Running Free finds young Mory desperate to prove the worth of her pony Midnight Dancer.  After some unexpected jumping opportunities arise, Mory is adamant that her pony is a brilliant jumper.  Mean girl at school Caroline Spencer wants Mory to prove it by entering the local show jumping competition.

Although Mory knows her beautiful mare is brilliant, she isn’t so sure about her own jumping skills – she is still learning to ride effectively.  Whilst Mory is out riding on the hills, she discovers a dog running free.  In time, a dead sheep is found and Mory’s uncle Glyn is furious.  He is adamant he will shoot any dogs on sight if they’re near his sheep.

Mory is fearful for Ben, a new dog that her friend Lionel has acquired.  Although Mory doesn’t believe Ben killed the sheep, she knows that he was in the area at one point.  Uncle Glyn is certain it is either Lionel’s young dog or a local woman’s dog.  Mory is unsure how she can prove it was neither!

In time Mory is goaded into entering the show jumping competition at Penyworlod.  Most of her energies go into training her pony and learning to sit well on Dancer.  Alongside this she suddenly has to deal with another dead sheep – this time a young lamb.  Lionel has also run away and Caroline is suddenly going out riding with Mory’s cousin Cara.

Running Free focuses on a great mystery that young Mory has to work to solve before an innocent dog is killed.  It is also a perfect story for young horse enthusiasts.  The horse information rings true, is educational and the story is an entertaining read.  This third book in the Midnight Dancer series I am sure would be a hit with pre-teen horse enthusiasts.

Author – Elizabeth Lindsay
Fiction – children
In my library – along with a few others in the series!
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

Recently Genevieve Mckay provided me with a copy of her latest release, Defining Gravity. I really enjoyed reading this horse novel for young adults and believe others will, too.

Young Astrid is an extremely talented archer. It seems that she lives for the sport that she excels at. It’s the one thing that makes sense to her as a teenager. She struggles with her self image and her weight. Her father is a stranger that seems to view her as an annoyance. She has a crush on a boy who barely recognises her and even her closest friend is brutally blunt.

Attending a party at the Ling’s home, Astrid feels things might finally be falling into place. Thomas Ling is actually talking to her and it seems that he may like her. Or perhaps that’s the punch talking. With a little too much in her system, Astrid feels bold and finds herself behaving in a way that she wouldn’t have the courage to otherwise. And this is her downfall. Her boldness leads to an accident that puts her archery career on hold and could even end it.

Missing the sport that feels as necessary as breathing to her, Astrid feels she’s been punished enough. Her father disagrees and Astrid finds herself suddenly with a job at a stable, surrounded by large, imposing horses. A fill in job to pass the time – and develop discipline – suddenly opens a door of possibilities.

Defining Gravity is a great look at the horse performance world with a focus on dressage. The characters are varied but all human with different flaws and insecurities. As Astrid works through the disappointment of not being able to play her favourite sport – and of having let down her father – she learns what true friends look like at the stables. She also discovers the need to stand up for herself. Defining Gravity is a great coming of age story with horse information that rings true and is educational. It’s a great look at the horse world from a beginner’s point of view as they get consumed by the industry and take in all that they can.

The story moves along at a good pace and has some characters you’ll love to hate. Astrid’s character is believable, likeable and grows into a young woman as the story develops. The horse events work well to build the reader’s knowledge about the industry and Astrid’s riding lessons are really interesting to read about. Do yourself a favour and get a copy of Defining Gravity.

Author – Genevieve Mckay
Fiction – young adult
In my library – as an eBook it is!
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.