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High Horse Bastard
Behind every badass pirate bitch is a sweet woman who got tired of everyone’s bullshit.
Hadrian Hastings, the High Horse Bastard.
Mr. Hot and Cold himself.
From the moment we met, he’s taken issue with me.
I don’t exactly hate him… I mean, I wouldn’t go so far as to kick his crutches out from under him, but if he were on fire, and I had water, I’d drink it.
Working together wasn’t part of the plan.
Naturally, my asshole boss assigned him to act as my editor on the single most important project of my career; the one that’s going to get me out of my work contract and literally ‘save the estate’ that I am trying to organize into a equine therapy center.
So here we are.
Up against a ridiculous deadline.
Butting heads.
Stuck with each other.
Wading through the good, the bad, the ugly and the ridiculously intimate.
And something is beginning to shift between us.
I’m not sure what the hell is happening, or how it fits in with my new badass pirate bitch image…
But holy hell, can the High Horse Bastard kiss.
Warning: Strong language, mature content and sexual situations included.
High Horse Bastard is a steamy adult romance featuring a strong, sexy hero with a disability and an equally strong badass pirate bitch in training. Fans of Flowers From the Storm, England’s Perfect Hero, Me before You and Hart Broken will enjoy this take on the wounded hero romance genre.
High Horse Bastard is for anybody who enjoys:
steamy adult contemporary romance (If you don’t enjoy reading about sex than this book is probably not for you.)
love stories that defy stereotypes
unconventional heroes
strong heroines who are mostly peace, love, and light mixed with a little ‘Go fuck Yourself.’
strong, sexy, damaged heroes and disabled characters
High Horse Bastard is the prequel to the forthcoming No Such Unit series, but can be read as a standalone.
Hadrian Hastings, the High Horse Bastard.
Mr. Hot and Cold himself.
From the moment we met, he’s taken issue with me.
I don’t exactly hate him… I mean, I wouldn’t go so far as to kick his crutches out from under him, but if he were on fire, and I had water, I’d drink it.
Working together wasn’t part of the plan.
Naturally, my asshole boss assigned him to act as my editor on the single most important project of my career; the one that’s going to get me out of my work contract and literally ‘save the estate’ that I am trying to organize into a equine therapy center.
So here we are.
Up against a ridiculous deadline.
Butting heads.
Stuck with each other.
Wading through the good, the bad, the ugly and the ridiculously intimate.
And something is beginning to shift between us.
I’m not sure what the hell is happening, or how it fits in with my new badass pirate bitch image…
But holy hell, can the High Horse Bastard kiss.
Warning: Strong language, mature content and sexual situations included.
High Horse Bastard is a steamy adult romance featuring a strong, sexy hero with a disability and an equally strong badass pirate bitch in training. Fans of Flowers From the Storm, England’s Perfect Hero, Me before You and Hart Broken will enjoy this take on the wounded hero romance genre.
High Horse Bastard is for anybody who enjoys:
steamy adult contemporary romance (If you don’t enjoy reading about sex than this book is probably not for you.)
love stories that defy stereotypes
unconventional heroes
strong heroines who are mostly peace, love, and light mixed with a little ‘Go fuck Yourself.’
strong, sexy, damaged heroes and disabled characters
High Horse Bastard is the prequel to the forthcoming No Such Unit series, but can be read as a standalone.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 23, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 16, 2019
I'm going ahead and giving High Horse Bastard a 5-star review although there is a BIG caveat.
1) The story is hot and gave me all the tummy flips and pangs that I love,
BUT
2) there were some major editing issues. So much so in the first chapters that I almost put the book down. Luckily I didn't because the story got so much better as it went on, although there were still several editing issues that pulled me out of the story from time to time throughout the entire manuscript.
Honestly, I think this is a five-star erotic novella that is struggling behind some poor editing and formatting issues. And those things can really be deal-breakers for people. It almost was for me and I would have missed out on something delicious.
I secretly (not so secretly, now) want to sit down with the author and go over the story - tighten up the story arc and editing - with her and make this one really shine! There is so much gold here that just gets lost under the tarnish.
1) The story is hot and gave me all the tummy flips and pangs that I love,
BUT
2) there were some major editing issues. So much so in the first chapters that I almost put the book down. Luckily I didn't because the story got so much better as it went on, although there were still several editing issues that pulled me out of the story from time to time throughout the entire manuscript.
