The Eighty Dollar Champion ~ Elizabeth Letts
"Harry de Leyer first saw the horse he would name Snowman on a truck bound for the slaughterhouse. The recent Dutch immigrant recognized the spark in the eye of the beaten-up nag and bought him for eighty dollars. On Harry’s modest farm on Long Island, he ultimately taught Snowman how to fly. Here is the dramatic and inspiring rise to stardom of an unlikely duo. One show at a time, against extraordinary odds and some of the most expensive thoroughbreds alive, the pair climbed to the very top of the sport of show jumping. Their story captured the heart of Cold War–era America—a story of unstoppable hope, inconceivable dreams, and the chance to have it all. They were the longest of all longshots—and their win was the stuff of legends." ~Amazon Description
Brittney Joy's Review ~ "The horse vans parked along Seventh Avenue came loaded up with dreams." The first line of The Eighty Dollar Champion gave me goose-bumps and it also did a great job of setting the story’s tone - that big dreams can come true, with hard work and a little good luck.
The Eighty Dollar Champion is a heartfelt story of two underdogs with an undeniable connection: Harry, the Dutch immigrant horse trainer struggling to make ends meat for his young family, and Snowman, the ex-plow horse headed for the slaughter house - before Harry laid eyes on him. Even through the open slots of the packed stock trailer, Harry recognized the horse’s kind eye and strong body and, when Harry brought Snowman home to his family, he hoped to nurse the gelding back to health and add him to his small string of lesson horses. Snowman was intended to teach small children how to ride (which he willingly did), but Harry had no idea of the impact "Snowy" would eventually have on him, his family, and even the hopes of the Nation.
This is a touching story, particularly because it is true. While sometimes the author went into too much detail on the history surrounding the story (I was much more interested in Snowman's story rather than the details of the industrial revolution), the core of the story touched my heart. Plus, a bonus of the book is that the author includes many black and white pictures of the real Snowman and Harry. All and all, a great read for any horse lover and I cannot wait for the movie to come out next year!
Cut & Run ~ Amy Elizabeth
"Raised in the crime-ridden neighborhood of South Boston, Rebecca Sheehan has learned the hard way that people can't be trusted. So when her unscrupulous boyfriend turns up without a pulse, she knows she needs to get out of Southie. Fast.
She seeks refuge in the last place anyone would think to look for her–the picturesque town of Jackson, Wyoming. The locals in this small community live by a different set of standards, as Rebecca discovers when she finds work on a horse ranch. For once in her life, she’s surrounded by genuine, respectable people–with one exception. Her arrogant new boss, Alec Westin, appears hell-bent on making her employment term as short as possible. With his self-righteous attitude, she’d gladly grant him his wish, if she wasn’t so desperate for the job–and if he wasn’t so easy on the eyes.
But after a chance encounter with his quadriplegic father, Rebecca learns the truth behind Alec’s callous façade. Suddenly he is no longer a tyrant, but a diligent man risking his entire livelihood to provide for his family. Moved by Alec's fortitude and his father's warmth, Rebecca finds herself increasingly drawn into their personal affairs–and to Alec. Just when she starts to lower her guard, however, she discovers that her past is catching up with her. A series of sinister threats confirms her greatest fear–she's being hunted. It's only a matter of time before her stalker finds her. And when he does, she’ll discover just how much her new friends are willing to risk–and sacrifice–to protect her." ~GoodReads Description
Brittney Joy's Review ~ There was so much I enjoyed about this book...the well-developed characters that pulled at my heart-strings, the beautifully described backdrop of a Wyoming ranch, a mystery that made me read so fast I could barely comprehend the words, and a simmering romance that I wasn't certain would end in a love story. I picked this book up because it involved horses, but it was so much more than a horse-story. The author swept me away with her story of Rebecca and of Alec- with how she unraveled their past, their mistakes, and their choices.
The only reason I put down this 337 page book was because I was forced to - forced to go to work, cook dinner, correspond with anyone or fall asleep. This book is now in my top-ten of all-time favorite reads. And, I read a sample of the sequel and I literally gasped. I can't even wait to continue on with Rebecca and Alec's story. Beautiful work, Amy Elizabeth!
Headed for the Win ~ Rachael Eliker
"Nadia Wells has spent her life trying to convince her parents that horses are a necessity but despite her best efforts, they see them only as an extravagant luxury. After landing her dream job mucking stalls in exchange for riding lessons, a wealthy philanthropist recognizes Nadia’s talent and decides to invest in her. Purchasing a mare nicknamed Winny, Nadia is sure she’s bound for equestrian greatness but on the cusp of their most challenging three-day event yet, Winny bucks Nadia off in front of a crowd of her peers. Humiliated and fuming, Nadia makes a birthday wish that she could better understand her horse. The next morning, she wakes up to discover she has four hooves and a tail swishing between her legs: she and Winny have switched places! If life as a teenage-girl-turned-show-horse wasn’t hard enough, Nadia has to figure out a way to tell the dashing Mike how she feels or risk losing him and the competition to the talented, gorgeous and spoiled Gretchen. Will the pair concede defeat or work together to overcome the impossible and be headed for the win?" ~GoodReads Description
Brittney Joy's Review ~ Nadia and her new horse, Winny, switch places - what a fun horse story with a fantastic plot twist! Right from the beginning I connected with the main character, Nadia. Nadia is so "head-over-heels" in love with horses that she literally faints when she finally gets one. She's a hard worker and a natural rider, but when she doesn't immediately understand her horse, an old "wives tale" forces her to switch places with Winny. I love this twist because the author really shows how a horse feels, what they see, and why they act the way they do. I would categorize this book as a tween-read, but a horse-lover of any age will enjoy! And, I'd especially recommend it to a new horse owner as the story will actually give the reader real insight into a horse's thought process! Fun read and I could completely see this story as a Disney movie! Tons of action and a great lesson!
Keeping the Peace (Aspen Valley Stables, book 1) ~ Hannah Hooton
"London waitress, Pippa Taylor has no interest in horses or country-living. But when she inherits Peace Offering, a hopeless racehorse, she embarks on a career change in order to see her late uncle’s wish to run him in the Grand National come true.
But having talked her way into a job as racing secretary to champion National Hunt trainer, Jack Carmichael and moved to the West Country, Pippa finds herself faced with more daunting obstacles than even the Grand National can throw at her.
Most take the form of Jack, her moody boss. Although easy on the eye, he's certainly not easy on the ear. And after a Christmas they would both rather forget, danger and deception threaten Pippa’s life in the country. As her time at Aspen Valley Racing Stables draws to its conclusion she discovers Peace Offering is not the only thing she must fight to keep." ~Hannah Hooton's website
Brittney Joy's Review ~ Pippa, the London waitress turned (inherited) racehorse owner, quickly became one of my favorite protagonists! She's a cheery ray of sunshine who's not afraid to lay down a four letter word...when absolutely called for. Author Hannah Hooton created a character that I wanted to hang out with - Pippa (and her wonderfully naughty bestie Tash!) are my kind of girls.
As the story played out, I found myself rooting for Pippa and her long-shot race horse, Peace Offering, to win the Grand National - a gritty British steeplechase that sounds scary as all heck! "Helping" Pippa along the way is Peace Offering's grouchy but attentive trainer, Jack. There were a few times I wanted to shake Jack to alert him of his unnecessary grouchiness, but the contrast between Pippa and Jack made for some great banter.
The only negative was that I wish there were more horse scenes and that Peace Offering was a bit more "fleshed out" as a character. However, the sequel (Giving Chase, Aspen Valley book 2) revolves around a new protagonist ... a female JOCKEY at Aspen Valley Stables! Book 2 is bound to have more horse scenes and I'm looking forward to reading it!
