Title: New Blood
Author: Christine Meunier
Publisher: Self-published
Date of publication: November 22nd, 2016
Genre: Romance, Christian, Young Adult
Number of pages: 103
POV: 3rd person
Series: Thoroughbred Breeders
New Blood – Book 1
No Hoof, No Horse – Book 2
Recessive – Book 3
Where you can find this book: Amazon
Book synopsis (from Goodreads):
Savannah Reynier is doing exactly what she wants in life. After finishing a horse breeding course she has landed a job and been working on a thoroughbred stud for the past year.
Her days are made up of looking after mares and foals, witnessing births and helping to breed horses. Plus, one day a week she holds horses for the farrier men who come to trim the horses’ feet.
Savannah has sworn she won’t date farriers – not ever again. Not after Jackson.
So what is she to do about the new apprentice in town? With an attractive frame, gorgeous smile and green eyes Savannah knows she’s already in trouble. Add a clever mind to the mix and she knows she needs to stick to her resolve. But looking never hurt anyone, right?
My review:
What a cute book and a great beginning to series. I have been fascinated (scratch that, obsessed) with Thoroughbred horses since I was about 8 or 9 years old and I was first introduced to Walter’s Farley’s the Black Stallion series. I devoured those books and I believe that I had the entire series. Unfortunately, my mother tossed them when I moved out, and I still feel the loss of those books. So when Christine approached me to review this book, I jumped on it.
I thought Savannah was cute but also felt that she was missing something when reading her. While I definitely connected with her, I felt that something was missing. She almost felt a little flat to me. There were no real emotions that came from her. Everything was on an even keel. I mean, even when the mare was having a difficult labor and she, with the help of the new farrier, helped the mare deliver the foal, I didn’t get a real sense of joy from her. Like I said, flat. I couldn’t even get a good reading if she was interested in Craig, other than her stomach flip-flopping back and forth when she saw him
I also liked that while this is a Christian romance, religion wasn’t pushed down your throat. It was mentioned and just left at that, a mention. The only time that it even came up was when the new foal that Savannah delivered needed to be named and Craig suggested Twenty Three. For the Twenty-Third Psalm.
I do have a couple of questions that will probably be answered in the next books. Like, who was Jackson? I know he was a farrier but what on earth did he do to Savannah. Where was Savannah from? I get the feeling since Creole was mentioned, that she is from the States but it really wasn’t gotten into.
Other than my minor complaints, I did enjoy reading the book. The end of the book was not a cliffhanger but it did leave room for book 2.
How many stars will I give New Blood: 3.5 (rounded up to 4 for Goodreads/Amazon)
Why: I enjoyed reading this book but I did have some issues with Savannah being flat. I also have some questions that were not answered in this book (see above). Other than that, this was a great read and I enjoyed reading about life on a horse ranch. This is a book that I would feel comfortable having my 11-year-old read…even though it is not in middle-grade categories.
Will I reread: Yes
Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes
Age range: Tween
Why: Very clean book. No swearing, no sex, no violence. There is a Christian element but it is not pushed down your throat. Like I said above, a book I would be comfortable having my tween read.
**I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it**
Thank you for your honest review, Jolie! I promise that Savannah’s character does develop in the series, but it seems I need to give her a bit more depth at the start!
I appreciate the time you took to read and review 🙂
Many blessings,
Christine
You’re welcome Christine 🙂