Jordan Valley Roundup by Susan Spess

 

BLURB: While barrel racing to earn enough to pay her uncle' s debts, Jessie Cobler' s horse falls. She cries out to God, certain she' s about to die, but the quick action of Mitch Tanner saves her life. She accepts an offer to stay on the cowboy's family' s ranch so she and her horse can rest and heal. It' s the perfect place to hide from those who threaten to tear her dreams apart.

Bull rider Mitch Tanner is determined to earn professional status to honor his deceased father, but running a ranch and helping with his younger siblings leaves time for little else. Having Jessie on the ranch is a distraction he can' t afford. After all, he doesn' t have time for love.

As Mitch and Jesse work together to rescue abused animals will Mitch discover there's more to life than earning a status? Will he be able to help heal Jesse's broken heart and spirit and lead her to the Lord?

 

Jordan Valley Roundup - Illuminating books from Pelican Book Group

Jordan Valley Roundup - Kindle edition by Spess, Susan. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

 

EXCERPTS: Focusing on the ride, she walked Buck into position. The excitement built, adrenalin shooting through her muscles like lightning strikes.

Tugging her Stetson low so there was no chance of losing it, she leaned into the saddle, took a firm grip on the reins, inhaled, and blew it out long and slow until her lungs were empty. Finally, she booted him in the ribs.

He took off in an explosion of energy while she leaned into the run. She concentrated on the first barrel, the cheers of the crowd dimming to near silence. Spectator faces blurred past as they rounded the second barrel. Yes! It felt good. This was where she belonged.

Buck ran flat out as they charged the third turn. Heading into the pocket, he dug in, and the world shifted. Dipped. She snatched a breath and held tight to the saddle horn, her heart pounding as he fought for footing in the loose earth. She gave him his head, hoping, by some miracle, he could stay on his feet.

Buck’s back left leg slid from under them. Fear ripped through her as they dropped, then slammed into the ground. The saddle horn jerked from her grip. He floundered, trying to get up. She kicked her foot free and tried to shove away from the panicked animal, but she couldn’t move. Her left leg was under him.

Stories of riders killed from similar falls flashed through her mind. Buck fought his way to his feet, yanking her leg high in the air with her foot through the stirrup and leaving her head on the ground.

His shod hooves cut so close, he kicked dirt in her face as he danced with anxiety. If she could catch her breath, make him hear her, he might calm. But she couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t find words to ease him. He threw his head back, gathering himself as he looked for a way to escape the nightmare.

Slamming shut her eyes, she wrapped her arms around her head.

God! Help me.

INSPIRATION:

I was at a rodeo a few years ago when a barrel racer’s horse fell with her, just like I’ve written about. The cowboys watching from the fence nearby were immediately there to stop the horse from hurting her.

It has always stayed with me how those men risked their lives to help a fellow competitor. Christian Cowboys are a favorite of mine. 😊

You can find the rest of the series HERE

My review: 

This is pretty much a whirlwind of action from the get go. A fiesty heroine, a cute cowboy and lots of horses. The descriptions are incredible and put you in the heart of the rodeo action from start to finish. I even forgot to breathe at times. 

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