Honestly, I think this is a five-star erotic novella that is struggling behind some poor editing and formatting issues. And those things can really be deal-breakers for people. It almost was for me and I would have missed out on something delicious.
I secretly (not so secretly, now) want to sit down with the author and go over the story - tighten up the story arc and editing - with her and make this one really shine! There is so much gold here that just gets lost under the tarnish.
December 14, 2018
The way I see it there are not many authors out there that manage a believable approach on the subjects of this book and still are able to keep in interesting.
I never read a book from this author before so I do not know her usual writing style but this story felt a little rough around the edges of the plot - so the author might be doing it a favor if it went over a round of editing to make the storyline a little more romantic.
I really loved her approach and the plotline yet it felt as if the actual romance was to cold. There was a spark and attraction but I still needed something that showed warmth.
I assume the problem is the plot as the male is explaining things rather clinical and matter of fact so I guess it is difficult to find the moment where that turns into more and go with that flow - to me it felt like one of those music shows where the host holds his hand above the buzzer willing to push it - yet still waiting for something that never comes.
Really hard to explain - Still make no mistake I really like story and therefore I consider it a 4 star BUT it with some touches and editing it could easy be a 5 star book and walk along some of my favorite stories in this genre (that I like very much and call "wounded warriors&Scarred heroes)
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November 30, 2018
Oh, I was SO EXCITED when I saw this pop up. I’ve been waiting for The Iron Lieutenant for months, and this... well, it’s not that, but it’s SOMETHING.
Unfortunately, there are few things more frustrating than a book with an editing theme that looks like it hasn’t been to an editor itself.
It seemed like it took a while to get going, and once the two leads got together, it basically turned into a disabled sexuality primer. There were several twists and turns, but mostly it felt like Hastings was telling his new lover stuff and that was it. No real plot, just MOAR SEX with MOAR PILLOWS.
And, really, isn’t the point of a book about a character with a disability to show that, yes, a disability makes life different but doesn’t define someone’s identity? I wish there had been more about the relationship between the two of them than just “we had a lot of sex today.”
...all of which might have been dealt with if Kit Smart had the services of a better editor.
Sigh.
Unfortunately, there are few things more frustrating than a book with an editing theme that looks like it hasn’t been to an editor itself.
It seemed like it took a while to get going, and once the two leads got together, it basically turned into a disabled sexuality primer. There were several twists and turns, but mostly it felt like Hastings was telling his new lover stuff and that was it. No real plot, just MOAR SEX with MOAR PILLOWS.
And, really, isn’t the point of a book about a character with a disability to show that, yes, a disability makes life different but doesn’t define someone’s identity? I wish there had been more about the relationship between the two of them than just “we had a lot of sex today.”
...all of which might have been dealt with if Kit Smart had the services of a better editor.
Sigh.
December 5, 2018
I liked the story, but the book could have done with a fair bit of editing. Would easily have been 3+ stars then, even 4.
August 6, 2019
4.5 stars.
December 1, 2018
Sexiest romance with a disabled character
Very hot and sexy display of a disabled male character. Brought to light some of the difficulties the disabled have in being seen in a romantic and sexy way and that we all have issues to overcome and work through. Excellent story and writing skill but really needs some editing for many typos.
Very hot and sexy display of a disabled male character. Brought to light some of the difficulties the disabled have in being seen in a romantic and sexy way and that we all have issues to overcome and work through. Excellent story and writing skill but really needs some editing for many typos.
March 25, 2020
Christine
It’s rare to find romance novels that portray a disabled love interest; it’s an anomaly to find one that actually does justice to the disability community. For a disabled writer such as myself, to never come across the words “tragic, confined, bound or inspirational” is an absolutely miracle. Most are out to use disabled characters as vehicles that promote the virtues of their able bodied love interest (and land a coveted spot on Hallmark movie channel). While this could at times be clinical the fact that the author did research and continually emphasized seeing the HERO rather than his CP was key. I loved that the heroine called him out unabashedly on his bs and he could respond in kind. The author summed it up perfectly when she pointed out that all relationships if they’re worthy, should require work. Point being, everyone has their ish. If you’re invested, interested and card for a person, getting to know them regardless of ability, should be work; but work that only strengthens both individuals from that point on. Aside from some editing mishaps I would definitely recommend.
