The Billionaire Needs a Wife ~ Rachael Eliker

“Their past is complicated, but that won’t stop them from giving love another shot.

Luke Dorrance has worked hard to be where he’s at, but his grandfather doesn’t see it that way. He’s convinced Luke is wasting his life and wants him to hurry up and marry before the end of the year, or he’s firing Luke and cutting off his inheritance.

It’s not that Lauren’s life is awful, but things aren’t as perfect as she’d hoped. She’s floundering in a dead-end job, she hasn’t had a date in months, and as a Southern girl, she doesn’t mix well with upper Michigan winters. Applying for a new position across the country at the prompting of her friend, Lauren’s excited about the promise of a new start.

Only there’s a surprise that comes with the job—her ex is her new boss.

There’s a thorny history between Luke and Lauren, but their attraction for each other is alive and well. If they want to give love a second chance, their challenges have only begun.” ~Amazon Description

Brittney Joy’s Review ~ This is a sweet second-chance romance with a lovely dash of horses! Really enjoyed the premise of this story- Luke is a workaholic, but his father's will says he and his brothers must get married by Christmas or risk losing their inheritance AND the charity Luke has worked hard to grow and support (race horse rehab). Enter Lauren... Luke’s old flame who broke his heart. Lauren unknowingly interviews for a job at Luke’s charity and the two are forced to work together and face issues from their past. I really enjoyed the initial tension and was rooting for these two to rekindle their relationship right from the start. This clean romance is super sweet and reminded me of a Hallmark movie (which I love). I enjoyed Lauren’s sass and Luke’s persistence and especially enjoyed the scenes that involved horses... Luke’s display of excellent riding skills as well as an adorable scene where they ride double. Also, I'm a sucker for anything Christmas and loved the Christmas theme. The Christmas theme isn't over-the-top, but more so sprinkled into the story so you could read this book at any time of the year. Pick it up if you're looking for a sweet, heart-warming romance.

One of my favorite lines..

“Some of the businesses had already begun hanging their Christmas lights and a fizzle of excitement wriggled inside of her. She’d always loved the Christmas season and everything it represented. She loved the idea that during the coldest, darkest time of the year, there was a spirit of goodwill and love.”

— The Billionaire Needs a Wife, by Rachael Eliker

Country Hearts ~ Cindi Madsen

“She shouldn't get involved with the cowboy next door...

After she's laid off from her teaching job in the city, Jemma Monroe finds a position in a tiny town and rents a house on the outskirts. A visitor soon shows up at her door -- a horse. His owner, a handsome neighbor in boots and a cowboy hat, comes by to collect him.
When single dad Wyatt Langford meets Jemma, it's the first time he feels interest in a woman since his wife left. But she's his daughter's new teacher, so they both know they should keep their distance.
Nonetheless, Wyatt keeps finding excuses to be with Jemma, and Wyatt's daughter becomes more and more attached to her. With them, Jemma discovers the good things about country living, from starry skies to s'mores cooked over a fire. But she still misses her past life in the city. Is there any reason for them to dream of a future together?” ~GoodReads Description

Brittney Joy’s Review ~ I am an absolute sucker for Hallmark movies (especially around Christmas!), but this is actually the very first Hallmark book that I’ve read. And, I ADORED it! If I had to sum up this book in a few words I would simply say that it will make you smile. It was a heartfelt, comforting read with everything that I would expect of a Hallmark movie. I was quickly swept-up by the adorable small town setting and instantly fell in love with Jemma, Wyatt, and Wyatt’s daughter, Bailey Rae.

Country Hearts is a city-girl meets country-boy romance, and I was quietly rooting for Jemma and Wyatt to get together, right from the start. Jemma Monroe is a big-city-girl who moves to the small town of Haven Lake for a temporary teaching job and ends up with a cute, but grumpy cowboy-neighbor, Wyatt Langford. The two are like oil and water, but keep getting pushed together—Wyatt’s little stinker of a horse keeps escaping and showing up at Jemmas door and, it just so happens that Jemma is Bailey Rae’s (Wyatt’s daughter) new teacher. Oh yes, there are lots of cute scenes in this one! Fair warning for my horse peeps though— the horse scenes are not super accurate if you are an equestrian. Regardless, I still enjoyed them for the pure cuteness!

Furthermore, I loved, loved, loved all of the small-town characters in this book. There’s a nosey coffee-shop owner, a principal that becomes Jemma’s new friend, and a music teacher that bursts into song at random intervals. If you need a distraction from all that is going on in the world today, curl up with a beverage, grab a fuzzy blanket, and pick up this book. It will put a smile on your face. Find Country Hearts on GoodReads HERE

Reckless in Texas (Texas Rodeo, book 1) ~ Kari Lynn Dell (Adult Romance)

“Rough and tumble, cocky and charming, Bullfighter Joe Cassidy is one of the best athletes in the business... And he's way out of Violet's league. Violet Jacobs is fearless. At least, that's what the men she snatches from under the hooves of bucking horses think. Outside the ring, she's got plenty of worries rattling her bones: her young son, her mess of a love life, and lately, her family's struggling business. When she takes matters into her own hands and hires on a hotshot bullfighter, she expects to start a ruckus.

She never expected stubborn, showboating, sweet-at-the-core Joe Cassidy.

Joe came to Texas to escape a life spiraling out of control. He never planned on sticking around, and he certainly never expected to call this dry and dusty backwater home. But Violet is everything he never knew he was missing, and the deeper he's pulled into her beautiful mess of a family, the more he realizes this fierce, fiery woman may be offering him the one thing he never could find on his own.” ~Amazon Description

Brittney Joy’s Review ~ I’ve been riding since I was little, but have little to no experience in the rodeo department. However, I absolutely love watching rodeos and often wish I had dabbled in that scene—simply because it looks so dang fun! So, when I saw that Kari Lynn Dell had a romance series set in the rodeo world, I just had to snatch up the first book. The promise of hunky cowboys and a rodeo book written by a real equestrian? YES. And, I was not disappointed. Reckless in Texas was an engaging, fun ride!

I absolutely loved diving into a world I’m not familiar with. Most of the book takes place at rodeos or at the Jacob’s ranch, which is the hub for the family business. The Jacobs are rodeo contractors which means they put on rodeos in the Texas area and provide all the stock (bucking horses, bulls). Everyone in the family plays a part in the business and I got quickly attached to the main character, Violet, who is a tough, but lovable cowgirl. She’s actually a pick-up “man” which means she saves the cowboys when they fall off the bulls or broncs. I thought that was so cool because you don’t see many female pick-up men. Violet is immediately likable because she’s a fiercely tough, independent woman. She has an adorable son, Beni, who she’s completely devoted to, and she’s basically sworn off men. Enter Joe—the cocky bull fighter that’s down on his luck and comes to work for the Jacobs. Joe is a great romantic interest because he’s cocky yet sweet…runs from love, but truly wants to love and be loved. This is a hate-to-love romance which is my favorite trope! Violet and Joe start off attracted to each other, but do everything possible to push each other away. They’re both scared of love. They’ve both been immensely hurt in the past. Which was why it was so wonderful to watch these characters grow throughout this book and learn to love.

I also appreciate that this is a real romance. A single mother (who’s son’s father plays a big part in the book as well— which adds a whole extra twist) and two characters who navigate through life’s tough choices. I rooted for Violet and Joe from the start. And, I have to say I also fell in love with Violet’s family. They are sweet as pie and I couldn’t get enough.

Pick up Reckless in Texas and expect to get swept up into rodeo, ranch life, and romance! I’m looking forward to reading more of this series because all of the male side characters get their own story… love it!

Also, Dell’s writing and descriptions are beautiful…here are a few of my favorites…

“His eyes were green. The color of luck, and money, and the other side of the fence. They gleamed with the same arrogant light as his smile.”

