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Dancing with Horses #2
Join the Dance
Jane Mitchell rode her difficult, high strung horse, Windsong, for almost a year with one goal in mind, "Make the North American Junior Team". Windsong was inconsistent in the show ring, sometimes making Jane fear for her life and sometimes performing so beautifully, even the judge wanted to cheer. She had one more chance to get a score high enough to raise her ranking into the top four.
At the last qualifying show, Jane is running behind schedule, but still stops when she sees a pony buck its rider off. She leaps the fence to assist the fallen child despite the fact that she’ll miss having a proper warm-up. The kid is the daughter of famous Erica Flame, one of the most well-known Olympic riders in the nation. Erica is also the coach for the team. Stunned by her new acquaintance, Jane stumbles off to get her horse ready.
Somehow, Jane must ride a great test despite having virtually no warm-up, having no Cory to soothe her frazzled nerves and being carefully watched by not just one, but two, Olympians, her nemesis, Melinda Kratz and the charming, yet arrogant Shawn, one of last year’s team members. So when Jane edges into fourth place and is nominated to the team, she is elated. that is, until she finds out who the other three members of the team will be.
Melinda, who has been her rival for years, beating Jane in the show ring as they both advanced up the levels of dressage. Melinda makes sure she rubs it in Jane's face every time she wins. Alison McBride, a cool, sophisticated heiress who rides the most expensive horse her protective, obtuse father can buy. She is not a team player and sabotage is not beneath her. Then there is Shawn Delaney, easy on the eyes, charming and determined to win Jane away from her boyfriend, Cory.
The best young talent in the nation rides in this championship competition. These young adults are expected to perform consistently and professionally with none of the drama that teenagers thrive upon. Can Jane keep up with these kids, can she become a valuable team member, does she have what it takes or will her tendency toward overreacting be her undoing?
Once again, this is a story that will captivate young adults and women alike. Equestrians or anyone who loves the thrill of competitive sports will enjoy the journey one ordinary girl takes to become an extraordinary dressage rider. If only mastering her horse was the only skill she needed, Jane would be the victor. But she learns, as every teenager finds out, that there is more to success and failure than just winning a ribbon or blowing a class. Entertaining, as well as uplifting, Jane and Windsong will capture your heart.
At the last qualifying show, Jane is running behind schedule, but still stops when she sees a pony buck its rider off. She leaps the fence to assist the fallen child despite the fact that she’ll miss having a proper warm-up. The kid is the daughter of famous Erica Flame, one of the most well-known Olympic riders in the nation. Erica is also the coach for the team. Stunned by her new acquaintance, Jane stumbles off to get her horse ready.
Somehow, Jane must ride a great test despite having virtually no warm-up, having no Cory to soothe her frazzled nerves and being carefully watched by not just one, but two, Olympians, her nemesis, Melinda Kratz and the charming, yet arrogant Shawn, one of last year’s team members. So when Jane edges into fourth place and is nominated to the team, she is elated. that is, until she finds out who the other three members of the team will be.
Melinda, who has been her rival for years, beating Jane in the show ring as they both advanced up the levels of dressage. Melinda makes sure she rubs it in Jane's face every time she wins. Alison McBride, a cool, sophisticated heiress who rides the most expensive horse her protective, obtuse father can buy. She is not a team player and sabotage is not beneath her. Then there is Shawn Delaney, easy on the eyes, charming and determined to win Jane away from her boyfriend, Cory.
The best young talent in the nation rides in this championship competition. These young adults are expected to perform consistently and professionally with none of the drama that teenagers thrive upon. Can Jane keep up with these kids, can she become a valuable team member, does she have what it takes or will her tendency toward overreacting be her undoing?
Once again, this is a story that will captivate young adults and women alike. Equestrians or anyone who loves the thrill of competitive sports will enjoy the journey one ordinary girl takes to become an extraordinary dressage rider. If only mastering her horse was the only skill she needed, Jane would be the victor. But she learns, as every teenager finds out, that there is more to success and failure than just winning a ribbon or blowing a class. Entertaining, as well as uplifting, Jane and Windsong will capture your heart.
