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M.J. Evans

Goodreads Author

Born

in Corvallis, OR, The United States

Website

http://www.dancinghorsepress.com

Genre

Fantasy, Young Adult, Historical Fiction

Influences

Fantasy writers such as J.K. Rowling and horse-story writers such as M ...more

Member Since

December 2010

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I am a graduate of Oregon State University. Upon graduation, I spent five years teaching at the middle school and high school levels. My writing, at that time, was limited to curriculum. That was not fun.

While raising my children, I coached their Odyssey of the Mind and Destination Imagination teams for seventeen years. I helped them write their own stories for the competitions. During this time, I also wrote two parent handbooks for the Salem, Oregon School district on sex education.

About fifteen years ago, I was able to combine my passion for horses with my love of writing. I researched and wrote two equestrian trail guide books for the Denver area. By “research” I mean that I spent every Friday riding my horse on a new trail, be it on t I am a graduate of Oregon State University. Upon graduation, I spent five years teaching at the middle school and high school levels. My writing, at that time, was limited to curriculum. That was not fun.

While raising my children, I coached their Odyssey of the Mind and Destination Imagination teams for seventeen years. I helped them write their own stories for the competitions. During this time, I also wrote two parent handbooks for the Salem, Oregon School district on sex education.

About fifteen years ago, I was able to combine my passion for horses with my love of writing. I researched and wrote two equestrian trail guide books for the Denver area. By “research” I mean that I spent every Friday riding my horse on a new trail, be it on the plains or in the mountains. It was a tough job, but someone had to do it! The result of that work was the publication of Riding Colorado-Day Trips from Denver with Your Horse, and Riding Colorado II. Both books continue to sell very well in the Denver to Colorado Springs area and have made my horse famous.

I was able to combine my love of horses with my love of fantasy in my first Trilogy. The Mist Trilogy, comprised of Behind the Mist, Mists of Darkness and the Rising Mist received a gold medal from the Mom's Choice Awards. My next fantasy, an allegory of the Revolutionary War, but with Trolls and Leprechauns, won first place in the Purple Dragonfly Awards for fantasy. I took a brief (2 year) break from writing fantasy to complete a contemporary, coming of age novel titled "In the Heart of a Mustang." This YA novel won first place in the Literary Classics Awards for Young Adult fiction and second place in the Nautilus Awards in the same category.

On October 1, 2016, I released the first book of my new fantasy series "The Stone of Mercy: Book 1 of the Centaur Chronicles."

I have now expanded my writing interests to include Historical Fiction: "PINTO! Based Upon the True Story of the Longest Horseback Ride in History," and "The Sand Pounder - Love and Drama on Horseback in WWII."
I have also had fun working with illustrators on five picture books: "PERCY - The Racehorse Who Didn't Like to Run," and "The Skullington Family Series."

I describe myself as a “Mozart” type of writer as opposed to a “Beethoven” writer. When I sit down to write, the words just flow and I don’t have to go back and do a lot of revisions. ...more

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M.J. Evans’s books

Average rating: 4.53 · 947 ratings · 417 reviews · 25 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Stallion and His Peculiar Boy 4.61 avg rating — 163 ratings — published 2023 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Coal Dust and Dreams: The Story of a Girl and Her Pit Pony in the Coal Mines of Wales 4.77 avg rating — 92 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	In the Heart of a Mustang 4.54 avg rating — 93 ratings — published 2015 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Finding Fionn 4.32 avg rating — 97 ratings — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Behind the Mist (The Mist Trilogy, #1) 4.15 avg rating — 80 ratings — published 2011 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Sand Pounder 4.74 avg rating — 65 ratings — published 2021 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Pinto! 4.55 avg rating — 53 ratings — published 2019 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Mists of Darkness (The Mist Trilogy, #2) 4.51 avg rating — 37 ratings — published 2012 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Stone of Mercy (The Centaur Chronicles, #1) 4.26 avg rating — 35 ratings — published 2016 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Mr. Figgletoes' Toy Emporium 4.62 avg rating — 29 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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M.J. Evans's Blog

COAL DUST AND DREAMS WAS RELEASED ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2024!...

COAL DUST AND DREAMS WAS RELEASED ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2024!

I spent a year researching the use of horses and ponies in the coal mines of South Wales. In addition to learning about the role of the Pit Ponies, I also studied the role of children and women in the mines.I set my story in the 1930's at the Penalta mine.

The Penalta MineThis was one of the largest mines. The horses (both ponies and Read more of this blog post »

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Published on January 06, 2025 12:41

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Series by M.J. Evans

The Mist Trilogy (3 books)
by

M.J. Evans (Goodreads Author)

4.30 avg rating — 145 ratings

The Centaur Chronicles (4 books)
by

M.J. Evans (Goodreads Author)

4.47 avg rating — 93 ratings

M.J. is Currently Reading

M.J. Evans is currently reading

Silver Charm - And the Old Friends Who Save the Thoroughbreds

by M.J. Evans (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Oct 28, 2025 05:55AM

M.J. Evans is currently reading

Coal Dust and Dreams: The Story of a Girl and Her Pit Pony in the Coal Mines of Wales

by M.J. Evans (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Jul 02, 2024 10:33AM

