Sonora: A Novel

​As seen in
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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​Praise for Sonora
"In this beautiful story of love, perseverance, and commitment, I got swept up with Sonora, traveling side by side with this wonderful character. I felt Sonora’s wild heart in my own." —  Gabrielle Anwar, portrayed Sonora in Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken

“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

"A winner of a story from start to finish! I fell head over heels for Sonora, her spirited horses, and her spunk, and was cheering from the sidelines the whole way. Heart pounding, immersive and utterly fascinating, you won't be able to put this one down." — Sara Ackerman, USA Today bestselling author of The Shark House

"If you grew up binge watching Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken, Jenni L Walsh’s Sonora is your new favorite book. While the characters all feel familiar, the true story of Sonora Webster Carver and her diving horses is grittier than the Disney version. But that grit and determination are what make this story so inspiring. Don’t miss this wild ride of a novel!" — Sara Goodman Confino, bestselling author of Don’t Forget to Write

"Piper Goodeve gives an enthusiastic narration of a novel inspired by the true story of one of the first female horse divers. After answering an ad for a girl who loves horses who can dive and swim, Sonora Webster becomes absorbed in the carnival world of early-twentieth-century America... Goodeve develops a feisty, caring young woman who meets every challenge with clear-eyed commitment... even as tragedy strikes, dedication and love prove strongest. Exciting, heartwarming listening." — AudioFile Magazine

"Based on the real-life, death-defying Carver Diving Horses show, Walsh's latest (after Ace, Marvel, Spy, 2025) delivers the excitement, grit, and determination of Sonora Carver and her horse-diving career...Fans who were introduced to Sonora's story in the 1991 film Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken will be pleased to find more detail here, based on Sonora’s own memoir. The novel delves into the Carver family dynamic, the risks of the sport, the family's battle with the SPCA, and the role that women played in the rise of carnival acts. Sonora’s story is about not giving up in the face of setbacks. An inspirational tale." — Booklist

"Prepare to be inspired by this fearless young woman who leapt into a lifetime of adventures on the back of a horse. Walsh’s Sonora is a triumph!" — Booktrib

"An original and deftly crafted novel that is based on and inspired by the true story of one of the first women to dive horses as part of an entertainment act, Sonora is raised to an impressive level of literary excellence by the effectively engaging storytelling style of author Jenni L. Walsh. With an admirable attention to historical detail, Sonora is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for community library General Fiction collections." — Midwest Book Review

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