Books with author M.J. Evans

“PINTO! deserves a spot on the reading lists of not only young, horse-crazy readers, but adults who like horse tales ala Black Beauty.”— Diane Donovan for Midwest Book Reviews“A forgotten piece of Americana brought to vivid life.”— Kirkus Reviews“PINTO! revives an amazing part of history that has lain forgotten for ages. It is written with a unique twist and is both informative and entertaining.” — Edith Wairimu for Readers’ FavoriteIn 1912, four men, calling themselves the “Overland Westerners,” decided fame and fortune awaited if they embarked on the longest horseback ride in history. Their goal was to visit all forty-eight state capitals over the course of three years and complete their journey at the San Francisco World’s Fair on June 1, 1915. Facing rugged roads, raging rivers, thieves and near starvation, the men went through seventeen horses. Only one horse completed the entire journey… Pinto, a little horse with a heart as big as the whole country! This is Pinto’s account of his arduous adventure.

Perfect love casts out fear. Celestia, home to the Legion of the Unicorn, is a remarkable place where the power of love prevails over fear. Nick and Bethany, immortal humans, are unicorn riders. Along with other legion members, they and their unicorns, Lazari and Shema, rescue and protect animals on earth that are in danger. After many successful trips to earth, Nick and Bethany must face a crisis closer to home. The evil unicorn, Hasbadana, has captured Nick's sisters. Urijah, the Lord of Celestia, sends Nick and Bethany to confront Hasbadana and bring the sisters home. Instead, Nick and Bethany are themselves imprisoned in a swirling mist of darkness, deep within the crumbling stone walls of Hasbadana's castle. When Urijah willingly sacrifices himself to take the place of the humans, Nick is determined to find a way to free Urijah. He seeks the advice of Animara, the patriarch of the fairies. It will take the combined efforts of the Legion of the Unicorn and a new partnership with the animals of the Underground Kingdom to execute Animara's unconventional plan. Even then they don't know if it will succeed.

"In the Heart of a Mustang is one of the finest books ever written for teens and preteens." — Literary ClassicsHunter was told that his father was a brave soldier and virtuous man. Someone that Hunter needed to emulate. The only problem is that the whole story was a lie, all of it. The truth is that his father has spent the entirety of Hunter’s life in jail, paying his sorry debt to society. Angry and hurt, Hunter gets into some serious trouble and is sent to Promise Ranch, a home for troubled teenage boys. A wild mustang mare and her herd are rescued from certain starvation by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). In a sandy corral at Promise Ranch, Hunter and the mare meet. It takes a weathered, old cowboy to bring them together—a mentor for one, a trainer for the other. The bond that forms between boy and horse becomes one that saves the lives of both.2016 Literary Classics Gold Medalist2016 Nautilus Book Awards Silver Medalist2017 Readers' Favorite International Book Award Silver Medalist2017 Equus Film Festival Gold Medalist

“PINTO! deserves a spot on the reading lists of not only young, horse-crazy readers, but adults who like horse tales ala Black Beauty.”— Diane Donovan for Midwest Book Reviews“A forgotten piece of Americana brought to vivid life.”— Kirkus Reviews“PINTO! revives an amazing part of history that has lain forgotten for ages. It is written with a unique twist and is both informative and entertaining.” — Edith Wairimu for Readers’ FavoriteIn 1912, four men, calling themselves the “Overland Westerners,” decided fame and fortune awaited if they embarked on the longest horseback ride in history. Their goal was to visit all forty-eight state capitals over the course of three years and complete their journey at the San Francisco World’s Fair on June 1, 1915. Facing rugged roads, raging rivers, thieves and near starvation, the men went through seventeen horses. Only one horse completed the entire journey… Pinto, a little horse with a heart as big as the whole country! This is Pinto’s account of his arduous adventure.

