Roughest Riders

THE AWARD-WINNING, NEW DEFINITIVE HISTORY OF TEDDY ROOSEVELT AND THE ROUGH RIDERS "Thrilling. ... A CLASSIC." —True West WINNER: Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Writing Award; New Mexico-Arizona Book Award; and Colorado Book Award The now-legendary Rough Riders were a volunteer regiment recruited in 1898 to help drive the Spaniards out of Cuba. Drawn from America’s southwestern territories and led by the irrepressible Theodore Roosevelt, these men included not only cowboys and other Westerners, but also several Ivy Leaguers and clubmen, many of them friends of “TR.” Roosevelt and his men quickly came to symbolize American ruggedness, daring, and individualism. He led them to victory in the famed Battle of San Juan Hill, which made TR a national hero and cemented the Rough Riders’ iconic place in history. Now Mark Lee Gardner synthesizes previously unknown primary accounts—private letters, diaries, and period newspaper reports from public and private archives across the country—to breathe fresh life into the Rough Riders and pay tribute to their daring feats and indomitable leader.

Discusses the unique group of men known as the Rough Riders and the role they played in the Spanish-American War.

A NEW YORK TIMES 100 NOTABLE BOOKS OF 2019 SELECTION The dramatic story of the most famous regiment in American history: the Rough Riders, a motley group of soldiers led by Theodore Roosevelt, whose daring exploits marked the beginning of American imperialism in the 20th century. When America declared war on Spain in 1898, the US Army had just 26,000 men, spread around the country—hardly an army at all. In desperation, the Rough Riders were born. A unique group of volunteers, ranging from Ivy League athletes to Arizona cowboys and led by Theodore Roosevelt, they helped secure victory in Cuba in a series of gripping, bloody fights across the island. Roosevelt called their charge in the Battle of San Juan Hill his “crowded hour”—a turning point in his life, one that led directly to the White House. “The instant I received the order,” wrote Roosevelt, “I sprang on my horse and then my ‘crowded hour’ began.” As The Crowded Hour reveals, it was a turning point for America as well, uniting the country and ushering in a new era of global power. Both a portrait of these men, few of whom were traditional soldiers, and of the Spanish-American War itself, The Crowded Hour dives deep into the daily lives and struggles of Roosevelt and his regiment. Using diaries, letters, and memoirs, Risen illuminates a disproportionately influential moment in American history: a war of only six months’ time that dramatically altered the United States’ standing in the world. In this brilliant, enlightening narrative, the Rough Riders—and a country on the brink of a new global dominance—are brought fully and gloriously to life.

One hot-blooded cowgirl and one cool-headed businessman in a stripped-down, revved-up game of sexual truth or dare. As the lone girl in the prolific McKay family, Keely McKay doesn't need another man giving her orders. What she does need is a restoration specialist to help her open her physical therapy clinic--and that expert is none other than buttoned-down, uptight Jack Donohue--her brother's best friend and a certified pain in her Wranglers. Jack is this close to securing a career-defining project, until he learns his bachelor status puts him out of contention. When the notoriously hot-bodied-but-hot-tempered Keely begs him for help, he proposes a crazy idea; he'll personally oversee her restoration--if she acts the part of his fiancEe. Their sizzling lust overtakes common sense and suddenly they've gone from butting heads to knocking boots, but outside the bedroom they're as mismatched as ever. The McKays remind Jack of the humble upbringing he left behind, and country girl Keely feels she doesn't measure up to Jack's big-city expectations. As the dust settles, Jack and Keely worry they're not fooling anyone but themselves. Can they stop pretending long enough to see that they've stumbled on to the real deal?

It's hard to trust the future... when you've been branded by the past. Rough Riders, Book 6 Tattoo artist India Ellison is well acquainted with preconceived notions. As a walking advertisement for the tattoo shop she's set up in a small Wyoming town, she's used to off-color comments about her colorful tats and hair. Still, life is good. She's clean and sober, dotes on her sister's kids and best of all, spends most of her free time with her best buddy, Colt McKay. Reformed bad boy rancher Colt never expected three years of sobriety to lead to three years of abstinence. Curbing his craving for booze is nothing compared to the ever-increasing craving for his hot-tempered, hot-bodied best friend, India. Too bad she hasn't a clue that Colt's been head-over-bootheels in love with her from day one. After an unexpected, steamy interlude, all India can think about is riding the sexy cowboy as hard and fast as her motorcycle. But Colt is determined to show her a slower ride is worth the wait. The friendship that helped them conquer their past is about to be tested...by the new addiction they feel to each other.

The bigger they are, the harder they fall-in love. Rough Riders, Book 7 Soldier Cameron McKay has found his niche, and it ain't ropin' steers and wearin' spurs. His deputy sheriff job-and the injuries that ended his military career-keep him right where he wants to be: off the ranch and away from his family's pity. His darkest war memories are on lockdown, leaving him skeptical he'll ever find a woman that wants a man who's less than whole. Orphaned in the Ukraine at age eleven, Domini Katzinski has had to control every aspect of her life since emigrating to the U.S. Watching others' relationships crumble has convinced her to focus on the short-term-and find a take-charge man to whom she can relinquish total sexual control. Cam fits the bill: gorgeous, with a brooding vulnerability no one else seems to see. Once Cam gets over his surprise that sweet, shy Domini wants to be dominated, he's back to issuing orders. Their passion burns as hot as a rocket-propelled grenade-and if Domini has her way, it'll be a one-shot deal. Cam is ready to launch a full-out sensual assault to make her his, but when tragedy strikes, he'll have to keep their past demons from blowing their future together all to hell...

Based on a pocket diary from the Spanish-American War, this tough-as-nails 1899 memoir abounds in patriotic valor and launched the future President into the American consciousness.