The Black Sheep and the Hidden Beauty

By: Donna Kauffman

Narrated by: Sebastian York

Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

They're back - the boys you go out looking for precisely because your mother warned you not to - the bad boys every good girl needs at least once, if not twice! Raphael "Rafe" Santiago may have left the streets years ago, but the street has never left him. A rough childhood in the Bronx taught him never to let his guard down, to keep everything in order, and always to trust that little voice in his gut that tells him when someone's got something to hide.

Horse trainer Elena Caulfield, is definitely hiding something, and Rafe intends to find out what it is and take care of it - his way. But his way wasn't supposed to include feeling an intense attraction to the tomboyish Elena. With her mud-caked boots, quiet strength, and gentle manner, she's nothing like the flashy, seductive, overtly feminine women Rafe usually beds. The closer he gets to her, the harder it is to control that fiery passion he's worked hard to keep cooled, the kind that can catch a man off guard and leave him open to danger - because whatever secret Elena's protecting, it's big - and worth killing for. Because when you're from the Bronx, you take care of what you love - or die trying!

©2008 Donna Kauffman (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Rafe and Elena

Raphael or "Rafe" Santiago to his friends grew up with Mac and Finn. When Mac's girlfriend Kate hires a new horse trainer named Elena, Rafe get suspicious over some of the things that she does. Rafe is suave, handsome, and a ladies man who normally date super model type women. Elena is your tom boy, coverall barn girl that would prefer to spend more time with horses then people. When Rafe asks Elena to give him riding lessons, both have their guards up because they are both aware Rafe has no interest in mounting a horse, much less learning to ride....so what's his angle?

Elena is guarding a secret and apparently it's worth killing for. Problem is no one knows who is out for blood or why?
Sebastian York does an amazing job on all the characters in this story. Jumping between Spanish and English, male and female, and maintaining a constant flow - Always a pleasure to listen to.

excellent

once again Donna Ksuffman wrote an excellent story about love and intrigue. It kept you wondering what the main FMC was hidimg and why the Male lead was so interested in her from the satart. it got really good at the end. Kudos and to have Sébastien York narrate the whole thing was awesome!

Good story but not so good narration.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

For the most part. The narration made this slightly boring.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Added a female narrator as well. York is pretty much a one-note performer.

What didn’t you like about Sebastian York’s performance?

While I generally like Sebastian York's voice in other audiobooks, there was very little inflection or tonal changes. Hero is of Hispanic heritage yet there is no accent whatsoever even when he says the one Spanish word ever uttered in the entire book, "mijita" (little girl), never mind the exceedingly boring representation of the heroine.

Could you see The Black Sheep and the Hidden Beauty being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Mmm...not really.

Any additional comments?

Just an 'ok' read overall. Would not re-listen to.

If Sebastian York Were Not the Narrator

There was too much horse information, not enough substance. Had Sebastian York not narrated this audio book, I would have not completed it.

No hiding this great story!

I was given this book by the author.
I thought this audio book was great! This was my twelfth Kauffman book. I love Donna Kauffman's books and this one was no different! This is the story of Rafe and Elena. Elana is a horse trainer who is working for the wife of one of Rafe's friends. It is obvious to Rafe that Elana is hiding something or hiding from someone. He is determined to find out what her story is. When Rafe approaches Elana on the pretense of wanting riding lessons from her, Elana is drawn to him, but terrified to get too close to him at the same time.
Kauffman had just the right mix of suspense, engaging dialogue and sizzle to make this a very enjoyable story. Although there were some editing issues, the narration by Sebastion York was beguiling to listen to. He drew me in...and kept me there.

Mystery & romance

Mystery surrounding a horse trainer in Virginia was fairly predictable but the romance was sweet and the story included some nice banter between Raffea and Elena and Mac & Kate from the previous book. Sebastian York did a good job though it would have been better to include a female narrator.