Should you take a chance on a rodeo queen? (Of course!)

Today's featured authors: Jennifer Dawson, author of Take a Chance on Me, and T.J. Kline, author of Rodeo Queen. We're talking favorite TV shows (oh, Crawleys, how we feel for you) and favorite things about rodeos from an actual (former) rodeo queen.

Jennifer Dawson, author of Take a Chance on Me

My three favorite TV shows:

• Downton Abbey. I majored in English literature my first couple of years in college until I decided to switch to something "practical." So I've always been a sucker for period pieces set in England. My daughter and I snuggle up on the couch with our cups of tea to watch the Crawleys, and God help anyone who interrupts us. We've been known to be a little … intense if interrupted.

• The Walking Dead. I have a low tolerance for gore, but I absolutely love this show. Every week I'm on the edge of my seat and just when I think I can't be shocked anymore, I am. As a writer, I find what happens to morality when surviving the post-zombie apocalypse fascinating. And let's not forget the eye candy. Who knew dirty, sweaty blood-soaked men could look so good? Bonus: Watch Talking Dead to listen to Andrew Lincoln talk in his dreamy English accent.

• New Girl. Every girl needs a fun, make-me-forget-this-week TV show in her life, and New Girl is mine. This show consistently makes me laugh more than any other comedy on TV. I've watched the first two seasons on Netflix at least three times. I screamed when Nick and Jess shared their first kiss and die laughing every time Schmitt yells about kitchen cleanliness. Random fun fact: I will consider my life incomplete if I don't play at least one game of True American before I die.

Here's the blurb about Take a Chance on Me:

Gorgeous runaway brides …

When Maddie Donovan runs out on her high school sweetheart moments before walking down the aisle, she ends up at a bar in the small town of Revival, Illinois, with only the wedding dress on her back, fifty dollars to her name, and her "good girl" reputation in tatters. Not ready to return to Chicago and face the music, she accepts hot bartender Mitch Riley's offer to stay at his place. But sharing such close quarters is driving Maddie insane with desire.

Always drink for free …

Mitch thinks he's seen it all--until Maddie strides into his bar in full wedding attire and downs three shots of whiskey. Though the gorgeous knockout seems tough as nails, he also senses her vulnerability. With a troubled past of his own, Mitch has no interest in ties of any kind--yet he can't help falling for Maddie. Now he's got to find a way to convince her to give love a second chance.

Find out more at jennifer-dawson.com.

T.J. Kline, author of Rodeo Queen

My three favorite things about rodeo:

• The pageantry. With opening ceremonies that can range from a simple national anthem with the American flag snapping as a rider carries it past to elaborate parades and dramatic reenactments, rodeo is a sport of color and splendor. And what girl wouldn't love the rhinestones and sequins that grace the rodeo queens and barrel racers?

• The horses. There is nothing more majestic than watching a horse, it's coat gleaming in the sun, stretching it's body to full speed, tearing up the ground as a long flowing mane and tail billow backward. It doesn't matter whether they are thoroughbreds, quarter horses, paints or a mixed breed, rodeo wouldn't exist without these beautiful unsung heroes.

• The cowboys. Sure, they might seem a little arrogant and brash, but it takes an overabundance of confidence to climb on the back of a 2,000-pound bull. These men come from a rare breed, traveling mile after mile, ignoring pain and sickness, to chase a buckle, a check and a dream. They are a throwback to a time we remember fondly as "The Old West" when men were rugged gentlemen taming a wild land.

Here's the blurb about Rodeo Queen:

Sydney Thomas may be the newest Rodeo Queen on the circuit, but she's more than just a pretty face and fabulous horseback rider. If only her new boss could see it! But the frustrating, bossy, drop-dead gorgeous man seems bent on pushing her away every chance he gets.

Scott Chandler learned at an early age that he needed to "cowboy up" and take care of his family. The one time he let his guard down, his heart got trampled, and he's not about to let that happen again. He knows Sydney's type: rodeo queens who hide their manipulative ways behind good looks, tight jeans, and glittery tiaras.

But just as Scott and Sydney are finally realizing there might be more to their fiery relationship than scorching kisses and passionate nights, secrets from their pasts come back to haunt them. Will the cowboy and the Rodeo Queen ever be able to ride off into the sunset together?

Find out more at www.TinaKlinesmith.com.