A second chance at forever – #AustralianRomance #HorseBreeding #SecondChance

By Cynthia Terelst (Guest Blogger)

Some love stories never really end—no matter how broken they seem.

I’m thrilled to finally share Back in the Saddle, the first book in my brand-new Diamond Firetail Farm series! This is a story of love, loss, and second chances, set against the stunning backdrop of Australia’s thoroughbred breeding industry.

A Love That Refuses to Die

Every great love story deserves a second chance.

Ciaron and Taylor promised each other forever. They had a whirlwind romance, built a life together, and raised a family. But after twenty-two years, their marriage slowly unravelled.

He holds their family together. She fought for their farm. In the end, Ciaron walked away.

But their scheming children have other ideas —for them, divorce is not an option. Now Ciaron is back under the same roof, forced to live with the woman he never stopped loving.

Proximity won’t fix their broken marriage. But maybe, just maybe, love will.

Challenging Gender Norms – And Why It’s Been Polarising

One of the most controversial aspects of Back in the Saddle is its reversal of traditional gender roles in romance.

So often, we see the career-driven man and the nurturing woman—the husband who gets lost in work while the wife holds the family together. But in this story, I flipped the script.

Taylor is the one who becomes consumed by her work. She’s fiercely ambitious and deeply devoted to the family’s horse breeding farm. She assumes Ciaron will always be there, with her. But just because she worked to save the farm doesn’t mean she wasn’t a loving mother. She fought for their future in the only way she knew how—even if it cost her more than she realised.

Ciaron is the one who puts their family first. He took care of their children, their home, their life together as well as working alongside his wife—until one day, he realised he couldn’t keep holding it all together alone.

For some readers, this role reversal has been deeply refreshing—a much-needed representation of real-life dynamics that aren’t often explored in romance. Others have found it confronting, challenging their own biases about relationships and love.

But that’s what I love about storytelling—it sparks conversation.

• Who carries the emotional labour in marriage?
• Why is it expected that mothers shouldn’t lose their way in parenthood but males aren’t judged when they do?
• What happens when the roles in a relationship don’t fit society’s expectations?

This book asks those questions—and not everyone has the same answer.

What Readers Are Saying

“This one is a journey of sorts… lots of things like realizing what you have right in front of you, self-accountability, personal growth, boundary-setting, and so much more. Watching these leads figure it out and grow is truly a treat.”

“I'm so glad I got the opportunity to read Ciaron and Taylor's story. It was an emotional journey, that’s for sure—with some twists, a whirlwind of craziness, and never a dull moment! Once I started, I couldn’t stop. I ate it up from start to finish.”

“I learned so much as the reader while watching these leads learn things about life, love, and themselves.”

“This book was so sweet and heartwarming.”

This is a book for romance readers and horse lovers alike. Set on a horse stud in the Hunter Valley, Back in the Saddle offers an authentic look into the world of thoroughbred breeding, thanks to inspiration from my daughter, Cheneya, who worked as a horse midwife on one of Australia’s largest breeding farms. If you love heartfelt, emotionally charged romance with a touch of rural charm, this book is for you!

Ready to Fall in Love Again?

Back in the Saddle by Cynthia Terelst is available now! 🔥
Grab your copy today and visit Diamond Firetail Farm!

https://books2read.com/u/3yO2LJ

Blurb

I wanted love at first kiss to last a lifetime. It didn’t.

My wife and I separated after twenty-two years.

I’d moved from Ireland to Australia to be with Taylor, never doubting that we’d grow old together. Instead, we grew apart. Her focus was our horse breeding farm, mine was our family. In the end, the scarcity of water on our farm mirrored the devotion in our marriage. It had been a long drought.

Our scheming children have other ideas. They’ve invited my mother to come stay, knowing I haven’t told her about the split. It’s easier for us all if she doesn’t know. Now I’m living back in the family home, sleeping next to the woman I’ll never stop loving.

Proximity won’t fix our problems. Only we can do that. I don’t think she wants to…except the way she looks at me suggests otherwise. It sparks hope I lost long ago.

It’s time for us to fight for each other.

Farmers know all about risk, but putting my heart back on the line is terrifying. If I want forever, it’s a risk I’m going to have to take.

About the

Author

Cynthia Terelst is an Australian author based in regional Queensland, where the sun shines 283 days a year. She is a document controls manager by day and a writer by night. Her contemporary romance novels share a little bit of history, some Australian scenery and a whole lotta love. Cynthia does not shy away from difficult topics, as she feels they should not be ignored.

Terelst has published eight books in her Love Down Under Series and has added short stories to multiple anthologies. She refers to her writing style as heat with heart. Her stories will leave you feeling warm and hopeful.

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