Shady Deals by Cindy McDonald Ends One Romance...With Another Looming! Hot Drama Series!

"Take off your clothes," Dr. Holden Reese closed the door to his veterinarian office at Keystone Downs Thoroughbred Racetrack. His hot gaze slid over Kate West's slender curves. He dropped th3e deadbolt into the locked position.
A shiver skittering down her spine, Kate turned to him...While her full lips parted, her eyebrows rose, "Ever heard of sexual harassment, Dr. Reese?" Unbuckling his belt, he stroke toward her. He took the vet box from her hand to set it on a nearby shelving unit and then puched her against the block wall.
Holden was a six foot two solidly muscled male. His deep brown eyes burned into her baby blues.
Caging her between his arms, Holden reached behind her head to pull out her hair band to let it spill like a golden waterfall about her shoulders. Fisting his fingers through the locks, he tilted her head back to hold her in place, "Oh, I've heard of it, Miss West, and I have every intention of taking you on my desk." He nipped at her earlobe before making his way slowly down her neck. "Do you want to scream?"
"Do you want me to scream, Dr. Reese?"...
"You were stripping..." He stepped back to take in the show about to start.
Biting her lip, Kate planted her hands on her hips.
His gaze never wavered while he unbuttoned his jeans. Urging her, he said, "The desk is waiting, my pretty little assistant."
"And if I refuse? Will you fire me?"

~~~

Shady Deals:

The Unbridled Series

By Cindy McDonald

Closing out our week with Cindy McDonald culminates in fast-paced drama that series fans knew was coming--we just didn't know what exactly would happen... Kate West has accepted Holden Reese's proposal of marriage but in the meantime, she has been getting upset.  When Dr. Reese had advertised for an assistant, Kate had decided to stay with Dr. Spears. But then Reese hired Ava West! You remember her, don't you? Mike West's Ex... Ava had earlier worked for Dr. Spears as well and was qualified, so she applied for the job...

But just getting the job was not enough for Ava--she made sure that she would keep it! Until it got so bad that even Dr. Spears was willing to give up Kate and take Ava back...all that happens behind those few sentences will be of great interest to readers!

By the way, did you tell them       

 that we're engaged?"

Kate bit her lip. "No, not yet,

Holden."

"What are you waiting for?

..."I just waiting for the right

time. Everyone seems so edgy

with all this crap going on at

the track..."

                    ~~~            

Finally, Kate admitted she couldn't handled it and made the exchange to work with her fiancee...which now allowed for some fringe benefits on the job which she was thoroughly enjoying!

Now, though since she was working closely with him, she began to notice things. Ava and Dr. Spears had already been watching--Ava would use anything she learned to further manipulate the good doctor. But Dr. Spears had contacted officials as a result of his investigation, and it had become a formal action...but undercover...

Dave was new to horse training. He had been selected as the agent to be undercover due to his size, but he'd had to go into intensive training as a jockey...

He and Shane had hit it off, especially when Dave had asked him about where he could go for fun. Shane ask if he played pool... Dave responded he liked pretty girls... Shane had a new friend!

Chip Walker thumbed the End button on his cell phone
hard. Doc Reese hadn't answered his calls or his texts in three
days. Reese was getting too independent. He wasn't
respecting his authority. Reese could blow his whole operation
to smithereens. The operation had been compromised six
months ago, but he had managed to dodge that bullet. He
couldn't afford another mishap. Reese needed to conform.
Reese needed to fall in line. Immediately...
~~~

Dan Quaide was a burly Thoroughbred trainer with a loud mouth and an aggressive training program. He was usually on the top ten winning trainers list at Keystone Downs, yet he placed the bay gelding known as Shady Deal in a claiming race. Depending on their level, most horses are placed in claiming races that are worth anywhere from five thousand to thirty thousand dollars. Anyone can buy any horse that is entered in such races at the claiming price listed in the program

Mike West had claimed him... but those at the track were not happy...

"I'm a good businessman. You put him in a claiming race. I claimed him. He just won me a lot of money--after Mike and Punch spent six weeks drying him out.

Shady Dean didn't deserve what happened to him. Especially since he was just "a warning" but most individuals would have preferred they came after them rather than destroy the beautiful horse.

But no matter what, things were coming to a head and at least two of the Wests had become close enough to the guilty parties to be in danger! Shane because of his friendship with the undercover agent... Kate, because she was in love...

McDonald certainly has given her readers much insight into the underbelly of horse racing. It is not a pretty picture for those who choose to turn to criminal activities to make money! Can anybody be bought? Not necessarily... But blackmail can also have the same result. Personally, I was quite happy to have the drug gang on the run!

Ok, I'll admit why...LOL...I'm waiting for Kate to take Ava's cowboy away from her! Don't disappoint, Cindy McDonald...I've picked up all your clues and I'm waiting for the "real" romance to "flower..."  Write fast! Readers...don't miss a single book in this series... Once you start, you'll be addicted!


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• shady deals

Hot Coco by Cindy McDonald Second in Series Sure to Please Funny Bone!

Suddenly, four Thoroughbreds materialized through the mist to gallop freely through the shed row. Steam burst from their nostrils. Their eyes were wild with excitement and their manes tossed in the air. Sucking himself against the wall, Punch strained to see riders jumping from their mounts to pull them aside while the rouge renegades thundered past. 

                                     ~~~

The haze was beginning to dissipate when Mike West pulled his truck into the track parking lot. He yawned into his fist, stretched his back before he turned off the ignition, and slid from the driver’s seat. The truck expelled a deep beep, beep, when he pressed the lock button on the key ring. When he turned toward the barn area, his

eyes were drawn to a tall, leggy, blonde bombshell. She was the equal to any Playboy centerfold. His eyebrow arched and the left side of his mouth curved upward. With a bucket filled with oats, the lovely woman was coaxing a grey Thoroughbred. Interested in what she had to offer, the horse inched toward her until he came almost within her grasp. The closer the

The ornery equine jerked his head up.
His nose caught on the very edge
 of the bucket, flipped it into the air, a
nd then he bolted in the opposite direction.
The blonde grappled for the spinning bucket
and the sticky oats that were flying all
 around until it landed on Mike’s head.,, 

Thoroughbred came, the more her blue eyes brightened and her plump lips curled in anticipation. Mike couldn’t deny such a beautiful damsel in distress. So, he sauntered toward her and her four-legged friend to assist in any way he could. The Thoroughbred stretched his nose toward the bucket to sniff the sweet oats smothered in molasses. The blonde’s eyes grew wider. Cautiously, she reached out her hand to grab the horse’s halter... 

Staggering around like a poor imitation of a tight rope walker, Mike tried to pull the bucket from his head. The molasses-drenched oats dripped down his neck and over his shoulders. When she reached for the bucket, her feet became tangled which caused her to tumble into Mike and knock him to the ground. When he finally managed to yank the bucket from his head, Mike found himself nose-to-nose with the beautiful blonde, who was straddling him. Other than the oats clinging to his hair and clothes, he’d been in worse positions. 

                                                               ~~~

Hot Coco

By Cindy McDonald

With Cindy McDonald's Unbridled Series, you're not really talking about a bunch of horses without any bridles! It's all about hot sexy romance with various kinds of hi-jinks bundled up into horse racing action... The Unbridled is for the various characters who somehow manage to "unbridle" their passions and let him or her know what's coming! This first one wasn't in the request for review bundle...but that didn't stop me... I zapped it down onto my Kindle and ensured I had the complete series so far...and I think this one turned out to be my favorite! Because there was lots of humor added! Of course, I was laughing at all the West men who seem to have ongoing interest in beautiful women, some of who they ultimately realize they can live without, even though they still lust after them! Go Figure! The fools, right? LOL 

Now, first of all, I have to tell you that by the time I had four books read, there was one TV family who owned a large ranch, that I couldn't help but think of... Bonanza...but then I couldn't find pictures with the blond girl that I kept remembering until I found that she had been on The Big Valley! Remember those great cowboy western shows? She's on the left and I always thought she was the most beautiful woman during that time, didn't you? So, anyway, you might see these individuals in the various reviews that I'll be building this week and see if you agree I've made some good choices...LOL

Mike West couldn't see anyone else but Coco after he first saw her...Even when her true self started coming out! Oh no, she was cute, nice even...but a real klutz, both on foot and behind the wheel...She was downright dangerous! And nobody wanted her at Westwood, except Mike, when he was thinking...of her... and the word, naked, kept coming to mind... Even Shane was muttering until Mike made it clear she was hands off... Now that was fun to watch, sure, but not nearly as fun as her horses! 

