Ride Every Stride - No Regrets
book by Amy Maltman
Reviewed by Kelly Bowers @ The Rider

  When I first received "Ride Every Stride" to consider for a review, I, as usual, studied the cover and flipped lightly through the pages. Then, I read the back cover summary and finally flipped the book open and moved into the first Chapter, to get a general feeling of what I would be in for. I have to say that after just five pages, this was one of the best "first chapters" I have sampled. And to be honest, although the attractive photo on the front cover certainly looks fine and is suitable for a story with an equestrian setting, I was not in love with it, without knowing the story ahead of time. So, my first dive into the pool was to find a heart pounding plot, introducing a bruised and beaten Jed in the midst of his desperate break for freedom - was a pleasant surprise. I like to be intwined in the lives of interesting characters submerged in a life altering, if not threatening. battle,. Add a mystery, and you find perfection, and it seems I had found them. Add to that, the setting at an equestrian facility, and I was hooked.
  Like most, if not all, the great stories ever written, Ride Every Stride is about the timeless battle of good versus evil, love triumphing over hate and waiting to see if good guys finish last or dreams come true. It's not always a simple answer.
  The story, really, did not let me down. At one point I briefly worried it was turning into more of a romance novel (which I know many readers wouldn't mind a bit), but within a few pages, the plot thickened again and my thirst for intrigue was fed. In hindsight, I understand why the focus had shifted to love, or the lack thereof, as it is one of many parts of a life that longterm trauma and abuse can affect deeply, for as long as one lives. And the relationship stuff? Despite it's darker corners, there's still plenty of that.
  Maltman is a very talented author. Her writing is easily digested and full of passion; you can nearly feel Jed's agony, a pain which is both external and internal. Her vocabulary is descriptive and accurate and even provides a glossary of show jumping terms at the back for those of us not familiar. Many aspects of the story seem to be written from experience, which may just be the telltale sign of a talented writer. As for the darker parts, I honestly hope, so for her sake. It is however, evident that she has cleaned those stalls, carried those bales - and she has definitely loved those horses or others equally fascinating.
  Maltman's characters are, thankfully, complex. People and situations are realistic with onion-like layers, and secrets. Yes, lots of secrets. And, although her characters may do what you may not expect of them, they don't behave out of character. They stay true to who they are. This is important for a well told mystery. I also appreciated that Jed's enemies (bad guys) are not portrayed as ugly and vile, and easy to identify, which would make them easy to elude. They are real, with an element of attractiveness even. They are liked and even loved by their own families and friends - yes, friends. They are smart, resourceful, respected by their community and have talents that they have used to become successful and outwardly powerful. Like true evil often is, their dark side is hidden behind a facade of lies, manipulation, and deception. At heart, they are controlling, hateful, self-serving, cruel and unmistakably human. These are bad guys you can really sink your teeth into, and the story is all the better for it.
  You've heard "Don't judge a book by it's cover." That can be said for most of the characters in Ride Every Stride, and for the book itself. It's probably not what you're expecting. Smart, suspenseful, surprising, satisfying, engaging with lots of twists and turns. I read the entire book in two sittings in as many days. Yes, I even had reader's hangover, but with no regrets.

Ride Every Stride book review