Long and Short Reviews

Re-ride at the Rodeo by Anne Carrole
The Wild Rose Press
Contemporary Romance
Short story, Hot
Review by Lilac

Saddle bronc rider Clay Tanner is looking for a good time and the tempting little blonde who’s working the beer concession at the rodeo looks like she could use one—except she turns him down. Feeling like he’s been bucked off his bronc before the eight second buzzer, Clay’s betting he can score if she’ll give him a re-ride. But qualifying may call for more than he’s prepared to give.

Dusty Morgan’s nonplussed when hard-bodied cowboy Clay Tanner hits on her. She doesn’t exactly have the kind of figure that attracts Texas cowboys. Besides, even though Clay’s deep timbred voice sends tingles clear to her toes, he’s an undependable rough stock rider and a player to boot. Though he may be what she desires, Dusty knows from experience he isn’t what she needs—or is he?

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Dusty Morgan is working the concession stand at rodeo when she meets bronc rider Clay Tanner. Despite the cowboy’s charm and blatant flirtation, Dusty is reluctant to get involved with a rodeo rider who is only looking for a good time. Never one to turn down a challenge, Clay is persistent and when he bets his buddy that he will be the one to wear Dusty down first, he becomes even more determined to win over Dusty. But as he spends more time with Dusty the bet is the furthest thing from his mind and he begins to realize that Dusty just may be the one to change his player ways…but first he has to convince Dusty.

“Re-Ride at the Rodeo” was a fun and highly enjoyable romance. The author created characters that I could truly care about. The daughter of a rodeo rider, Dusty’s experience with her father and watching what her mother went through has colored her opinion of all rodeo riders. So when Clay appears in her life she is reluctant to get involved despite her attraction to the charming cowboy. I could easily see how her past had affected her and influenced her relationships. Dusty was a very strong-minded and likeable heroine. I really felt for her and could understand her reluctance to trust Clay.

Clay was a great character as well with his charisma and personality. He has finally found the one woman who can resist his charm and he isn’t sure how to handle it. He has to gain her trust without breaking her heart. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think about him and some of his actions put me off, but by the end of the story I could easily see myself falling for him. I enjoyed reading as Dusty and he grew to know each other better. Both characters have their flaws and hang-ups and they have to learn to deal with them just as in real life. Their growing relationship and the obstacles they faced helped make the story enjoyable and believable.

“Re-Ride at the Rodeo” is a wonderful contemporary western romance filled with believable characters and charm.