Sonora: A Novel
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Inspired by a true story of one of the first female horse divers, Sonora explores a world of daring feats and extraordinary adventures set in the heyday of the American carnival scene.
Sonora Webster is penniless but plucky, and despite the looming Great Depression, she follows her wanderlust, answering an advert to dive with horses. Little does she know that she is about to be thrust into a world teeming with danger, excitement, and fierce competition. As Sonora delves into the cutthroat world of show business, complete with trapeze aerial acts and juggling bears, her undeniable talent and unwavering dedication propel her into the limelight, making her a sensation, and after marrying the show runner, her entire life becomes their act and their horses. But she soon learns that a diver--and her horse--are only as good as their last show, a show some are hellbent on shutting down. When a tragic accident changes her life forever, can Sonora muster the courage to climb the forty-five-foot tower and dive again, risking her life to save the show and their horses from falling into the wrong hands? In Sonora, Jenni L. Walsh vividly captures the spirit of a brave woman who defied societal norms to follow her dreams, diving into the unknown with courage and resilience. |
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Order an Autographed Book: Newtown Bookshop | Commonplace Reader
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Praise for Sonora
“Jenni L. Walsh brings the inspiring true-life tale of horse diver Sonora Carver to life, with profound sensitivity and impeccable historical detail. A beautifully written novel about courage, perseverance, and the unbreakable bond between a girl and her horses. I read it in one go!” — Mimi Matthews, USA Today bestselling author of the Belles of London series
"This book's for the horse girls, the girls who fell in love with Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken and hoped someday they'd be like the fearless, determined, strong Sonora Carver whose love and belief in her horses made her an icon. In the pages of Sonora, Walsh's impeccable research and immersive prose expertly plunge the reader into the complexities, triumphs, and disappointments of the real Sonora Carver--a woman whose life inspired a generation--and into the fascinating community behind a bygone attraction--High-Diving Horses--an act that enthralled the country. This novel is not to be missed, a sure classic, just like the movie that first introduced us to Sonora's life." — Joy Callaway, international bestselling author of The Star of Camp Greene
"This book's for the horse girls, the girls who fell in love with Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken and hoped someday they'd be like the fearless, determined, strong Sonora Carver whose love and belief in her horses made her an icon. In the pages of Sonora, Walsh's impeccable research and immersive prose expertly plunge the reader into the complexities, triumphs, and disappointments of the real Sonora Carver--a woman whose life inspired a generation--and into the fascinating community behind a bygone attraction--High-Diving Horses--an act that enthralled the country. This novel is not to be missed, a sure classic, just like the movie that first introduced us to Sonora's life." — Joy Callaway, international bestselling author of The Star of Camp Greene
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