(Video by Linda Walker)
“She’s no bigger than a newborn heifer,” is Talon Carlson’s first impression of Patricia Talbert when he discovers the ranch he’d hoped to inherit now belongs her. Part-time bull rider, full-time ranch foreman, he realizes his entire future rests in the hands of a tiny woman who doesn’t know beans about either.
The lure of living someplace where no one knows her or cares that her father is a senator sends Patricia into the waves of indecision. New York is home; it’s familiar. But on the Circle Bar Ranch, no one will use her as the gateway to the senator. Maybe on the ranch, she can separate herself from her father and develop an identity of her own.
2008 ACFW Genesis Contest Finalist
Inside a small wooden box, Patricia finds letters her aunt had written to her uncle, both deceased. The love her aunt had expressed was deeper than anything Patricia had ever experienced in her own failed marriage. But it is the faith shining from page after page that brings her to tears. Had she known this wise woman, maybe she would have learned to trust the Lord, too.
One last letter in the box, to Patricia from her uncle, turns her waves of indecision into a tsunami. He wanted her to stay at the ranch. The temptation is strong, but she has responsibilities in New York. She’s torn, and her growing attraction to Talon isn’t helping.
2012 ACFW Carol Award Finalist
The same letter throws Talon’s life into chaos also, because if Patricia decides to leave the ranch, she is to give it to him. All Talon ever wanted was to own a ranch, this ranch. And now, his dreams are just one small woman away. Using as evidence the loss of everyone he’d ever loved, Talon is convinced God wants him single. But his growing appreciation of this spunky little lady is shaking that conviction–to the point he questions whether he wants the ranch more than he wants her.
Time is slipping away, and Patricia needs to decide what to do. But she can’t. To buy time for faith and love to grow, she issues Talon a challenge: “Teach me to ride bulls.”
From here on, they’re in for the ride of their lives.
(bookcover by Lynnette Bonner)
2014 Book Club Recommended!
Praise for Give the Lady a Ride:
“There’s a good sprinkling of humor throughout the book so if you like to read at the local coffee shop be prepared to randomly burst out laughing in front of strangers.” — Susan M. Steve
Linda Yezak “gave wonderful details about bull riding–from training to breeding bulls to riding in competition.” — Karen Baney
“If Jane Austen had lived in Texas during this century, she may have written this book herself. I loved it.” — Pauline Creeden
Linda Yezak’s “characters were larger than life and I enjoyed getting to know them all. There was a secondary story going on with Talon’s ‘brother’ Chance and Patricia’s best friend Marie which was extremely enjoyable. Both Talon and Chance were wonderful heroes and very romantic. I loved all the interaction between all the characters. The description of the bull riding scenes were so good I felt like I was watching a movie.” — “Sherry”
“I was caught up in the story immediately and didn’t want to put it down until I was finished.” — “Heidiwriter”
“I wasn’t sure I would enjoy a story with a western theme but it is so well written, I was on the edge of my seat during the bull riding scenes.” — Evelyn G. Beal
“The bits of detail made me feel like I was looking in on a scene rather than reading it from my living room sofa.” — Carol Peterson
“If you want a fun read with snappy dialog and spunky relationships, this is the book for you!” — Pegg Thomas
“The dialog had me laughing out loud and engaged throughout the story. Linda’s descriptions of ranch life and the Texas setting came alive in my mind’s eye. I loved the diversity of her characters; they each had their own distinct personalities.” — “wetalk”
“If I were to highlight all the good phrases in this story with my marker, the book would be considerably marked up. If I were to then add highlights to the parts that were well written, interesting, fun, and well-paced, there would be no words left unmarked.” — Kym McNabney, “Writing from the Soul”
“This was an enjoyable short read that doesn’t skimp on descriptions, emotions, or character development in spite of its length. I found Patrica and Talon to be multi-dimensional characters with real depth to their personalities and histories. When the art of bull riding was explained to the reader, there was not an inundation of boring terms or techniques-instead, the reader was encouraged to feel what a bull rider feels and to get into their psyche. Is it feasible to learn to ride a bull in a few weeks or fall in love in a few days? Maybe, maybe not. That’s where the feel good element comes into play.” — Lydia “The Overweight Bookshelf”
This is the “type of book you want to curl up with and savor.” — “Christian Romance Reader”
