Lauren Brooke

American born writer. Best known for the Heartland series of books which are set on a special horse rehabilitation centre.

Lauren was born in the USA and was brought up on a ranch in Virgina, learning to ride from a very early age. She now lives in the UK and is married to a vet, which possibly explains the high content of veterinary and health issues in her
Heartland series.

One of the few authors to feature alternative equine training and healing methods. (Another series if you are interested in alternative techniques in the
Horse Healer series by Judy Waite) They also combine teenage issues with horsy ones, so appealing to that age group in particular. Her other teen series is set in a boarding school where riding is on the curriculum. It is however firmly aimed at the teen market only so will probably not be as much interest to the adult reader as the Heartland books.




Heartland Series
Teen series featuring a girl called Amy Fletcher and set on a special horse rehabilitation centre in the USA. One of the few series to feature alternative equine training and healing methods - such as the Monty Roberts 'join-up' technique and T-Touch massage. Central to the story is Amy's relationship with her older sister and also the burgeoning romance between her and the stable helper Ty.

To read detailed summaries of each book click here

To read reviews of the books in the series click here

1) COMING HOME
(SCHOLASTIC 2000)

2) AFTER THE STORM
(SCHOLASTIC 2000)

3) BREAKING FREE
(SCHOLASTIC 2000)

4) TAKING CHANCES
(SCHOLASTIC 2001)

5) COME WHAT MAY
(SCHOLASTIC 2001)

6) ONE DAY YOU'LL KNOW
(SCHOLASTIC 2001)

7) OUT OF THE DARKNESS
(SCHOLASTIC 2001)

8) THICKER THAN WATER
(SCHOLASTIC 2002)

9) EVERY NEW DAY
(SCHOLASTIC 2002)

10) TOMORROW'S PROMISE
(SCHOLASTIC 2002)

11) TRUE ENOUGH
(SCHOLASTIC 2003)

12) SOONER OR LATER
(SCHOLASTIC 2003)

13) DARKEST HOUR
(SCHOLASTIC 2003)

14) EVERYTHING CHANGES
SCHOLASTIC 2004)

15) LOVE IS A GIFT
SCHOLASTIC 2004)

16) HOLDING FAST
SCHOLASTIC 2004)

17) A SEASON OF HOPE
SCHOLASTIC 2004)

18) NEW BEGINNINGS
SCHOLASTIC 2004)

19) FROM THIS DAY ON
SCHOLASTIC 2004)

20) ALWAYS THERE
(SCHOLASTIC 2005)

Continuation of the Series in Heartland Specials:
There are also five Heartland Specials. Although not officially part of the series proper, three of them do continue the series with Amy's training as a vet.

21) BEYOND THE HORIZON
(SCHOLASTIC 2007)
SUMMARY: Amy has now left the farm to train as a vet

22) A SUMMER TO REMEMBER
(SCHOLASTIC 2008)
SUMMARY: Amy's summer vacation from college finds her whisked off to the estate of the wealthy Escobar family to help solve the behavioural problems of a polo pony.

23) A WINTER'S GIFT
(SCHOLASTIC 2008)
SUMMARY: Amy is back from college for the Winter holiday. After a big change in their relationship, Amy and Ty have to reconcile their differences to help a pregnant mare.

Other Heartland Specials:
These two are related to the series but do not follow any chronological order.

WINTER MEMORIES
aka A HOLIDAY MEMORY
(SCHOLASTIC 2004)
Published under both titles for some unknown reason!
SUMMARY: Something of a prequel to the series proper as Amy looks back to her last holiday with her mother and the problem pony she was trying to help then.

AMY'S JOURNAL
(SCHOLASTIC 2005)
SUMMARY: Not a story as such, more a collection of bits and pieces related to the series such as different therapeutic techniques for horses, training tips and Amy's favourite books, etc.

Collectors Info:
Paperback originals. All were reprinted by Scholastic with different cover art. No longer in print but used copies are very easy to find in the UK and USA and usually low cost.

Chestnut Hill Series
Teen series featuring a special boarding school where riding is one of the most important subjects on the curriculum!

For more info about the series click here

To read reviews of the books in the series Click here

1) THE NEW CLASS
(SCHOLASTIC 2005)

2) MAKING STRIDES
(SCHOLASTIC 2006)

3) HEART OF GOLD
(SCHOLASTIC 2006)

4) PLAYING FOR KEEPS
(SCHOLASTIC 2006)

5) THE SCHEME TEAM
aka TEAM SPIRIT (UK edition)
(SCHOLASTIC 2006)

Published as TEAM SPIRIT in the UK

6) ALL OR NOTHING
(SCHOLASTIC 2007)

7) CHASING DREAMS
(SCHOLASTIC 2008)

8) A TIME TO REMEMBER
(SCHOLASTIC 2008)

9) HELPING HANDS
(SCHOLASTIC 2009)

10) RACING HEARTS
(SCHOLASTIC 2009)

11) A CHANCE TO SHINE
(SCHOLASTIC 2009)

12) FAR AND AWAY
(SCHOLASTIC 2010)

Collectors Info:
Paperback originals. All reprinted in paperback in the USA and also published in the UK where the title of one book was for some reason changed. The books are all easy to find and low cost in USA and UK, possibly a bit harder elsewhere.