"In the Heart of a Mustang is one of the finest books ever written for teens and preteens." — Literary ClassicsHunter was told that his father was a brave soldier and virtuous man. Someone that Hunter needed to emulate. The only problem is that the whole story was a lie, all of it. The truth is that his father has spent the entirety of Hunter’s life in jail, paying his sorry debt to society. Angry and hurt, Hunter gets into some serious trouble and is sent to Promise Ranch, a home for troubled teenage boys. A wild mustang mare and her herd are rescued from certain starvation by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). In a sandy corral at Promise Ranch, Hunter and the mare meet. It takes a weathered, old cowboy to bring them together—a mentor for one, a trainer for the other. The bond that forms between boy and horse becomes one that saves the lives of both.2016 Literary Classics Gold Medalist2016 Nautilus Book Awards Silver Medalist2017 Readers' Favorite International Book Award Silver Medalist2017 Equus Film Festival Gold Medalist

"This is good guys versus bad guys at its finest." Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite"Action-packed, riveting, and steeped in the atmosphere so carefully built in prior books in the series." Diane Donovan for Midwest Book Reviews"An impeccable YA fantasy read." Sarah Scheele for Readers' FavoriteThe Stone of Wisdom, by Award-Winning author M.J. Evans, is the final book of The Centaur Chronicles, the epic saga that will captivate YA and Adult readers who love Tolkien-like settings and characters. Carling, the half Fairy/half Human teenager who is to inherit the throne of Crystonia, must complete the Silver Breastplate to be worthy to be the queen. But an evil Wizard named Xanbar has returned to claim the throne for himself and is amassing a vicious army of Centaurs, Ogres, and Cyclops to help him do it.

Behind the Mist is a 2014 winner of the Mom's Choice Award!A brave teen. A unicorn-in-training. A once-in-an-afterlife chance to save the world. Nick and his horse Jazz are best friends forever. And to stay by his side, Nick would go to the ends of the Earth. But when a tragic accident takes both their lives, he’s stunned to wake up next to Jazz in horse heaven… Jazz loves Nick with his whole heart. So when he’s granted the opportunity to become a guardian unicorn in the hereafter, he turns down the great honor unless his young friend can ride along.But the Council of the Twelve Ancients will only allow such an unusual request if both horse and human can prove they are worthy. Tasked with muzzling a power-hungry traitor, Nick and Jazz must gallop into action to stop an evil band of betrayers.Can Jazz and Nick find the strength to defeat their galloping nemesis?Behind the Mist is the enchanting first book in The Mist Trilogy middle-grade fantasy series. If your child likes mythical creatures, unbreakable friendships, and magical adventures, then you’ll both love M.J. Evans heartwarming tale. Buy Behind the Mist to saddle up and ride into adventure today!

“Everyone grows under Evans' hand, making The Stone of Integrity a satisfying fantasy ofachievement, change, danger and adversity, considering different forms of blindness thataffect each character, challenging their beliefs and goals. Carling's experiences give hersome of the wisdom and integrity she'll need to be a queen, while readers receive somepowerful insights wound into an adventure quest that is thoroughly absorbing.”Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer, MIDWEST BOOK REVIEWS____________________Upon returning from her quest to gather the Stone of Courage, Carling, thefuture Queen of Crystonia, is summoned by the historian of the Minsheenherd of Centaurs. He entrusts Carling with a rare, ancient map. After a harrowingjourney back home to her village, she is visited, once again, by Vidente,the Wizard of Crystonia. He tells her it is time to collect the purpleStone of Integrity for her royal Silver Breastplate. With the map in hand, Carlingand her faithful companions set out to discover the mysterious island ofHy-Basilia, an island that no one knows exists. Frightening sea creatures,menacing Centaurs, a handsome young fisherman, a crafty witch, and Fairieswho hide behind masks….who can be trusted? Another quest, another stone,and many more invaluable lessons to learn. Don’t miss one word of this brilliantfantasy adventure by Award-Winning author, M.J. Evans.

A brave teen. A unicorn-in-training. A once-in-an-afterlife chance to save theworld.Nick and his horse Jazz are best friends forever. And to stay by his side, Nick wouldgo to the ends of the Earth. But when a tragic accident takes both their lives, he'sstunned to wake up next to Jazz in horse heaven...Jazz loves Nick with his whole heart. So when he's granted the opportunity tobecome a guardian unicorn in the hereafter, he turns down the great honor unlesshis young friend can ride along.But the Council of the Twelve Ancients will only allow such an unusual request ifboth horse and human can prove they are worthy. Tasked with muzzling a power-hungry traitor, Nick and Jazz must gallop into action to stop an evil band ofbetrayers.Can Jazz and Nick find the strength to defeat their galloping nemesis?Behind the Mist is the enchanting first book in The Mist Trilogy middle-grade fantasyseries. If your child likes mythical creatures, unbreakable friendships, and magicaladventures, then you'll both love M.J. Evans's heartwarming tale.Buy Behind the Mist to saddle up and ride into adventure today!Behind the Mist is a 2014 winner of the Mom's Choice Award!

