Dru Tagger is the eldest of three and in some shocking circumstances, suddenly finds herself with her brothers and no other living relatives. As young adults, the three are left in charge of the family’s ranch.

Fast forward twenty years and Dru receives an unusual call to their equine operation – The Stables. When a recently widowed woman voices concern over her unattended farm and a seemingly irrelevant delivery of hay, Dru agrees to drive down to the farm to see if there are any animals that shouldn’t be there.

Taking nieces and nephews with her, the car full of people are amazed to find a stable full of horses that have been left alone after their purchaser dies. Weeks of not having been fed or watered show in the struggling skeletons and Dru and her charges work hard to free them from the mud and muck they have been living in.

As things progress, Dru and the children find themselves in charge of a dozen horses in desperate need of some tender loving care. The mystery of how they came to be this way slowly surfaces, taking the children and their parents on a journey of discovery. The biggest lesson they learn is the importance of relationships, caring for each other and the animals in their lives.

The Tagger Herd is a great look at rehabilitating horses from neglect and not judging those who are inadvertently involved in horses becoming neglected. In spite of some grammatical errors, it is a well written story that is realistic.

Author: Gini Roberge
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8244400.Gini_Roberge
Fiction – adult
In My Library? As an ebook, it is!
Want it? Get this book now at Amazon.

“A man of kindness to his horse, is kind
But brutal actions show a brutal mind.
He was designed thy servant, not thy drudge.
Remember his creator is thy judge.” – Author unknown

In this short non fiction book that contains “20+ exercises to improve your riding position”, author and seasoned judge Laura provides simple exercises that can be carried out in and out of the saddle to improve the rider’s balance, strength and riding position.

The book has some great suggestions and practical tips that if implemented over a 30 day period, should see a drastic improvement in the rider. Utilising a positive and persistent attitude, alongside Laura’s tips are bound to help the rider succeed.

This book appears to be a simple and effective tool; if the lack of proof reading can be ignored, it is worth investing in for the information contained within.

Author: Laura Kelland-May
http://www.thistleridgestables.com/tag/laura-kelland-may/
Non fiction – riding
In My Library? As an ebook it is.
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.

“Don’t count your ribbons before the show starts.”

Wow! Once again, Amy has outdone herself! I loved Cut and Run, was drawn in by Indian Summer but think that Showdown has turned out to be my favourite in this trilogy.

In the final book in the series, Alec is still coming to grips with his father’s death, and finds that he is receding more and more into himself. Rebecca is trying to give her husband his space, but feels that he is shutting her out from his daily struggles. Meanwhile, Tommy is preparing for the biggest day of his life, whilst harbouring a secret that he has kept hidden for many years.

Each of the books in this series are great as a standalone novel; it’s nice to read a little more about different characters and in Showdown, you get to find out where Tommy is coming from. I really enjoyed reading about his upbringing and how he came to be working for Walter and then Alec.

The length of this story – and the others in the series – is great; there is a lot to read and at no point does it feel like the author is just trying to fill pages. Each of the events that occur in the novel work to build up to something or help to provide further insight into why a character responds a particular way.

It was lovely to see Shania make an appearance in this novel – and provide her candid friendship when it was needed most. I loved how Alec and Rebecca’s marriage was built upon – and came out stronger as they worked through their trials together.

As always there is knowledgeable horse information throughout the story, but the characters also get away from the ranch and are explored in some quite different locations. Showdown is a great way to round out the series and provides enough mystery, angst, romance and entertainment to make this one another story by Amy Elizabeth that I’d highly recommend.

Author: Amy Elizabeth
http://authoramyelizabeth.webs.com/
Fiction – adult
In My Library? As an ebook, indeed!  A great way to sum up the series.
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.

“You show me someone that doesn’t like horses and I’ll show you someone who can’t ride.” – Author unknown

I was able to gain an electronic copy of this novel for review and in reading it, was able to learn a little bit about a world completely different to mine. Teenager Heather has been identified as having a mild case of autism and on account of this, finds that every aspect of her personality that is considered unattractive, can be blamed on her ‘disorder’.

The Horse is Never Wrong is written from Heather’s point of view and amusingly jumps around, giving the reader a great insight into her mind and thought patterns. Although it seems that Heather does suffer from autism, a lot of traits that are considered characteristic of her disorder, can also amusingly be found in many teenagers her age.

Socially Heather struggles to connect with others her age. Educationally she struggles with subjects that appear irrelevant or don’t follow a predictable pattern.

It isn’t until Heather’s mother suggests the idea of horse riding, that Heather finds she is onto something that can help her be who she truly is. Although a psychologist and teacher aide warns Heather to not turn horse riding into her latest over the top obsession – like some movies and literature – Heather finds that although she is nervous on a horse, it is easy to establish acquaintances and not have to think of socially acceptable topics to discuss, when she can just as easily talk horse facts.

The Horse is Never Wrong cleverly – and amusingly – depicts the life of a young teen trying to find herself, and her help in doing so with a fourteen year old boy who is obviously different to other males his age – and not ashamed of it. There is a bit of language in the novel and the ending comes quite quickly, but it is a factual, interesting and amusing read, as well as being an eye opener from the autistic side of things.

Author: Mary Pagones
https://twitter.com/horseneverwrong
Fiction – teen
In My Library? Indeed!  A unique tale.
Want it? Get it at Amazon.

“A horse has so docile a nature that he would always rather do right then wrong, if only he could be taught to distinguish one from the other.” – Author unknown

I LOVED Cut and Run.  I loved that it had realistic characters, a great mix of fun and trying times.  And above all else, I loved how authentic the horse part of the story was and how easily it fit into the plot.  Upon finishing it, I thought, the second book can’t beat this, or even match it.

I was wrong. Indian Summer was all of these things as well.  Amy Elizabeth provides further depth to Alec’s character and introduces an interesting new character who has played a large part in Alec’s childhood.  His feelings toward his mother are well explained and Rebecca and Alec’s relationship grows deeper.

Alec battles with running the property that feels like it’s been thrown on him, as well as with keeping his father healthy.  Walter is aging and it is only as he grows weak in his older years that Alec discovers – and admits – that he has the horse gift his father became so well known for.

Throw in a thriving business, a hungry bear, an old flame and Indian Summer is a great follow on from Cut and Run.

Author: Amy Elizabeth
http://authoramyelizabeth.webs.com/
Fiction – adult
In My Library? It is as an ebook, another great one to add to my growing collection!
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.

“The wagon rests in winter, the sleigh in summer, the horse never.” – Yiddish Proverb