What do you think?
Rate this book
Desperate Endurance
Romantic Mystery/Suspense Fiction Novel
When endurance rider Bethany's husband presents his pregnant mistress and demands a divorce, her plans for the future shattered. True, he isn't much of a husband, and she really doesn't have many plans, but it's quite an unexpected surprise. To heal from the shock, she falls back on her love of horses and writing and begins traveling the nation competing in each region and selling stories about each event. Witnessing a murder in a deserted rest area terrifies her. Before dying, the victim pleads with her to deliver some important documents to his son Roger. She takes on this mission and mousey Bethany develops a bolder persona to hide her identity. This mission leads her to Roger Meadows, the handsome son of the victim. Avoiding the killers and with the aid of Roger, they work to discover the mastermind. In the end, it is a desperate ride that brings both of them to the final knowledge they need to solve the mystery and realize the strength of their relationship. With a rich background of endurance riding, ride camps, horses, and the challenges of competition, this book takes the reader on an adventure of mystery and self-discovery while romance builds in the background.
When endurance rider Bethany's husband presents his pregnant mistress and demands a divorce, her plans for the future shattered. True, he isn't much of a husband, and she really doesn't have many plans, but it's quite an unexpected surprise. To heal from the shock, she falls back on her love of horses and writing and begins traveling the nation competing in each region and selling stories about each event. Witnessing a murder in a deserted rest area terrifies her. Before dying, the victim pleads with her to deliver some important documents to his son Roger. She takes on this mission and mousey Bethany develops a bolder persona to hide her identity. This mission leads her to Roger Meadows, the handsome son of the victim. Avoiding the killers and with the aid of Roger, they work to discover the mastermind. In the end, it is a desperate ride that brings both of them to the final knowledge they need to solve the mystery and realize the strength of their relationship. With a rich background of endurance riding, ride camps, horses, and the challenges of competition, this book takes the reader on an adventure of mystery and self-discovery while romance builds in the background.
Unknown Binding
First published November 10, 2013
9 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Kasey Riley
18 books14 followersPRESS RELEASE:
Desperate Endurance now available in Audible, soon in Amazon and iTunes:
https://www.amazon.com/Desperate-Endu... So excited that it's finished. Skeleton Trail should be available by September and August Fire by the end of July. Do Not Assume might be out in Audible by Christmas, the same with Ruff Cut. I'm currently working on sequels to DNA and RC, but also working on a YA suspense novel that should be available after the first of the year.
Desperate Endurance now available in Audible, soon in Amazon and iTunes:
https://www.amazon.com/Desperate-Endu... So excited that it's finished. Skeleton Trail should be available by September and August Fire by the end of July. Do Not Assume might be out in Audible by Christmas, the same with Ruff Cut. I'm currently working on sequels to DNA and RC, but also working on a YA suspense novel that should be available after the first of the year.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 28, 2016
I loved this book. I’ve only heard of Endurance Riding, I love horses (although I am deathly allergic to them, so don’t go near them) I’m a sucker for romance and mystery and country life—and I love happy endings!
Bethany Wilcox’s husband had come home with his pregnant girlfriend and said he wanted a divorce. Bethany could cope with the divorce; the marriage had been without heart for a long time. What really shook her was the insults that her cheating spouse had thrown at her when he’d told her he wanted it. Later she realized that he was just a cruel jerk, but she had drawn into a shell, and it was hard for her to see herself as anything but unattractive and sexually inept. She had taken up endurance riding, and for the past year she had ridden and written about endurance rides that she had participated in across the country.
One night, after a long day of driving, she stopped at a rest stop. She was in the trailer checking her horses, Coup and Harley, when a vehicle drove in. She didn’t think anything of it until she heard a frightening conversation and realized that she was in a dangerous situation. Shots were fired, and from what she heard she understood that the victim had run into the woods. Just then another vehicle drove up, and the lights highlighted the man who was firing the gun. The driver quickly reversed the car and sped away. From the killers hurried conversation, Bethany knew that the men had made note of her license plate, before they jumped in their vehicle and tore out of the rest area, saying they had to catch the departing car and eliminate the witness. They would come back and take care of the old man afterward.
