The Horsemaster's Daughter

Eliza Flyte wouldn't know this though. She's barely been around people. All of her life has been spent in seclusion with her reclusive father, a horsemaster renown for his uncanny ability to tame wild horses, who retired from England to Flyte Island to raise his daughter. When he was unexpectedly killed, presumably for his witch-like talent, his daughter, Eliza continued on alone on the island, saddened by her loss but soothed by the memories of her father, which she associates with the island. But her isolation is intruded upon when plantation owner, Hunter Calhoun, arrives on the island in search for her father.Hunter Calhoun's last hope is the horsemaster, Henry Flyte. The horse he purchased from Ireland, to save his family from financial ruin, arrived in a maddened state and has been deemed a menace. The horse has already killed a mare and maimed a man. But when he hears of Henry Flyte, he decides to give the horse one last chance. When he arrives on Flyte Island only to discover the Horsemaster's daughter, Hunter is fully prepared to kill the horse. But Eliza prevents him from doing so and eventually teaches him what her father taught her: the secret to healing a broken horse.The Horsemaster's Daughter is a wonderful story about a girl who, unaffected by society's narrow-mindedness, infuses a man with hope even while she frustrates him with her self-confidence. Susan Wiggs has done a terrific job of illustrating how Eliza's power to heal horses can also be used to heal people. As Eliza demonstrates, the key is patience and understanding. Eliza displays these traits in spades when she is forced to leave Flyte Island and travel to Albion with Hunter. Eliza is a simple girl and she doesn't understand the malice of Hunter's society friends who are amazed by her and cruel when it comes to her ignorance of their ways. Even Hunter is at times impatient when it comes to her unsophisticated way of thinking. But Hunter has problems of his own. His children haven't been the same since his wife's death and he is resentful of his father who gave him a life full of high expectations but left him with nothing but a bitter reality. But with Eliza's help, Hunter and his children reconnect and learn to embrace life and love once again.

As a long time romance reader, it is a breath of fresh air to read a novel like The Horsemaster's Daughter. It had substance laced with the romance. And it was refreshing to see to characters that were far from perfect who learned to compromise in the end. Both Hunter and Elisa are strong characters with secrets. I simply loved it.

I stumbled on Susan Wiggs by accident when I read the Drifter...I wish all accidents were this wonderful...now a couple of years later having read all her books, I still find her a refreshing writer. Writing stories with substance and love. You will be surprised at the "surprise" find in this book. This book contains all the qualities of a good romance; comedy, passion, suspense and style.When you least expect it, love will find you no matter where you are, even on an island all alone. And even when you think you can love no more, love will slap you right up side the head. This is what happens to the characters in this book. The Horsemaster's Daughter is a book to truly enjoy and keep in your collection.But before you read this, you must read "The Charm School."

When Hunter Calhoun brings a damaged horse to Elyza Flyte to cure, little does he know she will heal the deep wounds in his soul as well. I think this is Susan Wiggs' best book yet. It is a beautifully written romance, and she does a dance with words which I, frankly, covet.

Picked this one up from a big display bec. it had a nice picture on the cover. Then suddenly found myself in the middle of this wonderful story, biting off all myh nails wondering if they would have to put down the horse, if Blue would ever talk again, what the big secret about Eliza was and if HUnter would ever get his priorities straight! Why did I care so much? I was there, I felt everything, I laughed and cried. Definately a great read-I will tell all my friends about this one.