I'm so happy to welcome you to my website and to be able to showcase an amazing round-up of equestrian authors and their work. Everybody listed here loves writing, horses, and their readers, so please check out some of the books (or, all of them!) and feel free to reach out to the authors - we love connecting with our readers.
​Happy holidays and happy reading!

Jenny Roman used to be a pony-mad, ponyless kid, gazing longingly at other people’s horses. To get her “fix” she was an avid reader of pony books, and her first ever short story was published in PONY magazine when she was 17.  She was 28 before she got a pony of her own – a chestnut mare bought unbroken from an auction, and she's had all kinds of jobs to support her equine habit, including working at a riding school. Horses have always been a huge part of her life, and writing about them means she can combine her two greatest passions. All three of her equestrian books are available as both paperbacks and ebooks.

I’m going to guess that quite a few of my readers are also Heartland fans. Since the show has run since 2007, and is shown in 119 countries it feels like a safe bet. And, while many of my readers were probably first attracted to Heartland for the horses, there are lots of other reasons people keep viewing:

1. It’ll make you laugh, and make you cry (always a winning combination).
2. It’s suitable to watch with all-ages (a perfect Sunday-night show – which is when it airs here in Canada).
3. It looks great. For those who have been to Alberta, it’s a great reminder of the province’s beauty, and for those who haven’t, it gives a great teaser.

That last point leads to a question lots of people ask, which is where, exactly, is Heartland filmed anyway?

While the show's storyline is set in the fictional town of Hudson, Heartland is primarily filmed in the real-life town of High River, Alberta, and its surrounding areas. The iconic Heartland Ranch, where so much of the series' action takes place, lies just outside of Calgary.
In addition to High River, the show's crew often ventures into other parts of Alberta, ensuring viewers get a diverse taste of the province's vast landscapes – from the expansive prairies to the majestic Rocky Mountains.
Not only is the show filmed in Alberta, Amber Marshall, Heartland’s star character, lives on a ranch in Alberta, surrounded by an array of animals, from horses to chickens, echoing the diverse cast of animals featured on Heartland. If you want to know more about Amber Marshall’s ranch life (and her animals) you can visit her website (Amber Marshall) and sign up for her regular newsletter.
And if you find yourself in Alberta, you can visit Amber’s store and shop her favourite merchandise (MarshallsCountryStore).

​In a world where shows compete aggressively for viewer attention. Heartland is the longest-running one-hour scripted drama in the history of Canadian television. This longevity is a testament to its compelling narratives, relatable characters, and – most importantly – its dedicated fan base.

• A true equestrian: The series places a significant emphasis on horse training and riding, so it helps that Amber Marshall is an accomplished who uses and rides her own horses in the show.
• Natural sets: Many interior shots of the series, like the ones inside the Heartland home, are filmed on location in real houses rather than constructed sets. This gives the series an authentic, homely feel.
• Something for every animal lover: While horses play a primary role, Heartland has featured over 30 different species of animals throughout its seasons. From dogs and cats to elk and eagles, the show has it all.
• Fan interactions: The cast and crew are known for engaging with fans on social media platforms, sharing tidbits and behind-the-scenes shots. They often acknowledge the role the fans play in keeping the show alive and thriving.

​Over the years, Heartland has clinched several awards, including Director's Guild of Canada awards and Canadian Screen Awards. Its portrayal of family dynamics, rural life, and the deep bond between humans and animals has resonated with audiences worldwide

​Heartland on CBC isn't just a show; it's a legacy. It has effectively showcased Canadian landscapes, culture, and the universal theme of family. If you've never watched it, with Season 17 now airing in Canada, now might be the perfect time to immerse yourself in the world of the Heartland Ranch. And for those elsewhere in the world … you might have to wait a little longer but the next season is coming!

Hello, Happy New Year, and welcome to a brand-new, 2023 initiative which I’m very creatively calling … (wait for it) … Horse Book Reviews.
I know you can read faster than any single horse book author can write. I also know it can be hard to find your next horse-book read – horse books live in an Amazon niche that can be tough to discover – so every month I’m going to spotlight a few books you may not have heard of and give you some information to help you decide whether they’re right for you.
This month I’m featuring the books which were top three on Amazon’s “Horse Riding” category on a random day in January.
Here we go!

Q&A
Q: Is this a horse book … or a book with horses?
A: Definitely a horse book – the main plot is horse / stable-centered and driven, with all other sub-plots in service of the horse plot.
Q: English or Western?
A: Our main character, Deja, rides English and Tri Color Farms (where she rides) is described as specializing in jumping horses."
Q: Horse book or pony book?A: This one’s all about horses – the EMC (equine main character) is Macintosh, or Mac, for short. He’s described as a big chestnut gelding: “Mac was a true chestnut without a single white marking, save the small, white star on his forehead. He had perfect conformation and was evidently a very high-quality horse.”
Much-loved tropes and characters
What are the top three horse-book tropes in Deja’s Dream?

