Keeping Secrets

Timber Ridge Riders: Book 2
Ages: 9-13

Ever since Kate McGregor arrived at Timber Ridge Stables, Angela Dean has been making trouble. Maybe she’s angry because Kate’s a better rider than she is, or maybe she’s jealous because Kate’s the only one who’s allowed to ride Buccaneer, the barn’s willful new horse.

To further complicate matters, a new girl—Jennifer West—moves into the neighborhood, and Angela sets out to impress her. But when Angela makes a fool of herself in front of Jennifer, things begin to go wrong and Kate gets the blame.

Is Angela behind all the trouble?

Kate and her best friend, Holly Chapman, who’s learning to walk and ride again after an accident, can’t be sure. But they do know one thing: If Angela’s on the warpath, Kate is racing into trouble . . . and fast!

Series: Timber Ridge Riders--Book Four
Ages: 9-13

More than anything in the world, Kate McGregor wants a horse of her own, but the pitiful mare she rescues from the dog-food factory is hardly the horse of her dreams.

Still, Kate's betting that one day her scruffy horse will be a champion. Together they'll win blue ribbons. They'll beat Angela Dean once and for all, despite the fact that Angela's now being coached by a trainer who's as unscrupulous as she is.

But can Kate do it? Even her best friend, Holly, is doubtful, especially when Angela spreads the rumor that Kate's horse might be stolen property.

Timber Ridge Riders, Book 3

Ages: 9-13

A movie is being filmed at Timber Ridge Stables and one lucky girl is actually going to be in it. Of course, Angela Dean wants the part, but Kate McGregor wants it even more. With the money from the movie Kate can make her special dream come true--she can buy a horse of her own.

What will Angela do to stop her?

She's tried all kinds of dirty tricks in the past . . . but now a beloved horse is missing. Would Angela go that far?

Series: Timber Ridge Riders--Book Five
Ages: 9-13

Now that she has the horse of her dreams, Kate McGregor’s next dream is to live in Vermont near her best friend, Holly Chapman. She wants to ride for the Timber Ridge team and attend high school with Holly. But Kate's father has other plans. He wants Kate to sell Tapestry and move 2,000 miles away.

So does Angela Dean.

She will stop at nothing to force Kate and her horse out of Timber Ridge ... even if it means putting herself at risk by cheating and letting Kate take the blame for something that’s not her fault. Then Angela’s little sister, Marcia, reveals a big family secret, and everything changes … and it all happens at Halloween.

This was the best of summer vacations and it was stacking up to be the worst of summer vacations. When Jackie’s dream of having a horse of her own came true, she wasn’t prepared for the reality. Charlie was far from the perfect horse she had envisioned. He had a mind of his own and a will that was stronger than hers. Vet exam? Disaster! Trail rides? Disaster! Sleepy summer days? Disaster! She was dragged and dumped and desperate. As Charlie left Jackie in the dust, she chased after him, watching his tail disappear down the road but couldn’t keep him trotting during a riding lesson. He was cute, and charming, and knew more about riding than she did. It was less a matter of her putting up with him and more about how Charlie put up with her as Jackie struggled to become a horsewoman worthy of Charlie.

middle reader/tween reader 9-12 years of age

Kate McGregor and her best friend Holly Chapman share the same dream. They want to qualify for the annual Festival of Horses where scouts from the United States Equestrian Team will be on the lookout for promising young riders.

Pushed by her relentless mother, Angela Dean has the same dream, which means the girls are locked in a fierce competition to determine who will represent Timber Ridge at the next qualifying horse show. But when Mrs. Dean storms into action, Kate’s dream takes an unexpected tumble.

To make matters worse, Angela’s new best friend is moving to Timber Ridge and she can’t wait to join Angela’s vendetta against Kate. Except that now, Angela’s got her claws into Holly as well.

Two girls plus two horses plus an entire summer equal...you do the math. Hint: enough calamity and escapades to exhaust a normal person. But Nicki and Wynne are far from average girls. Nicki and Wynne share a love of horses but not of adventure. Nicki finds herself being dragged by the strong-willed Wynne on trail-rides through thunderstorms, pig chases, hunts and a horse show with an escaped pony determined to find her stablemate even if he's busy jumping on the outside course.
Afraid of nothing and glued to her saddle, Wynne wants to turn Nicki into a real rider and find a boyfriend for her single mother. Can anyone resist a force of nature? By the end of the summer, Nicki has the answer but will she have a horse of her own.

middle reader/tween book 9-12 years of age