Mustang Magic

Hey, I'm Talia. After being beaten up by bullies in my high school, I was left with panic attacks and a mountain of mistrust. I'm an equestrian, but my PTSD now has me fearful of so many things, even what I love most—horses. A private school wants me on their equestrian team, which would give me a fresh start, but since horses spike my anxiety, I need to get fixed up, pronto. I've plunked myself into a summer stay at Sunnybrook Therapeutic Riding Farm to, hopefully, quell my PTSD and get back to riding, but my problems only multiply.

First, there's the striking mustang who arrives as an emergency save. I try my best to stay aloof and distant, but he's just so special, I can't help but fall in love with him. He's a lot like me. Bullied, scared, and stormy. I name him Jupiter, but with his tricolors, especially his cream and black mane, he looks just like Picasso, the most popular mustang to ever exist. Could be related! I know he'll heal in no time, be adopted, and that I'll never see him again. My heart is already breaking.

And then, there's the whole murder-mystery I tumble into when I find cryptic notes in a travel log from an old trunk, suggesting a local man may have been murdered. Following the clues sends me and the teens I've befriended on a hunt to find answers, but we're unaware of the real danger lurking. Our search pits us against international smugglers—armed and willing to kill anyone who gets in their way. They likely already offed the dead guy, their partner-in-crime.

Suddenly, conquering my anxiety isn't my biggest concern! Surviving is.