In Dawn Across the Mountains, Book Three of the Lost Legend Trilogy, there is reunion and there is Resurrection-and there are beautiful truths about the abiding love that exists between horses and humans. Through the horse, God gave to mankind a very special form of liberty, a bequest that altered not only the face of the earth, but also the heart and spirit of its human inhabitants. Still, for some reason, the Age of the Horse, and the miraculous changes brought about during this season in time, are most often overlooked. Largely thanks to humankind's partnership with the horse, territories were discovered, explored and civilized. Lands were cultivated and wars were won. In truth, the impact of this gallant creature on world progress is far more monumental than the changes brought about by any of the more heralded historic periods such as the Bronze Age, the Iron Age, and the Industrial Age. The Lost Legend Trilogy aims to correct this injustice by revealing the origin of the mystical bond between horses and humans-and by reminding the world at large that without the horse, civilization as we know it today would quite simply not exist. " . . . Hardesty's singular trilogy will delight fans of Walter Farley's and Marguerite Henry's horse stories. Suitable for all ages." ~ Library Journal "Jo Hardesty has done it again . . . her love of God, so enriched by her deep knowledge and love of God's amazing creatures--horses--has spilled out a third and final tender tale in the Lost Legend Trilogy, this faith-filled finale of Michael; his staunch stallion, Zabbai; Michael's family and their friend Jesus, giving us further food to enrich our own faith and respect for God, as well as continuing appreciation for the true meaning of 'horsepower.'" ~ Msgr. George M. Schroeder, Scottsdale, AZ Well, Dear Reader,             I hope you've enjoyed The Legend, a tale it has been my honor and my joy to tell.             Since I was a little girl, riding horses beside my Dad along the riverbeds of Southern California and through the mountains to the north, I've believed that these great and powerful creatures must have been a gift to us from a loving God. As I grew up and the exigencies of life turned me away from the faith of my childhood, I fell more in love with the horses, trusting them when I felt I could trust no human. For too long, I thought it was my destiny to journey through life alone. I didn't know, then, that I remained always in our Lord's loving arms--especially in the company of the horses He sent to be my guardian angels.             I was four years old when my Dad put me on my first horse. I was eleven when I started earning money for cleaning stalls and grooming rent horses at the Monterey Saddle Club on the San Gabriel River, south and east of Los Angeles. In the years that followed, I rode wild horses through auctions, exercised race horses, gave riding lessons to people of all ages and abilities, started colts under saddle, and even tried my hand at training show horses.             I've never met a horse I didn't care about and I've never run across a breed I didn't respect for its unique abilities. I was drawn to Arabians for their beauty and even more for their special affinity for people. As it happened, our Lord granted me a life's career that has kept me forever involved with these  kind and beautiful creatures. Nonetheless. I still love them all.                        When I was just eighteen, my first son was born and a new love affair began. Ultimately, my three beloved children, sons Rob and Russ and their sister, Riyan, did a grand job of raising me. Still, I remained true to the horses. For many years I've written magazine stories about horses and breeders and trainers. Over the course of time, I've had the honor of managing some of the world's most important Arabian horse ranches, as well as the careers of a few of that breed's greatest, most influential stallions.             In 1986, I began writing my first novel. Ten years and five major edits later I thought that book was complete. I may have been mistaken, however, since it remains to this day (2009) unpublished. Maybe someday.             In 1988, I married the soul mate sent to me by our Lord. A few years later, along came The Legend, a tale I know in my heart I was given the responsibility to tell.             As I look back over my own life's journey, it is impossible for me to disregard the role played by the horse. I am as certain as sunrise and sunset that God sent His horse to carry me ever toward Him across all the difficult days and nights and miles and years--most of all when I was least inclined to travel in His direction.             It is my fondest hope that some of you who read The Legend will allow yourselves to ride with the wind aboard God's beloved horse on your own journeys toward the Heaven He offers. May you hear His call and know His merciful love. And may we meet one day, you and I, somewhere a