Bethany knew she had to get out of there, but she couldn’t bring herself to leave without checking to see if the man they had shot at was dead or just wounded. Possibly, she could help him. Richard Meadows was dying when she found him. He gave her his tags and told her to go to the post office in Monte Vista, Colorado and get a letter that was in it. He wanted her to find his son, Roger Meadows. Before she was to give the letter to him, he wanted her to make certain that he wasn’t in on the kidnapping that he had endured. Richard died in her arms, and then she fled.
When she went to the Post Office, she avoided looking at the surveillance camera as she opened the box and withdrew the envelope. She put it in her shoulder bag and walked out, almost running into the two murderers. She recognized them, but they had no idea who she was. She maintained her presence of mind and acted a little flirty and then walked jauntily away. She knew they would find her soon, unless she did something drastic.
Bethany reinvented herself. Her normal, unnoticeable look and personality disappeared. She bought a sexy new wardrobe. She went to a stylist and had her long blonde hair cut short and colored a fiery auburn. Green contacts camouflaged her hazel eyes. To save her life, Bethany portrayed a sexy, flirty, beautiful, desirable woman.
The killers stayed on her trail, searching out endurance ride locations, looking for her. She had warned her fellow riders that someone might show up—her ex-husband was trying to take her trailer back, even though it was legally hers. They “circled the wagons” helping her hide her trailer behind others, so it wasn’t noticeable. When the men showed up, they chased them off.
Eventually took a job at the Co-op store in Montrose, Colorado. Roger Meadows (Richard’s son) has a ranch not far from town. She meets him, and eventually rents a cabin at his place. This gives her a chance to get to know him and decide if he is honest and not involved in the kidnapping that ended his father’s life.
Roger Meadows is an ex-Army Ranger. He has not seen his father since he was eight years old and has no idea where he lives or anything about him. His wife died five years ago and he has not been able to move on. Sometimes he still expects her to meet him at the door. He is shocked to find that he is interested in the fiery redhead. He senses that she is hiding something from him. However she doesn’t know if she can trust him yet, so she keeps her secret.
Things become very tense when the bad guys start asking questions about him in Montrose. Then a suspicious “FBI agent” shows up at his ranch. Roger and his crew (who are all former colleagues) are well able to handle him, and he leaves without the answers that he is looking for. But he and his accomplices don’t give up.
Eventually, Bethany tells Roger what she knows. It becomes clear that until they find out who is behind the murder and kidnapping, no one is safe. Roger takes it upon himself to become Bethany’s protector, and when she goes to an Endurance ride, he goes along as her crew. The murders are there, waiting along the trail with the intention of kidnapping her. Things get exciting, in more ways than one on that trip, but they still do not found out who the mastermind is.
Kasey Riley did a terrific job of weaving the plot of this story. It was exciting, suspenseful, funny in places, terrifying in others and sexy in places. And even though I know nothing about endurance riding, it was obvious that she knew what she was writing about. I had no idea how great a distance some of these rides can cover, or how demanding the trails could be. I had no idea how closely the horses are monitored by veterinarians along the way—nor did I imagine the long hours the riders were in the saddle. It truly was an education for me.
I’ll be reading more of this author’s work!
Bethany Wilcox’s husband had come home with his pregnant girlfriend and said he wanted a divorce. Bethany could cope with the divorce; the marriage had been without heart for a long time. What really shook her was the insults that her cheating spouse had thrown at her when he’d told her he wanted it. Later she realized that he was just a cruel jerk, but she had drawn into a shell, and it was hard for her to see herself as anything but unattractive and sexually inept. She had taken up endurance riding, and for the past year she had ridden and written about endurance rides that she had participated in across the country.
One night, after a long day of driving, she stopped at a rest stop. She was in the trailer checking her horses, Coup and Harley, when a vehicle drove in. She didn’t think anything of it until she heard a frightening conversation and realized that she was in a dangerous situation. Shots were fired, and from what she heard she understood that the victim had run into the woods. Just then another vehicle drove up, and the lights highlighted the man who was firing the gun. The driver quickly reversed the car and sped away. From the killers hurried conversation, Bethany knew that the men had made note of her license plate, before they jumped in their vehicle and tore out of the rest area, saying they had to catch the departing car and eliminate the witness. They would come back and take care of the old man afterward.
Bethany knew she had to get out of there, but she couldn’t bring herself to leave without checking to see if the man they had shot at was dead or just wounded. Possibly, she could help him. Richard Meadows was dying when she found him. He gave her his tags and told her to go to the post office in Monte Vista, Colorado and get a letter that was in it. He wanted her to find his son, Roger Meadows. Before she was to give the letter to him, he wanted her to make certain that he wasn’t in on the kidnapping that he had endured. Richard died in her arms, and then she fled.
When she went to the Post Office, she avoided looking at the surveillance camera as she opened the box and withdrew the envelope. She put it in her shoulder bag and walked out, almost running into the two murderers. She recognized them, but they had no idea who she was. She maintained her presence of mind and acted a little flirty and then walked jauntily away. She knew they would find her soon, unless she did something drastic.
Bethany reinvented herself. Her normal, unnoticeable look and personality disappeared. She bought a sexy new wardrobe. She went to a stylist and had her long blonde hair cut short and colored a fiery auburn. Green contacts camouflaged her hazel eyes. To save her life, Bethany portrayed a sexy, flirty, beautiful, desirable woman.
The killers stayed on her trail, searching out endurance ride locations, looking for her. She had warned her fellow riders that someone might show up—her ex-husband was trying to take her trailer back, even though it was legally hers. They “circled the wagons” helping her hide her trailer behind others, so it wasn’t noticeable. When the men showed up, they chased them off.
Eventually took a job at the Co-op store in Montrose, Colorado. Roger Meadows (Richard’s son) has a ranch not far from town. She meets him, and eventually rents a cabin at his place. This gives her a chance to get to know him and decide if he is honest and not involved in the kidnapping that ended his father’s life.
Roger Meadows is an ex-Army Ranger. He has not seen his father since he was eight years old and has no idea where he lives or anything about him. His wife died five years ago and he has not been able to move on. Sometimes he still expects her to meet him at the door. He is shocked to find that he is interested in the fiery redhead. He senses that she is hiding something from him. However she doesn’t know if she can trust him yet, so she keeps her secret.
Things become very tense when the bad guys start asking questions about him in Montrose. Then a suspicious “FBI agent” shows up at his ranch. Roger and his crew (who are all former colleagues) are well able to handle him, and he leaves without the answers that he is looking for. But he and his accomplices don’t give up.
Eventually, Bethany tells Roger what she knows. It becomes clear that until they find out who is behind the murder and kidnapping, no one is safe. Roger takes it upon himself to become Bethany’s protector, and when she goes to an Endurance ride, he goes along as her crew. The murders are there, waiting along the trail with the intention of kidnapping her. Things get exciting, in more ways than one on that trip, but they still do not found out who the mastermind is.
Kasey Riley did a terrific job of weaving the plot of this story. It was exciting, suspenseful, funny in places, terrifying in others and sexy in places. And even though I know nothing about endurance riding, it was obvious that she knew what she was writing about. I had no idea how great a distance some of these rides can cover, or how demanding the trails could be. I had no idea how closely the horses are monitored by veterinarians along the way—nor did I imagine the long hours the riders were in the saddle. It truly was an education for me.
I’ll be reading more of this author’s work!
August 31, 2021
I have read all the books out this summer and enjoyed them a great deal. They are well written with few editorial mistakes, have excellent plots, snf good characters. If you are using Kindle unlimited, I read it that way and then bought it to read again soon. I learned a new horse sport too.
February 10, 2014
I have to admit the first thing about Desperate Endurance that drew me to the story is that horses are involved. I love animals and stories that include animals. So that right there peaked my interest. I also enjoy a good mystery with some romance included.
Bethany has been through so much in the last year. The poor girl really did not need anything else added to her plate. When she stops to grab a bite to eat and rest at a no service rest area, she finds herself in an VERY dangerous situation. Bethany doesn't let the danger stop her though. She is determined she is going to do as she promised the victim she witnessed being shot and left for dead. She sets out to learn as much as she can about all those involved and changes her appearance as much as she can so that the killers can't find her as easily. Bethany ends up in many dangerous, suspenseful situations that kept me turning pages to see what was going to happen with her next.
I love how when she arrives in Montrose how protective and caring the whole town is. She instantly finds several friends that are willing to protect her even though they don't her secret at first. I love this about small town stories, everyone is always so willing to help out. I also enjoy the humor of all the gossip that gets around so fast in small towns.
