The Diva The Rancher

Big dreams, dashed hopes and romance are at the heart of this biography of Norma and George Pocaterra. The story begins in 1903 when George Pocaterra left Italy and came to the Canadian Rockies with hopes of striking it rich. George is best known for establishing the Buffalo Head Ranch in the foothills of Alberta. He developed a close friendship with members of the Stoney Indians, and was one of the first non-Natives to explore much of what is now called Kananaskis Country. In 1933, he returned to Italy, where he met and fell in love with Norma Piper, a young Calgary singer who had moved to Italy to study opera. They eventually married, and George took over the management of Norma's rising operatic career. World War II forced a return to Canada in 1939. In Calgary, Norma became part of the local music scene, giving concerts and teaching singing at Mount Royal College. In 1955, she started her own studio and over the next 25 years became one of Calgary's most loved music teachers. George, meanwhile, continued with his coal-mining ventures, although he suffered bitter disappointments. Drawing on personal diaries and correspondence, the authors have created an intimate portrait of these remarkable Albertans who became, each in their own way, legends in their lifetimes.

He’s been there. Done that. So why does his heart hope this time will be different? Ranch foreman Travis Taylor doesn't have time for opera singers on vacation. Especially bubbly beautiful ones like Lizzy Dalton. His heart was once broken by a country music diva—ignoring the warning signs this time around is a no-go. And the baby with special needs Lizzy is fostering only evokes the lingering trauma of losing Travis’s own baby brother. But Lizzy’s kisses, and the infant's sweet smile, make him dream of a family and happily-ever-after. Unless Travis's emotional armor—perfectly designed to protect him from heartbreak—sabotages it first. From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness. The Women of Dalton Ranch Book 1: The Rancher's Love Song Book 2: Her Secret To Keep

"Big city cowboy: A fish out of water--that's how Rory McAlister feels when he leaves Colorado for New York City. True, he needs this money, but somebody should have warned him modeling designer duds meant butting heads with Elizabeth Harrington-Smyth. The bossy, and not to mention gorgeous, ad exec is determined to turn Rory into the original Rhinestone Cowboy!"--Page 4 of cover.

A cosmopolitan designer gets a taste of country life with Royal, Texas’s hottest rancher in the latest installment of Texas Cattleman's Club: The Wedding by LaQuette! She’s willing to give him everything in bed But will she risk her career for passion? Keely Tucker knows designing a showstopping wedding dress for a movie starlet is the career-making opportunity of a lifetime. But Jacob Chatman has sent her focus into a tailspin! When a blackout leaves her stranded with a rancher she can’t resist, their passion practically sets the sheets on fire. Jacob admires her drive…but is their hookup worth Keely risking her hard-earned ambitions for a life in Texas? From Harlequin Desire: A luxurious world of bold encounters and sizzling chemistry. You’ll be swept away by this bold, sizzling romance, part of the Texas Cattleman's Club: The Wedding series: Book 1: A Cowboy Kind of Thing by Reese Ryan Book 2: Designs on a Rancher by LaQuette Book 3: Four Weeks to Forever by Karen Booth Book 4: Make Believe Match by Joanne Rock Book 5: Oh So Wrong with Mr. Right by Nadine Gonzalez Book 6: The Man She Loves to Hate by Jessica Lemmon

A visually rich, historically epic tale of cattle ranching in southern Alberta, focusing on multi-generational family-owned ranches that are still in existence today. In the 1880s, a group of fledgling cattle ranchers descended on the plains of southern Alberta. They were drawn by the promise of the West, where the grass seemed endless and they could ranch under the arch of the Chinook-the warm Pacific wind that swooped down the eastern slopes of the Rockies to melt the snow and clear the land for year-round grazing. They came with wild optimism, but their ambition was soon tempered by the brutal reality of a frontier land. Ranching under the Arch is a tale of survival, perseverance, and prosperity in the face of struggle, loss, and loneliness. Following over a dozen ranches still in operation that have roots dating to the late nineteenth century, historian D. Larraine Andrews recounts the culture that developed around this unique vocation. These ranches have endured as vibrant enterprises, sometimes into the fifth generation of the same family, sometimes with new faces and dreams to change the focus of the narrative. Drawing from historical archives, diaries, and personal accounts, and illustrated by informative maps, fascinating archival imagery, and stunning contemporary photography, Ranching under the Arch is an epic portrait of the "Cattle Kingdom" and its place in Alberta history.

Could home be 'on the range'? After teaching at a prestigious university, Luke McGregor is headed home to his family's ranch in Grand, Montana, to help his brothers raise their baby niece and nephews and to help save the struggling ranch. His long-time girlfriend wants no part of playing cowgirl and dumps him fast. Luke commits himself to being home for at least a year and throws himself into family and ranch life. A chance meeting with a beautiful and free-spirited woman and a promising first date makes him wonder if his place is necessarily in a big city. Plucky Mara Ramos has lived much of her life on the road as a performer, but a dance injury, that permanently sidelines her professional career and ends her fling with a famous pop star, strands her in the middle of Montana. She likes the friendly small town and soon opens a dance studio intent on building a new life for herself. She enjoys inspiring her young students, but she can’t help but feel she needs more. A casual date with an enigmatic, flirty stranger, who is so much more than a cowboy, teases Mara with the possibility of putting down roots and finding a happy every after. When Luke’s former girlfriend announces she’s pregnant, he's faced with the decision of a lifetime. If he's all about family, can he make a decision that will keep Mara in his life?

In Plain Sighthighlights a selection of natural wonders and outdoor adventures located in southern Alberta. The places featured in this book have been chosen for their utter uniqueness, beauty and splendour. Some are easy to get to and easy to get around in; others require a bit more time and energy. Overall, you will be stimulated, enlightened, delighted, amazed, uplifted and broadened by the experience. These are truly awesome places, in the very real denotation of that adjective. All are in plain sight, though they are little visited by locals or tourists. The book contains chapters on Waterton Lakes National Park, Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Dinosaur Provincial Park, the Whaleback and a number of other special places. The narrative covers the geological record and the natural and human history of the places in order to explain how each locale is unique and worthy of further investigation.

Christmas on the ranch A Cowboy’s Wish Upon a Star by Caro Carson A cattle ranch is the perfect place for Sophia Jackson to escape the paparazzi. But when clashing with ranch foreman Travis Chalmers ignites unexpected attraction, Sophia takes on her greatest acting role: pretending she isn’t falling for the sexy cowboy. A Texas Cowboy’s Christmas by Cathy Gillen Thacker Molly Griffith wants to give her little boy the opportunities she never had. Which means moving to Dallas, no matter what Chance Lockhart says! Though being with the handsome rancher does make the idea of small-town life more tempting. Molly is so focused on her big-city fairy tale, she could miss Chance’s offer of the most important gift of all—the love of a real family.