Finding Romance at the Rodeo by Joanne Kennedy
In my latest sexy cowboy novel, How To Kiss a Cowboy, a bronc buster’s love faces off against the stubborn pride of a champion cowgirl. Hell-raising roughstock rider Brady Caine has always admired Suze Carlyle for her barrel racing skills, but when an unexpected night of romance reveals a passionate heart and world-class body hidden under her plain-Jane shirts and baggy jeans, he falls fast and hard for the hard-working cowgirl.
Suze isn’t interested in a relationship with a heartbreaker like Brady, but when his daredevil riding causes an accident that threatens to end her career, he refuses to leave her side until she’s back in winning form. Suze is determined to keep Brady out of her life and her bed, but he has other ideas—and although he’s always been an easy-going cowboy, he’s learned her stubborn ways and won’t give up until he wins her heart.
I love writing about rodeo because my hometown is famous for holding the largest outdoor rodeo in America. Cheyenne Frontier Days makes an action-packed backdrop for any cowboy romance, fictional or true-life. During that Wild West week in July, you can attend night shows featuring major music artists, play games at the carnival, and eat some of the best fair food when you’re not watching the world’s top cowboys compete in a major PRCA rodeo every day of the week.
It makes for great dates, except for one thing: Frontier Days sure draws a crowd! It’s hard to find a place to be alone with your cowboy sweetheart, but I’ve come up with five places you can get in a little lovin’ on the side.
- The Nosebleed Seats. Whatever you do, don’t sit behind the bucking chutes if you’re looking for alone time. Everybody likes to sit there, especially women, because the cowboys line up at the rail to watch their buddies compete. That row of Wranglers makes for quite a sight when viewed from behind, and watching the competitors help their buddies saddle up is a scene worth watching, too. But if you want some space, the best place to sit is on the west side of the arena, high up in the back. You can’t really see the rode from there, but then again, nobody can see you! So a little snuggling in the stands is perfectly all right.
- Wild Horse Gulch. The Gulch is made up of little shacks that look like an old-style Western town, and they’re home to vendors who sell everything from animal pelts (yuck!) to pretty Western purses and jewelry (yes!). You might want to encourage your sweetie to spend some of his winnings here, but you can also duck behind the buildings for a little summertime make out session. Trust me, nobody will notice.
- The Ferris Wheel. I’ve heard that if you wait until the carnival isn’t too busy and slip the operator a tip, you can sweet-talk him into giving you and your honey some extra time at the top of the wheel. From there, you can look out over the fairgrounds and enjoy the lights—but you’ll want to sit extra close to your cowboy because it’s a little scary being up that high!
- At a Night Show. If Brad Paisley’s playing, you can forget about getting any alone time in the arena. The same goes for other popular acts like George Strait and Kid Rock. But Frontier Days has one heck of a sound system. I know, because I used to live ten blocks away, and you could hear the concerts from my deck! You and your cowboy will feel like they’re playing for you and you alone if you come early, park close, and lay in the back of his pickup, staring up at the stars while you listen to some fine country music or a sexy night of rock ‘ n’ roll.
- Absolutely Anywhere. I don’t know about you, but when I’m with my honey at a special event, spending a fun day far from the workaday world, I don’t really notice the people around me. When we’re walking together with our arms around each other (or with our hands tucked in each others’ back pockets), everything else seems to fade away and we might as well be all alone.
That’s what it’s like when you’re in love with a cowboy.
Title: How to Kiss a Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy
Cowboys of Decker Ranch Series Book Two
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 480 pages
Summary:
Between rodeo wins and endorsement deals, Saddle Bronc Champion Brady Caine is living a charmed life. But when he causes an accident that could end a promising barrel racer’s career, he decides that he’s done with loose women and wild rides. All he wants to do is erase his mistake by getting Suze Carlyle back in the saddle.
The last person barrel racer Suze wants to see on her doorstep is the man who ended her rodeo career, but she can’t help admire Brady’s persistence. Sparks fly between them, but when her barn is sabotaged she wonders if he’s really the straight shooter he seems to be…
Read my review HERE.
Purchase Links: Amazon * B&N * iTunes
Author Bio
Joanne Kennedy’s lifelong fascination with Wyoming’s unique blend of past and present inspires her to write contemporary Western romances with traditional ranch settings. In 2010 she was nominated for a RITA award for One Fine Cowboy. At various times, Joanne has dabbled in horse training, chicken farming, and bridezilla wrangling at a department store wedding registry. Her fascination with literature led to careers in bookselling and writing. She lives with two dogs and a retired fighter pilot in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Good morning! Thanks for giving me the chance to talk about my favorite subject on your blog. Nothing makes me happier than writing about Cowboys, so I feel very lucky to do it for a living and appreciate the support of all you readers out there. I’m traveling from South Carolina to Wyoming today,, but I’ll be stopping by when I can to reply to your comments and questions. I’d love to hear what you do when you need a little time alone with your sweetheart in a public place!
Interesting post
Thanks for the blog stop!
You’re very welcome! It was a fun topic!