Cory Iverson finds it easy to quit many things. If something gets too hard, or it’s obvious that others are better at something than her, or find it easier, it is just as easy for her to walk out the door and stop trying.

In a family of three, with a perfect sister and a mother who doesn’t pay much attention, it is easy to go unnoticed and just continue taking the easy way out. It’s not until Cory unexpectedly lands a job at a local stable that she finds herself wanting to work for something. The horse show world is a competitive one however and there are people who are interested in making it difficult to succeed, particularly if it means them missing out on first place.

Vee, Cory’s boss, recognises her riding potential from previous riding lessons when her father was on the scene and quickly puts her to work riding. As Cory progresses through the ranks, she starts to question Vee’s background and why she no longer shows.

A search online delivers some disheartening news about her boss and one riding lesson when Vee is being particularly hard on Cory, Cory snaps and accuses Vee of having lost her nerve and being a coward. Suddenly it’s very easy to walk out the door of competing on horses.

As Cory struggles to make her way through school she is also trying to work out if her growing attraction to Kevin is likely to be reciprocated and whether her mother really is taking as many pills as it seems. And why is her sister Jess working so hard to get into a ballet company that appears to be eating her alive – literally?

A run in with the guidance counsellor and an unusual assignment about desire leaves Cory questioning what it is that truly makes people happy and why they work so hard to achieve things. It seems that many false gods promise to make one happy and successful, but to Cory it seems that many desires are unattainable and only create misery in your life.

As she works all this through, Cory knows she has to give the horse riding scene another go but isn’t sure how to apologise to Vee. False Gods is an interesting look at what drives people; how you can succeed in the horse world; some shady characters that exist in it and why you shouldn’t always believe what you read or hear. An interesting read.

Author – L.R. Trovillion
http://www.lrtrovillion.com/
Fiction – adult
In my library? – downloaded for free on Amazon 🙂
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

“A horse is a think of beauty… none will tire of looking at him as long as he displays himself in his splendor. – Xenophon”

Jessica Wyeth was new to me in reading the Troubles, even though she is undoubtedly the main character in this trilogy. Having not read the Charity, I was pleased to find that this did not detract from my reading experience of the Troubles.

Jessica is a horse trainer by nature and the beautiful American finds herself thrust in a harsh Irish political world after unwittingly getting involved in the affairs of Magnus Connaught and then heading to Ireland to trace her roots.

Triggered by Magnus’ death, events take place that once again draw Jessica into the limelight. Whilst hiding in Ireland with the help of Magnus’ son Michael, Jessica starts to question if she can truly trust the man she has fallen in love with.

Alongside this, Jessica is working to find out her true origins. Having found out that she wasn’t the blood daughter of the couple who raised her, she is questioning her identity and why she wasn’t wanted by her real parents.

The Troubles is a cleverly woven plot of mystery, murder, horses and politics. It takes an in depth look into the political world of the Republic of Ireland, the Catholic Church and the racing of horses in the United Kingdom.

Not one for the faint hearted, it has many dark twists and some unique but realistic characters. As the many characters’ lives become intertwined, you are left questioning just what will happen to the American horse trainer, her Irish born safe keeper, an incredibly loved bishop and the many members of The Charity, a strong force at work in Ireland.  An interesting and entertaining read.

Author – Connie Johnson Hambley
http://www.conniejohnsonhambley.com/
Fiction – adult
In my library? – it was sent as an eBook, so yes!
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

“There are other things that I could do, but there’s really nothing that I love as much as horse racing.” – Chantal Sutherland

Nancy Morgan strongly feels the loss of her mother and isn’t sure that her brothers or father even realise she exists. Although her dad has bought her a horse to fill the void, Nancy wishes he would take interest in her riding.

Not yet sure what she wants to do with her mare Oatmeal, Nancy tries a different discipline each week. Although this seems to bring scorn from other riders, she is determined to continue until she finds one that she and Oatmeal are good at.

Her endeavours to take up endurance riding are encouraged by another rider, Mrs. Hardy. Nancy likes the older woman and finds she reminders her of her late mother.

With Mrs. Hardy’s encouragement, Nancy is able to learn a lot about endurance riding and even get herself ready for her first event. Only Steve who rides where Nancy keeps Oatmeal can dampen her enthusiasm. He is mean and full of negative words – and he’s competing in the same event.

As Nancy realises the pressure Steve is under from his father, she questions what the outcome will be. This is especially so when Steve’s hard riding results in Oatmeal running loose and hurting herself. Will Nancy be able to ride in the endurance race?

Author – Elizabeth Van Steenwyk
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/65918.Elizabeth_Van_Steenwyk
Fiction – children
In my library? – that it is, as a paperback.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

“Who among us has not as a child asked Santa Clause to bring us a pony on Christmas day?” – Author unknown

This delightful children’s story tells the tale of the Boy – a young male who cannot talk – who has a way with animals. On the ranch where the Boy works, a wild horse  gets caught up in a range round up.  He is deemed by the ranch’s horse breaker, to be untameable. It is eventually worked out that the horse is blind.

A blind horse and a mute boy seem the most unlikely of partnerships, and yet the Boy is able to communicate that he would like to try his luck with the Horse. Patient as ever, the Boy works each evening and during the day amongst his typical ranch chores, to gain the Horse’s trust. Little by little he succeeds, much to the surprise of the working men around him.

When it seems that things are going so well, unexpected events result in the Horse being free from the yard the Boy was taming him in, and running in fear. A search ensues for the Boy to find his Horse again.

The Blind Outlaw is a unique tale by Glen Rounds.  It explores patience and persistence, as well as not judging something by first impressions. A great little read.

Author – Glen Rounds
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4400.Glen_Rounds
Fiction – children
In my library? – indeed, as a paperback.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

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

Eight year old Deborah is desperate for a pony. Her desire is fuelled each day as she hops on the school bus and sees ponies in a nearby field; her return from school rewards her with the same sight.

Her parents have told her ponies are hard work and although she knows they could be, she is desperate. Taking a walk to the nearby field of ponies, Deborah meets the gentleman who owns and cares for them. In amazement, she finds that the ponies work over the summer and are then looked after by caring members in the off season.

There is one pony left who needs a home until the next summer season. In a rush Deborah heads home to beg her mother.

Before she knows it, Deborah has herself a pony – a little black mare that is the same age as her. She knew it was meant to be.

As autumn heads into winter, Deborah and her two siblings work hard to look after Mollie. As the weather gets colder and the novelty of a pony wears off, Deborah finds herself alone in looking after Mollie. Still, she is determined.

All too quickly winter heads into spring and although the weather is better for riding, summer is closing in. Over summer Mollie has to return to her owner and Deborah is distraught at the idea. Can she develop a plan to secure the pony forever?

A Pony for the Winter is a great look at how much work is involved in keeping a pony/horse. A great outcome is found for Mollie and Deborah, too and there are some lovely illustrations by Ingrid Fetz. A good read for 8 – 10 year olds.

Author – Helen Kay
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/548204.Helen_Kay
Fiction – adult
In my library? – indeed, as a paperback.
Want it? Get this book now at Amazon.

“No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.” – Winston Churchill

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