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Her Last Race
A finalist in the sixth annual Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award for 2011!
The year is 1993. Women jockeys are no longer a novelty in the world of horse racing, but they still have to fight hard for respect in a male-dominated sport that heeds its own rules. Nikki Summers has spent too many years toiling as a second-rate jockey at an obscure track in Oregon, as she slowly pays her way through college with hopes of becoming a veterinary doctor. When tragedy forces her to question her motives for participating in such a brutal sport, she heads south to finally confront the mother who abandoned her as a child, Rachel Nottingham, Northern California's top Thoroughbred trainer and infamous hardass. Their confrontation inspires Nikki to recall her original goals and resume riding with a newfound ruthlessness, while Rachel finds herself torn between maternal regrets and her obsession with winning. With pride and profession on the line, the story gallops toward the finish on a course beset with mother/daughter conflicts and ethical dilemmas.
The year is 1993. Women jockeys are no longer a novelty in the world of horse racing, but they still have to fight hard for respect in a male-dominated sport that heeds its own rules. Nikki Summers has spent too many years toiling as a second-rate jockey at an obscure track in Oregon, as she slowly pays her way through college with hopes of becoming a veterinary doctor. When tragedy forces her to question her motives for participating in such a brutal sport, she heads south to finally confront the mother who abandoned her as a child, Rachel Nottingham, Northern California's top Thoroughbred trainer and infamous hardass. Their confrontation inspires Nikki to recall her original goals and resume riding with a newfound ruthlessness, while Rachel finds herself torn between maternal regrets and her obsession with winning. With pride and profession on the line, the story gallops toward the finish on a course beset with mother/daughter conflicts and ethical dilemmas.
331 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2011
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60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 27, 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJWmjU...
March 2012 this is a finalist for the Dr Tony Ryan book award. Congratulations Kim !!! http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/nati...
You were compared to Dick Francis for one!!
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/nati...
The Brooklyn Backstretch (www.brooklynbackstretch.com) did an article about Her Last Race yesterday(Sept. 20,2011)
This is a novel about a female horse jockey named Nicole (Nikki) Summers and Her Mother Rachel Nottingham.
Nikki races horses in Westover Meadows, Portland, Oregon. Being a horse jockey, in mainly a man’s world. She and several other girls prove that a girl can do just as good as a man can.
Rachel Nottingham works at Peninsula Park, San Mateo, California. She has been trying to prove to herself and others that she is as good as or better than a man at being a Horse Trainer.
This is also a sad story of a mother who gave her child to a family member (Monica Warner) to raise, so she could follow her dream of being a horse trainer. Nikki became interested in horses and wanted to be a vet. She became a horse jockey to earn money to pay for college and also to prove to herself , and to her mother.
The book is by Kim Schaumburg. The book was very hard to put down. It was type of book where you were cheering them on and you want to cry at the sad parts. I can’t wait until another one comes out.
Sandy Foltz
Way2Kool Design Reviews
March 2012 this is a finalist for the Dr Tony Ryan book award. Congratulations Kim !!! http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/nati...
You were compared to Dick Francis for one!!
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/nati...
The Brooklyn Backstretch (www.brooklynbackstretch.com) did an article about Her Last Race yesterday(Sept. 20,2011)
This is a novel about a female horse jockey named Nicole (Nikki) Summers and Her Mother Rachel Nottingham.
Nikki races horses in Westover Meadows, Portland, Oregon. Being a horse jockey, in mainly a man’s world. She and several other girls prove that a girl can do just as good as a man can.
Rachel Nottingham works at Peninsula Park, San Mateo, California. She has been trying to prove to herself and others that she is as good as or better than a man at being a Horse Trainer.
This is also a sad story of a mother who gave her child to a family member (Monica Warner) to raise, so she could follow her dream of being a horse trainer. Nikki became interested in horses and wanted to be a vet. She became a horse jockey to earn money to pay for college and also to prove to herself , and to her mother.
The book is by Kim Schaumburg. The book was very hard to put down. It was type of book where you were cheering them on and you want to cry at the sad parts. I can’t wait until another one comes out.
Sandy Foltz
Way2Kool Design Reviews
March 21, 2012
I won this book from a contest on Goodreads. Being a lover of animals and having once owned Quarter Horses which we kept as our pets and pleasure riding, I am anxious to read anything which involves our four legged friends.
