Sandy M’s review of Miss Firecracker (Wild West Boys, Book 2) by Lorelei James
Contemporary Western Erotic Romance ebook published by Samhain 30 Jun 09
I’m enjoying these novellas of Ms. James’ that are offshoots of her McKay family series. These Wild West boys are cousins to their infamous counterparts. The stories are shorter, of course, and that leaves no time for for those misunderstandings that are always so prevalent in romance books. In this series, a reader gets to the meat of things quickly, gets some good lovin’ while learning about the relationship along with the characters, and a happily ever after is that much more straightforward and sweeter.
That’s not to say there aren’t doubts and vulnerabilities along the way. Even though Blake and Willow are strong, confident people, they still have those moments in life when they’re just not sure and question certain things. But then they attack that problem head on, talk it out, get it out in the open and get on with their lives. And the lovin’. Did I mention the lovin’?
I really like the way this book starts out. Willow, the night before, was whooping it up because her Miss Firecracker run had ended. Getting stood up by the new Miss Firecracker and her cronies didn’t help matters, so she had a drink. And half a dozen more drinks that were waiting for the jerks who thought they had a sense of humor. What she doesn’t remember after that is the ensuing fight, so to speak, when she tossed some furniture at the guy who tried to feel her up. He learned to keep his hands to himself and Willow wakes up in Blake West’s bed with no memory of what went on later in the bar, nor what happened with Blake.
As much as I enjoy Blake’s McKay cousins and their rowdy, bad-boy ways, I also love a good guy. And Blake is definitely one of those. He took care of Willow during her momentary lapse in judgment and nothing did happen between them during that night, as much as he wanted something to happen. He’s going to get a second chance, however, because instead of going to jail, he made a deal with local law enforcment for Willow to work off the damages her table-throwing activities caused in the bar. She’ll be around a while so he can have a little fun and he can make sure she enjoys herself too.
And do these two have fun. Their chemistry is great. And though they keep a couple of things hidden in the beginning from each other, when all is revealed they work it out by talking instead of quaking internally and getting all worked up. And that aforementioned lovin’? Lots of it and it leaves you hot and sated and ready for more. Just like Blake and Willow.
Grade: B+
Summary:
…She’s the match, he’s the fuse…an explosive combination
One year ago Willow Gregory entered the Miss Firecracker contest on a dare—and ended up with the crown. As a working carpenter, she’s not exactly the tears-and-tiara type, and after a year of walking the straight and narrow she’s ready to cut loose.
Waking up in a sexy stranger’s bed with no memory of the havoc she wreaked the night before wasn’t quite what she had in mind. Nor was agreeing to his mandate—work for him at the tavern until she repays the damage. Or go to jail.
Blake West thinks he could possibly be the only man alive who could say no to a drunken, horny, naked beauty queen. There’s something about the former Miss Firecracker that makes him want to blow his Mr. Nice Guy persona all to hell.
It helps that Willow is ready to dive headfirst into a no-heartstrings-attached affair. Which fits in perfectly with Blake’s temporary gig managing his friend’s bar.
Every grinding kiss, every stolen touch leads to another…until a harmless little white lie becomes the detonator that could explode their chances at a happily ever after.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
