Finding Violet, won the International Young Adult Fiction WINNIE award at the 2020 EQUUS Film Festival! I have some great news, Finding Violet has won the International Young Adult WINNIE award from the 2020 EQUUS Film Festival, which took place virtually this year. Proud to see Finding Violet showcased amongst some wonderful horse films and books! You can learn more here www.equusfilmfestival.net/equus-2020-fest.html and purchase Finding Violet here. Some fantastic films too! www.equusfilmfestival.net/films.html
About Finding Violet Violet’s life is torn apart when she stumbles on a family secret. Desperate to learn more, she convinces Tabby to help with her investigations and also to dig into her own troubled past. However, Violet’s quest for the truth takes its toll not only on her but on her friendship with Tabby. Spot, her beloved show jumper becomes her guiding light, keeping her spirits high, and taking care of her when she needs it the most. Will Violet be able to keep it together and find the answers she so desperately seeks? |
Some of Sweetbriar's Reviews
Horse & Hound's Review of Tabby's Big Year. "This book is charmingly written, a very engaging read, and
I would recommend it to almost everyone!"
5 Star Amazon Review from Italy, Sweetbriars, Finding Violet. "Wow, wow, wow. Fantastic book centered on a young equestrian girl named Violet. The book is short and the language is very easy to understand. I would recommend this book to people who want to start reading in english, but I think everyone would be thrilled to read it. The story is great and Violet has great character development. I could see myself in Tabby, one of Violet's friends, because like me, her father was absent her whole life. Wonderful 10/10."
5 Star Amazon Review, Sweetbriars, Finding Violet. "This book tackles several very sensitive issues (especially to young women and their families) with skill, delicacy and expertise that gives me a new-found respect for Ms. Marsh. I really enjoyed the book! A few quick thoughts: This is a story set around Sweetbriars and friends Violet, Tabby and Cate... Violet discovered a family secret, but suffered in silence because she did not know who to turn to... She cannot find an appropriate time to talk about her discovery with her parents... Tabby agrees to try to help Violet find the truth... Violet soon learns the value of true friendship and family love."
5 Star Review, from award-winning children's author, Sherry Ellis, "A heart-warming coming-of-age story for horse lovers. Sweetbriars, Tabby's Big Year, is a story about overcoming challenges–both internal and external. Young Tabby lives with her single workaholic mom at a horse farm. Since her father left, the mom has had to work long hours, leaving Tabby alone most of the time. Tabby must come to terms with this and learn how to express her feelings in a constructive way. Tabby's Big Year is a well-written middle grade novel. The characters are realistic and likeable with issues kids can relate to. Those familiar with horses will recognise many of the terms and events in the story - young readers especially will enjoy this heart-warming story.
5 Star BookBub and Amazon Review from Suzanne Hare, "Tabby has trouble at home. Her family has fallen apart. Her father disappeared, her sister has gone to her grandparents to live and her mother is working all the time. She find solace working with horses. She must overcome the stigma of her family situation, save her favourite horse and somehow continue to grow and develop with all the challenges she is facing. This book is meant for early teens and is a middle grade chapter book. Although I think the story is worth reading even as young adult or those who are young at heart. The characters are well developed and interesting. The storyline is excellently written and at a suitable level for the target audience. The main character grows and matures and provides inspiration to the readers. The life experiences are relatable to similar situations young people are going through. This book is well thought out and executed and I would recommend it to early teens and even young adults."
"My name is Grace and I am 11 years old. Sweetbriars is a wonderful place filled with exciting people, I love the characters because they have friendly and fun personalities. Every character has a love for animals or finds their love for them. Sweetbriars is an exciting story it's perfect for horsey boys and girls, I found it easy to read and I am definitely excited to read the rest of the series. I loved the descriptions of the horses and characters and it is the type of book I would buy and I can't wait for the next book. Thank you for giving me the book, I will tell all my friends about it."
5 Star Review from Reader's Favorite, "Leaving The City is the stuff of horse lovers' dreams. The author, Hollie Anne Marsh, has written a lovely story that is sure to appeal to horse lovers everywhere, and is ideal for the eight to twelve age range. Sweetbriars is well described in visual detail, leaving the reader feeling as if they have been there. It sounds like every young horse lover's dream home. Cate is a believable and likeable character who appeals to the reader, and her lovely palomino horse, Odette, will have horse enthusiasts drooling. A steady pace and a lovely and consistent story that will transport the horse devotee to a world surely every young equestrian enthusiast will crave."
Do you like golden horses? If so, check out our Golden Horse Gallery
with the stunning dressage stallion Treliver Decanter!
Header photo is from the cover of Leaving The City, the first Sweetbriars book and courtesy of the Heppelthwaite family, photography by Paul Ruffle.