Sandy M’s review of Cowboy Casanova (Rough Riders, Book 12) by Lorelei James
Contemporary Western  Erotic Romance published by Samhain 6 Dec 11

Oh. My. God. Is it hot in here or is it just me?? You’ll know exactly what I mean once you get immersed in this sexy, hot, sweaty, erotic, down ‘n dirty ride, the lastest in Lorelei James’ Rough Riders series. Ben McKay is a man you don’t mess with. Well, unless you want to be dominated. And like his heroine, Ainsley, I wouldn’t mind that one bit.

Ainsley is finally bucking up to find out what it is she needs in the bedroom. Her ex-husband didn’t like the way she wanted to spice up their very vanilla sex life, so after a few hurled insults and shitty behavior on his part, she got rid of him. So here she is at the Rawhide Club, an exclusive niche where Doms and subs come for privacy and to quench their thirst for a lifestyle most folks wouldn’t understand. Her jerk of an ex-husband sure didn’t, and she’s at least curious and willing to learn.

Getting out of Sundance to keep his sexual appetites private, Ben McKay is a founding member of the club, where his dominant side can be free without fear of discovery, criticism, or reprisal. When he spies Ainsley, Ben knows without a doubt the woman is not a Domme. She’s a submissive through and through, and he’s determined to prove it to her.

Spending two nights introducing new sexual delights to Ainsley is not enough for Ben, however. He wants more and extracts a promise from her to join him again the next weekend. But imagine his surprise when he runs into her in Sundance. At the local bank. Where she’s the president. There’s not much that gets Ben hotter than the dichotomy of seeing Ainsley in her pinstripe suit and business-like heels and then having her spread before him to give her pleasure in ways she’s never known. Instead of a weekend, they work out an arrangement for Ainsley to be Ben’s sub for the next thirty days.

And what a month it is. They go from deep lust with a bite of pain and passionate pleasure to misunderstandings that push Ben to show Ainsley how wrong she is in her assumptions when it comes to the relationship they’ve carved out for themselves, from laughter and smiles and kisses to lessons of sweet torture, all which frees Ainsley when she gives up control to Ben. It’s been the time of their lives.

Suddenly, however, things being to go wrong for them. Ben needs cash to buy the land next to his property he and his family have wanted for years. Thinking to keep it a secret so the deal doesn’t go south, he goes to Ainsley for a loan instead of his own bank. Ainsley is every inch the businesswoman, though, and puts down new rules for them: she files his loan application, their relationship is over. Ben has yet to acknowledge to himself what Ainsley truly means to him, so he goes through with the deal and watches her walk away, knowing they’re both sunk if anyone finds out about any aspect of their time together, including what she’s done for him at the bank.

So Ben heads back to the Rawhide club to continue his life, but the place doesn’t hold the same appeal without Ainsley. Participating only at the request of other members, his cousin Dalton sees it all and is horrified watching Ben in his element. Now Ben will have to live through his family knowing about this side of him, stand by while they’re embarrassed and disgusted by how he’s chosen to live.

Now, I have to say that there’s been very few Dom/sub books I’ve liked over the years. And because most don’t work for me, I haven’t read that many in a while. Yes, I know it’s predominantly because I don’t “get” the appeal, the need to give up control, to be submissive. But where all those other authors have miserably failed in this genre, Lorelei James thoroughly succeeds. Because she creates characters who are so extremely likeable and vulnerable, sexy, fun-loving, and real, and because she pulls me into their lives before introducing their sex life, because sex in her books is not in any way gratuitous, what they do behind closed doors works for me. I like Ainsley. She’s open and honest and fun, and she pushes Ben’s buttons. Of course, as with most of James’ heroes, I love Ben. He’s a cowboy to die for, a man of few words, and, without a doubt, uber dominant. So when he introduces Ainsley to his toys, when he disciplines her, punishes her, ultimately pleasures her as well as himself, I don’t roll my eyes or blurt out “You’ve got to be kidding!” or any number of other things as I’ve done in the past with other books. I enjoy both of these characters immensely, in and out of the bedroom.

I also like the fact that Ms. James gives a clear understanding to the reader why Ainsley likes giving up control. This has always been a sticking point in those previous books. “Just because” doesn’t cut it. At least not for me. For most authors that’s just a ploy just to write sex, sex, sex, but I want a story to go along with all that sex, and there’s very few authors who can do that and also give you a balanced and enjoyable book. Lorelei James has done just that and then some in Cowboy Casaova.

It doesn’t matter one bit what topic she chooses to write for her characters. Her books are always well-though out; entertaining, even despite that topic; loads of fun; steamy as hell; and full of honest, sexy characters who embody family and love and romance.

Grade: A

Summary:

His rough touch makes her lose control…

In Sundance, Wyoming, you can’t throw a boot without hitting a McKay cowboy, so Ben McKay is used to fading into the background. Except on weekends, when he’s Bennett, imposing Dom at The Rawhide Club, surrounded by a bevy of female subs eager for the attention of his long…whip.

As for the curvy brunette eying him from across the room? He’ll eat his Stetson if she’s the experienced Domme she claims to be. Bennett offers her a deal—he’ll let her call the shots for one night. But the next night he gets to prove to her how freeing it’ll be when he takes the reins.

Ainsley Hamilton is amazed by how well Bennett read her every secret yearning during that one explosive weekend—and she’s stunned when they come face to face in their everyday lives as rancher and new bank president. Now Ben’s urging her to explore her submissive side outside the club, and there’s something in his commanding gaze that makes it too easy to let him take control—of her desires and her pleasure.

Can Ben help Ainsley overcome her fear that a relationship built on dark sexual appetites won’t survive the light of day?

Read an excerpt. (click excerpt tab)

Other books in this series: