Comeback Cowboy

Richardson shines in the emotionally rich second Rocky Mountain Riders contemporary romantic thriller (after Hometown Cowboy). Lucas Cortez left tiny Topaz Falls, Colo., in disgrace after he was convicted of setting a fire that destroyed the rodeo center and served time in jail. His former lover, Naomi Sullivan, stayed behind, and her brief marriage with one of Lucas’s friends left her a single mother to adorable Gracie. Ten years after Lucas’s departure, he returns to be with his family after his father’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Lucas has long since paid his debt to society and made a name for himself as a successful ranch employee. At first Naomi tries to stay away from him—and when they do rekindle their relationship, it soon becomes apparent that not everyone is as forgiving of past crimes as she is. Both their lives and Gracie’s could be in jeopardy. Richardson beautifully illustrates the rocky road of love and the power of redemption in this emotionally charged tale. With a tight, compelling plot and expert characterization, she creates a warm, comfortable world readers will want to visit again and again. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary & Media. (July)