Off The Rails book tour is through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours. Share, comment, subscribe, and enter the giveaway at the end.
Book Details
Middle Grade Fiction
Reading age : 8 – 12 years
2nd in Series
Setting – Montana
Publisher : Hastings Creations Group
Publication date : September 1, 2026
Print length : 204 pages
Paperback
ISBN-10 : 1952371236
ISBN-13 : 978-1952371233
Digital will be available too.
After planning a fun experience for a year, two Texas cousins make their first trip to Montana. When their train stalls, the boys leap from it into the white wilderness, beginning a perilous run for their lives.
As a blizzard hits, the boys spend a miserable night trying not to freeze. They struggle along the tracks to find shelter, but a disaster leaves them exposed to the elements and every famished wild creature.
Frustrated by their too-real situation, Davy and Anderson struggle to endure. Instead of vacationers at a wolf sanctuary, they become players in an unplanned survival experience.
Just because your cousin jumps from a train in the wilderness doesn’t mean you should too.
Sarandipity’s Character Interview
1. Describe yourself.
I’m Davy. I’m 13. I am way too short for my age, but I have red hair so you can’t miss me. I love and study all things science and nature. I remember most of what I read and annoy Anderson with facts about animals and science stuff. Last year, we saved a dying firefly colony when a fire turned the forest black. I was a Wilderness Scout and like to be prepared for anything to happen because stuff happens – but it usually Anderson’s fault.
2. What makes you laugh?
Dad says I am too serious. I do clown around with my little brother making weird faces and doing fart contests. That’s fun. He laughs like crazy and it makes me happy.
3. Are you afraid of anything?
Even if I was, I’d never admit it. I’m careful and think through the problem. Not like Anderson, who bumbles us into trouble.
4. Do you have a special talent or gift?
I’m smart and I like being smart. I remember facts and I like being organized.
5. Do you have a secret?
I like Anderson more than I let on. He’s different and lots of fun. No trip will be boring if he goes along.
6. Tell us about your family.
My family is great. I have a pesky little brother who thinks I am his hero, but I’m just a kid like him. Don’t tell Anderson, but I am our grandparent’s favorite. Grandma finally stopped pinching my cheek, but I can tell she still wants to. They send me and Anderson to Bible summer camp every year where we hike, fish, swim, and canoe. My parents grew up in the Baptist church and have taught me to honor God with my life. What that means to me is I try to do the right thing and when I goof, I ask God to show me a better way.
7. Who is the most important person in your life?
My dad. I want to be like him. He goes with us to camp and leads the boy’s bible study. He is always ready to help people. He can make you stop talking in an instant when he turns his head toward you and drops his chin. The next thing I usually say is “Sorry, Mom.”
8. What is your most embarrassing moment?
I was a Wilderness Scout until I got my whole troop lost. But because of my training, I am usually prepared for anything and always have a little toilet paper in my backpack. This was only a train trip so I packed a book, and a couple snacks with my hat and gloves. I didn’t plan to have to survive in the Montana Wilderness during a blizzard, but I should have.
9. What do you do for fun?
I love anything outdoors. When I go camping and fishing and hiking, I get to see nature instead of just read about it. This trip, I learned real nature is scarier than TV shows.
11. Tell me about your author.
She is my grandmother, so she gives me way too much credit and ice cream. It is annoying sometimes that she is always trying to get into my head so she can write how I’m feeling about what is happening in the story.
Do you like the way they write you?
Grandma only sees the best in me, and I try to keep it that way.
About Susan Count
Susan Count is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Texas Association of Authors. She takes studying the craft of writing seriously. Revision is her super-power.
Ms. Count has published Texas Boys Adventures, Dream Horse Adventures, and Dream Pony Riders. All series are for young readers ages 8 – 14.
Susan is a life-long equestrian and owned by a Rocky Mountain Horse that is kind-hearted enough to take her on long, forested trail rides. She says the only thing more fun than riding might be writing adventure stories for children.
Answer to why did I write Off The Rails
Ten of my novels are horse books for girls. But on the rare occasions that I do an event book table, I’m inevitable asked if I’ve written any books for boys. So, I wrote this two book series (Texas Boys Adventures) because you asked and kept asking. You and my four grandsons. Finding wholesome books that will engage 8- to 12-year-old boys is a parental challenge.
I’m so old school. Let the kids keep their childhood for as long as possible. I believe in protecting their young hearts and minds. Give them adventures where they learn to build friendships and be the hero of their own stories. Capture their interest and then encourage and strengthen them to grow into the arrows they are destined to be.
Social Media Links
Website http://www.susancount.com
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/susancountauthor/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/susancount/
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/susancount/
Twitter/X https://twitter.com/SusanCount
GoodReadshttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14771062.Susan_Count
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-count-7bba4427/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtHR27qiVUc
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/susan-count
Buy Link – Amazon
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
September 2 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
September 2 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT
September 3 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
September 3 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
September 4 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW
September 4 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
September 5 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 5 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
September 6 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
September 7 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT
September 7 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 8 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
September 9 – deal sharing aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
September 10 – Sarcastically Yours, Jen – SPOTLIGHT
September 11 – Book HookUp – REVIEW
Giveaway
Prize – $25.00 Amazon Gift Card
