I enjoyed the read about showjumping in Florida, and caring for a fantastic horse. The young lady we follow, still at the stage of applying for collegI enjoyed the read about showjumping in Florida, and caring for a fantastic horse. The young lady we follow, still at the stage of applying for colleges, has experienced a devastating year in which her sister met a bad accident and is now paralysed. Naturally, this has altered the family dynamics.
The family is originally from Ukraine, a nice touch, and this helps the reader feel sympathy for a Mexican groom who is also an immigrant, but not a legal one. We get some sayings and customs, which fill out the background.
What I didn't like is the way that the heroine thinks her worth depends on a young idiot, sorry, man. I don't believe it's her fault, as girls are indoctrinated early to think they should find a boyfriend and be faithful, whereas boys are not taught any such notion. Our heroine comes across as a lot younger than her supposed age, and can't get a grip when the boy decides someone flashier will suit him better. She mopes and obsesses when she should be getting on with her life; and she definitely needs a great deal more practice at riding big fences. Everyone has to learn, and maybe the examples will help readers to learn.
I hope to read more of this series, as the finish is highly encouraging. This is a clean romance suitable for young people and horse lovers of any age. I read a Kindle version. This is an unbiased review.
I like tales about trying to turn a run-down business into something viable, and this post-pandemic ranch is run down, barely ticking over, with not eI like tales about trying to turn a run-down business into something viable, and this post-pandemic ranch is run down, barely ticking over, with not enough wealthy boarders, when Molly inherits. She did spend time on her aunt's ranch as a child, but not for years, and knows nothing about horses. She's not all that keen to learn, and decides to patch the place up and sell, which has to be better than working two low-paid jobs.
Molly has a lot of growing up to do, to put it politely, and I never took to her, though I like that she starts getting to know a retired horse. The supposed relationship between two women consists of much arguing, scowling, and total bad manners on both parts, so I don't have much to say except that it's nice to see a female farrier.
Women are the central characters, across two generations, when most ranch stories are more peopled with men, so the reading experience is different.
I read an e-ARC from Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review....more
This story follows a young woman whose Native tribe runs a mountain resort on their land in Dakota. The local town supports the tourism, but a small fThis story follows a young woman whose Native tribe runs a mountain resort on their land in Dakota. The local town supports the tourism, but a small faction wants to eradicate the mustang herd which wander free and hinder plans to build a highway.
I would like this tale better if so much time wasn't spent indoors, in offices and back areas of hotels. And if the mustangs were actually shown, instead of reported to be on the land. Not one horse, not even a photo of the horses, makes it onto the page. Just people talking about the horses being there. We could trek out to see them and find how they survive in deep snow season. This is a crime story, but not much of a horse story. Also, people with a lot to lose are all too keen to tell our heroine what they have done and why. Just because she's in the same room. I know it's challenging to be realistic at novella length, but I'd have made her work harder for her information.
I would read more of this series, which is suitable for older YA readers. This is an unbiased review....more
This tale set at the start of the pandemic lockdowns, requires a young woman to consider what really and truly makes her happy, and who is involved inThis tale set at the start of the pandemic lockdowns, requires a young woman to consider what really and truly makes her happy, and who is involved in her happiness. The ex-boyfriend she hasn't seen in years reappears on the island for a safe haven. She'll rent him a loft, but her days are filled with training young horses to work, tapping trees for maple sap, painting a cabin, and the support of her friends and neighbours. So - what does her heart need?
I enjoyed the read, which nicely recalls the ominous news, the somewhat panicky buying and adjusting, the sliding of days and requirement to destress. Of course, I love the horses. Tudor Robins writes horses really well, providing just the lockdown many of us would have loved. This is an adult book, or mature young adults could read it, but it's not intended for kids. This is an unbiased review. ...more
I love well-written horse books, and Grey Motive takes us within modern English racing. There's a bookie's shop missing a large sum of money, and the I love well-written horse books, and Grey Motive takes us within modern English racing. There's a bookie's shop missing a large sum of money, and the staff are all under suspicion. Meanwhile a pair of nearby racehorse trainers on the outskirts of the successful world, take in disaffected teens to give them a career. They manage to turn up a handsome grey colt which looks like he could win some major races. The police are interested, because to keep the colt in entry fees, his ownership has to be syndicated out - possibly a way of soaking up the stolen money. I wasn't that interested in the police as characters, because they didn't operate with any urgency, since nobody had been killed. A caper story rather than a murder, Grey Motive follows those under potential suspicion, and a teen brother and sister who want to achieve. This aspect is well done. I enjoyed the read. Only criticism: the author has a habit of starting a chapter on a line similar to the end of the previous chapter, which is amusing at first but gets to feel more like a tic, and must be using time that she could have spent elsewhere. The reader should not be jolted off the page and out of the story. I received an ARC and I chose to review in my own time. No suggestion was made as to rating. This is an unbiased review. ...more
This is a lively novella about in a boy in need of friends and a horse in great need of care. Sundance is a foal born near the end of this story, and This is a lively novella about in a boy in need of friends and a horse in great need of care. Sundance is a foal born near the end of this story, and he can be met later in this series of books, showing how his life progressed. As for the boy and girl we follow, a shared love of animals brings them together, which will stand them in good stead.
