If Wishes were Horses has a great plot idea. Twenty five year old Brianna Lane is a graphic designer in Melbourne, living a comfortable life. Her mother hails from an Irish background and these roots lead to an unusual conversation for the young adult. Brianna is amazed to learn that her uncle who she never met has left half of his estate to her. And this estate is a sizeable, profitable thoroughbred stud.

Brianna is floored and cannot believe what this will mean for her future. The other owner is keen to buy her out and the figure is astronomical. Still, the Australian woman decides she wants to see the property for herself – and learn about her uncle. What she finds over in Ireland surprises and pleases her greatly.

The country is beautiful; the farm is incredible. And the co-heir is far from what she expected. His passion for horses is obvious and his young age and good looks are a pleasant surprise. As Brianna gets to spend time with him and learn about the running of the farm, her attraction to Declan doesn’t appear to be one way at all.

If Wishes were Horses

If Wishes were Horses is a short read that contains a lot of horse content. The story has a lovely ending and could be even better if the crude sexual content was removed. For two people who have known each other such a short time, it amazes me that authors can throw them together in such a physically intimate act. And then write about it so crassly. The romance idea for the story is a great one but I felt it could have been so much better if the language was toned down and the couple were actually given time to explore a growing attraction rather than jump into bed as soon as they were alone.

Author: Caitlyn Lynch
Fiction – adult
In My Library? As an eBook it is.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

It seems that the Windflower Saga is a series for adults written by Aleksandra Layland. That said, the author has created a short story for younger readers. I downloaded Bright Star a Pony of the Kimbrii free on Kindle.  It follows the lives of the ponies that are bred and also trained for the Kimbrii tribe. Many they keep and ride themselves. Others they use for breeding. And still other ponies are sold onto local villagers.

Bright Star is a colt that grows up in the herd. He is one of twins born to the coloured horses in the herd. The young colt narrates the story, talking about his days of growing up alongside his sister and mother. He watches the stallion of the herd – his father – with pride, dreaming of the day when he will become a herd stallion.

In time Bright Star is chosen by one of the young Kimbrii people, something that seems to be a right of passage for seven year olds. Bright Star develops a bond with his rider who in time becomes the Clan Chief. His story follows through to the years when he is able to be a stallion of a herd of his own and later retire on a beautiful property.

Bright Star a Pony of the Kimbrii

Bright Star a Pony of the Kimbrii is a unique story that looks at herd life, tribal life and also the way of the fictional Kimbrii people. It is interspersed with colourful drawings of the herd horses. Although the series is aimed at adults, this short story is sure to engage young readers. The beautiful illustrations are an added bonus.

Author: Aleksandra Layland
Fiction – children’s
In My Library? As an eBook it is.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

I downloaded All the King’s Horses for free on Kindle a few months back.  It seems my collection of ‘freebies’ to read is growing faster than I can read them!  Not that I’m complaining 😉  This book is a very horse focused adult romance.

Amy is running from a life that she no longer wants.  She applies for and secures a job as a stable hand over 8 hours away from her home.  Dustin runs an equine facility where he competes, boards horses for a fee and retrains rescue horses.  His passion for taking on neglected and abused horses is obvious.  So it seems, is his desire to help out broken people.

Amy isn’t broken as far as Dustin can tell.  He recognises that she doesn’t have any issues with handling his horses.  She can competently muck out boxes, lead horses to their yards and bring them in for the night.  She has no issue with feeding them, either.  But Dustin has an issue with Amy.

As far as he can see, the horses evoke no feeling whatsoever.  He can’t understand how anyone could look at a horse, receive a nuzzle from it or observe a youngster kicking up its heels in play and not react at all.  It’s like she sees all of his beloved horses as mere machinery.

It takes Dustin awhile to realise that Amy may be more broken than the abused horses he is working with.  With some wise observations shared by his mother and Amy going against his wishes when it comes to a couple of the horses, Dustin realises there is more to Amy than he gave her credit for – a lot more.

