Wanted: Sharpshooter

by Florence Witkop

Maggie has a problem. Her horse whisperer, Carlos, broke his leg and she can't do all the work at Green Forest Stables by herself. So when she heads into the forest to bring them back after they have gone through a break in the fence... again... in frustration, she tells Carlos to hire help, knowing that no one will come work so far from civilization. But when she returns with the horses at a dead run because something in the woods spooked them, she discovers someone did come and apply for work while she was gone. And Carlos hired him. Maggie isn't sure about the new hire but when it becomes evident that the danger in the woods is a rogue cougar and that it followed the horses back and is stalking Green Forest Stables, she learns that all that will keep the stables and everyone there safe is the new hire, former Army Ranger and crack sharpshooter, Maxwell Abrams. And that the only way he can do that is to take charge of the whole place, including the people and horses that are there. Can she trust her horses to someone who knows nothing about them? Can she help keep the place safe? Unlike Maxwell Abrams, she's a poor shot. And she's used to giving orders, not following them.

ebook

First published November 14, 2012

About the author

Florence's stories begin as simple tales of contemporary life, often in small towns or the wilderness she knows so well. Where they go from there is what makes them special. There is always a strong sense of place. Often they skew reality slightly by crossing genres to contain paranormal, sci/fi, or fantasy elements. There is usually a romance and there are always characters her readers like and would enjoy having as friends.

Most of all, there is a story because what Florence does best is tell stories. Well plotted stories that carry the characters towards a logical conclusion that always includes a happy ending. Stories that shine light on the human condition while they celebrate the world we live in. Stories that her readers relate to and remember long after the reading is over.

She writes about people who are as normal as apple pie (most of them, anyway) who unexpectedly find themselves in the middle of situations ranging from the heartwarming through the difficult and all the way to the horrendous. But Florence's characters choose to act instead of running away. In the process, they survive, thrive, overcome whatever obstacles large or small are thrown in front of them, and while they are at it, they find time to fall in love.

Florence was born in the city and has lived in the suburbs, small towns, the country and the wilderness, where she still lives with her husband and a cowardly cat named Smoke.

At various times in her career she's been a confession writer, a copywriter, a ghost writer and an editor. She writes short stories, novellas and novels. Her work has been categorized as romance, science-fiction, fantasy, mainstream and eco-fiction, to name a few genres that it fits beautifully into.

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in first person, the heroine came across as a bit of a whinger. The romance occurred too fast and the story was a bit repetitive.