In the seventh book in the Phantom Stallion series, Desert Dancer, Samantha Forster finds herself torn. The Phantom’s lead mare is missing. Sam knows this makes things harder on her beloved horse. He needs to find extra energy reserves to keep the herd in order. Aside from this, where has the mare gone?

When she finds that the BLM have brought her in, Sam is desperate to set the mare free. Except for one fact – the dun lead mare has an injury and would easily fall prey out on the range. Add to this the fact that someone is lined up to adopt her and Sam doesn’t know what to do.

Alongside this, manager of the BLM – Brynna Olson – is set to become Sam’s stepmother and whilst she and Wyatt are off on their honeymoon, Sam is left under the watchful gaze of her Aunt Sue. When Sam finds the mare with the BLM and her new owner needs somewhere to keep the mare for a time, Samantha finds herself agreeing for ‘Queen’ to stay at River Bend Ranch.

Jake is far from impressed to find that the Phantom’s lead mare is being housed in a pen at River Bend Ranch. He is even more annoyed when the mare gets free and further injures herself.

Sam finds her loyalties torn. Callie, the young woman who has adopted Queen seems nice. But Sam wants to see the mare free. Plus her best friend Jen thinks Callie is weird. Can’t Sam be friends with both of them?

Whilst dealing with Jake’s tendency to be over protective, Sam struggles to befriend a girl who others consider an outcast. Desert Dancer shows Sam growing up a little in spite of her young years. She learns it is important to treat all people with respect in spite of what others may say of them.

Author: Terri Farley
http://www.phantomstallion.com
Fiction – teen
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Samantha Forster is once again working hard to protect some mustangs close to home. This time however, it isn’t her beloved Phantom or a member of his herd. It’s some mustangs that are considered to be unwanted. Free Again is the fifth book in the Phantom Stallion series.

The woman who usually helps protects mustangs – Brynna Olson – needs to go away for a couple of weeks.  And so she has a replacement set to cover her at the BLM. She voices her concerns to Samantha about the group of mustangs that no one wants. Although the BLM cannot destroy perfectly healthy horses, Brynna isn’t sure her replacement will follow these rules.

Samantha isn’t sure who would taken on the dozen mustangs who have issues. Their conformation makes them less than desirable for adoption. Sam is devastated to find shortly after Brynna’s departure that her replacement – Norman White – has deemed them unfit. They are set to be euthanised.

Sam recently stumbled across some horses left running loose. Their outline of ribs convinces her that they’re not being appropriately looked after. When she finds their owner, she is devastated to learn that it is Mrs. Allen, a widowed woman who scares Sam.

On a hunch, Sam thinks she may have found a home for the mustangs. The question is, will she be able to secure a home for them before they are put to sleep? And what about the newborn filly that is blind?

Free Again shows Sam’s resourcefulness to protect some unwanted horses. It also highlights her struggles to manage all of the responsibilities she has taken on alongside school. Another good read in the series by Terri Farley.

Author: Terri Farley
http://www.phantomstallion.com
Fiction – teen
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The timeless classic Black Beauty by Anna Sewell tells the tale of a beautifully bred black horse from his birth, until his final home as an aged horse. The chapters in the novel are short and to the point, detailing many different experiences in Beauty’s life.

The overall theme is one of animal welfare and the perils of ignorance. Black Beauty is raised in a roomy meadow with plenty of grass, his mother and other horses to socialise with. He is taught manners by his mother and isn’t started in harness or under saddle until he has had a chance to fully mature.

Consequently, his first years of life are incredibly pleasant and all he knows is kindness from people. In time Black Beauty is sold to another knowledgeable household. He is again treated kindly, but is introduced to a mare who hasn’t been handled well most of her life.

In time Black Beauty needs to be sold because of health problems with his owners.  He then finds himself on an incredible journey of being used and sold, mistreated, used and sold.

Each of the horses Beauty meets on his journeys teach him further about the harsh life that can be led under a cruel or ignorant master. This makes him all the more thankful for the owners who do right by him. Unfortunately in time, he finds he is introduced to more who are ignorant and cruel.

Black Beauty is an enlightening tale about horse welfare. It shows how an expensively bred and well trained horse can in time be mistreated, hurt and deemed not worth much. It is a sobering tale but one with an ever timely message. Thankfully, it ends on a positive note for the main character.

Author: Anna Sewell
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2530.Anna_Sewell
Fiction – teen
In my library? That it is!
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.