Sandy M’s review of Guns and Roses Anthology by Roxanne St. Claire, Allison Brennan, Laura Griffin, Lori Armstrong, et al.
Romantic Suspense anthology ebook published by Murder She Writes 21 Feb 12

I jumped at the chance to review this anthology, which is unusual for me. Anthologies are normally hit and miss for me, I like a few of the novellas and the rest are ho-hum. It takes an exceptionally talented author to give me a satisfying short read, so I’m always wary when it comes to this type of book. But this is a five-star lineup I couldn’t pass up, especially since I’ve read only a few of the authors featured here and have wanted to read a majority of the rest. Did my chance jumping so quickly pay off? Let’s find out.

Pick Your Poison (A Bullet Catchers Novella) by Roxanne St. Claire

I’ve read only one Bullet Catcher novel and have wanted to read more. Alas, time isn’t a reviewer’s friend when there are so many books in a series. But when I get to enjoy little nuggets like this one that let me know what I have to look forward to some day, I can bide my time. One of the things I remember about that previous Bullet Catcher book is sexy hero and intelligent heroine. Ms. St. Claire has created a world where that, among other things of course, is a necessity, and she doesn’t fail one bit in this novella.

Benjamin Youngblood has worked with Lucy Sharpe for a number of years, but he’s been called on the carpet a few times on how he gets the job done. Finally Lucy has had enough when Ben costs the company a client this time around. Not wanting to lose this job that saved him when he was young and headed in the wrong direction, he talks Lucy into a deal – if he can solve the case and get the client back on the books, he can have his job back. Lucy puts her foot down on him using Bullet Catcher resources, however. Ben is on his own.

And he is a resourceful devil. His last assignment that went wrong, according to Lucy (but went right according to Ben’s gut), is Florida’s Governor McManus, who is receiving death threats. Ben knows the black roses and other items left at the defunct re-election event for the governor are clues that will lead him to the would-be assassin. He follows the rose angle and discovers a farm, almost in the politician’s backyard, that grows the flowers. Getting information from the pretty and feisty farm girl is another story, though. The woman is outdated when it comes to keeping sales records and not as initially forthcoming as Ben would like.

Callie Parrish has just discovered someone has snipped every last one of her rare Black Cherry roses and absconded with them – thousands of dollars worth. On the heels of that discovery comes a handsome and sexy man who barges into her store, asking questions about the very flowers that could be the end to her plans to take her grandmother to France. When she fills Ben in on the woman who bought – and then stole – the roses, as well as info on how dangerous they are when mixed with other elements, he doesn’t have to drag her kicking and screaming to find the culprit. She wants payment for all those lost blooms.

And from this point on, this short story doesn’t let up. The pace is fast and even twists a bit when you think you might have it all figured out. The scenes in the walk-in freezer are fun, even though there’s danger staring Ben and Callie in the face the whole time. I like the ingenuity the Bullet Catchers are trained for, and Ben doesn’t disappoint in that regard. Full of fun and excitement, plenty of sexual tension, this is a terrific start to the anthology.

Grade: A

Summary:

When Bullet Catcher Benjamin Youngblood sets out to track and trap an assassin, he’s forced to trust a sexy flower farmer who could be as dangerous as her homegrown poison.

Read an excerpt.

Nightfall by Laura Griffin

On her way to deliver flowers for a wedding, Holly Henriksen skids and slides on an icy and isolated road, taking out a guardrail and pitching nose first into a ditch. Injured but still able to make her way to the nearest house a mile or so back, she doesn’t get far when gunshots ring out all around her. And at her. Escaping into the dark woods, Holly can only pray whoever is gunning for her won’t be able to find her the deeper she runs.

Colin Denton is AFT and undercover, trying to take down a drug trafficker he’s been after for months now, but with no witnesses and now a botched meet, things aren’t going well. He spies a white van off the side of the road on his way home, but finds no one around – and the back full of flowers? He’d totally been expecting something else. Searching further he finds a cell phone and eventually the owner of the device. Scared but cautious, Holly decides to trust the man, especially because her options are limited as she tries to save her business with this upcoming wedding.

This is my first Laura Griffin read, and it’s definitely not my last. Another author who pulls you in immediately and gives you a story to sink your teeth into, despite the shortened length. These two characters are perfect with each other, Holly’s independence taking over her fright – enough to piss Colin off big time — and Colin’s trust in Holly when doing so could cause hell for them both. After a rough start, they work well together, and Holly trusts Ben just when she needs him most.

Grade: A

Summary:

Alone on an icy road at nightfall, Holly Henriksen puts her trust in a charming stranger and soon discovers he is keeping a dangerous secret.

Read an excerpt.

Above Reproach by Allison Brennan

This is also my first read by Allison Brennan, and I have to say she knows how to push a reader’s buttons. My buttons don’t go off until the end, but more on that in a sec.

Selena Black is a top-notch detective in the sex crimes unit, and she’s after a rapist who’s now turned killer. And he’s a high-powered local attorney, Greg Keller. She’s been after him for months and at every turn she’s smacked down when trying to gather more evidence on the man. He taunts her each time they come to face to face, and it seems as though Selena is losing her objectivity. She’s going about her job so out of character even her partner doesn’t believe her in certain situations anymore. Her past is beginning to haunt her, pushing her to help these current victims, to push Keller into doing something stupid. But he’s a smart, arrogant asshole. Her commanding officer finally puts on her leave.

What’s kept her sane so far is her lover, Dr. Gabriel Storm. He’s the harbor she goes to when things spiral out of control. The relationship works on so many different levels, but the understanding they have of the rigors and heartbreak of each of their jobs is what keeps them on an even keel amid danger. I wish there’d been more of Gabriel in the story, but what we do get is just right. I love the scene in the stairwell at the hospital. He knows just what she needs.

And now that ending. It’s one of those “It’s up to the reader’s imagination” endings. The twist is unexpected and perfect, but it’s never truly confirmed. Even Selena picks up hints and questions the very same things you do. Being who she is and what she does, you wonder if she can let it go. But then why not, when it gets her what she wants. So then why stop short of spelling it out completely? I’m not sure!

I also like the first person POV in this story. I’ve always enjoyed that and you don’t see it too often anymore, so it’s nice to read it here.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Sex crimes detective Selena Black puts her career and life at risk to prove that high-profile attorney Greg Keller is the brutal River City Rapist before he strikes again.

Read an excerpt.

Dead Flowers by Lori Armstrong

Again, a first-time author read for me. I think this is one of those stories that needs backup of reading the previous books in the series. Not that I don’t like it or it’s not good, far from it. But I do feel out of sorts with the relationship between Tony and Judy. They’re having problems, at least as far as Judy is concerned, and it reads like they’ve been having problems for a while now. So having some history between them would be nice just to keep on an even keel as we move through the story. Especially because Tony seems to have some shady business dealings, so a reader just meeting him doesn’t know his history. So at first I’m not so sure about Tony.

Judy isn’t so sure about him either. She begins to suspect he’s having an affair. Little things she learns just don’t gel with what she seems to know. And the current case she and her partner, Kevin, are investigating eggs her on in her doubts about unfaithful men. Then the tables begin to turn – for me. Judy seems a little out of control with her suspicions, and she never confronts Tony until she’s nearly talked herself out of the relationship. Tony is of the same mind, why didn’t she just come out and ask. So now I’m feeling a little more for Tony, especially after everything he reveals to her to ease her mind. His explanation is heart felt and sincere.

There’s a bit of humor, which is nice. And though I do come to like Tony, I just wish I’d known him before, despite the fact he’s even now won my heart.

Grade: B+

Summary:

PI Julie Collins trails cheating lovers, which leads to questions about her relationship with Tony Martinez.

No excerpt available.

Blood and Roses by Sylvia Day

Nobody does it like Sylvia Day. I especially love her heroes. I’m a sucker for an alpha hero, and Jake Monroe steals my heart completely when he’s faced with his heroine again after ten long years.

It’s Anastasia who broke it off with Jake when she left town, trying not to ruin his life, which would have happened if she’d have stayed. Which he obviously didn’t know. All he knows, now and then, is that Ana was gone, and he’s waited for her return ever since. In that ten years, Ana has taken her life experience to track down thieves as an insurance investigator. That’s what has brought her home. A huge jewel heist has just gone down, and she knows exactly who’s behind it. Her mother has never been able to curb her need to pull off the perfect con.

What Ana has never understood is that Jake would stand by her, no matter what. He loves her. End of story. And when he, with hardly any preamble, demands Ana she’ll be staying with him as long as she’s in town, my heart stuttered. Though it seems as though they’re picking up where they left off, Ana giving herself over to Jake’s domination – and their first scene together is simply moving and hot, hot, hot – they’re both more mature and realize the life they want together still may never be.

Ana tries to keep Jake out of the loop in her investigation – if he doesn’t know anything, his life and his job won’t be compromised or ruined. But Jake has other ideas and he forces his way in so they can work together to keep their families safe. Coming up against a crazed gunman, who has nothing to lose and only goes more berserk when cornered, and only hope and luck will get them out danger safely.

While the suspense and action has been front and center in these novellas so far, here it’s the emotion of the love of family and a man’s love for a woman and her love for him, one that doesn’t wither and die, one that is true and will overcome. It works beautifully because no one does it better than Sylvia Day

Grade: A+

Summary:

When insurance investigator Anastasia Miller sets out to retrieve the rose-hued pink diamonds stolen in a recent heist, she finds herself working alongside former flame, deputy U.S. Marshal Jake Monroe—the man she loved enough to leave behind.

Read an excerpt.

A Punishing Night by Sophie Littlefield

This is my first time reading Sophie Littlefield, and I’m not sure this is the place I should have started. While the idea of this story is a good one, the pace is too slow and the resolution is really no surprise. We meet the heroine well into the story, and once the decision is made she’s the right one for our hero, that’s all we get. I don’t necessarily have to have steam between a couple, and while there’s empathy and sympathy, they barely get past the acquaintance stage, as the blurb talks about.

