Cowboys Don’t Ride Unicorns
(Cowboys Don’t Series, #2)
By Tara Lain
Blurb
Cowboy Danny Boone—a name he made up one drunken night and has regretted ever since—harbors a big past and yearns for a small future. A short, bright career as a champion bull rider almost ended in his death when his homophobic father discovered Danny was gay. Now Danny longs for a plot of land he can build a ranch house on and enough money to make up for some of the education he missed.
Danny also hides a preference for beautiful femmes who like to top—a combo rarer than a unicorn. Then onto the guest ranch where Danny works drives San Francisco decorator Laurie Belmont, a young man so gorgeous he makes horses gasp, and so ballsy he almost kills Danny’s attacker.
Laurie’s trying to find his way out from under the thumb of a domineering mother, helpless father, and rich, privileged boyfriend. But no matter the attraction, their lives are worlds apart, and cowboys don’t ride unicorns.
Tara’s Beautiful Boys
Hi everyone. I’m so happy to be here. I’m Tara Lain and I write the Beautiful Boys of Romance. Today, I’m celebrating the addition of some new gorgeous guys to my pantheon in a book called Cowboys Don’t Ride Unicorns. It’s my second ever cowboy romance and my first bull rider. In this story, my hunky bull rider meets his “unicorn”, a beautiful, androgynous, pink-haired interior decorator who likes to top! He’s not only a rare unicorn, he’s very much a Tara Lain Beautiful Boy.
Most everyone who knows my books understands what I mean by the Beautiful Boys of Romance. Almost all my work includes at least one hero who’s particularly lovely in appearance, has a unique, even quirky personality, and often possesses a touch (or more) of androgyny. Probably best known is Shaz from Knight of Ocean Avenue. Shaz is a fashion stylist and wildly flamboyant. His relationship with Billy Ballew, the construction worker, is totally unlikely until they realize how much alike they are in their hearts. In Canning the Center, the young, geeky, genius Trevor Landry is also the fabulous drag queen, Trixie LaRue, whose ability to pas as a woman is at the heart of the story. On the opposite end of the “pretty boy” spectrum is JJ LaRousse from Snow Balls. Big and hunky, JJ looks like a handsome football player, but he’s more queen than quarterback. Fluttery and effeminate, JJ is a constant surprise to those who expect him to be an alpha male.
In my paranormal series, Tales of the Harker Pack and The Aloysius Tales, I have the added advantage of the supernatural to make my men gorgeous. Killian Barth, the Witch Master in Spell Cat, has blond hair to his waist and beauty that goes beyond human. The panther shifter, Paris Marketo in The Pack or the Panther, embodies feline beauty (and feline snarkiness) that he uses as pole dancer.
And now we have a “unicorn” in the character of Laurie Belmont in Cowboys Don’t Ride Unicorns. Tall, lean, with pink hair to his shoulders, Laurie plays up his effeminate beauty with headscarves and lots of flamboyant drama.
When I began writing in 2011, most gay heroes were alpha males. Finding an effeminate or flamboyant character was very rare. But I love these characters and enjoy showing their hidden strengths and the inherent power of androgyny. I hope you love my new addition to the Beautiful Boys of Romance!
“I want to see what’s ahead.” He coaxed Tramp into a trot and then a canter, and before Danny could even register it, he was in a full-on gallop.
“Shit!” Danny glanced at Grove, who looked worried. Danny frowned. “Should I go after him? He’s pretty sure in the saddle, but he doesn’t know the area.”
“Yes, please. He’s pissed, and he’s got a wicked temper. Plus he’s fond of biting off more than he can chew.”
Danny scrubbed the accompanying image of Laurie’s biting and chewing from his brain and took off after him at speed. Danny rode Star Gazer, a beautiful black Arabian who had lots of speed on Tramp, but Laurie had a head start.
Danny galloped down the path, looking for signs of Tramp ahead. Finally he saw the flick of her tail rounding a corner, and he turned Star Gazer into the rough and ran catty-corner to intercept Laurie. When Danny came up beside Tramp, Laurie rode easily, grinning and obviously having way too much fun. Danny waved him down. “Stop, damn it.”
Laurie gave him a pouty look but slowed Tramp to a trot. “What’s wrong?”
“Just stop.”
Laurie frowned and pulled up Tramp.
Danny waved a hand to the right. “There’s a little stream over there. Let her get a drink.” He walked Star Gazer through the trees to the trickle of water, so precious in drought-ridden California.
Laurie dismounted and dropped his reins, letting Tramp get her own water.
Danny did the same, and as Star Gazer walked to the stream, Danny turned on Laurie. “First, you don’t know this area. Going that fast, you could have hit barbed wire, or for that matter, the highway that comes up fast in a half mile. Second, Tramp isn’t an Arabian. Yes, she’s got some speed, but she’s older and not bred to gallop for that long.”
“I asked to ride the Palomino.” He crossed his arms.
“And you may get to if it’s okay with Rand, but you’ve got to respect the horses, and making them pay for your temper isn’t the way to do it.”
Laurie’s eyes widened a bit; then he stared at his boots. “Tramp seems more than willing to run.”
Danny stepped closer. “A quality of horses you should be aware of is that they don’t always act in their own best interests. The same can be said for some humans.” Breathe. “You shouldn’t be riding alone. Period.”
Laurie stepped closer and thrust his pretty face toward Danny. “Okay, simple. You can ride with me.”
“I’ve got work to do.”
“News flash.” Laurie took another step. “I am your work.”
One more step and they’d be nose-to-nose—or lips-to-lips. Danny stared at that mouth like it held the secrets of the universe. What would those lips taste like? Big cowboy in the sky, help me.
Always eager to meet new Tara boys!
Thank you, Trix! Hope you like my bull rider and unicorn! LOL
Thanks for the excerpt!
Thank you for stopping by, Lisa! : )
Congrats on the new book. The cover looks fantastic.
Thank you, H. B. The amazing Reese Dante did it. she does most of my covers. : )
Can’t wait to read this!
Hope you enjoy it Elsie! : )
Love the sound of this. So refreshing not to have alpha males as MCs
Thank you, Jess. I love my alphas as much as the next girl. but i particularly adore my Beautiful Boys. : )
Cowboys… You just can’t have too many on your bookshelf! The cover looks so good…reminds me of the rodeo in Pueblo I attended years ago. The sounds… hooves, hollering, and cheers. The sights…cowboys, horses, bulls. The smell of dust, heat and popcorn. I hope the release goes well!
Love the cover and the excerpt was great! I am looking forward to reading this one!