Love and Lust recs: 'Wild Horses' and 'Broken Gait'
Broken Gait is the recent release in the Steel City series. I've included a review of the previous book, Wild Horses, in which the main characters of both books are introduced. These stories look at the world of horse shows, such as the ones we see at the Olympic Games. These are not Western cowboys, and in fact, the stories are set on the East Coast. This is a fascinating look at a very formalized style of horseback riding and showing.
Wild Horses (Steel City Stories book 1) by Kate Pavelle
What it's about (courtesy Dreamspinner Press):
Homeless pickpocket Kai Alewright 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.
Why you should read it: This is a character-driven book with the horse show world as the background. The characters include not only the riders and owners but the horses themselves. We first meet Kai as a desperate street rat who finally lowers himself to the level of a common thief in order to feed himself. He snatches the wallet and cellphone of a well-dressed man. When Attila, the victim of the crime, texts his own phone requesting its return, with the message, "Remember, you are better than stooping to such acts of petty thievery," he strikes Kai's pride. Kai returns the phone and finds himself drawn to the kindness and strength of Attila. Kai is offered the opportunity to work on Attila's horse farm when a difficult horse responds to Kai.
The plot proceeds in a predictable manner, with Kai learning to ride and then to show Cayenne, the recalcitrant horse, all under the tutelage of the older Attila. That is, it's predictable until near the end when we find out something remarkable about Attila that will stir the reader's heart and offer a glimpse into the power behind the gentle man. There is some angst and conflict when a jealous homophobic woman tries to put Attila out of business. When Kai and Attila search for the woman's runaway daughter, the unexpected twist in the story occurs and the relationship between the men will never be the same.
I loved this book and was eager to read the sequel, Broken Gait, which is reviewed below.
Broken Gait (Steel City Stories book 3) by Kate Pavelle
What it's about (courtesy Dreamspinner Press):
Attila Keleman can find no flaw in Kai's work at his stables. Three months later, toiling side by side, Attila is smitten. Proud of his new partner, Attila wants to introduce them as a couple at an upcoming horse show. First, however, he has to conquer his demon. Attila can't stand crowds of people, and a horse shows means just that. Grandpa Keleman can't help him with his crippling social anxiety from afar. Attila turns to his horse, Sen. His equine partner is trained to help him through the most difficult panic attacks. With Sen and Kai by his side, Attila knows he can risk everything and emerge out of his comfort zone.
Kai agrees to do the show only to help Attila out of his shell. Once there, the press are all over them. Kai's personality and looks results in media buzz and modeling offers–while Attila falls apart when Sen goes lame. Unable to deal with the pressure, Attila is convinced Kai would be a fool not to flee for greener pastures. Meanwhile, Kai is hell-bent on showing Attila his weakness is also his greatest strength–even if it means resorting to deception.
Why you should read it: In Wild Horses we discovered the power in Attila's past life, but now we find out he is a broken man and he must rely on Kai to bring him out of his fears.
Attila has a paralyzing fear of crowds. He hasn't been showing his horse because he falls apart in the presence of masses of people. The press with their questions are absolutely terrifying to him. Kai is a beginner at showing horses and needs Attila's support to get through a show without his skittish stallion injuring him or Kai. With much practice and some props that Kai brings to Attila, they manage to get themselves and their horses to a prominent horse show.
This is a twist on power exchange, in that it takes place outside of a BDSM club, a scene, or a bedroom. In order to move forward as partners, Attila and Kai must find a balance of power that allows each of them not only to function normally but to be victors in the arena and in their personal lives.
A surprising and unique story, Broken Gait is an excellent read and allows readers to understand the characters, their weaknesses, their strengths, and their motivations. I recommend both Wild Horses and Broken Gait.
Becky Condit is a widow, mother of three and grandmother of 10 who reads all kinds of books, but her go-to comfort books are erotic romances. A romance novel coupled with just-out-of-the-oven chocolate-chip cookies and a glass of cold milk is her idea of heaven. She reads and reviews more than 250 books a year, so you won't often find her without her Kindle in hand, but when you do, she'll probably be gardening, doing needle crafts, working in her upholstery workshop and spending time with her family.