A perfect Christmas gift for anybody who loves reading and horses.
That’s Master Jack, the fourth novel by acclaimed author Nicola Hayward, which was released in September 2018.
Nicola Hayward (pic supplied)
It is a that, like her previous novel Fenella, won the Jock of the Bushveld Award for fiction at the Booktown Richmond SA Independent Publishers’ Awards in October 2018 where it was also Overall Winner – Best of the Best. One of the judges said it took his breath away.
It’s a follow-up to her popular ‘Caversham Stud Trilogy’ and while the Master Jack story is unique in its historic approach and research, it is sure to be similarly well received.
Master Jack is described as “A tale of love, loss and loyalty that starts with the Boer War and ends at the Savoy Hotel in present-day London…
Nicola grew up in Hilton just north of Pietermaritzburg in Kwazulu Natal. An only child, her father was a paediatrician and her mom a retired nursing sister.
Her folks humoured her equestrian passion even though it sentenced them to more than a decade of weekends spent towing a horsebox around the Natal Midlands and as far afield as Cape Town and Kimberley.
“It was a wonderful way to grow up. I matriculated from St Anne’s Diocesan College as Dux of the school in 1981. Although I gave up riding while at university where I eventually graduated with a Masters in Medical Biochemistry, I maintained an active interest in the sport. After my marriage, I bought a retired racehorse that I rode until I was seven months pregnant with our first child. Soon afterwards my husband bought a property in the semi-desert Tanqua Karoo where I was able to fulfil my life-long dream of becoming involved in horse breeding. While frustrating and at times heart breaking, it was the inspiration for a new venture into journalism. I have written for HQ Magazine and for a time, edited their Thoroughbred Pages on behalf of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association, and also for International Racehorse Magazine. I was a South African correspondent for Thoroughbred Owner and Breeder (London) and for three years was responsible for all South African news for the website www.thoroughbredinternet.com (Newmarket UK).”
Three years ago, she fulfilled a life-long dream when she went to the Epsom Downs on Derby Day and watched Golden Horn win the race that many believe defines the modern thoroughbred.
She manages her husband’s dental practice, but when not glued to a computer or doing tax,she loves to spend time with her family.
“I am an avid road runner making use of the time to think about plot, characters and my stories. I love single malt whisky, reading and travelling and my favourite city in the world is London,” she told the Sporting Post.
Master Jack is available on Kindle Books on Amazon. It can also be ordered directly from Nicola on 072 455 0695 or [email protected] or [email protected].
Cost is R275 excluding P&P.
