Kentucky Cowboy

Professional bull rider Judd Romeo defies death for a living, but there’s no escaping his grief when he returns home to settle his mother’s estate after her death. She’s the only one who encouraged him in his pursuit of his exhilarating but dangerous career. Going home means confronting his past, including the one woman he’s never forgotten. Maybe it’s time to extinguish the torch he’s carried too long. Veterinarian Mandy Sullivan doesn’t have room in her life for dangerous risk-takers. She’s too busy being both mother and father to the daughter her sister abandoned. But it’s impossible to ignore it when trouble shows up right next door in the all-too sexy shape of her former beau. She’d walked away from his piercing blue eyes and bad boy smile once. Can she do it again? Judd’s high school sweetheart may still be as pretty as a perfect eight-second ride, but she hadn’t been willing to stick it out in the past when the ride got rough. Mandy knows how to handle wounded animals but falling for a man with a wounded heart may be too great a risk to take. Is she willing to grab a second chance and let a Kentucky cowboy ride away with her love?

Sometimes it’s okay to change your mind. Just when Savannah Stetson has sworn off all serious relationships for good, a handsome cowboy from Montana strides into the bank lobby. Savannah immediately begins to wonder if she’s made that decision too quickly. Thus begins an irresistible story about a girl who discovers who she really is and what she really wants. “His smile is full of secrets - secrets and orange blossom honey swirled into a glass of very good bourbon.” Brody Bangfield finds that moving to central Kentucky is more than enough to keep his mind off his former life. When he becomes Stetson Farm’s new Master Herdsman, he meets all the interesting characters of Bourbon Creek. The most interesting character, by far, is Savannah Stetson. Can Brody and Savannah find lasting love in Kentucky? If you enjoy feel-good, small-town romance novels, you will fall in love with “A Kentucky Cowboy’s Love” as Brody and Savannah take you on an inspirational journey.

“Cunningham provides a vivid, informative, and frequently insightful chronicle of Texas politics between 1963 and 1980.” —Journal of American History During the 1960s and 1970s, Texas was transformed by a series of political transitions. After more than a century of Democratic politics, the state became a Republican stronghold virtually overnight, and by 1980, it was known as “Reagan Country.” Ultimately, Republicans dominated the Texas political landscape, holding all twenty-seven of its elected offices and carrying former governor George W. Bush to his second term as president with more than 61 percent of the Texas vote. In Cowboy Conservatism, Sean P. Cunningham examines the remarkable origins of Republican Texas. Utilizing extensive research drawn from the archives of four presidential libraries, gubernatorial papers, local campaign offices, and oral histories, Cunningham presents a compelling narrative of modern conservatism as it evolved in one of the nation’s largest and most politically important states. Cunningham analyzes the political changes that took place in Texas during the tumultuous seventeen-year period between John F. Kennedy’s assassination and the election of Ronald Reagan. He explores critical issues related to the changing political scene in Texas, including the emergence of “law and order,” race relations and civil rights, the slumping economy, the Vietnam War, and the rise of a politically active Christian Right, as well as the role of iconic politicians such as Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, John Connally, and John Tower. Cowboy Conservatism demonstrates Texas’s distinctive and vital contributions to the transformation of postwar American politics, revealing a vivid portrait of modern conservatism in one of the nation’s most fervent Republican strongholds.

It's the Cowboy Way! tells the full story of the amazing true adventures of group members Ranger Doug, Woody Paul, Too Slim, and Joey "The CowPolka King" for the first time, from their first gigs at "Herr Harry's Phranks 'N' Steins," in Nashville, to their rise to the top of the Grammy heap. Since 1977, Riders In The Sky has faithfully tended a musical tradition kindled by singing cowboy legends, such as Gene Autry and the Sons Of The Pioneers. Throughout its long career, the group has branded the genre with its own mark, crafting a well-balanced mix of both classic and original western songs—smooth harmony, hot licks, and comedy. Over the past quarter of a century, and more than 4,500 shows, 290 national TV appearances, 203 public radio shows, nearly 700 Grand Ole Opry appearances, 2.3 million miles on the road, two Grammy Awards, three television series, and 31 albums down the trail, a group that began with a commitment to carry on an American musical tradition has itself become a national treasure.

Best known to Americans as the “singing cowboy,” beloved entertainer Gene Autry (1907–1998) appeared in countless films, radio broadcasts, television shows, and other venues. While Autry’s name and a few of his hit songs are still widely known today, his commitment to political causes and public diplomacy deserves greater appreciation. In this innovative examination of Autry’s influence on public opinion, Michael Duchemin explores the various platforms this cowboy crooner used to support important causes, notably Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal and foreign policy initiatives leading up to World War II. As a prolific performer of western folk songs and country-western music, Autry gained popularity in the 1930s by developing a persona that appealed to rural, small-town, and newly urban fans. It was during this same time, Duchemin explains, that Autry threw his support behind the thirty-second president of the United States. Drawing on a wealth of primary sources, Duchemin demonstrates how Autry popularized Roosevelt’s New Deal policies and made them more attractive to the American public. In turn, the president used the emerging motion picture industry as an instrument of public diplomacy to enhance his policy agendas, which Autry’s films, backed by Republic Pictures, unabashedly endorsed. As the United States inched toward entry into World War II, the president’s focus shifted toward foreign policy. Autry responded by promoting Americanism, war preparedness, and friendly relations with Latin America. As a result, Duchemin argues, “Sergeant Gene Autry” played a unique role in making FDR’s internationalist policies more palatable for American citizens reluctant to engage in another foreign war. New Deal Cowboy enhances our understanding of Gene Autry as a western folk hero who, during critical times of economic recovery and international crisis, readily assumed the role of public diplomat, skillfully using his talents to persuade a marginalized populace to embrace a nationalist agenda. By drawing connections between western popular culture and American political history, the book also offers valuable insight concerning the development of leisure and western tourism, the information industry, public diplomacy, and foreign policy in twentieth-century America.

HOME AT LAST Pepper Bourne has big plans for her stepdaddy's Arizona ranch. The physician's assistant dreams of opening a community garden for Angel Crossing's neediest. The only thing standing in her way is the tall, rugged cowboy who just inherited the property! Former bull rider AJ McCreary gave up the rodeo to raise his baby girl, and selling the ranch is the only way he can support her now. While Pepper's claim on the property may be uncertain, there's no denying her claim on AJ's heart. He's ready to become a family man. But can he prove it to the one woman who makes his family complete?

SAFE AT LAST? Kylee James is giving hope one more chance, this time in Stonewall Crossing, Texas. Hope wasn't supposed to come in the form of a hunky cowboy—local veterinarian Fisher Boone. But a good man like Fisher deserves a life without Kylee's baggage, so letting him go is the best way she can love him. Fisher wants to help Kylee find a fresh start and happiness, especially if she found it with him. But Kylee seems intent on pushing him away. When her painful past resurfaces, will Kylee finally open her heart to Fisher, or will she run from the one man who'd do anything to protect her?

Second chance for a family A Valentine for the Cowboy by Rebecca Winters Brianna Frost can't deny the serious attraction between her and sexy cowboy Eli Clayton, or the bond she has with his little girl. Still, Brianna can't quite shake the feeling that Eli's ex is still in his life—and in his heart. Would falling for this Clayton cowboy mean loving a family that could never be hers? The Kentucky Cowboy's Baby by Heidi Hormel Pepper Bourne dreams of opening a community garden on her stepfather’s ranch. The only thing standing in her way is the rugged cowboy who just inherited the property! AJ McCreary gave up the rodeo to raise his baby girl, and selling the ranch is the only way he can support her now. When Pepper makes a claim on AJ’s heart, can he prove to her he’s ready to become a family man? 2 Heartfelt Stories A Valentine for the Cowboy and The Kentucky Cowboy's Baby