Thoroughbred Books

This book is driving me crazy. What's wrong with it? I keep thinking I ought to love it. It's well written. Mooney loves horses and the track. She hates what's happening to both, but with a good sense of history she understands nothing's new under the sun. So why is it such a slog to read? Because it's all over the place? Because I can't get a grip on who her grandmother was and Mooney wants me to? Because there's nothing compelling, nothing happening that drives the book or the reader forward? I can't get a handle on what this book is about. Her racing heart. Okay. Her interest in Captain Steve's Derby which the reader forgets is the spine on which she hangs her musings? And she certainly knows a thing or two about her subject. In the end two vital things are missing. The two things a book MUST have to succeed as a book and is why Hillenbrand's Seabiscuit: An American Legend crossed all boundaries. Narrative drive and passion. It's a lukewarm forgettable but horse loving book. An odd experience that I can't quite capture in this review. Just like Mooney can't quite capture the beauty and excitement of the horse or the track...but not for lack of trying.

simply because the author's name is 'nan'. so sorry, but when i see the name 'nan mooney' it makes me want to vomit, or at least pass on reading this. anyone who walks around and authors books and attaches the name 'nan' screams overweight housewife to me. please pass on this because it really is wrong to read a book by an author with sch a name. if i wrote a book, and signed 'little danny o'malley' would you read it? hell no. or heck, which i'm sure amazon will put in the previous sentence.

Nan Mooney, My Racing Heart (Harper, 2002)

Nan Mooney loves horses. Specifically, Thoroughbreds, the ones who hit the track, dust it up with six to twelve of their closest friends, and make humans gape in awe at the process. This odd amalgam of personal-memoir-cum-treatise-on-track-life is not an unfamiliar breed to the horse fan; the measuring stick against which all such books are brought is Bill Barich's stunning Laughing in the Hills. I'm sure one day, another book that good in that genre will arrive. While My Racing Heart has its good points, to be simple about it, this ain't it.

Where Barich succeeds as so many others (Michael Klein, Mooney, Liz Mitchell, and many others) fail is in his ability to take two different things that have inherently different paces and make them merge together into one book whose readability is consistent across chapters on differing subjects (in Barich's case, handicapping the races at Golden Gate while dealing with his mother's cancer). He meshes the two in such a way that, despite being parallel narratives happening a country apart from one another, the whole thing flows. Seamless, like an egg, as Stephen King once said. In Mooney's case the two main threads are a basic nuts-and-bolts look at the Thoroughbred industry from someone with enough clout to get inside the lines but not enough cynicism to keep pumping out the same old platitudes and a memoir about her grandmother, who introduced her to horse racing at an age tender enough that I suspect her parents weren't very happy. Either of these two things on their own would have stood as a book in itself; the slow, meandering passages about her grandmother and how the two of them interacted and the snappy, sometimes sarcastic looks at track life. It is when the two are entwined with one another that things break down to the extent they do, with the reader finding himself transported with no warning from the high of making friends with a Kentucky Derby contender to a lazy meditation on what life must have been like in the early twenties in Alaska.

Not to say it isn't worth reading; that's not it at all. There is some fine stuff here. It just could have used a little tuning. ** ½

I bought this book hoping for some real insight into the world of Thoroughbred racing from the history and allure of the breed to the off limits world of the backstretch. Given the authors credentials, one might think that that's what you'd get. This book, however, is the most self indulgent, cloying piece of pap ever put to paper. This book reads more like a teenage drama queen's diary than a satisfying chronicle of The Sport of Kings. The only reason to buy this book would be the picture on the cover; it's phenomenal. Unfortunately, the photographer wasn't involved with writing the book.

This book is so full of useless, flowery writing that I just couldn't take it anymore. Her method of description is simply annoying. Not only that... every chapter begins with lame stories of May May, Nan's grandmother, that just about drove me crazy.

I first came across the article gleaned from the pages of this book (or in preperation of...) in a 2003 Harper's Magazine, October, I think. Mr.Sullivan's walk through the bizarre intricacies of the horse racing world from all sides, including his most personal, were raw genius. He nonchalantly drew connections between more humble pedigrees (his own, for example - nothing remarkable except that it, too, is now published) and those of these rarified creatures (thoroughbreds) in a way I didn't even notice until half way through. What a respctful tribute to his father. It seemed to me a sort of a come from behind type of writing style that crystalized into a fine read somewhere in the middle, and then just got better. All the way to the very last sentance.

