“Detailed and descriptive, it’s one of those books that once you start, you can’t put down.”
– The Children’s Bookstore
Clearwater Bay #2:
AGAINST THE CLOCK
It’s a new season and a new start for Jay and her wilful pony Finn, but their best laid plans are quickly plagued by injuries, arguments and rails that just won’t stay in their cups. And when her father introduces her to his new girlfriend, Jay can’t help wondering if her life will ever run according to plan.
As her friends battle with their own families and Jay struggles to define hers, it is only her determination to bring out the best in her pony that keeps her going. But after overhearing a top rider say that Finn’s potential is being hampered by her incompetent rider, Jay is besieged by doubts in her own ability…and begins to wonder whether Finn would be better off without her.
Can Jay bear to give up on her dreams, even if it’s for her pony’s sake?
Reviews for Against the Clock:
I absolutely love the books by this author! This is another fabulous story filled with ponies and the girls that love them. As always, the scenes of New Zealand countryside are descriptive and captivating, the characters are unique and compelling, and the horses are accurately depicted and eloquently wrought. Lattey manages to tell a horse story appropriate for a young audience without the stereotypical storyline and awful romance of many young adult horse novels.
– Anne, via Amazon.com
This was fantastic – somehow even better than the first. I think what I like about Jay as a heroine is that she’s not the best rider – she has to work at it. There are so many YA horsey books where the main character is an OMG amazing, undiscovered, super-talented rider who just never had the chance and those can be really, really annoying because really? How common is that?? Jay screws up, she gets mad, she LEARNS. I love that.
– Jenn S, via Amazon.com
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks so much for reading this short novel, I hope you’ve enjoyed it. I set myself a goal over Easter weekend to see if I could write a novel in only four days, and I surpassed even my own expectations by doing it in three! I’m actually pretty amazed that it worked out so well, but when you have such strong characters then it’s just a matter of finding the time to get the words on the page.
If you’ve read my other books, you will notice that there are plenty of familiar faces, as everything I write ties into each other. Although each book is focused on different characters, some of the characters in First Fence have appeared in previous (and upcoming) books, including Katy, Susannah and Hayley (who all feature in Dare to Dream and its sequel Dream On).
For more information on the timeline that the books fit into, check out my website at http://nzponywriter.com/timeline
If you enjoyed reading this book, please consider leaving a review on Amazon or Goodreads so that others can find it more easily and hopefully enjoy it too. Thanks!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I live in Waikanae, New Zealand and started riding at the age of 10. I was lucky enough to have ponies of my own during my teenage years, and I competed regularly in show jumping, eventing, show hunter and mounted games before finishing college and heading to Massey University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English & Media Studies.
In the years since, I’ve never been far from horses, and have worked in various jobs including as a livery yard groom in England, a trekking guide in Ireland, a riding school manager in New Zealand, and a summer camp counselor in the USA, where I worked at the wonderful Road’s End Farm for five summers. During my time there, I wrote several short stories about the farm’s horses, which were a huge hit with the campers, and their encouragement inspired me to continue writing. I also had the joy and privilege to meet some amazing girls, and one incredible horse named Bittersweet, my true one in a million horse. Her memory will be with me forever.
I currently own a Welsh Cob x Thoroughbred gelding named JJ, and keep myself busy training him show jumping and show hunter competitions, as well as coaching at Pony Club and judging local competitions.
I have been reading and writing pony stories ever since I can remember, and have ideas for many more! If you enjoyed this book, please check out the rest of my novels on Amazon, and feel free to leave a review. Read on to find out more about the other books I have written.
FIND & FOLLOW
Here’s where you can find and follow me on social media. I’d love to hear from you!
Website: http://nzponywriter.com
Email: nzponywriter@gmail.com
Facebook: Kate Lattey – NZPonyWriter
Instagram: @kate_lattey
Tumblr: nzponywriter.tumblr.com
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Pony Jumpers
Preview of Pony Jumpers #2 : Double Clear
Preview of Pony Jumpers #2 : Double Clear
More Books by Kate Lattey
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Find & Follow