By: D'Ann Lindun
Congratulations to "Jeanine", the winner in D'Ann's giveaway. Thank you to all who participated!
Have you ever been to a rodeo?
Have you ever been to a prison
rodeo?
What’s the difference, you ask? A
lot! In the PRCA—Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association—cowboys are free to
move about the country and world as they choose, riding when and where they
like.
In prison rodeo, held at Angola
Penitentiary, on one weekend in April and every Sunday in October, inmates are
the cowboys. Trustees, who have earned the right to ride, compete in eleven
events such as “Convict Poker” in which four men sit at a table and an angry
bull is released into the arena. Last man sitting wins the hand! Another one is
“Guts and Glory” where a poker chip is tied to the horn of an angry Brahman
bull and the first inmate to grab it wins. All the events are as hairy and
dangerous as these two! One event prisoners do not compete in is barrel racing.
Angola prison rodeo is a stop for professional barrel racers who follow the
circuit.
In addition to the arena events,
prisoners also make and sell arts and crafts. There are concessions, which
include alligator sandwiches! All made and sold by inmates. Children can enjoy
pony rides, carnival games and space walks.
Started in 1964, the rodeo has
become such a draw that a 10,000 seat arena was built in 2000. The rodeo, which
generates up to $450,000 a day in revenue,
pays for everything from schooling to funerals for the inmates.
In Mississippi Blues, Jace Hill has
never been a participant in the prison rodeo.
Five years ago Trey Bouche found his best friend - with blood on his hands - standing over a body. Although Trey wanted to believe in his friend’s innocence, he was forced to testify in court, and Jace was sent to prison for life. Trey returns determined to prove he was right. Even if it means losing the woman he still loves.
Summer Hill cannot forgive Trey, or his father, the chief of police, for the wrongs she feels they did to her family. When her brother escapes from Angola, Summer vows to keep her brother safe, no matter the cost. Falling back in love with Trey again isn’t an option.
Now, five years later, the past begins to unravel. Reluctantly thrown together, Summer and Trey follow a twisted path that lead them to the truth - Jace didn’t kill anyone and an entire town’s ugly secret is unveiled. But more importantly, can Trey and Summer rediscover the love they lost?
Excerpt:
Something tangible sizzled in the air, an
undercurrent of high tension.
Jace Hill shot a glance around. All the other cons seemed
normal, so he pinched his lips together. The last thing he needed was to draw
any attention to himself. Angola guards were quick to use their clubs first and
slow to ask questions later. Most were overly eager to put anyone in the hole
who looked at them the wrong way.
Jace figured out a long time ago it
was safest to keep his head down and his mouth shut. After five years behind
the prison’s unforgiving walls, he’d learned the art of living an invisible
life. Like a ghost, he moved about praying no one saw him. Keeping low was how
he’d survived so far and how he planned to keep on surviving. To the guards,
the cons, anyone on the inside, he had no name, no identity beyond the number
stenciled across the back of his orange jumpsuit–20010.
Someone yelled, and the driver tromped on the gas shooting the bus
forward. Whether from its unusual speed, or the deep ruts, the vehicle whipped
from side to side. One tire dropped into the shallow ditch lining the road,
tipping the bus still rolling on two wheels. Shackled to a steel pole, Jace’s
arms screamed a protest when the movement jerked him sideways. His limbs
stretched so hard he feared them being pulled out of their sockets. The floor
seemed as if it were going to fall from under his feet. Shouts and curses
filled the air.
For a moment, it felt as if the bus
would right itself. But instead, it flipped, sliding down an incline. The
chains anchoring Jace to the pole broke in half, and he flew like a basketball.
Someone’s fist or foot hit him in the face, his ribs slammed into solid metal.
He grabbed for something solid, but caught only air. The squeals of tearing tin
sounded like a dying animal. Or maybe he only heard his own cries mingling with
the others.
His head crashed into the ceiling
and the world went black.
D'Ann will be giving away a digital copy of MISSISSIPPI BLUES to one lucky person leaving a comment or email entry!
Giveaway ends 11:59pm EST July 26th. Please supply your email in the post. You may use spaces or full text for security. (ex. jsmith at gmail dot com) If you do not wish to supply your email, or have trouble posting, please email maureen@justromanticsuspense.com with a subject title of JRS GIVEAWAY to be entered in the current giveaway.
There's a setting you don't see in every romance! Sounds like a great read. Count me in!
ReplyDeletekara9017 at sbcglobal dot net
Thank you!
