Review: Another hit by this talented author
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 25, 2012
My 4.75 star review from Guilty Pleasures book reviews:Most writers I read will turn out a book that hits you in the heart every once in a while, but this year Lauren Gallagher (aka L.A. Witt) has done it time and time again.  She continues to turn out story after story that deals with issues most people would rather avoid and do so in a manner that will have you experiencing a wide range of emotions while reading her books.  In All The King's Horses we meet a heroine who is a widow of an abusive and alcoholic husband and a hero with a White Knight complex.  This sounds like a perfect set-up for these two, but it's easier said than done when both people realize they need to protect themselves and their hearts.Amy Dover is running from her life and dealing with some heavy duty grief and guilt.  Taking a job as a farmhand is way below her expertise as a well known and sought after horse trainer but she no longer feels anything...nothing at all and she knows she must make some changes or loose herself for ever.  Nothing surprises her more when she feels an immediate attraction to her boss, Dustin King, but she knows acting on it wouldn't be fair to him or her.Dustin King won't deny he's attracted to his new farmhand, but when he realizes she's apathetic towards the horses she's to care for he decides no matter how attractive she is, something isn't quite right with her.  Once he realizes what's happened to her, he knows that getting involved with her is the worst thing he can do but sometimes the urge is just too strong to resist.At first I'll admit I had a hard time liking Amy even though my gut was telling me there was more to her story and with each page as her story unraveled, I not only came to like her I came to admire her and her strength to finally do something right for her.  While I hate her reasons for not leaving her husband before his death, I can understand them because they are reasons so many women face when making that decision.  Granted her choice was taken away from her, but I truly believe she would have done what was best for her eventually.  Dustin, while a little judgmental at times, is just such a great guy.  I love that he realizes his propensity for trying to always help those he feels are in need and for trying to protect himself from getting hurt once again.  The fact that in the long run he was unable to resist just proves what a wonderful man he is.I love that both of these people pretty freely shared their past hurts and disappointments, it wasn't immediate but once their relationship changed from friendship, they both opened up.  They very adult way they both handled the issues from the other's past without judgment proved these two are pretty special people.  I also love the role the rescue horses had in this story, once again proving animals can help heal not only people with physical ailments but emotional ailments as well.When Amy and Dustin decide to explore the physical side of their relationship their need for each other was of epic proportions and the fact that they had to drive almost an hour for condoms was hilarious as it was responsible and I applaud the author for not having these two "throw caution to the wind."  When they do finally get together it is steamy hot sexy fun yet it was so obvious these two were experiencing way more than a roll in the hay.  Not that either one was ready to admit it, but there were feelings there neither one was ready to deal with.This is an incredibly emotional story about two people who despite the odds and some pretty big differences manage to find common ground and a love that neither one expected or has ever experienced before.  In All The King's Horses, Lauren Gallagher gives us hope that no matter how insurmountable your problems may seem; faith, love, and distance can make a world of difference in emotional healing and finding the love of your life.**This year Lauren/L.A. has put out some truly fantastic books; in addition to All The King's Horses check out Who's Your Daddy by Lauren Gallagher, and her M/M books as L.A. Witt; Where There's Smoke, Conduct Unbecoming, and From Out In The Cold.  You won't be disappointed by any of these stories!