April 8, 2009

Local author’s horse story a tale of salvation

By John Gleason

Equine expert J.L. Hardesty has spent most of her life around horses as a trainer, breeder and manager of several horse farms.  From the tender age of 4 when Hardesty was introduced to her first horse they’ve been part of her life and livelihood. She even credits part of her spiritual conversion to these majestic animals.

Hardesty has combined her love of these animals and background as a writer and editor to produce a series of books called the Lost Legend Trilogy, the last of which, “Dawn Across the Mountains,” has just been released by J-Force Publishing Company.

The Lost Legend series, according to Hardesty, is a voyage through the life and time of Jesus.  Hardesty said that the first two books, “The Lost Legend of the First Christmas” and “Escape to Egypt,” were written quickly, within a year of each other. The last installment was a different matter.

“The third book was an amazing experience,” she said.  “It took 10 years to complete but it had so much to do with my own conversion journey; it was a time I fell in love with Jesus in a way I had never been in love with him before.”

The trilogy tells the story of the mission of Michael, who is called in a dream to embark on a pilgrimage.  Mounting his trusty horse he follows a bright star in the night sky which leads him to the place where Jesus is born.  Later, he is called upon to travel with the Holy Family to Egypt where they can remain in safety and, in book three, he finds eventual salvation. 

“It’s Michael’s tale as the protagonist,” Hardesty said, “but it’s more a (fictional) story of Jesus.  I hope that people will come to see Him in a more personal way.”

Her own life trek is one that took her from a childhood in East Los Angeles to Steamboat Springs where she now resides with her husband Jim, a dog, several cats and, of course, horses. She calls her conversion to Catholicism in 1991 “the most beautiful thing in the world” but adds that for many years it was her love of horses that kept her safe from danger.

“When I was a child, there wasn’t a lot of faith in our house and I left at the age of 14,” she said.  “I was a young girl who could have gotten in every kind of trouble but my work with horses kept me focused and gave me a life and something I could trust. And because of that trust, God finally got through to me.”

Hardesty said that writing the trilogy was her way of saying thank you not only to the horses, but to God for sending them to carry her to safety.

“I write with the Holy Spirit every minute,” she said.  “I pray all the while I’m writing.  God gave me this gift of horses that saved my life and a little ability to write words down.”

Describing the writing of the Lost Legend Trilogy as a great ride, Hardesty said she hopes the series touches both the hearts of people who know God and those who don’t.  She’s so eager to get the latest story into the hands of as many Catholics as possible that she has a deal for groups who are looking to raise money.

“I want to partner with any church organization—parishes, youth groups, Knights of Columbus—anyone who’s interested in doing some fundraising.  We’ll give 50 percent of proceeds of any group sale to that organization.  All they have to do is contact the publisher.”

"Dawn Across the Mountains” is available through the publisher’s Web site, horselegend.com.

The previous two books in the series are also obtainable and by Christmas a special complete set of the trilogy will be available.

“This has been a labor of love,” Hardesty said. “I hope that this story will engage and bless readers.”