When Bethany & Roger met there is literally sparks between. They seem to have an electric current between them when ever they touch. These two have a great attraction to each other and it was a lot of fun watching them get to know each other even with so much else going on.
I have to admit, I really knew next to nothing about endurance Riding, before reading this book. I feel like I learned a lot about the sport through reading this book . I would love to watch these wonderfully trained horses in action sometime. I bet they are gorgeous when they are doing what they train for.
If you enjoy a good mystery suspense with nice romance thrown in, I think you will like this Desperate Endurance . If you are like me an enjoy books that include animals in the story line, I think you might enjoy this one. Kasey Riley does a great job of describing the horses and all the circumstances that happen. The horses included in this book really are heroes.
I believe this is Kasey Riley's debut novel and I have to say I think she has done a great job. I know I would certainly be interested in reading more of her work.
I was given the opportunity to read this book so that I may share my thoughts with you. As always it has been my pleasure to share my thoughts with you on Desperate Endurance.
Bethany has been through so much in the last year. The poor girl really did not need anything else added to her plate. When she stops to grab a bite to eat and rest at a no service rest area, she finds herself in an VERY dangerous situation. Bethany doesn't let the danger stop her though. She is determined she is going to do as she promised the victim she witnessed being shot and left for dead. She sets out to learn as much as she can about all those involved and changes her appearance as much as she can so that the killers can't find her as easily. Bethany ends up in many dangerous, suspenseful situations that kept me turning pages to see what was going to happen with her next.
I love how when she arrives in Montrose how protective and caring the whole town is. She instantly finds several friends that are willing to protect her even though they don't her secret at first. I love this about small town stories, everyone is always so willing to help out. I also enjoy the humor of all the gossip that gets around so fast in small towns.
When Bethany & Roger met there is literally sparks between. They seem to have an electric current between them when ever they touch. These two have a great attraction to each other and it was a lot of fun watching them get to know each other even with so much else going on.
I have to admit, I really knew next to nothing about endurance Riding, before reading this book. I feel like I learned a lot about the sport through reading this book . I would love to watch these wonderfully trained horses in action sometime. I bet they are gorgeous when they are doing what they train for.
If you enjoy a good mystery suspense with nice romance thrown in, I think you will like this Desperate Endurance . If you are like me an enjoy books that include animals in the story line, I think you might enjoy this one. Kasey Riley does a great job of describing the horses and all the circumstances that happen. The horses included in this book really are heroes.
I believe this is Kasey Riley's debut novel and I have to say I think she has done a great job. I know I would certainly be interested in reading more of her work.
I was given the opportunity to read this book so that I may share my thoughts with you. As always it has been my pleasure to share my thoughts with you on Desperate Endurance.
June 10, 2014
MY VIEW
I love stories about cowboys, ranches and their romances. The author did some wonderful descriptions of the characters and the scenery. It became real, you could actually picture yourself being there. The author put a little bit of everything in this book. We have romance, murder, suspense, and competitions.
We start off with a lot if's. If only. Can't we all relate to that? If the sun hadn't been in the wrong place, if she had left earlier, is she wasn't hell bent on completing her region rides of the AERC, and what if she hadn't divorced Booby.? These acts all led to her witnessing a murder. But this mishap led her to the murdered man's son. She had doubts that all she was going through was worth a strong, tender man. You bet cha.
I loved the way the author put Bethany in these different problems she went through in hopes of the love of a man. Would Bethany go through it all again? Bethany has a sport of Endurance racing that finds her freedom and peace. As we go through the small towns and the closeness of the people who live there, Bethany is on a journey of self-discovery.
I don't want to say any more for fear of giving the good parts away. I just must say that at first I didn't think I would care for the book. The title put me off. The book wasn't at all what I thought it would be. Much, much better. Will Bethany follow the trail of Endurance? Will she win the love of the man she wants? Well I recommend this book to anybody that loves cowboys, romance, mystery, suspense and DESPERATE ENDURANCE. Grab a copy and sit down in your favorite chair and discover what DESPERATE ENDURANCE is all about. Find out about Bethany and her journey.A sequel would be nice.
I was given a complimentary copy of DESPERATE ENDURANCE from the author for my view of the book. No other compensation took place.
I love stories about cowboys, ranches and their romances. The author did some wonderful descriptions of the characters and the scenery. It became real, you could actually picture yourself being there. The author put a little bit of everything in this book. We have romance, murder, suspense, and competitions.