**Note: Contains a few mature scenes suited for those that consider themselves an "adult."
The Shadows Breathe ~ Kathleen Marentes
"Kara Springs has a knack for horse training and, at twenty years old, lands her dream job with the opportunity to train a magnificent horse that others couldn't. But when her beloved mentor suddenly leaves, and she confirms his replacement is abusing the horses in his care, her world takes a drastic turn. When the abuse threatens to end the life of a beautiful mare, Kara steals her to save her. The result is an adventure that will test Kara's loyalty to the animals she loves, her courage in the face of danger, and her heart, when she must decide who it really belongs to." ~Amazon Description
Brittney Joy's Review ~ When you sit down to read "The Shadows Breathe," know that you are sitting down to consume a ten course meal – not a burger off the dollar menu! This 602-page novel is a full-on horse saga that begins with Kara, the main character, at the age of eight and her first introduction to horses. The story then follows Kara as she develops into a knowledgeable horsewomen willing to (literally) take battle to defend her beloved equine.
This story was obviously written by a rider as the details of the barn, horses, riding, and training techniques are realistic and highlight both the good...and the truly ugly of the horse show industry. Thankfully, Kara represents the "good" and I immediately related to her strong love of horses as well as her gentle approach to training them. I thoroughly enjoyed following Kara through her adventures and my favorite scenes included tons of riding and action - which is basically the last half of this book! Great summer read!
Racing Savannah ~ Miranda Kenneally
"They’re from two different worlds.
He lives in the estate house, and she spends most of her time in the stables helping her father train horses. In fact, Savannah has always been much more comfortable around horses than boys. Especially boys like Jack Goodwin—cocky, popular and completely out of her league. She knows the rules: no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries.
With her dream of becoming a horse jockey, Savannah isn’t exactly one to follow the rules either. She’s not going to let someone tell her a girl isn’t tough enough to race. Sure, it’s dangerous. Then again, so is dating Jack…" ~GoodReads Description
Brittney Joy's Review ~ This was a weekend read for me! Loved it! It actually reminded me of my favorite series growing up- The Thoroughbred Series by Joanna Campbell ... but Racing Savannah is much more "grown-up!"
Savannah, the main character, captured my heart with her sass, strong work ethic, and passion for horses. I also enjoyed how the author showed Savannah's confidence progression throughout the story. For me, it captured the "finding yourself" stage in high school.
The love story was sweet yet full of tension! I burned through the pages wanting to find out what would happen to Savannah & Jack ... And the horse, Star! As a horse-person myself, I have to say, Miranda Kenneally did a fabulous job submerging me in to the world of racing and horses. Usually, it is painful to read a novel involving horses when the author is not a horse-person, but Miranda did a great job with the horse lingo, action, and descriptions - she definitely did her research!
And, the other characters in this story were really well developed, quirky, and warmed my heart! I loved Rory ... And Mr. Goodwin! I would recommend this novel to anyone who aches for a good love story! And/or loves horses! Just a little note though - I would recommend the reader to be 16+. The story gets a little "racier" than I initially thought it would - no pun intended! :)
The Secret of Blackwatch (Blackwatch Stables #1) ~ Amber Cavalier Spiler
"THE SECRET OF BLACKWATCH explores the magical relationship between owner and pony as they conquer phenomenal life-changing events. Following the death of her mother, eleven-year-old Maggie dreams of owning her own pony. Her dream comes true when her father surprises her with a trip into the mysterious world of Blackwatch Stables. Led by the intriguing Ms. Cavalieri, Maggie learns that owning a pony is a bit different than she imagined. Guided by other girls at the barn, she learns that caring for her pony, Bella, is hard but rewarding work. As her adventures at Blackwatch Stables begin, she and Bella develop a magical relationship based on love and trust that carries them through an extraordinary adventure." ~Amazon Description
Brittney Joy's Review ~ Perfect Middle-Grade Pony Novel! If I had a daughter, she'd be reading this book ... I would say "The Secret of Blackwatch (Blackwatch Stables, #1)" is perfect for middle-grade girls ranging from 8-12 years (but I also enjoyed it). :)
Very fun concept combining the love of horses with the mystery of magic! My favorite parts include the action scenes -- especially the battle scene at the end. And, of course, I love the horse-talk and the special bond shown between the girls and their ponies. Looking forward to seeing how this story evolves in future novels ... and don't you just love the cover??!
