Showdown by Tilly Bagshawe

Synopsis from Goodreads.com

DESCRIPTION: Bobby Cameron is a cowboy through and through. One of America's most skilled horse trainers, he has inherited his father's magnificent ranch in California's Santa Ynez Valley. Now, land rich but cash poor, Bobby travels the world trying to raise money to support his beloved ranch by taking jobs breaking horses for their wealthy owners.

Milly Lockwood Groves, daughter of a millionaire breeder in Newmarket, England, is determined to become a world-class jockey--but her family has other plans for her, and are forcing her to take her place in British society. But Milly's life is about to be changed forever by the arrival of the gorgeous, enigmatic cowboy Bobby Cameron. Following him to America to realize her dreams, she risks losing her innocence and her heart in the process.

My Comments :

I saw this book at BookXcess Facebook. Can't help myself. Must get this book.Finally got it recently.

This book is different from the two Tilly Bagshawe books that I have read before. Unlike the previous books, it's more about relationship instead of mystery and suspense

The characters were well developed. It's believable that Bobby Cameron who grew up without much support from his father nor his mother, would feel insecure when comes to loving a woman. Being independent leads him to be quite prideful. Because of that pride of his and his refusal to listen to those who are more experienced, he nearly lost the very thing he was trying to save.

However, I don't much like the character Milly. Yes, she comes from a wealthy family and is portrayed as the only family member who have talent. This character just doesn't "click" for me. At one point she was headstrong, ambitious and have a loving heart. Then at another she was like very vulnerable and naive.

This book reminds me of "Shattered Hearts" by Cleffairy. There are many unexpected twist and turns thrown in. It mirrored life itself.

This is a good read although I would preferred be something like Sidney Sheldon's Mistress of the Game and After the Darkness.

Brothers by Yu Hua

Baldy Li and Song Gang are step brothers. Baldy's mother married Song Gang's father after Song Gang's mother pass away.

At first their parents was worried that the boys might fight. However, the boys got on fine and become inseparable. Song Gang was the quiet and gentlemanly type while Baldy was rather coarse.

Then comes the cultural revolution which resulted in Song Gang's father demise. Baldy Li's mother was unable to take care of both boys. Hence Song Gang was given back to his grandfather to take care.

This did not hinder the good relationship between the two brothers. They are still as thick as thieves.

When Baldy Li's mother pass away, Song Gang promised to take care of Baldy no matter what.

As they grow older, Baldy start to look for a wife. And he was attracted to the town's beauty, Lin Hong, whose butt he peeped when he was just 14 years old. He become notorious in the town because of that incident. Lin Hong hates his guts but she was attracted to Song Gang.

Song Gang being the big brother, was willing to forgo his own happiness. However, it was not meant to be.

The ties between the two brothers was "disrupted". Each went their separate ways. They lived their separate lives and Baldy got richer by the day. However, this is not the end of the story.

A very captivating story. There are parts where the story is rather coarse and seems to be overly exaggerated. I kind of want to vomit when the author describe how Baldy's father died from peeking at women bottom.

The author put the Cultural Revolution in a different perspective. It's very refreshing to see it from the innocents boys eyes who thought nothing much of it while the adults fear for their lives.

However, the part after Baldy got rich and held the Virgin Contest was unrealistic.

Overall, I love the Baldy Li's character and disliked Lin Hong.