It’s rare to find romance novels that portray a disabled love interest; it’s an anomaly to find one that actually does justice to the disability community. For a disabled writer such as myself, to never come across the words “tragic, confined, bound or inspirational” is an absolutely miracle. Most are out to use disabled characters as vehicles that promote the virtues of their able bodied love interest (and land a coveted spot on Hallmark movie channel). While this could at times be clinical the fact that the author did research and continually emphasized seeing the HERO rather than his CP was key. I loved that the heroine called him out unabashedly on his bs and he could respond in kind. The author summed it up perfectly when she pointed out that all relationships if they’re worthy, should require work. Point being, everyone has their ish. If you’re invested, interested and card for a person, getting to know them regardless of ability, should be work; but work that only strengthens both individuals from that point on. Aside from some editing mishaps I would definitely recommend.
August 1, 2019
HomiGOODNESS, I love this story. The telling, the characters, the internal dialogue, the dance of two people around the plot of a book their writing together...
But KIT...!! Dearheart, you *NEED* an editing team. There are no paragraphs. There are words shoved together. The obscene use (or lack thereof) of commas made me want to thwack the screen, over and over and OVER and OVER again. Half the time, nobody knows who's talking.
I told you this in my last review of your 'Glass Admiral' book. I told you... get a group of friends. Get a single friend. Get a STRANGER. Get me - I don't care, but do *SOMETHING*, because this would be seven stars, if you had a little help with the formatting.
But KIT...!! Dearheart, you *NEED* an editing team. There are no paragraphs. There are words shoved together. The obscene use (or lack thereof) of commas made me want to thwack the screen, over and over and OVER and OVER again. Half the time, nobody knows who's talking.
I told you this in my last review of your 'Glass Admiral' book. I told you... get a group of friends. Get a single friend. Get a STRANGER. Get me - I don't care, but do *SOMETHING*, because this would be seven stars, if you had a little help with the formatting.
May 29, 2020
A Bridget Jones type who works in publishing gets assigned to write a romance novel with a disabled hero, under the supervision of an editor who has CP. He tells her the book is full of cliches and teaches her the reality of dating and having sex with a disability. I really liked the dual structure of Pippa trying to work out how to write her novel as she's going on "research" dates and falling for her editor. The attempt at realism is great but somehow felt flat, without the depth of real experience.
March 11, 2019
I really liked the Storyline. A very interesting approach. But this book needs editing. As a non-native I dont get all meanings and had to read some sentences more than once. I really thought about to stop reading but I wanted to see the development of the Story. In some chapters I wished for some more depths and Insight, it sometimes seemed rushed.
As it is book 0.5 its supposed the prequel of the whole Story. So I'm waiting for the best Part, hopefully after editing ;)
As it is book 0.5 its supposed the prequel of the whole Story. So I'm waiting for the best Part, hopefully after editing ;)
July 3, 2021
Very hot hot hot 🔥🔥
Warning: DO NOT read in a public place..esp work 😂
The characters are so sweet and emotional.
However the editing mistakes are too too much. If not for the plot, which happens to be my favourite genre, this would have been a 2☆ for me.
Warning: DO NOT read in a public place..esp work 😂
The characters are so sweet and emotional.
However the editing mistakes are too too much. If not for the plot, which happens to be my favourite genre, this would have been a 2☆ for me.
December 31, 2021
Meh. Was okay. Too much early on exposition that I lost interest. Definitely needs some additional editing.
July 3, 2020
THIS is how you write an erotic romance. THIS is a love story with relatable, LOVABLE characters.
I never saw this book coming and Lord, but did I need it. So much.
I will rarely say this, but the heroine in this book was awesome. Even if she did talk to herself. Like, a lot. How long has it been since I encountered a heroine that wasn't stupid, weak or embarrassing in some fashion? I promise its been months.
Months.
And I might be more than half in love with Hadrian. What a love he was. To me, THAT is a sexy man, and his vulnerability was so touching. It made him even hotter than he already was.
SPOILER * SPOILER * SPOILER
By the by, Hadrian has diplegic cerebral palsy and occasional grand mal seizures, presumably from prenatal anoxia or premature birth. He walks with the aid of crutches. His condition is dealt with very much front and center here. If anyone has issue with a hero who was disabled at birth rather than acquiring his disability being a SEAL or some other overdone macho hero shite, this probably won't work for you.
The writer included thorough and accurate detail on Hadrian's condition and challenges - sex being one of those challenges - yet still manages to make it sexy as hell. The way that Pippa dug in and kept chipping away at Hadrian's armour to learn what made him tick - without getting her feelings hurt or losing patience - was kind of beautiful. This was a mature and grounded heroine who accepted herself and didn't dissolve into self-pity when things went pear-shaped or when facing up to things that she needed to change in herself. She was a little quirky at times but in a natural way rather than an annoying one. She was goal-oriented and tenacious and had a deep and abiding compassion towards a very difficult, guarded and misunderstood man. You gotta love that. I did. I loved her. There were some truly achingly tender moments in this story and I can't tell you the last time I read a book that made me feel anything close to what this little story did.
It's not perfect. There were a number of typos. It could have been longer and the switch from acrimony to attraction was more insta than I like. But those things were far from deal-breakers. This story kicked me right in the feels, and is far and away the best thing I've read in over a year or more.
I like this writer's style.
I never saw this book coming and Lord, but did I need it. So much.
I will rarely say this, but the heroine in this book was awesome. Even if she did talk to herself. Like, a lot. How long has it been since I encountered a heroine that wasn't stupid, weak or embarrassing in some fashion? I promise its been months.
Months.
And I might be more than half in love with Hadrian. What a love he was. To me, THAT is a sexy man, and his vulnerability was so touching. It made him even hotter than he already was.
SPOILER * SPOILER * SPOILER
By the by, Hadrian has diplegic cerebral palsy and occasional grand mal seizures, presumably from prenatal anoxia or premature birth. He walks with the aid of crutches. His condition is dealt with very much front and center here. If anyone has issue with a hero who was disabled at birth rather than acquiring his disability being a SEAL or some other overdone macho hero shite, this probably won't work for you.
The writer included thorough and accurate detail on Hadrian's condition and challenges - sex being one of those challenges - yet still manages to make it sexy as hell. The way that Pippa dug in and kept chipping away at Hadrian's armour to learn what made him tick - without getting her feelings hurt or losing patience - was kind of beautiful. This was a mature and grounded heroine who accepted herself and didn't dissolve into self-pity when things went pear-shaped or when facing up to things that she needed to change in herself. She was a little quirky at times but in a natural way rather than an annoying one. She was goal-oriented and tenacious and had a deep and abiding compassion towards a very difficult, guarded and misunderstood man. You gotta love that. I did. I loved her. There were some truly achingly tender moments in this story and I can't tell you the last time I read a book that made me feel anything close to what this little story did.
It's not perfect. There were a number of typos. It could have been longer and the switch from acrimony to attraction was more insta than I like. But those things were far from deal-breakers. This story kicked me right in the feels, and is far and away the best thing I've read in over a year or more.
I like this writer's style.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2018
Unexpected delight
It took me a while to warm up to this story. The beginning felt a bit single minded and high handed... but as the story goes on, and Pippa manages to breach some of Hadrian's emotional defenses, this story challenges the characters, and reader, to look at things we often avoid, to think about things we often shy away from, and to consider things in a new light. A story about love, empathy, and understanding, Pippa discovers that simply being nice, going along to get along, and conflict avoidance aren't actually the same thing as understanding, empathy, and genuine caring.
I nearly have up on this story early on, but am glad I kept reading, as it proved to be an unexpected delight.
It took me a while to warm up to this story. The beginning felt a bit single minded and high handed... but as the story goes on, and Pippa manages to breach some of Hadrian's emotional defenses, this story challenges the characters, and reader, to look at things we often avoid, to think about things we often shy away from, and to consider things in a new light. A story about love, empathy, and understanding, Pippa discovers that simply being nice, going along to get along, and conflict avoidance aren't actually the same thing as understanding, empathy, and genuine caring.
I nearly have up on this story early on, but am glad I kept reading, as it proved to be an unexpected delight.
December 22, 2018
Very good
I really loved how this book started. I just wished that the book ended the way it started. It started as a real story, facts, just amazing to read, and then there was a shift in the book almost as if someone else took over the writing. Where all the focus became sex.