Moonlit Series ~ Jadie Jones
"Eighteen-year-old Tanzy Hightower knows horses, has grown up with them on Wildwood Farm. She also knows not to venture beyond the trees that line the pasture. Things happen out there that can't be explained. Or undone. Worse, no one but she and the horses can see what lurks in the shadows of the woods.
When a moonlit ride turns into a terrifying chase, Tanzy is left to question everything, from the freak accident that killed her father to the very blood in her veins. Broken and confused, she turns to Lucas, a scarred, beautiful stranger, and to Vanessa, a charming new friend who has everything Tanzy doesn't. But why do they seem to know more about her than she knows herself?" ~Amazon description
Brittney Joy's Review ~ Horses + freaky monsters + time travel + back-stabbing queens + gladiator-style fighting . . . this book was not what I expected and I loved it! A friend recommended Moonlit to me and I was drawn in by the gorgeous horses on the cover. I'm not usually attracted to paranormal stories, but this one changed my mind! First of all, the prologue is the BEST prologue I have ever read . . . BEST!! It immediately sucked me in to the story and made me wonder what happened to these characters ... "I refused to blame her when she raged above me on our staircase that night, drunk, sad and angry. When she made me promise I'd never ride again. When she hurled a half-full bottle of vodka at my face and it exploded on the stairs at my feet. I hadn't tried to get out of the way. She had just missed." How can you resist lines like that?! I had to read on.
The main character, Tanzy, is immediately likable and I rooted for her through all the twists and turns of this story. And, let me tell you, there are a lot of twists and turns! Moonlit is like a puzzle that reveals itself one piece at a time, slowly giving you the full picture, yet it keeps you guessing. The action sequences are non-stop and leave you wanting more! Not to mention, Jadie Jones writes beautifully . . . there were lines and paragraphs of description that I had to read over a few times just because I loved them so much. Looking forward to the sequel!
Moonlit's Sequel ~ WINDSWEPT!...
"Tanzy’s journey continues in Windswept, the second installment of the Moonlit Trilogy...Tanzy Hightower is the key in an ancient prophecy pivotal to the existence of all beings, both Seen and Unseen. Unseen who have waited a millennium for her birth are relentless in their efforts to see the prophecy fulfilled--whether for good or evil, depending on which side of the conflict one stands. Others have sworn an oath to end Tanzy’s existence, permanently. Already, Tanzy’s body has been compromised by her enemies, her veins now home to the blood of a wild horse whose instincts are becoming impossible to control. While Tanzy’s Unseen enemies work to draw her out of a remote safe house, her friends beg her to stay in hiding. She is torn, wanting to reunite with Lucas, who has loved Tanzy since her first incarnation, yet unsure whether fulfilling the ancient prophecy will protect those she loves or destroy them." ~GoodReads Description
Brittney Joy's Review ~ Never did I expect to get wrapped up in a world of Seens and Unseens, but Jadie Jones sucked me in again with the sequel to Moonlit! In Windswept, Tanzy's world is further revealed and nothing is as it seems. Seriously, trust no one! The action scenes fall together in a way that brings them to life ... every punch, stab, flip and fall. And, once the action scenes started, I couldn't stop reading. It was like I hopped on a rollercoaster and there was no chance of getting off until the end!
