Recently I downloaded a copy of the Vetted Cowboy for free on Kindle.  It focuses on the lives of newly qualified veterinarian Riley Shaw and Jeremy Quinn, a reining champion establishing his training career.  The attraction is instant for Riley, in spite of Jeremy being difficult about such a young female treating his prize horse.  Still, she is quick to confide in her best friend Vanessa how much of jerk he was – both as a client and as a male in general when she was called out to his farm for a case of colic.

Jeremy is impressed by the vet’s spunk and makes it known he finds her attractive.  As a good looking, successful male in the horse industry, he has no qualms about his own appeal.  With a chance meeting outside of work, Jeremy finds the vet to be even more appealing – and concludes there may be a spark for her too.

With Congress looming on the horizon, both know they need to focus on their careers.  Jeremy has a prize gelding that he anticipates doing well, not to mention students he is training and other horses under his care.  Riley is a vet on call for the large horse event and knows she needs to stay focused and build her clientele.

Still, the two find themselves drawn together and can’t keep away.  It’s noticeable to everyone, including Jeremy’s overtly jealous ex-girlfriend.  When Nina finds a way to undermine the newly established couple, she takes it.  As someone who has no family, Riley is hesitant to let herself get attached to the attractive horse rider and trainer.  So when something occurs that has her questioning his intentions toward her, she concludes it is easier to shut down.

Jeremy is hurt that the young woman would take an ex-girlfriend’s word over his own.  When he confronts the vet about her actions, her acknowledgement that she was wrong isn’t enough.  Running on pride he shuts the door on their potential relationship.

It isn’t until Riley has a work related accident that Jeremy questions if he can manage without the vet he’s come to love.  The Vetted Cowboy is an entertaining romance.  It’s definitely a book for adults, with some overt descriptions when it comes to the physical side of their relationship.  The quarter horse world is touched on briefly although I would love a more in depth exploration of it!  The story ends well.

Author – C.L. Ullman
Fiction – adult
In my library – as an eBook it is.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

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The sixth book in the Magical Adventures and Pony Tales short stories for children is titled the Wooden Pony.  In this story, young Thomas longs for fields of green that to him depict freedom.  Although he loves watching his father work in his carpentry shop, he struggles with envy.  The beautiful toys, instruments and other items are carefully crafted and then sold to someone else.

Thomas has no doubt it will be the same for the wooden horse that his father is making.  As the pony starts to take shape, he also comes to life.  Thomas is amazed to find he has a new friend – a talking wooden pony!  As he grows closer to the pony, his father continues to work on him.  Eyes are added so he can see; legs are carved so he can move.

And as he continues to take shape, Thomas’ friendship deepens and he is able to enjoy doing more with the pony.  But he is aware that his time of friendship is running out.  As Thomas describes the world around them to the pony, the topic of ownership comes up.  The pony is saddened to find that he will be sold and owned by someone else.  Thomas is devastated.

The Wooden Pony is a delightful story of magic and deep friendship.  As Thomas’ friendship deepens, he learns more about the pony.  This leads him to naming the pony.  Once his name is carved onto the hindquarters, Thomas knows that he will be complete.  Although he dreads this day, he can’t help but name the pony for the freedom they both desire.  Little does Thomas know that his hearts desire is that of his parents, too.  This is a short, delightful read with a wonderful ending.

Author – Angharad Thompson Rees
Fiction – children
In my library – as an eBook it is.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

What I really love about the books by Angharad Thompson Rees is the imagination involved – as well as the horses!  She writes in a beautifully descriptive way that I am sure children will love.  This is true of previous books I have read by her.  It is also true of The Desert Pony, a short story for young horse fans.

Young Hannan lives a lonely life.  As the only son of his parents, his life takes a devastating turn when his mother becomes ill.  In search of a cure, his parents leave seeking a mystical lake in the middle of the desert.  Hannan is left in the care of his grandmother.  Sadly, she in time passes on, leaving the young boy all alone – except for the goats that he tends to.

His life moves in cycles of travelling with his goats, seeking good grazing.  When they are fat enough he sells them at market, buys some more goats – and grain to feed them alongside the grass – and off he goes to do it all again.  A chance meeting with a strange old man suddenly turns the direction of Hannan’s life.  The young boy finds himself on an unplanned adventure, without goats but now in possession of a rather unusual pony.

And it is this unusual pony – and his unique sense of humour and incredible talents – that help Hannan to seek that which he has lost: his beloved parents.  The Desert Pony is a wonderfully imaginative tale.  Angharad Thompson Rees has woven in some delightful riddles into the story and a touch of humour.  The theme of focusing on the thing you want most, rather than trying to have it all is a good one for young – and older readers alike – to learn.  This is another short tale in the Magical Adventures and Pony Tales series that is highly recommended.

