We are back in the beautiful Scottish Highlands for Margaret Amatt’s twelfth in her Glenbriar Series, A Fresh Start on the Bridle Path. This latest novel was published on 28th February by Leannan Press.
A missed path. A lost love. And a second chance to get it
right.
James Charlton may be second-in-command at his father’s
lucrative business, but, according to his parents, he’s just not ‘posh’ enough
for the kind of woman they expect him to marry. When they decide he would be
perfect for the horse-mad daughter of a local earl, James needs to up his game.
First step, learn to ride… But James has never even sat on a horse before.
Dagmar Ingenfeld’s life revolves around horses. She barely
has room to breathe, running the stables on a country estate while desperately
trying to help her mother save her café from foreclosure. When a rich and
handsome man from her past arrives back in her life, she wants him straight
back out again. James Charlton is nothing but bad news. Until he offers her a
chance to save the café.
Only one catch. Dagmar must teach him how to ride – and
fast.
As the lessons begin, Dagmar sees a different side to James,
and an old flame is rekindled. But how can their budding romance go anywhere
when she’s a stable girl, and he’s expected to ride into the sunset with the
earl’s daughter?
James must decide whether to follow the money or take a
chance on Dagmar, and perhaps, against all odds, discover the true path to
happiness.
My Thoughts
We continue to add to the Glenbriar series and to expand the characters that you meet there, as well as some familiar faces. Dagmar and James have known each other since school and Dagmar’s experience of bullying then has stayed with her all her life. Resisting any attempts to make friends, she has protected her feelings by concentrating on her passion for horse riding and become a very talented horsewomen, There has been no space in her life for relationships.
James seems to have had a protected, cosseted life with his rich parents but has always put trying to please them ahead of what he actually wants for himself. His parents seem to have changed over the years and mow value position and prestige above all as the way to improve their business. It seems that both James and Dagmar are at a crossroads at the age of thirty and looking for more in their lives. Both show a great loyalty to their parents and Dagmar finds that her mother needs her help to keep her cafe going. They really are both at opposite ends of the social scale.
This is as enjoyable as the earlier books in the series and it is interesting to catch up with familiar faces. The descriptions of working at the stables are lovely and you find that you make assumptions about characters based on how they relate to the animals and the workers. Some show consideration whilst others take on a high- handed attitude. This is a story about finding out what you want in a partner and having the courage to act on your feelings.
In short: new beginnings
About the Author
Margaret is a bestselling Scottish author and chocolate
lover who has been writing stories for over twenty years (possibly more if you
count her primary school efforts). Her early works will never see the light of
day and are locked in dusty vaults on some old floppy disks. But after all
those years of practise, Margaret released her first novel in 2021. It was the
first of a ten-book series set on the gorgeous Scottish Isle of Mull.
Margaret is also the author of the acclaimed Glenbriar
Series, based in the fictional Scottish town of Glenbriar. This is an ongoing
series with more books coming in 2025.
The stories are unashamedly romantic, but with lots of drama
and an eclectic mix of characters. Each book can be read as a standalone, but followers of the
series will enjoy catching up with the characters.
You can follow Margaret here: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Thanks to Margaret Amatt, Leannan Publishers and Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
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