Clay: New Zealand Daddies Book 1

by Kelly Dawson

She’s fought her whole life to stay in control. He’ll teach her that real strength means letting go.

Bianca has spent her life fighting for control — of her Tourette’s, her dreams, her heart. When she earns a coveted spot as an apprentice jockey at one of New Zealand’s most prestigious racing stables, she’s ready to prove herself. But Clay Lewis, the stable’s handsome foreman, sees more than she wants him to. Calm, commanding, and impossibly magnetic, he challenges her at every turn — and the sparks between them are impossible to ignore.

While Bianca battles exhaustion caring for her dying sister and a damaged horse only she can handle, Clay watches her push herself to breaking point. His instinct is to protect her, and when she eventually collapses under the weight of it all, he is forced to step comforting her, caring for her, loving her, and showing her that real strength sometimes means letting someone else take control.

Together they’ll face the race that could change everything — for the mare, for Bianca, and for the man who dares to love her. Because sometimes the hardest thing to master isn’t the horse beneath you… but the heart inside you.

This book was originally published as Daddy Takes the Reins. It has been re-edited, but is still the same story.

158 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 27, 2025

About the author

Kelly Dawson is a USA Today bestselling author who pens naughty novels from her home in southern New Zealand.
Rural NZ provides plenty of inspiration for romantic stories, and this is where most of Kelly's books are set.

Inside the pages, sparks will fly, and spanks will fall as her sexy alpha heroes tame the strong, independent women who love them. Throw in some drama and angst, and you have the makings of a Kelly Dawson romance. She thoroughly enjoys bringing 'all the feels' to life on the page.

When she's not writing, Kelly devotes her time to her 4 children and her very own romance novel hero - her husband.

What are readers saying about Kelly's books?
~ "Kelly Dawson always surprises me with the personality of each Daddy in her novels."
~ "Kelly's stories are always a great read."
~ "Obeying Daddy is just right for a light summertime read if you like a little spanking in your romance."
~ "Completely and utterly taken captive by this story. It was EVERYTHING!!"
~ "This story had all the feels I've come to expect from a Kelly Dawson book."
~ "The steamy scenes had me fanning my face."

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