There is no action to speak of, the investigation Detective Joe Bashir is working on is a death in a college dormitory. So it’s interrogations of students amid his walk down memory lane while he was a student on campus, the racism he and his family faced, which is almost a bigger part of the story. Joe’s father was severely beaten post-911 and now must be taken care of in his childlike state. Joe makes the trek home on Sundays to help his mother out, spending time with his dad while she goes shopping and gets out of the house.

As the investigation heads toward solution, a red herring is tossed the reader’s way, but there’s too many ifs for that to work. The culprit really isn’t a surprise, and neither is the reason for his actions. It all just needs something more to get the story moving along better.

Grade: C-

Summary:

While investigating the stabbing death of a student at his own alma mater, Detective Joe Bashir confronts painful memories and makes an intriguing new acquaintance.

No excerpt available.

Rebel Rose by Karin Tabke

I’m surprised I don’t like this novella by Ms. Tabke more. I love her books under her Karin Harlow pseudonym, which are full of action and exciting characters. So I’m a little perplexed that this story is so tame compared to her other work.

This involves another college murder which brings Cash Cantrell, the detective investigating the crime, and Rebel Yell Culpepper, a friend of the victim, together. Cash is half black, and in the south that’s still a problem for a lot folks. Cash has learned to work around such attitudes and obstacles, however. Wanting Southern Belle Culpepper is another story. He can’t get let himself want her because she’s involved in his case, the product of a true southern family, and he’s got just a week left before he heads to Raleigh and the new job he’s worked hard for.

With his current case mirroring a cold case from five years before, Cash ends up taking Rebel along during his investigation because she brings a different look at things that no one has noticed before, giving him new leads toward solving both murders. I doubt his superiors would have liked his new partner, but they do work well together – to a point. Problem is, Rebel can’t do what she’s told. That’s a bad thing and a good thing, depending on how you look at it and what’s happening at the time. Suffice it to say, she nearly botches the investigation only to turn around and pretty much solve it with her keen observations.

Once again, there is plenty of sexual tension, but the romance is left out and the happily ever after doesn’t happen when you expect. The villain seems to be a tad too convenient. It’s not a super complex case, so the officers from five years before should have been able to figure it all out, but it’s left to a college co-ed to help out. The last scenes with the villain are just a little too lax in conversation and deed to ring true.

Grade: C+

Summary:

For Detective Cash Cantrell, hunting down a University serial killer is as routine as strapping on his gun each morning. Until he comes face to face with meddlesome coed, Rebel Yell Culpepper. He doesn’t know if he should arrest her or kiss her, but one thing Cash knows for sure, Rebel is key to finding the murderer, and the killer knows it, too.

Read an excerpt. (scroll down)

The Housewife Assassin’s Bloody Valentine by Josie Brown

Another first for me, reading Josie Brown. I thoroughly enjoyed Donna and Jack, their zeal for their missions and each other – done with humor and in the fun, inventive ways of James Bond.

Donna and Jack are in the process of liberating a prisoner from a Mexican prison – on Valentine’s Day. So they have some very nice plans to get to after they’ve accomplished their goal. Of course, those plans go awry at every opportunity. I kept grinning at how they come up with a Plan B whenever something does go wrong. James Bond doesn’t have anything on these two. Even when their prisoner gets only “halfway” to their destination, nothing deters them from finding the answers they need.

I’m going to be checking out the Housewife Assassin series by Ms. Brown. Very entertaining, and I’m now curious about these two characters.

Grade: B+

Summary:

CIA contract assassin Donna Stone’s idea of Valentine’s Day? A couples massage with her mission’s leader Jack Craig–not breaking

out of a Mexican prison, then stopping a massacre by an international terrorist cell.

No excerpt available.

King of Hearts (A Rough Riders short story) by Lorelei James

I know when I read a Lorelei James story she’s going to rile up my emotions, especially when it comes to the McKay family. This short story is no different.

Sheriff Cam McKay has been called to a horrendous crime scene. On Valentine’s Day. A murder/suicide. Friends Jim and Teresa Swenson. And when the disbelieving parents of both deceased arrive, it takes everything Cam and his fellow officer have to keep them away, both for scene preservation and peace of mind for the bereft loved ones. And then the blows start. Father against father, mother against mother. Then it’s the accusations, and one is thrown is Cam – why didn’t you help my son when he left military service? Everyone knows Cam returned missing limbs and emotionally distant for years.

Thrown for a loop at the accusation, not even knowing Jim had been in the service, Cam retreats into the darkness and solitude that’s claimed him so many times before when reliving his nightmares. Even his rambunctious children and loving wife can’t cut through the guilt eating at him. But he quickly sees that barricading himself away from everything he needs does no one any good. Family is all that’s needed.

It’s that family along with the love and romance, no matter how it’s found, that always keeps me coming back to this series. Not once have I been disappointed.

Grade: A

Summary:

Deputy Cam McKay deals with a murder/suicide case on Valentine’s Day.

No excerpt available.

Bobbie Faye’s Whacked Out, No Good, Really Sucky, Hot Mess of a Wedding by Toni McGee Causey

Another addition to an existing series, but Bobbie Faye doesn’t let you dwell on that fact. I have no idea all the trouble’s she’s ever gotten into – I just know she gets into it. A lot. I have no idea how and where she met Trevor. I just know they love each other as they are, come what may. The in-between shenanigans are hilarious and fun. Ms. Causey says on her web site this is the last of this series for a while. That just might be a cryin’ shame.

Bobbie Faye is in a tizzy trying to find a church to get married in, a dress to walk down the aisle in, and other such necessary things to take care of before her wedding day. She’s not happy with anything she finds. The Catholic church has ex-communicated her and no church in the nation will host her special day. All this because Trevor think she wants it. Well, she might, but some things have to be worked out first.

Like the bozos who kidnap her at church on the French Quarter, the one that Trevor forced into holding their wedding. Bobbie Faye is appalled at their inept unprofessionalism, even if they are criminals. I had to laugh at her restraint when she realizes they don’t really want her but something or someone else. And when that restraint finally lets fly, I’m as amazed as Trevor when he eventually figures out where she is and attempts his rescue. One terrific scene.

There’s a lot of secondary characters who I assume have been included in all other books in the series, but I never felt lost or frustrated with their involvement. I just had fun with them all. The love and romance is said and shown in the way Trevor doesn’t want to change Bobbie Faye, lets her go her own way in her own time, and does anything and everything to see that she’s happy. Throw in an evil mother who will stop at nothing to keep “trash” out of her family, and you’ve got one heck of a good time.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Bobbie Faye Sumrall, Cajun Contraband Days Queen, gun expert, and ultimate professional in being in the wrong place at the wrong time, absolutely positively does not want to go through with the wedding that Trevor’s forcing her to agree to, but she soon finds out she has more important things to worry about–like surviving the plot to make her disappear when she’s set up as a fall guy for the theft of a priceless religious icon.

No excerpt available.

Overall Grade: B+

The old saying you can’t please all the people all the time is very true. While I enjoyed a good portion of these novellas, found a couple of authors whose books I’ll check out, there’s still a few that don’t work for me, though that won’t keep me from looking up their future reads. These are all very talented authors, and what may not work for me may work just fine for you. And that’s all that counts!

This is the second year in a row I’ve not been able to decide which of two terrific books should be my No. 1. So I have a tie once again. Last year it was two fantasies that made the top spot. This year one of those authors has maintained her position, but she’s now sharing it with an historical author who never lets me down in story or character. And who rounds out the rest of my list? Think I can surprise you? Hmmmmm. Maybe not totally, but I think a few of my picks just might!

10. A Forever Kind of Love by Shiloh Walker – emotion is going to be the word of the day for this list. Combined with an alpha hero and a romance to die for, an author has a life-long fan in me if she can pull that off. Shiloh Walker is definitely one of those authors. This book is chockful of emotion, pulling on your heartstrings so much you’re sure they’ll definitely break. Just what I’ve come to expect from her.

9. Saddled and Spurred/Wrangled and Tangled & Chasin’ Eight/Cowboy Casanova by Lorelei James – I’m not sure how she does it, releasing these four books, plus others, in one year, but I’m sure glad Ms. James does. I couldn’t leave any of these books off the list over another, they’re all so good. My favorite, I think, is W&T – I love Renner and Tierney, they’re such fun. Her cowboys from both of her current series will keep you hot and bothered long after you’ve finished reading them!

8. Hidden Embers by Tessa Adams – sigh. Dragons. I love’em. And this edition of Tessa Adams’ Dragon’s Heat series is right on target for me with the emotion the hero goes through and all those alpha dragons breathing fire everywhere. The aerial fight scenes are as intense as the lovemaking, and with a mysterious disease that could end their clan, this is one all-consuming read. And how can you not lust over that cover, for heaven’s sake?

7. Touch of Crimson by Sylvia Day – I so enjoy an author who can write in more than one genre, and Sylvia Day is a master. I love her paranormals every bit as much as I love her historicals. This new series featuring angels is spectacular. ToC is the perfect opening, and I can’t wait for more, especially since next up is a werewolf hero. Shifters do it for me every time.

6. Pride and Pleasure by Sylvia Day – this is the first time an author has made my list in two different genres. Doesn’t surprise me it’s Ms. Day. Both hero and heroine in this book are fascinating characters, something this author excels at like no other. I can’t imagine anyone reading this list hasn’t read Sylvia Day before, but if so, you have to pick up one of her books like yesterday. Seriously.

5. Breaking Point by Pamela Clare – another author who writes alpha heroes and gives them the perfect heroine for our reading pleasure. And who can insert emotion that breaks your heart and then shows you action until you’re ready to collapse with exhaustion. You get everything in a Pamela Clare book. The hero in this story goes through hell, but his heroine, of course, helps pull him through.

