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Trouble at OverTrails Farm: A Journey of Challenge, Persistence, and Awareness
Suanne Lewis’s Trouble at OverTrails Farm follows Nina Walters and her friends as a joyful day at a therapeutic riding academy turns into a murder investigation after stable co-owner Shayne Langley is found dead. When Alex, a kind teen with an intellectual disability, becomes an easy target for suspicion, Nina, Meredith, Miguel, and even Nina’s dog Harry begin piecing together clues involving gambling debts, hidden money, property developers, and a dangerous attempt to cover the truth.
I liked how the book makes friendship its real engine. The mystery matters, but Nina’s fierce defense of Alex gives the story its pulse. Her anger is not reckless melodrama; it comes from moral clarity. She sees how quickly a vulnerable person can be misread, patronized, or used as a convenient answer, and she refuses to let that calcify into “truth.” That emotional through-line gives the investigation more weight than a simple whodunit.
The farm setting also works beautifully. Horses, trails, barns, tack rooms, and the rhythms of therapeutic riding create a textured, quietly absorbing world. At times, the prose explains more than it needs to, but the book’s sincerity really draws you in. I was especially drawn to the way Lewis treats disability, anxiety, and self-worth not as decorative “issues,” but as authentic realities that shape how characters move through danger, friendship, and trust.
The target audience for this cozy mystery and friendship adventure includes readers who like suspense with a strong ethical center. Readers who enjoy Nancy Drew-style sleuthing but want a gentler, more socially conscious contemporary story will feel at home here. Trouble at OverTrails Farm is a warm-hearted mystery with a bridle in one hand and a moral compass in the other.
Pages: 174 | ASIN : B0GX1TL9NV
Power and Purpose
Restart: Dawn of Shadows – Book 2 thrusts readers into a battle for humanity’s future as a group of survivors fight against a ruthless queen from space to the streets of a post-apocalyptic Earth. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
As the story developed, I realized the fantasy side of it naturally flowed from the science fiction developments in book 1. As far as inspiration for the setup of the story, I’ve always been drawn to post-apocalyptic stories. For a lot of us, it’s a well that never runs dry. Yet I wanted to portray characters that resemble, not the future, but those who look to the past for their power and purpose.
Queen Eve is a compelling antagonist. What inspired her character, and did she evolve differently than you first envisioned?
Queen Eve has evolved, or regressed, into something much darker and sinister than had originally been seen when we first met her. This surprises even her own family. The rest of her part in the story developed naturally from that point on as she is virtually elemental.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Restart explores themes of survival, loyalty, and the consequences of unchecked technological power. The story delves into the blurred lines between humanity and technology, as the characters grapple with the moral complexities of a world redefined by a catastrophic event.
Survival and Humanity: The characters navigate a world where survival tests their humanity, pushing them to make difficult choices.
Betrayal and Trust: The group grapples with internal and external threats, questioning who can be trusted in a world where alliances are fragile.
Power and Consequences: The misuse of technological power leads to catastrophic consequences, exploring the potential dangers of unchecked advancements, such as AI and the military-industrial complex.
Family Ties: The dynamics of family relationships, both blood-related and chosen, play a significant role in shaping the characters’ motivations and actions.
The world-building is so immersive. What research or influences helped shape these settings?
First and foremost, I love books! I also love movies. As I write, I see it all come to life on the big screen. For me, science fiction is best when it comes a little closer to science than it does fiction. For that reason, my historical and theoretical research is quite thorough to ensure plausibility throughout the story. Perhaps it hasn’t happened yet, but it could happen at a later time. As for fiction, it’s certainly necessary as it entertains and intrigues the reader while serving to enrich the plot. In the end, science fiction must be timely.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
In a world teetering on the brink of total subjugation, our heroes—Uly and his friends Xavier, Max, and Arden Ray—find themselves once again thrust into a high-stakes battle for humanity’s future. As Queen Eve’s nefarious new world order threatens to engulf what remains of human civilization, our young protagonists must navigate a treacherous landscape of advanced technology, evolved enemies, and moral quandaries.
As new beginnings take flight aboard a space station orbiting Earth—a temporary haven from the chaos below—an unexpected attack shatters their fragile sense of security. Now, Uly and his friends are forced to return to a transformed New York City, amidst the ruins of a once-great metropolis, to confront Queen Eve’s forces and thwart her terrifying plans for a nightmare world. Together, the group must outsmart and outmaneuver Queen Eve’s roving bands of “the changed”—evolved and sinister versions of their former foes.
As the fight to protect the remnants of humanity from a fate worse than death wanes on, Uly, driven by hope and determination, searches for his missing mother and his loyal Irish Wolfhound, Finn McCool. And with the fate of humanity hanging in the balance, Uly and his friends face impossible odds. If they fail, the surviving humans will be reduced to serving Queen Eve’s twisted vision, with advanced technology wielded by a dangerous few against a helpless populace.
As they fight this ruthless enemy, our heroes must also wrestle with fundamental questions: Can they defeat evil without losing their humanity? Is a normal life ever possible again after facing such extraordinary challenges?
In this gripping sequel about loyalty, perseverance, and the indomitable human spirit, Uly must find the strength to resist tyranny, protect his loved ones, and perhaps—against all odds—forge a path to a brighter future for all humanity.
