Gypsy's Meadow by JT Brown is an uplifting children's story about a rescued pony and the special relationship with her young girl owner. The girl learns to care for the pony, and they ride the trails and attend horse shows together. When the girl grows up and marries, Gypsy goes to a new home with them. The girl introduces her baby daughter to Gypsy and eventually the horse teaches the youngster, too. When the mare is too old to be ridden, she welcomes new horses to the barn for the mother and daughter to ride. The theme of opening your heart to love is a concept for every reader.

The ending is sad, yet insightful and gives the young reader a positive outlook on death.

Visit the author's blog at http://www.authorjtbrown.blogspot.com/

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: “Gypsy’s Meadow” is a touching story which tells a tale of many horses out there that are just plainly looking for a good home.

The purpose and mission of this book, is to raise funds for “First Light Farms Equine Shelter”; so other horses can share their “Remember When” and not “Maybe could be.”

“Every step we take could be another hoof print left in our hearts.”


Visit: http://www.firstlightfarm.org

In Season by Christina Wible is set on a breeding farm with the protagonist, FE (Effie) Booker trying to cope with challenging broodmares, tack thieves, a new vet and the new farm owner.

FE is a no-nonsense character who's childhood not only made her build walls around herself emotionally, but also made her a determined business owner of breeding and shipping horses. Her first love, though, is the mares and foals, and she is upset when an owner pulls out his herd.

Although some parts of the ending were predictable, I was pleasantly surprised by the final conclusion.

It is delightful to read such realistic details about the equine breeding industry since I bred Morgan horses for 25 years and spent two years as a manager on a NJ Thoroughbred stud farm.

Learn more about the author and her books at http://christinawible.com/

Frequent Flyer

Fequent Flyer by Hal Wentworth is about a horse show dad who buys a mysterious horse for his horse-crazy daughter, and the Thoroughbred is given the name Frequent Flyer. The family becomes involved in trying to save the people connected to the horse, while evading the people trying to steal Flyer.

When Eric Davidson's daughter, Olivia, was born he gave her a stuffed toy horse. His wife, Marnie, encouraged the girl to ride as she grew older. When she became a teen and was trained by a coach, Marnie explained that Olivia needed her own horse. Eric happened upon a horse while lost in Vermont and was convinced by the owner that the horse needed him. At first his family and the girl's riding coach were not happy about the purchase, but as Flyer's talents were revealed, a bond formed between the Thoroughbred and the family.

Enter a strange Native Indian, and some other equally unusual characters, and the story escalates to a higher level, but a very interesting one. I don't want to give other details, but the ride is worth the trip! The story has humor, drama and a realistic equine setting.

I'm not a fan of most fantasy, but this one was a delight from beginning to end.

Kings of Colorado

Kings of Colorado by David E. Hilton is similar to the Louis Sachar novel, Holes. Both are about a boy’s detention center run by cruel staff with ulterior motives. The difference is that Holes takes place in Texas where the boys are made to dig holes, while Kings is set on a Colorado ranch and the chores are taking care of and training mustangs.

For most of the book, William Sheppard is reminiscing about his two years at the Swope Ranch Boys’ Reformatory – what brought him there at 13 years old, the friends and enemies he made and the horses he worked with. The story starts on a violent note with Will stabbing his stepfather, and escalates to the brutal ending scenes where Will and his friends are trying to survive in the woods. This book is not for the squeamish.

The ending is satisfying despite the losses the character suffered as a boy. The story is unforgettable.

Author’s website: http://davidehilton.com/

(Note: Advanced Reading Copy provided by Simon & Schuster)