I was contacted by author Mitzy Tait-zeller to see if I would be interested in reading and reviewing her equine fantasy novel that was published this year. Other than reading Sabaska’s Tale this year, I haven’t really read horse stories that are fantasy, so was eager to try out another novel in this genre.

Serena Tattum is a wife and mother of two children. The story picks up with her taking her precocious chestnut stallion out for a ride to expel some of his pent up energy. The pair seems to work well together, in spite of Serena’s need to consistently check the stallion so that he doesn’t develop bad habits or get out of control.

This ride changes things dramatically for Serena as she finds herself unexplainably in the 19th century, although she started her ride in the 21st century. Finding no way to rectify the situation, Serena resolves to find someone who can help her, even if they may not understand the situation.

Rim-Fyre and the Stones of Time is an entertaining story that explores the lengths one woman will go to, to return to her much loved husband and children, whilst learning about a different way of living over a hundred years before she was born.

Tait-zeller provides a great comparison through Serena’s eyes of the land she loves in the 21st century and what it looked like in the late 1800s. Rim-Fyre is the equine hero and the author aptly uses him to describe the beauty and strength of a Canadian breed of horse.

A unique aspect of this 20 chapter story that I really enjoyed, was a thought provoking quote at the start of each chapter. The end to the 242 page novel hints at the opportunity for a follow on story in which this woman and her incredible charge may feature.

Aside from a small amount of cursing, the novel I feel is friendly to readers of any age and will no doubt appeal to teens and adults alike. Well worth the read.

Author: Mitzy Tait-zeller
http://www.mitzytaitzeller.com/
Fiction – fantasy
In my library? As an eBook it is! An interesting addition and perhaps the second of it’s genre to be added to my still growing horse library.
Want it?  Get it now at Amazon.

IndepenPress Publications kindly sent me a copy of this children’s horse story to read and review.

Shelly Finds her Dream Pony follows the desire and dedication of a ten year old girl named Shelly. Shelly dreams of one day owning her own pony, and puts in the hard yards by saving from her paper round to gain enough to buy a horse.  Her parents help her infatuation by finding her an opportunity to help out at a local riding school. After doing this for nearly a year, Shelly is given the opportunity to learn to ride.

A surprise by her parents in line with her fourteenth birthday means that Shelly can look for her own horse to buy – and keep it at home! The young horse enthusiast then has to work hard to find the horse that fits in with her dreams of a perfect pony.

A New Forest Pony by the name of Chelsea captures Shelly’s attention. The story follows the adventures the pair have together once Shelly secures her very own horse.

Shelly Finds her Dream Pony is a good look at how much time and effort needs to go into learning about horses, saving for them and looking after them. It follows Shelly from the age of 10 up until 16, but is more suited to the younger reader (8 – 10) based on the way it’s written.

Once Shelly gains her pony, the story seems to step away a little from being so realistic. Anything Shelly could need to own and look after a horse is provided by family members through birthday and Christmas presents; Shelly is able to go out and about exploring with another friend on a young green horse that perhaps isn’t the best representation of a first horse owner’s suitable mount and her first show results in an awful lot of success.

This children’s story is an entertaining read but I feel at times loses a bit of reality through things fitting together so nicely for the first time horse owner. It is a great story about the lengths that one horse lover can go to, to gain a horse however. The chapters are short and sweet and accompanied by many fitting illustrations, also by the author. A good acquisition for a young horse fan.

Author and illustrator: Michelle Holland
Fiction – early pre-teens
In my library? It is! I was able to receive a review copy of this novel and am sure it’s a great addition for the young reader.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

“If I had a horse, I’d ride off in the sunset, where dreams, and shadows lie. To a life, where pain and sorrow don’t exist, and to where hopes, and dreams become reality.” – Lindsay Turcotte

It seems that I have horse books arriving to read faster than I can complete them!  Born that Way was an ebook that author Susan Ketchen actually had on offer for free via Amazon for a short period of time.  Not surprisingly, I grabbed myself a copy!

Now this is a very unique book.  It’s told from the point of view of fourteen year old Syliva who is a self confessed horse nut.  It’s obvious to Sylvie that this is an affliction she cannot be cured of.

Another issue she has that needs to be rectified is her short stature.  Sylvia’s grandfather has promised her that once she reaches a particular height, she will be old enough to get a horse.

