When Susan Richards adopted an abused horse rescued by the local SPCA, she didn’t know how Lay Me Down’s loving nature would touch her heart—and change her life.
For more than a decade she had aspired to be a published writer but it was only with the memoir she wrote to honor Lay Me Down that she achieved this goal.
The book led to a book tour in the course of which Susan reconnected with family and friends from who she had cut herself off. She had given up on romance, but at the second reading of her tour she encountered the man who had sold her his house twenty-four years earlier, a world famous photographer, Dennis Stock. Despite her many qualms about age and intimacy, they fell in love.
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"Although I didn't like it as much as I did Chosen By a Horse, this was still an excellent book and definintely worth reading. I found it intersting to follow her as she went about publishing Chosen By a Horse, going on her book tour, and finding the love of her life. I think the book could have done with a little less of the flash backs. They were needed in some parts, but other parts I found them to be slightly irrelevant to the story."
— Faithann (4 out of 5 stars)
“[Richards] again shows her gift for clarity in description, of both her physical surroundings and the landscapes of her heart and mind…Her observations about later-in-life love are spot-on.”
— Publishers Weekly“Richards writes more courageously than she perhaps realizes, and each page of this uplifting book will touch a chord with everyone who enjoyed her first book.”
— Booklist“Charismatic…Her charming, self-effacing humor keeps the tone light…Engaging writing by an honest self-explorer.”
— Kirkus Reviews" A very touching book about a woman's love for horses and how in undserstanding another living being can open your eyes to understanding things within your own life. How loving something so much can change your life forever. "
— Terry, 2/6/2014" A follow up to "Chosen by a Horse", about what happens in her life after that book was published. "
— Kel, 1/30/2014" Sweet and sad but also so moving. Love when you can see how courage and fear can live in the same house! "
— Patricia, 1/23/2014" Sometimes a book comes to you when you need it. I needed this. The honesty... "
— Em, 1/17/2014" I like Susan Richards because she's almost as anxiety-prone as I am. This is her take on a book tour that was never supposed to happen, and how it reconnected her with many friends and family members from her past. If there is one thing I would change, it would be that I read her NYT best-selling memoir "Chosen By A Horse," first, because she makes constant references to it throughout this book and it's difficult, not knowing the entire story. For anyone who likes or dreams of living in the country, finding love later in life, and is a sucker for horses, this book is for you. "
— Hollie, 1/15/2014" If you liked "Chosen by a Horse" you'll love this book too - I did. "
— Cheryl, 12/2/2013" I read this book recently. Very difficult to get through. Extremely disappointing from her first book. She should stick to horse stories. I would not recommend this book. "
— Marilyn, 11/25/2013" I liked that this memoir included more stories of a beloved animal, overcoming new challenges and a happy ending. "
— Cathy, 11/1/2013" This book made me laugh and cry at times. I found myself smiling from ear to ear while reading this book. "
— Joyce, 10/12/2013" If you've read "Chosen by a Horse," then this book is worth your time -- a more indepth look into Susan Richard's life - - at the end of the book, it kind of felt like leaving a friend you may never "see" again. "
— Rhonda, 10/6/2013" The third book in a series of must reads; delightful writing, honest, human, and totally wonderful; I wish this author the moon, the sun, the stars and the sky, and btw, that would be nice for everyone else too! "
— Esther, 8/30/2013" If you enjoyed her first book, Chosen By a Horse, you will enjoy this one. "
— Linda, 6/4/2013" I loved this book more than I imagined upon purchase. It isn't just about a horse, but about life and love itself. "
— Penelope, 6/2/2013" Another great book by Susan Richards "
— Camellia, 4/28/2013" Even tho I read this one first, it flowed wonderfully. Then, I had to go back and read the original book too. Glad I did. The witty humor and ability to laugh at herself make these books a joy to read. "
