"An angst-laden contemporary romance"

In Lake Placid, New York, Ty Stannard always loved horseback riding because it was her only escape from a harsh demanding father who was never pleased by anything she did. Her hero since the fifth grade is the highly regarded equestrian superstar Steve Sheppard. Ty hopes to one day be as good as her champion, who she meets as a teen when she competes at a junior's event. Steve gives the enthusiastic youngster a lucky medallion, which becomes Ty's most cherished possession. However, a nasty horse ended Ty's dream of championships.

Years later, Steve is near financial bankruptcy with his reputation shredded and his farm heading towards bankruptcy due to the stupidity of his former partner. Ty's father stands ready to attack like the vulture he is once the final foreclosure occurs. Ty wants to help her hero whose gesture years ago at the Junior's remains one of the few bright spots in an autocratic lonely childhood. Though he wants to refuse her offer of a partnership, Steve has no choice but to accept. However, this is no gawky teen any longer and soon the two new partners begin to fall in love, but her nasty father remains perched prepared to do whatever is necessary to gain Steve's farm.

CHANCE MEETING is an angst-laden contemporary romance filled with two deep lead characters. The story line is exciting as Steve and Ty fall in love in front of a backdrop of the sport of equestrian and the machinations of her avarice father, whose greed and demand make Midas seem reasonable. As usual Laura Moore provides a wonderful compassionate novel because readers feel the hurt, mistrust, and love of her key players.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted September 20, 2001