4. Hidden Away by Maya Banks – If you’ve read my reviews of Ms. Banks’ KGI series books, you know I love these Kelly boys. They go through hell to find love, but that makes it all the more sweet and pleasurable in the end. It’s also the family aspect of these stories that I love. You mess with one Kelly, you mess with them all. The brothers tease and fight like boys do, but they back each other up no matter what. Heroes, every one of them.

3. The Many Sins of Lord Cameron by Jennifer Ashley – more brothers that have burrowed into my heart. This book is my second favorite so far, right behind The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie. We find out what drives Cam, how his past has shaped him. And what a past it is. I also like the father-son aspect of this book. I was hoping that would be a good part of it when we met Daniel in earlier stories, and Ms. Ashley gave me that hope in spades, and then some.

2. Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh – there’s not a thing about Ms. Singh’s Psy-Changeling series that I don’t like. I like/love certain books over others, especially the ones that made me cry – but every one of them calls to and satisfies the paranormal/shifter fan in me. Hawke and Sienna live up to the expectations in my mind, I loved every single word.

1. Waking Up with the Duke by Lorraine Heath – all three books in this trilogy are wonderful, but this one, this one was the most emotional of all, and that’s saying something after the very talented Ms. Heath turned a not-so-nice character into a hero you couldn’t help but love on the very first page of his book. The untenable situation in WUwtD, the characters who live it, and the love they share is what puts this book in the No. 1 position for me.

1. Haunting Desire and Haunting Embrace by Erin Quinn – this series has been, well, haunting to read. Ms. Quinn has given this reader a whole new lo ok at Ireland and paranormal stories the like of which I’ve never read before. So beautifully written.

The series has ended with Haunting Embrace, so if you’re looking for something different, these books will hit the spot perfectly.

I always give a few honorable mentions, because it’s such a difficult time whittling down the list of all the great books I’ve read in a year’s time. So I want to share those with you too. Here they are in no particular order:

Second Chance at the Sugar Shack/Any Given Christmas by Candis Terry – what fun these books are! I’m glad I discovered Ms. Terry. She’s a joy to read. Great sense of humor and a mama ghost. You can’t go wrong!

A Light at Winter’s End by Julia London – I’m so glad this book was written. I was very upset at the ending of Summer of Two Wishes. The heroine picked the wrong man, as far as I’m concerned. And when he walked off into the sunset, so to speak, with no other information about where he went, what he did, how he coped, well, I wasn’t happy at all. Here we find out. And now I’m happy. (You should read SoTW first!)

The King’s Mistress by Sandy Blair – it’s nice to have a new book by Sandy Blair on the shelves. And she’s done one heck of a job weaving her hero and heroine into Scottish history to give readers a wonderful romance. No one does it better.

Making Waves by Tawna Fenske – I enjoy an author who can make me laugh out loud. There aren’t many out there who can. Tawna Fenske is a new voice on the scene, and she knows how to write humor. Her characters and storylines are just plain old fun! I still chuckle thinking about that black thong…

What I Did for a Duke by Julie Anne Long – this was my first Julie Anne Long book and I can certainly say I’m hooked. I really enjoyed these characters and just had fun with them. I look forward to reading a lot more of her books in the future. With all of the historicals on my list this year, this one didn’t miss the cut by much at all. So very close!

Well, now we go from my Best of the Year to my Worst of the Year reads. I’m teased by some of the reviewers here at the Pond that I like everything I read. Well, that’s not technically true, because there are those books that sometimes don’t do it even for me. So I have a few. One doesn’t surprise me, one does, and the others just surprised me as I read them. And the biggest surprise is they’re all Scottish historicals, which I love to read. Now you know really how painful these were for me!

~ Must Love Kilts by Allie Mackay – I always try to give an author a second chance when one of their books doesn’t work for me. I believe I’ve given Ms. MacKay a third and fourth chance. I doubt there will be another chance in the offing any time soon. So this one didn’t surprise me at all. And that’s really too bad, because I wouldn’t mind getting a look at the covers on her books. Those I love. You can see my review here, if you’d like.

~ In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks – needless to say, this one surprised the ever livin’ hell out of me, as much as I love Ms. Banks’ romantic suspense novels. Honestly, I’m still flabbergasted at my reaction to this book. I expected to love it, every last word. But something went horribly wrong for me. I didn’t grade it super low just because of who the author is – at least the characters worked for me – but I just couldn’t get past other things. I feel another tear coming on. My review is here.

~ Captured by the Highlander/Claimed by the Highlander by Julianne MacLean – I’ve not read Ms. MacLean before these books, and I now know I shouldn’t have started here. I have a lot of her books in the TBR mountain, so it definitely surprised me during reading that these books just don’t work for me on any level, except maybe her characters. Despite their sounding like modern-day people and the books being nearly mirror images of each other, I do like the heroes and heroines. It’s everything else that needs work. I have yet to try the third book, and I don’t know how soon, if at all, that’s going to happen. My reviews can be read here and here.

So how do your 2011 reads stack up to my list? Any you agree with? How about vehemently disagree with?

This just in…

Her fans never doubted it for one second!

International publisher Samhain Publishing® recently announced that author Lorelei James has been ranked on the New York Times Bestseller list and the USA Today Bestseller list.

~ She’s on the NYT list for eBooks (15), the combined New York Times print/ebook Bestseller list (29), and the USA Today Bestseller list (81) for eBooks and print books with her eBook romance, Cowboy Casanova. The novel is only available in eBook format at the present time.

~ “This remarkable achievement will come to no surprise to Lorelei’s passionate fan base,” said Christina Brashear, president of Samhain Publishing. “With this, her twelfth book in her Rough Riders series, Lorelei continues to appeal to both long-time and brand new readers. We’re proud to be a part of her success.”

~ The rank of 15 on the New York Times Bestseller list for eBooks is the highest ranking to date for a digital-first publisher.

~ The New York Times’ eBook bestseller lists in fiction and nonfiction are compiled from weekly data from publishers, chain bookstores, independent booksellers and online retailers, among other sources.

~ The USA Today Bestseller list is different from the NYT model, in that it combines both eBook and traditional print books in the same list.

~ Congrats, Lorelei!

Consider yourself flashed.

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)

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Sandy M’s review of Wrangled and Tangled (Blacktop Cowboys, Book 3) by Lorelei James
Contemporary Western Erotic Romance published by NAL Trade 1 Nov 11

After reading Lorelei James’ Rough Riders series and now this new Blacktop Cowboys series, you’d think I wouldn’t be surprised anymore at how Ms. James is able to, book after book, turn out characters who worm their way into my heart, make me laugh, make me burn, and just give me a good time from page to page. I keep thinking there’s going to be that first time one of her books isn’t going to work for me for one reason or another – I mean, it happens all the time. Right? Well, it hasn’t happened yet in all the James books I’ve read, and at this point? I don’t think it’s ever going to happen.

In this book we actually get two romances for the price of one, and Ms. James doesn’t skimp on either of them. We know from the previous book that Janie, Abe’s ex-wife, is back in Muddy Gap, working on the Split Rock Ranch project for Renner Jackson. As we pick up here with these two, sparks and barbs have been flying ever since Abe has discovered she’s back. With a lot of lust and love thrown in, though neither one will admit the love part right now, this couple has a lot to work through and has to look at each other differently from before. Abe has done a lot changing since Janie left years ago, things he couldn’t see when they’d argue about them. It takes an attempt on Janie’s life to get her back on the ranch and eventually in Abe’s bed. Just for sex, mind you. But little by little Janie sees those differences in Abe, especially those that have filled out the man, in more ways than one, and made him more irresistible than ever.

Renner, in the meantime, is having a heck of a time with his financial person, Tierney Pratt, daughter of the man he’s had to borrow money from to get Split Rock up and running. The woman is constantly giving him hell at every turn, but how he loves turning the tables on her and riling her up. But Tierney does her own share of riling Renner up too. This couple is just plain old fun from the moment they’re together on the page, walking that fine line between business associates at each other’s throats to lovers who burn up the sheets something fierce. It does take them a bit to hit those sheets, though. See, Tierney has a secret, one she’s not sure Renner’s going to like all that much. Oh, she couldn’t be more wrong.

Abe and Janie have to learn each other all over again, even in the bedroom. Afraid his sexual appetites would have made her leave him anyway, he’s now happy to hear she wants to delve into the unknown with him. I like how it’s Abe this time around who forces issues between them, questioning and taking nothing for granted as he did before. Janie is the one who is off balance this time, not sure if she should walk back into her old life. But she has no choice when Abe forces her to stay with him until the mystery surrounding her accident is solved. Even when it is, she still can’t walk away.

I have to say Renner and Tierney have an edge over Abe and Janie for me. I love their bedplay, even though Abe and Janie are smokin’ up those aformentioned sheets. When Tierney finally learns how to please Renner in bed, in her office, wherever the cowboy demands, their lovemaking is definitely intense, but it also has a sweetness about it. Maybe it’s Tierney’s inability to keep her thoughts to herself, blurting out what it is she wants to know from Renner. She’s unabashedly ecstatic to be loving and a loved by a man like this sexy cowboy. And Renner is damn sexy. And he’s humbled that someone like Tierney could love him.

Each couple has their moment when things don’t work out as they’d hoped. Having two couples like this, you wonder if perhaps one of them may not make it to the end of the book. Will Abe and Janie come to the resolution that eluded them the first time? Can Renner and Tierney overcome being on opposite sides in business to have a life together?

There’s returning secondary characters from the local salon who are a hoot to read. Especially when Tierney is among them for the first time. I have to say I laughed out loud quite a number of times during this book. Ms. James does a sensational job of balancing the fun and funny with the erotic and romantic, something a lot of erotic authors have a difficult time doing. One secondary character we will all love to hate is Tierney’s father. Arrogant SOB. Thank goodness Tierney has learned some great lessons on this journey of self-experimentation in life and love where that man is concerned.

