Jack Rabbit Moon

Marnie Evans longs to be precious. She wishes on stars for parents who adore her, even though her family is dysfunctional. She also believes that jack rabbits and a boot-wearing Texas angel show her mysterious signs of things to come.
     To escape her mother's neglect over summer break, Marnie finds a short cut through the woods to Garner State Park. There she discovers yodeling cowboy ranger Rick Carpenter and his wife, Claire, who live on site.
     From buried boxes to colorful characters such as Bible-thumper, Shelby Love, and peacock feather man, Vaughn Conner, Marnie discovers secrets to happiness along the banks of the Frio River. Don't miss the boat on this environmentally lush ride that explores the mystery of connection and power of forgiveness. 

Book Trailer

The Story Behind This Book

Over the years I'd heard tales about Garner State Park in west Texas. Colorful stories about camp-outs and hayrides and cowboys who gather at the pavilion for nightly summer dances, hoping to two-step into the hearts of starry-eyed women. Between the friendly people who call this paradise home, down to the landscape, complete with the Frio River, meandering through the park like a languorous snake, the park and surrounding areas were everything I'd imagined. I was inspired to write Jack Rabbit Moon after my initial visit. You might wonder why the jack rabbits play a role in this book. Our first visit to the park, they milled and loped around our cabin, morning and evening. After observing those ears, tall as Abraham Lincoln's top hat, I knew the rabbits were fated for the story. If light hit their ears just right, they seemed translucent, red veins pulsing through like skinny rivers. They were not skittish, which surprised me. The only time the rabbits seemed nervous was when something mysterious blew in on the wind. And it does in this story. I loved creating Marnie Evans, the quirky, lovable protagonist in the novel. Yes, she goes through a lot, but always manages to land on her feet. I wanted to show how faith and attitude make it possible to pull through the toughest situations no matter what our age. One thing readers might not realize is how attached an author gets to the story and characters they have created. Even though fictional novels are made to entertain and enlighten, it still feels as though these are real people with real joys and sorrows. I suppose that's how one knows they've written something others can relate to. My only wish is for readers to enjoy this story as much as I've loved creating it. So please take off your shoes or boots, get comfortable, and relish a sliver of Texas.

Praise and Reviews

Author Interviews

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