Equestrian Author Spotlight: Meet Christine Meunier

In this fifth spotlight edition, I talk with fellow equestrian author Christine Meunier. It's a small world! I learned about the cool things Christine is up to through my work with Beth Jones of Galloping Graphics. Beth had been featured on Christine's Equus Education Blog in the "Profile On" Series. The series interviews people with horsey careers and provides insights for people who want to work with horses! 

​Do you want a career involving horses?

Christine's site is an excellent resource designed to aid others in developing an equine career. She showcases horse-related careers, horse courses offered around the world (sometimes at no cost) and profiles of those working at making a living related to horses. 

​Ready to gallop right into the interview and learn more about Christine's work?

I am! Let's giddy up then ...

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​A little bit about Christine Meunier ...

Horse Book Author Christine Meunier

​It was at 13 years of age that Christine was introduced to first having a horse, but from a much younger age, that she started to learn about them through fiction and non fiction books. She continues to learn about them from books, but recognises that horses cannot be learnt from books alone.

Having studied horses from the age of 16, Christine is currently undertaking the Bachelor of Equine Science in Australia. Previously she attained her Certificate II in Horse Studies, Diploma of Horse Studies (Breeding) and Certificate of Merit from the Irish National Stud. Before teaching others about horse care and breeding she worked at numerous thoroughbred studs in Australia as well as overseas in Ireland.

This was followed by gaining experience in a couple of Melbourne based horse riding schools, instructing others with regards to riding the horse. A trip over to South Africa followed, allowing Christine the chance to gain many hours in the saddle and improve her own riding.

It is the education of people regarding horses being a viable career option that has been the catalyst for writing a blog about equine related vocations, education and travel. You can view this at equus-blog.com.

​I'm proud to have been highlighted on Christine's blog too. Read my interview with Christine here: http://equus-blog.com/profile-carly-kade-equestrian-author/

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Awesome! Now for Christine's interview!

What is your involvement with horses?

Currently, writing!  I have been a horse owner, worked as a stable hand at a riding school, instructor of horse riding, stud hand for breeding horses, strapper at a racing stable, working student in South Africa and Ireland and most recently as an equine studies teacher.  I love working with horses and being involved with them!

How did you/when did you/why did you choose to write horse books?

I was often telling my mother about my day at work and the interesting people I had met, or the events that took place.  (I was a stud hand at that point, breeding mares, helping mares give birth and handling other breeding horses).  She kept on telling me, ‘You should write this down!’  Eventually the little stories came together with characters and my debut novel Horse Country was formed.  It took me 10 years to write!

How long have you been an author?

My first book was published in 2013, so for a few years.  Since publishing Horse Country, I have created a spin off series for children called the Free Rein Series.  I have published 5 books in this series and am currently working on the 6th.

What is your favorite horse book (besides your own of course)?

The Silver Brumby by Elyne Mitchell.  I could read it again and again (and already have!).  I love that it’s about land nearby to where I live in Australia and that it’s written from the horse’s point of view.  It’s beautifully descriptive.

Why do you write?

I love words!  I love to read and I love to write, so it only made sense to branch out into the area of creating horse books.  I’m a bit pedantic about well-written books that are educational, too.  This is what I hope my books bring to readers, as well as a good story about horses.  I look forward to a time when I am able to write full time, but for now I spend as much time as I can developing novels, writing book reviews and writing informative articles about horses online.

If this book is part of a series, would you share little about it?

I recently published an adult horse romance novel titled B and B.  It was originally meant to be a standalone novel about a young mother who is employed to be the cook at a small trail riding business.   One of the trail ride guides finds himself drawn to her and struggles with the attraction that he feels wouldn’t be welcome.

As I worked on this novel, an idea for a follow up story came to me quickly.  I pondered this idea for a little while and then started writing.  So I started the follow on book, E and E, even though I had yet to finish B and B!  When ideas come, you just need to write them! ;)

What was your inspiration for the leading man/woman in your book?

I had a dream!  The first dozen or so chapters wrote themselves in a couple of weeks, I couldn’t get the words down fast enough!  I wanted to write another adult horse novel, this time more with a Christian focus and a romance element, but didn’t know where to start.  The dream fixed that!

How did you research your novel?

I guess in a way I haven’t.  Instead, the information I make use of is from my working life, experiencing trail rides and the local area that the story is based in.  A lot of the information is based on experiences of my own, rather than research.

Is there a message in your novel that you hope readers will grasp?

This one really focuses on a faith element.  I hope that readers will be clear on how you can come to know Christ and receive His blessings over your life.

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Discover more about Christine Meunier's work!

Connect with Christine Meunier Online:
Website: www.christinemeunierauthor.com/ 
Blog: http://equus-blog.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/christinemeunierauthor
Twitter: @ChristineMeuni3
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-meunier-1a09753
Pinterest: https://au.pinterest.com/equuseducat0412/
​Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Meunier/e/B00D5SE2FS/
Book Links: https://www.amazon.com/B-Christine-Meunier-ebook/dp/B01KLC09XY/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4738165.Christine_Meunier

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What a great interview!

Many thanks to equestrian author, Christine Meunier, for this wonderful interview! I certainly enjoyed learning more about how her horse book series for teens (and adults too!) came to be and so appreciate the support of a fellow author! 

​Thank you for giving me the gift of your time, Christine! I can't wait to learn more about your newest project and follow up to B & B called E & E!
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If you are an author that writes about horses and would like to be spotlighted let me know.  I’d be happy to include you too.  Helping out fellow horse book authors makes my spurs jingle! Visit my contact page to fill out a request!

Miss one of my Equestrian Author Spotlights? Review them here!​

1. ​Equestrian Author Spotlight: Meet Amy Elizabeth
2. Equestrian Author Spotlight: Meet Laurie Berglie
3. ​Equestrian Author Spotlight: Meet Brittney Joy
4. Equestrian Author Spotlight: Meet Sydney Scrogham

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