Impelled by Sarah Welk Baynum

Impelled is book one in this new series by Sarah Welk Baynum. In this novel, young Emma is currently in the process of finishing an equine related degree. Whilst she is still considering what she wants to do with her qualification, she’s passionate about horses and knows whatever she does, she wants it to be with the equine species.

Towards the end of her studies, Emma acquires a horse. This is a big step after she lost her last horse tragically. She’s excited to pursue options with this mare, whilst also continuing her studies. When a spanner is thrown in the works, and she’s not able to continue her studies, Emma questions what she can be doing with her life.

Emma finds herself considering frantically what she should do. An epiphany moment with her beautiful mare impels her to search for work as a trainee student. In time Emma is able to be a student on a top performance farm in Ocala. This allows her to work with excellent calibre warmbloods that are competing in show jumping.

Through this position Emma is able to show off her horse handling skills, her riding capabilities, and her management of time as she helps this top performing barn to be able to prepare the horses and compete them.

Throughout this story readers are introduced to exercising classes, warming horses up for events, cooling them down, Grand Prix events and travelling with horses. In this new work environment, Emma is introduced to a handyman who knows horses and another staff member who helps the farm to run smoothly. Together they work as a close knit group on this prestigious property.

Emma finds she is drawn to the handy man, Michael even though he appears aloof. She wonders why it is that she can’t break through to him and they can become friends. In time she discovers the truth of why he’s so standoffish and their friendship develops. At the same time she pursues a potential love interest with a university acquaintance who turns up unexpectedly at some horse events in Wellington.

In amongst all of this, there is a male who seems to be out to get it Emma. She can’t think of who it may be or why. But she keeps getting threats and this throws her otherwise blissful working student experience. As a story, Impelled builds nicely. It has an interesting amount of suspense in it, in regard to the stalker, but also in regard to the two males that she’s closest to. And although it seems she’s chosen one over the other, I’ve got to say I want Emma to be leaning towards the other male love interest! It’ll be interesting to see how book number two plays out.

Author: Sarah Welk Baynum
Fiction – young adult
In My Library? As an eBook, it is.