As erotic romance readers have come to expect from one of the industry’s best, Lorelei James once again gives us characters who tug at the heart, get us overwhelmingly hot and bothered, give us a few chuckles, and just generally make us happy. What more can you ask for?

Grade: A+

Summary:

Wrangling a sweet-talkin’ cowboy can be dangerous business…

The West was not so wild for Janie Fitzhugh. Living with her rancher husband, Abe Lawson, in rural Wyoming nearly broke her spirit, so she left. But eight years later, she returns to Muddy Gap to take a job at a new resort. When an unexpected danger arises, Abe seizes the chance to protect Janie and prove he’s a changed man.

Janie’s employer at the Split Rock Ranch and Resort, Renner Jackson, has gotten himself tangled up in a devil’s bargain trying to finish the construction. His new partner’s daughter, Tierney Pratt, is a spoiled daddy’s girl and off-limits–no matter how drop-dead gorgeous she is. But Tierney’s got her own secret reasons for keeping the rough-and-tumble cowboy at a distance.

When things get down and dirty at the resort, Abe and Renner must saddle up and fight to rope in the women they can’t imagine living without…

Read an excerpt.

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Sandy M’s review of Chasin’ Eight (Rough Riders, Book 11) by Lorelei James
Contemporary Western Romance erotic ebook published by Samhain 28 Jun 11

Dammit! I went and did it again! I read this latest addition to Lorelei James’ Rough Riders series too fast. Way, way too fast. I wanted to make it last, but since it hasn’t happened so far, I have a feeling it will never happen whenever I read about those McKay boys.

I always mention the emotion that Ms. James writes in her books, it’s what draws me back each time to read her next, along with her charming and intriguing characters. Well, and the lovin’ too. While I’ve chuckled here and there over the time of reading this series, I don’t recall laughing out loud like I do with Chase and Ava. I thoroughly enjoyed this couple, from the moment they meet through their getting to know one another and then working through the changes they need to go through to come out on the other side of the new life they find for themselves, whole and intact.

Both Chase and Ava are going through their own scandals in their very different worlds. Chase is a bull rider. He’s been on the circuit for years and has gotten a tad complacent, he’s falling in the standings, not performing his best, and now has been suspended from his rodeo association after pissing off a main and very generous sponsor. Swearing off women, which has gotten him into more than enough trouble lately, and determined to get back to basics to figure out why his riding is off, Chase heads home, staying in his cousin Kane’s trailer, not wanting the rest of the family to know what he’s up to just yet.

Ava is an actress from Los Angeles and has had moderate success. Enough that she’s plenty recognizable by the masses. She’s been blindsided by the latest paparazzi report her boyfriend is gay, his picture with his new boyfriend plastered all over news rags throughout the country. She needs to get away from the City of Angels to regroup and figure out what she really wants to do now. So she contacts her friend Ginger, who recently married Kane McKay. And guess where she’ll be staying while visiting the newlyweds? I love that scene when Chase and Ava first meet in the McKay secret love nest.

Chase has been driving for hours, so he’s exhausted when he finally makes it to Kane’s. He’s so wiped out, all he does is wash the travel grime from his face and then he heads to bed. But sleep eludes him as he suddenly comes into contact with a soft and moving someone, who also reacts by jumping out of the bed quicker than lightning. Ava strikes a martial arts pose and threatens her intruder, and with the ensuing dialogue, which is hilarious, the fun with these two begins.

I especially love the truth or lie scenes. OMG, I laughed till I cried. And then I kept laughing. And while the later Twinkie scene is sexy as all get-out, I had a huge, huge grin on my face the entire time. I’m getting ahead of myself here, but this couple is just plain old fun and good times. And you ain’t read anything till you come to the mechanical bull. Oh. My. Heavens. Whew! Now let’s get back on track…

After they work their living arrangements out, Ava agrees to tag along with Chase when he starts his riding “lessons” with Cash Big Crow and Chase’s cousin Colby and then accompanies Chase for his objective of getting on as many bulls as possible from rodeo to rodeo until he finds out his fate concerning his current predicament. Ava begins to videotape Chase’s rides and before too long, his problem is pinpointed and their rodeo adventure begins. This journey throws a few eye-openers out to both Chase and Ava concerning their future and each other.

Doing her best to convince Chase to break his vow of no women for a month, Ava flirts and cajoles, all to no avail. After a few hot kisses Chase always backs off, leaving them both frustrated. Until Ava goes too far one night, bringing in another man to make Chase jealous. Our cowboy may be a mite sensitive when it comes to his non-McKay height of five-seven, but never piss him off. And he does get pissed off, just as Ava wants, and she finally gets more than she could ever imagine. And then some. Chase takes his brother’s advice about loving a woman, and if you think this cowboy was sexy before, he’s off the charts now.

Chase is like all those McKay men when makin’ love. Intense, playful, demanding, slow, fast and furious, and now generous. He thought he’s always been generous in bed, but Ava makes all the difference in the world. And once they get a true taste of one another, there’s no stopping them. They burn up the sheets any and every chance they get, which is a lot, I’m happy to tell you.

Of course, this journey can’t be all hearts and flowers and gettin’ nekkid. Tragedy strikes and Chase takes a blow that he more than likely would have sloughed off before, let alone allow it to affect him as it does now. It changes him, just as most of this introspective trek has changed him and how he looks at his life in and out of the rodeo. Ava also has her share of introspection and realizations as to how she’s lived and interacted with others, mostly because of the new project she’s working on through her photography and videography of their trip. Even as they come out on the other side of such tragic events, there’s more seeming betrayal close at hand, and our fun-loving couple end up on the skids with their hearts broken.

What I love about Chase and Ava is their lightheartedness, their banter and laughter as they get to know each other. Even then they talk to one another. They don’t let things fester and infect the relationship. This continues once they become intimate and even on through their sadness and later their anger. It goes without saying, of course, that the sex scenes are smokin’ hot and will leave you hot and bothered, due to the fact those scenes are vintage Lorelei James. No one does it better. ‘Cept maybe a McKay.

And Chapter 29! Oh my gosh, Chapter 29. Out-of-the-blue twist that had me gasping out loud. I cannot wait to see what happens next!

I have no idea how many more books are going to be in this series. I’m hoping a few more at least. I’ll never tire of these McKay boys.

Grade: A

Summary:

She wants it. He’s got it. And the chase is on.

Bull rider Chase McKay has finally landed in a pile too big to charm his way out of. Caught with his pants down, he finds himself bucked right off the PBR tour until he can get his act together.

Hollywood actress Ava Cooper became the tabloids’ favorite target when her longtime boyfriend was outed as gay. She needs a place to lay low and a chance to prove to herself that she can satisfy a red-blooded man between the sheets. The sexy, rugged cowboy she finds holed up in her Wyoming hideaway seems like the answer to her every fantasy.

But Chase has sworn off women. Forever. Or at least a month. Whichever comes first.

When they take to the road to get Chase more hands-on bull riding experience, they have every intention of keeping their hands off each other. But the two headstrong stars quickly end up riding a hot and heady rodeo circuit all their own—until the press gets wind of their affair. When the dust clears and the lights of the paparazzi fade, are they ready to give up chasing the dream for a chance of finding forever?

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Saddled and Spurred (Blacktop Cowboys, Book 2) by Lorelei James
Contemporary Western Romance published by NAL Trade 1 Mar 11

I love it when I’m right. I just knew, even though these new Lorelei James book aren’t part of her fan-fave McKay series, that they’d be just as good, just as hot, just as emotional, and I’d get just as immersed in them as I did those previous books. Needless to say, I was right on the money. Of course, that’s not difficult because we are talking about Lorelei James here. She delivers every book, every story, every character as real as life can get every time.

I even like this book more than the first, Corralled. And that’s saying something, because Corralled is a damned good book. Ms. James is one of the best at writing emotion, especially from the male point of view. You have to meet Bran Turner. He’s a smoldering, sexy, and somewhat vulnerable cowboy who captures your heart right away. He’s blindsided by Harper when she shows up on her doorstep after a mutual friend recommends the perfect person to temporarily take over his injured hired hand’s position. Having been attracted to Harper when she was just 18, you can imagine what his reaction is like now since she’s grown into a more confident and independent woman – all of which came to her much too early when her mother left her and her younger sister behind for a man, with no thought to her daughters. But Bran is in desperate need for the help and Harper is in desperate need for the money, so he reluctantly hires her, knowing it’s probably the biggest mistake he’s made in a long while.

Harper has given up everything in her life to work two and three jobs at a time to take care of her younger sister, even going so far as wanting to leave Muddy Gap to set up house wherever sis decides to go to college. She’s tired of being compared to her booze-guzzling, man-eating mother, so much so she’s conducted herself in a spotless, very appropriate manner as much as possible, but then even some folks in town still believe the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Thus the reason for her willingness to take on a ranch hand job – even though she knows nothing about the position – the other businesses in town wouldn’t hire her if she’s the only one left standing.

Because Harper is eager to learn and puts 100% into the job, and because she’s as curvy and beautiful as he remembers, Bran softens toward her, they develop a good working relationship, but he also wants more from her. Harper does her best to keep her feelings under control, but eventually they’re both lost to the lust and chemistry that zings between them. They attribute their hunger for one another to the fact that Harper will be leaving town in a number of weeks. Of course, the closer that time nears, the more they realize they don’t want to be without each other, but they leave that particular communication out of the relationship until it’s nearly too late. Up until that time, however, they have fun together and the loving between them spirals into intense, unadulterated passion that knows no bounds.

Everyday life and jealousies do interfere here and there and they confront those issues head-on, until Bran’s old hired hand recuperates enough to re-enter the picture. He stirs up a hornet’s nest every chance he gets. And Bran lets that get to him, his vulnerabilities coming to the fore with a vengeance, letting Harper get away from him and going crazy with anger at himself for being such a fool and worries over her, not knowing where she is and what she’s doing. What Harper’s done in the meantime to get over her exasperating, sexy man is finally take care of herself and not everyone else first. It’s a long time in coming, but it feels oh-so-good when she finally embraces that freedom.

