This statement goes for books in general – and probably a lot of other areas in our lives!  I believe it’s really important as an author to be ready to improve your horse books.  I have gotten into a habit of leaving a little statement at the end of my books to encourage readers to contact me if they spot any inconsistencies/errors.

In this way, I am in a position to review them and correct – if I feel it is necessary.  At the end of the day, the decision is yours.

I have received a review about the order in which the saddle and bridle are put on horses.  The reader disagreed with me from their side of the world.  This is perfectly ok.  But I chose not to change the information within my book as the order I put is what we’re taught here in Australia.  I chose to stay with that.

Recently I contacted an author about an inconsistency I found.  She was so thankful for the heads up and rewarded me with more books in that series to read for free – yay!  And she made the correction to the book in question.

Likewise, I have recently been in a position where a reader has pointed out an incorrect fact with regards to books of the bible in my Free Rein series.  Boy was I thankful for the message from her!  It allowed me to update the book in question within 24 hours in the electronic version.  She was rapt to find that she got the updated version on her Kindle, too and didn’t have to purchase an updated copy.  Surely you have to love that about the digital age!

The added bonus of responding quickly to my reader and fixing the issue she spotted is it resulted in a higher rating/review.  I can relate to that, too.  If I find incorrect information in a book, it bothers me!  Especially if it’s horse information and the book is for younger readers.  They often learn most about horses through the fiction they read.  It really is important as a horse book author to be ready to investigate mistakes others may have found.  Then it’s your choice what you do with it.

I love to read horse books that are interesting and factual.  It’s entertaining to read stories that are fiction by authors who have a great imagination.  And it’s also great to read a horse book that teaches you something.

There are many authors that I have read who have taught me something as I’ve read and been entertained by their books.  However, there are also horse books that I’ve read that make me cringe.  Facts are incorrect or just unbelievable.

It’s a delight to read books that are obviously by horse people.  In the books that I write, I try to make sure the information is correct and informative.  As someone who has worked in the equine industry for 15 years, I love to be able to spin examples from my working life into my stories.

I worked as a stud hand looking after mares, foals and yearlings for many years.  This particular job has helped to shape ideas for my debut novel Horse Country and my Thoroughbred Breeders series.  My work as a horse riding instructor and experiences on an agistment (livery) property have helped to shape the Free Rein series for younger readers.

As an equine author, it is important to write what you know.  That said, there is nothing wrong with researching a concept or topic to include in your story.  It can help to develop the plot, characters within the story and to make a story authentic.  I enjoy learning along with my characters and work hard to make sure the horse facts are correct within each of my stories.

I realised with a start that I haven’t posted on here about my latest release!  I’ve just updated the blurbs and covers on the for adults section of this site, adding in Yearling Sales.  So for those fans of the Thoroughbred Breeders series who aren’t on my mailing list and so haven’t been notified, book #6 is live on Amazon! 🙂

Be sure to follow my author updates so that you’re kept in the loop about latest releases.  Though in all honesty, my mailing list is the best way to know about updates as soon as they happen!

If you’re looking to secure a copy of Yearling Sales, then you can click the image in this post.  It’ll take you straight to Amazon to purchase at the typical $2.99 price.  Or, if you’re on Kindle Unlimited, you can read it for free 🙂  Why not be the first person to read and review?

And whilst you’re at it, you can add the book to your Goodreads shelf via this link!

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Book 5 in the Thoroughbred Breeders series titled Focus has received it’s first review recently.  I was delighted to see that it was a 5 star review!  This was further exciting for me with the first words in the review:

As enjoyable as always.

It’s great to know as an author that people enjoy reading beyond the first book in the series.  When they find future books to be as enjoyable as the first in the series (and rate them at 5 stars!) this is such a wonderful feeling.

If you are looking for a new horse series to get stuck into for adult readers, why not consider my Thoroughbred Breeders series?  The next book in the series is currently being edited!

5 Star Reviews

And if you’re looking for a horse series for the younger reader, book 6 in the Free Rein series has also received a 5 star review as it’s first review!

I endeavour to make my books entertaining to readers and love to read reviews that show I have achieved this.  It’s also important to me that I make them educational for all readers.  Sometimes there is nothing more frustrating than reading a horse book and finding the information to be incorrect or unbelievable.  What horse book do you love because it’s realistic as well as entertaining?