— Reckless in Texas, Kari Lynn Dell

“It was gonna be one of those nights. Violet could feel the anticipation simmering in the hum of voices from the bleachers, see it in the quivering muscles of horses and bulls, the glint in the contestants eyes. From the soft, golden stillness of the evening air to the mouthwatering scent of hamburgers grilling at the concession stand, it was all movie-scene perfect. Magic time.”

— Reckless in Texas, Kari Lynn Dell

Sparks ~ Maren Anderson

Sparks

By Maren Anderson

“Rosie wants to tear down the ancient cowshed on her ranch to make room for more horses, but it is unlucky to knock down a barn. Rosie thinks this is superstitious hogwash. That's why she and her handsome new ... friend ... Patrick get drunk one night and knock the shed down with the tractor, unleashing something very dark and very angry.

Rosie is thrust into a world of magic she didn't know existed. The cowsprite under the shed is deadly and won't leave, the people she's known for years have secret powers, and the effing trees have eyes. Rosie fights to regain control of her ranch, control of her heart, control of anything, while the answer might be the thing Rosie struggles with most.” ~Amazon Description

Brittney Joy’s Review ~ Sparks is a story comprised of romance, folklore, and the paranormal which made me feel safe and scared me at alternating points. I was immediately drawn in by Rosie's story, her love of horses, and her determination to make her boarding stable thrive no matter her roadblocks. And she has a big one-- a magical sprite haunting her property! I was so intrigued by this idea of a sprite and was thrilled to find that Maren gave the sprite it's own point of view in the story. In the beginning, I turned the pages quickly so I could find out who/what this sprite was and why it would be haunting Rosie. Then, as the story moved along, I flipped the pages because I was rooting for Rosie, worried for her, and wanted her to succeed. However, because I also got to see the sprite's point of view, I was also ultimately rooting for the sprite.

In the midst of the mystery, there's a fun (& sometimes steamy!) romance that brews and I thoroughly enjoyed the setting of the boarding stable and horses. I'm not sure if the author has experience with horses, but she did a fabulous job of portraying life in the barn, the riding scenes, and the horse characters. Fun, intriguing story!

Cowboy Away (In The Reins Equestrian Romance Series, book 2) ~ Carly Kade

“Cowboy McKennon Kelly's haunting past was a well-kept secret around the Green Briar stables, despite how hard newcomer cowgirl Devon tried to get to know him. As much as he wants to let go of his ghosts and learn to love this woman waiting for him, the grip his demon has on him is holding him hostage. If McKennon is going to move on with his life (and with Devon), he has a score to settle with death. 

But does he really want to move on? Can he? Does he deserve any happiness after what he did? Lost in a world of self-blame, McKennon struggles to cope with the relationships of his past, but accepts he must face some of them in the present in order to create a future. Cowboy Away, the highly anticipated sequel to In the Reins, an EQUUS Film Festival Literary Award winner for Best Western Fiction and two-time Feathered Quill Book Award recipient, journeys through McKennon's dark and tortuous past. A cowboy on a quest for revenge, McKennon hits the road with nothing but his memories, a pistol and hope to put his demon to rest.” ~Amazon description

Brittney Joy’s Review ~ Many of the horse books I read are categorized as young adult (and that’s the genre I write) and I haven’t run across many equestrian series that are written for adults AND also truly dive into the horse world. Carly Kade is a lifelong equestrian who rides and shows her beautiful paint mare (if you doubt me, checkout her pics on Carly’s website — will link below) in western pleasure. She also features western pleasure and breed shows (quarter horse & paint) in her series and I appreciate this setting! I grew-up showing in pleasure events and it’s fun to be back in that environment for a love story.

