Title: Hollywood to Horses

Author: Dez Schwartz

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: 06/14/2021

Length: 29800

Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, Equestrian, Horses, Sports, Rivals to Lovers, Over 40, Gay, Bisexual, Rom Com

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Description

Mateo Harris, a retired Olympic Show Jumper, achieved just about everything he could want in life. Rising from a nobody to becoming a beloved gold-medalist, co-owning H&H Riding Academy with his cousin—and best friend—Emily Hall, and he’s one of the most powerful and respected men in his hometown of Sweetspire, VA. Nothing can shake the foundations of the life he’s built for himself. That is until he hears his nemesis and former crush, Christopher Wright II, has moved back to town.

Christopher, a runaway movie star, has returned to Sweetspire to inherit the family business: Wright Stables, the only rival riding academy Mateo has ever had to worry about. With Christopher’s charm, talent, and fame taking charge, Mateo is faced with real competition both in and out of the arena. He’ll have to be at the top of his game to prove he’s still the number one equestrian in town, but every encounter with Christopher becomes as challenging as any obstacle he’s faced on horseback.

Hollywood to Horses
Dez Schwartz © 2021
All Rights Reserved

Saturday evening had come faster than Mateo would have liked. He used the mirror in the foyer to adjust his black silk Alexander McQueen tie, which bore an embroidered silver rose. His entire outfit was black, save for the crimson red pocket square he wore on his suit jacket. He preferred to imagine it had been dyed with the blood of his enemies. At least, that was the frame of mind he seeped in tonight. He wasn’t so much attending a party as walking into a battle.

“You look like you’re headed to a funeral,” Emily said. She’d arrived to pick him up and share some preparty cocktails.

She usually attended as his plus one at these sorts of events. She epitomized the perfect date. Beautiful, charming, and always helpful at saving him from unwanted conversations. The latter made her an irreplaceable companion.

“They say fashion is a form of self-expression.” He smoothed out his suit. “This is me expressing myself.”

“Interesting.” She smirked. “I can’t wait to see what outfit Christopher is wearing.”

Mateo fixed her with a warning glare.

“Come on.” She laughed. “We’re well beyond fashionably late and bordering on questionably intoxicated.”

She’d been right, of course. When they arrived at the Wright’s mansion, the party was in full swing, and everyone welcomed them as though they were surprised they’d decided to make an appearance.

Sonny Ventura, whose name should have destined him to become a Floridian detective, worked as a local photojournalist for the Sweetspire Sentinel and was the first one to greet them.

“Mateo!” Sonny shouted, cheery as ever. No doubt because this would be his best write-up of the week. No expense had been cut at this party. The décor proved phenomenal, the food already smelled amazing, plenty of drinks were being passed out on silver platters, and Mateo was certain the band he heard playing in courtyard had to be Adam & the Ants.

Sonny grinned at them and held up his camera. “Photo?”

Mateo and Emily modeled on demand in one of their many rehearsed poses from years of attending social obligations.

“Thanks so much!” Sonny beamed. “I’m sure I’ll get more of you as the night goes on.”

“Be sure to sell them for a hefty price if they’re scandalous,” Mateo advised. He grabbed a champagne glass off a waiter’s tray and took a sip before handing the drink off to Emily.

Sonny laughed. “Here’s hoping!”

He waved a quick goodbye as he rushed over to get photos of Mayor Eskue and Mrs. Wright.

Aside from the drinks, Mateo lived for photos and the lavished attention he received at parties, but tonight weighed on him as a bleak affair.

He nudged Emily in the side as they sauntered into the main room where most of the guests seemed to have taken up residence.

“Told you,” he whispered in her ear. “If Mrs. Wright invited the press, then this is more than just a casual party to fulfill her social events quota for the year.”

“Perhaps your conspiracy theory is correct.” Emily nodded toward a handsome man with short, light-brown hair, who had taken up residence at the bar. “Douglas seems grim.”

Douglas Fairchild had never been the chipper type, but Mateo agreed with Emily’s assessment that he was leaning into dreary territory and out of alignment with the intended celebratory mood of the event.

“Hmm. I could use a little tea. Especially if it’s spiked,” Mateo said. “Shall we?”

Arms linked, he led Emily over to join Douglas at the open bar.

 

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Dez Schwartz is a LGBTQ, Dreampunk, & Gothic Romance author and artist based in San Angelo, Texas. She holds a BFA in Studio Art and worked as a graphic artist, and a Director’s Assistant at a fine arts museum, before transitioning to writing full-time.

Her longtime love of Victorian spiritualism, gay literary fiction, and romantic comedies inspired her to begin writing all of the stories she wished existed.

When she’s not passionately crafting tales, she can be found drawing, researching, or traveling with loved ones.

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