Tag: horses

Refuge: A Mountain Ranch Novel By Willa J Brand

Refuge: A Mountain Ranch Novel By Willa J Brand

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Taylor is a mother on the run from an abusive husband, searching for a safe place for she and her young son. Convinced that her possessive spouse is hunting them, she is paranoid, exhausted and virtually penniless. Finding herself stranded in rural Montana, she is taken in by a couple who help her not knowing her past, and she is able to find work on their ranch.

She intends on staying only long enough to save the money needed to move on to a large city where she believes they will be safer. But as time passes friendships develop, as does a love interest, and Taylor struggles to hold on to her secrets. Inevitably, her past catches up with her and her worst fears will become reality.

My Thoughts:

I couldn’t wait to get started reading this book and read it in a day, it was perfect for me as it is like my dream job to work on a ranch with horses. I am a big animal lover and love horses, I use to ride them and now it is something I am really wanting to do again after reading this book. The story is about Taylor who is trying to get away from her husband that is abusive, she has a young son and needs to get as far away from her cruel husband as she can, I really felt for her, they end up on a ranch and it’s clear she loves it, she has lovely people around her, romance may be on the card for her, though she has secrets and just when things are settled something happens that turns her world to shreds. This is a sensitive topic that is written about and the author has done a brilliant job keeping it real but sensitively. What I learnt about this book is that you can run but you can’t hide.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

Get your copy here:

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My Animals and Other Family By Clare Balding

My Animals and Other Family By Clare Balding

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clare balding

Clare Balding grew up in a rather unusual household. Her father a champion trainer, she shared her life with more than 100 thoroughbred racehorses, mares, foals and ponies, as well as an ever-present pack of boxers and lurchers. As a toddler she would happily ride the legendary Mill Reef and take breakfast with the Queen.

She and her younger brother came very low down the pecking order. Left to their own devices, they had to learn life’s toughest lessons through the animals, and through their adventures in the stables and the idyllic Hampshire Downs. From the protective Candy to the pot-bellied Valkyrie and the frisky Hattie, each horse and each dog had their own character and their own special part to play.

The running family joke was that “women ain’t people”. Clare had to prove them wrong, to make her voice heard – but first she had to make sure she had something to say.

My Thoughts:

I have always like Clare Balding and was excited to read this book. It was so lovely with each animal for the different chapters. The portraits of the different animals were amazing, so much skill had been put in to them. I am a big animal lover and use to go horseriding but there were some things that I have learnt about Clare but also about horses. It was a very detailed read which I found rather enjoyable.

If you would like to purchase this book, please click on the link below:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Animals-Other-Family-Clare-Balding/

Springtime at Cherry Tree Cottage ( Talyton St George) By Cathy Woodman

Springtime at Cherry Tree Cottage ( Talyton St George) By Cathy Woodman

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This title will be released on March 24, 2016.

After years of training, horse-mad Flick has finally achieved her dream of becoming one of the few female blacksmiths in the country.

Her first job is in Talyton St George. The little cottage on the green where she is staying is idyllic, and it feels like the fresh start she needs. But she soon finds she is having to work overtime to prove her abilities to the not-so-welcoming locals.

One person very much on her side though is Robbie Salterton. He’s a bit of a local celebrity – a handsome stunt rider who does charity work in his spare time – and he seems to be going out of his way to look out for Flick. But is he just being friendly or does he see Flick as something more?

Despite swearing off men, Flick can’t help wanting to find out . . .

My Thoughts:

I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of this book from Cathy. I am a big fan of Cathy’s book I have all of her books on my bookshelf. Reading one of Cathy’s books feels like someone giving you a great big warm hug. What is not to love about a story involving horses, a hot guy and a love story. I really liked reading about Flick the main characters job as a farrier as it was interesting to learn all about horses shoes. I really liked this story alot and I wonder if there will be a sequel to it. I think everyone should read this book whether you like horses or not. It is just brilliant, so brilliant I managed to read it in two days.

If you would like to pre order this book, please click on the link below:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Springtime-Cherry-Tree-Cottage-Talyton/

To find out more about Cathy or her books, please click on the link below:

http://cathywoodmanbooks.com/

Vets In Love By Cathy Woodman

Vets In Love By Cathy Woodman

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cathy woodman

Love is in the air in Talyton St George, Devon’s most romantic town.

