Hopefully, The Horseman’s Heritage by Jacki Bentley is the first book of a series about Peacewatchers which are humanoid aliens that had outpost on Earth in our past. During the Civil War many of the outpost and Peacewatchers families lost contact with their origins. The Peacewatcher people have psychic gifts and believe in living peacefully and as naturally as possible to protect Earth, its inhabitants, and its natural resources.

Ashley Wilson and Reese Caldwell met and had a whirlwind relationship about five years ago. Ashley left when Reese told her emphatically he did not want to have children with her. Ashley was already pregnant and saw no reason to continue the relationship if Reese felt that strongly about having children. Reese never told Ashley the reason he didn’t want a child was fear of losing the child; he’d already lost a child once before. For five years these two stubborn people had no contact but each still cared deeply for the other. Now their daughter is asking questions about her father. Ashley contacts Reese to tell him about his daughter but before she is able to tell him he discovers that someone may be stealing some of her work and she may be in danger. Reese also knows he is of Peacewatchers descent but had paid little attention to what that should mean in his life. Will the Peacewatchers legacy be another problem for a relationship between Ashley and Reese? Will these two ever be able to tell each other the secrets they hold or will the secrets destroy what is left of their relationship? If Reese can’t keep Ashley safe from whoever is after her, will there even be a future to worry about?

The Horseman’s Heritage grabbed my attention from the first page and held me captive all the way to the end. I loved the characters of Ashley and Reese some of the most stubborn individuals you’d ever want to meet. I did want to knock their thick heads together a time or two for being so foolish but it was so evident that they really did belong together that I kept hoping they’d get beyond their past and be able to move forward together. Maybe Ms. Bentley will tell us in another book that extreme stubbornness is a Peacewatchers trait. Please let The Horseman’s Heritage just be the beginning of a Peacewatchers story line. The Peacewatchers plot line is incredibly innovative and creative. I want to read more about these people; we only get a taste of them in this story. There are a number of secondary characters in this story that would make great stories too. Ms. Bentley could easily follow this tale with the story of Reese’s brother, a story of locating other Peacewatcher families, or a story about Gabe, Reese’s missing child that he believes died. It doesn’t matter if this is the beginning of a series or a stand alone story, it is excellent. I recommend The Horseman’s Heritage!

Reviewed by: Stephanie B.