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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN num: 9780758217271
ISBN number: 0758217277
Label: Brava
Manufacturer: Brava
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 320
Printing Date: January 01, 2008
Publishing house: Brava
Sale Popularity Level: 85927
Studio: Brava
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They're back--the boys you go out looking for precisely because your mother warned you not to--the bad boys every good girl needs at least once, if not twice! Raphael 'Rafe' Santiago may have left the streets years ago, but the street has never left him. A rough childhood in the Bronx taught him never to let his guard down, to keep everything in order, and always to trust that little voice in his gut that tells him when someone's got something to hide.
Horse trainer Elena Caulfield, is definitely hiding something, and Rafe intends to find out what it is and take care of it--his way. But his way wasn't supposed to include feeling an intense attraction to the tomboyish Elena. With her mud-caked boots, quiet strength, and gentle manner, she's nothing like the flashy, seductive, overtly feminine women Rafe usually beds.
The closer he gets to her, the harder it is to control that fiery passion he's worked hard to keep cooled, the kind that can catch a man off guard and leave him open to danger--because whatever secret Elena's protecting, it's big--and worth killing for. Because when you're from the Bronx, you take care of what you love--or die trying!
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Rated by buyers 
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Bad boy Rafe Santiago is taken some downtime on the ranch of his friend when he finds himself intrigued by a horse trainer who is his polar opposite. Elena is nothing like the glamazons he usually romances. She recently parted ways with a lucrative horse racing farm with her pregnant mare. Rafe asks for riding lessons in an effort to figure out what she is hiding, and passion soon envelopes them both.
Kauffman's second in the Unholy Trinity series starts with a bang but soon whimpers along. Bogged down with overly long passages of his riding lessons, conversations that never seem to end, and a completely predictable plot, I quickly grew bored and couldn't wait for it to end. My favorite part of the book was when macho man Rafe is unhappily paired with a horse named Petunia. Which really bites since I loved the character of Rafe initially. Sure wish I would have saved the money and got his one from the library.
Rated by buyers 
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I have read and thouroughly enjoyed ALL of Donna Kauffmans previous books. But I can't even finish this one. Rarely does a book bore and aggravate me so much that I can't finish it.
I'm sick of the 'poor me', 'don't help me', 'I can't tell you the whole story' plots, but if the characters are at least interesting I have no problem with the whole 'finding each other' - but this is beyond more than I can stand.
I've read more about horses than I ever wanted to know.
Worst Donna Kauffman book ever.
Edit: Apparently I don't love all Donna's books. I gave another one a horrible review also. I guess I put that one out of mind too!
Rated by buyers 
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Raphael Santiago has been watching Elena Caulfield since she started working at Dalton Downs as stable manager and head horse trainer. Elena is not like the sophisticated and glamorous women Rafe is usually attracted to, so his fascination with her surprises him. Rafe's instincts tell him there is more to Elena than meets the eye and his instincts are seldom wrong, so to get close to her he asks Elena to give him riding lessons. Elena is concerned by the interest Rafe is showing in her. She has a secret she needs to keep hidden and she has to protect her horse at all costs. Rafe's tenacity proves his instincts are once again correct. Elena is in trouble. If he can gain her trust, he might be able to help her but Elena is wary. Can she trust her life and her heart to Rafe?
The chemistry between Rafe and Elena in The Black Sheep and the Hidden Beauty is strong. They are very much opposites but that's what makes their desire for each other all the more genuine and romantic. The Unholy Trinity that Rafe is part of with his two close friends is only vaguely explained. I assume that it is fully explained in The Black Sheep and the Princess, book one of this series. While learning a bit about horses, Rafe seduced his way into my heart in The Black Sheep and the Hidden Beauty. It's a romantic, sexy and suspenseful story.
Nannette
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
Rated by buyers 
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This is a contemporary romance set amongst a world of horses and stables in Virginia. The heroine, Elena Caulfield, helps to train some of the more problem horses at the Dalton Downs stables. She's a rather secretive woman who arrived with her pregnant mare Springer and keeps herself to herself. Unfortunately for Elena's plans to keep a low profile, one of the three men who run Dalton Downs, suave Rafe Santiago, has noticed Elena and finds himself intrigued by her. In order to get to know her better he persuades her to give him riding lessons, but as soon as the lessons start he finds himself wondering about her secrets, investigating her previous role at a famous racehorse training stables, and uncovering secrets around the arson death of a famous racehorse. But someone seems to be interested in Elena and in her horse, Springer, and Elena has to decide whether to trust Rafe or whether to keep him at arms length. Rafe has to decide whether Elena is keeping secrets because she has something to do with the arson or whether she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The vast majority of this story takes place with scenes just between Elena and Rafe as they get to know each other, learn to trust each other and work together to sort out what's going on. The racehorse arson plot wasn't too complex and I saw several of the plot twists coming, but it was an enjoyable enough read. Rafe and Elena's interest in each other was somewhat out of character for both of them but it was explained convincingly and they made a good couple. This is light reading with an interesting background, that of the stables, and with a reasonable plot.
Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book, www.curledup.com. © Helen Hancox 2008
Rated by buyers -
The Black Sheep and the Hidden Beauty by Donna Kauffman is the subsequent sizzling story in the Trinity saga.
Raphael "Rafe" Santiago has been spending time at the Dalton Downs. It's the headquarters for his and his partners Unholy Trinity organization. Rafe has noticed the new horse trainer Elena Caulfield. But his keen observation skills have discovered something is off with her. In order to get close to Elena he wants to take horse back riding lessons.
Elena Caulfield has come to Dalton Downs to care for and retrain abused horses. It's a much needed break from the racing field she had to leave so suddenly. Elena needs a quiet place for her much loved pregnant horse. The request for lessons from the savvy Rafe unsettles her on so many levels.
As Elena teaches Rafe the fine art of riding, the truth about why she left the racing field slowly comes out. When Elena and her horse are threatened Rafe will do everything in his power to protect them both.
Both Rafe and Elena learn to trust in each other and to let go of their past. Their chemistry is thrilling and scorching. You really learn to care about these two characters.
The Black Sheep and The Hidden Beauty is another stellar tale by Donna Kauffman. It was a great read from page one. I couldn't read it fast enough. I am waiting patiently for the last partner Finn to get his story.
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