The Black Sheep and the Hidden Beauty

Raphael Santiago has been watching Elena Caulfield since she started working at Dalton Downs as stable manager and head horse trainer. Elena is not like the sophisticated and glamorous women Rafe is usually attracted to, so his fascination with her surprises him. Rafe's instincts tell him there is more to Elena than meets the eye and his instincts are seldom wrong, so to get close to her he asks Elena to give him riding lessons. Elena is concerned by the interest Rafe is showing in her. She has a secret she needs to keep hidden and she has to protect her horse at all costs. Rafe's tenacity proves his instincts are once again correct. Elena is in trouble. If he can gain her trust, he might be able to help her but Elena is wary. Can she trust her life and her heart to Rafe? The chemistry between Rafe and Elena in The Black Sheep and the Hidden Beauty is strong. They are very much opposites but that's what makes their desire for each other all the more genuine and romantic. The Unholy Trinity that Rafe is part of with his two close friends is only vaguely explained. I assume that it is fully explained in The Black Sheep and the Princess, book one of this series. While learning a bit about horses, Rafe seduced his way into my heart in The Black Sheep and the Hidden Beauty. It's a romantic, sexy and suspenseful story. Nannette reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

This is a contemporary romance set amongst a world of horses and stables in Virginia. The heroine, Elena Caulfield, helps to train some of the more problem horses at the Dalton Downs stables. She's a rather secretive woman who arrived with her pregnant mare Springer and keeps herself to herself. Unfortunately for Elena's plans to keep a low profile, one of the three men who run Dalton Downs, suave Rafe Santiago, has noticed Elena and finds himself intrigued by her. In order to get to know her better he persuades her to give him riding lessons, but as soon as the lessons start he finds himself wondering about her secrets, investigating her previous role at a famous racehorse training stables, and uncovering secrets around the arson death of a famous racehorse. But someone seems to be interested in Elena and in her horse, Springer, and Elena has to decide whether to trust Rafe or whether to keep him at arms length. Rafe has to decide whether Elena is keeping secrets because she has something to do with the arson or whether she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The vast majority of this story takes place with scenes just between Elena and Rafe as they get to know each other, learn to trust each other and work together to sort out what's going on. The racehorse arson plot wasn't too complex and I saw several of the plot twists coming, but it was an enjoyable enough read. Rafe and Elena's interest in each other was somewhat out of character for both of them but it was explained convincingly and they made a good couple. This is light reading with an interesting background, that of the stables, and with a reasonable plot. Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book, www.curledup.com. © Helen Hancox 2008

The Black Sheep and the Hidden Beauty by Donna Kauffman is the next sizzling story in the Trinity saga. Raphael "Rafe" Santiago has been spending time at the Dalton Downs. It's the headquarters for his and his partners Unholy Trinity organization. Rafe has noticed the new horse trainer Elena Caulfield. But his keen observation skills have discovered something is off with her. In order to get close to Elena he wants to take horse back riding lessons. Elena Caulfield has come to Dalton Downs to care for and retrain abused horses. It's a much needed break from the racing field she had to leave so suddenly. Elena needs a quiet place for her much loved pregnant horse. The request for lessons from the savvy Rafe unsettles her on so many levels. As Elena teaches Rafe the fine art of riding, the truth about why she left the racing field slowly comes out. When Elena and her horse are threatened Rafe will do everything in his power to protect them both. Both Rafe and Elena learn to trust in each other and to let go of their past. Their chemistry is thrilling and scorching. You really learn to care about these two characters. The Black Sheep and The Hidden Beauty is another stellar tale by Donna Kauffman. It was a great read from page one. I couldn't read it fast enough. I am waiting patiently for the last partner Finn to get his story.

Although he is regarded as a computer expert that enabled him to come along way from the streets Raphael Santiago knows the Bronx still flows in his blood. When he sees Elena Caulfield, the new manager at Dalton Downs, he feels a deep attraction to this cowgirl, but keeps his distance as he figures she is way above his class. However, his desire grows stronger while his coolness façade ebbs yet he also feels protective of Elena as he believes she is hiding a secret from everyone. As he finally asks her to teach him to ride a horse and works on learning her secret because he feels she is in trouble, Raphael dreams of giving her special riding lessons. The Men of Trinity Inc. contemporary romance (see THE BLACK SHEEP AND THE PRINCESS) is an engaging tale as the urban wannabe cowboy (at least since he met her) and the real cowgirl fall in love. The relationship between the lead couple makes for a fun story line as he believes she is hiding something dangerous from him while Elena's affection for horses rings loud and true as she uses them as a shield from Raphael. Fans will enjoy the love between the city streets dude and the horse lady. Harriet Klausner