Suitable for readers from eight or nine up, and any horse lovers who want a story more practical than daydream. I bought the Kindle book. This is an unbiased review. ...more
I enjoyed reading this impactful and masterly Australian bush thriller over a few days. A female police officer, Jesse Redpath, follows a trail from hI enjoyed reading this impactful and masterly Australian bush thriller over a few days. A female police officer, Jesse Redpath, follows a trail from her Northern Territory district to one near Melbourne, trying to establish if a young man from her area was a killer or was murdered. Various crimes occur but Jesse has to work with her seasoned artist father to solve the underlying issues, which include environmental aspects. The suspense builds, and the bushfire feels entirely in keeping with the territory and heated disputes. The strengths of the story are characterisation and location description. I read an e-ARC from Net Galley and Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review. ...more
Topanga Canyon: Fire Season follows young Matt Barrett. This adventure starts out as an ordinary YA coming of age tale, in which a potentially troubleTopanga Canyon: Fire Season follows young Matt Barrett. This adventure starts out as an ordinary YA coming of age tale, in which a potentially troublesome lad finds himself and his family though working on a horse ranch. But the depth of the tale includes violent means of training expensive horses to move with strong gaits, and all for money of course. Not for children, the book should be read by young adult readers who wish to know more about how to expose and prevent cruelty. They might want to skip a few pages. We also see a standard situation for young unpaid workers in the horse scene. They have no money, say, or control. Perhaps at times this can become abuse too. I would like more horse-mad readers to take this into account when considering such work. The book is well written, provides friends, cultural insights and hope.
I read an e-ARC from Net Galley and Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review. ...more
The review ARC I received had one story, Horse and Zebra lend a hoof. The anthropomorphic characters find that after a storm, their neighbour needs heThe review ARC I received had one story, Horse and Zebra lend a hoof. The anthropomorphic characters find that after a storm, their neighbour needs help. They each help in different ways. Horse, who is a girl, decides to mend the roof of Llama's barn. Zebra, who is also a girl, decides to concentrate on what the injured Llama would like while he is recovering. At the end, readers are asked to compare the two approaches. The illustrations are in greyscale in my copy, and quite simple and cheerful. Early readers will have no problem following each page.
I enjoyed this quick story whose reading level would suit readers about four years old who, though, could not be expected to mend a roof. There did seem a disconnect between reader age and character age. I read an e-ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review. ...more
At times I felt I was reading the late Dick Francis, but the tale has broader scope and social impact than a typical Francis tale. Racing comes and goAt times I felt I was reading the late Dick Francis, but the tale has broader scope and social impact than a typical Francis tale. Racing comes and goes as a setting, with scenery shifting from the West Country to Yorkshire's mountain villages. A dying businessman is looking for a possible heir, his late son's missing child. The rest of his family is not too pleased at the prospect. An investigative journalist, Ben, hired to look for the lost sheep doesn't know if he is alive, findable, or will be welcomed into the fold. And more than one set of people appears not to want the boy found.
I love the small greyhound Mouse, whose thin coat and gentle manner mean that Ben needs to show quite a lot of care for his loyal dog through the adventure. There's a wide and varied cast, but it all comes back to families in the end. Due to violence and adult references I recommend Bad Blood for adults and mature teen readers. I read an e-ARC from Net Galley and Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review....more
Probably my favourite romance so far this year. The so-called cowgirl is a farm girl in training, as she comes from Georgia to a Montana ranch to sellProbably my favourite romance so far this year. The so-called cowgirl is a farm girl in training, as she comes from Georgia to a Montana ranch to sell the idea of wind energy generation. Along with her personal doubts and drive to succeed, she wants to please her father and is invested in clean energy. The ranch owner has other plans and even a pretty face can't persuade him to take time away from the calving season. So the saleslady mucks in alongside, making many friends as she does.
This is a lively tale with horses, goats and a donkey, nuanced characters and a breath of fresh air. I read an e-ARC from Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review. ...more
I enjoyed this tale of a boy in the travelling community who doesn't know what to bring in to school for a show and tell. He goes to spend time with hI enjoyed this tale of a boy in the travelling community who doesn't know what to bring in to school for a show and tell. He goes to spend time with his granddad and decides that the horses mean more to him than anything, and the tin smithing crafts of his folk. Old fashioned Romany caravans are shown, which would be unusual nowadays. We also see something of a horse fair and traditional living. While the horse is owned by the family, in this culture it is men and boys who handle the horses, as is also generally the case in agriculture depending on large heavy animals. More kids need to spend time around horses, but these days, that is generally impossible for city kids. The vocabulary is simple but introduces some relevant terms. Artwork is colourful but gentle on the eyes. Good for readers from six to eleven, depending on reading age. I read this at the Dublin Book Festival. This is an unbiased review. ...more
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