I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Leaping Hearts
by
J.R. Ward, Jessica Bird
contemporary romance in a paperback edition that was published by Ivy Books on July 30, 2002 and has 370 pages.
Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Dark Lover, Lover Eternal, Lover Awakened, Covet, Crave, Lover Revealed, Lover Unbound, Lover Enshrined, Lover Avenged, Lover Mine, Lover Unleashed, Envy, An Irresistible Bachelor, His Comfort and Joy, Lover Reborn, Rapture, Lover at Last, Possession, The King, The Shadows, The Bourbon Kings, Blood Kiss, The Beast, Blood Vow, The Chosen, Blood Fury, “Dearest Ivie”, The Thief, "The Reception", "The Rehearsal Dinner", Consumed, The Savior, Blood Truth, Where Winter Finds You, The Sinner, A Warm Heart in Winter, Claimed, The Wolf
A romantic tale of horses and the people who love them.
My Take
The primary theme is having faith in yourself but acknowledging your shortcomings. In other words, never lie to yourself.
This is a sweet romance that revolves around show jumping, an unthinking beauty, and a man who has retreated from life. It flows well and has some nice insight on A.J.’s part as she realizes just how good she had it and what her family has had to put up with as opposed to what she thought.
I thought the arrangement her dad had with Peter was very unfair and chauvinistic but with the reveal about Regina . . . damn, Peter did not have it easy.
The Story
There’s something about that thoroughbred and A.J. must have win him. She knows Sabbath’s reputation but she knows there is heart within this horse. Unfortunately, her stepbrother is fed up with A.J.’s thoughtless purchases and he refuses to honor her decision. His disapproval is so deep that when A.J. arrives back at the stables with Sabbath in tow, she is met by her father and Peter with the news that Peter is now in charge and he has already sold Sabbath to another owner.
A.J. is so grateful for her decision on how to finance his purchase now and she immediately removes herself and Sabbath from the yard. Only, this was not what she had ever expected and she has no idea where to go. Sabbath needs to be out of this trailer and she needs a bed. At least, not until she remembers the incredibly gorgeous Devlin McCloud.
She herself threw down the gauntlet. She and Sabbath would enter the Qualifier in two months’ time. Now if she can just persuade Devlin to re-enter the land of the living.
The Characters
A. J. Sutherland is one of the two bosses at Sutherland Stables; she deals with the actual training and riding of the horses while her stepbrother Peter Conrad handles its finances and god forbid he actually have to get near a horse or barn. Ick. He is constantly fighting with A.J. Garret Sutherland is her father and has always financed everything about A.J.’s lifestyle including building up the stables but he’s too easily swayed by his wife, Regina, A.J.’s wicked stepmother, and Peter.
Devlin McCloud was internationally famous in the equestrian world. “A maverick, a national sports presence, the former captain of the Olympic Equestrian Team, a multiple gold medal winner and one of the best show jumpers the country had ever produced.” Until the accident that killed his partner and crippled him. Chester is the only father Devlin ever knew and taught him all he knew and knows about horses and riding. Now he’s playing matchmaker while he works as groom as Devlin works to train A.J. and Sabbath.
Margaret Mead is the auction house secretary and very much on A.J.’s side.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a bit dull with A.J.’s profile blended in with the purple of the sunrise with the silhouette of Sabbath running across the horizon.
My guess on the title is that its A.J.’s, Sabbath’s, and Devlin’s Leaping Hearts that are of concern in this tale of jumping.
