Customer Reviews

Winning Ways: equestrian romantic suspense

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Winning Ways is a romantic novel set in the high-stakes world of showing prize Arabian Horses. A young female veterinarian seeking to make her plance among stubborn ranchers, and a horse trainer struggling to cope with the loss of his wife and infant son ten years ago, are thrown together by circumstance yet must work together to find their place in the show ring and among the many hurdles of their professional and personal lives. Winning Ways is a story of second chances; the author's love of horses and horsemanship shows through in this captivating saga of striving of and for one's heart.

Winning Ways is a romance with a focus on the dark side of the Arabian (or any) horse show world - competitors that want to win at any cost. The story builds satisfactorily with a nicely rounded group of secondary characters and a very believeable villain.

Definitely a FUN READ.

I don't usually read romance novels. Picked a couple up at airports and just couldn't finish. This one was outstanding. It followed the romance format BUT, it had developed characters, and a real, keep you reading plot. In addition, the author knows her stuff. Her knowledge of the equine industry was clear. It was indeed a page turner. Easy to read, swiftly paced, and not a formula ending.

Winning Ways is fast paced, enjoyable read, a satisfying romance spiced with intrigue. I enjoyed the accurate, detailed look at the joys of an accomplished, caring horsewoman contrasted with the dark culture of a few exhibitors who seek winning at any price.

Romance, horses, and a touch of mystery are a "winning" combination in this novel by Toni Leland. Young professional Liz Barnett attempts to establish a veterinary practice in the farm country of northern California. With the intention of gaining a prestigious reputation for her farm and breeding line, she also exhibits her Arabian horses in shows. Along the way, she meets difficult obstacles and rival trainer Kurt DeVallio, a man with a mysterious past. The plot is fast-paced, the characters believable, and the setting interesting and informative. Winning Ways is definitely a winner!

"Winning Ways," is both a spell-binding novel and a treasure trove of information about today's equestrian culture and industry. The novel is woven around an engaging plot, while romantic aspects are mature enough to engage the most masculine of readers.
From the first sentence, the reader knows that this is a writer well versed in her subject matter. Even the fast pace of the book does not leave the reader wondering about detail. It's a rare talent that can inform about subject matter, while retaining the reader's intense interest to the very last line. This book does that, and even the most casual of readers would be rewarded by engaging it.

I've had little experience with horses or the world of competitive horse shows, but I thoroughly enjoyed the characters in this book. The story left me with a desire to know what happens to them in the next phase of their lives. I'd love to read a sequel.

Take a female veterinarian and a horse trainer and put them together with Arabian horse shows you have quite the troubled romance going on with this story. Throw in a mystery that is someone trying to keep one of them from going on to the Nationals and you have a great story! I've had the fortune to see the Arabian World's show here in Tulsa after they moved here and Toni Leland nails the story with her descriptions of an arabian horse show. Another great horse related story by Toni!

Length:: 2:06 Mins

This is video book trailer produced by Equine Graphics Publishing Group is the latest phase of our promotion of suspense novelist, Toni Leland. Word descriptions and back cover blurbs are good, but nothing gives a more clear impression than images. The story is set in beautiful northern California against a backdrop of majestic mountains and amazing Arabian Horses. The characters are well-developed and the story line takes twists and turns through the exciting and sometimes treacherous world of showing expensive horses.

I simply do not understand the five star rating this book got. It's probably one of the worst horse stories I've ever read, and in general gives you the uncomfortable feeling you have entered someone else's manic-depressive hell. It's an abhorrent representation of the horse show industry, and since I am an Arabian horse owner, I'm most disturbed by the disgusting and uneducated portrayal of our breed. The uneducated author apparently doesn't understand "training" or halter exhibition, as the "performance" aspects of each are intertwined at the oddest possible moments. Additionally, I think I got whiplash trying to follow all of the unnecessary plot twists, changes, backtracks and ... wait a second ... I'm not sure there was a plot.

I do apologize for such a terrible review, but this was not a well written book in any sense of the word or imagination. There was no character development whatsoever, and so many unnecessary characters it was very confusing.

Don't waste money on this one.