I received a copy of Touch of Gold to review recently and really enjoyed this story aimed at teens!

Thirteen-year-old Jamie has discovered a palomino mare in a field within riding distance of her new home. The mare appears hungry and lonely. Jamie quickly concludes she needs a friend as much as the shy thirteen-year-old does.

As Jamie visits the mare, feeds her snacks and grooms her, she starts to build a rapport with the golden equine. She decides to call her Peach. As she voices this thought out loud, an older gentleman informs her that Peach is a perfect name for her.

Startled, Jamie soon comes to know the gentleman as the owner of ‘Peach’. A sad, lonely widow, Sam tells Jamie about Peach, or Goldie as she is known. Jamie develops a friendship with Sam and makes an effort to visit the palomino mare as much as she can outside of school.

Over time Jamie becomes attached to the mare that is wasting away from loneliness. Sam’s decision to move her to a better home where she’ll be well looked after is met by a devastated thirteen-year-old.

It is only as Goldie moves to Tamarack Stables that Jamie learns to overcome her shyness. As she discovers others who love horses – including the amusing owner’s son, Nick, she finds people who can teach her about horse care and riding. Her desire to be a top rider seems ridiculous initially with her lack of experience. In time however, Jamie learns to be assertive with her riding – and in life – and she develops into a capable rider.

Touch of Gold is a great coming of age story where horses feature heavily. Jamie seems a typically shy teenager who breaks the rules at times but learns to be responsible for her actions and the care of horses. An interesting and entertaining read.

Author: Vivien Gorham
https://viviengorham.com/
Fiction – teen
In My Library? As an eBook, yes!
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.

I was excited to receive debut novel In the Reins in the mail for review on Equus Education. The author Carly Kade has already been profiled, taking the time to answer some questions about her equestrian author career. Why not take a look?

In the Reins tells the story of country, turned city, turned country again cowgirl Devon Brooke. After moving to the city and pursuing life as a journalist, Devon becomes disillusioned. Her relationship with her fiancée is lacking much. Her career although promising, can be carried out from anywhere and when she discovers infidelity in her relationship, her reaction is to flee to the country.

Devon is like an excited girl, deciding she will once again take up her passion: horses. As she endeavours to find her dream horse, she seeks too, a place to board her equine. A place that will be quiet; a place that will have minimal people. She just wants to be alone with her horse and left alone by humanity. What she most definitely does not want is an interfering male.

When Devon finds what seems to be the perfect place to board her newly acquired mare Faith, she is excited about rediscovering her cowgirl skills. Excited until she realises that her enthusiasm isn’t enough to train her young and green horse.

Cue McKennon Kelly, a cowboy that works the horses at Greenbriar where Devon is boarding Faith. McKennon has a way with horses; a way that Devon needs to learn to develop a safe working and riding relationship with Faith.

Against her better judgement – and a warning from the owner of Greenbriar – Devon finds herself drawn to the good looking cowboy. Her desire for his horse skills – and his body – takes over to the point that she is unable to think clearly. Her attraction to McKennon puts herself and her horse at risk. Is it worth it?

In the Reins is a well named novel that features a lot of horse training moments. The horse side of the story I found to be really enjoyable and informative. The desire Devon harbours for McKennon I found to be too intense, to the point that a grown woman would put herself and her horse in danger to chase a cowboy around the performance world.

Throw in another cowboy who is keen to get his hands on Devon and you have an adult romance that features a lot of innuendo and lust filled pages. Definitely a read for adult horse fans. I would have enjoyed the story even more if the physical desire of the main character was taken down a notch or two.

Author: Carly Kade
http://www.carlykadecreative.com/
Fiction – adult
In My Library? That it is!
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.

The first in this series, the cover of The Lost Pony of Riverdale really caught my attention! It is well designed and features a gorgeous grey horse on the front, depicting Cloud in the story.

Eleven year old Poppy is distraught to learn that her father and stepmother have decided to move the family onto an old farm, far from her current home. Poppy is insistent they cannot move, afraid that memories of her mother will all but diminish with the move. Plus, why would she want to leave her friends and comfortable routine?

The promise of a pony at the new place is the only draw card for Poppy. When they arrive, this promise soon shatters and the eleven year old feels tricked by her parents.  Surely they looked at the pony before agreeing to buy the property?

Working for the BBC, Poppy’s father often travels. This happens to be the case just after they move. Poppy is left feeling desolate. She is in the consistent company of her all too cheery step mother and her tiring half brother. And she doesn’t have a pony to play with.

These negatives build over time and every time Poppy feels herself frustrated with the situation, she takes this out on her step mother.  The Lost Pony of Riverdale is a great read for preteens, touching on topics such as selfishness, animal abuse, the unpredictability of horses and the all important need to forgive others and be honest with them. Although a children’s novel, the themes covered are serious and the story has a wonderful moral behind it.

There are plenty of horse moments too, with a lot of information for the avid horse reader. Highly recommended.

Author: Amanda Wills
http://www.amandawills.co.uk/
Fiction – preteen
In My Library? As an eBook!
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.