We also get to catch up with the characters we first met in Corralled, and we get a closer look at Celia and Kyle, who, if my guess is correct, will be featured in the next book in the series. I sure hope I’m right on that score, because these two will be explosive together. But there’s also Abe and his ex-wife, Janie, so I may be off the track a bit and they might be next. There’s so much to still happen in this Blacktop Cowboys series!

Grade: A+

Summary:

Cattleman Bran Turner is left shorthanded during busy calving season when a bull tramples his hired hand. Rural Wyoming isn’t exactly a hotbed of qualified candidates, and the only applicant for the position is the pampered town beauty, Harper Masterson. The curvy cowgirl gets under Bran’s skin at every turn, but with no other options, he reluctantly hires her.

When sexual sparks ignite, down-on-her-luck Harper enjoys convincing Bran that not only is she capable of pulling calves, feeding live-stock, and handling backbreaking ranch chores, but she doesn’t mind getting down and dirty, either. Harper also discovers the hotbodied cowboy isn’t all work and no horseplay…and he’s got more than a few tricks up his sleeve. Bran will learn quickly that Harper is no country mouse—and that she might just have what it takes to stick around for the long haul.

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Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Corralled (Blacktop Cowboys, Book 1) by Lorelei James
Contemporary Western erotic romance published by NAL Trade 3 Aug 10

None of you who know how much I love Lorelei James’ work will be surprised to learn I love this book. As usual, Ms. James has written a strong heroine and two — count’em, two! — handsome and alpha heroes who I’m now in love with. Her storyline is interesting, taking us behind the scenes of the rodeo in the different areas the characters deal with. And her love scenes are just as intense as ever.

Lainie is usually a straight-up, follow-the-rules kind of gal. She’s feeling guilty lately because she’s seeing two men at the same time, both cowboys on different rodeo circuits where she’s a med tech. But her best friend tells her to keep on keepin’ on and enjoy herself. She figures the men will never find out since they don’t perform or play in the same circles. Lainie’s in for a surprise, though, when Hank, the bullfighter, catches her and Kyle, the bullrider, together. Seems they’re best friends and neither of them wants to give Lainie up. So they compromise. Why not share her? Two men after my own heart.

Since Lainie’s having problems with her boss and he’s forcing a vacation on her, she decides why not, indeed. She’s ready to be double-teamed while the trio is on the road for the Cowboy Christmas arduous string of summer rodeos. Another surprise pops up for her when the guys don’t do much double-teaming. They begin a silent and intent competition of sexual exploits to keep Lainie wanting to come back to one instead of the other. But there’s still plenty of their threesome to keep things exciting between them, until Lainie finally demands her complete double-teaming. While I enjoyed those exploits, when Hank and Kyle come together and seriously tease Lainie how they’re going to take her, she’s not the only woman to bonelessly melt in anticipation.

Even as hot and fun as all the sex is, I like that these characters take the time to learn about one another during their travels. They’re each at a crossroads in their lives and need to figure out where they go from here. The competition between Hank and Kyle can only have one winner. Kyle wants to win, but what to do with Lainie in the long run? Hank wants to win equally as much, but as far as he’s concerned Lainie is someone he’ll keep near him for some time to come. I have to admit, I wasn’t sure I’d like how Ms. James may have come up with a solution for our heroes and heroine. How could she choose which one to pair with Lainie? I worried for nothing. Her solution is absolutely perfect.

I also like the behind-the-scenes look at Hank’s occupation of a bullfighter. This is something not really written about, especially in romance. It’s a serious job and Hank is an expert at it. You feel the tension every time he has to fight a bull to save those riders from being gored or stomped on by those angry animals. Of course, the sex is smokin’ hot, as only Ms. James can write such scenes. The secondary characters are also pretty terrific. Tanna, Lainie’s best friend, is a barrel racer and loves a good time. Celia, Hank’s sister, and Abe, his brother, take care of the ranch while he rodeos. They also give him hell when needed. I’m hoping they each get a book of their own.

Lorelei James has given her fans a new series they’re going to embrace as fully as her McKay family series. Blacktop Cowboys are now in my blood.

Grade: A+

Summary:

Sports therapist Lainie Capshaw has been rehabilitating injured cowboys long enough to know that a charming western drawl combined with a fine physical form doesn’t mean you fall for the man.

So no one is more surprised than Lainie when she finds herself involved with not one, but two different men: Hank Lawson, a bullfighter, and Kyle Gilchrist, a bull rider. Lainie feels guilty about her two-timing, but it doesn’t keep her from doubling her fun-that is until Hank catches her with Kyle.

She’s shocked that Hank isn’t mad. But she’s more shocked to learn Hank and Kyle are hometown buddies. But when the men offer to share her-in every way-she knows that she’s going to have to choose the one man who can give her the ride of her life.

Read an excerpt.

I always have such a hard time pulling out the books I really like from a previous year. Yes, there’s too many, but it’s also difficult because sometimes you can’t choose because you can’t compare books in different genres. Though I read mostly historical and paranormal, I also enjoy contemps and romantic suspense a lot. Thus, I poured over my entire 2010 review list, chose those that I really loved, and then the difficulty began in whittling it down. My biggest hurdle is books from a series, if an author released more than one book in the year. Sometimes one of many stood out. Sometimes I couldn’t choose one over the other and sometimes I could. In that case, I’ve cheated and listed all the books I loved in that series.     It’s my list and I can do what I want!

So here they are:

10.  The Taming of the Wolf by Lydia Dare

While I’ve so far enjoyed all of the books in this series, it’s the hero, Dashiel, who stole my heart and has ended up my favorite of the series. Lydia Dare has stayed true to her characters and given readers solid, consistent, and intriguing stories. See my TTotW review here.

9.   Lessons From a Scarlet Lady by Emma Wildes

As I said in in my review of this book, it’s a breath of fresh air. Emma Wildes writes a terrific couple who I loved to read about. They kept my interest the entire book, and I wanted more of them when I was done reading. I’m a new fan for sure.

8.   Broken by Shiloh Walker

It would be surprising to me if a Shiloh Walker book didn’t make my Top 10. She’s become a favorite very quickly and she’s never once disappointed me. Though I also enjoyed Fragile, it was Quinn who caught my interest and I anxiously awaited his story. I love a broken, tortured hero and Quinn fit the bill to a T. Read about him here.

7. The Fire Lord’s Lover by Kathryne Kennedy

I became a huge fan of Kathryne Kennedy from the first book of her Relics of Merlin series and was really disappointed when I found she’s not been able to write more it at this point in time. But with her imagination, I shouldn’t have worried at all. Ms. Kennedy has given us another series that is simply awesome. The Fire Lord’s Lover is a perfect start and I can’t wait for more. My review is here.

6.  Raising Kane by Lorelei James – Shoulda Been a Cowboy, Cowgirls Don’t Cry & Slow Ride short story

I can never get enough of Lorelei James. Her stories are real, as are her characters. She doesn’t pretty up a book if tragedy is called for, and in doing so she tugs so hard on your heartstrings it ain’t funny. Her cowboys walk the walk and talk the talk. Her love scenes range from intense and raw to fun and lighthearted. You get everything in a Lorelei James book. Every book she released in 2010 is a Top 10, but Raising Kane is my fave. See my RK review here.

5.   Pleasures of a Notorious Gentleman by Lorraine Heath

Lorraine Heath has been a favorite of mine since I read her Texas trilogy and nothing changed when I read her first Regency. She’s simply and truly wonderful. I loved this entire London’s Greatest Lovers trilogy, but it’s Stephen’s story that I really remember. I had my doubts about him, as I said in my review, but he turned out to be one of those heroes you’ll never, ever forget.

4.   Moon Craving by Lucy Monroe

You know those books you wait for? And wait for? Forever, it seems? Moon Craving is one of those for me. I fell in love with Lucy Monroe’s werewolves in her first book, Moon Awakening, in her Children of the Moon series, and I wanted more. But it took a few years for that next one. The wait was worth it, however. Another terrific story for Monroe and paranormal fans. Read my review here.

3.   The Darkest Hour by Maya Banks – No Place to Run

I have so fallen in love with the Kelly Family in Maya Banks’ KGI series. Especially those Kelly boys. They’re alpha and yummy and they still obey their parents. And they fall hard when they find their heroines. So, hell, what’s not to love?? Read about those Kelly boys here.

2.   Bonds of Justice by Nalini Singh – Play of Passion & Blaze of Memory

Nalini Singh is one of those authors who you’re going to love no matter what she puts on the page. I can’t imagine anyone arguing with that, if they’ve read any of her books. Bonds of Justice takes the No. 1 spot – by a very narrow margin over Play of Passion – for me of her books in 2010 because I sobbed reading this book. I very, very rarely cry when reading. It takes something so very special for me shed a tear while reading, but when it happens, I remember it. So due to my full-out sobbing near the end of BoJ, I’ll never forget Max and Sophia. Read my review about them here.

Now for my No 1. pick, I couldn’t decide between these two books, so they’re co-winners. They win not only for the story, the worlds the authors have created, but also for the beautiful, lyrical, haunting writing these authors possess. It takes an awesome author to be able to keep momentum and creativity and imagination in a series going, to make the next book better than the last. Both of these authors have those things down pat. I never have to hope the next book will disappoint me because it won’t be as good as the first or the one just prior. I know the next book will be even better.

1.  Haunting Warrior by Erin Quinn & Crown of Crystal Flame by C.L. Wilson

Erin Quinn’s Haunting series is just that, haunting. In storyline. In characters. In writing. Absolutely stunning all the way around. I am breathlessly waiting for the next installment this April. I will have myself locked in my room until that book is finished.

