A convicted felon, a thoroughbred racehorse rehab program, a little boy with cerebral palsy, and a racehorse named Breaking Free who cant be controlled. Added together to form a beautiful story of hope and healing.

One of the first favorite genre's I remember loving to read when I was a child were horse stories. Anything that evoked the love between the horse and his owner was enough to make me wish for a horse of my own. I don't think there were many young girls who didn't wish for a horse when they were younger. Now that same feeling came back when I read Lauraine Snelling's novel, Breaking Free. Breaking Free is a retired ex-racehorse who has been abused and is in need of healing and restoration if that is even possible. Thankfully for Maggie Roberts, who has been serving ten years in prison, this new outreach program of working with horses will be just the thing she needs to find her own personal healing from her past.

As she begins to work with Breaking Free to find a way into his broken spirit, Maggie realizes just how much this horse can sense her own insecurities. As she begins to earn his trust, she realizes that she has formed her own walls to keep others out from hurting her. She never imagined that one moment of coming to the aid of her husband would lead her to be involved in a car accident that would take the life of their own son. Feeling that serving time in prison is the least amount of punishment she deserves, it will take time and the love of a disabled boy and his father to help her come to terms with the mistakes of her past.

Knowing if she can rehabilitate Breaking Free, she will give him a new chance at life. If she can't convince the warden he doesn't present a danger to himself and others, he will be put down. But Maggie soon uncovers the source for the battle raging within Breaking Free's heart and the more time she spends with him the more she grows to love him. Will she ever be able to part with Breaking Free if he is able to be adopted or will she be forced to watch yet another thing that she has come to love break free from her heart?

I received Breaking Free by Lauraine Snelling compliments of Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Groups for my honest opinion. I did not receive any monetary compensation for my review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. This is the perfect novel for horse lovers and for those fighting to come to terms with their own ability not to forgive themselves of the mistakes that they have made in the past. It goes to show that second chances are available to all of us, and that coming to terms with the loss and grief is simply part of moving on. God can use even that for His good and His glory. What an exceptional novel that will outlast the time it took me to read this. It is part of my permanent library and one I will highly recommend to anyone who loves an exceptional novel of horses, basset hounds and love! Easily a well earned 5 out of 5 stars!!!

Having had a daughter in the prison system for three years I related to Maggie's character extremely well. I also know how difficult it is for ex-felons to get jobs once they are back in society no matter how severe or minor their offense. The book was very good in relating rehabilitation for prisoners before re-entering society. Maggie was blessed to have this opportunity with the other inmates and how interacting with the Thoroughbreds changed their lives and the value of themselves as a person. Edward was an awesome boy in loving others as Christians should do regardless of the other person's background. Aren't we to "love our neighbor as ourselves"...A very good read. Lorraine Snelling is one of my most favorite Christian authors.

this was great--i think it started slow so i was not into it til about 3rd chap--but it grabbed me then and i finished it in record time for me--i couldnt put it down--great book-i'm so glad DC didnt hurt her-i was worried about that aspect-glad lauraine didnt go there--great read

I loved this book. It was hard to put down. Once I started it, I just wanted to keep reading. A touching story about redemption!