Melissa’s dream has come true with a job at an exclusive Connecticut horse farm that trains Grand Prix show jumpers. She is determined to succeed in this world where vast wealth is coupled with intense ambition.
A sizzling attraction springs to life between Melissa and David, a handsome, talented trainer, but her future is threatened when an attempted murder takes place at the farm. She must decide who she can trust and if her long-held dream is worth the risk of her life...
"...This is the first book I’ve read by Mary Paine and I have to say won’t be the last. I loved that this woman who endured so much in a year still came out and face a busy, hardworking horse business without a tired bone in her. This heroine not only had determination but also was like a Nancy Drew investigator. Nothing will stop her from finding out what is going on at the horse ranch. Loved it and can’t wait for more by this author." -- 4.7/5 Rating, Night Owl Romance Reviews
"Ms. Paine, not only gives us a fantastic setting, romance, mystery, and suspense, she gives us a breathtaking surprise ending. A DANGEROUS DREAM is a special treat for readers who love mystery romance and a double treat for those who love horses as well." -- 4 1/2 books, The Long and Short of It Reviews
"...Ms. Paine’s knowledge of the horse world shows through in this book and the simple explanations made the story very easy to follow. I was immensely pleased with her writing style. This is a story of a whirlwind romance with twists and turns on almost every page. Love bloomed and questions arose that kept me entertained the entire time. The ending shocked me and that was the best surprise of all. This is one author to be watched." -- 4 cups, Krista, Coffee Time Romance & More
"...This novel is well engrained with the behind the scenes of a working stable and the effort it takes to become a qualifying Grand Prix rider in the tightly woven society of showing horses. There is a powerful surprise ending that will take your breath away. I highly recommend this authentic equine flavored romance novel. Well worth the read." -- Jo Ellen Conger, Conger Book Reviews
"...The twist at the end surprised me completely and I congratulate Ms. Paine on a job well done. There is nothing like a good romantic suspense where the ending isn’t obvious halfway through the book. This story will keep you guessing until the end." -- 4 angels, Jordan, Fallen Angels Reviews
"A Dangerous Dream is a suspenseful delight!" -- 4/5 stars, Nicole, Manicreaders.com
Excerpts:
(An excerpt from A DANGEROUS DREAM)
"Morning, Lambert," Melissa cooed softly as she quickly emptied
the horse's breakfast into his bucket. Instead of
moving toward her as she expected, he shied away from her.
Perplexed, Melissa looked past him and down into the corner.
What
she saw left a scream lodged in her throat. Help, she had
to get help, but she stood rooted to the spot. A scream
finally erupted from her, causing Lambert to start kicking
wildly, and she clamped her hands over her mouth at the
horror on the floor of the stall.
David
headed back through the barn doors after moving the trailer.
He'd only gone a few steps when he heard a high-pitched
scream. He bolted towards the source of the sound and saw
Melissa in Lambert's stall while the horse kicked
wildly at her, hooves flashing. He pulled her out and slammed
the door. White as a ghost, she stared up at him.
"What
is it? What's wrong?" he said, taking her by
the shoulders.
"We
have to help. He's in there. Oh, God!" She
pointed toward the stall door.
David
looked in and felt his heart slam in his chest as he saw
Tim slumped against the corner, blood all over the side
of his head and down his shirt to where it ended in a dark
pool on the floor. David eased the door back open and moved
quickly around the still panicky horse, heedless of the
gelding's dancing and pawing. He squatted down beside
Tim, feeling his neck for a pulse.
" I
just opened the door to feed Lambert and there he was.
I think he's dead."
"Go
call 911" he said over his shoulder to Melissa. "Then
get some people in here to help me."
David
was only vaguely aware of her sprinting back down the aisle
to do his bidding as he continued to feel for a pulse.
Finally, he found one. It was a thin fluttering at the
side of the neck, very irregular, but it was there. He
exhaled strongly and looked more closely at Tim's
chest. He could just discern a faint rise that indicated
he was breathing. Maybe not for long, though, judging from
the amount of blood and the cold, pasty feel of Tim's
skin.
He
heard shouts as several grooms came rushing up the aisle,
then their gasps as they looked in.
"First,
get the horse out of here. Then get me a blanket and the
first aid kit. We can't risk moving him," David
barked out, eyes still on Tim.
As
the grooms herded Lambert out of the stall, Melissa peeked
through the bars.
"So,
he's not . . .," she obviously couldn't
bring herself to say 'dead'. "What else
can I do to help?"
David
looked up at her face, pale but determined, and felt a
stab of admiration for her. She looked about to faint,
but she was hanging in like a pro.
(Excerpt 2 from A Dangerous Dream)
Her
eyes threatened to droop shut for the tenth time in as many
minutes. I'm not falling asleep on the
job, she told herself, ignoring the sandy feeling behind her
lids. It was two in the morning and the pony was much more
comfortable. The pain that had lived in Melissa's heart
as she'd watched him hurting began to ease. She rested
her head against the wall and closed her eyes, just for a second.
"Why don't you go back to the cottage and get some sleep?" David
stepped into the stall. "This little guy seems to be
on the road to recovery. I can keep an eye on him."
"Thanks, but I'll stay awhile. Are you sure he's
doing better?"
"He'll be fine." They sat together in the corner
opposite where the pony stood. "We caught it early. That
can make all the difference with colic."
"You were so calm, and you knew just what to do. You're
very compassionate, too," she added, flushing.
"Thank you," he said. They sat together, still peripherally
aware of the pony now nibbling at the hay in his stall,
but aware of each other on a visceral level neither could ignore.
"Melissa..." He reached a hand out, curling the
ends of her hair around his finger.
Her breath caught. Forcing herself to look straight into his eyes, her heart tightened at what she
saw there.
Desire was
blazing in their depths.
"You have compassion, too. You're wonderful with horses
and with the kids here."
"Thank you." She watched the controlled heat flicker
in his eyes. Almost of its own volition her hand came up
and closed
over his where it stroked her hair.
"Well..." he said, clearing his throat. She saw
him swallow as he touched his finger to her face.
Her lower lip trembled as they continued to stare
at each other. His head lowered and he
touched her lips
tenderly.
This was
different from the first kiss they'd shared. The heart
pounding excitement was still there in the way they explored
one another's mouths, but there was something
more that Melissa was afraid to name. Her hands
came up to frame his
face and he pulled back just a fraction to look
down at her.
"Melissa," he said hoarsely.
She felt her insides melt at the intensity of his gaze.
Brushing the hair back from his face, she lifted
her mouth for another kiss. He hesitated, staring down
into her face with a look
of desperate yearning. Then he was
kissing her
in a
way that spoke of hunger that could not
be
denied.
Melissa stifled a moan as David's arms came hard
around her and brought her closer against him. His mouth
sought hers
again and she exhaled as their lips met. She felt
a sudden tensing in his muscles as his hands tightened.
Fire spread
through her system, streaming outward from his
touch in a golden hot flow.
They strained toward each other, mouths
fused together. Their kisses deepened,
going on
and on as
their hands continued to explore and
they grew more
impatient at the clothing
that
separated
them. Without conscious thought,
David's
weight came to rest on her as they slid down the
wall of the stall.
