Fergus Book!

The Essential Fergus the Horse: The Life and Times of the World's Favorite Cartoon Equine by Jean Abernethy

Love Fergus! So glad there's now a book about this funny, insightful equine cartoon. Great gift for horse lovers of all ages.

Visit the author's site at http://www.jeanabernethy.com/

Wonderful Horse Book for Young Children!

Penny the Palomino Quarter Horse and Her New Shoes by Gary Scogin is a delightful story that would appeal to young children as a bedtime story or read alone. The fantastic artwork by Alex Ray adds to its charm.

Penny lives on a ranch and overhears her owner say she is getting new shoes. So Penny guesses at what type of shoes - high heels? boots? She's very confused!

I highly recommend this educational and fun story to all little horse lovers!

Find it at Amazon.

In the Heart of the Mustang by MJ Evans

The book, In the Heart of the Mustang by MJ Evans, is the type of horse novel I love to read, one with an interesting protagonist, an endearing theme without being preachy, a detailed setting and cast of characters the reader won't forget.

When 15 year-old Hunter learns that his mother has lied to him about his father, he retaliates by running away and making the wrong sort of friends on the street. To avoid trouble with the court, his grandfather suggests they send Hunter to a boy's ranch in Arizona and grandpa will pay for his stay.

Hunter is not impressed with Promise Ranch at first, and especially when he meets the other at-risk boys and staff including the head cowboy, a horse trainer for the wild mustangs that the ranch adopts. But slowly he learns about life lessons, even after a personal tragedy. 

This is a fantastic story for everyone, not just horse lovers. It's one of the best coming of age novels I've ever read!

First Fence by Kate Lattey describes the New Zealand adventures of  a Pony Clubber, AJ, and her energetic pony nicknamed Squib.

AJ meets another rider her age named Katey who trains ponies with her mother, Deb. AJ is thrilled to be asked to ride and show with them, and is surprised that Katey is jealous of AJ's large family. Katey also admires the misbehaving Squib and together with her mom, they assist AJ in learning to control him. But a misunderstanding between the young girls has AJ distancing her self from her new friend.

A wonderful novel for horse lovers young and old!

Ride to Win by Sharon Angus Dodgen

Ride to Win by Sharon Angus Dodgen features Annie O'Reilly, a young horsewoman who can connect with troubled horses. After tragic family losses, she works at a stable in California and helps owners with their race and show horses. She meets a cowboy named Ben and together they begin a partnership.

For a fun and educational read, join Annie and her friends on their adventures.

The Troubles by C. J. Hambley

In The Troubles by Connie Johnson Hambley, Jessica Wyeth arrives in Ireland to hide out and discover more about her mother, Bridget, who she knew to be her aunt but who raised her after her parent's death. She trains horses to prepare them for competition, but is practically a captive by a housekeeper named Nan, per the orders of her boyfriend, Michael. He has ties to the IRA and finds he must decide between his allegiance to his heritage or his American girlfriend.

This suspense novel has interesting horse scenes and unusual characters. It is well written although it was sometimes hard to follow because of flashback scenes.

New Beginnings by Christine Meunier

New Beginnings by Christine Meunier is another hit for this Australian equine author. This one is an educational and fun read, more for Middle Grade horse lovers.

Ten-year-old Jacqui just moved with her family to a 100 acre farm in Victoria due to her father's transfer. Her mom plans to set it up as a boarding stable (agistment in down under language) so horse loving Jacqui is thrilled and willingly helps to clean up and repair the property.

At her new school she meets a few other horse crazy girls in her class, but Jacqui doesn't have their riding experience. Fortunately, she meets a neighbor who attends high school with her brother and has a quiet horse for Jacqui to learn on. Soon she is trotting and cantering and even jumping low fences.

The ending is abrupt, with the reader wondering what happens on the horse camp vacation with Jacqui and her friends. Maybe that's in the next book?

Dick Francis Damage

Definitely a mystery like Dick Francis would write, but written by son, Felix.

Jeff, an investigator for the British Horseracing Authority, must learn the identity of a blackmailer who is ruining races and the reputation of the BHA. Doping, murder and mayhem abound. I love how Jeff's personal life entwined with the plot.

If you are a Dick Francis fan, you'll love the writing of Felix Francis!

A Witty and Interesting Riding Novel!

Margaret Fletcher: Gallop Girl, a Fall From Grace at Forty Miles an Hour by Genevieve Dutil won me over at the descriptions of "Hunter Princess" and "Gallop Girl."

When Margaret's father loses all their wealth, the 20 something gal dreams of once again competing at the A-circuit Hunter ring but first she must earn some money, something she never had to do before. She lands a job at a track exercising hot Thoroughbreds and immediately irritates the head rider, Emily, with her outfit and hairnet. But Emily soon learns that this Hunter Princess is a much better rider than her or any of the other exercisers.

Margaret and Emily clash on and off, even after they partner up on a discarded Thoroughbred named Chocolates. But they both learn as they go along, and eventually respect each other. Throw in dysfunctional parents, a jealous and rich Hunter Princess and a sexy boss and this novel will have you laughing in between rooting for the quirky protagonist.

For more info and to order, see her book and page on  Amazon.

The Cowgirl Jumped Over the Moon by Linda Ballou

The Cowgirl Jumped Over the Moon by Linda Ballou is a novel for all horse lovers. It's exciting, inspiring and has a realistic setting and great characters.

