The Secrets of Emberwild

Written by Stephenia H. McGee

Narrated by Barbara McCulloh

A gifted trainer in a time women are not allowed to race, Nora Fenton prefers horses to men. They’re easier to handle, they’re more reliable, and they never tell her what to do. After her father’s passing, Nora is determined to save her
struggling horse farm, starting with entering her prize colt into the harness races at the 1905 Mississippi and West Alabama Fair. If she wins, she may have a chance at independence. But when a stranger arrives and starts asking disconcerting
questions, she suspects he may have other motives than unseating her in the training job that is rightfully hers.

Silas Cavallero will do whatever it takes to solve the mystery of his father’s death—even if it means training an unwieldy colt for Nora, who wants nothing more than to see him gone. But when mysterious accidents threaten their safety
and circumstances shrouded in secrets begin unlocking clues to his past, Silas will have to decide if the truth is worth the risk of ruining everything for the feisty woman he’s come to admire.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9781705067338

Reviews for The Secrets of Emberwild

[Tammy Tubbleville · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another great book by this author, I couldn't put it down. She draws you into the story and you feel as if you are a part of it. Loved it!!

[lifeofliterature · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The gorgeous cover piqued my interest in this novel and the back cover blub about horses confirmed my desire to read it. This is my first book by this author and I enjoyed the intriguing plot and twists and turns. I thought the action was a little slow to start, but once it picked up, I had a harder time putting the novel down. I thought the romance was well written and believable, and I enjoyed reading the perspectives of the two main characters, even though Nora’s naïveté annoyed me at times. The research the author did about horses is clear as the details are interwoven well into the plot. I thought the story wrapped up well. I did overall enjoy this novel and look forward to reading more by this author.I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[fcplcataloger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh, my, this book has so many things that I enjoy, including intriguing characters, a mystery needing to be solved, and romantic feelings waiting to be explored! Women horse trainers weren't the norm in 1905 and women farm managers weren't either but independent Nora Fenton was determined to do both. What she couldn't do was race her own horse! Silas Cavallero seemed to be her answer but did he have his own secret agenda? Would he help her, or bring her even more problems?McGee's use of innuendos, twists and turns kept me flipping the pages to uncover the many secrets and enjoy the attraction between Nora and Silas. The Secrets of Emberwild is a captivating story of second chances and forgiveness, and I recommend it to all who enjoy historical Christian fiction.I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Revell Reads. There was no obligation for a positive review.

[becky_l-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

“Freedom rushed through Nora Fenton’s veins, erupting with each breath. Invisible shackles didn’t bind out here. Her independence always came at a price.”Transport yourself back to Mississippi in the early 1900s. Stephenia H McGee will instantly win your attention with a misfit daughter of a horse farmer. Nora Fenton lives to train and raise the horses, especially her colt, Arrow. Upon her father’s passing, Uncle Amos inherits the farm and tries to rein in Nora’s spirited, “unsuitable” ways. Nora’s only ally is the recently hired Silas Cavallero, who is searching the farm for secrets from his past. Can these two work together to save Emberwild, or will there be great changes ahead for the once-prosperous farm?It’s easy to identify with both Nora and Silas, both misfits in their own right. I enjoyed the horse training details and also the mystery surrounding the farm’s establishment. Some characters changed in ways that may have even surprised their author. It’s always fun to ponder if those changes are plausible. Anyone who loves historical fiction of the early 1900s, independent women who still need men, and horses will love this book. There is plenty of sweet romance, exciting action, and the pacing is consistent throughout the book. The only thing I wished different were more mention of asking God for daily wisdom in the hard circumstances, of which there were many. I received a copy of the book from LibraryThing Early Reviewers. No positive review was required and all opinions are my own. Notable Quotables:“One thing was for certain. She didn’t want to end up like Mother. Making all her choices about love and marriage based on fear.” “She’d just bet her entire future on a man.“How like God to weave a pattern where men’s evil and tragedy could somehow be twisted into something beautiful at the end.”

[drsyko_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When I started this book, I initially didn't really like it. I thought it was too slow and I wasn't that interested in the story. But it really started to pick up about a quarter of the way through and I very much enjoyed it. The story of Nora, Silas, and Arrow is compelling and not the usual formulaic historical romance. There's a mystery, a nefarious uncle, a powerful horse, a woman who is trying her best to remain independent and keep what belongs to her in an era where that was almost impossible. How the mystery gets solved, and how Nora, Silas and Arrow end up together, is a well-written, absorbing, read into the night story. This isn't great literature, but it's a book that stands out in its genre and I'm glad I decided to keep reading!

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a page turning read the author has given us. As the story opens Nora's father is taking his last breath, what will happen to her and her mother. They live in Mississippi on a beautiful horse farm called Emberwild, love the name, but could just picture the place!We are given a strong willed young woman, Nora Fenton, a woman who doesn't know the word "no", and sneaks off to the barns to work with horses! She even owns some trousers!We also have a hurting young man who has just buried his mother, and is now on a quest to find out whom murdered his father and stole their horse. Silas Cavallero, is journeying for answers , but he ends up at Emberwild, and he is a gifted horse trainer.I loved the training of Arrow, although there are scary times, and then things get even more dangerous, what is going on? Then there is Uncle Amos, will he prevail with his demands?This is such a great read, and yes, answers come, maybe not like you guessed, but this is a journey with surprises!I received this book through the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.