This magnificent book is a subtle tribute to the author's father. Apparently, subtlety is lost on some of the philistines who posted reviews below - so let me help. If you want a book all about horsies - this is not it. If you want a series of reflections written in the "new journalism" style of Tom Wolfe and arranged around a journalist's coverage of the Kentucky Derby, "Blood Horses" will draw you in and astonish you time and time again. Sullivan is a genius, his elegiac and moving work will last, and we will hear more from him.

I read voraciously, and bought this one expecting a story about thorobred horse racing. Instead, I got a lot of whining from an obviously very insecure author. Except for 6-7 pages about Secretariat that were good, the rest of the book is a waste. My reaction to this author was: grow up and get a life. Tossed it into the garbage when I was done it was so bad I wouldn't even bother to pass it on to friends.

...shouldn't blame the author. This is a phenomenal book. Blood Horses is partly an experiment in narrative technique. Like most literary experiments, it has its less-than successful moments. There are places where the author's allusions to and quotations from other texts get overwhelming. But the book also contains some of the most amazing pages of flat-out writing I've come across in a long time--about horses, about pain, and about beauty. Given its ambitious scope the structure holds together surprisingly well, and pieces of it are wickedly funny. If you come to it looking for Seabiscuit II, you might find it frustrating and a little disjointed. I came to it looking for a new writer who was trying something different, and I was blown away. This book is destined to become a classic and Sullivan an author to follow. I say discover him before everyone else does.

Sullivan's work is lyrically written - at times laugh-out-loud funny and at others profoundly poignant. His description of Secretariat's win in the Derby is one of the most sublime passages I have read in any book. In his musings that run from horses to fathers, he gives us a glimpse of the nature of beauty. A moving work. Sullivan is one to watch.

I really liked this book. I liked that they had a change of pace. That's great that they went to another track. That was soooooooooooooooooooooooo amazing that Star kept his speed and won the LA Derby!!! I almost cryed because of the great heart and speed he showed in the LA Derby!!!!!! I would love to be Chis that moment. I loved it!!! MUST READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

There were several aspects of this book that annoyed me. Christina for one. I don't like how Karle Dickerson portrays her character. She's bratty and obnoxious. And she whines all the time.

But, positive things. I liked the change of scenery. Now just the usual track all the time, we get to go to New Orleans! There's also some cool character interaction as there is in all of Dickerson's books. She's excellent with witty dialogue. I also liekd how the racing scenes are written.

All in all, it's get's 3 stars. Not the best in the series, but I've read far worse. Having said all this, they are chosing to end the TB series. This really saddens me and I'd hate for that to happen. Please don't end the TB series!!!

Well, I though it was good but I really get into the ones about Melanie! I think that Christina was not her normal self, but every ones like that some times! I wish Lysa or whatever her name is would leave the book series I don't think Star would of won in real life, he might of, but the bad guy wins some times! I also am wondering what happened to Dylan! I would still recomend it!

I must say, as unbelievable as this book was, at least it was interesting. First off, Chris is turning into a spoiled whiny brat. Second, Star WON even though Celtic Mist is 100% fit and just as good a horse? It's his first start back, get real! Anyway, if Celtic Mist had won it really would have turned up the heat for the Derby (if they ever get to it), and speaking of Celtic Mist, I find it hard to believe he went down to Louisiana when their are a million good races in Florida.
Dispite the bad plot, Karle Dickerson did a good job making it interesting so I actually got through it.

This book was written okay, not as good as i hoped it might be, but I guess it could've been worse. What can't get worse, though, is Christinas behavior. She's a acting like snobby, spoiled brat! When you read a book, you want the main character to be likeable. I'm not saying that he/she has to be perfect all the time and never do any mistakes, no, I want the main ch. to be human and not always succeed, and sometimes do things they regret, but still nice. Ashleigh and Samantha were more like that, they weren't perfect, but nice, so you could identify yourself more with them. In this book, all Christina can think about is that Star has to run in the Kentucky Derby, and that he has to win, win, win. I just can't stand her attitude. This book would've been much better if it hadn't been for her. But as I said, otherwise the book was okay. And one last thing: all you authors, please don't keep us in suspense anymore - we want to know what happens in the Derby!!! (I said we bacause I know a lot of people who agree with me.) Would that we possible..?

