Showdown    by Tilly Bagshawe Order:  USA  Can Warner, 2006 (2006) Hardcover, CD Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Bobby Cameron - a horse trainer with exceptional talents - is from California's Santa Ynez Valley. Would-be jockey Milly Lockwood Groves grew up in Newmarket, England. Horses are both their lives, and they are determined to make their living (a good one) doing what they love. Of course, they meet and immediate sparks fly. But Milly is only sixteen – a detriment as far as older Bobby is concerned. She's a child and he is not a pedophile. We follow their love/hate affair on both sides of the big pond. Their characters are well-rounded and fleshed-out, though Milly seems quite young for the role given her. Their surrounding players also feel like real people. A feud between Milly and Rachel (a rival in the world of jockeys) seems out of proportion but it sure makes sparks fly. Summer has her eye on Bobby, but devastating news turns that almost-affair on its ear. There is no end to the impediments that affect characters' lives, but, as in most books, they spiral down to good endings. Very predictable but still good. There seems to be a lot of jumping in and out of beds. Almost got ho-hum. But, I have to admit, Showdown held my attention from the first page to the last, with no end of action to keep those pages turning. Tilly Bagshawe, who previously wrote Adored, has another winner on her hands. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Contemporary books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews