Happy First Line Friday! For today’s linkup with Reading is My Superpower, I’m featuring The Secrets of Emberwild by Stephenia H. McGee.

“Freedom rushed through Nora Fenton’s veins, erupting with each breath. Invisible shackles didn’t bind out here.”

The Secrets of Emberwild by Stephenia H. McGee

The Basics

Title: The Secrets of Emberwild

Author: Stephenia H. McGee

Publication Date: October 4, 2022

Genre: Historical Romance

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

A gifted trainer in a time women are not allowed to race, Nora Fenton prefers horses to men. They’re easier to handle, they’re more reliable, and they never tell her what to do. After her father’s passing, Nora is determined to save her struggling horse farm, starting with entering her prize colt into the harness races at the 1905 Mississippi and West Alabama Fair. If she wins, she may have a chance at independence. But when a stranger arrives and starts asking disconcerting questions, she suspects he may have other motives than unseating her in the training job that is rightfully hers.

Silas Cavallero will do whatever it takes to solve the mystery of his father’s death–even if it means training an unwieldy colt for Nora, who wants nothing more than to see him gone. But when mysterious accidents threaten their safety and circumstances shrouded in secrets begin unlocking clues to his past, Silas will have to decide if the truth is worth the risk of ruining everything for the feisty woman he’s come to admire.

My Review

I grew up reading a steady diet of horse books like the Heartland series, Saddle Club series, and Phantom Stallion series, so reading The Secrets of Emberwild felt a little bit like returning to my reading roots! Stephenia H. McGee was a new-to-me author, and I enjoyed the story she crafted centered around a horse farm in the early 1900s. Nora’s colt, Arrow, really made the story shine – he had just as much personality as any other character!

While this is a horse story, it is also so much more. It’s the story of Nora, a gifted, feisty heroine constrained by the cultural expectations of her time. It’s the story of Silas, the kind, patient hero she never knew she needed. It’s the story of a mother and daughter finding their voices and independence after the man they trusted betrays them. And of course, there is enough mystery mixed in to keep you on the edge of your seat! I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.