I loved this book. It is about Christina in a race with Charisma and she falls and gets hurt. She is disappointed about not being able to ride Star, and he won't behave for Melanie. An orphan named Allie comes to stay with Cindy, and she helps Chris to find out how to get Star to behave for Mel. Meanwhile, Chris looks into becoming a vet! This book showed a lot of promise for the TB series, along with Sammy's unborn twins. However, we will never see them, nor will we see much of Allie, because HarperCollins decided to end these books forever. That is too bad, not only because I adore these books, but because they were the only thing I ever buy from that publisher.

This is better! Christina is no longer a self-centered brat! Now she's back into racing, although I am dissapointed how abruptly They (HarperCollins, or whoever is responsible for the plots) ended her relationship with Sterling. Now Ashleigh and Christina have a better relationship, and Christina feels like she belongs, and she loves Star. This series is really good--almost as the originals. Unfortuneatly, this book keeps referring to events that have nothing to do with the Thoroughbred series. Overall, it is good, although i don't think it should have dragged on so long. But now that the quality is back, wow!

I really enjoyed this book but am terribly upset that the series is ending and that this seems to be the final book focusing on Christina and Star. I don't know why people ever thought that Christina acted like a brat. She is my fav. character!

Why is Melanie riding Star with a HALTER with REINS? And why does the saddle have no GIRTH? That's weird.
Anyways, this was a good book. In the book Christina has a racetrack accident on a horse named Charisma. The doctor tells Christina that she can't ride Star for a while. Which means that Melanie will have to ride Star in the Breeder's Cup. But Star won't behave for Melanie.And Christina keeps on telling Melanie how to work with Star when she should let Melanie work with Star her own way. But in the end Star finally listens to Melanie and does well in the Breeder's Cup.
I give the book 4 Stars because the book was well written and it was exciting. The 1 Star I didn't give it was because the cover.

This book honestly reminded me of Ashleigh's Dream. With the introduction of Allie, Chris & Co. have become much more mature, making the plot of this book very readable. The characters are clearly growing. I also enjoyed Allie, despite her rather erroneous background. She's a new face and her character is neither snobby nor too perfect.

Since I like where the series is headed with the new introduction of Allie and the promise of Samantha's unborn twins, I have to express how disappointed I am that HarperCollins has decided to haphazardly end the series at #72. If the series must end it should be a planned and outlined end, not a cut and pasted paragraph at the end of #72. Thoroughbred Series readers have always remained loyal to these books, regardless of how many bumps they have endured along the road. Keep Thoroughbred alive!

This book was overall, alright I suppose. I don't think it was the greatest TB Book ever written, but it was better than some of the other books I've read lately. Basically, Chris doesn't think she's a good enough jockey for Star after losing the Kentucky Derby in last place, and has too much to worry about, the prom, Melanie, [who's keeping Image at Townsend Acres], Parker, the Preakness, and tons of other things. So then she gets some advice from Affirmed's jockey, and then starts to believe that Star can pull something off. I wasn't too happy with the ending, and I'm still disappointed that Star hasn't won any of the Triple Crown races [I'm a huge Wonder's Star fan] and I'm getting annoyed with all these famous people, jockeys, and horses and all, but I guess I can only complain, not write the books.

first of all I have read this book and thought that it was great. but very sad. and Second of all I just wanted to say that JOANNA CAMPBELL IS NOT DEAD,I WOULD KNOW SHE LIVES IN THE SAME TOWN AS MY GRANDMA, i also thought the part about "Image" almost being Put Down was very sad.

Okay, I'm sorry I haven't read this book, but I just wanted to let everyone know...Joanna is dead, that's why she stopped writing the seris! If you notice in the about the author things about her it says how she has grandkids and stuff and that was like 12 years ago, so I think that you know..she's either dead or too old to write. Okay, sorry for sharing the bad news! I've got Thoroughbreds 1-50 and I'm saving up for the newest ones!

I thought this was a really good book and I read it all in one day, it brought back Samantha, Tor, Kaitlyn, Katie, Vince, Mike, and it was good to read about those characters in greater detail again. This book was after the Derby and Christina feeling she wasn't a good enough jockey for Star. She is overwelmed by Ashleigh trying to get her ready for the Preakness and reviewing the Derby over and over and also with finals, Parker, and the prom, she doesn't feel she has time for everything. Melanie is at Townsend Acres with Image while the horse recovers and Parker and Christina think Brad has a hidden motive for being so nice to her. Christina feels she isn't a good jockey and she is letting Star down, until she has a talk with Affirmed's JOCKEY not TRAINER and he gives her some good advice and brings up her convidence. The only reason I gave this book four stars was because I didn't like the ending, if you read this book you know why, but I don't want to give it away. I was VERY VERY VERY disappointed with the end of this book.

