Broken

Colorado Dreamin' #2

by Maddie James

Rodeo took him from her once. Will it take him again?


It’s been a decade since Garth Nash left the Triple R Ranch to become a bull riding star. Now he’s back home to pay his final respects to the man he’d loved like a father, and to console the pesky tomboy he’d loved like a little sister.

But there’s nothing pesky or boyish about Amarilla Ray now. She’s a gorgeous, barrel-racing cowgirl who knows exactly what she wants—to compete at the Cowgirl Classic. Just once. And then she can get on with the rest of her life.

Rilla had loved Garth like a big brother all those years ago, but today, her feelings are taking turns in a whole new direction, and suddenly it feels like Garth just might be the rest of her life.

But rodeo took him from her once. And she knows he’s bound to leave again. Can she take the risk and fall in love? Can he? Or will rodeo win out again, and leave them both broken?

Genres: Romance

159 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 30, 2012

About the author

Maddie James also writes as Madeleine Jaimes.

The author of 70+ romantic novels, novellas, and short stories, Maddie James pens romance and suspense stories in contemporary and paranormal worlds. Her contemporary worlds often lean toward small towns and western settings, complete with cowboys, Alpha men, and strong, take-charge women.

Her romance writing career launched in 1997 as a traditionally published author with Kensington Books. Currently publishing as an independent author, she writes full time from her Midwest, small town home, where she also gardens, cooks, and chases the dog.

Affaire de Coeur says, “James shows a special talent for traditional romance,” and RT Book Reviews claims, “James deftly combines romance and suspense, so hop on for an exhilarating ride.”

Reviews

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5.0

Though this is a typical romance in many ways, offering little that is particularly fresh or different, the western setting with the rodeo background lifted it above the average read.

Read full review in the 2012 November issue of InD’tale Magazine.

[Lucinda Race · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's nothing like a second chance cowboy romance for all the feels and this one doesn't disappoint.

Rilla and Garth have loved each other for years but he felt she was too young for him but never stopped loving her.
After her daddy's death did life come full circle making two halves of a heart be whole.

[Wendy]

I had Garth Brooks "Rodeo" song in my head for days :-)

Current #1 on Amazon's best selling Western Romance list!

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been waiting in my TBR pile in my Kindle for way too long. I read the first book in the series a few years ago, and there is no connection to this book, so read as a stand-a-lone. It is a well written story about two people who lost their strong connection, when Garth, 10 years Rilla's senior, decides that he must get away from her, because she is too young for him, and then allows life to happen and doesn't return to the Triple R Ranch, until Rilla's father, Brandon, the man who was like a father to him, dies suddenly. Garth left the ranch to follow his dream as a bull rider and has been quite successful, but had no one to come home to. Rilla was finally about to go after her dream of Barrel Racing, but now she has the responsibility of running the ranch. Brandon knew that they were meant for each other and left a plan to make that happen. If only Rilla and Garth will get over their stubbornness and get with his program. I enjoyed reading the book.

[Marjorie Blum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review

This one was a good example that love is timeless! The a told a great story about a love that happened before both parties involved were old enough but last till they were really like the way this author tells a story!

[Charlotte Library · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not read this book Was added to my list by mistake!

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/22/2020)! 🎁

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maddie James is an author I’ve had my eye on reading for quite some time. When I was recently offered the chance to review Broken, her newest romance novella, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. Sometimes I get a bit cautious when accepting books from authors I have yet to try. There is always the chance of the author going off the deep end if I don’t love it. I am happy to say, I won’t have to worry about that for this review of Broken because I adored it! This is novella length, about 40,000 words and in all honestly it didn’t even feel that long because I flew through it in one sitting…refusing to step away from the Kindle and let the poor thing rest a bit.

The sensual spell Maddie James weaves is simply magical! Broken opens with the tragic note of Rilla’s father, owner of the Triple R Ranch, dying and leaving Rilla to finally fend for herself at the age of 26. She’s grieving, overwhelmed and while trained by her impressive father, still a bit out of her element. Confused as to whether she even wants to take on the responsibility of running the ranch or following her dream of finally being a champion barrel racer. When Garth shows up after being gone ten long years between 16 and 26, Rilla can’t be sure why he is back. The man her father had took in like a son is now 38 but he’s still the rough and tumble rodeo cowboy hes always been.

The tension between the two is thick enough to cut with a knife. Garth makes no qualms about having to get back to his rodeo lifestyle regardless of the hurt he caused Rilla when he left the first time. At 16 she obviously wasn’t equipped to handle a real romance and at 28 Garth was way to old for her. The little girl is long gone though and in her place is a beautiful, albeit confused, woman who needs to make her own way in this world after the abrupt loss of her father. Garth carries a lot of guilt over leaving her and the man he thought of as a father and so he sets it upon himself to convince Rilla that she can do both the running of the ranch AND barrel racing.

I would classify this as a sweet type romance. Aside from the one sex scene at the end, Broken is all about the emotional connection. The yearning and the buildup, the realizing that after 10 years, the feelings don’t change. In a lot of ways, Rilla is still a child, even at 26 and flees Garth every chance she gets. One steamy kiss send her scampering from the room like a spooked animal. I wish she would have confronted her feelings a bit earlier but she is what she is. Garth doesn’t really give her any options anyway. He is conflicted with guilt and torn between his emotional connection to Rilla and the love for the rodeo. He can’t bear to cause her more pain and so he constantly says he can’t stay and yet when Rilla tells him to go he gets mad. His conflicting emotions nearly gave me whiplash. I will give him credit though, when he decided, finally, what he wanted, taking no for an answer was never an option. When he left at 28 he knew Rilla loved him, and now 10 years later he knows he can rekindle that connection.

Broken is a wonderfully written tale of overcoming guilt and following your heart. Surprised that after all this time, Garth’s heart lead him back home to the one girl he never could get out of his mind. I loved this one and can’t wait to get my hands on more from this expressive and talented author!

Ever hear the old Garth Brooks song Rodeo? I sang it the entire time I was reading it.

I give Broken by Maddie James 4 stars!

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitty's review posted on Guilty Pleasures

Maddie James wrote a wonderful tale of heartbreak, heartache and love all woven together into a wonderful, hot cowboy/cowgirl/rodeo story that actually leaves you wanting more.

Garth and Amarilla were always meant for each other. Even her father knew that one day they would finally find and accept the love that they had for each other. Amarilla is convinced Garth left the Triple R Ranch because of her feelings for him and his need to Rodeo. What she doesn't know is that he left because of his feelings for her. When he returns to the Ranch and finds out what is in Brandon Ray's will, he has no choice but to stay and finally accept Amarilla for who and what she is today.

When Garth and Rilla finally faced their past, their feelings and the love that they had for each other, I let out a “Yee-haw”. Maddie James brought you right into the story and brought the characters to life. You knew what they were feeling and why. You cried with them, got mad at them and then finally cheered when they got together. I absolutely enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from Ms. James.

[Sydney Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Broken by Maddie James. Not only is it a sweet romance, but it's also a view into the world of ranching and rodeo, two of my favorite subjects. The high ratings for this book are well-deserved.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, I really wasn't sure if I was going to like this. I am not a horse/rodeo fan. Not an interest for me. I have to say though, I really loved Rilla. She was a fantastic character. I loved Garth. This was a sweet romance.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read other books by this author and evjoyed them. This story is so sweet. Loved the ending!

[Stephanie Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet story!

[Ihutch2000 · Rating 3 out of 5]

started off well then the author rushed the end.