DeleteApologies in advance but when I read about the prison rodeo, I couldn't help but think of the film Stir Crazy with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnyways, I'm digressing....book sounds fab, looking forward to reading more about Trey and Summer!
aunt1esam at hotmail dot com
No need to apologize! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteSounds like another great read from you. Looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen! Not a western, though!
DeleteAdded to my list - wish it was on sale for the Nook too.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, Mary! Maybe next time!
DeleteOohh suspense and a couple who must right a wrong. What a great story!
ReplyDeletedaringzoey@yahoo.com
Thanks, Melissa!
DeleteA really interesting blog, D'Ann. I've never heard of prison rodeos before. Your novel sounds like a great read. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteJacqueline Seewald
Beyond the Bo Tree
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DTV0750
Truth be told, I didn't know that much about them either!
DeleteI didn't know there were prison rodeos. Interesting post! Already got my copy!
ReplyDeleteIf you ever get the chance, you should go! I bet you'd never forget it!
DeleteI love your posts, I always learn something new. I had no idea there were prison rodeos. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andrea! That's a nice compliment!
DeleteI love D'Ann's books and can't wait to read this book!! I had no idea there were prison rodeo's either!
ReplyDeletejennyrlowery(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks, Jenn!!!
DeleteLove going to rodeos - there is something about the friendly competition between the cowboys and the absolute focus once they're participating that is amazing. I'd never hear of a prison rodeo before - sounds like a great program!
ReplyDeleteI finished this book not long ago and loved it - good luck and I hope you sell a MILLION!
Thanks, Kristi!!!
DeleteSounds really good. I'd love to win it and read it. :)
ReplyDeletePen M
pmettert@yahoo.com
Thanks, and good luck!
DeleteI've been to a rodeo, but never a prison one. Loved the excerpt!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ella!
DeleteI have been to a prison rodeo--in Huntsville during the 70s. Saw Tammy Wynette perform. :0)
ReplyDeleteYour book looks amazing! Got to read it.
That is so cool!
DeleteI haven't been to any kind of rodeo. I would like to go to one just for the experience.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway.
kmccandle(at)yahoo(dot)com
You should go sometime!
DeleteThey used to have prison rodeos at Parchman here in Mississippi. Always wanted to go but never got the chance. I have watched some of the Angola rodeos on tv. The book looks awesome and I can't wait to read it. I'm putting it on the wishlist. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeletemlawson17 at Hotmail dot com
Thank you, and you told me something I didn't know!
DeleteLive and learn. I'd never even heard of prison rodeos before. Fascinating thank you.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Thank you! They're pretty wild!
DeleteWe lived in Colorado when I was in the 4th grade. I went to my first rodeo. Loved it. they even had chariot races. but I loved the barrel racing the best. thanks for the chance to win this book. trishleroy49 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI live in Colorado and I barrel raced in HS rodeo!
DeleteHaven't been to either
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
Well, maybe you can make one sometime!!!
Delete
ReplyDeleteI've been to a few rodeos. I love the buzz, and the charge of the crowd, but more so the cowboys who ride. :). I've never heard of a convict rodeo. Very different.
Intriguing excerpt. :)
Hi, Suzanne.
ReplyDeleteYes, prison rodeos are different! Exciting!
This is really interesting! I read MISSISSIPPI BLUES this week--great read, D'ann.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Liz!
DeleteI have been to rodeo (my late husband was a county fair manager for years)but I've never heard of the prison rodeo. The events sound--harrowing at the least. Enjoyed the post and the excerpt. Best of luck with the book. Barb Bettis
ReplyDeleteYes, they are extremely dangerous!
ReplyDeleteI have seen bits of a Rodeo... did not know about prison rodeos... really interesting!
ReplyDeleteYes, they are!
DeleteSounds like the prison is overcrowded and they've come up with a way to lessen the problem.
ReplyDeleteYou may be right!
DeleteInteresting setting. jeanine.mcadam@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHope I win!
You did win! Emailed you!
DeleteI live in Texas, so I've been to a couple of rodeos, but never a prison rodeo, although it sounds like it would be fun to watch. Mississippi Blues sounds like a really good read.
ReplyDeletePrison rodeo would be a kick!
DeletePrison rodeos are awesome because it gives the convicts a purpose and drive that is positive. I've been to one too many rodeos, but never as a buckle bunny. LOL NFR is fun (meeting Cody Ohl was such a thrill). Looking forward to reading your book, D'Ann!
ReplyDeleteI wanna go to the NFR sooooo bad! I couldn't see you a BB!
DeleteSounds interesting :)
ReplyDeletekrisrich85 at ymail dot com
Thanks so much!
Delete