- GenresHorses
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 11, 2014
52 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Toni Mari
7 books18 followersToni Mari has been a dressage trainer for over twenty-five years. She established and ran High Spirits Farm, a boarding, training, breeding and show barn. Immersed in barn life day after day, after closing High Spirits Farm in New Jersey, Toni began writing, indexing and proofreading. These days, she still rides with her daughter, going to local and youth championship shows. Grace rides their homebred and trained appaloosa-thoroughbred cross, Lilly, who remarkably has many similar qualities to Windsong. Visit her at tonimaribooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 24, 2018
Overall 3/4 stars ✨ which makes me sad as I want to give these books a 5 star rating but I just cannot with the main characters horrible mememe personality and insane obsession with people who are “famous”... everything is all about her, and if you read the books it is very clear she is being held up by a lot of other people and isn’t appreciative to any of them... unless it is someone “famous”, and all others receive the backburner.
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that alone would have made this a 4 star but due to the added in “love triangle” I had to remove another star.. first I’m highly disappointed that she is so easily swayed towards another when she is in such a deep relationship, I felt she deserved to be in no relationship. Also, to allow someone to continually touch and flirt to that excess means your allowing it. So to turn around and snap on a significant other who is worried about what your allowing to happen is just bad tack to read. Ruined any form of romance or relationship for me.
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That said, other then the horrible main character morals and the horrendous try at love/love triangle.... the equestrian and dressage side of these books has sucked me in to such depths I will happily keep rolling my eyes at the characters plain stupidity and lack of anything nice... and am excited to read the third book to put myself in her place(where my team would know how much they meant to me)
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If the author was trying to show a lot of characters fitting the stereotype of the dressage riding snooty self centered rich girl... she had nailed it in all of her characters in these books. I just hope people don’t think that is true to form.
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that alone would have made this a 4 star but due to the added in “love triangle” I had to remove another star.. first I’m highly disappointed that she is so easily swayed towards another when she is in such a deep relationship, I felt she deserved to be in no relationship. Also, to allow someone to continually touch and flirt to that excess means your allowing it. So to turn around and snap on a significant other who is worried about what your allowing to happen is just bad tack to read. Ruined any form of romance or relationship for me.
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That said, other then the horrible main character morals and the horrendous try at love/love triangle.... the equestrian and dressage side of these books has sucked me in to such depths I will happily keep rolling my eyes at the characters plain stupidity and lack of anything nice... and am excited to read the third book to put myself in her place(where my team would know how much they meant to me)
.
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If the author was trying to show a lot of characters fitting the stereotype of the dressage riding snooty self centered rich girl... she had nailed it in all of her characters in these books. I just hope people don’t think that is true to form.
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This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2025
Did the author write a book series about a girl she didn't like? I can't figure out for one minute how you could write about the girl in this book and like her.
She has a boyfriend named Cory. He goes to a six hour away farm to work. She makes it on a team with a boy named Shawn who is all over her from day one. When Cory voices his concern ,she calls him a jerk. Hey, I agree. It doesn't matter how Shawn acts if you trust Jane. I don't know why you would when she revels in Shawn's attention every chance she gets.
Every time she gets to see Cory, they get all hot and heavy, and she pushes Shawn away until Cory's headlights are gone.
She has a wonderful trainer in Kate but gets stars in her eyes when celebrity trainer Erica notices her. Who cares about Cory and Kate when she could be seen by Erica.
I suppose you will say she woke up in the end. Too little.
This book only got three stars because I really loved the chemistry between Jane and Cory. It's too bad the only thing the author thought could make it interesting is cheating.
She has a boyfriend named Cory. He goes to a six hour away farm to work. She makes it on a team with a boy named Shawn who is all over her from day one. When Cory voices his concern ,she calls him a jerk. Hey, I agree. It doesn't matter how Shawn acts if you trust Jane. I don't know why you would when she revels in Shawn's attention every chance she gets.
Every time she gets to see Cory, they get all hot and heavy, and she pushes Shawn away until Cory's headlights are gone.
