Probably the only reason I read this book was because I was able to get both first and second books at the same time. It was appalling to me that people would treat family members so badly and not learn from these mistakes. The book itself was quite unrealistic. I do genealogy and when it was revealed that Josh Coleman was almost 100 years old I kept thinking a quick check of the census would resolve most of the unknowns about this weird and repulsive character. Many of the characters seemed weak and altruistic.
I don't think I'm going to read any Fern Michaels books again.

Decent.

Book two in the Kentucky series titled Kentucky Heat. A continuation in the life of Nealy Clay, a strong willed woman. She continues live life her way only this time with a romance that has its ups and downs. Just like the last book, this story is set on Nealy's Kentucky horse farm where she raises race horses which makes for a great scenic back drop for the story. I'm ready for book three to see what happens next.

I read this book first in the series and I loved it so much that when I found out it was part of a series (at the end of the book when there was a snippet from the next book to entice me) I had to go back and find the first one to see how it all started. I loved Nealy's spirit.

Kentucky Heat

Awesome book! First page had me hooked! Took me only a couple of days to read. Thank you for writing this book.

Great

Honest to god don't know why I've read two books in this trilogy

There must be something compelling here because I slogged through two books in this series. But I'm not sure what. Reading it reminded me why I don't really like Fern Michaels' writing.. Unlikely scenarios, too much advancement through dialog and not enough through actual action. Even the horse races are expressed through the announcer calling the race.

This is a "cozy " read - Big money - Family (past & present) - Horses - overcoming personal tragedy and moving on with life - interesting story but she uses many pages of descriptive filler .

What an amazing story!! So many wonderful characters and the story line has so many branches! I live in Kentucky and lived two blocks from the track for awhile so I’m especially partial!

Kentucky Heat by Fern Michaels was a very good book, however, it started off very slow and dry. The main character Nealy Coleman Diamond Clay is a hard woman to initially like, but grow to like and respect her. Newly has had a hard a life and her means everything to her especially her son Nick and daughter Emme. Then there is the farm, the horse farm. She was raised on her uncle Josh Coleman's along with her brothers Pyne and Rye. She was to leave with her baby daughter Meme and was fortunate to find a new family Josh and Maud Diamond, who later adopted her. As young woman the Diamond's taught and drilled into the farm came first and worked hard everyday to prove to them that she was worthy and deserved to be there.

She later married Hunt Clay and had her son Nick. By them she caring mother, but the farm was first. She loved her kids and horses, but the farm was first. She wanted the kids the feel that and raised as such. It was her way to still prove she was worthy of what the Diamond's had done for her by adopting then willing her the farm.

Later her husband died and the kids leave home as young adults. Nealy struggles with their leaving, being alone on the farm, dealing with possible lost the farm where her brothers live, and trying to train as well as win her second Kentucky derby with Shuffy.

Most of all fall in love for the first time ever. The lucky man is Hatch Littletree, one of husband Hunt best friends. Hatch is a great man and makes her laugh her like she never has and shows the world outside of Kentucky and farm. Great

Tragedy strikes ...

All is well. Nealy and Hatch are together, farm is running well, her kids are successfully doing what they love, and family is first and strong.

After getting pass the first100 pages made the difference.

Age is just a number

All I can say is that old saying, “ When you are given lemons make lemonade.” Family is everything and this is what this story is all about.

Horses are more important than anything to Nealy Coleman Diamond! She has never left the ranch, except on the rare occasion to go town and even that makes her nervous. But she’s almost fifty. Her children Emmie and Nick, each promise to oversee the ranch for one week. What could go wrong? Nealy’s life is about to have many changes.