Pilgrimages to English Shrines (1850)

This book captures the feminine side of the West and tells of a colorful young lady, Dakota Leigh, who earned the respect of her male counterparts. This vibrant, authentic story salutes the spirit of those daring females who had the courage to follow their dreams. The cowboy may be our most authentic hero from western lore, but the cowgirl is right on his boot heels. Dakota Leigh is an eighteen-year-old who has a lifelong dream of becoming a cowgirl. By chance, she runs into the owner of the Four Winds Ranch, who gives her the opportunity to prove her worth. Since she’d been working with horses her whole life, she quickly shows the cynical cowboys that she is a horsewoman with many talents. As she builds upon her experiences at the Four Winds, she takes the reins of her life and blossoms into the woman she’s always dreamed she would be. During the course of time spent working on the ranch, Dakota faces many ups and downs in her young life. Most were happy; some bordering on zany, yet there is sadness along the way. She had to grow up at an early age and her wisdom is well beyond her years. Since breaking horses is what Dakota does best, it is only natural when she starts riding bareback stock in the rodeos to help supplement her barrel racing income. One day on a dare, she climbs down onto the back of a bull named Pepper, and a legend is born.