C.L. Wilson’s Tairen Soul series was a treat and a treasure to read. This last installment brought everything together for an absolutely stunning ending that left readers gasping. The way this woman strings words together is just amazing. I’m sad this series is now complete, but readers of the series know that their favorite characters will be featured in future books. That’s worth waiting for.

Notice I used “absolutely stunning” for each of these authors. Wasn’t a mistake. Completely intentional. Cuz it just is.

Because I had a huge list picked out before I cut it down to my Top 10, I do want to give mention to those that just barely missed the cut.  So here are my Honorable Mentions in no particular order :

Drink of Me & Stealing Kathryn by Jacquelyn Frank – An imagination that is just awesome!

Shadows at Midnight by Elizabeth Jennings – I know Ash didn’t care for this one, but it’s on my keeper shelf!

Taming the Highland Bride & The Hellion and the Highlander by Lynsay Sands – I love Lynsay Sands! I need to start reading her vamps…

Legend of the White Wolf, Seduced by the Wolf & Wolf Fever by Terry Spear – Yuuuuuuuuuuumy werewolves!

A Highlander’s Homecoming by Melissa Mayhue – Time travel. Scottish Highlanders. One of the best at both!

Marked & Entwined by Elisabeth Naughton – Zodiac warriors to die for! Also try her Stolen series.

Naked Edge by Pamela Clare – Hawt love scenes! Oh, and a great mystery and thrilling suspense too!

A Kiss to Kill by Nina Bruhns – Oh my! I want more, more, more!

Infamous by Suzanne Brockmann – I love her romances within a romance. And I love this cowboy!

The Chief by Monica McCarty – I love this concept of Highlander Special Ops! Fun, intense, and so romantic!

Shadow Bound by Erin Kellison – Debut author done good. Terrific and dark!

Shut Up & Kiss Me by Christie Craig – Only humorous book on my list. There’s a reason for that. She’s one of the very best!

Destined to Last by Alyssa Johnson – Beautifully written with such engaging characters. Can’t wait to see what she does next!

The Treasure Keeper by Shana Abe – Dragons! ‘Nuff said.

And even I have a few books that didn’t make the grade for me in 2010. Mikey really doesn’t like everything!

4.   Mad, Bad and Blonde by Cathie Linz

Waaaaaaaaaay too much snipping and sniping and insulting going on between the hero and heroine for me. It went on and on. And on. And on. And on. And that’s too bad because the first part of the book is good. Right up until the heroine went blonde. See my review here.

3.    Time Storm by Samanta Winston

Sigh. Even the time travel didn’t help this book. We only get to know the characters through their fucking. Pirates and danger and all that goes with it was okay, as was the time travel, but it just wasn’t put together to keep my interest. I remember being glad it’s a short story. My review can be read here.

2.   Tomorrow is Another Day novella by Sandra Hill in the Ladies Prefer Rogues anthology

Even the play on Gone with the Wind didn’t save this novella. The characters didn’t work for me either all because of their attitudes. At least the time travel element worked. Guess I should be grateful for that. My review is here.

1.   Passionate Pleasures by Bertrice Small

This book is just a mess all the way around. The characters are likable but that’s about it. It felt like Ms. Small just tried too hard to write erotic romance. I think her niche is historicals and she should stick with that. You can read my review here.

Sandy M’s review of by Slow Ride (Rough Riders, Book 9.5) by Lorelei James
Contemporary Western Romance short story ebook published by Samhain 9 Nov 10

Hardly anyone can tease her characters or her readers better than Lorelei James. Of course, depending on where the teasing is going on depends on the reaction you’ll get. We met Jack and Keely in their book, All Jacked Up, earlier this year, and I had been anticipating Keely’s book for a while. She’s the only female in a horde of brothers, all of whom are very dominant, alpha, sexy, the whole nine yards. She was also a wild child character when she showed up in the previous books in this series. So you can imagine the curiosity about Keely when she meets her match, finally, in Jack. That was a fun, fevered, and sensual ride. This time Jack has in mind a long, slow ride for his new wife, but he’s in for a surprise of his own.

It’s just like Keely to be impatient to get on with living, and wanting her own wedding reception to be over with so she can toss off her boots and rumple the sheets with Jack is so Keely. She even tries to make things easier for them in the long run by divesting herself of as many wedding clothes as possible, but instead she runs into Cord and AJ going at it like rabbits, which doesn’t help her overanxious self in its current situation.

And her new husband isn’t helping either. He’s made all the honeymoon plans and hasn’t told her one dadgum thing he has in mind. The man thinks he’s being romantic, but he’s already forgotten one of the most important things he loves about his wife. No secrets, no calling the shots without her. They’re in this life together and he’d be better off remembering that.

As much as Jack has enjoyed, reveled, and just plain old had a good time in all of their sexual encounters before their marriage, he wants their first time as husband and wife to be perfect. Hence his strategy in secretly planning their two weeks alone. But after two days of traveling and keeping his horny Keely at bay – which is killing him just as much – Jack gets a surprise when things don’t go as planned once they have ocean, beach, and sunsets before them for the taking.

The teasing thus far for both Jack and Keely, doesn’t end as you’d expect, and the reader gets some teasing all their own at the resolution these two come up with in the end. It’s actually a perfect ending for this newly married couple.

Even in so few pages, Ms. James still pull a variety of emotions out of you. I will never get tired of reading about this family, whether in fun and laughter, anger, or tragedy, or whether they’re workin’ up a sweat and gettin’ me all hot and bothered, these McKays are lodged in my heart and are there to stay.

Oh! Slow Ride is a free ebook right now, so be sure to get your copy soon!

Grade: A

Summary:

Keely McKay Donohue is enduring the longest wedding reception of her life: her own.

The only saving grace is that Jack Donohue is finally hers. Usually her hunky man gives her everything she wants, so why is her groom denying her the one thing she wants right now?

Jack thought his secretive wait-for-the-honeymoon plan was romantic, until he realizes he’s only put Keely in a fighting mood. If he wants to get back on his temperamental bride’s good side, he’d better find a way to sweep his cowgirl off her boots…fast.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Raising Kane (Rough Riders, Book 9) by Lorelei James
Contemporary Western Romance ebook published by Samhain 23 Jun 10

I think like a lot of fans of this series, I’ve anxiously awaited Kane’s story. He’s a bad boy for sure, he’s had his moments of excesses, fights, plenty of women, and any number of other things, but he’s the hero who’s also chivalrous, take-charge and in control when needed, loves his family and his dog, and has a soft spot for kids. And he’s sexier than hell. He’s a man any woman would give anything for to rub herself all over, up one side and down the other every day of the week. And then do it all over again. Twice. On Sundays. Just as his heroine discovers.

Ginger is an attorney, taking over business from her father, who is now wheelchair-bound and living with her and her son, Hayden. Falling down icy stairs puts her in the hospital instead of behind her desk, and the doc won’t release her unless she’s got someone to take care of her. She’s a little riled at this, since she’s the one who’s always in control and takes care of everyone else. And she can still do that, injured or not.

That’s what she thinks. Kane McKay is about to take that control from her. As much as he’d like that control to include the bedroom, the rules of the Little Brothers program prohibits becoming involved with Hayden’s mother. But the woman needs help and she’s going to get it, whether or not she asks for it. From cooking to cleaning, laundry, helping her invalid father and other surprises, Kane is everywhere he’s needed while Ginger recuperates.

Their attraction grows and finally ignites once Ginger is on her feet again, which is not long with Kane around. These two combust loud and long and over and over again. Sizzling hot love scenes is only one of many erotic and romantic things Ms. James is superb at in her writing. Her heroes are always a man’s man and her heroines a woman’s woman, especially in bed. Ginger is an intelligent, strong, and independent woman, but with Kane her submission is complete and voluntary, knowing he will give her everything she needs behind closed doors.

You also have to love a man who cries when he finds his dog curled up in the snow, the animal knowing it was his time to head to doggy heaven. Then even though they’ve been on the outs lately, Kane’s twin brother Kane offers support, taking care of the emotional task of burying Shep. This family sticks together more than they fight, but now Kane is looking to throw a few punches and finds it with cousin Colt over a bit of ranch business, but all is forgiven later when Kane’s sad news trickles through the family. For the McKays, it doesn’t matter what happens as long as the family stays together, and Ms. James makes sure her fans get a lot of familial love in each book.

I have to go a bit further with the Shep issue, because it involves another of my favorite scenes – Hayden crawls into Kane’s lap when he hears the news to offer comfort. Talk about wrenching your heart out. Simply a wonderful scene.

This latest installment of the series has it all, everything you could want in an erotic romance and everything you could want in a simple, lovely romance. Ms. James makes you shiver in ecstatic, steamy delight on one page and then become misty-eyed with emotion on the next. She makes you hanker for a good old knock-down drag-out one moment and then soothes you with gentleness and kindness within minutes.

I just recommended this series to a friend. She’s reading the books back to back and having a time of it. If you haven’t started on these Lorelei James books yet, don’t fret. Once you start, you won’t stop and it will seem like only moments until you’re caught up. Just try it if you don’t believe me.

Grade: A+

Summary:

She surrendered the reins. Now he’s raising the stakes.

When a patch of ice sends attorney Ginger Paulson head-over-high-heels down a flight of stairs, she has no one to care for her young son and her invalid father—until lethally sexy Kane McKay shows up at the hospital, determined to prove his cowboy chivalry. Past experience has inoculated her against take-charge men, but even Ginger isn’t immune to Kane’s invasive charm and Built Ford Tough body.

For two years rancher Kane McKay has followed the Little Buddies mentoring program’s cardinal rule—hands off his Little Buddy Hayden’s mama. But one look at Ginger’s bruised body and Kane is through watching the stubborn woman take care of everyone but herself. The feisty, curvy redhead needs his help, and he’ll give her the hands-on type whether she likes it or not.