That was disappointing. I felt that the story was cut off short and that there was so much more than sex.
Despite this I still gave this book 5☆s. It was that good.
I really loved how this book started. I just wished that the book ended the way it started. It started as a real story, facts, just amazing to read, and then there was a shift in the book almost as if someone else took over the writing. Where all the focus became sex.
That was disappointing. I felt that the story was cut off short and that there was so much more than sex.
Despite this I still gave this book 5☆s. It was that good.
December 31, 2020
Oh my gosh guys. 😍😍 I can't even with this book. It is a well-known fact that I am a sucker for the injured hero persona, and this book hit the proverbial nail on the freaking head. Have you read it? What'd you think? Give me some similar suggestions below👇👇. (For the record, yes, a TON of editing errors in this book, which I hate, but the story is so good I didn't even care...)
Final Score ::
• Story :: 📖 📖 📖 📖
• Characters :: 👫👫👫👫
• Steaminess :: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
》Overall :: ❤❤❤❤
Final Score ::
• Story :: 📖 📖 📖 📖
• Characters :: 👫👫👫👫
• Steaminess :: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
》Overall :: ❤❤❤❤
February 7, 2019
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Kit has only written a couple books that i could find. And I have I have totally enjoyed them both. Great flawed characters. An amazing world. There is a vested interest in their outcome. You just love them!
I have hopes that she will still release the Iron Lieutenant. Please please!
Kit has only written a couple books that i could find. And I have I have totally enjoyed them both. Great flawed characters. An amazing world. There is a vested interest in their outcome. You just love them!
I have hopes that she will still release the Iron Lieutenant. Please please!
December 3, 2018
Great representation of disability in a romance! Although the typos need to be taken care of.
March 5, 2019
Great read
Just discovered this genre and love it as a disabled myself.... lovely amusing story about romance and love. What’s not to like.
Just discovered this genre and love it as a disabled myself.... lovely amusing story about romance and love. What’s not to like.
December 29, 2021
3.5 stars…
This was surprisingly refreshing in its approach to a hero with a significant disability, and one he was born with. I liked that Hadrian insisted on talking about his health head-on and never shied away from hard conversations. I also thought that for a first person POV the author did a good job of helping the reader understand Hadrian’s emotions - and it was obvious, at least to me, that he had had feelings for her before he admitted it.
Two things that were lacking for me. The first is the romance. I liked the slow burn and thought it was well done, but once they acknowledge their desire for each other it just became about sex…almost to hammer home that he could still be sexual while disabled, which I didn’t love. I wanted more warmth, closeness, intimacy.
The second thing that lacked for me was the ending - talk about abrupt! The book literally ends at a sex scene - so it was very strange. I kept flipping pages to see if I had missed something.
Other than those two points, I really enjoyed this.
This was surprisingly refreshing in its approach to a hero with a significant disability, and one he was born with. I liked that Hadrian insisted on talking about his health head-on and never shied away from hard conversations. I also thought that for a first person POV the author did a good job of helping the reader understand Hadrian’s emotions - and it was obvious, at least to me, that he had had feelings for her before he admitted it.
Two things that were lacking for me. The first is the romance. I liked the slow burn and thought it was well done, but once they acknowledge their desire for each other it just became about sex…almost to hammer home that he could still be sexual while disabled, which I didn’t love. I wanted more warmth, closeness, intimacy.
The second thing that lacked for me was the ending - talk about abrupt! The book literally ends at a sex scene - so it was very strange. I kept flipping pages to see if I had missed something.
Other than those two points, I really enjoyed this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2021
The first half of the book was amazing! The way the author dealt with the issues the characters faced was fantastic but then when they finally get together it’s like everything else is forgotten about and all these side characters and possibilities are just poofed out of the air…
December 14, 2019
Nice book
It was overall a nice book. I wish it was a bit longer so we could learn more about the characters then just in the moment
It was overall a nice book. I wish it was a bit longer so we could learn more about the characters then just in the moment
Read
March 3, 2022i.read.that.without.seing.the.cover.too.much.sex.for.me.
May 14, 2023
3 stars. The story was so sweet but it was so rushed and sometimes confusing. I also think that the author forgot to edit it
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews