The Horsemaster's Daughter (Calhoun Chronicles, Book 2) [Large Print] [Library Binding]

Susan Wiggs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2008

She had the power to heal. . . but would that be enough?

A wild horse, a broken man, a family in ruins and a woman with the power to heal. . .

Once a privileged son of the South, Hunter Calhoun is now a widower shadowed by the scandal of his wife's death. He's been more successful at breeding Thoroughbred racehorses than in managing his crumbling estate and in caring for his grieving children. When his prized stallion arrives from Ireland crazed and unridable, Hunter is forced to seek out the horsemaster's daughter.

His only hope is the barefooted girl, who's been brought up far removed from the social world of wealth and privilege. Eliza Flyte has inherited her father's gift for gentling horses, and she agrees to tame Hunter's Irish Thoroughbred. But her healing spirit reaches farther, drawing her to his shattered family and to the intense, bitter man who needs her—as much as she needs him.

Because Eliza understands what Hunter refuses to see -- that love is the greatest healer of all. But can someone from her world teach someone from his what truly matters in life?

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Setting: 1854 Virginia
Sensuality: 7

Southern plantation owner Hunter Calhoun gambles the success of his Virginia horse farm on an Irish stallion; unfortunately, the animal arrives crazed and unridable after the stormy sea crossing. Desperate, Hunter turns to Eliza Flyte, the horsemaster's daughter, who has inherited her father's gift for gentling horses. Her ability to heal wounded spirits with her compassion and wisdom is amazing, and when Hunter convinces her to leave her isolated island and return home with him, she soon applies that gift to the bitter man and his grieving, motherless children. But what future can a woman raised alone by her father with only the sea, animals, and a few books for companions have with a man who grew up as a rich, upper-class son of the South? It seems unlikely that Eliza could ever fit into Hunter's world and just as unlikely that he would give up his privileged life for her world. It just may take a miracle for these two mismatched lovers to find a way to live happily ever after.

In this novel, centered on the brother of the hero from the bestseller The Charm School, the cynical hero who has nearly given up on life is balanced by a heroine who has enough faith and wisdom for them both. The plot, blessedly free of clichés, is unusual; just when the conclusion seems obvious, Wiggs tosses the reader a curve and with a few deft twists and turns, pulls off a terrific surprise ending. If you're only going to read one historical romance this week, make it this one. You'll be so glad you did. --Lois Faye Dyer --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

In this antebellum romance, impoverished Virginia plantation owner Hunter Calhoun, who scandalized his neighbors by turning to horse breeding, has staked all he has left on an imported Irish stallion. When the horse arrives crazed from its sea voyage, there seems little choice but to destroy him, until Hunter learns of an eccentric horse trainer who lives on a nearby island. Hunter makes the journey only to discover that the horse trainer is dead; his only hope now lies with the man's daughter, Eliza Flyte. Raised in isolation, Eliza is an island "wild child" and equestrienne. Hunter is first drawn into Eliza's strange universe; later, after he convinces her to return with him, Eliza is thrust into Hunter's aristocratic world. She has no concept of Southern propriety: she runs around barefoot, speaks her mind and communicates with animals. As each struggles to adjust to his or her new environment, they are compelled to rely on each other. In poetic prose, Wiggs (The Charm School) evocatively captures the Old South and creates an intense, believable relationship between the lovers. Author tour. (Nov.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Library Binding: 438 pages
• Publisher: Center Point Large Print (June 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1602852014
• ISBN-13: 978-1602852013
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #743,964 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Susan Wiggs's life is all about family, friends...and fiction. She lives at the water's edge on an island in Puget Sound, and she commutes to her writers' group in a 17-foot motorboat. She's been featured in the national media, including NPR's "Talk of the Nation," and is a popular speaker locally and nationally.

When her recent novel, FIRESIDE, hit #1 on the New York Times, the author reportedly reacted to the news by "putting on my lipstick and sweeping the patio." Why? Because she knew that within a matter of minutes, her girlfriends would show up to pop the bubbly and help her celebrate. [Update: FIRESIDE has been chosen of one of Amazon.com's Top Ten Romances of 2009.]

According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with "refreshingly honest emotion," and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is "one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book." Booklist characterizes her books as "real and true and unforgettable." She is the recipient of three RITA (sm) awards and four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly for her books. Her books make frequent appearances on Amazon's "best of" lists. Several of her novels have been listed as Indie Next picks and optioned as feature films. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have made national bestseller lists, including the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times lists.

The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW - Best Book Ever, November 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Horsemaster's Daughter (Mass Market Paperback)

Picked this one up from a big display bec. it had a nice picture on the cover. Then suddenly found myself in the middle of this wonderful story, biting off all myh nails wondering if they would have to put down the horse, if Blue would ever talk again, what the big secret about Eliza was and if HUnter would ever get his priorities straight! Why did I care so much? I was there, I felt everything, I laughed and cried. Definately a great read-I will tell all my friends about this one.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Loved Eliza; Hunter was a disappointment..., January 17, 2000

By 

Kim (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Horsemaster's Daughter (Mass Market Paperback)

What a wonderful story! But I would have enjoyed it so much more if I was able to fall for Hunter the way Eliza did. I found myself unable to sympathize with an alcoholic. He was lacking in warmth and charisma. Eliza, along with Hunter's children, Blue and Belinda, were strong, enchanting characters who made the story an enjoyable read.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Misty of Chicoteague!, November 7, 1999

By 

"readsallthetime" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Horsemaster's Daughter (Mass Market Paperback)

I grew up reading and rereading Marguerite Henry's wonderful stories of wild ponies off the coast of Virginia. When I read Susan Wiggs's THE HORSEMASTER'S DAUGHTER, I was transported there all over again, and in the throes of a wonderful Romance to boot. This book is a TRUE keeper!