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Daniel's Esperanza
A rancher and his wife provide a haven for wild mustangs on ten thousand acres in northern New Mexico. Unable to have children of their own, they also provide a home to a broken and abused teenage boy from Virginia. Their wild horse sanctuary gives comfort to the boy, while the family faces challenging actions and lies from a vindictive neighbor and the threat of the boy's biological father resurfacing.
Under the backdrop of Native American culture and New Mexico ranch life, Daniel escapes his abusive father and finds a new home with Frank and Sarah Carpenter, ranchers and owners of a wild horse sanctuary. For three years, he heals, is nurtured and becomes an adult. Daniel learns how to ride horses, train them and accept a family as his own.
However, a vengeful, neighboring rancher and son become formidable enemies. They engage in threats against the Carpenters and Daniel that involve horse stealing, gambling and potential danger to the sanctuary horses. The neighbors also hire a private investigator to look into Daniel's past, allowing his abusive father to learn of his whereabouts.
Under the backdrop of Native American culture and New Mexico ranch life, Daniel escapes his abusive father and finds a new home with Frank and Sarah Carpenter, ranchers and owners of a wild horse sanctuary. For three years, he heals, is nurtured and becomes an adult. Daniel learns how to ride horses, train them and accept a family as his own.
However, a vengeful, neighboring rancher and son become formidable enemies. They engage in threats against the Carpenters and Daniel that involve horse stealing, gambling and potential danger to the sanctuary horses. The neighbors also hire a private investigator to look into Daniel's past, allowing his abusive father to learn of his whereabouts.
222 pages, Paperback
First published August 14, 2014
1 person is currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Veronica Randolph Batterson
6 books43 followersVeronica Randolph Batterson is the author of the novels, WILLIAMSBURG HILL, and DANIEL'S ESPERANZA, and the middle grade books of fiction, BILLY'S FIRST DANCE, and FUNNY PAGES. She is also a visual artist and photographer. After living many years in Chicago, Veronica now resides in Memphis, TN.
Her artwork can be viewed at www.veronica-batterson.pixels.com. Follow her on Twitter (@VRBatterson), and Instagram (@veronicarandolphbatterson).
Her artwork can be viewed at www.veronica-batterson.pixels.com. Follow her on Twitter (@VRBatterson), and Instagram (@veronicarandolphbatterson).
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 19, 2014
It took a long time to get this book published...and it's very special to me. I hope everyone who reads the story enjoys it. From start to finish, it's like one of your children. Because of this, a five star rating from this biased author.
November 14, 2014
I quite enjoyed reading this book. It's a pretty easy read with a very nice theme. I've never known much about horses or the condition in which wild horses are treated so I found the book to be very informative, as well. The book starts with Daniel, a teenager with an abusive past, already in his new home with the Carpenters. His past rears its ugly head throughout the story but that isn't the only source of conflict. Much of the story deals with the antagonism from the Carpenters' neighbors, the Tates. The animosity comes from many reasons, which at first didn't seem to be enough to justify the lengths that they go to to bring trouble to the Carpenters and their friends. However, as I thought about it, I realized that it made a lot of sense. Most disagreements between people in the real world have very mild beginnings and that's the case in this story. Jealousy is the inciting spark and while some can get past it, others (like the Tates) simply can't. I think that's what I liked most about the book; that the themes were so simple and relatable.
I only gave the book 4/5 stars because I didn't think it was long enough. And that should definitely be taken as a compliment because it means I was left wanting more. It's a decently sized book, of course, at 214 pages. My only complaints are that I would have liked some more back story. I thought that the story line of the Carpenters' difficulty in having a child of their own was heartbreaking and though it was discussed several times, I felt that there could have been more to that story. I also would have liked to see the story of how Daniel and Joe became friends, as I felt that the friendship was a little bit thrust upon us. On a whole, I thought that it was a very well-rounded story of love, family, friendship, and hope.
I only gave the book 4/5 stars because I didn't think it was long enough. And that should definitely be taken as a compliment because it means I was left wanting more. It's a decently sized book, of course, at 214 pages. My only complaints are that I would have liked some more back story. I thought that the story line of the Carpenters' difficulty in having a child of their own was heartbreaking and though it was discussed several times, I felt that there could have been more to that story. I also would have liked to see the story of how Daniel and Joe became friends, as I felt that the friendship was a little bit thrust upon us. On a whole, I thought that it was a very well-rounded story of love, family, friendship, and hope.