After Kane throws out doctor’s orders and issues his own demands—her full sexual submission—Ginger realizes Kane’s caring nature extends beyond just fulfilling her physical needs.

Can the former hell-raiser convince the gun-shy single mom to look beyond his past…toward a shared future?

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of All Jacked Up (Rough Riders, Book Eight) by Lorelei James
Contemporary Western Romance ebook published by Samhain 3 Nov 09

I normally don’t wait months to read this series by Lorelei James. It’s been a favorite since I read the first book in 2008. I won’t be waiting this long again to read any future McKay family books. I have the best time with these characters. I laugh. I cry. I roll my eyes. I snort. I definitely get hot and bothered. And I keep coming back for more.

While I love those McKay boys, their sister Keely finally gets her own book. Being the only girl in a family of a million guys (okay, that’s an exaggeration, but not by much), she’s learned anything and everything she’s ever wanted, something different from each of her brothers and cousins. She’s the female counterpart to each one of them, only better with all that femininity.

Keely is her own woman. A wild child in her early years, she’s settled down some while still having a good time with friends drinkin’ and dancin’, playin’ darts, and she holds her own with all that familial testosterone. Cowboy boots and beer are two of her favorite things. Keely knows what she wants and she goes for it.

Thus her dream of opening a physical therapy center in Sundance is finally coming true. She’s found the perfect building. Even though it’s considered an historical site, she calls in an expert to make sure the remodel is done properly so both she and the local historical society are happy. She couldn’t be more shocked and surprised when Jack Donohue, a man she’s despised the last few years, turns out to be the owner of the company she contacts — and the owner of the building she lives in.

Jack has no love for Keely any more than she has for him, but he’s trying to get his business back on an even keel, so he uses what he’s got — a beautiful woman who needs his expertise to get her dream up and running. Jack proposes Keely be his pretend fiance for a month, accompany him while he makes his pitch to another historical committee, and he’ll make sure her building is ready to go as fast as possible. Not liking the idea all that much, Keely can’t really say no. Too much is riding on the outcome. So Jack and Keely become engaged and all hell breaks loose.

The best parts of this book are Jack and Keely’s fighting. Neither of them can be in the same room with each other without throwing insults and snappy comebacks, no matter the issue. I laughed out loud I don’t know how many times at their banter. The other best part is when they make love. These two are beyond hot. Beyond steamy. Beyond sizzle. You need a cold glass of water, a fan, and the air conditioning on when you read these two.

It’s a good thing Jack is strong and dominant just like Keely’s brothers when it comes to handling this woman. She definitely needs a man like that. All other men before Jack ended up milquetoast when she was done with them.  Jack is great at possession and dominance, and Keely loves every minute of it.

During their fake engagement, their feelings turn from hate to love, but they’re each afraid to let the other in on that, knowing that either can walk away once the month is up. They each go through a very vulnerable period during this time and Ms. James always amazes me at the emotion she wrings out of her characters.

I’m glad to see on her website that Ms. James has two more books in this series on her Coming Soon page. All of her fans know this series will end some day, but for now we have a reprieve for a while. Thank goodness.

Grade: A

Summary:

Keely McKay knows Jack—and Jack Donohue is a certified pain in her Wranglers. The lone girl in the prolific McKay family, Keely needs another man giving her orders like she needs a hole in her boot. What she does need is a restoration specialist so she can open her physical therapy clinic—and prove she’s left her wild-child days behind. That means dealing with buttoned-down, uptight Jack.

Jack is this close to securing a career make-or-break project, until he learns his lack of marital status puts him out of contention. When the notoriously hot-tempered and hot-bodied Keely begs him for help, he proposes a crazy idea. He’ll oversee her project—if she acts the part of his loving fiancée.

Their sizzling lust makes it all too easy to go from butting heads to knocking boots—but outside the bedroom they’re as mismatched as ever. The McKays remind Jack of the humble upbringing he left behind, and cowgirl Keely feels she doesn’t measure up to Jack’s big-city lifestyle.

When the dust settles, Jack and Keely must face the fact they’re not fooling anyone but themselves—or they’ll risk losing the real deal.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Well, as much as I love reading historical westerns as much as y’all – the polite, alpha cowboy on his white horse and the town’s school marm with loads of gumption getting their HEA, but I also love reading contemporary westerns – that same polite, alpha cowboy who’s been raised right by his mama in today’s world and a more world-wise, modern heroine who can now be anything she wants other than a school marm.

I’ve not read huge amounts of contemp westerns, but I have my favorite authors who I go back to time and again, plus others I still have in the TBR mountain and know I’ll enjoy just as much when I finally read them.

1. Lorelei James is the first to come to mind. I have the best time with her Rough Riders and Wild West Boys series. The books center around the McKay and West families, and while they are definitely erotic stories, the way she weaves family with tragedy and fun and emotion with all the lovin’ going on behind closed doors, her books are always at the top of my list. Her cowboys walk and talk like they should too. No ugly western speak on any of her pages. My faves are Cowgirl Up and Ride, Tied Up Tied, and Branded as Trouble — all for three very different reasons. You can see my reviews of these three books and others of Ms. James here.

2. I discovered Catherine Anderson from the ladies at an historical romance chat group I’m in, and with her first book in her Kendrick/Coulter series, Baby Love, she hooked me not only with her storytelling and characters, but the emotion she wrings from with every book. I’m sorry to say I’ve only read a couple of Ms. Anderson’s books so far, but I know when I do pick up another, it’s going to be one terrific ride. My favorite of those few I’ve read to date is Phantom Waltz. Lordamercy, the emotion in that book will set you back a few days.

3. As good as Linda Lael Miller’s historical westerns are, her contemporaries are just as good. I loved her Montana Creeds trilogy released just recently (see my DDS review on the Creeds here) and still have her McKettrick follow-up books to read, which I know I will love as much as the original books.

4. Anna Jeffrey nee Sadie Callahan nee Dixie Cash is a one-woman force when it comes to contemp westerns. I have read her Jeffrey and Callahan books but have yet to sample her Cash stories. The few I have read so far have turned out to be pleasant surprises, especially Lone Star Woman under the Callahan pseudonym (see my review here). I have plenty more Jeffrey books to read and look forward to getting to them.

5. Though I really love her paranormals, Lisa Renee Jonesgave readers a look at another side of her writing with Lone Star Surrender last year. This is her only contemp western, but I’m hoping she’ll write more down the road.  Lisa is one of those authors who knows how to put the sizzle in love scenes whether it’s in the western or paranormal style, so more of her cowboy lovin’ would be a treat.

6. As for contemp western authors whose books I have but have not yet had the pleasure to read, there’s a few that come to mind: Jodi Thomas, Mackenzie McKade, Joan Johnston, Patrice Michelle, and if you’re in need of a guilty pleasure, Diana Palmer.

So. Have you read any of these authors? What’s your take on their books in the modern western world? Who else do you love/hate when it comes to contemporary westerns? I know I’ve not thought of a lot. Hit me with it, pardner!

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:

Sandy M’s review of Strong, Silent Type (Rough Riders, Book 6.5) by Lorelei James
Contemporary Western Romance short story ebook released by Samhain 5 May 09

It’s going to be a sad day when Ms. James decides to end this series. She has a huge host of die-hard fans for her McKay/West series. Her characters are always so engaging, the stories always show the characters’ growth and always have this family show love and support for one another no matter what, and love scenes are some of the hottest and most sizzling to be had. Oh, and the cowboys are a huge plus too. Ms. James is one of the best at making those men walk the walk, talk the talk, and jump right off the page.

In this short story we get to see a couple of the family who have been together for a number of years. They were high school sweethearts and have been inseparable ever since. Until recently, that is. Quinn McKay and his wife Libby are separated as the story opens, both at a loss at how to fix their problems. Quinn thought he could leave Libby alone for a bit and she’d come to her senses. But it’s brought home to him that he’s going to have to make the first move, he wasn’t exactly blameless in the weeks and months before their separation. He loves his wife and wants her back.

Libby is ready to move on with her own life, even though it will kill her to do it without Quinn. She thought making changes to both herself and their home would help matters, but her husband seemed more distant when all was said and done. So not wanting to be married to a man who no longer loves her, Libby does the one thing she never dreamed would happen, and breaking her heart in the process – she signs divorce papers.

Once Quinn decides to man up and grab the bull by the horns, things start to go better for this couple. They begin to talk, something Quinn has never been good at and something Libby let slide over the years. They put everything on the table, admit their part in the hiccup in their marriage, learn things about one another they never knew, and finally share their sexual fantasies with each other, which gives another jump start to their reconciliation, but still not knowing if it’s all going to work out for them.

I enjoyed this little rocky slice of the McKay family, different from the stories before when the hero and heroine meet for the first time and learn their way through the relationship. Quinn and Libby end up having to learn a whole different side of their relationship, and by laying everything on the line, their life together is better than ever.

Grade: B+

Summary:
.
Wyoming rancher Quinn McKay thought he’d only have to bide time until his levelheaded wife came to her senses and called a halt to this “trial separation”. He never believed the marital rough patch would drag on for a coon’s age.
.
Libby McKay knew when she married the gruff, laid-back cowboy that he wasn’t prone to blathering about his feelings. But three months have passed and her stubborn-as-a-mule husband is still living by himself in the horse trailer. It seems he’d rather hold onto his pride than hold onto her.
.
Quinn realizes Libby is determined to move on if he doesn’t loosen his tongue and he’ll lose the only woman he’s ever loved. In a last-ditch effort to keep her in his life, he offers her one weekend of uninterrupted sexual decadence.
.
Reigniting the passion is easy. The hard part comes after the sheets have cooled and they find out if what remains is strong enough to survive past mistakes.
.
Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

First off, a huge round of thanks to Lorelei James for spending the day with us and for such a great Duck Chat interview.  I hope she and all of you had a good time.

