cowboy environment. Gave it to another person who said it was ‘Good book!’ It is an easy read. All in our book club enjoyed it.” – Amazon Review
“It’s long past my bedtime. I just finished this book, and I’m crying my eyes out. Going to bed was unthinkable until I knew what happened to Joe Tom, and little Trevor and PaPa Sam, and that poor, miserable young woman, who is so real.” – Reader letter
“I want to read his others. He is hugely talented.” – Book club comment
“The writing in this book is so poetic. The characters are strong and the story completely captured my interest. The author must have a history with horses, because his descriptions are convincing and realistic. I related to the characters, particularly Joe Tom. It is every bit as appealing as another Texas novel I love, “Wake of Forgiveness.” Pathos and humor, combined with well-defined, sympathetic characters and a tightly woven plot.” – Amazon Review
“I wanted to keep reading and it was easy to continue—I’ll just read one more chapter….” – Book club comment
“I don’t know when I’ve read a book that wrung me out this much. So much of what’s written today is all about action on the outside. This book is about action on the inside, about character, and made it into a gripping story.” – Reader letter
“He writes in a poetic style that really moved me.” – Book club comment
“The characters are bold, strong and beautiful. Being a horsewoman myself, I loved the training methods, Joe Tom’s love of horses, and the ambiance… I was at the ranch with him, I was on the rodeo circuit with him, living his life in full color. His love and devotion to his little boy was beautiful….” – Reader letter