M.J. Evans is currently reading

Mr. Figgletoes' Toy Emporium

by M.J. Evans (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

read in October 2021

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M.J. Evans said: " I am excited about "Mr. Figgletoes Toy Emporium." I am getting lots of wonderful reviews from readers...I especially love hearing from the target audience: Middle-Grade Readers! ...more "

Oct 27, 2021 10:14AM · see review

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M.J.’s Recent Updates

M.J. Evans rated a book it was amazing When the Stars Linger: A Soothing Children’s Bedtime Story About Love, Belonging, and Peaceful Sleep by Peggy Kan Hai (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This is one of the most beautiful children's books I've ever read. The illustrations are breathtaking and the rhyming is lovely. I felt peaceful just reading it! Any child would be lucky to go to bed with these words swimming in their head! ...more
Jan 19, 2026 06:49AM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of When the Stars Linger by Peggy Kan Hai. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — When the Stars Linger by Peggy Kan Hai <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
M.J. Evans rated a book really liked it Abby's First Day by Peggy Kan Hai (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I loved the illustrations and the theme is one that most children can relate to...fear of anything new. The pace was good and would keep a child's interest. My only concern was the imaginary friend that solves her problems. I would rather a real frie ...more
Jan 18, 2026 09:22AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Abby's First Day by Peggy Kan Hai. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Abby's First Day by Peggy Kan Hai <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
M.J. Evans liked Adria Sanders's review of Coal Dust and Dreams: The Story of a Girl and Her Pit Pony in the Coal Mines of Wales: "The book tells a gentle, heartfelt story about the bond between a young teenage girl and the horse her father used in the mines to transport ore. Their connection is described with such warmth that it becomes the emotional core of the story. At the s" Read more of this review »
Jan 18, 2026 05:47AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Coal Dust and Dreams by M.J. Evans. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Coal Dust and Dreams by M.J. Evans <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
M.J. Evans rated a book liked it The Stranger That Betrayed Me: A Novella on Shadows, Transformation and the Gift of Suffering (Guiding Each Other Home) by Sean Phoenix Russell (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This is the story of a young woman (whose name we are never told) who is trying to "find herself" at a retreat in Italy. She is trying to escape a failed relationship and the struggles inherent in caring for an aging mother. The idea of a week-long r ...more
Jan 16, 2026 08:11AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Stranger That Betrayed Me by Sean Phoenix Russell. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Stranger That Betrayed Me by Sean Phoenix Russell <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
M.J. Evans rated a book it was amazing Collapse Years by Damir Salkovic (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Collapse Years is a collection of intertwining short stories written about the end times. Set in various locations in Asia, the stories each relay a different persons experiences after civilization is destroyed. The cause of the destruction varies, f ...more
Jan 12, 2026 12:27PM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Collapse Years by Damir Salkovic. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Collapse Years by Damir Salkovic <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
M.J. Evans made a comment on R Sheldon’s review of Coal Dust and Dreams: The Story of a Girl and Her Pit Pony in the Coal Mines of Wales (Horses in History) " Thank you for reading my book and taking the time to post such a kind review. I appreciate you! "
Jan 11, 2026 05:33AM · see review
M.J. Evans rated a book really liked it Oceantopia: A Dystopian Odyssey by Charlie Trout	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This dystopian adult fiction was an interesting read. Imagine a world where the polar icecaps have melted, flooding the world and destroying all land creatures. What does that leave? Why, the oceans, of course... and all the sea creatures. The underw ...more
Jan 09, 2026 03:32AM · like · see review
M.J. Evans rated a book liked it The Mystery of a Techie's Murder: Mayur Varma Mysteries by Vijay Kerji (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This story is set in India, which was the most interesting part of the story. The author put in lots of aspects of the culture from food to arranged marriages. However, the dialogue was so stilted it ruined the flow of the story. Numerous facts were ...more
Jan 08, 2026 05:36PM · like · see review
M.J. Evans rated a book liked it Every October by Suse Wilcox (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Every October is a quirky book that is hard to categorize. It starts out as a typical women's fiction love story, then I thought it was turning into a horror story, only to end up as a teenage coming of age story. It also switches focus from the moth ...more
Jan 05, 2026 07:07AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Every October by Suse Wilcox. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Every October by Suse Wilcox <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
M.J. Evans rated a book it was amazing The Scent of Wild Garlic by Joan Lewis (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
The Scent of Wild Garlic is a fictional love story set in a fictional, little European country (I looked it up to make sure I was getting that right!) It is written from the point of view of both Conan, who grew up in a fictional country in Africa an ...more
Jan 01, 2026 05:15PM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Scent of Wild Garlic by Joan Lewis. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Scent of Wild Garlic by Joan Lewis <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

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Quotes by M.J. Evans (?)

“Tears welled up in Jane's eyes. "I don't need something to remember you. I can never forget you.”
― M.J. Evans, The Sand Pounder

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Topics Mentioning This Author

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Horse Lovers Central: Challenge Books - Winter 2022 - 23	12	22	Jan 23, 2023 03:05PM
Horse Lovers Central: Challenge Books - Spring 2024	17	26	Apr 06, 2024 05:22AM
Horse Lovers Central: Horses of History	35	41	22 hours, 26 min ago