She has a wonderful trainer in Kate but gets stars in her eyes when celebrity trainer Erica notices her. Who cares about Cory and Kate when she could be seen by Erica.
I suppose you will say she woke up in the end. Too little.
This book only got three stars because I really loved the chemistry between Jane and Cory. It's too bad the only thing the author thought could make it interesting is cheating.
January 21, 2018
Amazing and keeps you on the edge of your seat
I gave this book the rating i did because it was fantastic. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I love horses and I love how in this book you see how much Jane really loves windsong. Then the romance between her and Shawn and then her and Cory's conflict in their relationship will keep you engrossed in the story. I would so recommend this to the girls at the barn I ride with. They're going to love it too. I do can't wait to tell them about it.
I gave this book the rating i did because it was fantastic. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I love horses and I love how in this book you see how much Jane really loves windsong. Then the romance between her and Shawn and then her and Cory's conflict in their relationship will keep you engrossed in the story. I would so recommend this to the girls at the barn I ride with. They're going to love it too. I do can't wait to tell them about it.
February 8, 2018
Fantastic!
Wow! Toni Mari did a great job writing this book! I was held captive in these pages right up to the end. Not wanting to give any of the story line away, all I can say is you must read this one. Book 2 is fantastic. I am starting book 3 right after this review! I can hardly wait!
Wow! Toni Mari did a great job writing this book! I was held captive in these pages right up to the end. Not wanting to give any of the story line away, all I can say is you must read this one. Book 2 is fantastic. I am starting book 3 right after this review! I can hardly wait!
November 16, 2018
When a boy constantly puts his hands on a girl that says no, it’s not adorable persistence. It’s assault. I am disappointed that the author portrayed Jane as growing to like the wandering hands and stolen kisses even as she tells the boy to stop. This attitude of “oh he is so cute, he just likes me” of letting boys put their hands on girls with no consequences is just gross.
April 17, 2021
Very good!
Really enjoyable read. There were a couple of minor inconsistency in the book. Didn't really affect the storyline, but noticeable.
Really enjoyable read. There were a couple of minor inconsistency in the book. Didn't really affect the storyline, but noticeable.
December 21, 2016
Jane learns valuable lessons. Keep reading.
September 12, 2014
Love it I ride dressage and as an equestrian myself I could see she knew horses and showing .
Iready did this where do I get book 3? I'm just back to being able to even read about horses or Dressage as I lost my soulmate Chuck.we rode Dressage together for 35 years and I am so devastated at the loss of the best friend, husband, and father in the world that I am overwhelmed at starting a new life with our 16 year old son and reading the first two of your books have given me the courage to wake up and try to live my life in the way we promised each other we would if one of us died and we had a child to finish raising.I am now the sole owner of 3 Thoroughbred horses, one of them belonged to Chuck and is so like the beautiful black horse in your books you could be writing his story. I broke my shoulder and though I can ride my horse I have been advised not to ride this incredible horse. she is just under 17 hands and looks more like a warm blood than Thb. and so muscular and forward I don't have enough strength air 115 pounds and little use of my left arm to stay with her powerful movements. my heart breaks watching her in the pasture looking for Chuck.I have to find a worthy rider for her and one I can trust to love and care for her as we do.your books have made me realize that there are great riders out there who need a horse like her but don't have the money to buy one of her caliber so I am going to get together with our pals in riding places like Hilltop Horse Center in Maryland . Scott Hassled is the trainer for Young Riders getting ready for the Olympics. Maybe I will write the story of my husband's dreams and a horse named Great Game . you have inspired and given me a reason to go on and even though you don't realize it have saved my life. thank you for a book that had me entranced from page 1....Carrie