Dark Witch ~ Nora Roberts
"With indifferent parents, Iona Sheehan grew up craving devotion and acceptance. From her maternal grandmother, she learned where to find both: a land of lush forests, dazzling lakes, and centuries-old legends. Ireland. County Mayo, to be exact. Where her ancestors’ blood and magic have flowed through generations—and where her destiny awaits. Iona arrives in Ireland with nothing but her Nan’s directions, an unfailingly optimistic attitude, and an innate talent with horses. Not far from the luxurious castle where she is spending a week, she finds her cousins, Branna and Connor O’Dwyer. And since family is family, they invite her into their home and their lives. When Iona lands a job at the local stables, she meets the owner, Boyle McGrath. Cowboy, pirate, wild tribal horsemen, he’s three of her biggest fantasy weaknesses all in one big, bold package. Iona realizes that here she can make a home for herself—and live her life as she wants, even if that means falling head over heels for Boyle. But nothing is as it seems. An ancient evil has wound its way around Iona’s family tree and must be defeated. Family and friends will fight with each other and for each other to keep the promise of hope—and love—alive…" ~Amazon Description
Brittney Joy's Review ~ So, this is the actually the first Nora Roberts book I have read. "Dark Witch" is a combination of witches, magic & horses set in Ireland -- how could I resist?! And, look at the cover ... it just pulls you right into the cozy, mystical story. My favorite parts of this book included Nora's descriptions of the settings -- cozy pubs, roaring fireplaces, crumbling castles.
However, the story itself was very repetitive and, frankly, predictable. The characters were one-dimensional and I had a hard time connecting with them. Actually, I connected most with Branna - the darker, more cynical cousin. The main character, Iona, tended to annoy me with her constant babble.
Iona (a witch herself) is able to read the minds of horses AND she works at a stable in Ireland .... I was really looking forward to this aspect of the story - how magic & horses would intertwine. However, the story is pretty skimpy on the horse parts and is written more for the general public than a die-hard-horse-person ... I was disappointed.
I actually gave up on this book at about page 220. I just kept waiting for the story to get good and I couldn't wait any longer. Sigh ... maybe I missed out on the best part of the story in the last 100 pages?? Anyhow, I will definitely give Nora Roberts another try. I've read lots of good reviews on her books -- this one just wasn't for me.
The Dressage Chronicles: Book II - A Matter of Feel ~ Karen McGoldrick
"As it is with people, so it is with horses. There is what you see on the surface, and then there is what is churning below. Lizzy’s good work ethic, and a desire to learn, will take her only so far. To go beyond the books, beyond the riding lessons, she will need courage. Why? Wild Child. He is beauty coupled with power, but mean as a rattlesnake. He triggers reactions in everyone who sees him; envy; ambition; and fear. And he is her responsibility. But not her only challenge. Some rattlesnakes are two-legged. She will find some of her teachers in unlikely places she could never have imagined. She will develop that special quality known among horsemen as “feel.” So the journey of The Dressage Chronicles continues. Put on your helmet." -Amazon Description
Brittney Joy's Review ~ Indeed, put on your helmet for this ride! The second book in The Dressage Chronicles did not disappoint! Karen McGoldrick is a pro at wrapping the reader up in the world of horses. I thoroughly enjoyed following Lizzy through more equine adventures and I loved watching her grow as a horse-woman! The horse characters in this story (Book I and Book II) warm my heart and remind me of many horses that have touched my life. And, I even grew to love Wild Child - the naughty stallion!
I wish I could hang out with Deb, watch Marco work his magic, and slap Rider. Loved them all! I can't wait to read the third book in the series. Go Lizzy! :)
The A Circuit ~ Georgina Bloomberg & Catherine Hapka
"The A Circuit is the top of the top when it comes to horse showing. It's a world with its own rules and super-privileged lifestyles. Teens employ private tutors so they can travel the circuit all year showing horses that cost as much as some people's homes.Tommi, Kate, and Zara are all elite competitors on the circuit, but they come from totally different backgrounds. Tommi is a billionaire heiress trying to prove she has real talent (not just deep bank accounts). Kate puts the working in working student-every win has been paid for with hours of cleaning stalls. She's used to the grueling schedule, but Fitz, the barn's resident hot guy, is about to become a major distraction. And then there's Zara. She's the wild child of a famous rockstar, but she's ready to take riding seriously. Can a party girl really change her ways?" ~Amazon Description