Hey Ann, I'm reading straight through all your chapters tomorrow. That's a heads up incase you want to upload a tweek or whatever. I'm doing Sheree the next day - I have to get  up to date - it's doing my head in! Tess

Hi Ann,

I know I'm a million light years behind but I'll get there in the end.
I did not read other reviews, sorry if there are any repetitions. Please bear in mind I'm so new to reviewing.

I can see this subject being very popular, especially with girls.
Even if it goes against the grain, i'd make sure to squeeze in some feminine observations. You mentioned bodice once, perhaps give us a bit more of a description. I'm trying not to sound like a pervy old man, lol. Just keep in mind your readers are teenagers..
On a couple of occasions you talked from Nia's POV then switched to the narrators voice, I'd keep those changes in different paragraphs.
I liked the chapter and have never read this subject matter before, and look forward to reading more.
I have written thoughts in () and any suggested changes are in brackets too after the word that needs removed.

Lips clenched in response to her barn leader’s words, Nia kicked her horse into motion. Lacked courage? (Lacked courage.) How could he say that to her? It wasn’t Tristan the Oh So Magnificent that was aboard a winged horse suited up for the world’s first aerial joust.

She kept the lance upright in her right hand as she’d been told,(taught,) concentrating on balancing the lance so its very length wouldn’t bring it crashing down around her horse’s ears. She’d never played at jousting like the boys she’d grown up with. Riding, yes, and flying, but not jousting. No one in High Meadow jousted! Not until today.

She urged Eira into a canter, the winged horse gathering speed as Nia tested her balance with the extra weight of armor and lance. The chestnut mare galloped off the edge of the cliff, powerful down(-)strokes of her huge wings lifting her into the sky as the ground fell away. Her mane, perfectly matching the silky brown of her coat, whipped in the breeze. Nia watched Eira’s ears. They’d go back flat against her head if the mare was overburdened. So far, the horse didn’t seem to notice her rider’s added pounds. (Great picture you painted here, love it.)

Below, the village of High Meadow stretched before them. More than the usual number of villagers had gathered on the courtyard of the tavern, their eyes glued to the sky. Nia had Eira tip a wing to them. (sorry, it’s just me but how did she send the command, maybe it’s  telepathic?) Her heart lightened, unable to remain heavy aboard this(such a) magnificent creature, the envy of all who were grounded.

But there was no use second-guessing Tristan’s decision any longer(‘any longer.’ Suggests she has been guessing for a while, is this the case?). Nia reached up with her left hand and clanged the helm’s face shield into place. She instantly hated the reduced field of vision, even though she only needed to see straight ahead. Grasping the amulet around her neck for a moment, she muttered a hasty invocation to Rhiannon, the horse goddess.
Nia and Eira flew slowly toward the other winged horse and his rider at an angle that would pass the horses left shoulder to left shoulder, close enough for a careless sweep of the wing to unhorse the other rider if the straps weren’t tight. Who needed a lance? Hysterical laughter bubbled in her chest.(The previous line sounds odd..hysterical is not consistant with Nia’s self control.) The two horses flew past each other and continued to the opposite ends of the meadow. Eira’s ears flicked, questioning. Even the horse knew something was wrong. Nia murmured something soothing, but the words that managed to escape the helmet were lost in the wind.

At the blast of a trumpet, Nia turned her mare and again faced the Second Barn horse. With a great gathering of muscles, Eira’s wings beat the air. She gathered speed and raced toward the other pair. Fully committed now, Nia gritted her teeth. On one downsweep, she lowered the lance and couched it against her armor, pointing it across Eira’s neck. Her eyes remained fastened on Catrin, (who’s eyes?)who had completed the same maneuver. The normal whoosh of air from wind and wings was oddly muffled by the jousting helm, and Nia felt detached from the watching world below.

Thanks, Sam! That conversation in the tavern was bugging me.

On to chapter 18 now! I hope to get the damned thing written by tomorrow, but I am procrastinating.

Yeah, I'm setting chapter 18 aside for a moment. I'm still not happy with chapter 17 and how the threads are coming together. Going to work on that a bit.

Wow you've been a busy bee!

Will take a look them.
Sam
xx

Yes, thanks, Sam! I can have Nia rethinking Lord A on her way to the tavern and the meeting that is coming up. Thanks!

I see, Tess, yeah I get it. I'll work on that in the rewrite. Going to power through to the end this weekend!

Annie K. just reviewed the entire thing today. I am so stoked!

Yeah! Congratulations, Ann!

lol Sammy! I went on an amazing writing frenzy. School starts today and I was determined to finish it. Now I'm basking in my accomplishment before starting rewrites.

Hey girl, I just posted a review to chapter 12. What a way to make me want to turn the pages! Great ending!  Love the Bree-Geof idea - had a few suggestions, though. If you want an explanation to any one of them, let me know.

Aw, I hope the little guy gets something special out of your class. Both Jeni's boys have had favorite teachers and funny thing, a lot of them were not para pros. Usually the aide will guide you. It's hard if the aide doesn't. They all have hot buttons.

Hey, have a wonderful time at the signings! Take pictures and post them on FB. I'd love to see them. Hope you sell bunches.

Susan