This new release by Mara Dabrishus is sure to be an adult horse story that is enjoyed by racing and horse fans alike.

Georgiana Quinn (Georgie) is riding her way to the top as an apprentice jockey on Sweet Bells, the great thoroughbred mare that is half owned by her family, the other half belonging to the great Tupelo stud and racing farm. Georgie’s history is intricately entwined with that of the farm across the road and their owners, the Armstrong family.

As Georgie finds herself gaining fame as the jockey of Sweet Bells, she struggles to balance her last year in high school, the demands of riding other horses and developing a racing career, and helping her parents to run their thoroughbred operation. Add to this ubiquitous gossip about her family and the Armstrong family, a confusing love/hate relationship with Harris Armstrong and guilt over the death of his mother and you have a make for an entertaining read.

Dabrishus develops her characters well, covers aptly the early racing hours, competition between jockeys and setting up horses for the big races in the United States. Finding Daylight is a well named, informative and delightful read for the horse fanatic. Not to be missed.

Author – Mara Dabrishus
http://www.maradabrishus.com/
Fiction – young adult / adult
In my library? – as an eBook early release!
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.

“A large and liquid eye… the swirl of dust around pounding hooves… these, then, are the images that move us.” – Author Unknown

Josie is a thirteen year old girl in a family that is struggling for money. Josie loves to paint and is good at it. She is scared of horses and has no interest in going for a job that her father suggests over the summer break.

Even with her friends away on exciting holidays over the school break, Josie isn’t sure she wants to spend her time working on a nearby ranch. Convinced she can’t get the job but that if she did, she could help her parents out with the money it brings in, Josie applies and is amazed to find the position offered to her immediately.

Stable Ground tells the tale of a thirteen year old stepping out of her comfort zone for the good of her family and her huge learning curve as she steps into the world of horses. Although the idea for the story is a great one, Stable Ground has a lot of incorrect horse facts and unbelieveable events that occur, making it a less desirable read for the learning horse fans that would enjoy it.

As much as it can be great for readers to learn alongside the main character, the fact that Josie’s incorrect use of horse terms aren’t identified by the writer make it difficult for anyone reading to know what is incorrect. The story builds nicely and has a well thought out ending, but when the main topic isn’t portrayed in a correct light, it leaves me frustrated.

Author – Julie Galbraith
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7483054.Julie_Galbraith
Fiction – middle grade / teens
In my library? – that it is!
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.

“The way to heaven is on horseback.” – Author Unknown

This children’s tale written and illustrated by Irene Brady is a delightful story of Jennifer Dickens acquiring her first pony. Jennifer dreams of buying a beautiful black stallion with a long flowing mane and tail. She has saved up for a year from doing as many odd jobs as she could think of.

With a little over fourteen dollars to spend, Jennifer is delighted when the day of the stock auction comes around and she can look for her perfect horse. She is devastated when there is only one – a little black pony that is lame, underweight and with a long shaggy coat.

It’s only when the local butcher puts in a bid on the pony that Jennifer realises she can’t let him be sold for meat. Once she secures the pony, she is left wondering if she’ll ever be able to ride him and as this proves to be more difficult and uncomfortable than expected, Jennifer is saddened that she doesn’t have a beautiful horse to ride.

A chance meeting with the previous owners of Doodlebug shows Jennifer that the half starved, lame pony she acquired actually has an incredible history and is worth a lot. Doodlebug is a delightful read for the younger reader with a happy ending.

Author – Irene Brady
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/67560.Irene_Brady
Fiction – children
In my library? – that it is!
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.