I’ve not read a lot of Bev’s books, but when I see one for free to download on Kindle, I am all for it! That was the case recently with the novel Shadows of the Mountain. This was a really enjoyable romantic suspense.

Kate Miller is working hard but also trying to lay low at Mustang River Ranch. She is still recovering from a failed rescue attempt in her previous role. Kate just wants to carry out this new job and fly under the radar. So she is surprised to be chosen for a special trail ride and soon finds herself out riding with the most valuable of guests.

At the ranch Kate meets Jack Becker. She is amazed to find such a good looking, strong man wanting to talk and dance with her. Concluding his interest cannot be genuine, Kate is further surprised to find herself partnering with Jack on this unexpected trail ride.

Shadows of the Mountain by Bev Petersen

Not yet over her previous role and failed rescue, Kate questions how on earth she is going to survive the trail ride, especially when her guests of honour appear to be in danger. This wasn’t what she signed up for in her new job. But suddenly it appears all her old skills are going to be needed if she is going to help the girls, and also get herself off the mountain alive.

Shadows of the Mountain was a great story to read. It was entertaining, moved quickly, featured horses – and donkeys! – a lot.

It even had an educational, entertaining scene between Kate and Jack as they discussed mules. The chemistry between the two was obvious and it was also nice how the mutual attraction built with enough uncertainty around the situation and who could be trusted, thrown into the mix. A really enjoyable read.

Author: Bev Petterson
Fiction – adult
In My Library? As an eBook.

There are quite a few horse books that I have read this year that seem to have slipped through without a review! Thoroughly in Love by Chantry Dawes is one such book.

I really, really enjoyed reading this novel. It was a unique romance with a very horsey focus – particularly on the thoroughbred breed.

Widowed at a young age, Lady Amelia Darley is left struggling to save her estate ever since her husband died in a suspicious riding accident. She has only the dwindling sales from the thoroughly bred horses that Aldbey Park is known for. Her home is where one of the first Thoroughbred horses was bred so long ago. And now it has been left in a woman’s hands for the first time. Lady Amelia’s hands.

Thoroughly in Love by Chantry Dawes

This young widow does not care if the men of the Ton do not think she should be training horses or wearing breeches. It seems that there are those among the Ton that will do whatever it takes to see Lady Amelia Darley fail so they can take her estate and her prized Thoroughbreds. Are they the same men responsible for her husband’s death?

Enter Alexander Godolphin Hawke, the Duke of Leids. He has returned to England to collect a debt from Aldbey Park from horses sold before the war. He is battle hardened and unrecognizable after being away fighting wars for so many years.

The Duke is surprised to find that Lord Darley is dead, and it is his beautiful young widow that has been stubbornly trying to manage all the work of the estate and its stables. He soon realizes that not only are the estate’s horses in danger, but Lady Amelia is, as well. Can Amelia trust Alexander enough to tell him her plan? Can the two of them keep each other from harm while falling thoroughly in love with one another?

Thoroughly in Love is a delightful romance full of horses that is also a very entertaining read. Highly recommended.

Author: Chantry Dawes
Fiction – historical
In My Library? It is as an ebook.

I love buying in bulk. And that applies across books, too! Well recently I was pleased to be able to download a free copy of The Island Series. This was made up of the prequel Six-Month Horse, book one Appaloosa Summer and book two, Wednesday Riders. Score! The only thing better than a free horse book is multiple free horse books!

Six-Month Horse tells the tale of how young Meg Traherne comes to have Major, an off the track thoroughbred that she competes with in Appaloosa Summer. This story was quirky, had a great look at brother and sister dynamics and had the added bonus for me, of learning a little more about Cam, who features in the novel In Search Of by Tudor Robins and Mara Dabrishus.

For someone who is used to being a catch rider – and trying to convince herself of how lucky she is to be one – Meg doesn’t know how to explain to her mother that she’s lost her interest in riding. When a surprising opportunity comes along to take on an incredible horse, she cannot muster the energy to be excited. But she also can’t say no to her mother and what starts out as trying to keep her mother happy, turns into a very unexpected journey. Six-Month Horse is a really enjoyable read, that moves at a great pace and has a great focus on family dynamics. Well worth the read.

Author: Tudor Robins
Fiction – young adult
In My Library? It is as an ebook.

Recently my daughter has gotten into reading the Unicorn Academy series by Julie Sykes. Aimed at 7-9 year olds, she has been devouring these books. She is often reading 1-3 in an afternoon after school! Curious what they were about – and more than happy to read another horse book – I had a read of Lyra and Misty once she had finished reading it.

This is actually the twenty third book in the series, but it reads fine as a standalone novel. Lyra is rapt to be at the Unicorn Academy and cannot wait to bond with her unicorn, Misty. It appears that the students cannot graduate from the academy until they have bonded and their unicorns have each discovered their magical gifts.

Lyra and Misty by Julie Sykes

My daughter was excited to tell me about the ‘bonding’ experience between girls and their unicorns. Once the pair do officially bond, the young girls have hair that changes to the colour of their unicorn’s coat. What a fascinating idea!

Lyra and Misty focuses on one particular pairing of a young girl and her unicorn. It appears each book in the series has a look at different girls and the unicorn that they are paired with. In this novel, Lyra is excited to find part of a map in a hidden room at the Unicorn Academy. With the girls in her dorm – the Ruby dorm – they go on an adventure with their unicorns to find a missing piece.

The story is an adventure that is fast paced for young readers. It features unicorns heavily. Although there aren’t a lot of horse facts thrown into the book, there is nothing incorrect about the way that things are portrayed from a horse educational perspective. Plus it’s interesting to read the fantasy aspects thrown into the story. Lyra and Misty was a very enjoyable read. It is one I have no doubt other young horse fans would enjoy.

Author: Julie Sykes
Fiction – middle grade
In My Library? No, this one was borrowed from the library.

Recently I was given the opportunity to read Saving Snow Dragon. This is a follow on story from ACE, the Black Stallion! The reader is once again able to get a look in at Ace’s life – the black stallion is still roaming wild and free, but in a BLM round-up he loses much of his herd.

Young Julia has grown into a capable horse woman in this follow on story. She is pleased that her beautiful colt – now a stallion – is still roaming wild and free. Leisel soon learns of the black horse’s presence and grows interested. Julia can think of no one worse to have a hold of her beautiful horse.

Julia and her father Martin soon have new neighbours. After introducing herself to them, Julia meets their horse crazy teenage daughter and soon becomes her riding instructor. Julia will take no nonsense from the moody teen and an interesting relationship develops. In time, the two become friends but not before a couple of mishaps occur because of the impulsive teen.

Julia finds her friendship grows with the young girl, whilst at the same time she explores a potential relationship with a young man she admired whilst working at another stable nearby.

Saving Snow Dragon is another interesting read by Ann Feifel that features horses heavily. The consequences of rash decisions are explored, as well as young love. Saving Snow Dragon was an entertaining read and a good follow on from Ace.

Author: Ann Feifel
Fiction – young adult
In My Library? As an eBook.