This is the second book in Carly Kade’s equestrian romance series and this book hurdles into McKennon’s story. In the first book (In The Reins), the reader meets Devon & McKennon and follows them through the ups and downs of a budding relationship. In the second book, the reader discovers the secrets of McKennon’s past… and the ghosts that still haunt him today. At first I wasn’t sure what to think of McKennon’s story, mainly because I was rooting for him and Devon to grow their relationship and book two actually goes back in time to Ken’s first marriage. And, if you’ve read the first book, you know that his first marriage doesn’t end well. However, I was surprised to find myself quickly getting wrapped up in McKennon & Madison’s love story. It’s happy and also very sad, but I found myself rooting for them as a couple even though I already knew how their relationship ended. And, Kade doesn’t leave us hanging concerning Devon. Devon’s point of view is also noted in book 2. Without giving away any spoilers, I’m hoping book 3 finally puts McKennon & Devon together. I want to see their love bloom as they navigate training & shows together! And, seriously, if McKennon hasn’t fully learned his lesson and starts to treat Devon right, I’m going to slap that cowboy myself. ;)

Also, I started reading book 2 as a paperback, but I’ve been spending so much time writing lately that I haven’t had the time to sit down (more) to read. So, I’ve been “reading” almost exclusively via audiobooks. I listened to about 3/4 of Cowboy Away on audiobook and I HIGHLY recommend it! If you are an audiobook fan, you know that a narrator can make or break a book and this narrator was fantastic! Her voice drew me even deeper into the story — it’s smooth and dramatic and wonderful. I’d love to listen to more books by narrator, Amanda Lamb. :)

Here’s a link to Carly Kade’s website (so you can see her pretty mare for yourself & checkout more info on her books!)

The Secret Horses of Briar Hill ~ Megan Shepherd

The Secret Horses of Briar Hill

By Megan Shepherd

“There are winged horses that live in the mirrors of Briar Hill hospital—the mirrors that reflect the elegant rooms once home to a princess, now filled with sick children. Only Emmaline can see the creatures. It is her secret.

One morning, Emmaline climbs over the wall of the hospital’s abandoned gardens and discovers something incredible: a white horse with a broken wing has left the mirror-world and entered her own. 

The horse, named Foxfire, is hiding from a dark and sinister force—a Black Horse who hunts by colorless moonlight. If Emmaline is to keep him from finding her new friend, she must surround Foxfire with treasures of brilliant shades. But where can Emmaline find color in a world of gray?” ~Amazon description

Brittney Joy’s Review ~ Wow… I didn’t expect this book to sneak up on me like that. I read a lot of YA, but I rarely pickup a middle grade novel. On top of that, I shy away from historical settings because they are a little too close to reality for me (and sometimes, reality can be scary). I read a review of this book on a blog I love (Liber Destella - checkout Sara’s blog because it’s awesome) and I added it to my GoodReads to-read list where it stayed for nearly a year. Then, around Christmas time, I noticed that the audiobook was available through my library and I downloaded it. It immediately sucked me in and grabbed my heart.

The Secret Horses of Briar Hill is set in WWII at a children’s hospital filled with sick kiddos. Sounds depressing, right? It’s not. This book is filled with hope and magic and determination. I immediately fell in love with the main character, Emmaline, who can see winged horses in the mirrors. She’s convinced she’s the only one that can see them and the only one that can save a certain winged horse that is hiding in her world, outside the mirrors.

This book reads like a classic and I really enjoyed the audiobook’s narrator. The narrator has a British accent, but it’s not overpowering. I’ve listened to other audiobooks where a narrator’s accent is distracting because it’s hard to understand what they are saying, but that wasn’t the case with this audiobook. The narrator’s British accent added to the story. Actually, it felt like Mary Poppins was reading me a book at bedtime. I loved it!

I flew through this book, enjoying the world as it unfolded. I loved how the winged horses were incorporated because they were symbolic to what was happening in Emmaline’s real world (in the hospital). This book pulled at my heart strings as I rooted for the brave main character, her sweet friend Anna, Thomas the secretive & caring gardener, and Foxfire the broken-winged horse. I’d suggest this for anyone 11 years+ as there are some tough subjects (death), but ultimately this story is one of bravery, determination, and magic (unseen and that of the heart).

Bonus: In the audiobook there is an author’s note at the end which explains where Shepherd got her inspiration for The Secret Horses of Briar Hill. She notes that the inspiration was very personal for her because (during her research of WWII & childhood illnesses) she discovered memorabilia, letters, and photos from her grandfather’s time in WWII. In one of his letters, her grandfather noted the importance of finding beauty in the darkness of war. This struck Shepherd and that is what she wrote about in The Secret Horses of Briar Hill … finding beauty in a dark place.

