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Harlequin and Professional Bull Riders strike up a romance

Joyce Lamb
Special for USA TODAY
One Wild Bull Rider by Tina Leonard.

Harlequin is teaming with the Professional Bull Riders, the world's premier bull-riding organization, to release four previously published romances by USA TODAY best-selling author Tina Leonard with real-life professional bull riders on the covers and including distinctive PBR content. The first one, One Wild Bull Rider, arrives in May, and HEA is thrilled to be the first to show you the cover. (To see a larger version, click on the blue arrow in the lower right corner of the image.)

The collector's edition titles will feature top PBR riders Matt Triplett, Reese Cates, Harve Stewart and Zane Lambert on the covers. Additional exclusive content will include biographies, interviews, photos and signed reader letters from the riders as well as $20 of value-added coupons for select PBR events, fan club membership and upcoming titles from Harlequin.

The Harlequin Pro Bull Riders novels will be available exclusively at Walmart.

Here's the scoop on the first book, One Wild Bull Rider:

No woman's going to hog-tie Creed Callahan into getting hitched. Even if it means losing his claim on Rancho Diablo, the New Mexico spread that one of six brothers will inherit—whoever marries and has the most children. Come hell or high water, Creed plans to be the last single man standing. Until sweet temptation comes knocking….

Preacher Aberdeen Donovan is just fine tending her flock and getting ready to adopt her three nieces. Her job description does not include saving some incorrigible cowboy from himself. But there's something about a little competition that makes the devil-may-care bachelor change his mind about needing a wife. And marriage would help Aberdeen provide a home for the little girls. Not to mention, for the little secret that's on the way…

Featured on the cover of One Wild Bull Rider is pro bull rider Matt Triplett.

Here's Matt's bio (courtesy of Harlequin):

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 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.

Professional bull rider Matt Triplett is featured on the new cover of One Wild Bull Rider by Tina Leonard.

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, Mich., on Pandemic (C'N Stars Bull Company) for 91 points during the Championship Round.

During a bull-riding event 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 amusement 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 (training facility).

HEA curator and contributor Joyce Lamb is a USA TODAY best-selling author of romantic suspense and three-time RITA finalist and has been a professional journalist for 25 years. You can reach her at jlamb@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter (@JoyceLamb). You can also follow HEA on Twitter (@HEAusatoday).

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