Jasper Spring - Softcover
Spur Award Finalist for Best Western Contemporary Novel2016 Nautilus Award Gold Winner for Young Adult Fiction
This first novel tells the story of Alice and Tucker, the young stewards of Jasper Spring. Tucker's family has lived on the ranch for generations, and the two look forward to filling the homestead with children of their own. After two miscarriages, their hope of a family is fading quickly and they feel farther apart than ever before. The only living thing that either one of them feels truly connected with is their border collie, Tommie, a dog with an uncanny sense of their needs.
Enter Ray -- an ill dressed 11-year-old boy sorely neglected by his single mother. Ray stumbles across the gorgeous and isolated valley while out on an aimless spin with his dilapidated bicycle. When Tommie finds Ray, the boy is transfixed by the beautiful dog, and the collie's natural instinct to herd spurs him to drive the boy into Tucker and Alice's empty arms. The couple develops affection for the forsaken boy, and he feels truly at home for the first time in his young life. As their relationship deepens, shocking twists and turns are presented by the boy's peripheral mother--with one that leads to catastrophe. The the close trio is drawn into battle to preserve the land they love. Additional outside forces loom (drought and development). Though they have the help of two horses and a heroic dog, the struggle is intense and not without loss.
Jasper Spring is a heartwarming tale of a couple that experiences trials that would test any marriage, and the boy and dog that bring them back together again. A series of dramatic events renders Alice and Tucker's characters in a nuanced and sympathetic manner, with their plight moving the most hard hearted reader.
The author's experience in training border collies inspired his description of Tommie, Tucker and Alice's loyal and beloved companion.
This first novel tells the story of Alice and Tucker, the young stewards of Jasper Spring. Tucker's family has lived on the ranch for generations, and the two look forward to filling the homestead with children of their own. After two miscarriages, their hope of a family is fading quickly and they feel farther apart than ever before. The only living thing that either one of them feels truly connected with is their border collie, Tommie, a dog with an uncanny sense of their needs.
Enter Ray -- an ill dressed 11-year-old boy sorely neglected by his single mother. Ray stumbles across the gorgeous and isolated valley while out on an aimless spin with his dilapidated bicycle. When Tommie finds Ray, the boy is transfixed by the beautiful dog, and the collie's natural instinct to herd spurs him to drive the boy into Tucker and Alice's empty arms. The couple develops affection for the forsaken boy, and he feels truly at home for the first time in his young life. As their relationship deepens, shocking twists and turns are presented by the boy's peripheral mother--with one that leads to catastrophe. The the close trio is drawn into battle to preserve the land they love. Additional outside forces loom (drought and development). Though they have the help of two horses and a heroic dog, the struggle is intense and not without loss.
Jasper Spring is a heartwarming tale of a couple that experiences trials that would test any marriage, and the boy and dog that bring them back together again. A series of dramatic events renders Alice and Tucker's characters in a nuanced and sympathetic manner, with their plight moving the most hard hearted reader.
The author's experience in training border collies inspired his description of Tommie, Tucker and Alice's loyal and beloved companion.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
From the Author:
I was driven to write Jasper Spring. It is based on true happenings and a composite of actual places. My desire to record and share and caress an authentic American era pushed me onward. I also wanted to portray the value of connection--with each other, with a clean and powerful landscape, and with both wild and domestic animals. Of course, I wanted the story to have identifiable emotion,and to entertain with memorable substance, hope, and passion. ~James Hughes
From the Back Cover:
Young Alice and Tucker are burdened and blessed with a legacy: the care of Jasper Spring, a remarkable valley and still an unspoiled wonder when it comes into their hands. Following two miscarriages, their partnership wavers, then balances on the edge of collapse. Alice's confidence is deeply wounded, yet she still yearns for children, and the unraveling of their love and commitment is mirrored in the eyes of their devoted border collie, Tommie.
Eleven-year-old Ray, a rudely neglected boy from the nearby town, is drawn by the secluded meadows and luscious stream below Jasper Spring and secretly enters the valley on a rusty, oversized bike. Surprised and discovered by Tommie, a border collie, Ray is quickly enchanted. The dog's instinct to gather and hold things together softly engages, and he coaxes the likable boy into the couple's home. Alice offers food to their skittish guest. Everyone is hungry, and a fragile family begins to form.
Alice, Tucker, Ray, and Tommie soon find themselves in a battle for survival as suffocating drought descends and the threat of fire looms. But the greatest threat to all is the boy's young, sultry, and impetuous mother...
Based on true events, Jasper Spring is a lyrical debut novel that swells with the natural beauty of the valley and the emotional force of the characters--their love, their loss, and their triumphs.
James Hughes was raised along West Plum Creek, Colorado, where his passion for the natural world and the fine arts grew. Jim became known for his bronze work and metal sculptures. When he was 29 he moved to a homestead in the Black Hills of South Dakota, now the home for his heart. He resides with his wife and son, Pam and Tyler. Jim built his house, barn, and sawmill; debarked his own logs and made the gravel for the roads. He also enjoys training border collies--the eyes, the backbone, and the livelihood of the ranch. They watch him constantly and are ready to work at the slightest notice.
Eleven-year-old Ray, a rudely neglected boy from the nearby town, is drawn by the secluded meadows and luscious stream below Jasper Spring and secretly enters the valley on a rusty, oversized bike. Surprised and discovered by Tommie, a border collie, Ray is quickly enchanted. The dog's instinct to gather and hold things together softly engages, and he coaxes the likable boy into the couple's home. Alice offers food to their skittish guest. Everyone is hungry, and a fragile family begins to form.
Alice, Tucker, Ray, and Tommie soon find themselves in a battle for survival as suffocating drought descends and the threat of fire looms. But the greatest threat to all is the boy's young, sultry, and impetuous mother...
Based on true events, Jasper Spring is a lyrical debut novel that swells with the natural beauty of the valley and the emotional force of the characters--their love, their loss, and their triumphs.
James Hughes was raised along West Plum Creek, Colorado, where his passion for the natural world and the fine arts grew. Jim became known for his bronze work and metal sculptures. When he was 29 he moved to a homestead in the Black Hills of South Dakota, now the home for his heart. He resides with his wife and son, Pam and Tyler. Jim built his house, barn, and sawmill; debarked his own logs and made the gravel for the roads. He also enjoys training border collies--the eyes, the backbone, and the livelihood of the ranch. They watch him constantly and are ready to work at the slightest notice.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherDog Ear Publishing, LLC
- Publication date2016
- ISBN 10 1457550016
- ISBN 13 9781457550010
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages408
- Rating
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Jasper Spring
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ISBN 13: 9781457550010
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Jasper Spring
Published by
Dog Ear Publishing, LLC
(2016)
ISBN 10: 1457550016
ISBN 13: 9781457550010
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Paperback
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