LOVED. ONE OF MY FAVORITE READS OF 2018.

The Scorpio Races ~ Maggie Stiefvater

The Scorpio Races

By Maggie Stiefvater

“It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.” ~GoodReads Description

Brittney Joy’s Review ~ I’ve had “The Scorpio Races” on my to-read list FOREVER because I continuously hear such great things about Stiefvater’s writing. Plus, a fantasy book with horses? Yes, please. Here’s what I discovered — I found a new favorite author and I will be devouring every Stiefvater book I can get my hands on!

The Scorpio Races was not exactly what I expected. I wasn’t sure what a “water horse” was or what a “scorpio race” would consist of. What I found, was that water horses are a mythical creatures that come from the sea, eat meat, and will kill you if you turn your back on them. Yikes! And, the Scorpio Race is a “horse” race in which the winner takes all and you might not make it out alive. This was not my normal warm-and-fuzzy-horse-book read. In fact, there’s only one real horse in this Story (Puck’s horse, Dove) and I was continuously scared for her life. Still, even using mythical creatures, this story shows the strong, intuitive connection between human and horse — even when that “horse” has the capability of being a monster.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat, especially towards the end. Once the actual race started, I knew I was not capable of putting the book down and I had to finish it — to see what happened. From the very beginning of this book, I had a sense that Stiefvater was the type of writer that was capable of “killing off her darlings.” In other words, I didn’t know which characters would make it to the end of this book and the fear of that kept me glued to the story. Basically, I was worried for everyone.

Also, Stiefvater writing is hauntingly captivating. The setting (an island) comes to life on the page. The horses (real and mythical) are written as characters (not background) and it became obvious to me that Stiefvater is a rider herself. Futhermore, The Scorpio Races is written in dual point-of-view…my favorite! I loved the rotating perspective between Sean & Puck and I was rooting for both characters in the race. The dual POV made the race extremely intense… because there’s only one winner, right?

One of my favorites. I’d definitely recommend to all fantasy readers.

“It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die.”

— The Scorpio Races (one of my favorite first lines ever)

Sweetbriars, Leaving the City: British Equestrian Book Series ~ Hollie Anne Marsh (age range: 9-12 years)

Sweetbriars, Leaving The City: British Equestrian Book Series

By Hollie Anne Marsh

“Welcome to the yard! Come and meet the girls... Cate, Tabby and Violet and their beautiful horses. Cate is uprooted from life as she has known it. Along with her family and her gorgeous palomino show horse Odette, she moves to a charming farm deep in the English countryside.

Cate is torn. Upon moving to horse heaven, she had to leave behind her best friend Beth and her beloved horse-riding instructor Bridget. On the other hand, she has fallen in love with Sweetbriars, the farm her family has bought to make their dreams come true. Setting up an equestrian centre at Sweetbriars is fun to Cate, but settling into a new school and having a stern Pony Club riding instructor that teaches dressage is less so. At school, Cate makes friends with Violet, who is confident and wacky, and through Pony Club she gets to know Tabby, who is sweet and popular, but hides a family secret. When the eccentric neighbor Sophia becomes a regular 'drop in' to the farm, Cate begins to learn about acceptance and what friendships really mean. The girls’ lives will be intertwined in ways they could never have imagined thanks to their shared passion for horses and Cate’s determination to make Sweetbriars a success. Will Cate ever settle into living in the countryside?” ~Amazon description

Brittney Joy’s Review ~ I enjoyed this romp through the British countryside and would recommend Sweetbriars for any pre-teen (9-12 years) horse-crazy reader! Sweetbriars is a good, wholesome story filled with lessons for any horse-lover — for beginner or advanced riders. I really liked how Marsh was very detailed in the barn and riding scenes and explained horse terminology, movements, etc. The main character, Cate, is very knowledgeable concerning horses and her two friends, Tabby & Violet, are as well. However, there is a Sophia character that doesn’t know anything about horses and I really enjoyed seeing Cate teach her things - like how horses shed in summer and get thicker coats in winter and how you don’t need to brush a horse’s teeth, but they do need dental work because their teeth keep growing.

