A Horse for Cinderella is the second book I have read of late, that I wish I had written! (The other is Thoroughly in Love). This story explores the well-known fairy tale, Cinderella. But what was an absolute delight for me, is how horses featured as the main aspect of this story!

Elle is struggling to keep the family farm running after the death of her father. She is working as hard as she can whilst also trying to keep her beloved horse exercised and in shape. To make matters worse, Elle’s stepmother appears to be selling off many items that belonged to Elle’s family. How can they be a reputable horse stud without any breeding stock? 

A Horse for Cinderella by Nancy Radke

Elle needs her horse to survive – and perhaps to help get ahead in life. It isn’t until her stepmother does the unthinkable, that Elle doesn’t know where to turn.

With nothing to her name – and is it really her name? – and nowhere to live, what can she do? The upcoming October Hunt seems her only chance to take control of her life. But how can she compete if she doesn’t have a horse?

A Horse for Cinderella is a delightful read. It features the handsome prince, the hard done by beautiful young woman, a ball and also a midnight curfew that you would expect from the Cinderella fairy tale.

Throw in some royal politics, plenty of horses and delightful dialogue between the two main characters, and you’ve got a winner. If you love horse stories and happily ever afters, this won’t disappoint. Highly recommended.

Author: Nancy Radke
Fiction – romance
In My Library? It is as an ebook.

“You can’t become a decent horseman until you fall off and get up again, a good number of times. There’s life in a nutshell.” – Bear Grylls

I’ve not read a lot of Bev’s books, but when I see one for free to download on Kindle, I am all for it! That was the case recently with the novel Shadows of the Mountain. This was a really enjoyable romantic suspense.

Kate Miller is working hard but also trying to lay low at Mustang River Ranch. She is still recovering from a failed rescue attempt in her previous role. Kate just wants to carry out this new job and fly under the radar. So she is surprised to be chosen for a special trail ride and soon finds herself out riding with the most valuable of guests.

At the ranch Kate meets Jack Becker. She is amazed to find such a good looking, strong man wanting to talk and dance with her. Concluding his interest cannot be genuine, Kate is further surprised to find herself partnering with Jack on this unexpected trail ride.

Shadows of the Mountain by Bev Petersen

Not yet over her previous role and failed rescue, Kate questions how on earth she is going to survive the trail ride, especially when her guests of honour appear to be in danger. This wasn’t what she signed up for in her new job. But suddenly it appears all her old skills are going to be needed if she is going to help the girls, and also get herself off the mountain alive.

Shadows of the Mountain was a great story to read. It was entertaining, moved quickly, featured horses – and donkeys! – a lot.

It even had an educational, entertaining scene between Kate and Jack as they discussed mules. The chemistry between the two was obvious and it was also nice how the mutual attraction built with enough uncertainty around the situation and who could be trusted, thrown into the mix. A really enjoyable read.

Author: Bev Petterson
Fiction – adult
In My Library? As an eBook.

There are quite a few horse books that I have read this year that seem to have slipped through without a review! Thoroughly in Love by Chantry Dawes is one such book.

I really, really enjoyed reading this novel. It was a unique romance with a very horsey focus – particularly on the thoroughbred breed.

Widowed at a young age, Lady Amelia Darley is left struggling to save her estate ever since her husband died in a suspicious riding accident. She has only the dwindling sales from the thoroughly bred horses that Aldbey Park is known for. Her home is where one of the first Thoroughbred horses was bred so long ago. And now it has been left in a woman’s hands for the first time. Lady Amelia’s hands.

Thoroughly in Love by Chantry Dawes

This young widow does not care if the men of the Ton do not think she should be training horses or wearing breeches. It seems that there are those among the Ton that will do whatever it takes to see Lady Amelia Darley fail so they can take her estate and her prized Thoroughbreds. Are they the same men responsible for her husband’s death?

Enter Alexander Godolphin Hawke, the Duke of Leids. He has returned to England to collect a debt from Aldbey Park from horses sold before the war. He is battle hardened and unrecognizable after being away fighting wars for so many years.

The Duke is surprised to find that Lord Darley is dead, and it is his beautiful young widow that has been stubbornly trying to manage all the work of the estate and its stables. He soon realizes that not only are the estate’s horses in danger, but Lady Amelia is, as well. Can Amelia trust Alexander enough to tell him her plan? Can the two of them keep each other from harm while falling thoroughly in love with one another?

Thoroughly in Love is a delightful romance full of horses that is also a very entertaining read. Highly recommended.

Author: Chantry Dawes
Fiction – historical
In My Library? It is as an ebook.

I love buying in bulk. And that applies across books, too! Well recently I was pleased to be able to download a free copy of The Island Series. This was made up of the prequel Six-Month Horse, book one Appaloosa Summer and book two, Wednesday Riders. Score! The only thing better than a free horse book is multiple free horse books!

Six-Month Horse tells the tale of how young Meg Traherne comes to have Major, an off the track thoroughbred that she competes with in Appaloosa Summer. This story was quirky, had a great look at brother and sister dynamics and had the added bonus for me, of learning a little more about Cam, who features in the novel In Search Of by Tudor Robins and Mara Dabrishus.

For someone who is used to being a catch rider – and trying to convince herself of how lucky she is to be one – Meg doesn’t know how to explain to her mother that she’s lost her interest in riding. When a surprising opportunity comes along to take on an incredible horse, she cannot muster the energy to be excited. But she also can’t say no to her mother and what starts out as trying to keep her mother happy, turns into a very unexpected journey. Six-Month Horse is a really enjoyable read, that moves at a great pace and has a great focus on family dynamics. Well worth the read.

Author: Tudor Robins
Fiction – young adult
In My Library? It is as an ebook.