This book waz very good. i'm glad they did remember some of the original characters. The one thing that puzzeled me was Samantha. she was sick and pale. And when Christina told her about Ashleigh nagging her Sammy said that she would probably feel the same if it was her own kid then she placed her hand on her stomach. is she pregnant or something??????? Overall it was still a good book.

I didn't miss Cindy at all! I know she just left out of no where and I was wondering where in the world she went off to! I think Cindy is a snob! I didn't like reading about her for two whole books and I hope those are the last books about Cindy, but I don't want her to disappear again. I hated when I didn't know where people were. *When Sammy and Tor were in Ireland, it took them forver to mention that and when Cindy disappeared it took them about ten or more books to let us know!* I really don't like Cindy, but I hate it when characters disappear and I wish the horses would come back! I miss them! Pride rocked, but know he's gone! :(

Okay. Here's how it is. I thought this book was fairly decent. I really appreciated the fact that they finally told what happened to Cindy after all these years. I was also wondering what had happened about Ashleigh. First she was pregnant and then she wasn't? The first book in the diary series (Cindy's Desert Adventure) really helped me figure that one out. However, like everyone else, I am still wondering to this day about Heather, Max, Mandy and all the rest of them like everyone else is? Did she just up and leave Max or what? I think that it is great that she and Ben made up. I DO believe that he was being sarcastic unlike some other people. He seems really into her. Why would he want to hurt her feelings? Duh. Think about that. Also how everyone is wondering about Wonder's Legacy....that was back in book 24. He was only 2 then and Christina was what, 12. So now that she is 17 or 18 that would make him 7 or 8. HE IS PROBABLY RETIRED!!!! Also, if Legacy isn't a Whitebrook horse anymore, why would they write a book on him? Sure I'd like to know if he won any big races like the Derby but I'm not that worried about it. So, in the end I personally feel that these two books about Cindy were pretty good. It helped answer a lot of questions. Hopefully more of my questions will be answered in the future books.

I have been reading this series since it first started. i also read the ashleighs series too. Anyways i have read all of the books in the thoroughbred series in fact i own all of them. i also have been reading some of the reviews and i agree with alot of them. this series has gone dramatically different. There are way to many questions that need answers and you fans out there know what i mean. the writers need to come out with at least 4 more super specials to explain what happened to alot of the other characters and horses. Thank you

Firstly, I have to say that this book was a major improvement compared to its companion. We haven't run off to La La Land to avoid secondary characters such as Max, Heather, and Mandy. But it's also strange. Instead we go to Belmont Park where all the major trainers seem to have been brainwashed into not remembering the Dubai World Cup winner who has been living on the same farm as the famous Ashleigh Griffen. Why on earth people wouldn't recognize her is beyond me. She holds a valid apprenticeship and was known around the nation as Glory's groom. SO the fact that Cindy goes and makes things harder on herself by insisting on working up from the bottom makes things very confusing. And the fact that people let her is even stranger.

There are, of course, tiny mistakes that everyone has to expect at this point. Honor a chestnut? Wonder an orphan? Since when did all this happen? Is there a chestnut obsession with this series?

I do wish Cindy had actually gone back to Whitebrook before heading off to Belmont. The fact that she so stubbornly stayed in New York after coming back from the UAE is stilted. And then having Ashleigh come back with Honor and people still not recognizing who Cindy is...well, there's just no explaination for what's going on there.

Then there's Ben. If Cindy could just wake up for a second and realize that just because he gave her a kiss good night does not mean she should fall in love with him I'm sure I would like this more. As it is, he was using sarcasm at the end of Cindy's Desert Adventure? Sure didn't look it to me.

Anyway, this was fairly good except we are still left hanging about what happened to Max and Heather and Mandy. I'd especially like to know what went on with Max. And I'd like to know why the people behind this series think we shouldn't read about him. I'll be awaiting an explaination.

This book was really good. It was nice to know what happened to Cindy, over all those years. It was almost like she dissapeared after she raced Champion. It was good to find out about all her experiences at Belmont and when she came home. The ending on this book is really good and suprising, but I won't tell or it will ruin it.

Now, that we know what happened to Cindy over those years what about everyone else? Did hay all just take a 10year break in life or did something happen. It would be nice to know about the foals Woder must have had, and how some of our favorites did in those years. What happened to some of our favorite characters, or interesting charaters like Mandy. Also what went on in Ireland? Hopefully there will be more books about these type of things soon.

This book was well written and had a good ending. Before you read this read Cindy's desert adventure, it will give you a better idea of what is going on.

This book was OK.Not the best book but still good.The horses sound so great.I wish I could go in the book and ride them!!!!!it's nice parker and Christina got back together.They're a cute couple.I wish Melanie and Kevin would get back together.And I wish Melanie had more books.Oh well .The TB series are great books.Only a few are not that good.But still this book is totally worth your money. Every single TB book is.Don't let anyone let you think there bad books.BECAUSE THERE NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!.HAPPY READING!!!!!!!!!

This is a really great book. I like how Brad tries to pressure Parker into running Townsend Acres, but I have a question about the cover. Why is Parker putting a western saddle on a horse? That horse is either Star or Foxy, and since neither of them are western horses...
This was a really great book. PLEEEEEEEEEASE DON'T STOP THE SERIES!!!!!!!!!!!

I am not overly fond of the Parker books as it is and this one was a prime example of why that is. It has none of the elements that make this series what it is. Parker's character is inconsistant, Brad's predicatable. The Brushes With Fame cliche was annoying. I mean, Welton Romance? *coughs*
Anyway, for diehard collectors of the series only! Don't read this if you are looking for a true tase of the series. I reccomend the orginal books by Joanna Campbell. (1-14)
Besides the fact that I wasn't overly pleased with this book, I will still buy them! Please don't stop this series. It's been a constant part of my life for 11 years! visit forum.whitebrookfarm.com if you'd like to help us save the TB series!

This book was okay, but I found it sort of boring. I mean it was all about Parker really. The reason I read these books is because they're suppose to be about horses... NOT people. Anyhow I did not care for this book, but I would recommend it to collecter's of these books and for others as well because we all have different oppinions.

P.S. I would also recommend the Phantom Stallion books by Terri Farley. They ride western though.. so I know some people won't like that, but you might want to try them just the same

Great book but-
It Says Samantha is pregnat and then bridal dreams? Is she pregnat with or with outs Tor's child. Is she still getting married even thoguh she is pregant?

I would highly advise anyone who enjoys thoroughbred racing to purchase this book.It takes you behind the scenes and lets you know what really goes into preparing a horse to race.Great stories by Nafzger about the Derby Trail etc...and also the development process of the horses. I think I'll read the book again..Nice to incorporate a book like this into all the handicapping books I have read...A must read !!

The Zen of Horse training and how it is a microcosm of life .
This is a book that can raise everyone's awareness of Life . . .

Great book, written by a legend. Gd anecdotes for the non horsey hands on type. ted b.

Carl and Wanda Nafzger set goals and attained them in the highest manner in a horse business that often takes advantage of newcomers. The writer also gives a very clear picture of how horses attain the rarified status of "Stakes Horses" or continue on to the best of their abilities as "claimers" or in other endeavors. We bought and gave as holiday gifts five copies of this valuable story.

Carl's treatise on Thoroughbred training deserves another look now that he has won the Kentucky Derby again (2007) with Street Sense.
Carl and Wanda are a class act, he isn't desparately entering horses in the Kentucky Derby so his owners can have cocktail party conversation like so many of the his contemporaries seem to be doing now.
Carl lets the horse bring them to the Derby, if he's worthy.

This book I really liked. It was awesome. I loved that Brad was bad guy, seeking around and lying about Star. They need to keep writing about him like that. It's really great when they do. I love how Christina gives up her Belmont money to save Image and Star. It was a great book everyone should read it.

the cover picture sucks!!!!!! what happened to them? they used to be sooooooooo good . i mean isnt star supposed to be a chestnut? And isnt Chris supposed to hav strawberry blond hair? i am so dissappionted with them. i grew up reading this series and i agree with everone else when they say its going downhill. these books used to hook me in and i wouldnt get up now i feel bored.

