Hearts Over Fences: An Equestrian Romance
11/2/09 Cleveland Examiner. A favorite pastime of mine is to snuggle into a large, comfy chair with a good book and forget aboutreality for an hour...or four. Recently I immersed myself in the novel Hearts Over Fences by ToniLeland and I must say I enjoyed it. I'm always a little skeptical when a book is described as aromance, because many of the more recent romance novels I've read seem to be lacking animportant component called a plot. However, in Hearts Over Fences Leland has created abelievable world in which two people, who both have their own separate lives, problems, and goals,find each other and struggle to make their lives fit together.I think one of the most commendable parts of this novel is the way Leland uses her characters tomake her readers question their own lifestyles and personal goals. Leland's main characters bothhave their own tragedies to overcome; and yet they persevere not only to rise above their ownhardship, but also to reflect on whether personal gain is really more important than compassion andhelping others. Her characters go through many ups and downs in order to reflect, come to anunderstanding on what is truly important in life, and reach out to others.Hearts Over Fences has depth, love, ambition, real life struggles, and, best of all, horses. This isnot the simple, one layer romance that really only involves love and sex, but a novel that reachesfarther to bring out serious emotions. A well written novel should be so believable that readerscannot help but to be swept along on the same emotional roller coaster as the main characters.Leland's Hearts Over Fences had me crying along with the main character in the second chapter!I think Leland's novel is unique and well written with a wealth of equestrian knowledge that makes itall the more believable. It is wonderful to read a novel by an author who also has a passion forhorses and truly understands the best parts of having a horse. --Ashley Rodenmeyer, Cleveland Examiner