This book also shows how riding isn’t easy and it takes hard work and commitment to get better. I also love that this book features dressage. I don’t run across many fictional books that feature a dressage rider (Cate) and the author did an amazing job of describing her lessons and tests (at the horse show). This is a wonderful start to a middle grade series and I’m curious if the next book will continue to follow Cate or if the sequel will follow Tabby or Violet — two of the other girls in the friend group.

Some other fun facts about Sweetbriars:

• The cover features a real young rider and her horse! Isn’t that cool?! The Sweetbriars cover star is a thirteen year old rider named “Faye” and the palomino photographed with her is her pony, Gigman Boy George.

• The back of the book contains an “Ears to Tail Glossary of Horses” which is a horsie dictionary! This is amazing because young readers can learn even more about the terminology used in the book. Horse colors like chestnut, buckskin, and bay are defined as well as tack such as girth, head collar (or halter), and crop. And, more advanced riding terminology is defined as well — such as counter canter, diagonal, hacking, and forward (or impulsion). This is something I haven’t seen before in equine fiction and I think it’s just marvelous and such a handy learning tool for young readers! Bravo, Marsh!

• A percentage of each book sale is donated to a wonderful equine charity - RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) :)

Witch Hearts: A Novella (Magic and Mage Series Book 1) ~ Angharad Thompson Rees

Witch Hearts: A Novella (Magic and Mage Series Book 1)

By Angharad Thompson Rees

"The mysterious Cheval triplets live a peaceful life in a secluded cottage on the edge of the Mystic Wood. Yet when their mother’s illness creeps her closer to death, the three sisters, Morganne, Amara, and Fae must leave their quiet sanctuary in search of a rare cure within the darkened forest.

But they are not the only ones lurking in the midnight shadows, so when fiendish witch hunters capture the sisters, their search for a cure turns into a desperate escape attempt. Their only hope rests with the exhausted, worn out horses pulling the cart to the witch trial, and the secrets the sisters keep locked in the deepest chambers of their hearts.

When they unleash the truth will it set them free, or send them closer to the burning witch pyres?" ~Amazon Description

Brittney Joy's Review ~ I'm so happy I stumbled on this novella because Angharad and I have two of the same loves: horses and magic! When I saw Witch Hearts' beautiful cover, I was immediately intrigued, but then I read the synopsis and downloaded it right away. Captured sisters must discover their magic before witch hunters burn them at stake? And their escape lies within the horses that pull the cart leading them to the witch trial? Yep. Sign me up for this story.

Angharad's novella reminded me of the Grimms' fairytales - a dark premise with evil lurking in the shadows and villains that are creepy and cringe-worthy. This is not a light and fluffy story, but the dark beginning makes the ending that much sweeter.  I loved the three sisters (triplets) and watching them discover their magic and then fight the bad guys. The last half of the story is full of action and Angharad's writing is vivid and flowery. It was easy to picture the fight scenes and to see the magic as the sisters discovered it. Not to mention, the type of magic in Witch Hearts is horse-related. My favorite kind!

This was a quick read and was full of beautiful descriptions. And, there's two more novellas in the series. Perfect for fans of Grimms' fairytales or Once Upon A Time.

A quote from my favorite scene:

"Her hands pulsed, ice blue and gold swirling to form globes within her palms, and she flung the energy spheres toward both horses. Like blue fire and glittering lightning, Amara's energy and love and hope reached out to the horses."