Gemcie has the perfect life: great show jumping horse, excellent trainer and a "fairy tale" husband. Then, after a serious jumping accident, it's all snatched away from her, in part by a devious competitor who takes both her horse and husband.

When she learns the truth about her father, she heads to the mountains her father loved in hopes of healing physically and emotionally. A new chapter in her life begins when she meets a lone cowboy.
Her confidence returns, and she longs to jump with her beloved horse again.

This well-written novel has lovely details about the great outdoors as well as the horse show scene.
Read more about the author at http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/

Another Racetrack Novel

If you are into reading about feisty heroines and the track scene, then this is the novel for you.

Personally, I like one with more action, more mystery - rather than the day to day trials and tribulations of a high school girl and her passion for horses. Now, if her jockey mom had been lost (not just on her own mission) or found dead, and the main character, July, was determined to find the cause, THAT would have interested me to continue reading. But after halfway through reading race scene after race scene, with a little romance thrown in, I just skimmed the rest.

On a positive note, the horse setting is very realistic and it has a nice cover!

Life Without Stirrups

Life Without Stirrups is one of the best equine memoirs I've ever read! Canadian author, Dagny Mofid, shares her story of her life with and without horses. It is well-written and laugh-out-loud funny. The descriptive scenes and life lessons will be enjoyed by horse lovers and non-horse lovers alike, both young and old.

From her beginner riding lessons to her first horse ownership, Dagny learns that horses are both beautiful but challenging creatures. Although her hubby seems to adapt a little better. His job requires them to move across North America several times, and each move provides another search for happiness with horses.

And I love the cover!

Equine Fantasy

The Roar of Smoke by Candace Carrabus is a newly released unique novel. Fantasy and horse lovers alike will enjoy this descriptive tale of a magical girl and her passion for horses. Tressida begins to learn about her powers when her village is attacked and she’s told to flee by her grandmother, who had shared family secrets with her all during her childhood. While escaping, those words of wisdom come back to Tressida (often called Sida) and magical things happen that help her survive. But there are evil people that want her powers, and will do anything to get them. Sida must learn how to master the new skills to overcome her obstacles.

While horses are not the main focus of the story, Tressida loves horses although they have not been around for a long time. She reads about them in an old book and dreams of riding and caring for them someday. Horses are brought into battle by other good men trying to defeat the evil ones. Eventually, Sida gets a horse of her own.

Visit the author's website to learn more: http://candacecarrabus.com/

 

The Chronicles of the $700 Pony

The Chronicles of the $700 Pony by Ellen Broadhurst had me laughing out loud at times!

This equine memoir is one of the best written ones I've read, with detailed show scenes and humorous internal dialog. The author didn't just buy a pony for herself to ride, but a green-broke, chestnut mare. With dreams of showing it the next year. Her experiences from housing it, to training to showing low level dressage and eventing will have you rooting for her and cheering at the end.

Great for non-horse and horse lovers alike, of all ages.

The Horse That Haunts Dreams by Anna Larson

The Horse That Haunts Dreams by Anna Larson is a wonderful memoir about the horses that were near and dear to her heart. As a horse-loving young girl, Anna was in high school before a horse named Hobo impacted her life.

She describes the ups and downs of Hobo's life, including surgery, rehab and training. She enlisted in the U. S. Army as a veterinary technician and there Hobo was a big hit.

After his death, she reminisces about other special horses in her life. This well-written book will be enjoyed by horse lovers of all ages.

You can find this book on Amazon.

Review of my mystery novel, To Catch a Horse Thief

My second book in the Masonville Mystery Series is now available as an e-book on Amazon!
See here: To Catch a Horse Thief

To Catch a Horse Thief includes all the teenage boy characters from the first novel: Luke, Shaq, Tony and Jason. Octavia, Shaq's cousin (and the boy's high school teacher), and her father, Detective Gordon Vintara are also included.

Amy, from California, spends the summer with her cousin Luke in the Pennsylvania mountains. While bike riding in the nearby park with Luke's three friends, they discover two draft horses and a pony being kept secretly in a temporary pasture on park land. When shotgun blasts are heard, they quickly head home.

 The first review is live!

5.0 out of 5 stars Short, Fun, and Action-packed Adventure, January 15, 2015

By 

Lisa T "Chitatel" (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Catch a Horse Thief (Masonville Mystery Series Book 2) (Kindle Edition)

Although this is book two in a series, it can easily stand on its own. The story revolves around a group of teens who discover some horses hidden away on public lands. It isn't long before more horses are reported stolen, a rich horse owner is found dead in her bedroom, and a groom is attacked. The kids "assist" (without putting them at risk) veteran detective Gordon Vintara and his rookie trainee, Anna Swan, to put together the clues as to what's going on in this small community. The characters are well drawn, the action is fast, and there's a twist at the end. I especially liked the few interspersed chapters from the stolen horses' point of view. Coming in at about 123 pages, it is a short, fun mystery and just the ticket for middle grade readers.

False Gods by Lisa Trovillion

Cory knew she was a hard core quitter. After moving to Maryland with her mom and sister, Cory was not impressed with her new high school, and quits while waiting to try out for a music program. Then she meets a boy, and also finds stable that hires her to help out. She even gets lessons and a chance to show. But it wasn't until she helped to rescue a special grey horse at a horse auction that she realized she doesn't always have to be a quitter.

This coming-of-age equine story is a well written book, with interesting characters and a realistic horse show setting. For horse lovers in middle grades and up.