[virginia51-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is is a fantastic story. I loved the romance and the tiny bit of mystery. I loved all of the descriptions of the races and the horses. Nora and Silas are wonderful. I loved how both Nora and Silas grew over the months that they knew each other. I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[eamace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Nora is a strong, independent young woman who wants nothing more than to ride and train horses. Her independence always came at a price. What would the price be this time?The author has given us a story that will keep your attention right up till the end, trying to figure out what the secrets are that Nora’s father alluded to just before he died. The horse farm needs more than stud fees to continue on, but will Arrow be the one to bring Emberwild out of the red and into the racing world? Someone is sabotaging her efforts - but who? Accidents, jealousy and lies - will the truth ever come to light?An early copy was received through Revell, Baker Publishing Group and NetGalley. These impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.

[maret5g · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

1905 Mississippi Emberwild Horse Farm was prospering good after Nora's father brought a racing horse. With his passing, and leaving the farm not to his wife and daughter, but to his brother, Nora lost hope in ever training the young stallion, Arrow. Her uncle didn’t allow women to be close to horses. There was also another thing that bothered her. Her father's confession before he took his last breath and his last sentence “Everything we have is built on a lie”.  Silas Cavallero had nothing to lose after his mother passed away. She wanted him to leave the farm and find freedom. He was going to Mississippi to find the truth about his father's death, who fifteen years ago was mysteriously trampled and his missing stallion was never found. The truth about his father’s death and finding his killer would be the key to Silas’ freedom. With little money and only an old mare by his side, he found a temporary position as a horse trainer in the Emberwild Horse Farm.  I had a really great time exploring this Horse Farm in 1905 surrounded by horses and lovely characters where romance was in the air. The best part about this book was the mixture of mystery and secrets split with a dose of love for horses and charming romance. The ending was predictable, but I wouldn’t like this story to end any other way. Great book that all readers will enjoy but horse’s lovers should not miss this delightful reading. 

[bythepond88-778468 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Highly enjoyable book. Set at the turn of the century, the daughter of the owner of a horse farm owner wants to train and race the horses they raise, but women aren't allowed to do "men stuff." However, she persists, and a newly hired young man supports her in her efforts.

[pebblesgmc · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoy this story, love horses and the people that love horses. The main character is a young woman with a talent for training horses, she lives in a repressive society. Women don't train horses. It does not matter that she does a better job than the stablemaster, or the grooms, and her uncle.

[kristyn44 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow, this book really surprised me. At first, I wasn't so sure I was going to like the book but I was really, really wrong!It is a great historical fiction that deals with women's rights, especially for Nora, whom just wants to train her horse and not be burdened by a man that she is not interested in marrying. She continually defies her Uncle, whom tries to take over their farm after her father dies, and meets a man who seems to be a great match for her and her horse. Silas shows up at Emberwild looking for answers to a 15 year old mystery concerning his father and their lost stallion. For him, there are many things that just seem a little too close to be coincidence. He stays to help train Arrow and constantly stands up for Nora and her decisions. He helps her find answers to questions they both have.I ended up reading this book over the course of 1 day, thats how much I was invested in their story. It had just the right amount of action, romance, and mystery to keep me very intrigued.Thanks to LibraryThing, Revell, and Stephenia H. McGee for this review copy in exchange for an honest review.

[tealadytoo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have mixed feelings about this story. The basic plot of a young woman who wants to train horses in an era where women in the racing world are frowned upon meeting a young man seeking answers about his father's death and a missing horse, is intriguing. But the character of Nora, the heroine, seems inconsistent and unformed. One moment she's determined to break loose, and in the next she meekly bows to her mother's will. She's wonderfully skilled when working with her horse, Arrow, and then she dangerously reckless. She stands up to her Uncle, then backs down again. I never felt as though I had a real grasp of her character. There's real promise in this story, but it doesn't quite achieve its goals.I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest opinion.

[eccl-3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Secrets of Emberwild is a Christian Historical Romance story by Stephenia H. McGee. This story takes place in the early 1900’s in Mississippi. Silas does not feel his father’s death was an accident. Now that his mother has pasted away, he has gone back to Mississippi to find the truth. Nora’s father has been ill for some time and on his death bed he tells Nora the success of the farm has been built on a lie. But he doesn’t live long enough to explain.This is an enjoyable story to read. I enjoyed the characters of Nora and Silas. I enjoyed how they worked together to get Nora’s horse ready to race. Their characters are so nice, they make up for the dislike I had for other characters, especially Nora’s mother. Honestly, her husband was ill and dying and she moves to a different room in the house and doesn’t care for him. I especially loved the personality of the horse. He was very unpredictable. This story also has mystery and suspense with what is happening at the farm and who is behind it.I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story, this is my honest review.

[susan0316 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's the early 1900s and women in Mississippi are expected to be married and running their own households. Nora, much to her mother's dismay, prefers horses to men and would sooner be in the stables training horses than in the house. When her father dies and leaves his home and stables to his brother, Nora's freedom to be in the stables is drastically lessened and she is expected to make a good marriage and follow the normal life for women. However, she knows that she has a prize colt and if she can just train him well enough to win at the State Fair, she will make enough money to enable her to be independent. When her uncle hires Silas to train the horses, she wants nothing more than to see him gone. Plus he asks a lot of questions that make her think that he has a motive for being there other than training horses. Silas's father died in mysterious circumstances and he thinks that there may be a connection to Nora's horse farm, Emberwild. As the secrets come to light, Nora and Silas must decide whether they can have a life together and live happily ever after.This book was well written and interesting to read. I always enjoy books about women in this time period who are fighting for their independence instead of following the norms of the day. Nora was an intelligent who knew that she wouldn't be happy unless she could train horses. Silas had an ulterior motive for being at Emberwild but as his respect for nor began to grow, he began to change and grow as a person who cared more about the future than about the past.

[furrykidz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book. Romance with a bit of mystery. No offensive language or graphic scenes. Bit of information about horses and trotting. I enjoyed it.