Glamorous GP Nicci (aka the galloping doctor) and Matt, the very handsome equine vet, have caught each other’s eye. On paper it looks like a match made in heaven.

There are problems, however: Matt’s jealous ex-girlfriend being one of them. But the main trouble is Nicci’s determination to qualify for the Badminton Horse Trials. Because although Matt treats horses for a living, a tragedy in his past makes him terrified every time Nicci competes.

So when Nicci has a terrible accident, a devastated Matt gives her an ultimatum: it’s him or the riding.

Nicci can’t believe he means it. But can she risk putting him to the test?

My Thoughts:

Each book in the Talyton St George series can be read as a standalone novel, but I would certainly recommend reading them all in order as you will get to know the characters and their stories. This is the sixth book and I really enjoyed it. I am a big fan of Cathy Woodman’s books, she has a lovely style of writing that is like being wrapped in a big warm hug. I loved the story and I did really feel for Nicci at times. I enjoyed reading about the horses side of the book as I used to ride and this has made me really want to get back into it. A lovely little story that you will want to read over and over again.

If you would like to purchase this book, please click on the link below:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vets-Love-Talyton-St-George

These are the other books in the series:

Trust Me, I’m a Vet (Maz and Alex)
Must Be Love (Maz and Alex)
The Sweetest Thing
It’s a Vet’s Life (Maz and Alex)
The Village Vet
Vets in Love
Country Loving
The Three of Us (Digital short story, companion to Follow Me Home)
Follow Me Home

Country Affairs By Zara Stoneley

Country Affairs By Zara Stoneley

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Welcome back to Tippermere for the wedding of the year…

Scatty but loveable Lottie Brinkley is famous throughout the village for her disorganised personality so when she steps up to plan the perfect wedding the only likely outcome is disaster.

When her globetrotting, love cheat of an ex, Todd, literally crashes the wedding on a not-so-noble steed, things definitely look set to take a turn for the scandalous. As rumours of why he’s back spread through the village quicker than the stable girl can drop her knickers, is Lottie’s future with sexy eventer Rory Steel about to fall at the next fence?

With a wave of unexpected pregnancies, steamy shenanigans in the hay and a farrier with more than shoeing horses on his mind, will Lottie ever be ready to take on the coveted title of Lady of the Manor and restore the Estate to its former glory?

As the heart of the village, Tipping House Estate, makes its move into the 21st Century, pulses start to race in a novel packed full of charm, hunky stallions (the guys that is), and a daring plan that just has to succeed…

My Thoughts:

Having previously read Zara’s last book Stable Mates I knew this book would just be as good. There is alot going on but it makes it an enjoyable read. There are dogs, horses, romance and studs, what more could you want? The main character is called Lottie who is going to become Lady of the Manor. I really liked the way Lottie manages to come up with a idea that works as they need to do maintenance to the Estate. There are some amusing parts to this story too, really enjoyed the story too. There are some cracking characters in this book and some hot men, you have been warned. Brilliantly written.

 

A Rural Affair By Catherine Alliot

A Rural Affair By Catherine Alliot

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When Poppy Shilling’s bike-besotted, Lycra-clad husband is killed in a freak accident, she can’t help feeling a guilty sense of relief. For at long last she’s released from a controlling and loveless marriage.

Throwing herself wholeheartedly into village life, she’s determined to start over. And sure enough, everyone from Luke the sexy church organist to Bob the resident oddball, is taking note. Yet the one man Poppy can’t take her eyes off seems tantalizingly out of reach – why won’t he let go of his glamorous ex-wife?

But just as she’s ready to dip her toes in the water, the discovery of a dark secret about her late husband shatters Poppy’s confidence. Does she really have the courage to risk her heart again? Because Poppy wants a lot more than just a rural affair . .

My Thoughts:

Having never read any of Catherine’s books before I wasn’t sure what to expect. I did find it hard to get in to but once I had it was an enjoyable read. There were some very amusing moments in the story which I loved. I wasn’t really sure about the plot but it seemed to work. I found myself warming to the village life and I loved it when Poppy the main character gets on a horse when she hasn’t been on one for ages, I think this part really drew me into the story. I would definitely like to read another one of Catherine’s books.