Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Homeless pickpocket Kai Alwright steals a cell phone and some cash one day only to find the owner texting him, appealing to his better qualities. The request to return the phone stings Kai’s pride; he rides his rusty bicycle all the way to the stables north of the city, where Attila Keleman, the phone’s owner, offers him a new start in the form of a job and a roof over his head. Soon Kai discovers a natural talent for work with horses, and he makes every effort to separate his new existence from his promiscuous past on the streets.

Attila is a reclusive horse trainer whose dressage trophies gather dust, and whose broken heart has been walled off. His undiagnosed Asperger’s makes life around people a challenge, but though he prefers the company of horses, Attila finds Kai’s presence tolerable—even refreshing.

When a client who rides at the stable with her daughter finds out Attila is “still gay,” she tries to run Kai off—and she doesn’t stop there. Mortified, her adult daughter runs away and falls victim to a dark figure from Kai’s past. Kai joins Attila in a rescue mission that tears the civilized masks off their hidden pasts.

 

Book Review

“You know I can't let you slide through my hands. Wild horses couldn't drag me away. No sweeping exits or off stage lines could make me feel bitter or treat you unkind. Wild horses couldn't drag me away. Wild, wild horses we'll ride them someday.” ~ K.Richards, M. Jagger

Attila Keleman is a difficult person to get to know. His mask of cold indifference keeps his contact with people at a minimum. He appears not to care about anything but his horses, but it's a lie. Attila is lonely, but isn't willing to risk his heart again. Dealing with people just isn't worth the trouble, so he continues to live by himself, keeping everyone at arm's length until fate brings him in contact with Kai Alwright who shatters a lot of his perceptions about what he's capable of feeling.

I found Attila fascinating. He's handsome and extremely talented with horses; he's restrained in his feelings and actions. Attila's mild autism gives him an air of indifference that doesn't necessarily match how he feels inside. He's much more comfortable with his horses than with people. His is speech is rigid and formal and, at first, I suspected that English wasn't his first language; but as I continued to read, I understood why his speech patterns sounded strange. It's as if he is out of sync with the rest of the world. He doesn't pick up on nuances like most people do. Due to this, he finds ways to isolate himself and feel safe. When events make it necessary to visit some of his old haunts, his avoidance tactics come back to bite him. As the story goes on, Attila shows a lot of progress in his human interaction skills, particularly with and for Kai. Even his speech patterns improve. He loves Kai and does not want to lose him. His effort to change is inspiring.

Kai is a good man who makes some bad decisions when he loses his job. He tries to stay on the good side of the law, but when things get desperate, he falters and steals money and a cell phone from someone who he thinks won't miss it. He never expected to run into someone as unpredictable as Attila Keleman. Attila's words: “You are better than that.” set Kai on a different path and helps him discover not only his natural talent with horses, but love for the man who owns them as well. Kai has his secrets too, and does not want Attila, his soft-spoken, gentleman lover to find out about them. When the truth comes out about his past as well as Attila's, he's floored, but Kai's innate resilience and seemingly endless patience keeps him going.

'Wild Horses', to a great extent, moves along at the pace of a horse. First, the story is a slow walk, introducing us to the people and the farm in great detail. Next it moves a little faster like a canter, giving us more specifics. As things heat up, it breaks into a trot and the story moves faster still. At the climax it is in a full out gallop. When things begin to be resolved, the process repeats itself, except in reverse, leaving us with a slow walk to a happy ending. This is a long story, with loads of information, especially about dressage and horses in general, and is delineated in an almost instructional manner at times, but I believe it's worth the journey.

I recommend it especially to horse people, who will appreciate the detailed accuracy of caring for horses, and for everyone else who wants to become involved in a book which will carry you away to a place where love and happy endings are always possible. Thank you, Kate. I love horses; your story almost makes me want to go riding.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 350 pages/117368 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	01-July-2013
Price
Buy Link	OUT OF PRINT