Sandy M’s review of One Night Rode (Blacktop Cowboys, Book 4) by Lorelei James
Contemporary Western Erotic Romance published by NAL Trade 7 Aug 12
I’ve been waiting – quite anxiously – for Kyle and Celia. Finally they’re here, and their story is better than I could have imagined. These two characters have known one another for years. She’s had a crush on him since her pigtail days and he’s been warned away time and again by her older brothers. Pranks and bickering between them ensued and their loved ones can’t believe how Kyle’s and Celia’s lives are now intertwined.
Taking things a bit too far at a post-concert celebration, very inebriated Kyle and Celia tie the knot. Then wake up the next morning with no memories of the beginning of this supposed new life yawning before them. Celia is ready for an annulment. But Kyle has wanted her right where she is for a long time, so he tosses out a bargain. Six months together, and if Celia still wants out, he won’t stand in her way. In the meantime, since they’re both tired of the rodeo circuit, some time ranching and slow, steady seduction are the name of the game.
But then life bucks Kyle out of the saddle when his mother gives him the news his father has died. A father he’s never known. Now his dream has become a reality – a ranch of his own. Having only worked now and again on the Lawsons’ ranch hasn’t truly given him the experience he thought it would, though, so thank god for Celia. Her brothers may have babied her to the point she left home, but she learned ranching inside and out. The hard work brings them together, gives them a starting place to learn about the other without the antagonism that has been between them for so long.
Both Kyle and Celia have their own baggage to lessen in this relationship. For Kyle it’s been not knowing who his father is and saving every penny to obtain his dream. Well, both of those issues were taken care of in one fell swoop, but that doen’t put an end to the questions and frustrations in his life. Celia, for all intents and purposes – at least in her mind – has been homeless for a few years now. Once her brothers married, both new families living on the ranch, she felt out of place. That’s why she ended up on the rodeo circuit barrel racing. Now she can have a home with Kyle, but she’s the one who’s put a time limit on their relationship. Can they truly make this work? The times they should be talking to each other, unlike in the past, their doubts and vulnerabilities keep both silent.
But in between all of that is the romance, the lust, the lovemaking. And the laughter. It’s a good thing I was at home when I read the scene with the mice and the couch. Which Celia put to flame. Literally. Otherwise, I would have had people looking at me like I was a crazy woman with all the laughter I had going on. That’s one thing that is guaranteed in a Lorelei James book is laughter, and I laughed myself silly reading that scene. Of course, the romance, the lust, and the lovemaking are guaranteed in a James novel too, but those are a given. Kyle is a romantic at heart, and he melts Celia every time with his thoughtfulness and kindness, makes her wish more and more they will end up being together forever. His loving also melts her, his every touch, every kiss, every thrust, you name it that man gives it to her. For Kyle, just finally having his hands on Celia is enough – at first. Living just a few short weeks with her, sharing everything, he now wants more. He wants forever too.
We do get to catch up with characters from past books, most notably Celia’s brothers Abe and Hank, who have a bit of apologizing and groveling to do after their initial reaction to the marriage that shouldn’t be, in their opinion. Finally Celia gets what she’s always wanted from her brothers, and then some, which she never expected. That’s a terrific scene between the siblings, the brothers realizing how they’ve hurt her. It’s scenes like this that have now made this book my favorite of the Blacktop Cowboys series. And that’s saying a hell of a lot, considering that every one of those stories is terrific in its own right.
As usual, Lorelei James delivers on all fronts in One Night Rodeo. Combining the erotic and family, love and romance with doubt and vulnerabilities, and throwing in some plain old fun always makes her reads favorites of mine every time. She’s true to her characters, who are always larger than life, know how to play, do what needs to be done, protect what’s theirs, and love with all their hearts. And what’s even more amazing than that? She only gets better and better with each book. What does that say for reader pleasure in the future?
Grade: A+
Summary:
All it takes is one night to change a cowboy’s life…
Barrel racer Celia Lawson knows better than to tangle with bull rider Kyle Gilchrist. The sexy cowboy’s love ‘em and leave ‘em ways have earned him a reputation on the rodeo circuit, and he’s always seen her as his best friend’s kid sister. But after one wild, tequila-fueled night, Celia wakes up to find out she’s gotten herself hitched—to a man she never should have married!When Celia insists on an annulment, Kyle has no good reason to say no—except he isn’t ready to let go of his new bride. But then Kyle inherits a sprawling Wyoming ranch, and seizes the opportunity to enlist Celia’s help. She agrees to lend a hand—with two conditions: He has to get up to speed as a rancher within six months; then they’ll get a divorce. And their marriage will be in name only.
Kyle gives in to Celia’s demand, yet he’s ready to prove to her he has what it takes to turn their one night rodeo into a lifetime of love….
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
