Hidden Target

Shadows of the Rockies #1

by Roxanne Rustand

The odds have caught up with ex-bullrider Jake Landers, who was badly injured last year. Cowboys, bullfighters, and clowns on a given rodeo circuit are often close—cheering each other on, helping one another, seeing each other most weekends throughout the season. Jake not only faces the loss of his career and the only life he’s known, but will now lose touch with the people who have become his second family.

Buying a faltering rodeo company is his ticket back into the life he loves. The one person who can help him succeed is the woman he stood up at the altar ten years before, and now they’ll have to work together for the next six months. If she’ll agree...and if dark secrets from the past don’t tear them apart once more.

Author’s note: this book was originally published as Rodeo! for Harlequin Superroomance, but has now been fully revised and edited, and it is now a sweet romance/light romantic suspense for those who enjoy a warm, emotional romance without graphic love scenes. This version is in keeping with the three sweet Harlequin Heartwarming novels I've done.

I hope you will enjoy it--and that you will let me know what you think in reviews, or by email (roxannerustandbooks@yahoo.com) Thanks so much!

Genres: Second Chance

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2001

About the author

Roxanne is a USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author of forty romantic suspense, mystery, and heart-warming, emotionally charged relationship novels in the clean & wholesome, as well as inspirational romance genres.

She got her first horse at the tender age of six and grew up riding bareback with wild abandon throughout her small Minnesota town year-round. It was like giving a child car keys!

She showed horses for many years, and later, she and her husband raised quarter horses and thoroughbreds until their kids came along.

She's living her childhood dream, living on an acreage in the country with her husband, three horses (all beloved elderly pasture ornaments, now), a golden retriever, a Mountain Cur rescue, and six fluffy barn cats. It's a much smaller menagerie than when their three kids were still at home!

Ranches, animals, and small-town life frequently find their way into her books.

To connect...

https://www.roxannerustand.com

https://bookbub.com/authors/roxanne-r...

https://amazon.com/author/roxannerustand

https://www.facebook.com/Roxanne.Rustand

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying that I read this book in 2 ½ days. I thought it was an awesome read and I’m really becoming a big fan of this author.

Kristen Blake puts her life on hold to temporarily take over the family rodeo business until a suitable buyer can be found. She’s grown up in the biz & has always been a hard worker, so there shouldn’t be any problems, right? Wrong. Right out of the gate she runs into all sorts of issues including sexism, sabotage, and the fact that the ex-love-of-her-life literally swaggers in the doors announcing that he is going to be the new buyer. And although they haven’t seen each other in 10 years, Kristen and Jake certainly still have enough chemistry to spark a fire. However, along with chemistry, they also have a whole pile of history between them that they must put aside so that they can work together to save the rodeo business.

Besides the fact that the 2 main characters definitely have perceptible chemistry between them, this book has SO MUCH going for it. For one thing I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the life of a rodeo cowboy. It was refreshing to see the behind-the-scenes look of how those guys live. Also, this book is definitely more than just a romance novel. Like the last book I read by this author, it’s also part Mystery and maybe part Western. There’s always one or 2 mysteries happening during the story that I just can’t wait to figure out “who dunnit”, which adds to the intrigue.

But, probably my favorite thing about this book (and the other one I read by this author) is the author’s unique ability to go a little more in-depth with some of the side characters. Ms. Rustand is able to give you a glimpse into the other characters’ lives without taking anything away from the main story. She has figured out the perfect balance in my opinion. There’s just enough there about side characters to get the reader really interested & still have closure in the end, but not be so much that it overwhelms the main story. I’ve read books by many other authors that either overdo it or underdo it and I’ve been left scratching my head wondering what the point was. Not so with this author. It really gives her stories more depth and intrigue.

If you’re looking for a book that is a fast read with romance, intrigue, and mystery, then this is definitely the book for you! I highly recommend this book!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comeback Cowboy ( Shadows of the Rockies book #1 )
By: Roxanne Rustand

Wow and Wow, Roxanne has penned a wonderful exciting story of bull riders, rodeo, romance and suspense all in one. If you love cowboys and rodeo stories you will love Comeback Cowboy . I fell in love with her two main characters ,Kristen Blake and Jake Landers. Jake is an ex-bullrider who got hurt and to stay around what he loves he buys BKR rodeo. Now this is the rodeo company that Kristen is helping her dad with. Kristen is also the woman that Jake left at the alter ten years ago. Can Kristen stay on and help Jake learn the other end of the rodeo business? They travel ahead of time to the rodeo to make sure everything is setup right and ready for the rodeo. Well some strange things happen at the rodeo. Kristen and Jake still have feelings for each other , but Jake left Kristen at the alter ten years ago. You will get to read first hand about the rodeo, bullfighters, death, clowns, food stands, and don't forget about romance and the suspense. So to find out more about all these just read Comeback Cowboy, you will not be disappointed. You will love it as I did.. I can't wait to read another of Roxanne Rustand's books.
I was given a copy of this book to read for my honest review, and I have given it.

[Rosemary K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake Landers, a champion bull rider, is recovering from a very serious injury. He realizes that his rodeo career is nearing an end. He doesn't want to leave this life so he is buying BKR rodeo. He knows this means he will be working with Kristen Blake. These two have a history. They were in love once but Jake left her at the alter. Both have painful memories of the past. Kristen and Jake find they still care for each other. Will their nearness bring back love, understanding and forgiveness? Do they have a future together? This story gives you a romance that touches your heart. I love the suspense that the author added. These two stories combine perfectly to keep the reader hooked. I enjoy that the book gives you a good understanding of a rodeo and the life of the people who work there. Roxanne Rustand is such a multi-talented author. I know when I read one of her books I won't be disappointed. Her stories are well plotted and her characters are strong intelligent people with real emotions and problems. Comeback Cowboy is a winner. I love it!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story has been well described by others so I will only discuss some aspects of the book. The emotions and feelings of the characters were so realistic that I felt the same ones that were being described...kudos to the author. It was also interesting to me that the characters hurts and pain were healed by the developing relationship between the characters and their second chance. Many of the secondary characters also redeemed themselves which was needed as their actions 10 years ago contributed to the tragic separation of the main characters. More than one relationship was repaired.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love cowboys

I love going to a rodeo and seeing all the people that compete in all of the different events. I also like watching the clowns as They try To get The riders a way from the bulls before they get heart. bulls to come away from the people. The men that fall off the walls and try to keep them from getting in trouble.
If you've never been to a rodeo, the author describes it very accurately, and you really need to go sometime. You're really enjoyed.

[Jan LeBaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

a heart throb for sure!

I’ve been enjoying these books from Roxanne Rustand. I had a little bit of a hard time getting into this book but it’s because I wasn’t into the makings of a rodeo. Other than that, the book was well done. Believable characters images of the bull rides and other things floating in my mind as they happened. The love story was totally a heart throb that brought tears to my eyes👍

[Glenn LaRue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novel was good, not great.

Really wanted to like the novel, but I didn’t feel it was as well written as Rustand’s other novels. The reader does get a feel for what it would be like on the Rodeo circuit and the guy gets the girl, but something was missing in the narrative. Still recommend.

[Dolores Guillen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good mystery and great love story

Kristen is working her Dad’s rodeo and Jake wants to buy it. But there is a problem from their past that makes working together difficult. To make matters worse someone is trying to sabotage the rodeo. They work together to solve the problem of who is trying to cause problems and fall back in love. Really nice.

[Lila · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a fairly good read. I did not enjoy the premarital sex and adultery within the story, as this is supposed to be a faith-friendly story. While the characters don't have to be pure as driven snow, some of these common themes don't seem necessary. Also, it's best to check a musician's discography before naming a song to avoid mistakes.

[Stephanie P. Kindervater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding read!

I have been really pleased with the books I have read by Roxanne Rustand but this one really was the best one yet. She gives her readers adventure, clean romance, entertaining characters and interesting storylines. Give her a read you won't be disappointed!

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story

Life can be very confusing. Kristen and Jake were meant to be together but others prevented that from happening. Loved their story and a look into the rodeo life.

[Brenda Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Attention!

Would recommend to all friends!
Liked everything about this book and it is nice to have clean language! Gotta go....

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now titled Hidden Target.

[Sandra C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the book!

Always a mystery, and I
Love mysteries. This was a triple mystery, and it was
Such a good ending. One more word, my word is read!

[Cc]

I couldn't quite get into this one, so I DNF'd, but it's a case of me not the book. Just not wanting a cowboy at this time, lol. I will come back to it though, very well written. KU

[emeraldragonlady (Maddie) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story & writing. Likeable characters. Just moved to slow for me.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 8

A story centered around rodeos in the Midwest and west. The story has romance and mystery. Old friends come together again.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake and Kristen fell in love years ago when they were both involved in the rodeo. But when Jake left Kristin waiting at the alter, everything changed. Kristin thought she was in love, but when she married soon after and divorced again almost as quickly, she decided to get on with her education and make something of herself, away from the rodeo and the wild life that she hears Jake is living.

Jake went on to be a National Champion bull rider and would still be riding bulls if it weren't for the accident that blew out his knee. So now he finds himself learning the other end of rodeo and Kristin is his teacher. He plans on buying the business that her father and his uncle have owned together for years. He wants Kristin to teach him the ropes as part of the deal though.

A lot of emotional time is spent together and mysterious things happen every time they go to a rodeo. Is someone trying to sabotage the sale of the business, or could there be more sinister meaning behind the events? Will Jake and Kristen get it figured out or miss out on what they could have had, a second time around? This was an enjoyable story and well written. Plenty of cowboys, bulls, and tension.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comeback Cowboy, a contemporary, sweet read, was a great book to sit back and relax with. This is not inspirational fiction, but is a clean and enjoyable story. It has a strong hero. A man who is not only strong on the outside, but also in his commitment to those he cares about. It also has heartbreak. There is heartbreak from the past for Jake and Kristen that hovers in each of their minds at all times. There is even heartbreak (and the chance for reconciliation) for some side characters. And there is the reality that sometimes mistakes were made in the past that really can’t be undone. There is a lot to love about this story. Add to that the thrill and danger of the rodeo scene, and the fact that the hero is a handsome bull rider trying to heal from an injury, and you have a book that was a quick and enjoyable read. I really liked watching the relationship and attraction build between Kristen and Jake.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

You can read this review on my blog at:
http://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.co...

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

COMEBACK COWBOY by Roxanne Rustand, is the first book that I have read of hers that was not a Love Inspired suspense book. And let me tell you, this one is the kind of story that you just have to keep reading to see what is going to happen next! Absolutely wonderful! This book is not only fascinating and exciting, but educational as well by taking you behind the scenes to the interesting business and hard work necessary for rodeo productions. The plot takes an interesting and suspenseful twist with a surprising and wonderful ending! Roxanne has done an incredible job! I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it to everyone that enjoys a good romance/suspense story without sex scenes and foul language. Definitely a 5 star novel.


I was honored to receive a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I have expressed my own true opinions and no monetary compensation was received.

[Donna Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake Landers is a bull rider recovering from a bad leg injury. He is going to buy a promotion company BRK that does rodeo shows. Kristen is the girl who has to show Jake the ropes of the business. Kristen is also the girl that Jake stood up at the alter 10 years ago. Kristen doesn't want to work with Jake but she knows she has to so she can help her dad get a good price for his business. Join them as they travel to several rodeo's as someone tries to sabotage their business. It is a good love story and you will enjoy it and there are no sexual scenes to worry about. A good read

[Britney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comeback Cowboy is a story I quickly fell in love with! Roxanne Rustand expertly portrays the grit and determination of the cowboys and other performers that ride the rodeo circuit. I enjoyed the exciting storyline and the rekindled relationship between the main characters, Kristen and Jake. From tension to tenderness, their story warmed my heart!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts expressed are my own and no monetary compensation was received.

[Brenda Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being from Texas, I enjoy rodeos, but have never understood the requirements of putting on a performance. Rustand's novel takes you behind the scenes to the interesting business and hard work necessary for rodeo productions while the characters are well-defined and realistic. The plot takes an interesting, suspenseful twist. I pulled for Jake and Kristen, hoping their love would overcome.

[Mrs. Garen L. Herd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I loved this book. The author did her research very well. I've been around rodeo all my life and her descriptions are spot-on. The romance part is also very well written. Then add just enough mystery to have you guessing. The whole book draws you in. Highly recommended.

[Cici · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable story. The characters were well drawn, not too predictable. The mystery was good. The backstory plausible.