Spupaleena nodded walking briskly to her stallion. The fringe on her dress swung back and forth as if being shook by a badger. She said a quick prayer for everyone as she went. She looked up to see Hahoolawho standing in her path. God help me, she prayed.
Spupaleena will do nearly anything to make her dream of breeding the finest race horses in Indian Country come true. She and her relay teammates have been racing and winning, but one boy is resolved to see her fail. Spupaleena is passionate about her dreams and goals. Not any human nor circumstance will deter her–not poison, not injuries, and certainly not a pride-filled, vengeful boy. She leans into God for direction and wisdom, but will the hunger to triumph steal the reins? Will Spupaleena find her place in a man’s world and prove everyone wrong? Follow Spupaleena and her friends as they find out in this tale of drive, faith, perseverance, and ultimately, a Heart of Passion.
Praise for Heart of Passion
Set locally at the Columbia River and the Kettle Falls, Peone’s powerful descriptions of landscape and life cause the reader to experience the story in every way. One can feel the cold, the hard ground, the thrill and the agonies of horse racing, the fury of a poor loser. The tenderness between brother and sister, tension between father and daughter and the fierce bond between a girl and her horses are palpable. Characters wrestle with issues of willfulness, pride and desires for winning, ultimately learning some lessons about faith and forgiveness. Carmen Peone’s own passion for horses and her spiritual beliefs give the story a strong authenticity; she truly has Indian culture and storytelling in her soul.
—Peggy Mandin, Kettle Falls Focus
Click here to purchase Heart of Passion from Tate Publishing.