We start off with a lot if's. If only. Can't we all relate to that? If the sun hadn't been in the wrong place, if she had left earlier, is she wasn't hell bent on completing her region rides of the AERC, and what if she hadn't divorced Booby.? These acts all led to her witnessing a murder. But this mishap led her to the murdered man's son. She had doubts that all she was going through was worth a strong, tender man. You bet cha.
I loved the way the author put Bethany in these different problems she went through in hopes of the love of a man. Would Bethany go through it all again? Bethany has a sport of Endurance racing that finds her freedom and peace. As we go through the small towns and the closeness of the people who live there, Bethany is on a journey of self-discovery.
I don't want to say any more for fear of giving the good parts away. I just must say that at first I didn't think I would care for the book. The title put me off. The book wasn't at all what I thought it would be. Much, much better. Will Bethany follow the trail of Endurance? Will she win the love of the man she wants? Well I recommend this book to anybody that loves cowboys, romance, mystery, suspense and DESPERATE ENDURANCE. Grab a copy and sit down in your favorite chair and discover what DESPERATE ENDURANCE is all about. Find out about Bethany and her journey.A sequel would be nice.
I was given a complimentary copy of DESPERATE ENDURANCE from the author for my view of the book. No other compensation took place.
January 3, 2014
Romantic suspense is not the sort of thriller I normally read, but I made a wise choice in trying DESPERATE ENDURANCE. Author Kasey Riley gives us a well crafted novel of murder, endurance racing, and a young woman finding a love even while hiding from killers and trying to figure it all out.
Bethany Wilcox, in the year since her divorce, had ridden her horses in endurance races and wrote magazine articles about. When she witnesses a murder at a rest stop, trying to help the victim after the killers chase another car that had pulled in, the dying man gets a promise to help, telling her what the men were after, how to find it, and what to do.
Kasey Riley is an endurance rider herself and I liked the way she worked information and treated us to that world, one I didn't know even existed, without slowing down the narrative one bit.
Quite liked this one.
Bethany Wilcox, in the year since her divorce, had ridden her horses in endurance races and wrote magazine articles about. When she witnesses a murder at a rest stop, trying to help the victim after the killers chase another car that had pulled in, the dying man gets a promise to help, telling her what the men were after, how to find it, and what to do.
Kasey Riley is an endurance rider herself and I liked the way she worked information and treated us to that world, one I didn't know even existed, without slowing down the narrative one bit.
Quite liked this one.
April 16, 2015
Let me start off by saying this book had a great beginning. It was fast paced and automatically sucked you into the story. I did find as I continued to read the book that some parts seemed to drag on and were a bit boring, but the story would quickly pick up pace and suck you back in, making up for those slow spots. I loved the idea of Bethany and Roger and I was rooting for them the entire book. I'll leave it at that so as not to spoil anything. Overall, the book had a great mix of suspense, humor, and romance. This is a pretty good read for romance and suspense readers alike, and also for the animal lovers out there....Stormi
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
June 19, 2014
This is a lovely story, equal parts suspense and romance. The characters are wonderful people who leave a lasting impression. The story is paced perfectly and the writing is fantastic. This story is about so much more than a murder. It's about life. Would I read more by this author? Yes. Would I recommend this book to others? Yes.
See the full review on my website, Awesome Book Assessment.
See the full review on my website, Awesome Book Assessment.
September 27, 2014
This was a great mystery. Who is coming after Bethany? This is the ultimate book of what ifs. What if Bethany did things different? What if she never witnessed murder? What if she never met her true love? There is a reason for everything and Bethany realizes that she may have been in the wrong place, at the wrong time, but it led to happiness. All she has to do is stay alive to enjoy it. The info on Endurance racing was all new to me and it was interesting. I am giving this book a 4/5. I was given a copy to review from Book Review Buzz and the author, however all opinions are my own.
December 2, 2013
While loving romantic suspense I rarely read any type of books about cowboys, ranches or horses and I must admit that this first novel by Kasey Riley has me changing my prior views to include them in future reads. I particularly liked how wonderfully descriptive the author wrote because I was able to picture the activity. I am not big on reading spoilers in reviews so let me say this was an excellent book and I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Riley.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews