Although I’ve been an urban dweller for awhile now, I was raised in a rodeo town, so I must confess that Wranglers and cowboy boots still make my heart flutter. In honor of Country Stampede, I would like to share a few of my favorite cowboy romances with you. Whether you enjoy them in a lawn chair waiting for the show to start or curled up in the comfort of air conditioning, they are sure to inspire both sighs and an urge to do some boot-scooting.

My Give a Damn’s Busted by Carolyn Brown
Larissa is the happy owner of a thriving small-town honky tonk when Hank Wells walks up to her bar. He tells her he’s helping his dad on a near-by ranch, but that’s not the entire story. Sparks fly but his hidden agenda will damper them right quick.

Montana Legacy
by R.C. Ryan
Jessie McCord is less than enthusiastic to welcome home his two estranged cousins for his grandfather’s funeral. He’s the one who stayed behind to do all the work on the family ranch and their lively banter is not appreciated. The situation is worsened when the girl who broke his heart as a teenager comes back to town. This story about family and love with a dash of suspense is sure to warm the heart.

Never Love a Lawman by Jo Goodman
This one will take you back to the old west. Rachel Bailey escapes to a small Colorado mining town for refuge only to find out that her benefactor has manipulated her into a choice between marrying a virtual stranger or threatening the livelihood of the entire town. You know where the story leads from here, but Goodman will surprise you with complex characters and an engaging plot.