Sunday, September 28, 2014

Four Assorted Horse Books

The following books were not "my cup of tea" but other avid equine readers may enjoy. They were sent to me to review:



A Summer Break by Christopher Jessop is a coming of age story about a horse loving English girl on vacation in West Wales. It's not the holiday Sophy had planned, but the new setting provides her an adventure with horses. I found the vernacular, both in the dialog and exposition, hard to understand. I knew what a "bloke" and "lorry" were but not "heed your coxes" or "spinney" just to name a couple. I couldn't finish it.






Amazing Grays by Lynn Baber sounded like an introduction to the author's trilogy, and her memoir about God and her horses. Although running a horse farm always made me feel closer to God, this was too preachy for me.






Iron Shoes by  J. Kathleen Cheney is written like a historical fiction novel. From Amazon's book description:  "Imogen Hawkes is running out of time. She must come up with enough money to prevent the bank from foreclosing on her farm. All her hopes are pinned on her horse winning the Special Stakes." Sounds interesting, until I came to the scene where the new stallion turns into a human man and wants to bed her. I stopped reading it then.






Winning Odds Series, Soon to be a Movie by MaryAnn Myers is book four in the series about horse racing and what goes on behind the scene. Since I didn't read the first three, it didn't hold my interest as her other books. I was lost when the characters spoke about something that happened in the past - in a previous book. The ending was strange as well; I expected more. But, that may be because there will be a book five? The author is an excellent writer, however, so I suggest reading the first three books in the series first.


Monday, September 8, 2014

Racing to Heaven by Harriet Tramer




Racing to Heaven by Harriet Tramer is a different type of racetrack story. It's told from the point of view of a young female jockey who died while following her passion - galloping horses.

An unstable teen is sent to her aunt's ranch where she meets a chestnut stallion who communicates with her and teaches her how to ride - or is this a dream? Anyway, with Big Red as her constant companion, the girl "improves" her attitude and eventually she finds her way to the local track where she works with a young trainer and rides thoroughbreds in races. He puts her a "crazy" horses, which becomes her downfall.

Brenda (the reader doesn't learn her name until page 26) goes through a major physical and emotional transformation all because of Big Red.

This novel is part reality, part fantasy but the main character is likable and the writing style is as if you are reading her diary.

Monday, September 1, 2014

Hung Up in Bemidji by Kathy Cohen



Hung Up in Bemidji by Kathy Cohen is a combination of rodeo story, mystery and family drama.

Cooper Lydell is a horseman trying to make ends meet while his son heals after a rodeo injury. He's called back to the rodeo scene to replace a murdered "barrel" man - the clown who distracts the bull when the rider falls - and tries to avoid being killed by the bulls and the murderer after a second man is killed.

Coop, his son and a few friends attempt to solve the mystery - in a comical but well-meaning way.

This well written story is exciting and even funny in parts, plus it's educational about the rodeo scene.

The only equine related error I noted was the term of "bute" where the medication should have been called DMSO. Bute is a pill, similar to aspirin for horses; DMSO is a liniment that seeps through the skin and gives you the taste of garlic in your mouth. Both are for pain, but for horses not humans.

At the time of this post, Amazon offers the e-book for free!