Today we have with us a great author and a fantastic person !!!
Today Linda Carroll-Bradd is sharing a guest post and her latest release, Tie Down My Heart.
History of
The Rodeo
The major
events in professional rodeo competition are an extension of the activities
performed by cowboys who work with cattle. My guess is cowboys have been
competing informally since the first group of vaqueros (when the southwestern part of the current day US was part
of Mexico) herded cattle from one location to another. Undoubtedly, the
competitions held in the 1820s and 1830s were among those on the same ranch and
then this activity expanded to neighboring spreads.
But
officially, after the Civil War ended, the competitions became more organized
and the first official rodeo was held in Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory in 1872.
Sixteen years later in Prescott, Arizona Territory, the first professional
rodeo that charged admission and awarded trophies was held. Rodeo events were
incorporated into shows that traveled to the East coast and were featured in
Madison Square Gardens. In the early years, the events included in a rodeo were
not standardized. This changed with the emergence of rodeo associations
starting in 1929.
Contemporary
rodeos include events based on the working tasks of cowboys who herd and
capture cattle for various purposes. Rough stock events include: calf roping,
team roping, saddle bronc and bareback bronc riding, steer wrestling, bull
riding and barrel racing.
Calf roping (also called tie-down roping, hence
the title of my novella, Tie Down My
Heart) is the oldest of the timed events. From horseback, the cowboy
lassoes a running calf, the horse stops and keeps pressure on the rope while
the cowboy runs to the calf, pulls it on its side and then uses a rawhide strip
to tie 3 of its feet together.
Team roping involves two riders in capturing a
running steer—one ropes the horns and the other lassoes the hind feet. (men and
women can compete together)
Barrel racing is a timed event where a horse and
rider gallop in a figure 8 around barrels without knocking over the barrels. (exclusively
a women’s event at professional level)
Bronc riding can be done bareback with rider
holding special rigging or with a specialized saddle. The rider must last 8
seconds and is judged on riding style.
Bull riding (sometimes called the wildest event)
includes the same rigging as bareback bronc and the goal is to last 8 seconds.
Because of the unpredictability of the bulls, rodeo clowns are present to
divert attention away from a fallen competitor.
Additional events
connected with rodeos at the high school or collegiate level are goat tying,
steer daubing, and pole bending.
Didi Pierpont needs an in-depth interview with a rodeo
participant at the Northern Texas Regional Championships. Problem is, most of
the entrants remember her from her beauty pageant days and don’t take her
seriously. Right before a calf-roping event, she lines up an interview with a
striking Native American cowboy. But the calf is uncooperative, and Chay Red
Fox is wheeled out on a stretcher. What’s an ace reporter to do but volunteer
to watch him for symptoms of a concussion?
Chay’s cocky attitude is his defense against the allure of
this nosy, but so cute, reporter. He doesn’t think his soul can take another
hit from a woman. But she hangs tighter than a bull rider, forcing him to question his determination to protect his
privacy and his heart.
The more Didi learns about this intriguing man, the more her
heart melts. Can she keep her journalistic distance, or will she succumb to the
man who has her tied in knots?
Excerpt:
First hurdle crossed. Didi stepped through the doorway and walked along
the row of curtained spaces. Just like the fitting rooms in her favorite
specialty shops. Except for the brownish grit underfoot. A shudder ran through
her. She’d be leaving her boots outside on the hotel room balcony tonight.
Hmmm. As she walked, she noticed the majority of the curtains were open,
displaying small, empty cubicles. Somehow, she’d thought she’d find a central
room with competitors hanging around and she could have her choice of subjects.
Not the case. At the very end, she spotted a partially closed curtain and her
heart sped up.
Under the curtain was a pair of scuffed tan boots topped with worn jeans.
Stopping short of the cubicle, she angled her position until she could look
into the mirror and catch a glimpse of a well-muscled chest. Closer inspection
revealed a small patch of black hair between his tanned pecs, bisected by a
long scar. The white line started on the man’s breastbone and disappeared under
the bandage he was busy wrapping around his ribs.
Ooh, that injury must have hurt. Her hand moved to the skin above her
camisole and rubbed, as if to erase the mark from the man’s bronze skin. Wonder what caused that type of cut?
“Like what you’re gawking at?”
His raspy voice made her gasp and stiffen her stance. Her gaze shot to
the mirror and met narrowed, dark eyes under twin black slashes of frowning
eyebrows. “Pardon my rudeness. I haven’t seen a scar quite like that.”
“Must not have been around many bull riders.”
“I used to live with a couple, but they were unscathed.” Her gaze went
back to his chest, and her stomach tumbled at the thought of either JJ or Garland suffering through
a similar injury.
An eyebrow quirked, and he pulled open the curtain. “Lived with a couple?
Angel, this is getting interesting.”
“Oh, not what you’re thinking.” Her cheeks flamed. “They’re my older
brothers—dull as dishwater.” She sucked in a breath and extended her hand.
“Didi Pierpont from the Dallas County
Gazette. I’m working on a piece about individuals who compete at rodeos and
would love to interview you.”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.” His fingers touched the brim of his hat before
his calloused hand enclosed hers and shook. “I’ll pass on the interview.”
For an instant, her shoulders sagged until she pulled on the natural
persistence that her daddy claimed was strengthened by years of beauty-pageant
competition. “Now, don’t be hasty. A bit of press is always good for a rodeo-rider’s
career. I saw those posters on my way in. The association spent a chunk of
change to promote those riders.” She studied his face and thought she
recognized him as a bronc rider. “A good story could boost ticket sales for the
next event.”
“Those posters aren’t new. Do you even know who I am?” He settled his hat
more firmly on his head, then squared his stance and crossed both arms over his
muscled chest.
Which only pumped his biceps into rounded bulges that she fought to
ignore. The man’s body was honed and chiseled with no sign of fat anywhere. “If
I know, do I get the interview?”
“Depends.”
“On what?” Her gaze narrowed on the smirk that threatened his lips.
“Dunno.” A shoulder lifted in a shrug. “I leave my options
open.”
About the Author:
After years
spent in the administrative support field, Linda decided to exercise another
part of her brain and write a novel. She loved reading romance and figured
that’s what she’d write. Easier said than done. After years of workshops and
RWA chapter meetings, she finally saw her manuscripts place in contests. Twelve
years after her first writing class, she sold a confession story. From that
point on, she couldn’t be stopped and is always pleased when her sweet
contemporary and historical stories find homes.
With
interests as widespread as baking, crocheting, watching dog agility matches,
and reading thrillers by Swedish authors, Linda is the mother to 4 adult
children and grandmother to 2 granddaughters. She currently lives in the
southern California Mountains with her husband of 34 years and their two
spoiled dogs.
Giveaway:
1st Prize Winner of a $20 Amazon GC
2nd Prize
Winner of a Silver Charm of Cowboy Boots
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I appreciate you hosting my new release.
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