“I’m a comedy writer, and Linda Yezak’s Give The Lady a Ride easily made me laugh-out-loud. A page turning, very cute, tale of modern-day western romance with powerfully built characters, certain to strum your heartstrings.” — “Funny 1”
“Give the Lady a Ride by Linda Yezak definitely charmed this city slicker. I’ve never been on a horse, but after Yezak’s debut I’m thisclose to saddlin’ up for my own ranch and rodeo adventure (I’ll have to draw the line at palpating cows, though).” — “Joy at Edgy Inspirational Romance”
“I love the behind-the-scenes looks Linda adds to the story to make bull-riding and rodeos and ranch life feel natural and alluring. In my mind these touches, along with appealing characters and heart-felt, heartstring-tugging romance makes Give the Lady a Ride a very sweet read indeed.” — Lisa J. Lickel
“You may want to wear your oldest pair of jeans and grab a cowboy hat after this read. Linda Yezak’s mixture of romance and bull riding on a cattle ranch in Texas will knock you into the dust with its freshness. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about ranching and rodeos alongside stubborn but likable city gal, Patricia Talbert. And if you’re single and searching for true love, Give the Lady a Ride may inspire you to go west.” — “theothersideoffreedom”
Linda W. Yezak 
This is a great synopsis. Have you read Susan May Warren’s “Taming Rafe”? Somewhat of a similar theme.
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I did! Scared me to death when I read the blurb about her book. I had to run out and buy it first thing. But I think mine is sufficiently different from hers to stand on its own.
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Congratulations! I’m not surprised at all with your writing success. Reading your blogs, I could tell you are a woman who can really write. I’ll go look for your book. Is it on amazon.com?
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How I wish, Shaddy! No, it’s still in edit. I’m trying to get it longer. I should have it done by mid-summer and we’ll see what God has planned for it from there.
But thanks for the vote of confidence!
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I’ll buy a copy. I have a feeling I already know how it will turn out, but I want to find out for myself anyway.
I miss reading about these “people” on CW and leaving me hanging on Chapter 11 just wasn’t very nice of you. :o)
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Wow, Linda, nice site! This is awsome!
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Thanks, Raechel! Thanks for visiting!
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Good luck with your book. It sounds wonderful. I’ll be looking forward to reading it!
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Thanks so much, Linda! I’m honored you dropped by.
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If the little lady in the chaps isn’t the cover photo, it should be, it’d get my attention on the bookstore shelf….. :>)
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Nope. Won’t happen. It’s been deemed inappropriate. I should go ahead and replace it, but I like it. She looks the way I pictured Patricia while waiting for her turn on the bull.
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Just found this page for the first time! I’ve said it before but: I love Ride! And I sure hope you get it published soon so I can read the edited version and recommend it to all my friends!
God bless you and the book! 🙂
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Hey, Nina! I’m so glad you dropped by! I’m glad you like Ride, and I sure hope I can get it published. Maybe in 2010!
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A nice synopsis of your book. I think I’d like it and I don’t usually read “romances.” Although I’m in favor of romance. 🙂 I’ll put it on my list to take a look at when it comes out. I agree with WALK about the lady in chaps. It would be an eye-catching cover.
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I’m honored, Eunice! The book is too short for most Christian publishers, so I’ll be lucky if it sees the light of day. But who knows what God has planned?! 😉
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Loved your synopsis of “Give the Lady a Ride.” I shared this with all my friends on Facebook. May this assist with its book sales. 🙂
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How wonderful! Thanks so much, Alicia!
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Congratulations! Great cover, can’t wait to read it. 🙂
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Thanks, Lisa!
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Hi Linda! First of all, congratulations on the upcoming release of your book! Very exciting! 🙂
Second, thank you for inviting me to be a part of the blog tour. 🙂 I look forward to reading the book!
