Breed of Giants by Joyce Stranger is a tale of hard working farmers and their life in a small country town.  Josh Johnson breeds Shire horses on his farm, eager to keep alive a breed that is no longer being solely utilised for farm work.

Josh and his wife Peg struggle to keep things afloat financially and an attack on one of Josh’s great stallions dashes his dreams of promoting the breed further whilst also earning a nice income.  The tale takes an amusing turn as Josh promises vengeance on a badger that he is convinced attacked his horse.

A local show that brings all of the inhabitants – animal and human alike – together seems to be a great way to raise spirits.  However, it was also the perfect opportunity to spread foot and mouth disease, as one farm is found with affected stock and all others are placed on a time watch, to see if their stock show the tell tale signs.

The story highlights the hard times that farmers face and the issue of aging men who lose their homes and dread the thought of entering a home and losing their much loved pets on top of this.  It has a melancholy twist to it that thankfully picks up at the end.  An interesting read that is enlightening though at times a bit slow paced and sad.

Author – Joyce Stranger
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2550.Joyce_Stranger
Fiction
In my library? – It is.  It’s nice to find another fictional piece aimed at adult readers.
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“The old mare watched the tractor work. A thing of rubber and steel, ready to follow the slightest wish of the man who held the wheel. She said to herself as it passed by, you gave me an awful jolt. But there’s still one thing you cannot do, you cannot raise a colt.” – Author unknown

This novel by Hazel Holt is set in the town of Taviscombe, England. Sheila Malory is the main character, an elderly grandmother who is friends with Charlie and Josephine Hamilton who run the local riding school her young grand daughter attends.

Sheila finds herself spending a lot of time at the stables as she takes her grand daughter for lessons and sometimes the grand daughter of her close friend Rosemary. The riding school environment is one of enjoyment, where young girls learn to ride by teachers who adore their horses and the hard working life of owning a horse business.

This easy going atmosphere is shattered when the much loved owner Charlie is found dead one morning by an employee. The wound on his head leaves questions of foul play. Following his death are others that although can be explained, leave Sheila feeling that they are not simply accidents or health related.

A Time to Die follows the life of Sheila Malory as she tries to juggle aging, demanding pets, family time and local commitments. A murder mystery is something she doesn’t appear to have time for, and yet Sheila’s connections and chance discussions with old time friends leave her questioning if that is exactly what she has on her hands – an unexplained murder.  The book is a light, enjoyable read though the story seems to take it’s time to unfold.

Author – Hazel Holt
http://hazelholt.coffeetownpress.com/
Fiction – murder mystery
In my library? – Indeed!  Worth keeping in the collection.
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“I don’t care who tells me to, I’m not going to die until someone proves to me that there are horses in Heaven.” – Author unknown

Set in the 1900s in Queensland, Australia, Cattleman follows the life of Ben McReady, a determined cattleman and horse rider. At a young age Ben leaves home and finds himself taken on by an older man Dan. Dan teaches Ben a lot about cattle work, in particular how to steal them from others’ properties.

As Ben learns to do this successfully and builds a large herd with Dan, he dreams of settling down and establishing his own herd, rather than his current nomadic existence of running from the law and selling stock as quickly as it is acquired.

Cattleman jumps between an older, gruff Ben reflecting on his life and how two world wars, a wife, children, money and the law have influenced his choices and the younger version who dreams of making it big from scratch, with the one animal he knows inside and out.

Although often on the wrong side of the law, argumentative and hard headed Ben McReady is a likeable character and his choices in life although incorrect at times, are explained well throughout the novel. In Cattleman, R.S. Porteous has written a highly believable story about a young man starting from scratch and making something of himself in the midst of war and the Great Depression. An entertaining and worthwhile read.

Author – R.S. Porteous
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2036697.R_S_Porteous
Fiction
In my library? – that it is; a cheap find in an op shop!
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“On horseback you could ride through the cattle and they would pay no attention. But the minute you dismount, you become a threat.” – David J Myers

I’d only vaguely heard of this race, and so was curious to read how Marguerite Henry portrayed it in this novel. A nice surprise was that it was so factually based on one Georgio Terni and his desire to race in the renowned battle of ten horses and riders.

Georgio grows up in a poor family in the Maremma, an area that is recognised as harsh. It is also recognised that animals brought up in this tough area possess that same quality. Although times are tough for the Terni family, Georgio grows up in an environment of love and encouragement.

A visit by the adored Umbrella Man affords Georgio the chance to ask the vast traveller about the Palio in Siena. This short conversation implants in Georgio the desire to be the best horse rider the world has seen; to be asked by a Contrada to ride as their Fantino in the best race the world has seen.

In Palio, Henry provides an incredible account of a young boy with a dream that cannot be achieved without determination, hard work and a belief in one’s ability. This novel provides a gripping story of one boy’s journey to see his dream come true.

The race is well described and events leading up to it as well as afterward. The soul of the Sienese and their pride in the Palio is tangible as you read and learn of this unique part of the Italian culture. Palio is an informative, incredible read well worth anyone’s time. Highly recommended!

Author – Marguerite Henry
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10652.Marguerite_Henry
Fiction
In my library? – It definitely is!
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“The love of horses is like a disease! It can go into remission but you can never get rid of the obsession!” – Paraphrase of Tommy Smith

I was lucky enough to be a winner of one of Kim Ablon Whitney’s novels recently and chose the Perfect Distance as my prize. I wasn’t disappointed!

Francie Martinez is one of the lucky students of renowned trainer Rob Renaud. The only difference is, she’s the hired help and works in return for the lessons others pay a packet for. Francie is hard working and determined – her dream is to go professional on the equestrian circuit. This is often overshadowed by another of Rob’s riders, Tara.

Although talented, Francie struggles to find the perfect distance whilst jumping, at times moving ahead of her horse before she should be preparing to jump. A lack of confidence in her riding abilities often leads to this fault occurring in a jump round.

Whitney’s story of a young woman’s determination to make something of herself in a world that seems to be driven by the rich is realistic, entertaining and avoids common clichés where the underdog rises to the top. The characters are believable and the end result for Francie and her friends is realistic and likeable. Well worth the read.

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

“It’s just counting strides, finding your distance, swapping leads, and looking good doing it. Relax, what could be easier?” – Author unknown