October 30, 2014
Synopsis: "A rancher and his wife provide a haven for wild mustangs on ten thousand acres in northern New Mexico. Unable to have children of their own, they also provide a home to a broken and abused teenage boy from Virginia. Their wild horse sanctuary gives comfort to the boy, while the family faces challenging actions and lies from a vindictive neighbor and the threat of the boy's biological father resurfacing.
Under the backdrop of Native American culture and New Mexico ranch life, Daniel escapes his abusive father and finds a new home with Frank and Sarah Carpenter, ranchers and owners of a wild horse sanctuary. For three years, he heals, is nurtured and becomes an adult. Daniel learns how to ride horses, train them and accept a family as his own.
However, a vengeful, neighboring rancher and son become formidable enemies. They engage in threats against the Carpenters and Daniel that involve horse stealing, gambling and potential danger to the sanctuary horses. The neighbors also hire a private investigator to look into Daniel's past, allowing his abusive father to learn of his whereabouts."
My Review: This was a Goodreads First Reads book and I am so glad I won a copy. It was a great book with fantastic characters. I loved Daniel and Joe, but my favorite by far was Frank. This book has a lot going on, almost too much, I could have done with maybe one less traumatic event. It does tackle a lot of very tough issues including alcoholism, abuse, infertility, bullying, gambling and of course issues with the wild horse preservation and management. It was all put together very smoothly and was an enjoyable book to sit down and read, it kept drawing me back in and turning the pages.
Under the backdrop of Native American culture and New Mexico ranch life, Daniel escapes his abusive father and finds a new home with Frank and Sarah Carpenter, ranchers and owners of a wild horse sanctuary. For three years, he heals, is nurtured and becomes an adult. Daniel learns how to ride horses, train them and accept a family as his own.
However, a vengeful, neighboring rancher and son become formidable enemies. They engage in threats against the Carpenters and Daniel that involve horse stealing, gambling and potential danger to the sanctuary horses. The neighbors also hire a private investigator to look into Daniel's past, allowing his abusive father to learn of his whereabouts."
My Review: This was a Goodreads First Reads book and I am so glad I won a copy. It was a great book with fantastic characters. I loved Daniel and Joe, but my favorite by far was Frank. This book has a lot going on, almost too much, I could have done with maybe one less traumatic event. It does tackle a lot of very tough issues including alcoholism, abuse, infertility, bullying, gambling and of course issues with the wild horse preservation and management. It was all put together very smoothly and was an enjoyable book to sit down and read, it kept drawing me back in and turning the pages.
September 25, 2014
This was a wonderful and sweet book. As a lover of horses ( I have five of my own), and a believer that wild horses should be left alone, I was predisposed to love this book; I was not disappointed. The story was about family and the healing power of love. After finishing, I immediately gave the book to my Mom, and she dearly loved it. I want to thank Goodreads and the author Veronica Randolph Batterson for this giveaway which I was fortunate to win.
October 7, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. The author did her research, the characters were developed, and my questions were answered throughout the story. I felt the plot flowed nicely as well. The author's descriptions of characters and scenes were well-written, I became part of the story many times. None of the descriptions were tedious, though. I loved learning more about the wild mustangs, and there is even some intrigue and romance in the book.
September 29, 2014
Heartwarming.
This book was an easy read book.I have given it to a young girl that has two horses of her own. She will love it. I really enjoyed reading this book. Thank you goodreads and Veronica Batterson.
This book was an easy read book.I have given it to a young girl that has two horses of her own. She will love it. I really enjoyed reading this book. Thank you goodreads and Veronica Batterson.
April 17, 2015
This is an easy to read, accessible book about abuse of both children and animals. Hope and love arising out of the turmoil is a strong theme. Horse lovers will especially love the focus on the wild mustangs and how people are working to save and protect them.
It seemed like the book perhaps took on too many types of characters: childless woman, bipolar mother, abusive father, possibly gay biological father, sociopath teen, and so on. Some of the focus and story tension was watered down because of this. It also wrapped up a bit too neatly. That said, this Illinois author has nicely combined a cultural issue with a story with broad appeal. Would be appealing and appropriate for young adults.
It seemed like the book perhaps took on too many types of characters: childless woman, bipolar mother, abusive father, possibly gay biological father, sociopath teen, and so on. Some of the focus and story tension was watered down because of this. It also wrapped up a bit too neatly. That said, this Illinois author has nicely combined a cultural issue with a story with broad appeal. Would be appealing and appropriate for young adults.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews