So I’ve had the chance to read another of Cora Marie Colt’s racing romance books. This was an early copy of her upcoming release Moonlight, Mares and Murder. This racing into romance novella introduces us to Sharon Benner.  She is a racehorse trainer who finds her world suddenly turned upside down. Detective Winterbane turns up in her stable to let her know that one of her horses’ owners has been murdered.

As the detective starts to question Sharon, she is dismayed to find that she’s being treated as a suspect. Just who does this detective think he is? What’s further alarming is Sharon’s immediate attraction to Robert Winterbane. The racehorse trainer knows she needs to ignore the attraction, especially when Robert’s ignorance of racing and animals rights questions leave her seething.

Robert knows very little about the racing industry, but when he comes to inform racehorse trainer Sharon Benner about the death of a client, he finds he wants to know a lot more. Just what is it about this woman that has drawn him in so completely?

As he works to solve this murder case, Robert finds himself working hard to prove Sharon’s innocence as quickly as he can. After all, it wouldn’t do well to fall for a suspect, would it? Moonlight, Mares and Murder is a sweet romance that explores the thoroughbred industry and highlights how well these equine athletes are treated. The murder has an interesting twist to it and the story ends well. This latest racing into romance novella from Cora is due to be released March 1. Why not pre-order your copy now?

Author: Cora Marie Colt
Fiction – adult contemporary romance, novella
In My Library? It is as an ebook.

Back in 2020, I connected with turf writer Mark Shrager. I thought the job title was an interesting one and asked him about it. This led to the opportunity to profile Mark on Equus Education. As a thank you, he sent me a copy of his latest book – a biography of female jockey Diane Crump. Thanks Mark!

It has taken me awhile to create the time to read it, but this biography has been well worth it. Diane opened many doors for female race riders back in the late sixties and seventies. Her passion for horses and riding as well as a hard headed determination helped her to pave the way for other women to break into the industry. And if you ask Diane, she’ll say that God played a large role in that, too.

Diane Crump by Mark Shrager

Shrager has done a great job of exploring Diane’s early love of horses and her ability to save and secure her first horse.  And then there was the long road ahead of her to get into race riding. He looks at the prejudice women had to battle, the sexist comments and downright refusal of males to ride in races with women at first. But he also explores what really was Diane’s dream – the time when a female riding in a race would be considered normal.

Along this journey, Diane got to be the first female to win a stakes race in the US and the first to ride in the Kentucky Derby.  Although maybe less notable, there were many other firsts. Diane Crump is an interesting and motivational read. For those who want to learn a little of the race history of female jockeys in the United States and the utter determination of someone to live their dream, then I encourage you to read this book.

Author: Mark Shrager
Non Fiction – biography
In my library? That it is, thanks for the copy, Mark!

The eighth book in the Saddleback Stables series is titled the Pony Present. I recently downloaded this for free on Kindle.  I am always happy to read another horse book. This one is aimed at 6-9 year old readers.

The Pony Present explores the story of young equine enthusiast Hannah and her favourite pony Jin Jin. Hannah has been riding at Saddleback Stables for close to a year. To celebrate this milestone, she wants to get something special for her favourite pony. And so she goes to her favourite horse tack store to secure the perfect bridle for her perfect pony.

The Pony Present by Lisa Thompson

The Pony Present is a suitable book for 6-9 year old children. It is full of horse facts, easy to read sentences as well as various illustrations.

It also explores what can happen to a riding pony when they tire of many different riders giving different aids or signals. Hannah is dismayed to find that her pony doesn’t seem so interested in her, especially after she gets the gift to celebrate their year of riding together.

What could possibly be wrong with Jin Jin? It seems that just when things appear to be improving, her favourite riding school pony suddenly isn’t where he should be. And just what are her riding school friends up to?

The Pony Present is an easy, fast paced enjoyable read. It’s bound to educate young readers whilst providing them with an opportunity to test their reading skills.  It can also easily be read to younger readers.

Author: Lisa Thompson
Fiction – children
In my library? As an ebook it is.

“A horse loves freedom, and the weariest old work horse will roll on the ground or break into a lumbering gallop when he is turned loose into the open.” – Gerald Raftery

I recently downloaded Diana Kimpton’s There Must be Horses for free on Kindle. It was nice to get stuck into another horse middle grade book to read and review. Twelve year old Sasha has a love for horses tha will last forever. This is the only thing that has been a constant in her life as she’s been moved around in the foster system. When an emergency care situation leads to the pre-teen finding herself on a horse property, she is overjoyed. But the situation is only temporary, so how can she make it permanent?

There Must be Horses aptly explores the value of a permanent home with encouraging parental figures, even if they aren’t biological parents. As Sasha learns in this new environment, she is shown that her temper and want to break things when upset is not okay. She is also shown that she is not stupid and that persistence and a different approach can pay off.

Sasha is amazed to learn how to read horses.  She finds that their behaviour and body language is very different to a person’s. As she grows and develops in her horse knowledge and skills, Sasha’s adamant that there must be horses in her life.  This becomes a problem for the social worker who is so keen to find her a forever home. Sasha doesn’t want a new home – she wants this temporary one to become permanent instead.

There Must be Horses is a thought provoking read with horses at the forefront. Young horse fans are sure to be engaged – and learn a lot.

Author: Diana Kimpton
Fiction – middle grade / pre-teen
In my library? As an ebook it is.

“In riding a horse, we borrow freedom.” – Helen Thompson

I recently downloaded Flame on Kindle, having learned from author Leanne Owens that is was free over the weekend. Yay for another horse book to read! I have read one of Leanne’s books before, Horses of the Sun and enjoyed this.

It is nice to discover other Australian authors that write about horses. Flame is a short story that could easily be devoured in an afternoon.

Flame is a wild horse in Australia. He starts out as a yearling in the story when some stock men are caught up in a fire, trying to move their herd of cattle to safer ground. The wild horse although presumably a brumby appears to have thoroughbred blood in him. One of the stock men feels a connection with the colt in that first meeting. And then over time, as the stories of Flame grow, John feels that he will see the horse again.

This short story looks at the harsh conditions that stock men work in and wild animals encounter in the Australian outback. Storms, flooding and the worst perhaps – fire – are all explored as Flame lives out his years in the wild.

The reader gets to learn about this environment through the eyes of ageing stockman John and growing wild horse, Flame. Many emotional stories are shared as one wild horse uses his knowledge of the land to save various people. Through these events the reputation of Flame grows and John finds himself wondering if this magical ghost horse is indeed real.

But his various interactions with the flaming chestnut over time prove to him that this wild horse – although seemingly magical – was very much real. Flame was an informative and enjoyable short read with a very big horse focus. Recommended.

Author: Leanne Owens
Fiction – adult
In My Library? As an ebook it is.