— Suzanne, 4/20/2013" Very nice, comforting read. Took my time, didn't feel rushed through. Easy summer read. "
— Teresa, 3/29/2013" Not as good as her first book but still a pleasant read. "
— Christine, 2/28/2013" I really loved Susan Richards' first book "Chosen By A Horse"; this was not up to par with that one. She is an excellent author and you feel like you're her best friend but really enjoyed hearing about her animals better than all of her book readings! "
— Mstucki1, 8/22/2012" This was very boring. I didn't finished it. "
— Martha, 6/30/2012" I didn't think this book was as strong as her first, and I have a prejudice about books about writing books. However, I have also never heard anyone write about anxiety this way; as a sufferer, I really felt a strong connection. "
— Tara, 2/22/2012" Susan Richards just became my favorite author. I love the stories she tells and the way she tells them. The whole book is about all of the things that changed for her after her first book (Chosen by a Horse) was published. I loved it. "
— Jen, 12/16/2011" I enjoyed the authors adventure promoting her book "chosen by a horse" "
— Louise, 11/18/2011" I didn't like this book at all and by the end of it I hated the author too. The whole book is about the good book (not this one) that she wrote previously. I found it to be boastful, boring, self-serving and a complete waste of time. I doubt very much I'll read any other books by this author. "
— Kathleen, 8/26/2011" Loved it! Was wonderful to learn more about Susan and Dennis (especially to see where Jason perhaps gets his personality traits from!). "
— Jackie, 8/5/2011" I enjoyed her openness and honesty about how she arrrived to this point in her life. I've not read her first book, Chosen by a Horse, but plan to. I like her writing. "
— Kasacasa, 7/11/2011" The third book in a series of must reads; delightful writing, honest, human, and totally wonderful; I wish this author the moon, the sun, the stars and the sky, and btw, that would be nice for everyone else too! "
— Esther, 9/8/2010" Very nice, comforting read. Took my time, didn't feel rushed through. Easy summer read. "
— Teresa, 8/8/2010" If you enjoyed her first book, Chosen By a Horse, you will enjoy this one. "
— Linda, 7/8/2010" Interesting story. Rambles a little. <br/>Great to read a story about an older less than perfect woman who finds love and success later in life. <br/>The last sentence sums up the whole book, if you want to finish the book real fast. "
— Barbara, 6/21/2010" A very touching book about a woman's love for horses and how in undserstanding another living being can open your eyes to understanding things within your own life. How loving something so much can change your life forever. "
— Terry, 5/10/2010" Story of Susan writing and publishing her first book as well as what was going on in the rest of her life. Pleasant book. "
— Janet, 5/5/2010" I enjoyed the authors adventure promoting her book "chosen by a horse" "
— Louise, 3/1/2010" I enjoyed her openness and honesty about how she arrrived to this point in her life. I've not read her first book, Chosen by a Horse, but plan to. I like her writing. "
— Kasacasa, 2/28/2010" Loved it! Was wonderful to learn more about Susan and Dennis (especially to see where Jason perhaps gets his personality traits from!). "
— Jackie, 11/30/2009" Nicely done. Appreciated the author's honesty as she struggled through tours and personal appearances in launching her first book. Recommend for any aspiring writer. "
— Pamela, 11/4/2009" An interesting concept for a memoir--a memoir about the changes in the author's life after writing her first book--a memoir! Easy to read... "
— Diana, 10/31/2009" If you've read "Chosen by a Horse," then this book is worth your time -- a more indepth look into Susan Richard's life - - at the end of the book, it kind of felt like leaving a friend you may never "see" again. "
— Rhonda, 9/22/2009Susan Richards has a BA degree in English from the University of Colorado and a master’s degree in social work from Adelphi University. She teaches writing at SUNY Ulster and Marist College.
Lorna Raver, named one of AudioFile magazine’s Best Voices of the Year, has received numerous Audie Award nominations and many AudioFile Earphones Awards. She has appeared on stage in New York, Los Angeles, and regional theaters around the country. Among her many television credits are NYPD Blue, Judging Amy, Boston Legal, ER, and Star Trek. She starred in director Sam Raimi’s film Drag Me to Hell.