HEART OF A BULL RIDER Tina Leonard
HARLEQUIN TAKES THE BULL RIDER BY THE HORNS
Professional Bull Riders Partner with Harlequin Books
Harlequin, the internationally-renowned publisher, is teaming up with the Professional Bull Riders (PBR), the world’s premier bull riding organization, to bring you four revived titles featuring swoon-worthy, rugged bull riders. This collector’s edition by USA Today and award-winning author Tina Leonard will feature covers showcasing real-life, top PBR riders Matt Triplett, Reese Cates, Harve Stewart and Zane Lambert.
Each book contains exclusive content, including biographies, interviews, photos, signed reader letters from the riders and $20 of value-added coupons for select PBR events, fan club membership and upcoming Harlequin titles.
Harlequin Pro Bull Riders stories are heartwarming contemporary tales of everyday women finding love in the arms of the quintessential American icon, wrapped up in manliness and romance. The stories showcase the charm of small-town America and the ruggedness of Western locales and regularly feature Western characters as protagonists.
Founded in 1992, the PBR pits the world’s toughest bull riders against the fiercest bucking bulls on the planet in an 8-second showdown. More than 600 bull riders compete in PBR-sanctioned competitions in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the United States each year. These events are attended by more than 2.5 million fans annually who respect the riders’ athleticism and courage. PBR broadcasts are televised weekly on CBS and CBS Sports Network and reach more than half a billion households in 50 nations and territories around the world.
Links to excerpts from each PBR title. At the end of each excerpt is a printable coupon.
- http://www.harlequin.com/media/images/pdf/AFamilyfortheBullrider_chapter.pdf
- http://www.harlequin.com/media/images/pdf/HeartofaBullrider_chapter.pdf
- http://www.harlequin.com/media/images/pdf/OneWildBullRider_chapter.pdf
- http://www.harlequin.com/media/images/pdf/TheBullRiderTwins_chapter.pdf
Video to share featuring interviews with two of the riders:
Zane Lambert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3xFBQXH0Vsc
Harve Stewart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4pRTw2Jma0&feature=youtu.be
PBR Sweepstakes (A trip to Las Vegas and a VIP package to the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals)http://www.harlequin.com/sampler.html?sampler=pbrsweepstakes
Harve Stewart
@harvestewart
World Finals Qualifications: 6
Hometown: Stephenville, Texas
Residence: Stephenville, Texas
Height: 5-9
Weight: 160
Born: 12/28/87
Riding Hand: Right
BFTS Season: 9th
Career Earnings: $508,852
High-Marked Ride: 91 points on Savage Shaker in Tulsa, Okla., on July 22, 2007
Personal
A former Texas High School Rodeo Association Champion, Harve rode his first bull at age 14 after watching a friend at nine-time World Champion Ty Murray’s ranch. He learned to ride from his father, Dee, who was a former bull rider and received further instruction from Murray and former PBR stars Adam and Gilbert Carrillo. Harve admits he doesn’t like to ride on an empty stomach and says if he had a choice, he would eat a steak before every ride, whereas most of his fellow riders choose that as their preferred meal after a contest. When it comes time to relax, Harve might be found hanging with fellow PBR riders or maybe watching a movie comedy. His most memorable ride was besting Meat Hook for 90.5 points in Thackerville, Okla. in 2012 to win his first BFTS contest. If he weren’t a professional bull rider, Harve would have liked to be a football player. When he retires he will probably spend more time golfing and envisions himself owning a business of some sort. “Anything where I can be my own boss.” says Harve.
2014 Highlights
Earned round wins in Billings, Montana, and Des Moines, Iowa…landed Top 10 finishes in Anaheim, California (8th), Fresno, California (T9), Des Moines, Iowa (T9), and Colorado Springs, Colorado (7th)…went 2-for-3 on his bulls in Colorado Springs for his highest finish on the season…fell out of the Top 35 following Springfield, Missouri, but competed as an alternate in Oakland, California, and Allentown, Pennsylvania.
#3 Matt Triplett
@triplett_matt
World Finals qualifications: 2
Hometown: Columbia Falls, Mont.
Residence: Columbia Falls, Mont.
Height: 5-7
Weight: 155
Born: 6/28/91
Riding Hand: Right
BFTS Season: 3rd
Career Earnings: $396,825
High-Marked Ride: 92 points on Walk Off during Round 2 at World Finals on Oct. 23, 2014
Personal
Matt started bull riding when he was 10, with help from his dad who used to ride bulls as well. He said although his grandfather was too tall to ride, he is still Matt’s biggest fan. When he’s not busy traveling the country entering in as many competitions that he can, he enjoys riding horses, hiking, feeding baby ducks at the park and playing basketball—his favorite team in the Indiana Pacers. He also loves watching football and cheers on the New England Patriots because of Tom Brady. His go-to meals are sushi, spaghetti and steak, but not all together, of course. Matt’s most memorable ride was in 2013 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Pandemic (C’N Stars Bull Company) for 91 points during the Championship Round. During a bull riding in Montana, Pandemic kicked Matt in the stomach, causing him internal bruising, so he says it was his way of getting back at the bull. He also added that the injuries didn’t stop him from riding. He loved riding in Anaheim because of how close it is to Disneyland, he visited the amusment park last year and plans to go again each year the PBR visits. You can find the 23-year-old hanging out with Ryan Dirteater, Douglas Duncan, Chase Outlaw, Sean Willingham and Gage Gay on tour. He also works out with Douglas year round doing hot yoga and visiting Michael Johnson Performance.
2014 Highlights
Spent his first full season on the Built Ford Tough Series to be ranked No. 3 overall in the PBR world standings following World Finals…posted a career-high 92 points during Round 2 of the World Finals on Walk Off (Jeff Robinson Bucking Bulls)…placed fourth in bulls attempted (86) and sixth in bulls ridden (33)…won the last PBR 15/15 Bucking Battle of the season in Huntington Beach, California, with 87 points aboard Oklahoma Bell (Jeff Robinson Bucking Bulls)…picked up round wins in Tacoma and Billings…tied for second in most appearances during the championship round, but only made the 8-second mark once, during Allentown, Pennsylvania, in those 16 attempts…landed 11 Top 10 finishes, including four Top 5 finishes…ranked in the Top 10 of the world standings 19 times overall and remained in the Top 10 for the last 11 weeks of the regular season…won Touring Pro events in Sterling, Colorado, and Lewiston, Idaho.
#58 Reese Cates
@reesecates
World Finals Qualifications: 3
Hometown: El Dorado, Ark.
Residence: El Dorado, Ark.
Height: 5-9
Weight: 155
Born: 1/12/89
Riding Hand: Right
BFTS Season: 8th
Career Earnings: $449,167
High-Marked Ride: 91 points on Firewater at Built Ford Tough World Finals on Nov. 2, 2008
* 2008 Rookie of the Year
Personal
A third-generation bull rider (his father and grandfather both rode professionally), Reese says he was riding horses before he could walk (his mother, aunts and grandmother were all barrel racers). Growing up and rodeo-ing with Chase Outlaw, the two are still the best of friends and now compete in the PBR together. During his first couple years on the BFTS, Reese attended and graduated from Panola College in Carthage, Texas with an Agriculture Business Degree. After suffering multiple debilitating injuries during the 2013 season (three crushed ribs, a collapsed lung, a dislocated shoulder with torn ligaments), Reese says he learned so much about medical procedures he thinks he might have liked being a doctor if he weren’t riding bulls. When he is touring, there is one thing he always has to have with him…his Tempur-pedic travel pillow. “I like my sleep”, jokes Reese, who says he could easily snooze for 10 hours if given the opportunity. After appearing on The Rachel Ray Show a few years ago (he tested a portable washer/dryer for the show), Reese admits he is now a fan and also regularly watches Dr. Phil. When he’s in top form, Reese sometimes hangs out and trains with Chad Mendes and Urijah Faber (top UFC fighters who are also PBR fans), and says that Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) workouts help keep him in shape for bull riding. In his down time, Reese likes hunting with Chase and San Diego Padres pitcher Andrew Cashner, fishing and spending time at home with family in Arkansas.
2014 Highlights
Earned a ninth place finish in Chicago, Illinois, going 2-for-3 during the event…landed a fourth place finish in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, covering three of his four bulls…competed in 10 events before dislocating his shoulder while in Phoenix, Arizona…missed six months of competition after undergoing shoulder stabilization surgery…returned to competition in Nashville, Tennessee…placed 13th in Oakland, California, as his last Built Ford Tough Series event of the season.
Zane Lambert
World Finals Qualifications: 1
Hometown: Ponoka, Alberta
Residence: Westbourne, MB
Height: 5-11
Weight: 175
Born: 7/2/86
Riding Hand: Right
BFTS Season: 6th
Career Earnings: $321,876
High-Marked Ride: 87.50 points on Guns & Donuts during Round 3 of the World Finals on Oct. 24, 2014
* 2013 Canada National Champion
Personal
This Canadian cowboy started riding and attended his first rodeo school at 10 where he won a rodeo card after which he competed in 4 contests that year and was permanently hooked. To keep in shape he definitely hits the gym hard and also has a routine he does in his hotel room on the road that includes pushups, sit-ups, etc. After his wife Stacey, whom he married in April 2013, Zane’s best pal is his English bulldog Ace, whom he calls his mascot and sometimes travels with. When not on the tour, Zane likes snowboarding and doing renovations on his friend’s houses. He and his wife also like to make wine from scratch—they’ve even ordered grapes from California before and done the crushing and fermenting at home. Someday he hopes to retire from bull riding with enough money to buy a big place in the country where he can raise a bunch of kids and of course, have a large wine cellar.
2014 Highlights
Competed in his first event this season in Sacramento, California, where he lead going into the championship round, going 2-for-3 for third place overall and his first Built Ford Tough Series Top 5 finish…collected four Top 10 finishes and two Top 5 finishes altogether, including tying for second place in Des Moines, Iowa, covering two of his three bulls and posting one of his two round wins on the year…earned his second round win in Nampa, Idaho…earned himself a BFTS career-high 87.50 points on Guns and Donuts (Silver Creek Pro Rodeo) during Round 3 of the World Finals.
About the Author
TINA LEONARD
USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Tina Leonard has sold over 3 million copies of her titles. She has made the USA Today Bestseller, Waldenbooks, Bookscan, and Ingrambook lists, and has written and contracted seventy-one books and special projects. She is best known for her sparkling sense of humor, endearing communities, snappy dialogue, and memorable characters that include sexy hunks with attitude and heroines with plenty of sass.
Website: http://www.tinaleonard.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTinaLeonard
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tina_leonard/
@Tina_Leonard
Harlequin sells more than 100 million romance, young adult, adult fiction and nonfiction books annually worldwide—approximately three books per second—making Harlequin a publishing powerhouse. Harlequin books are sold in 102 international markets on six continents with more than 6.38 billion books shipped around the world. Approximately one in every six mass-market paperbacks sold in North America is a Harlequin novel. More than one-third of American females have read a book published by Harlequin Enterprises at some point in their lives.