Sandy M’s review of Cowgirls Don’t Cry (Rough Riders, Book 10) by Lorelei James
Contemporary Western Romance published by Samhain 9 Nov 10

Besides sexy, alpha cowboys, the thing I love about this series by Lorelei James is she keeps it real. And it’s not always pretty or nice. We all have those one or two in our family who make things difficult and ugly for other members. So does the McKay family. It’s the heroine, Jessie, who gets the brunt of that ugliness, but there’s plenty of others who have to deal with it too.

Jessie met Luke and Brandt McKay the same night years before. Luke showed interest, Jessie ended up pregnant, they got married. Though he tried to do the right thing, Luke still played around, stomping all over Jessie and her heart. In Shoulda Been a Cowboy, Luke dies, leaving Jessie on her own literally when his father kicks her out of their home. It’s Brandt who stays by her side, helping out when he can.

That’s because Brandt has wanted Jessie since that first night when his brother horned in after Brandt pointed out the woman he was drawn to. So he’s always been in the background, watching Luke turn a strong, vibrant woman into a shadow of herself. Brandt finally has enough of being at Jess’ beck and call after Luke’s death, lets her know how he feels about her and gets shut down for his effort. The only decision he can make at that point is stay away, as much as that will hurt.

Months go by and Brandt now has a small problem. He’s discovered Luke has a child as a result of one of his affairs. The boy’s mother is young and headed to jail, and she has no one to look after her son. So she contacts Brandt to be Landon’s guardian until mom is back on her feet and able to care for him. Knowing it will crush Jessie all over again, he has no choice but to ask her to help him take of her dead husband’s son.

This is where some of the ugliness comes in. Casper McKay, Brandt’s father, is one mean and ornery bastard and has been that way for years. His wife, his sons, his brothers, anyone he comes in contact with gets a taste of his hatred for anything and everything. He’s the one who kicked Jessie out when Luke died, never believing she was good enough for his son. Now with a grandson in the mix, Brandt knows his father will play down and dirty to get his hands on the boy. He’s not about to let that happen, despite knowing his father will take potshots at both him and Jessie along the way. And the man does, big time. Someone needs to put him out of his misery.

So Brandt and Landon move in with Jessie on Jessie’s terms, and you can’t blame her for putting down some rules for herself in such a situation. She’s trying to defend herself, of course, against an innocent child, no matter who’s he is. She knows Landon has the ability to bury himself so deep into her heart she’ll never let him go, and she’s not willing to allow that. It’s very emotional to watch her grow into a mother as Landon grows and learns at her knee.

Brandt is that typical McKay man, very sexual with a loving and giving nature. He’s hoping Jessie will want something more with him and also with Landon, if and when that time comes, even despite her assurance at the end it’s all over and everyone will go their own way. Jess really has a one-two punch when it comes to loving these two McKays currently in her life. As you can imagine, she doesn’t stand a chance. Especially when it comes to the lovin’ Brandt can’t hold back any longer. Whoo-whee, I love me a sexier-than-hell cowboy in bed. Oh, and Jessie does too.

Things get worse before they get better for all concerned. Brandt has issues he needs to get over due to his similarities to his father. Jessie has to come to grips with love all over again, fearful it may turn out just like the last time. It’s a good thing they’ve finally come together. They need each other and they’ll see that before it’s all over with.

Grade: A

Summary:

Jessie McKay has accepted her marriage to Luke McKay wasn’t perfect. After two years of widowhood, she’s ready to kick up her bootheels—until Luke’s younger brother shows up to spoil her fun. But if Brandt thinks she’ll ever take orders from another McKay male, he’s got manure for brains.

Brandt McKay has avoided his sweet, sexy sister-in-law ever since the night he confessed his feelings for her weren’t the brotherly type. Unexpectedly faced with proof of Luke’s infidelity, Brandt is forced to ask for Jessie’s help in taking care of Luke’s young son. Jessie agrees on one condition—she wants Brandt’s boots exclusively under her bed for the duration.

The sexual heat that’s always simmered between them ignites. Brandt is determined to make the temporary situation permanent, proving to Jessie he’s a one-woman man. And Jessie is shaken by feelings she’s sworn never to have again for any man…especially not a McKay.

Read an excerpt.

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