Jen Taylor is a top-class competitive barrel-rider on her
grey quarter horse Diamond. Colt Mead is one handsome bull-
rider and they compete at the same rodeo events. Jen steers
clear of the guys in most cases, working hard. She has
succeeded in finding a great sport for her despite a
learning disability that makes reading difficult. But Colt
Mead might just be her downfall, and the other barrel-
riding competitors can't resist teasing her.
THE BULL-RIDER'S COWGIRL does a fine job of letting us get
to know young Jen at the very start. We're cheering for her
as she tries to secure her ride in the finals. Colt in turn
demonstrates the whiplash danger and adrenalin ride of his
sport. But Colt is really playing hooky from his father's
firm, and bad news comes calling. A plane crash has killed
his father and stepmother, and he has to go take care of
his little step-sister. Jen decides that nobody should do
this without a friend, and volunteers to accompany Colt,
missing a rodeo.
I like that we also meet some more of the group; Tammy,
another dedicated barrel-racer, is Colt's cousin, but the
sides of the family don't speak due to past differences.
She's delighted for Jen to go on the long drive instead of
her. Margaret, Colt's seven-year-old sister, barely knows
him and she is in a mansion still trying to live by the
rules set for her. And Jack Evans, an outsider running the
family firm, doesn't hesitate to tell Colt what he thinks
of him for skipping off to play rodeo king.
This is a tale of swift contrasts, of divided loyalties and
high hopes. Even Diamond the horse is a distinct
personality, sure of himself and determined to win. Young
Margaret definitely engages our sympathies as she has
experienced not just loss but a very formal lonely kind of
growing up around schools and servants. She's even afraid
of ponies. Now her life undergoes a sea change.
Jen has her own issues of what she will do when she's
forced to quit competition. Other girls go to college. This
is an adult romance but mostly it is about young people
growing up rather abruptly and taking responsibility,
seeing where their futures might lie. April Arrington has
written a cracking story full of action and personality.
THE BULL-RIDER'S COWGIRL will make a lot of friends.
Jen Taylor is this close to becoming a
world-champion barrel racer. But when tragedy strikes bull
rider Colt Mead, she puts her ambitions on hold…temporarily.
The playboy of the circuit suddenly has a child depending on
him. She can't let her friend go it alone—no matter how much
he hurt her…
Colt knew Jen deserved better than a rootless bull rider.
But caring for his orphaned half sister makes him realize
how much he wants to be part of a family. And that family
won't be complete without the woman he loves as much more
than a friend. Will she give up her dream to be part of his?
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