Cowgirl Lessons ~ Rae Rankin (age range: 2-6 yrs)

Buy on Amazon

"For every kid who loves horses. Cowgirl Lessons is a charming story of a girl gathering her gear to head out to the farm and take her weekly riding lesson. From her exasperated mother digging her lost boot from her laundry mound to driving to the barn to see the horse she loves, this story paints the picture of one girls devotion to horses. Cowgirl Lessons is inspired by a real girl, Duchess the horse, and all the little girls who took their first riding lessons on the sweetest horse ever." ~Amazon Description

Brittney Joy's Review ~ If you are looking for an adorable gift for a pony-crazy kiddo, look no further! I bought Cowgirl Lessons for my four year old niece for Christmas and I can't even wait to read it to her. The story is super sweet and the illustrations are cute-as-can-be. Any little girl that is learning to ride or is dreaming of her own pony, will be ecstatic to read this book ... over and over and over again!  

Summer Circuit ~ Kim Ablon Whitney

"It’s the summer before college. Hannah Waer is on her own at the seven-week summer horse show circuit in Vermont. Her father wants her to learn independence and responsibility so she has to take care of her own horse—which might not be a problem if she’d ever picked out a stall, or prepared a horse for the ring. It also doesn’t help that her horse won't jump. When Hannah crashes (literally) into gorgeous and accomplished grand prix rider, Chris Kern, on her first day at the show, she’s certain her life is over. In fact, it’s just beginning. The summer becomes one Hannah will never forget—a time of first love, of hard choices, and of learning that life is what you make of it. " ~Amazon Description

Brittney Joy's Review ~ Okay,  I'm hooked! After reading Summer Circuit, I'm excited to see where this story goes next and there's 3 more books in this series! When Summer Circuit starts, Hannah is the kind of horse person I usually can't stand -- someone who has a trainer and does none of the "grunt" work herself. However, her dad basically "cuts the purse strings" at the beginning of the story and Hannah has to learn to take care of her own horse, Logan, whom she honestly doesn't even like. She learns to clean his stall, to feed him, to groom him, to clean his (often pooped in) water buckets, and she slowly learns how to ride him, how to figure him out. And, she grows to love him... I appreciated watching her grow as a horsewoman and as a rider and I quickly grew to like Hannah as a character! I teared up in the last scene of this book, watching her and Logan together (no spoilers here... but it was a great ending!). 

The other major plot line of Summer Circuit revolves around relationships -- boys and friends and watching Hannah find herself as a young woman. I really enjoyed this too and was rooting for Hannah throughout. Well I'm not certain Chris is the perfect person for her, I was wide-eyed and flipping pages through the ups and downs of the relationship drama. And, the end definitely leaves me wanting to see what happens between Hannah & Chris in the second book!

Overall, I really enjoyed my stay on the circuit...and I'll be picking up book 2, Winter Circuit!

P.S. - just a note that this book does contain mature content. It is categorized as young adult, but probably teeters on the side of new adult (just my opinion and wanted to throw that out there).

A New Beginning: A Short Story: Shade Break Farm Series Book 1 ~ Nicole Moore

A New Beginning: A Short Story: Shade Break Farm Series Book 1

By Nicole Moore

"Sarah has dreamed her whole life of owning her own horse. When her trainer rescues an off the track thoroughbred from slaughter and gives him to Sarah, it seems as if all her dreams have come true. But does the quirky bay have what it takes to be a champion? Or will his checkered past ruin their future forever?" ~Amazon Description

Brittney Joy's Review ~ What a fun start to a new equestrian series! Nicole Moore's novella, A New Beginning, is just eleven chapters and a quick read which introduces readers to the characters of Shade Break Farm. I immediately fell in love with Flynn, the off-the-track Thoroughbred rescued from the kill pen, and Sarah, the fourteen-year-old horse-crazy girl who comes to live on the farm, to learn and to work. Both Sarah and Flynn have baggage - issues that were forced upon them, but they both seem to want to overcome their hurdles together (pun intended!).

 I'm a huge fan of an underdog story and I was rooting for both Sarah and Flynn from the second I met them on the page! This series seems like it will be a fun, feel-good ride! And it's obvious that Moore is an equestrian herself as the horse-terminology, descriptions, and equine personalities are spot on. I'm looking forward to seeing what the rest of the series brings!