Reviews

What my readers think.

"I like the concept of this story (Sugar Hill)...it was a great read and... well written. The story was a very realistic story that could be related to real-life situations. This book is a great read for a book club and can have great discussions from the story told in this book...well written... and great story line!"

–Yentel

★★★★

★★★★★

"A Line Crossed is an eye-opening look into the underbelly of the horse racing world and the tragic outcomes due to illegal doping. It is a relevant topic in light of the recent scandals with some of the world’s top trainers. A very enjoyable read and an educational one as well."

–H.C. Gordon

"Sugar Hill is an amazing book. It made me laugh, cry, and at times angry. To learn of this forgotten town that was beaten down and then controlled by Big Sugar and racism was heart-wrenching. But it took one man with regret and shame in his past to take on Big Sugar to bring hope, pride, and prosperity back to this small Florida town."

★★★★★

–Tyler D

★★★★

A Tale of Racing at the Crossroads, from an Informed Insider

A Line Crossed is an engrossing journey into the heart of horse racing in America. Focusing on the story of one horse and one trainer at one track, Valente deals with the pressing issues facing the sport throughout the country: Unscrupulous vets and trainers. Greedy racetrack owners. Scheming politicians. Well meaning but clueless owners. But Valente, a one-time track publicist, backstretch worker, and successful owner, also touches on the good – those workers in both management and the barns, who truly love the game and the horses. While he occasionally gets a bit deep in the weeds of racing's new medication regulatory structure, that does provide important context to the critical hurdles the sport faces as it attempts to clean itself up. With sharply and intelligently drawn characters and a promising Kentucky Derby hopeful horse at it's center, A Line Crossed is recommended to all with an interest in one of America's great sports – even if that interest is only on the first Saturday in May.

– John K