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Nancy Shulins had a great career, a loving husband, and was looking forward to having a family. Cheering as her friends got pregnant and dutifully bringing gaily wrapped gifts to every baby shower, she suffered bout after bout of unsuccessful infertility treatment. Devastated, she slowly heals through the most unexpected route: the love of a good (if cranky) horse named Eli.
Everyone knows a woman who loves horses. Maybe she rides whenever she can find the time, maybe she rode as a young girl, or maybe she just devoured the Black Stallion books. Twenty years ago, Nancy Shulins let go of one dream—having a child—and worked toward another one: learning to ride and, eventually, having her own horse. In the process, she learned what it means to love another being so much you can’t imagine life without them. Falling for Eli is about learning to break a sweat rather than break down, to try your best even if you’ll never be the best; it’s about learning to stand on your own six feet.
KandyKS
Posted April 19, 2013
I was provided this book for an honest review. I was thrilled to death to get it. I just love horse books and stories, especially true ones. Being a horse owner myself, I can relate to many of the issues and triumphs of owning and keeping horses.
In this book, Nancy shows her issues of not fitting into societal norms for women her age. It shows her struggles and trials to find her place in life. She already had a great husband and a fantastic job, but according to societal conventions, she was missing something to make her life complete. She bought into this for awhile, and struggled to find her place in life that society thought she should have. As she struggles to feel like she belongs, you get to know her and feel her pain. She is brutally honest about all the feelings she has pertaining to this situation.
Bless her husband’s heart; because just when you think she is going to throw in the towel and end up somewhere major depressed or has some kind of break down, he suggests she look into horses. I bet he didn’t have any idea what kind of impact this was gong to have on her when he did it. He was just looking to give her some kind of relief from her suffering. What a great guy!
Now enters Eli. Little did Nancy know that this bundle of trouble would be the one thing to make her feel whole? Eli came with his own baggage and issues. These were the very things that helped Nancy and Eli bond. Working through all of them really helped them get to know each other on a very personal level.
Horses are a huge responsibility and very difficult to take care of on a normal day. Eli came with previous injuries and tendencies towards future injuries. It is hard to imagine, but as big and magnificent as horses are they are prone to many health problems and injuries. Nancy had it right with her little quote “But for a nail…” Even something that small can cause life threatening injuries.
As Nancy and Eli traveled their road to harmony together, Nancy learned many of the serious issues involved in owning a horse. She bravely took them all on and as she gained more confidence took more control of Eli’s actual care.
I love the way Nancy was so honest about her feelings throughout the book. Many people who own horses will not own up to the fears that she did. She also took it on the chin when she was dumped by her own horse and didn’t have any problems expressing her anxious thoughts the next time she went to ride.
Nancy has spun a wonderful tale of self doubt, redemption and unconditional love leading to recovery and self esteem. Of course Eli was a major part of this story without his help, Nancy could not have learned all that she did about owning her own horse. Eli and Nancy were meant to be together and their story was meant to be shared. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.
I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Anonymous
Posted December 3, 2012
"Hey Servaljump, there's a prophecy in the 1st result that I think you should see. It's by a cat named Stardust or something, I forgot." ~Whitefoot
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Posted December 3, 2012
"Sure whtis it?" She asked Servaljump sitting down. "Hello Whitefoot!" She purred
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Posted December 4, 2012
Feels a bit better and sneaks out.
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Posted December 3, 2012
"Thank you velvetstar. I wanted to talk to you for a moment" she added
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Posted November 25, 2012
The ashy tom kit walks in, looking around excitedly. "Wow!" He breathes.
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Posted November 24, 2012
A small cave is etched in the walls of HorseClan camp. Inside, there is lots of room for a skilled medicine cat and their patients. Small cracks in the walls are perfect to store herbs and moss in. A small trickle of water drips down from a hole in the wall, forming a pool of water that sick cats can easily reach. Hopefully, every cat that enters this den will come out again well. Welcome to the Medicane Cat Den!!
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Posted June 4, 2012
This is one of those rare books you don't want to end. Half-way through, I began reading it really s-l-o-w-l-y so it would last longer.
Beautifully written and beautifully told, FALLING FOR ELI grabbed me from the very first page and didn't let go until the last. In fact, it still hasn't let go and I finished reading it three days ago. It's the sort of book that stays with you long after the last page is turned.
Nancy Shulins is a talented journalist who really knows how to paint big pictures with just the right words. She made me cry, she made me laugh; at once point, she reduced me to helpless giggles. And, having just met her, she's as charming and funny in person as she is on the page of her fabulous new book. I can't wait for her to write another one.
KokoLH
Posted June 3, 2012
This is without a doubt one of the best books I have read in a very long time. An easy read for anyone! Im a horse lover and struggle some with the fundamentals with a 2 year old TWH my sister and I own together as I have been bucked from another horse in the past that has haunted me. This author explained so many things she went through that I go through at times. Hats off to you Nancy and especially to Eli!
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Posted June 3, 2012
I agree with the two people below me! I just bought a new OTTB and this i could relate to a lot! Great read and i think it should totally win some sort of an award!
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Overview
Nancy Shulins had a great career, a loving husband, and was looking forward to having a family. Cheering as her friends got pregnant and dutifully bringing gaily wrapped gifts to every baby shower, she suffered bout after bout of unsuccessful infertility treatment. Devastated, she slowly heals through the most unexpected route: the love of a good (if cranky) horse named Eli.
Everyone knows a woman who loves horses. Maybe she rides whenever she can find the time, maybe she rode ...