Mavericks
by Jacquie Rogers
Today's Six Sentence Satur-day features Much Ado About Mavericks, the third book in the Hearts of Owyhee series by Jacquie Rogers. All the stories in this western historical romance series are set in Owyhee County, Idaho Territory, in the early 1880s. Much Ado About Mavericks is set in Henderson Flats (what is now Marsing, Idaho) in 1885.
Blurb:
Benjamin Lawrence is a highly respected attorney in Boston, but in Idaho Territory, they still think of him as that gangly awkward boy named Skeeter. When he goes back home to settle his estate, he's confronted with a ridiculous will that would be easy to overturn--but can he win the regard of his family and neighbors--and the foreman?
The Bar EL's foreman, Janelle Kathryn aka J.K. aka Jake O'Keefe, is recognized as the best foreman in the territory. But being the best at her job still isn't enough--now she has to teach the new owner how to rope, brand, and work cattle before she receives clear title to her own ranch, the Circle J. The last thing she expects is rustlers. Can she save her ranch without losing her heart?
The Setup:
Early on, cowhands had to have a little fun, so it's only reasonable that they'd compete to see who was the best rider. We call these rodeos today but in the Old West, they were called tournaments, contests, or doin's. Bronc riding had different rules then. The cowhand had to saddle (with the help of two or three friends to hold the horse), mount, and ride as long as he could stick, or until the horse stopped bucking. The man who rode the longest on the wildest horse won.
In this scene, Ben explains to his Bostonian friend, Reginald, how all this works.
Ben decided Reginald might as well know what he’d gotten himself into. “While the wranglers hold the horse, Fred has to saddle him, then ride for as long as he’s able.”
“What’s that old man doing?”
“Biting the horse’s ear. He won’t move while Crip has his teeth sunk in.”
“Good god.” Reginald wiped his hands over his face. “I think I’ll stick with polo.”
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Romancing The West
Hearts of Owyhee series
#1: Much Ado About Marshals
#2: Much Ado About Madams
#3: Much Ado About Mavericks
Like the part about earing the horse down while the cowboy gets on. 'Course polo players are pretty mean horsemen, too. Reckon that comes out down the line. The untamed grandsons could get interesting though. Pour them into a romance and something might come unglued.
ReplyDeleteJacquie, I have never read a western romance but I'm inclined to read Much Ado About Mavericks.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds very interesting.
Jerry
Jerry, you won't be sorry. Like all of Jacquie's book Much Ado About Mavericks is delightful, authentically Western, and funny besides!
ReplyDeleteCharlie, the greenhorns surprise everyone (but themselves) and make the money round. I needed to show they were accomplished horsemen for a later scene.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jerry. Actually, my WHRs are more western than romance. The external story arc is western, and romance is the internal arc. There's a couple fights, a fencing match, a tournament, and a good dose of bad guy mayhem.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Judith!
ReplyDeleteNote: I didn't pay her to write that.
I like reading Jacquie's books just to get a laugh or two. Or three.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Nancy. (Note: I didn't pay her, either.)
ReplyDeleteA fencing match? Now I really am intrigued, Jacquie.
ReplyDeleteKeith, I spent a bunch of time researching fencing moves, but in the end, it was all for naught. The scene is from the heroine's point of view and she doesn't know the first thing about fencing, so no terminology was used at all. The scene got there because I needed the hero to have a dual, but an Eastern variety. Since I'd established that he was a member of the Harvard Fencing Club, it all fell into place.
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun book! I loved it. :-D
ReplyDeleteI loved this book it had everything... Action romance adventure comedy and just the right amount of steamyness
ReplyDelete