Jenni L Walsh

"This one''s for the horse girls, the girls who fell in love with Wild Hearts Can''t Be Broken and hoped someday they''d be like the fearless, determined, strong Sonora Carver whose love and belief in her horses made her an icon." --Joy Callaway, international bestselling authorInspired by a true story of one of the first female horse divers, Sonora explores a world of daring feats and extraordinary adventures set in the heyday of the American carnival scene.Sonora Webster is penniless but plucky, and despite the looming Great Depression, she follows her wanderlust, answering an advert to dive with horses. Little does she know that she is about to be thrust into a world teeming with danger, excitement, and fierce competition.As Sonora delves into the cutthroat world of show business, complete with trapeze aerial acts and juggling bears, her undeniable talent and unwavering dedication propel her into the limelight, making her a sensation, and after marrying the show runner, her entire life becomes their act and their horses. But she soon learns that a diver--and her horse--are only as good as their last show, a show some are hellbent on shutting down. When a tragic accident changes her life forever, can Sonora muster the courage to climb the forty-five-foot tower and dive again, risking her life to save the show and their horses from falling into the wrong hands?In Sonora, Jenni L. Walsh vividly captures the spirit of a brave woman who defied societal norms to follow her dreams, diving into the unknown with courage and resilience.

"Jenni L. Walsh captures the thrill of being on the court in a vivid and detailed portrayal of Alice Marble''s rise to sporting greatness, as well as her struggles to fulfill her dreams both on and off the court. Ace, Marvel, Spy is a smashing success!" --Billie Jean King, sports icon and equality champion"All''s fair in love and war--and tennis!--in Jenni L. Walsh''s latest page-turning historical novel . . . Readers can''t help but be inspired by this unflinching portrayal of a true American icon." --Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times Bestselling author of A Happier LifeTrailblazer, superstar, activist, and spy: Alice Marble is a true American icon.Alice strives to have it all.At seventeen, Alice Marble has no formal tennis skills and no coach. What she does have is an ability to hit the ball as hard as she can and a strong desire to prove herself. With steadfast determination and one sacrifice after another, Alice plays her heart out on the courts of the rich and famous, at national tournaments, and—the greatest of them all—at Wimbledon, rising to be one of the top-ranked players in the world.But then her world falls apart.With the outbreak of war with Germany, Alice’s tennis career and life come to a screeching halt, and for the first time, she is forced to confront who she is without tennis. As she seeks to understand her new place in the world and how she can aid in the war efforts, a telegram arrives with devastating news from overseas. Heartbroken and lost, she feels like she can only watch as the war wreaks havoc in every area of her life.Until an unexpected invitation arrives.Alice is given the chance to fight back when the US Army sends her a request: Under the guise of playing in tennis exhibition games in Switzerland, she would be a spy for them. Alice aches for nothing more than to avenge what the war has taken from her and to prove herself against this new opponent. But what awaits her might be her greatest challenge yet.From her start as a promising athlete with worn-out shoes to her status as a glamorous international star, Alice Marble’s determination to control her own life and destiny fuels a story of achievement, discipline, loss, and love.Jenni L. Walsh’s Ace, Marvel, Spy brilliantly showcases the life of Alice Marble, a real-life tennis sensation known for her extraordinary talent and indomitable spirit. This fast-paced and action-packed historical novel spans multiple international settings and is enhanced by discussion questions that prompt readers to reflect on Alice’s challenges and triumphs, making it an ideal choice for book clubs.