And third, may I ask who your publisher is? Would you consider your book a novel or a novella? I’m currently working on a manuscript, and I was curious about the strictness of word count when it comes to getting your book published. I think that a lot of full-length novels are closer to 80,000 words or more, but as of right now, I’m thinking my WIP might be a little less than that. Of course, you never know. 😉
Thanks!
~Amber
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Hi Amber! Thank you so much for your comment and interest in my book! I sent you an email to answer your questions.
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Wow, Linda. Congrats! I’ve read a few chapters on CW—looking forward to reading the rest of it.
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Thanks Lorna! I appreciate your support!
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Wow, this sounds great! I recently went to my first ever Rodeo, and love anything cowboy and the ranch life, so this story is calling my name.
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Yea! Thanks, Kym! I bet you really enjoyed the rodeo. I haven’t been to one in ages, but I love them when I get to go.
Thanks again for stopping by!
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Hey!
I would love to feature you and your book on my blog! Please email me for more details if your are interested. 🙂
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Thanks for the offer, Carman! You’ll be hearing from me!
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What a tease of a synopsis, Linda! To be sure, your book has been promoted to Number 1 on my To-Be-Read pile 🙂
Can’t wait to read Patricia and Talon’s story…
Alice
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Wow! Thank you so much, Alice!
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Super video Linda, I love cowboys, horses and anything to do with the West. Your video is a wonderful tease for the book, beautifully done.
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So glad you like it, Lyn! I passed your note on to Linda Walker, the lady who made it. She’ll be pleased!
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It is difficult to find inspirational stories that also have humor. I hope to check it out. This sounds like a winner.
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You’ll get a kick out of it Delores. It is definitely not short on humor!
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Ahh I’ve been wanting to read this!! My mom did but she read it on her ipad so she couldn’t then lend it to me haha. I think I’m just going to have to buy it for myself!
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I hope you enjoy it, Lindsay!
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Would you consider your book a novel or a novella? I’m currently working on a manuscript, and I was curious about the strictness of word count when it comes to getting your book published. I think that a lot of full-length novels are closer to 80,000 words or more, but as of right now, I’m thinking my WIP might be a little less than that. Of course, you never know.
+1
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Vanessa, mine is too long to be a novella by roughly 15,000 words. It’s a novel, but you’re right, most publishers consider a full-length novel to have 80K words or more. Indy presses and small publishers like the shorter novels because they don’t cost as much to publish. So if you find after all your edits and efforts that you’ve still missed the word-count mark, don’t give up. Try one of the smaller publishers.
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wow wow wow this book sounds amazing. Ive never heard of it, but I bet my sister would adore it! She is usually my book recommender.
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Thanks, Kat!
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Fantastic synopsis, Linda, you had me HOOKED the moment I read the title, and again in the first paragraph. I couldn’t stop reading this, I know I’m going to enjoy the book – and my wife will to.
The novel aside, you are doing a fantastic job of marketing your product. I’m learning from you already.
Sincerely,
Charles Williams
@drcjw author “In His Very Steps” http://www.ihvsbooks.com
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Thank you so much! I’m honored you took the time to see this! I hope you and your wife enjoy the story.
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I have heard so much about this book! I’m definitely going to have to look it up.
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Thanks! I hope you do!
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Stephanie Pflug
10447780909155444
Stephelaine@gmail.com
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Sounds like a great book!
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Order #: 102-5015537-7765821
book sounds awesome!! Thanks for taking part of the Christmas in July!!
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Melanie Whitney–you won the drawing for Give the Lady a Ride! Keep an eye on your email, okay?
Thanks for participating!
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Thank you so much!! order# 103-6517082-1861005
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hey, Thanks for supporting Chana! Give the lady a ride… 103-5444665-2641023
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Melanie Whitney wins the free copy of *Give the Lady a Ride* for Chana Keefer’s promotional campaign for her new release *The Fall*! Thank you to everyone who contributed!
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