And so the 14 year old works desperately to increase her height whilst battling off an overprotective mother who is convinced that wanting a horse is actually a way to disguise her impending sexuality and struggle with hormones.

Born that Way is delightfully amusing, dealing with lifes issues and an obsession with a beautiful animal. A great read.

Author – Susan Ketchen
Fiction – early teenage years
In my library – it is!  A delightfully amusing story that rings true.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

“I want to be with horses. I can’t imagine my life without them. It’s that simple and it’s that complicated all at once.” – Sylvia in Born that Way

Tag: horse story, equine book review, equine author, horse library, horse writing, Susan Ketchen

Continuing on with working my way through my bookcase alphabetically, I picked up this children’s novel by James Aldridge to read next.

The Broken Saddle is a story about a young Australian boy who appreciates the simple things in life. Eric lives with his mother in a small country town in Australia. His days consist of school, saying hello to the locals and trying to be as friendly as possible to all he meets.

Eric works hard every Saturday morning to earn a little bit of money that he can take home to his mother to help pay overdue bills. Eric’s father is a drover and is rarely home. This leaves Eric and his mother working hard in order to just scrape by.

A surprise visit by his father leaves Eric with an unexpected gift in the form of a pony. Although she hides it, Eric’s mother is devastated by the gift that could result in her son being as lonesome a character as his father.

Eric is delighted. The pony is a young unbroken colt, hardly one you’d expect to be the perfect first horse for a beginner. In spite of these odds, Eric is determined to ride his pony. This starts a battle of wills between the pair as the pony is determined not to be ridden.

The Broken Saddle explores a young boy’s loneliness and describes how an unexpected friend can arrive in an unusual form. Soon Eric and his pony are inseparable, spending their hours away from the town members Eric used to seek out to talk with on a daily basis.

In time Eric is offered the opportunity to ride his pony with a saddle and here starts the young boy’s problems. Aldridge aptly describes how a mischievous pony can have its spirit broken by being forced under saddle.

As his pony’s demeanour changes, Eric struggles to determine how to get the old spark back.

A long ride in a dust storm and a broken saddle lead to trouble for both Eric and the pony. James Aldridge creates an interestingly woven story about how an unexpected gift can be a delight and also a burden. The Broken Saddle is an interesting read that should appeal to those around 10 years of age.

Author: James Aldridge
http://www.goodreads.com/author/list/230391.James_Aldridge
Fiction – Children
In my library? Indeed! The only piece I have by James Aldridge but I’ll be on the lookout for others.
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.

“There are only two emotions that belong in the saddle; one is a sense of humour and the other is patience.” – John Lyons

Tag: horse story, equine book review, equine author, horse library, horse writing, James Aldridge

Continuing on through my collection alphabetically, I have recently finished reading this novel by Caroline Akrill.

Kathryn would do anything for her brother, in spite of his lack of regard for her at all. Flying Changes switches between the present time and the past, helping to enlighten readers to the relationship that exists between bother and sister, and Francesca.

Although all three obviously love horses and make a living from them, it is Oliver who has the skills to take him to the top level in riding dressage. Determined to go as far as he can in the equestrian world, Oliver is cool, calm and calculating.

Akrill does a great job of describing the differences in working environments in a top dressage school and a struggling horse riding school, as well as exploring the relationships between the three main characters and their friends and workmates. The humour is dry and clever, running throughout the story.

As can be expected, as Oliver uses whoever he can to propel himself forward in the horse world, stepping on others has to at some point cause him issues. The story comes to a perhaps anticipated, but not wanted climax.

Throughout the novel I found myself really feeling for Kathryn who wants to think the best of everyone and help as much as she can. Unfortunately, this results in her often getting used as a doormat, particularly by her brother.

Flying Changes is a very interesting and particularly horsey novel. Horses feature heavily, which is wonderful. The ending was one that didn’t particularly appeal to me however.

Author – Caroline Akrill
Fiction – young adult / adult
In my library – absolutely! There is no reason for it to not be, but I would suggest perhaps that it isn’t a story for younger readers due to the depressing ending.
Want it? Get it now on Amazon.

“It’s just half halts, pirouettes, flying changes, and extended trots. Relax, what could be easier?” – Author unknown

Tag: horse story, equine book review, equine author, horse library, horse writing, Caroline Akrill