In the fifth book in the Happy Hollow Stables series, Silence of Snowfall is located mainly in property owner Holly Bridge’s small barn.  On account of a sensationalised warning about upcoming bad weather, the town is in an uproar trying to get supplies before being stuck at home because of a blizzard.

Knowing she should stock up and stay with her horses, Holly heads into town to get some supplies.  The mayhem at the local store surprises her.  She’s not so sure that the impending weather is going to be all it is proclaimed to be.  But that doesn’t stop the locals from buying as many supplies as they can.

Returning to Happy Hollow Stables, Holly is surprised to find her trusty employee McKenzie dealing with a colicky horse.  Holly is quick to call local vet – and her boyfriend – Dustin to come and check the gelding out.  With the cold weather, the poor horse has become impacted due to not drinking enough.

What started out as a typical day in the barn soon turns into a sleepover as the weather makes it impossible to go anywhere.  Holly had forgotten about her planned farrier visit and finds herself the host to McKenzie, the vet Dustin and local farrier Mike.  In time this increases to local journalist Derek Pitts. And the pleasant delivery man, Henry.

Holly battles to deal with the different personalities suddenly forced to stay in her barn.  Whilst keeping an eye on the horses and making sure everyone is warm enough in the freezing weather, she is devastated to find Henry’s body outside his truck.  At first this seems like an accidental death.  But as Holly analyses the situation, she finds herself once again involved in the middle of a whodunit.

Silence of Snowfall for such a short mystery features some great horsey moments and again builds on the relationship of Holly and Dustin.  The conclusion is quick but fitting.

Author – Eve Craig
Fiction – adult
In my library – as an eBook it is.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

The third book in the Dream Horse Adventures series is Selah’s Painted Dream.  I was given a copy of this book to review in anticipation of its release date – today, May 7!  Although I haven’t read the first two books in this series, it was easy to get caught up in thirteen year old Selah’s world.  The teen is devastated to learn some news that will turn her world upside down: the family is moving.

As a thirteen year old who has her dream horse, Selah cannot think of anything better in life.  Her grandfather lives nearby on a farm, and Selah is able to keep Dream there.  But with the news that her father needs to relocate for work, it looks like she’ll only get to visit her horse on weekends – if that.

Selah is shocked and devastated that she will be ripped from the town she loves, away from the horse she loves and also from the friends that she has at school.  Life couldn’t get worse for the teen, or so it seems.

Selah has an incredible bond with her mare Dream and a recent episode on a television show quickly results in stardom for the pair.  Unfortunately for Selah, it also results in jealousy for the two girls she considered her friends at school.  She cannot fathom how to get through to her best friend Vanessa.  Selah finds herself struggling to be nice when Vanessa is anything but.

Selah’s Painted Dream is a story full of adventure.  As the thirteen year old feels her world is falling down around her, she devises a plan to get her grandpa on side – and to move in with him at the farm.  But many things she tries seem to backfire.  And all this, in amongst pulling a man from a crashed plane with her beloved horse, trying to help rescue a lost four year old girl and saving a neighbour’s stray sheep and lambs!

Selah battles through a constant haze of thinking that no one cares what she wants.  She struggles to be gracious and to look to God for answers.  Most of the advice she is given is to trust in God for the best outcome, but how can she when it seems He’s not answering her prayers?

Her grandfather isn’t interested in her desire to live with him; he has other things on his mind.  Her parents say they can’t change the situation and insist that she needs to accept it for what it is.  Her friends don’t care that she’s leaving – they seem relieved.  Selah questions just how things could get any worse – and then her grandfather drops a bombshell on her.  Selah’s Painted Dream is an interesting and entertaining read that is full of horses and horse facts.  The way it finishes is a delight and also shows a lot of growth in the young teen.

Author – Susan Count
Fiction – early teen
In my library – I have an electronic copy.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.