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Alex and Alexander #3
Claiming Christmas
All Alex wants for Christmas is a little peace and quiet. After all the drama of her summer in Saratoga, she's been taking it easy around the farm, enjoying the horses (and baiting Alexander). But a phone call from a local charity changes all that.
When Alex meets Wendy, a young girl with a tragic past, she finds herself going to surprising lengths to brighten Wendy's life – and visiting some surprising places. A filly named Christmas, a horse-crazy kid, and a trainer who never thought much about holidays or children – Claiming Christmas celebrates the bond between horse and human, and between a trainer and student.
*In keeping with its racetrack theme, this book contains strong language.
When Alex meets Wendy, a young girl with a tragic past, she finds herself going to surprising lengths to brighten Wendy's life – and visiting some surprising places. A filly named Christmas, a horse-crazy kid, and a trainer who never thought much about holidays or children – Claiming Christmas celebrates the bond between horse and human, and between a trainer and student.
*In keeping with its racetrack theme, this book contains strong language.
- GenresHorses
135 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 22, 2013
71 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Natalie Keller Reinert
53 books537 followersNatalie Keller Reinert is the award-winning author of more than twenty books, including the Eventing series and Briar Hill Farm series. Drawing on her professional experience in three-day eventing, working with Thoroughbred racehorses and mounted patrol horses, therapeutic riding, and many other equine pursuits, Natalie brings her love of equestrian life into each of her titles. She also cohosts the award-winning equestrian humor podcast Adulting With Horses.
Natalie lives in north Florida with her family, horses, and cat.
Natalie lives in north Florida with her family, horses, and cat.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 7, 2021
Sometimes there is a natural bonding between a human and an animal, that can’t be explained. It can also happen between a child and a person not related to her. Even if you aren’t lucky enough to have experienced either of these types of bonding you will enjoy this story.
December 15, 2013
Oh, what a wonderful Christmas read! Actually, a heart-warming read for any season. We do get to know hard-bitten horsewoman Alex a little better in this story. Not a particularly likeable gal, she is so devoted to her horses that she disregards holidays, and often the feelings of most people, too. She's impatient, hard to get along with, and swears like a sailor. Not a particularly good role model to be chosen for 11-year-old Wendy, who gets dumped on her right before Christmas. Alex must chaperone this kid around the race track and the horse farm, and boy howdy does she resent that.
But when Wendy has an instant connection to a racing filly with a name that appears to be kismet, Alex recognizes a kindred spirit. Doesn't Alex also fall hard for horses? And somehow, Wendy's desire and can-do attitude softens Alex's heart.
Although I thought I saw the ending coming (given the name of the book) there was a twist at the end that caused my heart to pulse in my throat. It's good writing for the soft-hearted among us. Even perhaps for those who, like Alex, appear to have a tough side that is hard to pierce. With lots of horseracing details, which Ms. Reinert's writing is known for, this one also contains a Christmas dose of miracles, or destiny, or whatever makes your heart melt. Really enjoyed this one!
But when Wendy has an instant connection to a racing filly with a name that appears to be kismet, Alex recognizes a kindred spirit. Doesn't Alex also fall hard for horses? And somehow, Wendy's desire and can-do attitude softens Alex's heart.
Although I thought I saw the ending coming (given the name of the book) there was a twist at the end that caused my heart to pulse in my throat. It's good writing for the soft-hearted among us. Even perhaps for those who, like Alex, appear to have a tough side that is hard to pierce. With lots of horseracing details, which Ms. Reinert's writing is known for, this one also contains a Christmas dose of miracles, or destiny, or whatever makes your heart melt. Really enjoyed this one!
June 27, 2022
Have you ever felt unexplainably drawn to a person? Would you do whatever it takes to make that person's live better? Well yet again we see how big Alex's heart truly is as she tries to make the perfect Christmas possible. Watch Alex make new revelations about herself and open her heart even more not only to a horse this time.
Lovely written book and such a sweet story.
Lovely written book and such a sweet story.
December 31, 2019
Wonderful story
Recommend for young and old horse lovers. Touching story, vivid descriptions, easy to read and to follow. Characters from prior books make twists and turns in the plot. Great Christmas present for next year!
Recommend for young and old horse lovers. Touching story, vivid descriptions, easy to read and to follow. Characters from prior books make twists and turns in the plot. Great Christmas present for next year!
June 9, 2022
This was a wonderful wonderful read, I love the bonding and connection
January 29, 2025
This is the most heartbreaking/heartwarming book I've read in a long time.
August 10, 2025
Even the hardened racetrackers have heart in there somewhere 🤣. This was a sweet little novella about Christmas, little girl dreams, and a very special connection.
July 18, 2022
A heartwarming short story
May 11, 2014
Racehorse fan, Christmas fan or someone who just loves a good ending? You’ll really enjoy this novella by Natalie Keller Reinert.
Claiming Christmas by Natalie Keller Reinert
Alex is a horse trainer who cannot relate to children. Her disdain for people tends to be the polar opposite of her appreciation for the equine species. This works fairly well for her as a racehorse trainer. Well that is, until a request is made of her to grant the wish of a young girl in love with a horse Alex trains – Personal Best... the rest at http://equus-blog.com/claiming-christ...
Claiming Christmas by Natalie Keller Reinert
Alex is a horse trainer who cannot relate to children. Her disdain for people tends to be the polar opposite of her appreciation for the equine species. This works fairly well for her as a racehorse trainer. Well that is, until a request is made of her to grant the wish of a young girl in love with a horse Alex trains – Personal Best... the rest at http://equus-blog.com/claiming-christ...
May 17, 2016
Perfect.., simply perfect
A sappy sweet and absolutely perfect book. Love, love,love this one. Someone please get the movie rights and I will have a new favorite Christmas movie. Please write Wendy into a new story line. I love the and her grandmother as they brought me to tears. I was a Wendy and I'm anxious to see how she goes on. I loved her steely little sick grandmother and was only sorry she didn't show up sooner in the book.
A sappy sweet and absolutely perfect book. Love, love,love this one. Someone please get the movie rights and I will have a new favorite Christmas movie. Please write Wendy into a new story line. I love the and her grandmother as they brought me to tears. I was a Wendy and I'm anxious to see how she goes on. I loved her steely little sick grandmother and was only sorry she didn't show up sooner in the book.
April 16, 2014
Thoroughly enjoyed this book (no pun intended). A nice story about horses and the people who love them.
December 30, 2015
A little too sappy for me, even for a Christmas special!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews