Lost Medal

By Karen Jean Matsko Hood

Read and experience this story about the summer of changes with the love-able Stedman girls. Serious older sister Nichole must come to terms with her bitterness against her absentee father who has been gone for over a year. As well she must find a way to help her over-worked mother Debbie survive the struggle of raising two girls by herself. Fun-loving and less-careful younger sister Rebecca often unintentionally finds herself in a bind, when her sister is not around to look out for her. Although very different, Nichole and Rebecca find common ground through their shared love of riding their regal Icelandic horses, Mysla and Rella.
Life events unfold and the Stedman sisters work to find ways to meet their challenges. Questions arise: What does their father want? Can Debbie and the girls ever forgive him? Discover the answers in this charming story about the joys and struggles of growing up by children’s novelist, Karen Jean Matsko Hood.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Whispering Pine Press International, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 23, 2015
• ISBN: 9781592104154

Karen Jean Matsko Hood

Karen Jean Matsko Hood is an internationally published author of numerous cookbooks, children’s books, poetry, and more. A woman of wide interests, she, her husband, many of her seventeen children, and foster children make their home in Greenacres, Washington. Ms. Hood is currently working to complete research toward her Ph.D. in Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University.

Book preview

Praise for Lost Medal

Hood Horse Story Series – Book 1

…"This is an entertaining family story about a summer with the Stedman family and the events leading to the race for the medal, and what two sisters find precious.

The Stedman girls, fifteen-year-old Nichole and her thirteen-year-old sister Rebecca work together to enter a horse competition with their beloved Icelandic horses.

Lost Medal makes a wonderful story to read, and a book to enjoy and reread year-round."…

Dr. James G. Hood

CURRENT AND FUTURE CHILDREN’S BOOKS

by Children’s Author and Poet Karen Jean Matsko Hood

I. FICTION BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

Board Books for Children (Ages 0-2)

Hood Board Book Series

Apple Board Book – Book 1

Huckleberry Board Book – Book 2

Goat Board Book – Book 3

Picture Books for Children (Ages 2-Adult)

Hood Picture Book Series

Goodnight, I Wish You Goodnight – Book 1

Angels, Angels, Way Up High – Book 2

Petting Farm Fun – Book 3

Meet Cocoa the Giant Rottweiler – Book 4

Grandma’s Poppy Seeds – Book 5

Little Red Hen – Book 6

Christmas Dreams – Book 7

Flowers for Grandma – Book 8

From Ethiopia with Love – Book 9

Goats, Goats Everywhere – Book 10

Anton’s Fishing Trip – Book 11

Magi Terra – Book 12

Huckleberry Patch Adventures – Book 13

Poetry Books for Children (Ages 5-Adult)

Hood Poetry Books for Children Series

Under the Lilacs – Book 1

There’s a Toad in the Hole…A Big Fat Toad in the Hole – Book 2

Stinky Feet and Other Unpleasant Items – Book 3

There’s a Goat in the Boat – Book 4

Upper Middle-Grade Readers (Ages 11-13)

Fiction Collection

Joshua’s New Arrivals – Book 1

Historical Fiction Collection

Anna Arrives from Yugoslavia – Book 1

Horse Fiction

Hood Horse Story Series

Lost Medal – Book 1

Saving Sunny – Book 2

Jennifer’s Struggle – Book 3

II. NONFICTION BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

Middle-Grade Readers (Ages 9-12)

Women in History Series

Abigail Adams – Book 1

Madame Curie – Book 2

Mother Rose Philippine Duchesne – Book 3

III. FICTION BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS AND TEENS (Ages 13-18)

Fantasy Series for Young Adults

Yesteryears Storm – Book 1

Mystery Series for Young Adults

Baxter Brothers Mystery Series

River City – Book 1

Missing Painter – Book 2

Foggy Circle – Book 3

River Bond – Book 4

Fire and Ice – Book 5

Tsunami Tides – Book 6

Sullivan Sisters Mystery Series

Clock Tower – Book 1

Mist – Book 2

Coastal Waters – Book 3

Lilac City – Book 4

Wood and Water – Book 5

Journals for Young Adults and Teens (Ages 13-18)

What’s Up? A Daily Journal – Journal 1

V. NONFICTION FOR YOUNG ADULTS AND TEENS (Ages 13-18)

Growing Up in the Adoption System – Book 1

Growing Up in the Foster Care System – Book 2

All above listed books are also available in bilingual versions.

Please contact Whispering Pine Press International, Inc., for details.

This list of books is not all-inclusive. For a complete list please visit our website or contact us at:

Whispering Pine Press International, Inc.

Your Northwest Book Publishing Company

2510 North Pines Rd., Ste. 206, Room WPPI

Spokane Valley, WA 99206-7636 USA

Phone: [phone] | Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Publisher Websites: www.WhisperingPinePress.com

www.WhisperingPinePressBookstore.com

WordPress Blogs: www.WhisperingPinePressBooks.com

www.WhisperingPinePressKidsBooks.com

www.WhisperingPinePressTeenBooks.com

www.WhisperingPinePressBlog.com

www.WhisperingPinePressPoetry.com

Karen Jean Matsko Hood

Author Website: www.KarenJeanMatskoHood.com

Online Store: www.KarenJeanMatskoHoodBookstore.com

Author Blog: www.KarenJeanMatskoHoodBlog.com

Author’s Social Media

Please Follow the Author on Twitter: @KarenJeanHood

Friend her on Facebook: Karen Jean Matsko Hood Author Fan Page

Google Plus Profile: Karen Jean Matsko Hood

Pinterest.com/KarenJMHood

Lost Medal

Hood Horse Story Series – Book 1

Karen Jean Matsko Hood

Published by:

Whispering Pine Press International, Inc.

Your Northwest Book Publishing Company

2510 North Pines Rd., Ste. 206, Room WPPI

Spokane Valley, WA 99206-7636 USA

Phone: [phone] | Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Publisher Website: www.WhisperingPinePress.com

Online Bookstore: www.WhisperingPinePressBookstore.com

Blog: www.WhisperingPinePressBlog.com

SAN 253-200X

Printed in the U.S.A.

Published by Whispering Pine Press International, Inc.

2510 North Pines Rd., Ste. 206, Room WPPI

Spokane Valley, WA 99206-7636 USA

Copyright © 2014 by Karen Jean Matsko Hood

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, including electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission from the publisher, Whispering Pine Press International, Inc.

For sales outside the United States, please contact the Whispering Pine Press International, Inc., International Sales Department.

Manufactured in the United States of America. This paper is acid-free and 100% chlorine free.

Book and Cover Design by Artistic Design Service, Inc.

P.O. Box 1782

Spokane Valley, WA 99037-1782 USA

www.ArtisticDesignService.com

Library of Congress Number (LCCN): 2014901423

CIP: PZ7.M4315175Lo 2014 [Fic] QB133-174

Hood, Karen Jean Matsko

    Title: Lost Medal, Hood Horse Story Series – Book 1

    p.     cm.

ISBN: 978-1-930948-94-5        case bound

ISBN: 978-1-930948-95-2        perfect bound

ISBN: 978-1-59808-619-5        audio compact disc

ISBN: 978-1-59434-760-3        audio downloadable recording

ISBN: 978-1-59808-620-1        E-PDF

ISBN: 978-1-59210-517-5        E-PUB

ISBN: 978-1-59434-876-1        E-PRC

Soon to be available in Whispersync and Interactive 3D.

First Edition: October 2014

1. Children (Lost Medal, Hood Horse Story Series – Book 1)    1. Title

Gift Inscription

It is always nice to receive a personal note to

create a special memory.

www.WhisperingPinePress.com

www.WhisperingPinePressBookstore.com

www.WhisperingPinePressBlog.com

www.WhisperingPinePressKidsBooks.com

Dedications

To my husband and best friend, Jim.

To our seventeen children: Gabriel, Brianne Kristina and her husband Moulik Vinodkumar Kothari, Marissa Kimberly and her husband Kevin Matthew Franck, Janelle Karina and her husband Paul Joseph Turcotte, Mikayla Karlene, Kyler James, Kelsey Katrina, Corbin Joel, Caleb Jerome, Keisha Kalani Hiwot, Devontay Joshua, Kianna Karielle Selam, Rosy Kiara, Mercedes Katherine, Jasmine Khalia Wengel, Cheyenne Krystal, and Annalise Kaylee Marie.

To our grandchild Nola Paige and future grandchildren.

To our foster grandchildren: Courtney, Lorenzo, and Leah.

To my brother, Stephen, and his wife, Karen.

To my husband’s ten siblings: Gary, Colleen, John, Dan, Mary, Ray, Ann, Teresa, Barbara, Agnes, and their families.

In loving memory of my mom, who passed away in 2007; my dad, who passed away in 1976; and my sister, Sandy, who passed away due to multiple sclerosis in 1999.

To Sandy’s three sons: Monte, Bradley, and Derek. To Monte’s wife, Sarah, and their children: Liam, Alice, Charlie, and Samuel and their foster children. To Bradley’s wife, Shawnda, and their children: Anton, Isaac, and Isabel.

To our foster children past and present: Krystal, Sara, Rebecca, Janice, Devontay Joshua, Mercedes Katherine, Zha’Nell, Makia, Onna, Cheyenne Krystal, Onna Marie, Nevaeh, and Zada, our future foster children, and all foster children everywhere.

To the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteer Program in the judicial system which benefits abused and neglected children.

To the Literacy Campaign dedicated to promoting literacy throughout the world.

Acknowledgements

The author would like to acknowledge all those individuals who helped me during my time in writing this book. Appreciation is extended for all their support and effort they put into this project.

Deep gratitude and profound thanks are owed to my husband, Jim, for giving freely of his time and encouragement during this project.

