Prince Ali is the first in the Wonder Horse Books by Nancy Perez and Victoria Hardesty. I was recently given a copy to read and review. This book explores the life of an Arabian colt from his birth through to becoming a champion performance horse.

Ali is named by eight-year-old girl, Becky Howard. Her parents bred the colt. Becky is convinced his dam will have a colt and chooses a name before he is even born.

As Becky grows older, she grows up alongside this beautiful gray Arabian colt. He is her closest friend. Becky enjoys training the young horse and spending time with him. She cleans out his box and in time she also goes along to his competitions. Although he is a colt, Prince Ali is very gentle with Becky. He treats her in a way that is surprising to her parents and his trainer.

Prince Ali by Nancy Perez and Victoria Hardesty

Becky’s Arabian colt goes on an incredible journey as a young horse: competing, winning and ultimately representing horses and the Arabian breed. He does this in America and around the world.

The first in the Wonder Horse Series, Prince Ali is an entertaining book. It is also one that is bound to be enjoyed by horse fans. Ultimately it is an educational read that provides so much information about the Arabian breed. It also covers the horse industry and possible competitions in America and around the world. Highly recommended.

Author: Nancy Perez and Victoria Hardesty
Fiction – teen/young adult
In My Library? As an eBook, it is.

I really enjoy reading Tudor Robins novels. Her horse fiction features unique characters and a whole lot of horse information. Stolen Saddles, her latest release is no different!

Stolen Saddles is a very entertaining read, and full of factual horse information. The protagonist is a delightful teenage girl named Emmy. She obviously loves horses and is a dedicated rider.

Emmy has a unique outlook on life. Her character and take on things is at times laugh out loud funny. Emmy wants a horse of her own. She also desires a place to call home.

Emmy is able to improve her riding skills with the help of her Aunt Jewel. Unfortunately for Emmy, the visits at her Aunt’s place are too short and not very often.

Emmy’s mother loves travel and also adventure. Emmy is an only child. She is taken around the world with her mother for various adventures. They live in a van and never stay long in one place or another.

During her (too short) stay at Aunt Jewel’s boarding property and riding school this time round, Emmy stumbles across a mystery. Expensive saddles are disappearing.

As the fourteen year old goes on a journey to discover the culprit behind these stolen saddles, she also discovers true friends and a place to call home. Stolen Saddles is another great read by equine author Tudor Robins.

Author: Tudor Robins
Fiction – young adult
In My Library? As an eBook, it is.

“When I hear somebody talk about a horse or cow being stupid; I figure it’s a sure sign that the animal has somehow outfoxed them” ― Tom Dorrance

The third book in the Stonegate Series comes from a fresh angle. Whilst Em was the protagonist in After Lucas, there is a new lead in Throw Your Heart Over. We are introduced to Ellie earlier in the series and it was lovely to get to know her in this novel.

Ellie is not a horse person; not at all. She has just started university and is learning to find herself after a devastating break up. She also happens to be dealing with a bridezilla older sister and trying to help with the wedding planning in which she is to be a bridesmaid.

Throw Your Heart Over provides a delightful look into the horse world from the point of view of someone who is initially intimidated by horses. On top of this, Ellie knows nothing about them. And yet, as she starts the journey of learning to ride, this young adult discovers there may just be something to horses that is compelling, even addictive.

The story largely revolves around Ellie’s university life, battling insecurity over now healed hideous acne, developing new friends and exploring the possibility of a future relationship. The horse aspects as Ellie learns to ride Em’s horse whilst she is away for university, are educational and at times laugh out loud funny.

I really, really enjoyed this third book the in the series. I would recommend it to those who are horse fans or know nothing about them – they’re bound to learn a thing or two! Throw Your Heart Over is a well named title and a great follow on for this series. Highly recommended.

Author: Tudor Robins
Fiction – young adult
In My Library? As an eBook, it is.

I don’t know a lot about the Pony Express, but have come across little snippets now and again. Or, I’ve read references to the express in a book. Add in the romance aspect in the title and the fact that this book by Misty M. Beller is a Christian story, and I was more than happy to download a copy when it was free on Kindle. A Pony Express Romance was a delightful read, with a big horse focus.

This book is a Christian historical romance novel set in the 1800s. Around this time, male riders rode horses as fast as they could over rough terrain to deliver mail. Misty’s fictional romance is actually based on this historical event, and in particular something that occurred in 1865. Added to this, she has created some delightful characters – two of which love the equine species.

We are first introduced to Josiah English as he is riding to the base area that he will be working from as an express rider. I loved reading about his dream to purchase a property, breed and raise horses. His current job was just a means to an end, but he got to ride horses whilst doing it.

Little did he know that he would stumble across a young woman with similar desires where he was stationed. On top of this, the young woman is beautiful and a natural horse rider.

A Pony Express Romance was an interesting read. I enjoyed the horse focus and the sessions that focused on educating about horses – riding them and the birth of foals. The faith aspect was there throughout, but not as big a focus as I would have liked. In spite of this, it was lovely to read about Josiah’s progress and faith journey over the duration of the story. This novel was a really enjoyable read.

Author: Misty M. Beller
Fiction – historical Christian
In My Library? As an eBook, definitely.