Christie Matheson

Nancy Clarke

The author describes her life and her work as the chief floral designer at the White House.

Twenty-five Years as the White House Chief Floral Desinger : Behind the Scenes with First Ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, Barbara Bush, Nancy Reagan, and Rosalynn Carter

My First Ladies

Part of the continuing series of Stormy Hill novels, Stormy Hill's Challenge is set in the 1960s on the Stormy Hill horse farm in Lexington, Kentucky. Young Ann has had her moments of glory with her horse, Lightning, more than fulfilling her lifelong dreams. Now her friend Ted has dreams of his own, to do something to make his horse, Si'ad, famous in his own right. Si'ad is already well known as Lightning's sire, but Ted wants more. When a young couple comes to breed to Si'ad, they discuss the world of endurance racing, a sport in which Arabians excel. What better way to prove Si'ad's greatness than testing him on the famous Tevis Cup ride in California? Held annually, this 100-mile race follows a trail that climbs mountains and descends into steep, hot canyons, and it must be completed within twenty-four hours. It would take a year-long commitment to condition Si'ad for such a race, but commitment to his horse is something Ted has in abundance. In the coming year they will know heartbreak, and success will be tested many times, bonding them even stronger. Even Ann is drawn into the sport, and together they set out for the ride of their lives. The endurance motto is: "To finish is to win." In a race where only half the entrants finish, who will make it to the end?

Stormy Hill's Challenge

Ann Collins thought that winning the Kentucky Derby would fulfill her wildest dreams and that of her family. Raised all her life on Stormy Hill, a thoroughbred breeding farm located in the heart of Bluegrass Country, the shy, sheltered girl had not reckoned with facing fans or the press, avid for every detail of her life and that of her now-famous colt, Lightning. All she ever wanted was to race her colt, but suddenly she is thrown into a maelstrom from which the only answer is to continue on the path to an even bigger dream that could end with the winning of the coveted Triple Crown. Dealing with the press and the public terrifies Ann far more than racing her colt ever could. However, soon she has much more to worry about. When a nasty plot cooked up by two jealous jockeys puts one of her own in jeopardy, she realizes that love of family can come at too high a price. As she contemplates pulling out of the race, Ann wonders if Lightning will ever get the chance to prove his heritage. Stormy Hill’s Heritage is the third book of the series that began with Stormy Hill and Stormy Hill’s Legacy.

Stormy Hill’s Heritage

Now that Lightning, the colt she raised from an orphan, is back, Ann Collins sees her chance to restore her family?s acclaimed position in horse racing. Many years ago, her grandfather nearly bankrupted Stormy Hill, the Collins family thoroughbred breeding farm. Ann?s well-bred black colt is now two years old, and in her eyes, has all the makings of a champion. Ann tries to convince her father and their horse trainer, Scotty, that Lightning has what it takes to be a stakes winner. But before he can race, Lightning must overcome many obstacles, including finding a qualified rider. During the time the colt was stolen, he was mistreated by the men who took him. Now Lightning is afraid of all male riders and will only trust Ann on his back. Ann would love to be the one to ride Lightning to victory, but she lives at a time when women cannot be professional jockeys. She hopes that her friend, Ted, can ride the horse in the big race, one which no other Stormy Hill horse has ever won. Will Ann be able to ensure Stormy Hill?s Legacy in the greatest proving ground of them all, the Kentucky Derby?

Stormy Hill's Legacy

At Stormy Hill, Ann Collins and her best friend, Ted, look forward to the birth of Lightning and Velvet’s foal. When a difficult delivery leaves the filly with a twisted hock, Ted blames himself. Though the vets assure him that is not the case, Ted takes on the training of Gamelan as his special project. But an accident puts the mare’s life in danger. Will Ted ever get a horse of his own to race? Meanwhile, Ann finds herself drawn in a different direction, one that threatens her bond with Ted. For the first time she and Ted are at odds with each other. Will the Stormy Hill tradition be broken? And where do their friends Jock and Vicki fit in this ongoing saga?

Nancy Clarke

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