Retired Naval Officer Publishes Children’s Book

With the addition of Captain Valerie Ormond, United States Navy (ret.), Military-Writers.com now lists 1251 servicemembers and the 3962 books their have published.

Captain Valerie Ormond, USN (ret.) “spent the majority of her adult life as a Naval Intelligence Officer. The daughter of two English majors, and an English major herself, she always had a great interest in books and writing. Just prior to her retirement from the Navy, someone suggested she turn an idea she had into a book, and from there her second career began.

A lifelong horse enthusiast, Valerie has enjoyed bringing horses into people’s lives who may not have otherwise been exposed to horses. She is happy to have put over 100 people on horses for the first times in their lives, ranging from ages one through seventy- one. She believes in the healing power of horses and is a member of numerous equine-related organizations including the Maryland Horse Council, Certified Horsemanship Association, American Society of Equine Appraisers, National Capital Adult Equestrian League, the Southern Maryland Horse Show Association, American Horse Publications, and the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association.

She was a mentor, counselor, and leader in the U.S. military for over twenty-five years. Her education includes a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Penn.; a Master of Strategic Intelligence, Defense Intelligence College, Washington, DC, and a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Mass Communication from Towson University, Towson, Md. She is a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Naval Intelligence Professionals. She is also a member of the Maryland Writers Association and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

She lives with her husband Jaime Navarro, a career Naval officer, in Bowie, Maryland. Jaime is the proud father of his son, Paul, and daughter, Stephanie, both college graduates and making it out in the world on their own. Jaime and Valerie enjoy the company of their wonderful families and friends, their three horses, and two dogs. Captain Valerie Ormond is the author of Believing In Horses.

According to the book description of Believing In Horses, “First, the move to Maryland. Then Dad's deployment to Afghanistan. Sadie is in trouble. Then she gets Lucky, a new young horse who proves to be a handful. But that's just the beginning. Together they encounter horse thieves, Maryland storms, and unwanted horses destined for auction and uncertain futures. Sadie makes it her personal mission to save them. Along the way she meets other people who are dedicated to rescuing horses. She also learns that some people in the horse industry are driven by greed. She's twelve. Can she save the horses in time...and herself?”