Rodeo Queen Tour Stop!!

 Title: Rodeo Queen

Author: T.J. Kline

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publication Date: November 26,^, 2013

Published By: Avon Impulse

Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

Sydney Thomas wants nothing more than to train rodeo horses and hopes becoming a rodeo queen will help her make the contacts she seeks. She is thrilled when Mike Findley, the co-owner of Findley Brothers stock contractors, hires her for her dream job as a horse trainer until she meets Scott Chandler, the other half of Findley Brothers. He’s arrogant, judgmental and, unfortunately, unbelievably sexy. Scott doesn’t bother to hide his attraction to her, but makes it clear that he thinks she’s nothing more than a “buckle bunny” intent on taming a cowboy and he doesn’t plan on being any woman’s toy - not again.

When the two are forced to work together, neither expects their past to show up on the doorstep. Scott’s ex, Mike Finley’s daughter Liz, returns to win him back, determined to destroy any budding relationship between Scott and Sydney, even if that means bringing in outside help in the form of Curtis Willits, Sydney’s ex-fiancé. Sydney faces her abusive past relationship and Scott fights his distrust of women and love. Can they overcome their past and learn to trust one another with their hearts?

I have always been a fan of cowboys; I mean seriously now think about it, what’s not to love?? The men have the muscles, the boots oh and the hats! *swoon* But back to the book at hand!

I really enjoyed this book, quite a bit more than I had thought that I would to be honest.  The characters were very likeable, and the story flowed extremely well in my opinion.  I was completely drawn into the story and I couldn’t put it down once I had started it.  The way that Sydney and Scott would go back and forth was very fun to watch their interactions.

With this being the first book that I have read from this author, I was very happy with the way she was able to write such a sweet romance.  Even with all the drama that was happening, and the way the characters were able to overcome what had happened to them in their past, I completely enjoyed this story.

I would recommend this to people who are looking for a new romance to read!

        

   

They sat outside, relaxing under the shade from the trailer as the sun began to sink, turning the sky blue with streaks of pink and orange. Sydney knew quiet moments on the rodeo circuit were hard to come by, and the men with her wanted to savor each one fully. She laughed at dinner as Jake spun a wild story about Scott as a young boy working his first rodeo, then she snuck away to Valentino’s pen, pouring his grain into a bucket and reaching for a flake of hay. She put the horse between her and the men’s laughter, laying her head on his neck for a moment before heading to check the other horses.

Entering the other pen, she ran her hand over the back of a large bay mare she’d nicknamed Pie. She knew the guys were trying to help her feel included, but they had known each other for years, so well that they could finish each other’s sentences. She, on the other hand, was still an outsider and would be for a long time. It was difficult enough to be the “new kid” in any situation like that, but with the glances she’d seen from Scott today, it was nearly impossible for her to focus on anything other than his dark gaze.

Each time she’d caught his gaze, she’d read something in the smoky depths of his eyes that she didn’t want to consider. It wasn’t just desire, for she felt that herself. It was the feeling that everything she said and did was being weighed against a standard. Sydney felt like every comment he made was calculated for a reaction from her, which would then be measured on his scale of trust. She wasn’t sure how they could form any sort of friendship while she was so conscious of his judgment.

“You okay?” Scott’s voice startled her.

“I’m fine.” She leaned on Pie’s back and realized she felt more at ease with the horses between them. “Just checking on the animals before it gets too dark.”

Scott slipped through the panels and made his way closer, patting the rump of Dakota, the horse she’d ridden for him the morning before. “Hmm, seemed more like you were hiding.”

“Not hiding, just . . .” She searched for the word she wanted.

He leaned on Pie’s rump, his arm pressing against hers, and patted the mare’s neck. Scott looked into her eyes. “Hiding?”

Sydney’s breath caught. He was close enough to kiss her, his breath fanning her cheek. He smelled of leather, horses, and grass. She wanted him to kiss her and bit her bottom lip. His gaze immediately fell to her mouth. She couldn’t breathe; she had to inhale or she would pass out, but an inhale meant more of his scent filling her lungs. She stepped back from the mare, trying to put any space between them so that her brain would function.

“No, I just thought you’d like some guy time.” It was a lame excuse, but it was all she could muster. Scott arched a brow, indicating his disbelief. “What time are we pulling out tomorrow?” she asked as she pretended to check the hoof of a gelding nearby.

“It will take a couple trips, so I’ll start taking some of the animals over after breakfast.” He made his way around the horse. “Why? Are you in a hurry to get there?” As she stood up, he had moved to stand in front of her and reached for her hand, his thumb caressing her palm. “Or just to have someone besides me to talk to?”

“I . . .” she stammered. Her breath caught in her throat as warmth spread through her veins. Just a touch from Scott and her entire body felt as if it were being consumed by liquid heat. She felt conflicted, her mind warring with her emotions.  Her logic told her to jerk her hand away from his touch, but her heart wanted her to remain, which scared her even more.

T. J. Kline was raised competing in rodeos and Rodeo Queen Competitions since the age of 14 and has thorough knowledge of the sport as well as the culture involved. She has written several articles about rodeo for small periodicals, as well as a more recent how-to article for RevWriter, and has published a nonfiction health book and two inspirational fiction titles under the name Tina Klinesmith. She is also an avid reader and book reviewer for both Tyndale and Multnomah. In her spare time, she can be found laughing hysterically with her husband, children, and their menagerie of pets in Northern California.

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