Local author releases a new novel
Stanhope Diana Tuorto has announced the release of her latest middle-grade children’s novel, “My Desert Sun.” Proceeds will be donated to two California wild horse rescues: Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue and Return to Freedom. “My Desert Sun” is told from the point-of-view of Cayuse, a young, free-spirited mustang that lives in the desert and mountains of the American Southwest. While life in the desert is often peaceful and serene, Cayuse spends many days merely fighting for survival. However, he soon learns that survival among mankind is much more difficult. After his herd is rounded up and separated, Cayuse is determined to find his freedom in the wilderness again. He struggles through each grueling experience; from his days at a rancher’s farm to life as a bucking rodeo bronco, Cayuse’s will is tested at every turn. One unlikely friendship will be his only salvation. Tuorto began writing the novel at age 12, inspired by a television special on mustangs. “The show discussed how wild mustangs were (and still are) being rounded up and sold,” Tuorto recalled. “I thought it must be terrible for an older horse to try to accept human handling and training after years of roaming free. To make matters worse, many mustangs continue to end up in slaughterhouses, for human consumption in Europe and Asia. Many others are being illegally exterminated. I knew I had to do something, so I started writing immediately. I chose to tell the story from a wild horse’s perspective, so even young readers would understand how an animal would feel losing his freedom.” “My Desert Sun” is appropriate for children ages 8 to 14+. Interested parties can e-mail Tuorto at lunar_aradia@yahoo.com to order a copy for $15, which includes shipping and personalized autographs. The book will also be available for sale on-line at Amazon.com, Alibris.com, and Abebooks.com by early April 2009. In 2008, Tuorto released two other children’s novels: “Janie’s New Legs,” the story of a friendship between a paralyzed girl and an abused pony, and “Luck of the Draw,” the story of an unsuccessful racehorse who learns that succeeding in life doesn’t always involve winning ribbons or trophies. Over $2,000 in proceeds from these books has since been donated to Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center, ReRun, Inc., and other charities. For more information on Diana Tuorto and her novels, visit http://cayuse.8k.com. Diane Tuorto write The Rescue Round-Up for Straus News.