We have all heard that love conquers all. Many couples believe in their heart of hearts that if there's enough love between them, all problems will be conquered. However, unfulfilled life goals can destroy even the strongest relationship, or at least cause heartaches. Hot In The Saddle by Rob Preece, opens us up to a world of the intense action of cross-country bicycle racing, and shows how love really can conquer all.

Joli Start is in for the fight of her life, or so she thinks. Her grandfather is going to retire and leave her cousin Tyler in charge of his bicycling company. Joli has a real problem with that, since she thinks Tyler doesn't know anything about running a company. After talking with Grandfather, she agrees to a cross-country bicycle race against Tyler for control of her family's business. She needs the best trainer she can find. That man would be Max Sandow.

Max Sandow had been a bicycle champion. When the team he was training was found to be using drugs, he was released from his contract and sued by Start Bicycling Company for every penny he had. Now he is a man on a mission, rebuilding his life from scratch. When Joli Start walks in to ask for his help to win the bike race, he wants no part of Joli Start or the Start family. He wants them out of his life once and for all.

Joli knows it will take a miracle for her to win. Therefore she will not take no for an answer. There is only one person who can help her pull this off: Max, sometimes known as Miracle Max. He reluctantly agrees after she makes him an offer he cannot refuse.

Training with Joli brings back the joys of training he felt years ago. Except then he was young, certain of his immortality and invincibility. Now, he is certain of nothing other than he has fallen over the edge with no bottom in sight. This is one ride that he knows can hurt him, one that can destroy him. Could promises made become promises broken or will love conquer all?

Rob Preece has combined the world of bicycle racing and romance. I have never read the combination before and it was an enjoyable experience for me. The situations these characters find their selves in make you want to pull for them. A great read that deserves the highest marks I can give, even with minor incorrect word usage and/or spelling. It never takes away from the story. Personally, Hot In The Saddle is worth keeping to read time and again.

Reviewed By: Tammy Adams
©July 2005