Rachel Nottingham is the top thoroughbred trainer in Northern California and has a well known reputation as being "difficult". She lost her mother at a young age and was reared by her father, also a horse trainer. But when Rachel finally admitted to her father that she was pregnant at seventeen years old, her father's anger and shame forced Rachel to bring up her daughter, Nicole as a deceased relative's child. Finally when her daughter was about five years old, Rachel took her to her Aunt's where they would raise her and Rachel disappeared from her daughter's life. Now, twenty years later, Nicole has changed her name to Nikki Summers and is a horse jockey while putting herself through college to become a Veternarian. When things begin to come apart in Oregon, Nikki packs up to head South to confront the woman who abandoned her. How will this confrontation between Mother and Daughter affect both their professional goals as well as their personal lives.
A terrific first novel by Kim Schaumburg who I hope is working on her second novel. I'll be looking for it!
Rachel Nottingham is the top thoroughbred trainer in Northern California and has a well known reputation as being "difficult". She lost her mother at a young age and was reared by her father, also a horse trainer. But when Rachel finally admitted to her father that she was pregnant at seventeen years old, her father's anger and shame forced Rachel to bring up her daughter, Nicole as a deceased relative's child. Finally when her daughter was about five years old, Rachel took her to her Aunt's where they would raise her and Rachel disappeared from her daughter's life. Now, twenty years later, Nicole has changed her name to Nikki Summers and is a horse jockey while putting herself through college to become a Veternarian. When things begin to come apart in Oregon, Nikki packs up to head South to confront the woman who abandoned her. How will this confrontation between Mother and Daughter affect both their professional goals as well as their personal lives.
A terrific first novel by Kim Schaumburg who I hope is working on her second novel. I'll be looking for it!
March 17, 2012
I was given the book by the author, Kim Schaumburg through a Goodreads giveaway. I was thrilled to receive the book so quickly and couldn't wait to tear into it. I was not disappointed!
The author clearly knows the horseracing field that she writes about. The central characters are well developed and the book itself is a real page turner. The complex relationship between mothers and daughters takes on a new spin in this novel. I learned much about the sport, the author's obvious love of horses, and look forward to her next book. I felt as if I was actually taking part in the action myself! Without giving up any of the plot line, I would say this book was a real page-turner. I hated to put it down! (Unfortunately I do have to work full time.)
I recommend this book to anyone who would like to read something that veers away from a run of the mill romance, or a purely sentimental read. This book is action packed and I highly recommend it. Friends have already asked me to pass it on and I am happy to share such an excellent book. Pick it up, you won't regret it.
The author clearly knows the horseracing field that she writes about. The central characters are well developed and the book itself is a real page turner. The complex relationship between mothers and daughters takes on a new spin in this novel. I learned much about the sport, the author's obvious love of horses, and look forward to her next book. I felt as if I was actually taking part in the action myself! Without giving up any of the plot line, I would say this book was a real page-turner. I hated to put it down! (Unfortunately I do have to work full time.)
I recommend this book to anyone who would like to read something that veers away from a run of the mill romance, or a purely sentimental read. This book is action packed and I highly recommend it. Friends have already asked me to pass it on and I am happy to share such an excellent book. Pick it up, you won't regret it.
March 28, 2012
I am one of those girls that never went through a 'horse and pony' phase, so I was very curious what this book would bring, and perhaps a bit 'worried' as well. But once I got started I was just constantly enthralled! The author's background provides a fascinating, true to life insight into the world of horse racing, as well as a touching story about an estranged mother and daughter who despite their vehement dislike of each other end up discovering that they have more in common than they ever expected. But it is raw story, not a prettied up one. Yes, there is even something of a love interest, but that is not what drives the story. It is all about the horses, the game, the challenges, the pain, the harshness of it all. A fascinating true to life insightful book that sheds light on a world I knew absolutely nothing about, but got me hooked more and more page after page after page. Definitely a recommend!
March 31, 2012
The best thing about the book is it takes you right into behind the scenes of Horse Racing. Although, I don't know much about horse racing I enjoyed every bit of it.
The main problem about the story is its predictable. It can be said I knew Nottingham's Nightmare Lucifera will be tamed by Nicole; there will be an accident which will either make the mother & daughter come closer or it will take them far apart. Personally I like tragedies more.
Nevertheless, this is really well written, one should not feel any mental fatigue while reading this.