Thanks are owed to my children Gabriel, Brianne Kristina and her husband Moulik Vinodkumar Kothari, Marissa Kimberly and her husband Kevin Matthew Franck, Janelle Karina and her husband Paul Joseph Turcotte, Mikayla Karlene, Kyler James, Kelsey Katrina, Corbin Joel, Caleb Jerome, Keisha Kalani Hiwot, Devontay Joshua, Kianna Karielle Selam, Rosy Kiara, Mercedes Katherine, Jasmine Khalia Wengel, Cheyenne Krystal, and Annalise Kaylee Marie. All of these persons inspire my writing.

Thanks are due to Joyce Standish and Sharron Thompson for their assistance in editing and typing this manuscript for publication. Thanks go to Artistic Design Service, Inc. for their assistance in formatting and providing a graphic design of this manuscript for publication. This project could not have been completed without them.

Many thanks are due to members of my family, all of whom were very supportive during the time it took to complete this project. Their patience and support are greatly appreciated.

Lost Medal

Hood Horse Story Series – Book 1

Table of Contents

Author’s Note

Chapter One: Nichole and Rebecca

Chapter Two: Mysla, Rella, and Elska

Chapter Three: Mrs. Chapman and Her Arena

Chapter Four: The Competition Preparation

Chapter Five: Healthy Competition

Chapter Six: Emotions Flare

Chapter Seven: Ready or Not?

Chapter Eight: At the Hospital

Chapter Nine: Tensions at the Hospital

Chapter Ten: Hospital to Home

Chapter Eleven: Annual Barbecue

Chapter Twelve: Family Support

Chapter Thirteen: Goal Is Spokane County Fair and Expo

Chapter Fourteen: Spokane County Fair and Expo

Chapter Fifteen: Riding Classes

Chapter Sixteen: The Pressures of Competition

Chapter Seventeen: Can It Be Done?

Chapter Eighteen: Winning and Losing

Chapter Nineteen: To Medal and Not to Medal

Chapter Twenty: Is Dad Back?

Chapter Twenty-One: Is the Medal the Reward?

Chapter Twenty-Two: Reunion

Chapter Twenty-Three: Attitudes of Gratitude

Epilogue

Glossary

Reader Feedback Form

Order Forms:

Book Club

Fundraising Opportunities

Personalized/Translation Order Forms

Whispering Pine Press International, Inc. Order Forms

Current and Future Books by the Author

About the Children’s Fiction Author

Author’s Note

Greetings to My Readers!

I hope you will enjoy reading Lost Medal the first book in the continuing Hood Horse Story Series. Since I was raised in Montana, I have always enjoyed watching horses in open pastures and imagining that one day I would own my own horses. The Hood Horse Story Series books were inspired by my horse-loving daughters and their passion for riding and showing horses while they were growing up.

The first theme was chosen to incorporate my family’s experience raising Icelandic horses on our farm in Greenacres, Washington. We also raised some Arabian horses and a Shetland pony. They will be featured in future stories. I think it is important for children of all ages to enjoy animals, and that enjoyment in turn will hopefully spark their imagination to read and write their own stories.

Not everyone can own their own horse, but everyone can experience the joy of imagining their own adventures with their own imaginary horse.

This first story relates the excitement of a horse adventure and the joys of family love. The support of these two ingredients attracts the mind and heart of the reader.

Do enjoy Lost Medal, the first book in the series and look for the second book release, Saving Sunny. I invite all readers to contact me and offer feedback on these books.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Warm regards,

www.KarenJeanMatskoHood.com

www.KarenJeanMatskoHoodBookstore.com

www.KarenJeanMatskoHoodBlog.com

Please Follow the Author on Twitter: @KarenJeanHood

www.facebook.com/KarenJeanMatskoHoodAuthorFanPage

Chapter One

Nichole and Rebecca

The summer sun rose over the scenic southern edge of the Selkirk Mountains of Spokane, Washington. A new day had arrived in the lives of sisters Nichole and Rebecca Stedman, and Nichole was eager to be at the stables with her ten-year-old Icelandic mare, Mysla.

Nichole sat on the edge of her bed to pull on her Venice Field English riding boots. She had worked and saved all last summer to buy the best boots even if slightly used. She felt proud as she tugged the boot pulls that enabled her size-eight, triple-A feet to slide down the long, narrow passageway of shiny leather into the finely crafted boot. Nichole inhaled deeply to savor the aroma of leather and polish.

Hurry up, Rebecca, she called to her younger sister with whom she had shared a room since her younger sister had left her crib over ten years ago. We’re going to be late for our riding lesson. Patience, especially when it came to waiting to be on Mysla, was not Nichole’s strong suit.

Why don’t you go without me today? Rebecca pulled the sheets over her head, showing no signs of making any riding lesson, not on this morning.

Whenever irritated with her sister, Nichole ran her fingers through her cropped brown hair. Why do you always do this? Do you have to make us late again? The sisters loved each other, and Nichole knew that if she did not clamp her hand over her mouth she would say something she could not take back. Nichole waved at her sister as if to wish her away, and pulled open the blinds. Maybe the early-morning sunlight would get Rebecca moving.

Okay, okay, Rebecca mumbled as she struggled to get out of bed. The twisted