Rodeo Hearts

When Kate DeCosta was young and naive, she fell in love with a rodeo entertainer who came to small town Excelsior. Their night of passion conceived a daughter, a secret baby. When the Sterling Rodeo returns, John sees Kate again. Gianna is a beautiful girl who has little in common with the rodeo circuit ideals... or lack of them. An animal rights activist, this go-getter shows every indication of rejecting her father before she discovers he upholds the same ideals. In his years of performing John injured himself on numerous occasions. This tough, macho hero has a hard exterior, but a soft demeanor that will warm the hearts of avid readers looking for passion in western romance. Ellis contributes her best work to Zebra's Bouquet line. Worth pursuing.

"Rodeo Hearts" is another great romance from Patricia Ellis. The characters are easy to identify with, and very true-to-life -- especially the refreshingly normal preteen daughter. A rodeo star returns to a long lost love, and finds out her father intentionally kept him from knowing about the young woman's pregnancy. The misguided father also led his daughter to believe the rodeo rider had broken off contact. The two rebuild their lives without too much of bitterness, and draw their daughter into that life as well. Excellent passionate interludes and great character development. This is one cowboy with whom the gals will wish they could "ride!"