About the Book

Book: Preach It, Grace A Girl’s Testimony of Faith (Dream Pony Book 5)

Author: Susan Count

Genre: Middle-Grade

Release date: February, 2024

Sharing a pony worked perfectly, until it didn’t.

The pony share Grace worked out with her elderly neighbor was ideal—she thought. Mr. Harvey bought the buckskin gelding’s food and Grace fed him. The pony was important to both of them so it made no sense when the elderly man sent him away. And why won’t he tell her where?

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About the Author

Susan Count is a Kingdom Scribe who has published nine books in two equestrian series. As a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Texas Association of Authors, she takes studying the craft of writing seriously. Revision is her super-power.

Susan is a life-long equestrian and owned by a Rocky Mountain Horse that is kind hearted enough to take her on long, forested trail rides. She says the only thing more fun than riding might be writing horse adventure stories and she invites you to saddle up and ride along.

Read an Excerpt

Saturday started early for Grace’s family. Serve Out Saturday was the church’s biggest outreach event all year, and everyone who could turned out to help. Grace manned the church’s front-door sign-in desk. After everyone got their work assignments, she ran with her clipboard for the van headed to the retirement home. When they arrived, many residents were already gathered.
She lined up with six other girls, and they sang the gospel songs the residents requested. She searched their faces until she found Mr. Harvey in the last row. Giving him a quick wave, she sang directly to him.

He didn’t sing along like many of the residents, but he stayed for the program. That counted as a victory. Did he recognize her? She couldn’t tell.

She stepped to the microphone. “Hello. I’m Grace. That means blessings from God.”

She grinned at the residents, and they smiled back at her. “Horses are my favorite thing, and they’re also blessings from God. If you’ve ever seen a horse, then you know they are magnificent, mighty creatures.”

Grace held a booklet high, then pointed with it to the residents. “This explains how we can know the God that blesses us. And how we can go to heaven to be with him someday. It says he sent his Son, Jesus, to teach us about eternal life.”

She placed her hands over the open Bible on the podium. “No matter how hard we try, we can’t be perfect, but because of Jesus, we are forgiven for all the things we do wrong. He suffered and died on the cross, was buried, then raised to life on the third day.” She looked into Mr. Harvey’s eyes. “He loves us that much.”

As she closed the Bible, she softened her voice. “Pray to your heavenly Father—ask him to help you believe in Jesus.”

MY REVIEW

The book is geared towards middle school children, but I absolutely loved it. It brought such nice memories for me. Each summer when I was younger, we would go to my granddad’s farm in Oklahoma. He always has a pony for us to ride. I can still remember how excited I was to be on this beau and graceful animal. It was easy for me to relate to Grace as my dad was a preacher as well.

Grace is such a sweet young girl who loves Preacher the pony. She helps her neighbor who own the horse care for it. It was easy for Grace to fall in love with the horse. All Preacher needed was someone to show it love and attention. I liked how she always took time to spend with Mr. Harvey. She loves helping him in the garden as well as collecting eggs for him. She does start to feel like Mr. Harvey doesn’t want to keep Preacher anymore. This makes Grace very sad.

The relationship between Grace and Mr. Harvey is very special. I loved how she always visited him everyday. She shares Jesus with him hoping someday he will ask Him into his heart. As Mr. Harvey slowly starts to forget things, Grace realizes he may forget her. I loved how the author illustrates how Grace never gave up her dream of riding Preacher someday. The best part of the story is the very special gift Mr. Harvey received because a special little girl never gave up on him.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.