well, i'll start this by saying that i really didn't care for this book as much as i did starstruck, but i also don't think it was a step backward. it was just kind of boring. this book works more as vignette than a novel. however, mary was truthful when she promised us that brad would show his true colors. there really were some interesting scenes between brad and chris, and i am beginning to like chris's character much, much more. more so than mel's, in fact, but i never cared much for her anyway. chris really seems to be growing from a young, brash teenager to an introspective young adult. and we just have not seen the level of introspection with mel ever that we're seeing in chris's character since #58.

so that was it. like i said, it was kind of boring, though i liked the interaction between brad and chris. brad was written pretty well in this book, not just as being evil for the sake of being evil. he actually had a reason. i might not have done a good job of explaining, but anderson made him more three-dimensional in the novel then i did in my summary. and the look in at ta's operation was cool. plus, i really like chris's character now. she's grown up a lot, and it shows. her introspection is so nice, and what she did for mel was very selfless.

the only downfall was that the book as a whole was kind of, well...boring. it was sort of one-toned, and it seemed like there was so much missing. but, maybe i shouldn't complain too much. this book gets an a++ over many previous books. ever since #57, with the really glaring exception of #62, the books have just gotten so much better. this book was in no way offensive, it just wasn't THAT exiciting. but hey, beggars can't be choosers. i'm looking forward to the sammy books, i just hope they're not overdone, if you get my drift.

i still love these books, and i hope the editors reconsider their recent decision to end the series.

I did like the book because it's about horses and I like everything to do with horses. The book is about Christina and her horse Star. While Star and Melanie's horse Image are at Townsend Acres, Brad is pretending he owns Star to try and get more money so that he con somehow sell Image to the best horse training and breeding facilities in all of Kentucky. Melanie is very determined to buy Image and have a colt for her to keep and train to race. I recommend this book to girls because they will like it more than boys will. Little kids can also read this book but you have to like horses. If you read this book,you will definitely want to read another book out of the same series.

Its a good book. I like it how jinks win his race and that Chris is riding for Townsend Acers. It would be differnt if Chris had a child at the age of 19 and she gets married at the age of 18. It also would be good if Star and Image got bread. They could call it Perfect Star or Wonder's Image. I would of rather Star been Caled Wonder's Last Star insted of Wonder's Star.
I really like Jinx hes really cool. I'm kind of glad that Mel and Jazz arnt dateing any more i hope Mel and Kevin get back together.
Thanks for reading this Letter thing.
From Me

This book was good, but it definetely does not co-incide with Ashleigh's Diary and the TB series. I didn't feel Ashleigh changed or 'grew up' very much. It was good, but not the greatest.

An Amazon.com Customer from Michigan, United States : I didn't write oscar I wrote PULTIZER PRIZE! This book totally rules! I love how Ashleigh does everything she can to help Stardust. I must say that she was a little to harsh on Emily. But Oh Well! This book is fantastic! EVERYONE READ THIS BOOK!!

This is to the Rachel reviewer-Books don't win Oscars. They'd win Pultizer Prizes or another award for the written word.
Anyway, about the book...I don't know if it's really worth the money. Of couse, that's the same way I've felt about the whole of the Ashleigh series. I just think there should have been more Thoroughbred books about Ashleigh.
I think my biggest peeve about the Ashleigh series is that it was written in a time bubble, so everything that happened Ashleigh's Diary didn't happen.
If you really like this series, then I see no reason why you shouldn't read it. If you're not a regular reader, I just wouldn't bother with the book.

this book was an ok ending to the Ashleigh series. I do agree i like Ashleigh's diary more though. In case anyone doesnt know: The ashleigh series was written in a time bubble, which means that even though the character's celebrate numerous birthdays, new years etc. they will still remain the same age. Because it was written in a time bubble, ashleigh will never age, therefore the virus will never happen (the one in ash's diary)and she will never move to townsend acres. just keep that in mind. Anywhoo back to the book now. Ashleigh's cousin Emily comes to stay with ashleigh while her father is recovering from a serious illness. Emily says she loves horses, but she is very clumsy around them. In truth she is actually AFRAID of horses. Since she doesnt know alot about them she Takes stardust on a walk and stardust dragged her toward a group of sick horses. Stardust was exposed to strangles! she comes close to losing her foal. She doesnt and its a happy ending. The book was well written...

Ashleigh Griffen's mare Stardust is extremely close to foaling, when Ashleigh's parents take in her cousin Emily. Emily is careless around horses and that causes Stardust to be exposed to strangles. She survives, but then she is lost in a storm. Will Ashleigh find her mare in time to save her and her unborn foal? It was a great ending to the Ashleigh series.