Recently I was given the chance to read and review First Past the Post by SJ Garland. This novel focuses on the thoroughbred breeding and racing world, set in the time of Queen Victoria. The protagonist, Eva McKenzie is a passionate horse woman, making her way in a man’s world. This is much to the disdain of her socialite father.

When Eva’s favoured stallion is stolen, the young woman finds herself suspicious of a British Duke who appeared at the Sheepshead Bay horse auction. He is very interested in her grey stallion and not too much time passes before a fire occurs and Eva’s stallion is stolen.

As Eva battles to unravel the mystery involving her stolen horse, she also battles a growing attraction to the British Duke who knows more than he’s letting on.

First Past the Post travels from New York to England as Eva and the Duke pursue her missing horse. Throughout this mystery, a romance grows and horses feature heavily. The story is very engaging and the dialogue between the male and female lead entertaining.

Eva has vowed never to marry. Her father’s treatment of her mother and his constant putting down of his daughter have guaranteed that. And yet, she can’t deny a growing attraction to the Duke. Francis was happy to escape the consistent planning of his mother, trying to marry him off to every available female. He didn’t anticipate coming across a tall, stubborn, well informed horse woman in the United States. And yet, he cannot deny his attraction to Eva.

First Past the Post beautifully explores the role of women in the Queen Victoria era, with a lovely focus on horses. The main characters are a delight to read about and the supporting roles build on the story. Highly recommended.

Author: SJ Garland
Fiction – historical
In My Library? As an eBook.

In After Lucas, teenager Mavis gives an incredible impression of being a spoiled, rich girl who wins every ribbon on her push button horse. But under the surface, the riding, the ribbons, even coming first seem to bring little joy to her. So when Mavis’s dad loses his job and her prizewinning mare Ava must be sold, the teenager finds a sense of relief fills her.

She no longer has to go to the barn daily. She isn’t expected to put her beautiful, flawless horse through her paces over and again. She doesn’t have to pretend enthusiasm for the next countless red ribbon she acquires.

With the loss of his current position, Mavis’s father has to move away from the family for a new role he acquires. As the family dynamics change, the teenage girl finds she is called upon to taxi her brother to his basketball practices and games. Mavis does so grudgingly at first, but as she continues to drive her brother – and his friend Lucas – she develops a new routine and sense of belonging. Suddenly she is needed; included.

After Ava is sold, Mavis is needed at the barn to clear out the rest of her things. As she does so, a chance encounter with a chestnut gelding – also named Lucas – gains her attention. And so starts a journey with a horse that is everything her mare wasn’t: untrained, dirty, stocky and a former trail horse.

With the help of two different males named Lucas, Mavis goes on a journey to discover what she really wants in life, and how money has nothing to do with making her happy.

After Lucas is a delightful read of a young woman truly learning about horses, riding them and their care. As she learns to do more for herself – instead of expecting others to do it – her confidence grows and her amicable nature to other people improves. Mavis grows and develops into a delightful person, who at the start was far from appealing. The horse aspects of this novel are informative and entertaining and the relationships that develop throughout are also enjoyable. Highly recommended.

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