Mists of Darkness, the Gold Medal winner of the Mom's Choice Award, is the continuation of M.J. Evans' beloved fantasy, Behind the Mist. Having braved the evil powers of the Dark Kingdom and rescued a lost soul in Behind the Mist, Nick and Jazz proved themselves worthy to become members of the Legion of the Unicorn, the guardian angels to the animals on earth. In a ceremony passed down through the ages, Jazz is endowed with a glowing horn and a new name: Lazari. Nick becomes his partner as the first unicorn rider. The celebration is short-lived, however, as word reaches Celestia of an ominous dark mist that descended upon the Churchill Downs race track in Kentucky. When the mist dissipated, several horses had vanished. The unicorns knew immediately that this was the work of Hasbadana, the ruler of the Dark Kingdom. Again and again, the mist of darkness descends upon horse venues around the world. Appealing to those that have been abused or neglected by their human owners, many horses answer Hasbadana's call to help him conquer the earth. Urijah, the lord of Celestia, and his Council of the Twelve Ancients watch anxiously, never knowing where Hasbadana and his mist of darkness will strike next. Will Nick, Lazari and the Legion of the Unicorn be able to stop him? In the continuation of The Mist Trilogy, M.J. Evans' masterful storytelling exudes spellbinding images and heartrending emotion. Mists of Darkness enthralls from the first page to the last, even as it leaves you eagerly awaiting book three.

The Stone of Mercy is the Award-Winning first book of the Centaur Chronicles series. It was awarded the first place/gold medal from the Feathered Quill Book Awards for Juvenile/Young Adult fiction and the Silver Medal from the Literary Classics Book Awards. It has also been awarded the Five Star Award from the Reader's Choice Awards.Be it known throughout the land that the rightful heir to the throne of Crystonia will be the wearer of the Silver Breastplate with its four Stones of Light: The Stone of Mercy, The Stone of Courage, The Stone of Integrity and The Stone of Wisdom. By tradition, the ruler of Crystonia will be the one in possession of the Silver Breastplate. Yet the rightful heir has not appeared and the throne that sits atop Mount Heilodius has stood empty for a century and a half.The kingdom is being torn apart as the biggest and strongest races battle for control. Even the herd of peace-loving Centaurs has splintered into two factions, one awaiting the promised bearer of the breastplate, the other seeking power and control over the land. Unbeknownst to all but a very few, the Silver Breastplate has been created. In due course, it is presented to a sixteen-year-old Duende girl named Carling, one of the tiny descendants of the fairies that once filled the land. But the silver breastplate is not complete. In order for its wearer to have the skills to rule the land righteously, the young Duende needs to find the four stones of light that are needed to finish this magical source of power and authority. This is the riveting story of Carling's quest. She, along with her friends, must risk their lives to save their land and fulfill the assignment given to them to complete the silver breastplate.Award-Winning Author M.J. Evans takes the reader on another fantastic adventure. Immerse yourself in her fantasy world of Centaurs, Cyclops, Ogres and the Duende.

"This is good guys versus bad guys at its finest." Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite"Action-packed, riveting, and steeped in the atmosphere so carefully built in prior books in the series." Diane Donovan for Midwest Book Reviews"An impeccable YA fantasy read." Sarah Scheele for Readers' FavoriteThe Stone of Wisdom, by Award-Winning author M.J. Evans, is the final book of The Centaur Chronicles, the epic saga that will captivate YA and Adult readers who love Tolkien-like settings and characters. Carling, the half Fairy/half Human teenager who is to inherit the throne of Crystonia, must complete the Silver Breastplate to be worthy to be the queen. But an evil Wizard named Xanbar has returned to claim the throne for himself and is amassing a vicious army of Centaurs, Ogres, and Cyclops to help him do it.