Iready did this where do I get book 3? I'm just back to being able to even read about horses or Dressage as I lost my soulmate Chuck.we rode Dressage together for 35 years and I am so devastated at the loss of the best friend, husband, and father in the world that I am overwhelmed at starting a new life with our 16 year old son and reading the first two of your books have given me the courage to wake up and try to live my life in the way we promised each other we would if one of us died and we had a child to finish raising.I am now the sole owner of 3 Thoroughbred horses, one of them belonged to Chuck and is so like the beautiful black horse in your books you could be writing his story. I broke my shoulder and though I can ride my horse I have been advised not to ride this incredible horse. she is just under 17 hands and looks more like a warm blood than Thb. and so muscular and forward I don't have enough strength air 115 pounds and little use of my left arm to stay with her powerful movements. my heart breaks watching her in the pasture looking for Chuck.I have to find a worthy rider for her and one I can trust to love and care for her as we do.your books have made me realize that there are great riders out there who need a horse like her but don't have the money to buy one of her caliber so I am going to get together with our pals in riding places like Hilltop Horse Center in Maryland . Scott Hassled is the trainer for Young Riders getting ready for the Olympics. Maybe I will write the story of my husband's dreams and a horse named Great Game . you have inspired and given me a reason to go on and even though you don't realize it have saved my life. thank you for a book that had me entranced from page 1....Carrie
March 1, 2016
Better than book one
I still have reservations regarding the author's story. I found quite a bit of contradictions, but what bothered me most, I guess, was the technicalities of the dressage; the training, the preps, warm-ups, sportsmanship, show times, and competitions. Yes, this author does certainly know dressage, but maybe not quit enough to be completed accurate. That's just a guess, and I certainly mean no disrespect, but there was so much just ... not quite right. I do wish there was a bit more instruction going on within the story to show readers how very difficult it really is to get as far as Jane did. I think people need to understand that Jane's world of dressage isn't quite the walk in the park portrayed here. Did she work hard to get where she was? Yes, we clearly see that: but how hard? It seems Jane is much more in tune with social status than dressage. It would have been nice to see exactly how hard she really had to work. All that said - with much left out - it was still a good enough read for me to rate four stars, and I tend to rate very conservatively, so take this as a good sign!
I still have reservations regarding the author's story. I found quite a bit of contradictions, but what bothered me most, I guess, was the technicalities of the dressage; the training, the preps, warm-ups, sportsmanship, show times, and competitions. Yes, this author does certainly know dressage, but maybe not quit enough to be completed accurate. That's just a guess, and I certainly mean no disrespect, but there was so much just ... not quite right. I do wish there was a bit more instruction going on within the story to show readers how very difficult it really is to get as far as Jane did. I think people need to understand that Jane's world of dressage isn't quite the walk in the park portrayed here. Did she work hard to get where she was? Yes, we clearly see that: but how hard? It seems Jane is much more in tune with social status than dressage. It would have been nice to see exactly how hard she really had to work. All that said - with much left out - it was still a good enough read for me to rate four stars, and I tend to rate very conservatively, so take this as a good sign!
August 15, 2016
I thought I might grow to like this MC, but she gets more tedious, self-centered, and shallow with each page. I enjoyed the first book, which was about her learning to develop a relationship with her high-strung horse, but she's just ...
not believable ...
as a human being. People in the horse industry just don't react like the stereotypical ones in this story. I'm done with this series. I just don't care enough to read the last one. :-P
not believable ...
as a human being. People in the horse industry just don't react like the stereotypical ones in this story. I'm done with this series. I just don't care enough to read the last one. :-P
September 15, 2014
This was pretty good! The love triangle got a bit old pretty much right after it started, but still a fun read with good horsey stuff. I wish the author would learn to use contractions - people say "I'm" way more often than "I am" ;)
January 17, 2015
Another really good story! Great improvement in the main character in this book. She was actually a young girl growing up instead of a horrid little brat that everyone built up to much!
Really looking forward to book 3!
Really looking forward to book 3!
August 19, 2014
this is a treat to read. I cannot wait for #3
January 11, 2016
Amazing
I loved the first two book. The story is so real I feel like I am part of it. Enjoy!!
I loved the first two book. The story is so real I feel like I am part of it. Enjoy!!
April 9, 2016
Wow
I thought this book was like every other horse book or movie or teen romance but it was way more than that
I thought this book was like every other horse book or movie or teen romance but it was way more than that
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews