cover image Reckless in Texas

Reckless in Texas

Kari Lynn Dell. Sourcebooks Casablanca, $7.99 mass market (416p) ISBN 978-1-4926-3194-1

Dell’s first Texas Rodeo contemporary takes the reader on a journey into the rough-and-tumble world of bull riding. Violet Jacobs has hired a substitute bullfighter to help with her family’s Texas rodeo, in which she provides backup from horseback if the bull-riding cowboy can’t get out of the way of the bull. She’s surprised when hunky Joe Cassidy shows up at her ranch—especially since he’s not the man that she hired. Over time they grow closer, but Violet knows that Joe will be returning to Oregon after his stint with the rodeo, and she’s still adjusting to life as a single mom after a one-night stand resulted in the conception of her young son; a relationship is not in the cards. But she can’t keep her eyes off him. Dell’s insight into the world of bull riding is illuminating, and her highly dimensional characters make her a standout in western romance. Agent: Holly Root, Waxman Leavell Literary. (Aug.)