COLTON: RODEO COWBOY is part of a series set in a Montana ranching town and each installment is written by a different author. COLTON: RODEO COWBOY was written by C.J. Carmichael. The featured family is the Hart family who run a ranch and rodeo animal supply outfit. While everyone we meet has a back story, this reads well as a standalone.

Colton Hart is the irresponsible one in the family, he lives in a trailer and heads off to ride in the rodeo on a regular basis, although he's now past thirty. He finally ticks off the family once too often when he's late for his brother's wedding. The fact that he was at a business meeting cuts no ice. Leaving their scorn behind, he heads to a bar.

Leah Stockton has just returned to town from a failed marriage in Calgary. She meets Colt, a pal since they went to school together, and all seems to be going well until she reveals that she has two small children. Colt's surprise makes him freeze in his tracks. Leah writes him off as one more good-time guy - like her ex-husband - and returns to her critical mother's house.

Next day Colt shows up looking apologetic and offers to help Leah - she could do with a hand to move furniture to the house she's going to rent, and as she's an accountant, she wonders if his ranch could use a bookkeeper. So the two get to know each other as adults and while Colt doesn't feel cut out to be a good father figure, he starts to assume more responsibilities around the ranch as well as helping Leah with her family issues. But Colt has been guarding a huge secret for twelve years, and it's time for him to grow up and face himself - even if that would drive away the woman he is coming to love.

This tale involves the horses of the ranch in a big way, whether Midnight the bucking stud horse or a retired palomino barrel racer. The ranch work and rodeo are well described as are the boundless energy and multi- generational commitment of a ranching family. Also the land is a huge factor, from rain-swollen rivers to the scent of the pines and colors of the wildflowers. I liked this story and would be keen to read more tales from Roundup, Montana, even just to see how the different authors handle the characters.