"A good read"

Over thirty years ago, teenager Nealy Coleman fled her family Virginia home because she never felt welcome there and with an illegitimate infant she felt less welcome. Her father treated Nealy and her two brothers with abuse and contempt. For the next three decades, she never set foot on Coleman land, especially avoiding the SunStar thoroughbred farm. Nealy has become successful in thoroughbred racing in Kentucky.

Now her sire Josh is dying and Nealy is back to dance on his grave. However, first she must fix the legal miasma Josh and her two siblings failed to avoid when no will or estate planning occurred. Then there is the matter of dealing her way with the stud who left her pregnant three decades ago. Finally, there is the "extended" family who comes to pay their last respects or is that to get paid.

Fern Michaels fans will enjoy her latest tale in her Coleman-Thornton novels from the starting line to the final tape as she begins a new Triple Crown winner. The story line is filled with emotion as the key cast battles within themselves and among one another over events that mostly happened years ago. The characters show no range of feelings, displaying one dominant trait. For instances, 200 proof nasty highlights Josh's personality even on his deathbed while stupidity is the mindset of the two brothers who somehow know nothing about their successful sister in the same line of business. Still readers of the best selling author's Vegas and Texas series will enjoy the ride.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted September 12, 2001