Home of the Spirit Animals
In a world divided by war and destiny, two teens from opposite origins of history are drawn together by an ancient bond—one that could change their lives and the fate of the spirit animals forever.
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Sixteen-year-old Nemae has never truly belonged. A captive of a coastal tribe, she’s spent her life obeying orders, keeping her head down, and hiding the boldness that burns inside her. But when she starts dreaming of majestic creatures—beautiful, powerful horses, animals she’s never seen—Nemae realizes they might be more than dreams. The spirit animals of legend are seeking her, and she begins to wonder if they are calling her to something greater.
Across the ocean, Diego is lucky to be chosen to sail on a Spanish ship even though he is of Moorish heritage. As an apprentice on an expedition to trade Andalusian, Arabian and fine Iberian horses, he expects to find adventure. But when a hurricane leaves him and the beautiful animals stranded in an unfamiliar world, survival among people who see him as a threat means learning a new way of life. And guarding the horses could cost him everything.
When Nemae’s world and Diego’s world collide, they uncover a connection between humans and horses as old as time. But with rival tribes and dangerous enemies closing in, they must risk everything to protect the spirit animals who have found their way to America, to the country where their ancestors were born.
Author Inspiration
Cyd Raschke
The author of Home of the Spirit Animals loved horses even before her memory took root. Growing up in rural Washington State, a relative placed Cyd atop a palomino Belgian when she was a toddler. Although always partial to palomino Belgians, as a teenager, her half-trained Quarter Horse was partial to Cyd and Cyd alone. She was often found up the cherry tree next to his pasture, pen and tablet in hand failing to draw him, but succeeding at writing poems and stories.
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After receiving her PhD in Social Psychology, Ms. Raschke enjoyed writing in the corporate world. Eventually moving to Newburyport, Massachusetts, she and her husband raised two sons. Cyd’s contributions to her community have been recognized with the Bush Point of Light award, and as one of three co-founders of the Newburyport Black History Initiative, the 2024 Award of Excellence by the American Association of State and Local History.
One inspiration for Cyd’s story was to correct assumptions that wild horses are not native to America. In fact, fossils and artifacts have proven that Equus first evolved in North America. She set the novel in Texas after learning the story of Mustang Island, and visiting Hill Country where she saw how ideal the land would be for horses to thrive. Early colonists inflicted many sins upon native lands, but returning Equus to its original home was not one.
Of Alaskan Native and Scandinavian heritage, Cyd feels a sense of loss shared by many descendants of Indigenous Nations. Her Alutiiq grandmother died shortly after Cyd’s mother was born, breaking maternal connections to their ancient lineage. Despite two years of research, this novel might fall short regarding some facts about native culture, but it has given the author a chance to acknowledge a legacy worth preserving.
Artist
Some of my paintings express moving forward with grace and some express a feeling of chaos while other paintings show a horse in an abstract atmosphere representing a personal journey.
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Susan Swanson
When I was young I was very quiet and shy as well as sensitive. I was not very verbal and yet I could sit and draw for hours. It was a way that I could express myself through the arts. It gave me an avenue to be aware of my feelings and thoughts while doing something I loved. My mother signed me up for art lessons and I thrived and welcomed the passion I felt while painting.
When I was a bit older my father took my sister and I to a farm where there were horses. He ended up getting each of us a horse which gave me another avenue of expression and connection. My world became a world of art and horses among other things that were required of all children. When I look back I thank my mother and father every day for providing a place for my passions and for making my growing up happy and healthy.
It has not been but the last 10 years that I have started to love to paint images that remind me of my roots growing up in the Southwest. Horses for me express resilience, beauty and strength.
Having grown up with horses I got to see how their personalities were different from one another and enjoyed working with them. My responsibilities were great in taking care of my horse which helped me learn to take care of something I loved.
Some of my paintings express moving forward with grace and some express a feeling of chaos while other paintings show a horse in an abstract atmosphere representing a personal journey.
Besides horses and art, I had other experiences growing up that fueled my passions. At a very young age I lost two friends after suffering from disease. In high school two highly creative friends had accidents and suffered from brain damage and were never the same. I heard around that time there was a field of study called Art Therapy. It helped people of all ages and disabilities express themselves non-verbally when they were not able to verbalize due to physical condition or emotional trauma.
I went to get a Masters in Expressive Arts Therapies which uses Art, Dance, Music and Psychodrama to help those in need of non-verbal expression. For 40 years I worked with children, teens, the elderly and those suffering with Alzheimer’s helping them find expression, success and joy.
After retiring I moved back to the southwest where I can ride horses again and can take underprivileged children on a journey with a horse. I am so blessed to have shared my passions with so many wonderful people. I hope to continue for a long time.
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