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Stop back on December 2011 for a special guest post with author Miranda Kenneally!
Didn't read CATCHING JORDAN, STEALING PARKER, or THINGS I CAN'T FORGET? Catch up with my reviews!
Take a peek at an old interview from 2011 and see how much things have changed for Miranda (not to mention the look of this blog)!
And check out my Girls in Sports Week interview with Miranda!
O P E N I N G L I N E:
Welcome to Hell would be a more appropriate sign, considering Dad just uprooted me from West Virginia and hauled me to Tennessee two days before senior year.
My father couldn't give up this opportunity to work as head groom at a fancy farm that trains horses for the Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup, and I didn't want to be the evil daughter who stamped her foot and refused to come.
(pg. 11, US e-ARC edition)
What I like most about Miranda Kenneally's novels is the way she always manages to discuss issues close to a teen's heart, issues not always prominent in other teen novels. Plus, there's often an athletic element involved, which again makes her novels stand out from the rest of the contemporary crowd. This time around, the core topic is discovering your potential, becoming more than you thought possible.
Savannah has always wanted to reach beyond her dad 's slot in life. She wants to become an exercise trainer and work with houses for a better-paying job. When she's offered the position of horse jockey, She moves beyond her wildest dreams of possibilities. Spending time with the owner's son Jack--technically her boss now--she begins dreaming of even higher, more far-reaching goals. Like college. Even though she could never afford it. What is possible? How far does a dream go before it becomes ridiculous?
One thing I really loved about RACING SAVANNAH was the way Savannah thought she had life all figured out. After moving, she discovered more opportunities. Her wishes and hopes and dreams began to change. She considered things like college that she'd never thought twice about before. The novel is marketed as a forbidden romance between two teens from different in life, and that does play a big part. It isn't all that the book's about, however, and that's what I like so much about Kenneally's novels.
Jack is more of a stock character than other love interests of the past from Kenneally, but he's also not from the same social circle. I see his presence as one that helps transform Savannah's journey in life. As with all her other novels, former Kenneally characters make cameo appearance. This time, someone is getting married! It's sweet to revisit beloved characters and see how their lives have turned out, but it's also not practical to expect this in every book. Not every single character can be connected to the past or only pay attention to people at an event who were former main characters, just like in the real world. At times, it felt like some cameos were in there because they HAD to be, and it started to lose some of its charm. I'd rather cameos from the current generation at this point, as much as I loved the first generation.
RACING SAVANNAH is one of my favorite Kenneally books so far. I love the message at its heart about discovering your own potential. Plus, there are HORSES. I'm sorry, INSTANT WIN!
~*~
C O V E R D E S I G N:
I love the colors! All that yellow against that bright green grass! Visually, one of my favorite Kenneally covers!
This covert also portrays the fact that this is a horsey/farm romance well!
...Although, is she wearing rain boots to get that shiny yellow color? I love the aesthetic look of it, but I wouldn't wear those riding!
This covert also portrays the fact that this is a horsey/farm romance well!
...Although, is she wearing rain boots to get that shiny yellow color? I love the aesthetic look of it, but I wouldn't wear those riding!
~*~
O F F I C I A L I N F O:
Title: RACING SAVANNAH
Author: Miranda Kenneally
Release Date:Dec. 3, 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Received: For Review
Received: For Review
SUMMARY:
They’re from two different worlds.
He lives in the estate house, and she spends most of her time in the stables helping her father train horses. In fact, Savannah has always been much more comfortable around horses than boys. Especially boys like Jack Goodwin—cocky, popular and completely out of her league. She knows the rules: no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries.
With her dream of becoming a horse jockey, Savannah isn’t exactly one to follow the rules either. She’s not going to let someone tell her a girl isn’t tough enough to race. Sure, it’s dangerous. Then again, so is dating Jack…
He lives in the estate house, and she spends most of her time in the stables helping her father train horses. In fact, Savannah has always been much more comfortable around horses than boys. Especially boys like Jack Goodwin—cocky, popular and completely out of her league. She knows the rules: no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries.
With her dream of becoming a horse jockey, Savannah isn’t exactly one to follow the rules either. She’s not going to let someone tell her a girl isn’t tough enough to race. Sure, it’s dangerous. Then again, so is dating Jack…
Growing up in Tennessee, Miranda Kenneally dreamed of becoming an Atlanta Brave, a country singer (cliché!), or a UN interpreter. Instead she writes, and works for the State Department in Washington, D.C., where George W. Bush once used her shoulder as an armrest. Miranda loves Twitter, Star Trek and her husband.
AND NOW, ENTER TO WIN --A pair of Ralph Lauren riding boots. Or another pair of boots at equal or lesser value.!
Great review! I also love how significant the books are - like they're more than just fluffy love story they have meaning and messages in it as well but still staying a light read. I'm glad you loved it! :)
ReplyDeleteExactly!! If her books didn't have this other quality, they just wouldn't stand out and I probably wouldn't still be reading them! So glad they do!
DeleteLove Miranda's books so much and I can't wait for her next story already!!
ReplyDelete