Robards (Walking After Midnight, LJ 12/94) holds the threads of many good potential stories here but, sadly, does not weave them into lovely fabrics. The heroic Molly Ballard fights money problems to raise a brood of stepbrothers and stepsisters. While interesting, the family dynamics of the Ballards?who live in a substandard house on the Wyland horse farm in Kentucky, where Molly works as a groom?are never fully explored. Robards could have fashioned bolts of cloth from the psychological workings of the mysterious horse slasher and the disappearance of two young girls?one ten years earlier and one?a sister of Molly?in the present. The emphasis, however, is on the romance between Molly and FBI agent Will, who is sent to investigate the doings at the horse farm. This angle is the weakest and most mundane thread of all. How many more throbbing pulses, scalding hands, and heaving bosoms must readers endure? Such a waste of talent, but buy it, as Robards fans will eat it up.
-------------
When horse groomer Molly Ballard finds a burlap sack stuffed with cash in the stables and decides to take it, she finds herself entangled in an FBI investigation of racehorse fixing that threatens the peaceful life she has fashioned for herself and her four siblings. Ultimately, simple and country-bred Molly falls in love with the lead investigator, a slick city-bred detective, and as a decades-old murder mystery is solved and the racehorse scam uncovered, he decides he cannot live without her. Of course the road to happiness is not a smooth one, and each must come to terms with old resentments and hurts before they can find happiness together. Although the book has a rather predictable ending, many readers will find it an engrossing tale of passion, intrigue, and murder. Fans of Robards' previous works will not be disappointed.
-------------
When horse groomer Molly Ballard finds a burlap sack stuffed with cash in the stables and decides to take it, she finds herself entangled in an FBI investigation of racehorse fixing that threatens the peaceful life she has fashioned for herself and her four siblings. Ultimately, simple and country-bred Molly falls in love with the lead investigator, a slick city-bred detective, and as a decades-old murder mystery is solved and the racehorse scam uncovered, he decides he cannot live without her. Of course the road to happiness is not a smooth one, and each must come to terms with old resentments and hurts before they can find happiness together. Although the book has a rather predictable ending, many readers will find it an engrossing tale of passion, intrigue, and murder. Fans of Robards' previous works will not be disappointed.
I enjoyed this book. It was my first Karen Robards novel. I am a sucker for romance and angst. This story had both! It is a light and quick read. Highly recommended!
Robards (Walking After Midnight, LJ 12/94) holds the threads of many good potential stories here but, sadly, does not weave them into lovely fabrics. The heroic Molly Ballard fights money problems to raise a brood of stepbrothers and stepsisters. While interesting, the family dynamics of the Ballards?who live in a substandard house on the Wyland horse farm in Kentucky, where Molly works as a groom?are never fully explored. Robards could have fashioned bolts of cloth from the psychological workings of the mysterious horse slasher and the disappearance of two young girls?one ten years earlier and one?a sister of Molly?in the present. The emphasis, however, is on the romance between Molly and FBI agent Will, who is sent to investigate the doings at the horse farm. This angle is the weakest and most mundane thread of all. How many more throbbing pulses, scalding hands, and heaving bosoms must readers endure? Such a waste of talent, but buy it, as Robards fans will eat it up.
-------------
When horse groomer Molly Ballard finds a burlap sack stuffed with cash in the stables and decides to take it, she finds herself entangled in an FBI investigation of racehorse fixing that threatens the peaceful life she has fashioned for herself and her four siblings. Ultimately, simple and country-bred Molly falls in love with the lead investigator, a slick city-bred detective, and as a decades-old murder mystery is solved and the racehorse scam uncovered, he decides he cannot live without her. Of course the road to happiness is not a smooth one, and each must come to terms with old resentments and hurts before they can find happiness together. Although the book has a rather predictable ending, many readers will find it an engrossing tale of passion, intrigue, and murder. Fans of Robards' previous works will not be disappointed.
-------------
When horse groomer Molly Ballard finds a burlap sack stuffed with cash in the stables and decides to take it, she finds herself entangled in an FBI investigation of racehorse fixing that threatens the peaceful life she has fashioned for herself and her four siblings. Ultimately, simple and country-bred Molly falls in love with the lead investigator, a slick city-bred detective, and as a decades-old murder mystery is solved and the racehorse scam uncovered, he decides he cannot live without her. Of course the road to happiness is not a smooth one, and each must come to terms with old resentments and hurts before they can find happiness together. Although the book has a rather predictable ending, many readers will find it an engrossing tale of passion, intrigue, and murder. Fans of Robards' previous works will not be disappointed.