This one's in for me! LOL!

The track announcer kept the patrons informed. “Salty Silver Sally wins by five lengths. Looks like the Number Six horse is still standing, I mean, sitting in the starting gate.”

The John Deere tractor pulled the gate forward, to reveal the seated mare chomping on her bit like a cow on a cud. Laughing and pointing, the crowd went wild. Some even took pictures with their cell phones. Mike cupped his forehead in his hand.

Success. No fuss, no muss, and more importantly, no flipping. TLC. Maybe Coco was on to something, after all. Who would have guessed?

Mike was beyond helping himself. The way she tugged at his shirt with the look in those blue eyes, and the passion in her kisses on his mouth and neck while she unzipped his Levis had him forgetting how tired he was, his trashed trailer, the burnt kitchen, and her flipping/flopping horses. It was time to sit-back, relax, and let the “trainer with benefits” package finally kick-in. It’s about damned time. 

His strong hands gently smoothed down her neck, and over her shoulders and luscious firm breasts. He looked into her enticing eyes while he slipped the dress from her shoulders to expose the sexy black satin and lace bra. Her hand slipped inside his jeans to stroke the hard length of him.  

Bang! Bang! Bang!...

...thought back on Coco’s grey gelding flipping over in the stall while he was trying to saddle him. Shaking his head, he lowered the binoculars to his chest. “I don’t believe it.” He was bewildered by the sight. “We’ve got flipper and flopper.”
“What the hell do I do now?” Mike dug deep into his mind’s eye in search of an image of Coco stark naked. Nope, nothing.
The answer seemed crystal clear to Kate. “Get rid of that bimbo. She’s been nothing but trouble.”
 “She’s right, Mike,” Punch said. 
~~~

Now somehow Coco's grey gelding had learned how to open stalls...so every night, he would become Houdini, opening his stall and then the ones of his partners in crime and they would tear up the barn, opening and eating hay bales, etc...to create a big mess! Then they would get out and enjoy the outside! That had been just what they were doing when they ran past them at the track while they were under the care of another trainer, who was quite happy to see Mike take them off his hands... Of course, he didn't realize what he was getting into since he was not really thinking much about anything but...Coco...

So while Mike, Kate, Shane and Punch had to deal with the results of Mike's decision, Eric, owner and father, had become aware of two women--one was a nurse at the Track. She was the first woman to whom he'd been attracted since his wife had died and she'd been trying for about a year now to get him interested...

At the same time, at the track he had noticed a young woman, whose father had been the trainer giving up Coco's horses. He was a hard disciplinarian who kept Margie his daughter working day and night. Margie was infatuated with Mike, but when she saw him with Coco, she once again gave up trying to get his attention. But during all that time, Eric had noticed that Margie apparently could not read. And he offered to teach her.

Readers of Cindy's first book will have met Ava West, the ex-wife of Mike, but it is in this novel when she begins to really show what a w[b]itch she really is... Because she started to cause trouble and totally succeeded into creating a true "cat" fight for readers--if you enjoy women fighting...

This book was so much fun to read...not so much suspense, but remember to start paying attention to what each character is doing. Each book can be read separately, but there is a definite roll-forward effect if you're into the series! Watch for further reviews this week! But, if you have to limit to just one...and enjoy blatant sexuality of both sexes as they prowl...Whew! Get this one! 'Nuf said!


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• Guest Post from Cindy McDonald of The Unbridled Series
• Cindy McDonald Opens The Unbridled Series with Deadly.Com
• Please Welcome Cindy McDonald - Sharing a Little...Today's Guest Blogger!
• Couple notes: the link with galloping horse is to my review of first book 
• .
• Second, pics are NOT Cindy's horses except first one

New Mate Bernie Dowling Brings Aussie Music, Racing With...Murder!

"I drank too much coffee and studied lots of form,
for about two hours. Most punters have given up
studying the form closely, with so many race
meetings to choose from. Big mistake. A punter
should study the form of every horse in every race
they are likely to bet on. If I followed my own
golden rule, I might have been rich. Knowing
what's good for you is a lot easier than doing
what's good for you...
"I knocked on the glass-and-aluminum door of
Unit 4, but got no answer for my trouble. I half-
turned to go back to the car, but found the door
handle slid across easily in my hand. And so I
found myself standing in the office of Caulfield
Jones, turfologist...
"It was a little untidy. A glass was upturned near
a wet spot in the carpet. A cigarette had burned
a hole in the same carpet. White ash encircled
the cigarette stuf. And a man who I took to be
Caulfield Jones was stretched out on the floor.
"Except that I knew him as Marcus Georgio..."
~~~

Iraqi Icicle

By Bernie Dowling


Probably most of you, including myself, have wondered about the title of this novel... I'm a literalist, so to start writing my review, I immediately started searching for this rose... I searched until I found the interview where Bernie Dowling says it doesn't exist--that it is a metaphor and we were to figure out what it represented...Say What...?

Now, what's a person like me to do...yeah, I decided to think the author was a bit of a romantic, in some strange way, and forget about it! LOL After all, the novel is full of quips, sarcasm and Aussie slang that I also didn't truly understand sometime...at least until I got into the swing of the book and Steele Hill's personality...

he's weird...and check out the author pic...no wonder his character is...weird...LOL!

Well, for me, somebody who is a part-time bookie, who works diligently to receive unemployment because he's been banned from all race courses in the country, and is intelligent enough to figure out just how to do that, is indeed weird...LOL OK, maybe not for some of you potential readers, but for the rest of us "working stiffs...." I also know nothing about horse racing...nor the music of the period in which Steele Hill lived (so I found a lead group to play and learn while like I did--I enjoyed them, why about you?!)

But none of that stopped me from having fun with the book, enjoying meeting this character and watching his reaction to...

The bodies that kept piling up for him to discover...

"Brisbane, summer, 1989
"When Bub's fellow first-year acting student
Suzanne Lu dropped dead in a La Boite production
of Waiting for Godot, I thought it was in the script.
Even when Jane screamed, it seemed to fit. More
astute theatrical punters near me in the first rows
picked up on the discordant vibes and a Mexican
scream started, washing out behind us...
"Only a tiny grimace at the corner of her mouth
gave any hint that Suzanne Lu was disappointed
at her passing. Overall, her unlined face looked
serene..."

Steele's "cucumber" Natalie and her sister live in his apartment house where Natalie doesn't know he's enjoyed both sisters a time or two...

But then, Natalie gets him involved with her sister's acting career and school activities, so maybe that's fair? In Australia? In any event, that first murder was discovered while he had attended a play her sister was in...

Now, there's a couple issues about this book--it's divided into "books" and most of the characters, except for the victims of course, appear throughout each book which seems in someways like short stories.

And then there's the fact that the various books don't seem to be in order... but, if you are working to solve the mystery killings, you simply must pay attention on just about every page...well, maybe not every page, but clues that Steele doesn't "use" to figure out what is going on until much later may have been simply a part of the narrative... So that's your only warning because the author is not giving you any!

Two cops make many appearances--all to blame Steele for the latest murder. Sure, he happens to be in the vicinity, such as when he attended a school play, but you got to figure that these cops are a bit screwy???

And while all these murders are taking place, Steele gets involved in fixing a race! Actually, he's only the money guy but did make the contact to find an unidentifiable "go-fast" for the horse. And a horse is not the only one into drugs... Of course that contact later turns up dead... Honestly, you just have to go with it, because when you read a paragraph like"

A bag of fruit is walking down the street with his nose inside a plastic folder. He glances over its top edge, then pretends to be lost, backtracking down the concrete path and into a side street. That is what you call going out of your way for the unfortunate.

you just have to keep on reading, and hoping, that you'll be able to figure out how a "bag of fruit" walks...

Seriously, at one time I had dreams of going to Australia. Thinking they spoke English... But the bloke who wrote this novel kept me turning each page until the latest gig Steele was asked to get involved with made him run in the opposite direction. I think Steele is the only one who really knows who committed all of the murders 'cause I lost track! ! I told you Steele was weird, and so's the author...

I like weird...


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From the Author

If you enjoy the works of Chandler and Hammett, my neo-noir novel could be your swig of whiskey.

As an Australian journalist, I have worked in  reporting rounds such as arts and entertainment, crime, politics, human interest and sports. I  published a weekly humor column for 11 years and travelled extensively across my home State. I have drawn on all these diverse strands of his working and social life to produce Iraqi Icicle, a highly original detective thriller which is my first novel after publishing non-fiction and short stories. I present you Iraqi Icicle.

About the Author

Bernie Dowling is an Australian journalist who lives  in the  Pine Rivers district, just north of the Queensland State Capital of Brisbane.
Dowling grew up and lived in Brisbane most of his life though he has lived in or frequently visited provincial and coastal towns across south-east Queensland.
He has worked in many reporting rounds, including arts and entertainment, crime, politics, human interest and sports. He  published a weekly humor column for 11 years.
Dowling has drawn on all these diverse strands of his working and social life to produce Iraqi Icicle, a highly original detective thriller which is his first novel.
The author lives with his wife and son in Lawnton, a Pine Rivers suburb.

Rostaing Takes Readers Deep into Horse Racing...and More!

Image via Wikipedia

Breeders:


A Crime Novel


By Barney Rostaing








For readers like me, Breeders may be the only exploration of the fascinating professional world of horse racing/breeding that we will read. What a superb introduction! On the other hand, it was the drama of the crimes and the unique character involvement that forces me to proclaim this a must-read...I cannot state with certainty that Rostaing writes with knowledge and experience, although his background surely has provided the potential. What I can say is that readers will feel the reality and though merged into fiction will know that much of the story is based on true or similar activities in the areas of crime, romance, racing and race, which the back cover notes are  included in the novel.

Let me talk first about the race issues. In my opinion, they drive the novel forward even as the action pulls the readers into a fast pace. Len Thomas is hired as, perhaps, the only Black trainer in the world by Pat McGoohey (McGoo), head of a major construction firm who has turned to horse racing in the hope of moving "up" in the world. Through Len we learn that in the past there were much more African-American involvement in racing--until "they" started to win major races. Len is intelligent, self-educated, being well-read, and has a mind that can envision an overall plan of action.

Len is assisted by Paco and Jimmy Broughton, horse whisperer and rider, respectively. The latter two are rarely acknowledged by McGoo, while Len is fairly close as he is grateful for the opportunity McGoo gave him. But during those important meetings when the trainer is normally included, Len is excluded and he knows what "place" he really plays in his boss' mind....

It is Len's love interest in Holly that becomes the underlying theme beyond the horse racing and breeding. My initial thinking was that the book was set back historically, because of the role Holly plays on a major breeding/racing farm--that of personal assistant, and more, to the daughter of the owner. However, we learn that Holly has several degrees and is a financial expert who has gained access to much by befriending the farm's supposed accountant. Time setting of the novel, by the way, is very recent.

It all started when McGoo decides to run one of his horses at Saratoga. Arabiche was fast but had never really showed her potential; but McGoo wanted her to place at least third, and then he would begin looking to find the right sire to breed her. McGoo made it quite clear to Len that he expected that win...

And Len, for his first time ever, did what was necessary to make that happen...

McGoo is somewhat of a sympathetic character for readers even though he is also an arrogant s.o.b. For he has no hope of reaching the social status he craves. So when Arabiche does indeed come in third and McGoo approaches the woman who owns the sire he wants to mate with her, he is not only totally ignored but is demoralized. The owner, Dixie, by the way, also is the "owner" of Holly...

Can't get the match desired for your female? Then steal what is required to inseminate her...

Honestly, this story is much more complicated and in many ways, a lot more fun to read, even though a crime drama. Let's just say that Len's teammates, Paco and Jimmy have their own issues that ensure that Len's plan can and does go haywire... And would you believe, it is Holly who first saves the day for Len?!

For me, there is an underlying moral story that I found both intriguing and compelling. But there is just so must "horseplay" to enjoy that readers will only consider the breadth of ideas and topics after they've smilingly completed the wonderfully satisfying ending! There is much to love about this book!

Book Received Via
Author Marketing Experts
Coolgrove Press


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