In The One (Wilde Brothers #1), Margaret Gorden has returned to her home town after losing her job as a surgeon.  She now just wants to lick her wounds and enjoy spending time with her horse. The Egyptian Arabian is the only honest thing in her life. However, it seems the bond with her horse is known in town. Margaret is amazed to find an old crush turn up on her doorstep, demanding that she look at his son’s unmanageable horse.

At one time Margaret may have convinced herself Joe was the one.  His looks and physique completely captured her attention as a teen. But his ruthless teasing of her left her feeling inadequate, embarrassed and a social loner.

It seems that fifteen years later, Joe hasn’t changed. And Margaret’s reaction to him hasn’t either. The fact that he is still able to manipulate situations to get what he wants is a frustration also. Margaret finds herself agreeing to assess the horse and even take it on. This is in spite of the fact that she doesn’t like the idea of being around the extremely attractive but bullying hulk of a man.

In time, Joe and Margaret discover that their attraction is mutual.  However, this doesn’t seem to change the way Joe speaks to Margaret. She learns to stand strong and get her point across in challenging situations and this seems to endear her further to him.

Although this story is an interesting romance, with a focus on horses and how they read people, it seems to be lacking a few things. Margaret’s childhood and incessant teasing from Joe are touched on a few times. And yet, this is not discussed or resolved as they are drawn together as adults. It seems too, that Joe’s gruff attitude toward her could be explained further, so that he doesn’t come across as an angry bully who takes what he wants.  Book one in the Wilde Brothers series was enjoyable, but with a few gaps.

Author – Lorrhaine Eckhart
Fiction – adult
In my library – Yes, as a Kindle version 🙂
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

Young Lisa is devastated by the fact that her family has lost their household estate in the first book in the Horse Guardian series, Dark Fire. This included a beautiful manor, land and stables full of horses. When her father was unable to make repayments, they lost everything.

Lisa’s only sense of satisfaction is in knowing the elderly gentleman who inherited the estate. Through developing a friendship with him, she is able to help out at the stables and look after her beloved Jupiter. Little does she know that trouble lurks.

Lisa doesn’t get along with Mr. Pickering’s nephew, Jimmy. She has little choice to be around him though, seeing as he is looking after his ailing uncle. When Jimmy tells her she’s no longer welcome at the manor, Lisa determines to sneak out at night and look after the horses. She knows he isn’t tending to their needs.

Jimmy’s desperation to inherit his uncle’s estate causes him to act in a way that Lisa doesn’t believe possible. As she finds herself – and the horses – in danger, she is both surprised and thankful to meet Angelica, a teenage girl who appears out of nowhere.

Lisa knows there is something different about Angelica, but she isn’t sure what it is. Either way she is thankful for the new friend who is able to help her solve the mystery of Mr. Pickering’s murder, why Jimmy hates her horse and what he plans to do with her.

Dark Fire is an interesting read with relevant horse details. It has the added angle of magic thrown in and is sure to entertain young horse and fantasy fans.

Author – Angela Dorsey
Fiction – teen
In my library – Yes, as a Kindle version 🙂
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.