Horsefever

The passions of four very determined, very different people collide with tragic results in Hope’s first novel, set in the highly competitive world of equine eventing (or horse trials). Vermont property developer Cliff Swensen indulges wife Nikki’s love of horses, even though he fears the dangers of eventing courses. He even looks to hire a new trainer for her. Gabe was a promising eventer until a bad riding accident left him with nerve damage to the left side of his body—face, arm, and leg. Gabe’s wife, Carla, pushes him to apply for the job even though he’s never been a trainer. With Gabe’s help, Nikki and her horse, Beau, begin to progress, and Gabe and Nikki’s shared passion for eventing becomes a worry for Cliff and Carla. Tensions escalate as Gabe and Nikki’s accomplishments and ambitions grow, and Cliff and Carla’s suspicions lead to accidents and escalating arguments. Hope handles the equine parts beautifully, though the violent conclusion is less than satisfying. Agent: Philip Spitzer, Philip G. Spitzer Literary Agency. (Feb.)