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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.

Over twenty 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 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.

Over twenty 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 and the Reader's Favorite 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 until the first draft (the foundation) is done. Then I can go back and correct and embellish all I want.
My newest venture (2026) is an Adult Mystery series set in the world of Harness racing! It's fun to try new things. ...more

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M.J. Evans’s books

Average rating: 4.52 · 1,052 ratings · 452 reviews · 26 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Stallion and His Peculiar Boy 4.62 avg rating — 181 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 4.75 avg rating — 105 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
	Finding Fionn 4.34 avg rating — 106 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
	In the Heart of a Mustang 4.54 avg rating — 94 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
	Behind the Mist (The Mist Trilogy, #1) 4.12 avg rating — 81 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 4.75 avg rating — 68 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
	Silver Charm: And the Old Friends Who Save the Thoroughbreds 4.48 avg rating — 67 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
	Pinto! 4.56 avg rating — 55 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) 4.45 avg rating — 38 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 — 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

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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)

4.26 avg rating — 148 ratings

The Centaur Chronicles (4 books)
by

M.J. Evans (Goodreads Author)

4.47 avg rating — 92 ratings

M.J. is Currently Reading

M.J. Evans is currently reading

Fire at the Track: A Harness Racing Mystery

by M.J. Evans (Goodreads Author)

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Apr 30, 2026 12:20PM

M.J. Evans is currently reading

Silver Charm - And the Old Friends Who Save the Thoroughbreds

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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)

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Jul 02, 2024 10:33AM

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M.J.’s Recent Updates

M.J. Evans rated a book really liked it Butterflies by Nick Stump	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
Riley is a sophomore in high school and has to face far more struggles than your "normal" teen. He is crippled in one leg and has to deal with the constant pain of both the injury and the humiliation. HIs one friend is getting caught up in the social ...more
May 23, 2026 04:12AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Butterflies by Nick Stump. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Butterflies by Nick Stump <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
M.J. Evans made a comment on Cyrus’s review of Fire at the Track: A Harness Racing Mystery " I am so honored that you liked the book! Thank you. "
May 13, 2026 05:26AM · see review
Clare O'Beara answered M.J. Evans's question: Hi Clare, I listed my Eric Hoffer/Reader's Favorite/Nautilus Book Award winner "Coal Dust and Dreams: for this quarter's reading challenge. I have a new release: "Fire at the Track-A Harness Racing Mystery." Is there some way I can get the word out to our members? Thanks! Margi Hi Margi, thanks for your question in relation to Horse Lovers Central Group. Authors are welcome to mention their books under the Promotions folder. You could start a new thread or add to the ongoing Promote Anything thread. Your new story sounds fa See Full Answer
May 02, 2026 02:51AM · like
M.J. Evans made a comment on Valerie Ormond’s review of Fire at the Track - A Harness Racing Mystery " I'm so honored that you enjoyed reading Fire at the Track! Thank you. ...more "
May 01, 2026 08:32AM · see review
M.J. Evans liked Valerie Ormond's review of Fire at the Track - A Harness Racing Mystery: "M.J. Evans’ “Fire at the Track” starts with the energy of a horse race and never lets up the heat. Based on a true story of a tragic fire killing 28 horses in the harness racing business, this mystery leaves the reader guessing throughout. A plucky p" Read more of this review »
May 01, 2026 08:32AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Fire at the Track - A Harness Racing Mystery by M.J. Evans. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Fire at the Track - A Harness Racing Mystery by M.J. Evans <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
M.J. Evans liked Juliet Madsen's review of Fire at the Track - A Harness Racing Mystery: "Fire at the Track is the kind of mystery that grabs you by the heart before you even realize it’s happening. The barn fire scene is written with such clarity and emotion that I felt myself right there in the smoke and chaos, grieving the loss and des" Read more of this review »
May 01, 2026 08:32AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Fire at the Track - A Harness Racing Mystery by M.J. Evans. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Fire at the Track - A Harness Racing Mystery by M.J. Evans <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
M.J. Evans liked Susan O.Pincus's review of Fire at the Track: A Harness Racing Mystery: "I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED READING THE INTRIGUING STORY OF TRAGEDY AND TRIUMPH IN THE WORLD OF HARNESS RACING! THE AUTHOR MADE YOU FEEL YOU WERE AT THE STABLE AND AT THE TRACK WHERE ALL THE EXCITEMENT WAS HAPPENING. FOR THOSE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE HARNESS " Read more of this review »
May 01, 2026 08:32AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Fire at the Track by M.J. Evans. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Fire at the Track by M.J. Evans <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
M.J. Evans made a comment on Ashley’s review of Fire at the Track - A Harness Racing Mystery " I'm so glad you liked it and I'm honored to be grouped with Dick Frances! ...more "
May 01, 2026 08:32AM · see review
M.J. Evans made a comment on Alice Antley’s review of Fire at the Track: A Harness Racing Mystery " Thank you so much for the kind review! "
May 01, 2026 08:31AM · see review
M.J. Evans added a status update: Did you miss the pre-release 99 cent kindle sale? NO PROBLEM! Sign up to win one of 100 FREE kindle copies of "Fire at the Track" on goodreads. Go here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... and click Enter Giveaway!
May 01, 2026 06:25AM · like · see status

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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

topics	posts	views	last activity
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
Monthly Challenges: February 2026 Completed Tasks	35	9	Feb 28, 2026 10:58PM
Horse Lovers Central: Horse books for adults	163	202	May 02, 2026 02:54AM
Horse Lovers Central: Horses of History	38	43	May 18, 2026 03:06AM