1. “I love him … but I can’t have him” – our MC finds their dream horse, but there are obstacles to having him.
2. “The looming deadline” – a show is coming up. Will our MC be able to ride in it?
3. “Nobody does it better” – our MC has an understanding with our EMC and can ride him like nobody else can.

And what familiar characters will you find?

• “Reasonable authority figure” – often the stable owner or riding teacher
• “Loyal best friend” – self-explanatory
• “SLRR” – Spoiled Little Rich Rider

You should read this book if …

• You like quick reads
• You prefer your books light on drama and angst
• You like happy endings

You should read these books if you liked this book …

• Most of the pony books published and republished by Jane Badger.
• Stacy Gregg’s Pony Club Secrets and Pony Club Rivals books.
• Either of my all-ages books: Stolen Saddles or Gift Horse.

Q&A
Q: Is this a horse book … or a book with horses?
A: While the Island Series as a whole is definitely a horse series, if you read this book as a stand-alone, it might feel more like a book with horses. Horses are present, and important in this book, but they’re not the sole focus.
Q: English or Western?
A: English with some jumping.
Q: Horse book or pony book?
A: This book features horses – the EMC (equine main character) is He’s Got Hops, or Hops, for short. He’s a 17.2hh OTTB, chestnut with white lacing: “… despite being sold off the track with no winnings to his name, (he’s) full of run.” Readers of the Island Series will also be happy to re-unite with Meg’s mare Salem, and Austen’s Mac.
Much-loved tropes and characters
What are the top three horse-book tropes in Reason Why?
Because this is a “book with horses” rather than a horse book, some of the tropes are more general, but you’ll still find:

1. “I love him … but I can’t have him” – our MC finds their dream horse, but there are obstacles to having him.
2. “The looming deadline” – in this case, the deadline isn’t about a horse – it’s about a wedding!
3. “My horse is my therapist” – every horse in this book has a hand in helping each of their riders / owners.

And what familiar character types will you find?

• “Reasonable authority figure” – after a long series, MC Meg has become this person!
• “Loyal best friend” – this should have come first, because this book is ALL ABOUT the best friends.
• “Smart partner” – you know, the one who realizes the best way to his love-interest’s heart is with a horse.

You should read this book if …

• You’ve read the rest of the Island Series!
• You like ensemble stories.
• Weddings give you happy tears.

You should read these books if you liked this book …

• Obviously, the rest of the Island Series.
• Airs Above the Ground by Mary Stewart.
• Any of Mara Dabrishus’ horse books.

Q&A
Q: Is this a horse book … or a book with horses?
A: This is a horse (pony) book, through and through. Ozzie is our EMC, and he's the first character we meet in the story. Everything Clodagh, our MC, does is driven by Ozzie.
Q: English or Western?
A: English - although most of the book is about general horsemanship. There is mention of Clodagh's aunt who rides dressage.
Q: Horse book or pony book?
A: Ponies, ponies, ponies! Ozzie is the "little grey pony" we meet right at the book's opening, and during the time he's at the riding school, there are a few other ponies mentioned.
Much-loved tropes and characters
What are the top three horse-book tropes in The Forgotten Horse?

1. “I love him … but I can’t have him” – our MC finds their dream horse, but there are obstacles to having him.
2. “The looming deadline” – in this case, the deadline is defined by an auction (which, in itself, is possible another trope: "horse at auction").
3. “Nobody does it better” – our MC has an understanding with our EMC and can ride him like nobody else can.

And what familiar character types will you find?

• “Adults who are well-meaning know nothing about horses” – Clodagh's family.
• “Adults who are well-meaning and know everything about horses” – Clodagh's Aunt Lisa.
• “SLRR” – Spoiled Little Rich Rider. Or, in this case, riders. All the riding school brats are ... well ... brats!

You should read this book if …

• You love a country / village setting with manor houses, B&Bs, a village store, and more.
• You ever dreamed of waking up and finding a pony in a paddock outside your house.
• You enjoy stories with a sweet dog sidekick.

You should read these books if you liked this book …

• Another vote for Jane Badger's books.
• UK pony books by Amanda Wills or Cressida Burton.
• The prequel in my Island Series - Six-Month Horse - which is suitable for all-ages and is also about the fear of losing the perfect horse.

The authors of the books featured in this review post have teamed up to make a giveaway prize of three print books. The winner will get The Forgotten Horse, Deja's Dream, and Appaloosa Summer (Book One in the Island Series).
There are lots of ways to enter - and to earn extra entries - so go ahead and get your name in before the giveaway closes on January 30.

Interestingly, while I chose these books because they were one, two, and three on the Amazon "horse riding" chart, upon reading them I found they had something else in common. All three (especially Deja's Dream, and The Forgotton Horse) feature an understanding and helpful older brother. Often big brothers get a bad rap, so it was nice to see the sibling support.
It was a pleasure to put together this post, and the giveaway. I do hope you'll enter!
I also hope you'll use the comments to let me know what you think of any of these books, and if there are any others you'd like to see me review.