The story is about mother-daughter conflict between Rachel and Nicole, love/hate between two top trainers Rachel and Reno. The previous is the main plot. But these don't make the story progress. It is the horse racing, wins, losses; the racetrack. The writer being an ex-jockey has handful experience to make such story believable. And I think she has done a wonderful job. As a debut novel, it's solid.
The main problem about the story is its predictable. It can be said I knew Nottingham's Nightmare Lucifera will be tamed by Nicole; there will be an accident which will either make the mother & daughter come closer or it will take them far apart. Personally I like tragedies more.
Nevertheless, this is really well written, one should not feel any mental fatigue while reading this.
The story is about mother-daughter conflict between Rachel and Nicole, love/hate between two top trainers Rachel and Reno. The previous is the main plot. But these don't make the story progress. It is the horse racing, wins, losses; the racetrack. The writer being an ex-jockey has handful experience to make such story believable. And I think she has done a wonderful job. As a debut novel, it's solid.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2011
This strongly written novel brings the reader a behind the scenes look at the fascinating and often brutal world of horse racing. The author describes her characters -- owners, trainers, jockeys, agents and others with unsparing detail, warts and all. The horses also play a starring role, each with "personality". From the beginning to end, I found the book a compelling read. I also learned a lot!
August 3, 2016
If you like a good story and appreciate character development in a novel, you'll love this book. The author has created a realistic blend of fiction and stark reality as she weaves a tale of human greed and compassion within the horse racing industry. This novel is fast paced and holds the reader from beginning to end. For a first novel, it's impressive and leaves the reader hungry for more books by this talented writer.
April 18, 2012
This first time writer has done a great job. she has been compared to Dick Francis... I think she is at least as good.
She has real first hand knowledge but develops her characters well. If Susan Sarandon was a little younger, I could see her playing Rachel....when you read it you will see what I mean!
Great job....
ps I'm not going to regurgitate the synopsis... or spoil the ending.... just read it!!!
She has real first hand knowledge but develops her characters well. If Susan Sarandon was a little younger, I could see her playing Rachel....when you read it you will see what I mean!
Great job....
ps I'm not going to regurgitate the synopsis... or spoil the ending.... just read it!!!
June 6, 2011
This is a great race track story by one who lived the life. Wonderful insight into horse and human relationships . The story could be set anywhere where people get too caught up in their work. This is not a backstretch tragedy but an insightful perspective of the all encompassing nature of the racing world.
September 23, 2011
The Author first-hand knowledge of horses and the racetrack; gives insight to well formed characters. With crisp and humorous dialogue that keeps the reader wanting more. This novel will appeal to readers with diverse interests.
Its been a wonderful surprise reading this new Author book. I will be watching for her next release
Its been a wonderful surprise reading this new Author book. I will be watching for her next release
December 31, 2011
A very interesting look into the world of horse racing delivered through a captivating story.
January 4, 2012
An intense and unadulterated look the world of horse racing and even life... BRAVO!!!
July 31, 2014
I really enjoyed this book, it rekindled my love of horses and reminded me of a time when I'd read anything and everything that had to do with horses.
This book had a great story line and excellent character development, with an ending that was touching and everything that you hoped for. The author obviously had a lot of knowledge and experience with the topics she wrote about, which made it more enjoyable because they were true. The harshness of horse racing, it isn't something we think a lot about but this book made me think.
I would recommend this book to a friend, without a doubt.
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway.
This book had a great story line and excellent character development, with an ending that was touching and everything that you hoped for. The author obviously had a lot of knowledge and experience with the topics she wrote about, which made it more enjoyable because they were true. The harshness of horse racing, it isn't something we think a lot about but this book made me think.
I would recommend this book to a friend, without a doubt.
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway.
May 4, 2012
Free book from a goodreads giveaway. It was hard to get started because the terminology was so unfamiliar to me. I expected to have things explained to me, and, when that didn't happen, I looked terms up online. But once you get used to it, it's a good book. Written for people active in the field, but a good book.
September 28, 2016
A fascinating look at horse racing in the USA which gives a great insight into the characters and horses that inhabit this world. The story of a mother who gives up her daughter and goes onto become a successful race horse trainer and the daughter who also goes into the racing industry as a jockey, and the trials and tribulations they have when reconnecting.
May 4, 2011
nThis book is a great literary novel about a mother, daughter and a racehorse they both love. I really loved this novel!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews