Gambling with the Enemy

Jessica Rayder and Faith Angelo are fast friends. They've been through a lot over their long relationship, but nothing has prepared them for the trouble that has arrived at their Connecticut equestrian center. While Jessica struggles with the bleak financial picture of the business and concerns that Faith is slipping into old self-destructive habits, the nature of the real enemy is unfathomable to them. Toni Leland's new book brings the best of her previous "Hearts Over Fences" and "Winning Ways" with her detailed equestrian knowledge and a strong female lead character, but the thrilling action and suspense is totally different. Jessica and Faith are manipulated by forces over which they have no control, and their reactions to the scene unfolding around them reflect the uncertainty of today's American climate after 9/11. The women are alternately unbelieving that this is happening in their presumed-safe country life, then get jolted into the reality of the dangers that must be faced. The portrayal of the busy and positive activities of the riding center, where adults and children are in harmony with horses, provides the perfect backdrop and contrast to the enemy's schemes. "Gambling with the Enemy" is a true page-turner, with diverse and realistic characters that interact in ever-building suspense. We look forward to the next Toni Leland book!!

Gambling with the Enemy is a modern thriller in every sense. Toni Leland demonstrates her knowledge of horses an the horse community, and then she couples that knowledge with the sense of doom that has hung over America since the fatal 9/11 attacks that crippled New York City. She demonstrates an insight at to what motivated those attacks, and applies that, in very concise literary form, to the equestrian world of show horses. This is a novel with plot twists and deceitful characters that carries the reader right to the end, while exploring subtle human greed and exposing the darker side of mankind's soul. It does all of this before a backdrop of equestrian culture, which serves to give the story line a depth of history; these human motivations are older than America, going back beyond man's mastery over animals. Gambling with the Enemy is a great read, captivating, and very informative as well.

This novel is Toni's best to date. Her characters are very believable and well developed. The heroine, Jessica, is a stronger and more believable character than in most novels of this genre. The plot twists and turns as it builds tension. The action centers on a young shy girl with Middle Eastern heritage who starts taking riding lessons at the stable owned by Jessica. There is plenty of action, surprises, and an ultimate show down at a key horse showing event. Sub plots involve Jessica's struggle to stay afloat financially, which results in a meeting with a laid back big time lawyer with a western twang, who develops as the key relationship in the novel. All in all, it is fast paced and well-constructed novel, which young and old alike should enjoy.

Toni Leland at her very best. This is a page turner from start to finish. Her characters are lively and the story is well fleshed out. Surprises abound! The heroine is talented with more than just the horses. Her hero is one solid, rock of a man. Good clean fun.

In Toni Leland's third equestrian novel, Jessica Rayder is faced with many problems that threaten to overwhelm her, each one worse than the one before. She and her partner and friend Faith Angelo own Easton Ridge, an equestrian center in the beautiful Connecticut countryside. Due to a series of disasters it's failing, and Jess needs money desperately to keep it afloat. Jess considers using her talent in a field that has nothing to do with horses. A second problem is Faith's alcoholism, continually threatening her superb teaching skills and just as relentlessly pulling her down. And when Jess enrolls a new riding student, the young girl turns out to be the innocent catalyst for the worst disaster of Jess's life. The most stunning element of Leland's novel is its plot. The events in the story center on terrorism in the idyllic setting of the country, and unfold with ever-mounting tension until the shocking climax. Leland's skill at plotting is matched in her depiction of vivid characters. Jessica is smart, loyal to her friends, persistent, often obstinate, and painfully honest and fair about herself and others. The characters of Howard London, a lawyer with integrity, Mona Johnson, who lends a welcome pair of helping hands at a critical time, and the joyous young girls who delight in horse shows are all realistically drawn with detailed description. Middle Eastern characters--both innocent and guilty men and women--are fairly treated. The issue of trust with which many Americans struggle since the war on terrorism began is well illustrated in the novel. The varying reactions of Americans toward Middle Eastern people are portrayed powerfully. All in all, Gambling with the Enemy is a gripping, "can't put it down" novel, with unforgettable characters and one of the most terrifying scenarios a modern-day American could imagine.