Recently I downloaded a number of free horse books – and some by new authors for me – that I think you may be interested in, too! One of the books that I downloaded was Off Course by Tiffany Noelle Chacon. Now this is book number 0.5, a prequel to the Equestrian Dreams series.

This novella offers a glimpse at Mila Kozak’s life before the events that take place in the first book of the Equestrian Dreams series. The reader is introduced to Mila’s obvious love for show jumping, fast horses and riding with her sister. The only thing that is missing in Mila’s life is the perfect mount.

She is a good rider and has a promising riding career ahead of her. She enjoys show jumping with her sister and spending time with her boyfriend who also loves to ride. Things are perfect on the surface, but Mila wonders just when her perfect horse will come on the scene.

Off Course is a great look at family dynamics and different cultures. What I especially appreciated about this introductory story, was the focus on horse related scenes. The story focused a lot on Mila and Michael’s relationship, but it was also full of horse scenes with factual information about horses, riding and show jumping. I love a horse book where I can learn about horses!

The characters are delightful, and there are enough questions left unanswered to have you really wanting to get started on Jump – book one in the Equestrian Dreams series. Highly recommended.

Author: Tiffany Noelle Chacon
New adult clean romance
In My Library? In electronic form, yes!

For the next week and a bit, there are Books for Horse Lovers available to download for free, when you sign up to their author mailing list. You can check it out via https://books.bookfunnel.com/booksforhorselovers/p4rtbun6db. There are some lovely looking covers! Head along and check them out 🙂 And why not grab yourself a free copy of Off Course?

I’ve had opportunity recently to read the second book in the Pocket Pegasus series – Flash and the Wings of courage. You may remember that my seven-year-old won the first three books as a part of the Kids Summer Reading Program. We are looking forward to taking part again this year!

You can read a review of the first book in the above link. Following on from this, Laura, Krissy and Todd are strengthening their friendships as they continue to look after Flash – a magical, tiny, talking winged horse! All three are preparing for the new school year and Flash is eager to take part. Can he go along to school with Laura?

Laura is unsure – the small equine isn’t so easy to keep a secret when he insists on talking and getting out of her backpack! In the end she promises he can come, in spite of the frequent trips he’s been taking at night to stretch his wings.

Todd’s broken home life comes to interrupt things and an abusive and alcoholic father has Laura and Krissy unsure what to do. Things take an unexpected turn when Flash learns about the dilemma and steps in for his friends.

Then later, when Laura is having issues with a high school bully, Flash again steps in. It seems he’s eager to do all he can to help and protect his human friends. But as Flash’s health seems to be declining fast, Laura questions what they can do for their equine friend. Does their secret need to be revealed to save the little winged horse?

Author: Susan Stafford-Pooley
Middle Grade Fiction
In My Library? Technically my son’s, but yes!

On a side note, the Kids Summer Reading Program (with a horse focus!) is coming up again in June. Why not sign up your young horse fan today? Details are available via https://wereadhorsebooks.com/.

A few weeks ago my daughter came home with a horse book from the school library. It was Honey and the Valley of Horses by Wendy Orr. The cover looked lovely and being a horse novel, I was curious!

And so I started reading the novel as time permitted. (My daughter finished it well before me!).

This story is an interestingly crafted idea, conjured up it seems on account of COVID and the lock downs that occurred. Apparently Wendy got to thinking about children that were born during COVID – how would they respond to the ‘outside world’ once they were finally allowed to venture into it?

An interesting idea – and I love how she weaved horses into this story!

Honey and her family go on a drive, eager to get away from a world that is falling apart around them. They discover a secret mountain and cross over a bridge to explore…

Honey and the Valley of Horses by Wendy Orr

And so starts their journey living in a secret valley with some magical horses. Honey, her younger brother Rumi, her mother, father and grandmother all live together in this valley.

In time they learn to live off the land – plant what they can, harvest what they can and enjoy a quiet, secluded life in the valley. An added bonus are the horses that come when you sing for them. Honey and Rumi learn to ride bareback and go on amazing adventures across the mountain.

Time passes – years – and the family starts to question if they will ever be able to leave the valley. As Honey’s father appears to be sick and in need of assistance, she is desperate to get out of the valley and seek help. Will she be able to leave? Can she get help for her father in time? And if she can leave, what will the outside world be like?

Author: Wendy Orr
Fiction: Middle Grade
In My Library? No, but it was borrowed from one!