The Horses of Saddlers Ranch: Cloud

“Come on, you beast!” The man mumbled under his breath, quite unaware that he was being observed by several rather stunned onlookers. “Get over here!”

Despite his terse command, as if sensing the man’s edginess, the gelding merely laid his ears back and started shaking his head, soon lashing out with his long, delicate legs. High-pitched squeals of outrage soon followed, and at the disturbance, another person’s face suddenly peered out of the passenger window of the cab.

“You see, Daddy? That kind of behavior is exactly why we can’t keep it! I need a reliable horse that I can depend upon at all times.” The blonde-haired girl stared at the scene, almost in disdain, and then immediately continued whining again. “Hurry up, Daddy! I want to ride Secret Service again as soon as we get home. That horse is so much better behaved!”

Alison has been writing short stories to share with friends and family for many years and always enjoys exploring her creativity when putting pen to paper, so she is excited to have the opportunity to share her love of writing with others. Alison grew up around dogs, first Mila and then Smoky, who each went on many wonderful adventures and lived to a good old age, and she especially loves including 'man's best friend' or some other favorite animal throughout most of her stories.

Alison has been playing trombone since about 2010, euphonium from mid-2019, and always likes getting together with a few friends to ‘make a joyful noise’ sharing music. Alison also enjoys a bit of freelance photography when she gets the chance, especially if it involves taking pictures of sunsets.

Both The Bronson Escapades and The Wolf Cub are Silver Recipients of the Mom’s Choice Awards® honorary seal of excellence, with the latter being a 2nd place winner of the Royal Dragonfly Book Award Competition of 2024 in both the ‘Education’ and ‘Coffee Table & Gift Books’ categories, in addition to obtaining an Honorable Mention in several others: Best Cover Design, Children’s Chapter Books, Middle Grade Fiction, and Animals/Pets. More recently, The Wolf Cub also received a Bronze Medal in the 'EBook Pre-Teen Fiction' category in the 2025 Moonbeam Book Awards competition. Her 2024 trilogy titled Whisper, Lucas, and Escape have also been presented with the NAPPA Award winning seal.

Customer Reviews

4.7

31 reviews

Thomas Shaw

What stood out most to me was the message that behavior has causes, whether in animals or people. That’s a powerful lesson wrapped inside a gentle, enjoyable story. The friendships are supportive, and the setting makes you want to visit Saddlers Ranch yourself.
Steve M.

This book would be perfect for readers who enjoy friendship stories mixed with horse care and a bit of mystery. The ranch environment is well described, and you can tell the author understands horses. A comforting and positive read.
Jodie R.

Cloud is such a memorable horse character! I loved how the girls worked together to understand him instead of giving up. The story feels safe and uplifting, which is something parents will appreciate. It also leaves you wanting to return to Saddlers Ranch again.
Jessica Merlinda

This was such a heartwarming start to a series. Cloud completely stole my heart, and I loved watching the girls slowly understand him instead of judging him. The ranch setting felt vivid and cozy, and the friendships between Coral, Tilly, and Lexie made the story even more special. A perfect read for horse lovers of any age.
Norman D.

After finishing Cloud, what stayed with me most was the message about looking beyond first impressions. That lesson is woven beautifully into the story through the girls’ determination to understand Cloud rather than label him. It’s a powerful takeaway for young readers, delivered in a calm and engaging narrative style.
Evelyn

I wanted to share how much I appreciated the atmosphere you created in Cloud. Saddlers Ranch feels vivid and welcoming, and the relationships between the characters are supportive in a way that feels realistic for young teens. Cloud himself is a memorable presence, and the unfolding understanding of his behavior is one of the most rewarding parts of the book.
Jean N.

Having now read Cloud, I really admire the gentle strength of the storytelling. The themes of patience, understanding, and responsibility come through naturally, without ever feeling forced. The way you balance friendship dynamics with horse care and emotional growth makes the book especially well suited
Elizabeth C.

I recently finished reading Cloud, and I wanted to personally tell you how thoughtfully the story is put together. The emotional thread between the girls and the horses feels genuine, and the ranch setting creates a warm, immersive backdrop that makes readers want to stay in that world. Cloud’s journey, in particular, is