Author – Angharad Thompson Rees
Fiction – children
In my library – as an eBook it is.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

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Rodeo Rider is the twelfth book in the Saddle Club series by Bonnie Bryant.  The reader is once again taken for a visit to the Bar None ranch.  This is where the girls’ friend Kate Devine lives.  The ranch is in trouble and it seems the Saddle Club needs to step in and help!

When the opportunity arises for them to visit, the girls are delighted to find that the local rodeo will be on whilst they’re there.  Eager to help raise the social profile of the Bar None, the girls sign up to the rodeo.  And so they are entered for the barrel racing event.  But there’s one problem – for a group of English riders, they have no idea what barrel racing is!

Local wrangler Eli Grimes comes to the girls’ aid.  Newly informed, Stevie, Carole, Lisa, Kate and their friend Christine work hard to learn the ins and outs of barrel racing.  Whilst this is occurring, Eli is also working hard for the rodeo events he will compete in.  It is his desire to secure a full scholarship to be able to study.

In between practices, the girls take a trip to a competition ranch to see just what it is that is drawing customers to them, rather than the Bar None.  They come up with one conclusion: the Bar None needs to be more visible to potential customers.  And it seems that the rodeo is just the way to do this.

Throw in some apparent unrequited love, a non-helpful rodeo aide for Eli and a desire to win in spite of the odds, and Rodeo Rider is another great read in the series.  It again shows how the girls can work together to overcome obstacles whilst also having fun.

Author: Bonnie Bryant
Fiction – pre and early teenage years.
In My Library? It definitely is!  Along with many others in the series.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

I downloaded a copy of Summer Circuit recently for free over at Instafreebie as a part of the Equestrian Horse Book Giveaway. Of all the books on offer, it was the only one I hadn’t yet read! Summer Circuit was a great look into the show jumping world from an interesting point of view. Hannah Waer is an eighteen-year-old who is used to the comfort that money brings. It’s how she got her horse Logan and is a part of the show jumping world.

As someone who is used to having her horse handed to her, getting on and riding and handing him back to a groom, things are drastically changing. Feeling that she needs to learn to assert herself, Hannah’s father has indicated that she will be doing the 7 week Summer Circuit before university. And she’ll be doing it alone. She’ll still have a trainer to oversee her classes.  But when it comes to preparing her gelding and cleaning up after him, she is suddenly his groom.

Aside from the unappealing smells and the physical work of caring for a horse that she isn’t used to, Hannah isn’t sure how she’ll manage.  After all, she has no idea how to muck out a stall, much less tack up a horse.

And so starts an incredible journey for the young woman.  In time she learns to fend for herself, look after her horse and develop a backbone. Hannah is rapt to have a close friend in talented rider – and competent groom – Zoe. Although she can’t work out why Zoe is so nice to her, she is glad to have a friend who knows the ropes – and the people – in the horse showing world. Zoe introduces her to people and helps her to feel a little less like a fish out of water. One of these people is a knowledgeable groom named Mike. Hannah instantly recognises the genuine person Mike is and her learning journey regarding horse care begins.

Although caring for her gelding Logan has the potential to improve over time, Hannah doesn’t see how her riding performances can. Logan is uncontrollable and her trainer is far from helpful. On her first day of the circuit, Hannah is dismayed to nearly crash into top show rider, Chris Kern. And if that isn’t enough, Zoe is insistent on introducing her to Chris at the pub when the showing world is letting loose for the evening.

What has the potential to be a very embarrassing meeting turns into an unexpected opportunity for Hannah and her horse Logan. And in time it’s this opportunity that helps Hannah to learn to ride competently.  She also learns to stand up for herself and to even belief in herself – as a rider and a young woman.

Summer Circuit is a great introduction to the world of caring for horses and competing on them. Because Hannah is having to learn from the ground up, the reader is able to learn alongside her. That said there were some terms I felt could be explained further. The novel is an entertaining and educational read and moves at a good pace. Although Hannah’s character seemed to recognise Zoe’s need to value herself as a person, I felt the sexual side of the story was a bit crude at times. Aside from that, Summer Circuit is a really good read.  Hannah’s character showed real maturity as she dealt with what was thrown at her.  Recommended.

Author – Kim Ablon Whitney
http://www.kimablonwhitney.com/
Fiction – young adult
In my library? – as an eBook, yes!
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.