Under the Texas moon, Karen Leabo explores the deep longings that lead to romance in a poignant tale of young love and faraway memories, tender promises and revealing truths. His soul was at home in the West—whether riding a bull at a rodeo or working the family ranch—but his heart belonged to her. Though Sam Sanger had always planned on sharing his life with Callie Calloway, he understood, even in high school, that loving this woman might mean letting her go. He lost her when she chose college, refusing to walk a day in his boots. It was just a carnival fortuneteller’s silly prediction—that Callie was destined to marry Sam. Still, Callie pulled away, afraid of sacrificing her own dreams. Ten years later, having become the editor of the local newspaper, she’s finally ready to wonder: Was she wrong about Sam? When tragedy strikes, Callie and Sam are thrown together again, alarmed by the force of a first love that still burns with hurt feelings and unrequited desire. Only now, Callie will have to see if she’s brave enough to make her own destiny. Includes a special message from the editor, as well as excerpts from these Loveswept titles: Deep Autumn Heat, The Last Warrior, and Kevin’s Story.

Could This Stubborn Cowboy… Heartbroken Hank Tyler knew marriage was not for him, which was why all this rugged rancher wanted from pretty housemate Jilly Elliot was a chance at a no-strings fling. Imagine his surprise when this cool, collected single mom wouldn't give him the time of day! Had he lost his touch? Take This Beautiful "Princess"… Yes, Jilly had agreed to house-sit at her best friends' ranch, but she never agreed to "play house" with the cowboy-in-residence—no matter how fast he made her heart race. So she put on her ice princess act and decided to watch Hank sweat it out. And Hank had a choice: resist this irresistible challenge—or make this princess his bride!

Cowboy With a Baby T.J. Tyler couldn't believe his eyes. He was sitting in the Sea Grape Café, holding his baby, Charlie, when who should come strolling in but Callie Jo Murphy wearing a wedding dress. Years earlier, Callie Jo had left him at the altar…and it looked like she'd just pulled the same stunt again. Bride on the Loose When T.J. reluctantly offered Calli Jo a job as temporary housekeeper, she accepted. But she knew she couldn't stay for long. After all, she'd broken his heart, and he'd never forgiven her. But every time she looked into his eyes, she knew it would break her own heart to run away again.

Olivia Campbell looks forward to a warm Christmas with her extended family at Circle C Ranch. She’ll spring a surprise on them this year and anticipates their delight. But Olivia’s gift is stopped in its tracks when her oldest friend, Sam Farrell, charges back into her life and reveals a stunning secret Olivia’s late husband kept from her. Sam arrives in Riverbend knowing he’s seeking more than a family Christmas. He’s come to see Olivia, the woman he’s never been able to forget. But will she forgive him for revealing truths about her past she might not want to face? Sam works his butt off to resolve the problems that have reared into her life, but he fears his intervention will only tear him and Olivia apart. The Riverbend community—the Campbell brothers and their families, the Malorys and theirs, and the intrepid Karen Marvin—draw behind their beloved Sam to try to make Olivia Campbell’s Christmas the best one of her life. A Later in Life Romance.

Timeless photos offer a rare portrait of the jubilant, vibrant, vital, nearly hidden, and now all-but-vanished world of small-town Black rodeos. Long before Americans began to officially commemorate Juneteenth, in the heat of East Texas, saddles were being cinched, buckles shined, and lassoes adjusted for a day on the Black rodeo circuit in honor of the holiday. In the late 1970s, as they had been doing for generations, Black communities across the region held local rodeos for the talented cowboys and cowgirls who were segregated from the mainstream circuit. It was to these vibrant community events that bestselling Texas writer Sarah Bird, then a young photojournalist, found herself drawn. In Juneteenth Rodeo, Bird’s lens celebrates a world that was undervalued at the time, capturing everything, from the moment the pit master fired up his smoker, through the death-defying rides, to the last celebratory dance at a nearby honky-tonk. Essays by Bird and sports historian Demetrius Pearson reclaim the crucial role of Black Americans in the Western US and show modern rodeo riders—who still compete on today’s circuit—as “descendants” in a more than two-hundred-year lineage of Black cowboys. A gorgeous tribute to the ropers and riders—legends like Willie Thomas, Myrtis Dightman, Rufus Green, Bailey’s Prairie Kid, Archie Wycoff, and Calvin Greeley—as well as the secretaries, judges, and pick-up men and even the audience members who were as much family as fans, Juneteenth Rodeo ultimately seeks to put Black cowboys and cowgirls where they have always belonged: in the center of the frame.

Black Rodeo in the Texas Gulf Coast Region: Charcoal in the Ashes provides an in depth sociocultural and historical analysis of the genesis and contemporary state of affairs regarding African American rodeo cowboys in southeast Texas, whose ancestors were instrumental in the development of the most celebrated livestock management industry in the world. The author painstakingly chronicles the origin of the Texas cattle industry from its Mexican roots to Austin’s Colony, better known as the George Plantation/Ranch, where African Americans were intimately involved in the livestock management industry since its inception. Although enslaved before, during, and after the Republic of Texas was established, they were early stakeholders in the expansion of the western frontier, and an indispensable source of labor that facilitated the burgeoning cattle industry. Yet, as the author maintains, American history wantonly trivialized, marginalized, and blatantly omitted their contributions. This book sheds light on these early cowboys and their descendants who have participated in America’s most prominent prole sport with little to no media exposure. The author dubbed them “Shadow Riders of the Subterranean Circuit,” and even though American sports are integrated African American rodeo cowboys may be metaphorically seen as bits of charcoal spread among ashes.

She’s left her old life behind …only to find a new love waiting After a broken engagement, Callie Morgan decides to move to Aspen Ridge, Colorado, to fix up her late grandmother’s gift shop. But the shop is in bad shape and Callie runs out of money faster than expected. Old childhood friend and single dad Wyatt Stone comes to the rescue, offering her a job at his family’s ranch, Stone River Ranch. While their friendship is rekindled, will Callie ever risk loving again…even as Wyatt’s little girl is already stealing her heart? From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope. Stone River Ranch Book 1: Rescuing Her Ranch Book 2: Redeeming the Cowboy Book 3: Bonding with the Cowboy's Daughter

A Cowboy's Second Act After nearly being mowed down by an entire parade led by his former girlfriend, Joel Darwood wonders if Briggs, Idaho, is the ideal place to raise his young daughter. Making a home in the tiny ranching town means confronting his past—and the powerful feelings he still has for ornery, unforgiving Callaghan Grant. Six years later, Callie still isn't over the lover with the smoking blue eyes and sexy swagger. But how can she forget the pain Joel and her former best friend caused? Still, her heart goes out to the widowed rancher, who's set on being the father his rabble-rousing five-year-old needs. Is it time for Callie to move on—with her dream cowboy back in her arms where he belongs?

Can he reclaim his past…and build a future? He needs to remember. She’s his best hope… After a rodeo accident took away Clint Rawlins’s mobility and two years’ worth of memories, occupational therapist Lexie Parker is his only shot at recovering and regaining independence. Lexie is drawn to Clint…but she’s wary of the amnesiac’s all-too-vulnerable feelings. And with the possibility of him returning to his dangerous bull-riding side job, she refuses to risk her heart. But resisting her charming patient may be harder than she expected…

There are over seven million horses in America -- even more than when they were the only means of transportation. Nir began riding horses when she was just two years old and hasn't stopped since. This is her funny, moving love letter to these graceful animals and the people who are obsessed with them. She takes us into the lesser-known corners of the riding world and profiles some of its most captivating figures, and speaks candidly of how horses have helped her overcome heartbreak and loss.