Hi Friends!
I’m so excited to be back here on the Tule blog to let you know about my new book, “Cowboy Don’t Go.” It’s the second book in my new Hardestys of Montana series that follows the Hardesty family, ranchers in Marietta, Montana. This one follows single mom, Shay Hardesty and her long ago crush, Cooper Lane, a cowboy who trains horses and has a family history that makes life hard. Now, he’s working on the Hardesty ranch and imagining new beginnings. It’s a second chance love story with a mysterious twist thrown in for good measure.
What was my inspiration for this series? It was a trip my daughter and her family took to Montana and a lux dude ranch resort, complete with gorgeous cabins, glamping tents, trail rides and campfires. (Was I jealous? Uh, yes.) How incredible to combine the beauty of Montana, a ranch with cattle and all the outdoor activities you could want. With ranches struggling everywhere to survive, many in the wilds of the west are searching for ways to make their land work harder for them and are giving this sort of thing a shot. And I thought, why not the Hardestys, who have found ranching a challenge since the patriarch of the family passed away?
Whether we’re ready or not, transitions like this appear in our lives and challenge us. What I really wanted to explore was how a family who had splintered a bit could reunite for a mutual goal and build something new.
In “Cowboy Don’t Go,” Shay Hardesty has certainly faced those transitions as a single mom who has stayed determinedly single while raising her now teenaged son. As the family begins building the resort, the appearance of Cooper Lane breaks all of her rules about risking her heart and at the same time, draws a new kind of trouble to the ranch. With his father recently released from prison for cattle rustling, Cooper’s only goal for the last ten years has been to prove his father’s innocence. But getting a second chance with Shay while fending off the mysterious intruder on the ranch becomes his new priority. But will the fragile trust they’ve built be enough to survive a devastating revelation?
I love putting a little mystery in my stories, whether it’s real trouble coming at my characters or unlocking the mysteries of their own hearts. I sure hope you enjoy this one. If you get the chance to read it, please let me know what you think. And if you would, please drop a review for me on the outlet of your choice. It really helps us authors so much!
Here’s a little GIVEAWAY for you to celebrate the release! To WIN an e-copy of “Cowboy Don’t Go,” or any other of my Tule books, just tell me– if you had the chance to go to a dude ranch, what would be your favorite activity? I’ll announce the winner on Saturday, 9/20. Please check back to see if you’ve won!
Book 1- The Cowboy’s Bride (available now)
Book 2 – Cowboy Don’t Go (available TODAY!)
Book 3 – The Cowboy’s Miracle Baby (coming November 13, 2024)
Book 4 – The Way to a Cowboy’s Heart (coming February 6, 2025)
About the Author.
Barbara Ankrum has a thing for the West and has written both historical and contemporary romances, all set in that magical place. Twice nominated for RWA’s RITA Award, her bestselling books are emotional, sexy rides with a touch of humor. Barbara’s married and raised two children in Southern California, which, in her mind, makes her a native Westerner.
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