Molly Ballard was desperate. She has to care for 2 brothers and 2 sisters and keep a roof over their head. She needed money more than ever, yet in a fit of anger she quits her job at a KY horse farm. Now what is she to do? She never reconed on falling in love much less a knight in shining armor by the name of Will Lyman. This is a love story with a mystery inbedded, A really great book. One of the best I have read in awhile.
Great story! Worth the read. Robards is an excellent writer and I have read most of her books!
This book was interesting. Telling about horse farms and how they are operated. Living in Cincinnati which is just north of Kentucky's bluegrass area made the book a real joy.
I just finished this book in only 2 days! It had romance as well as mystery and I loved it. Couldn't put it down.
This is one of Karen Robard's darker plots. It's definitely a pageturner!
I love Karen Robards...sexy steamy reads.
She stole $5000 of FBI money, then was asked to spy on the FBI agent sent to catch her in order to protect her family. Love, danger and murder all intertwine.
Very good book that is sure to keep you reading!!
Molly was desparate. It wasn't easy caring for 2 brothers & 2 sisters & keeping a roof over their heads. She needed money, yet in a fit of anger quits her job as a groom at a posh Kentucy horse farm.... & then stole out of the tack room with $5,000 in FBI cash. So when Agent Will Lyman catches her in a lie, she agrees to cooperate in a sting. So Molly spies for Will & lets him pose as her lover. But soon the passion they pretend becomes real as they court danger & cross the path of a killer.
Molly was desparate. It wasn't easy caring for 2 brothers & 2 sisters & keeping a roof over their heads. She needed money, yet in a fit of anger quits her job as a groom at a posh Kentucy horse farm.... & then stole out of the tack room with $5,000 in FBI cash. So when Agent Will Lyman catches her in a lie, she agrees to cooperate in a sting. So Molly spies for Will & lets him pose as her lover. But soon the passion they pretend becomes real as they court danger & cross the path of a killer.
A spirited young woman with a painful family secret. A lonely but determined FBI agent wigh a crime to solve. Set amid the lush landscape of Lexington, KY--serious horse country, and home to the famous Keeneland Race Course--Hunter's Moon is the riveting new novel of romantic suspense from New York Times bestselling author Karen Robards.
It's not as if Molly Ballard has ever had it easy. At twenty-four, she's the sole support of her younger brothers and sisters, struggling to make ends meet by grooming at a Kentucky stable. So when FBI agent Will Lyman, in town from Chicago to investigate a racehourse-fixing scheme, catches her stealing cash from the stable, he's inclined to let her off with only a warning. Then Will realizes that Molly's familiarity with horses can help him nail the culprits he seeks. There's only one catch: She has to pose as his girlfriend to ward off suspicion. Molly is hardly thrilled by the scenario, but she's in no position to object. If she doesn't agree, Will can have her arrested. With the gravest of misgivings, she joins forces with him, gritting her teeth all the way. Both stubbornly try to resist the sparks that fly between them until they can no longer be resisted.
When the community is threatened by a bizarre series of animal mutilations, panic escalates along with the bloodshed. Molly and Will are as frightened as everyone else, but it's not until the terror threatens to strike all too close to home that they realize the truth: Playing at love--even for the best of reasons--can be dangerous.
Once again Karen Robards has given us a dramatic thriller that is also a tender love story--a novel of romantic longing, abiding family loyalty, and suppressed desire that will break your heart and convince you of the transforming power of love.
It's not as if Molly Ballard has ever had it easy. At twenty-four, she's the sole support of her younger brothers and sisters, struggling to make ends meet by grooming at a Kentucky stable. So when FBI agent Will Lyman, in town from Chicago to investigate a racehourse-fixing scheme, catches her stealing cash from the stable, he's inclined to let her off with only a warning. Then Will realizes that Molly's familiarity with horses can help him nail the culprits he seeks. There's only one catch: She has to pose as his girlfriend to ward off suspicion. Molly is hardly thrilled by the scenario, but she's in no position to object. If she doesn't agree, Will can have her arrested. With the gravest of misgivings, she joins forces with him, gritting her teeth all the way. Both stubbornly try to resist the sparks that fly between them until they can no longer be resisted.
When the community is threatened by a bizarre series of animal mutilations, panic escalates along with the bloodshed. Molly and Will are as frightened as everyone else, but it's not until the terror threatens to strike all too close to home that they realize the truth: Playing at love--even for the best of reasons--can be dangerous.
Once again Karen Robards has given us a dramatic thriller that is also a tender love story--a novel of romantic longing, abiding family loyalty, and suppressed desire that will break your heart and convince you of the transforming power of love.
