Jennifer Marshall Bleakley

The cover caught my attention, the synopsis captured my heart. As an animal lover, I enjoy reading such heart-wrenching stories where the animal triumphs. It’s amazing to me that some animals can endure such terrible abuse or neglect and yet it doesn’t seem to faze their spirit. I know this isn’t always the case, but for Joey, he’s a gentle soul. But how to manage a blind horse? Sharing their trial and error, Jennifer Bleakley leads us from the very beginning and how it took an entire team effort to come up with various solutions (both with the paddock and with Speckles) in order to make it a safe home for Joey.

Joey focuses not only the horse that was rescued from near death but also the ranch that serves kids who are hurting. Hope Reins may have horse trainers, but it’s the horses themselves that provide the real therapy. Kids that visit can confide in them, knowing their secrets will be well-kept. A good listener is sometimes all a person needs in order to vent their frustrations, worries or hurts. And that’s exactly what these horses are: good listeners.

The book offers pictures of Joey, as well as some artwork. But it doesn’t just focus on him. It focuses on others, like Speckles, another neglected horse that initially appeared as if the bully and very stubborn only to find a lot of it had to do with that past neglect and present pain. This is a beautiful story of how broken people (and animals) can come together to not only aid in healing others while being healed themselves. I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest opinion. I’m so glad I requested this book. It was a good read and I can’t wait to share it with someone I know who’s a horse lover. She’s sure to enjoy this book as much as I have.… (mere)

I could tell from the beginning that I was going to need tissues to read this book. I can't imagine what it would be like to find horses starving and begging for help. Some didn't survive and my emotions were felt deep in my heart. The author has written an honest heart wrenching story that will have readers crying throughout the story. I loved Penny and her determination to get help for the animals. Her anger burned the pages as I read how desperate she was to find out who was responsible for this horrendous sight. I hear on the news all the time about cruelty being done to animals and I want to run and save them all. Penny is a force to be reckoned with.

Joey is one those animals that just tugs at your heart. I could see him gazing into Kim's eyes as she decides whether he will fit at Hope Reins. After looking at Joey how could anyone walk away from him? Although Joey is blind, Kim knows he needs to be at Hope Reins. I loved when it was said in the book, "Some scars go unseen." The emotional scars we have no one can see, but they are there. I can't imagine what Joey went through before he was rescued.

I admire the work being done at Hope Reins. It has changed many lives and given new hope to children who felt lost and unwanted. Pairing an emotionally scarred child with a horse is very therapeutic. The faith that Kim and her husband have for Hope Reins is refreshing. Their belief that God would supply their needs is so powerful. One of the things I really liked about the book was all the information about the different types of horses there are and how much work it takes to take care of them. The work these horses did to reach the hurting children overwhelm me.

I think one reason this book touched me so much was because of a special animal my brother adopted. This lonely looking dog was up against the cage in a shelter. She was looking sad and hopeless. People passed her up because to them she was damaged. She had one eye missing and people were looking for the perfect dog. My brother couldn't walk away from her and adopted her. The shelter named her Faith and she has given my brother faith to fight for his health. The dog is his constant companion and they have gained trust from each other. Just like Joey, Faith showed us that she may have emotional scars but she has a big heart.

As I end my review my tears stream down my face. I was a little girl locked in a shell. I cried out to God many times when I was scared and needed rescued. I never felt that He heard me as I suffered through a violent childhood. What I did learn from this book was I may have deep emotional scars ,but God felt every pain I felt. He led me to a man who would become my husband. My husband shows me unconditional love every day. He didn't toss me away like the horses had before being rescued. God gave me a man who gives me emotional support and takes my hand when I hurt. To all the hurting people I say, never give up. You are valuable and God is waiting to take you in His arms. Joey's story is a story of pain, sorrow, tears but most of all hope. I pray that someday we will all find a "Joey" to heal us.

"God takes or messes-our heaps of ashes-and turns them into something more beautiful than we could ever imagine."

"At Hope Reins, the horses are the counselors, not the humans."

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.… (mere)

This is the true story of Joey, a broken horse who brought healing to others.
The story of Joey is one that you will need a box of tissues or a handkerchief close by. I cried both happy and sad tears as I read about all the lives that Joey touched and the way he helped heal everyone he came in contact with. I was filled with awe as I read this inspirational story, filled with faith both human and animal.

Throughout the story of Joey, Jennifer mentions having blind faith which is definitely not easy. Having blind faith is always a work in process no matter whether it is with an animal, another human being, or with God. As a dog owner I witness blind faith on a daily basis. I see that blind faith in my dog’s eyes that I will always be there to provide for him. All animals love unconditionally which is something that we as humans need to learn to do. Kim’s one word thought throughout this story “trust” which is something we have to learn do in order to actually develop blind faith. Once we trust blind faith with come.

Kim Tschirret the founder of Hope Reins said something that really stuck with me as she consoled Sarah, “Sarah, all of us are works in progress. We all bring hurts and sins and brokenness to the ranch. But that’s the beautiful thing! God takes our messes—our heaps of ashes—and turns them into something more beautiful than we could ever imagine.” This made me think and I realized that God does this for all of us everywhere we are as long as we have faith in him and put our lives in his hands.

Jennifer Bleakley may be a debut author but you would never know it reading this heartfelt story. Jennifer has a calling and that is writing. She drew me in, and transported me to Hope Reins where I also found healing as I read the story of Joey’s life. Thank you Jennifer for answering your calling to write this story. By doing so you have forever continued Joey’s mission of healing.

I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of the author’s Celebrate Lit book tour via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.… (mere)