As he starts to put the puzzle pieces together, Dustin finds himself inexplicably drawn to Amy.  Amy tries to ignore her attraction to him, especially after what she’s been through.  As the two are drawn together by mutual attraction as well as a desire to heal horses, it seems a relationship is inevitable.

All the King’s Horses is delightfully spot on with the horse information.  The story aptly explores gaining the trust as well as retraining horses that have been abused and misused.  The two issues I had with this novel was the crude language and also the way physical romance was described.  For a woman who was so drawn to Dustin’s gentle side, it surprised me that their physical relationship seemed anything but.  Remove the bad language and crude sexual descriptions and this story would be so much better.

Author: Lauren Gallagher
Fiction – adult romance
In My Library? As an eBook it is.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

In this short story by Jane Ayres, one horse is able to impact the lives of many for good. The reader is first introduced to the beautiful grey stallion Zephyr on a remote island. Owned by the only man who can handle him, the main character in the Horse who Dreamed of Home doesn’t realise how good his life is. He has his herd of mares and is allowed to roam the island during the day with them and then come into the warmth and safety of the stables at night.

But with the passing of his master, Zephyr finds that in time his comfortable life is challenged. No match for sedatives, the great grey horse knows nothing of his trip off the island. He only knows that things have drastically changed when he awakes in a small, dirty stall and there are no mares in sight.

And so starts an incredible journey as the stallion fights his way to freedom from horse smugglers. In time he meets a young boy who is unsure of his purpose or passion in life. By this stage Zephyr is injured and starving. Young Thom helps to bring him back to health and so builds a bond with the grey horse that he lovingly names Finn.

Zephyr is with Thom long enough to help him find direction in life. But then an event that frightens the stallion soon has him once again running for his life. And in time he comes to meet a young widow who has lost contact with the outside world.

Although he only visits for a short while, Zephyr is able to draw the young woman back into society and establish her first friendship with another person in a long time. As he travels on, the grey stallion in time finds himself on an equestrian establishment. The young woman who discovers him, immediately recognises the horse’s grace and good conformation. Much like Thom she builds up a relationship with him and is eager to compete him.

In an unusual turn of events, it is between this young woman and Thom that the stallion finds himself needing to decide. Zephyr is still torn by his desire to return to his mares on his beloved island.  But he is left with a choice to make. The Horse who Dreamed of Home is a unique tale.  It shows how one horse can make a positive impact in the lives of many through various ways. An enjoyable read.

Author: Jane Ayres
Fiction – teen and young adult
In My Library? As an eBook it is.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

In the next book in the Forest Advetures series, Forest Rescue explores eldest daughter, Niki’s character a little more. Although the pre-teen is coming across as introverted and moody, Aunt Anna and Grandma are sure something more is going on. When it becomes apparent what has happened, Grandma quickly concludes that it is the ponies that will come to Niki’s rescue. Forest Rescue is a great follow on from Forest Summer.

As Niki’s younger sisters head back home in time for school, a drastic change is made in Niki’s life. She stays with her grandparents and aunt, not eager to return home to deal with some nasty girls at school. And yet, the idea of being away from her parents – and sisters – for so long has her a little intimidated.

In time it is the patience of her grandmother and aunt as well as the healing power of the New Forest Ponies that brings Niki out of her shell. She slowly heals and finds her sense of self worth and confidence again.

In time Niki establishes new friendships that are built on mutual interests. Her riding skills improve and she is rapt to be allowed out riding with her newfound friends. On a riding trip out alone Niki is dismayed to find some older males lighting a fire in the hot summer months when it is not allowed in the forest. A nice ride by herself soon turns into a dangerous adventure that Niki isn’t sure she is ready for.

Forest Rescue is a great exploration of building up confidence again after bullying. It explores family members being able to read the signs of a deeper issue than just growth pains. It also looks into the benefit of horses and how they can instill confidence in any individual.

Author: Mica Ford
Fiction – middle grade
In My Library? As an eBook it is.
Want it? Get it now at Forelock Books.