And now our winner of a download from Lorelei’s backlist and a Rough Riders T-shirt.  Drumroll, please…

DJ!

Come on down! You’re our winner!

Check out Lorelei’s website to choose your download.

Then email your book choice and name and address to Lorelei at lorelei@loreleijames.com to receive your prizes.

Congratulations!

The Ducks are chatting once again. Welcome!

Today erotic author Lorelei James joins us to talk about her hot and sexy cowboys that her fans adore. If you love reading about cowboys, you should be reading this series. You’ll never look at those Levi-wearin’, bronc-bustin’ men the same way again. Lorelei lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota, so all things western are in her blood. She portrays a very authentic cowboys in speech as well as deed, and she writes them steamin’ hot like nobody’s business.

The sixth book in the series was just released and already those adoring fans are looking ahead to the next book. Long Hard Ride started it all just a little more than a year ago and the Rough Riders series, featuring the McKay family, was born. Just seven months later, Rode Hard, Put Up Wet followed and Lorelei’s books here a hit. A year later, to the day, Cowgirl Up and Ride hit the shelves, followed by Tied Up, Tied Down, Rough, Raw and Ready, and just last week Branded as Trouble. In between all this, her Wild West Boys, sexy cousins to the McKays, saw the beginning of their series in Mistress Christmas. On top of all this, Lorelei also writes contemporary romances which she talks about in the interview. She’s one busy lady, but she’s taken a few minutes to chew the fat with us today.  Lorelei will drop in to say hello throughout the day, so drop her a hi or a question or any comment you’d like, because she’s giving away a download for any book from her backlist and a Rough Riders T-shirt.

Be sure to check out my review of Branded as Trouble!

So let’s chat!

Duck Chat: I discovered your books late 2007 and have enjoyed every one released since then. What I didn’t know if all this time and just found out is you write mysteries under your real name of Lori G. Armstrong. Yes, I’m behind the times. Tell our readers about the mystery books you’ve written.

Lorelei James: Since 2005 I’ve written four books in mass market paperback for Medallion Press in the Julie Collins series, Blood Ties, Hallowed Ground, Shallow Grave, and Snow Blind. These “medium-boiled” contemporary mysteries are set in western South Dakota. My female lead is a private investigator, a real tough chick who smokes too much, drinks too much, and has lousy taste in men. She’s still grieving over the unsolved death of her Lakota half-brother, and righting that wrong is part of what drives her to right other wrongs, personally and professionally. Despite her tough outer shell, Julie is way more vulnerable than she wants to admit. These books are pretty much “pure” mystery, not romantic suspense, although a shady male love interest is introduced in book two. The series has been well received (Shamus nominations for Blood Ties and Hallowed Ground, a Willa Cather Literary Award for Hallowed Ground and a nomination for Shallow Grave, a High Plains Literary Award nomination for Shallow Grave, and Daphne du Maurier Award nominations for Hallowed Ground and Shallow Grave). Julie was a great character to write, but Snow Blind is the last book in the series. I have the first book in a new mystery series coming out in hardcover from Touchstone/Fireside (Simon & Schuster) in January 2010, entitled No Mercy.

DC: What made you decide to become an erotic author?

LJ: I love to read erotic romance. There’s just something about taking the sexual relationship to the edge that appeals to me.

DC: And why use a different name for your erotic romances?

LJ: Honestly? Because of shelving issues in bookstores and libraries. Since I’ve always written both romance and mystery, I decided whichever genre published me first would get my “real” name. There might be a misconception I took a different name because I’m hiding something or embarrassed about penning naughty tales. Not true. I’m very open and proud about what I write in both genres, but I’m also aware of the dividing line in genre readership: the steamy sex scenes in the Lorelei James books aren’t appealing to most mystery readers, and there isn’t enough romance/sex in the mysteries for erotic romance readers…although, I do get more crossover readership than I ever believed possible!

DC: If you could retire any question and never, ever have it asked again, what would it be? Feel free to answer it.

LJ: Where do I get my ideas from? Easy. I buy them at Wal-Mart.

DC: Your cowboys in your McKay/West family series are some hot and smokin’ men, but they’re also sensitive and loving. How did the idea for the series come about?

LJ: I’ve always loved western romances, but I grew frustrated at the lack of erotic contemporary single title western romances. And if I did find a contemporary western, it never had enough sex in it to satisfy the erotic reader in me. So I decided to write my own story, an old-fashioned saga with a new twist, featuring a family of hot cowboys and the women who love them. Instead of the wink wink, nudge nudge closing the bedroom door at the pivotal moment, I kicked that sucker wide open…and it seems to have struck a chord with those readers like me who were looking for a little more kink to their modern day westerns. Although, John Wayne probably would have run my guys out of town on a rail for their wild behavior!

I love writing contemporary erotic westerns, but I also love writing just contemporary romances, as I’ve done with my non-series books, Dirty Deeds, Wicked Garden, and Babe in the Woods. That’s where the idea for the Wild West Boys series, the West family—the McKay cousins—came about. Not everyone stays in their hometown, especially out here. In fact, most people can’t wait to move away so I wanted to write stories about men who have roots here but aren’t necessarily cowboys. Mistress Christmas is the first book in that series, and my hero, Nick West is a detective in Denver. Miss Firecracker, out in July, features Blake West, who is filling in as a bartender for his buddy, and it is set in Nebraska. Hopefully there will be more.

DC: The sixth book in the series, Branded as Trouble, was just released this last week. Would you introduce us those characters and tell us a little about them?

LJ: This is my first friends-to-lovers story.

Colt McKay has had some issues in previous books. Drinking. Drugging. Sleeping around. Pissing off his family. Shirking his duties at the family ranch. Colt sobered up (with help) at the tail end of Cowgirl Up and Ride, and he’s stayed sober for three years. He’s the black sheep of his family, and, even though it appears he’s got a handle on his substance abuse issues, his family seems to be waiting for the other boot to drop and for him to revert to his bad boy ways. India Ellison, Colt’s best friend, has been clean for eight years, and they met through A.A. Not only is India pierced, heavily tattooed, and the type to openly speak her mind, she owns a tattoo shop, which makes her a bit of an anomaly in Sundance, WY. The theme of the story is two black sheep falling in love, because, really, who to better understand you and accept who you are now? Instead of who you used to be? And it was great fun finding redeemable qualities in characters who at first glance may seem beyond redemption.

Excerpt from BaT:

Early the next morning, Colt stumbled out of his room. Despite his intent to crawl in his truck and head home, a shower was a necessity.

As he crossed the living area, he noticed India’s bedroom door was ajar. He peered through the crack and saw India sprawled in the middle of the bed. Alone. Alone and apparently buck-assed nekkid. Red satin sheets were twisted around her long legs and long arms, covering her torso, but hinting at the curves beneath.

Colt didn’t gawk at her body to see if she was, in fact, pierced everywhere she’d hinted at being pierced. A man could only stand so much temptation. He backtracked to the bathroom.

The hot water lasted all of five minutes. And did the woman own every blasted lotion and potion known to mankind? He counted fourteen different health and beauty product bottles—after he’d knocked them all into the tub. Twice.

Still, he felt a million times better after an ice shower. His injury itched, so he took that as a sign of recovery.

He needed his caffeine fix and didn’t want to stop at the Conoco and chance running into a member of his family. He plugged in India’s fancy coffeemaker and dumped a capful of coffee beans into the grinder. While that machine whirred, he washed the glass coffee pot and the plastic filter basket. It took four cupboards before he found where India had moved the box of paper coffee filters. He filled the water reservoir, reassembled the various parts and hit start.

Colt picked up the trash in his prison room while he waited for the coffee to brew. When he returned to the kitchen, India stormed out of her bedroom.

Pity she’d put on a robe.

“The one day I get to sleep in and you’re up at the butt crack of dawn making enough noise to wake the dead?”

“Oh, I see. It’s different when you’re disturbed out of your beauty sleep. Sucks, huh?”

“Funny.”

“Besides, all I did was make coffee.”

“Then explain what you were doing in the shower? ’Cause it sure as hell sounded like you were throwing rocks.”

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think your poor head was hurtin’ and it was a hangover talkin’.” Colt clucked his tongue. “Maybe you oughta get to bed earlier if you’re so cranky in the mornin’.”

“How do you know what time I went to bed?”

“I dunno, maybe it was the slamming door at midnight that tipped me off. Or maybe it was your headboard banging against my wall until the wee hours. I got tired of it around one a.m. and listened to my iPod.”

“But Blake finished—”

“Huh-uh. I don’t wanna know about Blake’s big finish because I had enough of the pre-game.” Colt sidestepped her.

“You think I slept with him.”

He shrugged, determined not to let it show how much her horizontal mattress mambo with his cousin bothered him.

“Hey.” Her hand circled his wrist and India yanked him around to face her.

Colt looked into her angry eyes. “What?”

“You are a judgmental jerk, Colt McKay.”

“Me? I didn’t pass judgment. I just pointed out the obvious.”

“Obvious?”

“Hell, I didn’t even mention the candles and soft music and the laughter that preceded all the bedroom noises.”

“Magnanimous of you.”

“I thought so.”

“Hah! You thought wrong.” India’s finger drilled him in the chest. “And it pisses me off that you think so…lowly of me.”

“What else am I supposed to think?”

“That there’s a logical explanation.”

He laughed. “For havin’ a man in your bedroom? After midnight? With the bed slamming against the wall? Sugar, sex isn’t the logical answer, it’s the only answer.”

“Not all men have sex on the brain twenty-four hours a day.”

Tired of her baiting him, Colt crowded her. “Any man with half a fucking brain, who is lucky enough to be in your bedroom at any time, ain’t thinkin’ about nothin’ but how perfect it’d feel to have your hot little body under his. Or on top of his. Or in front of his. Over and over. And if it’d been me? Twenty-four hours would be the minimum amount of time I’d keep you in my bed.”

India stared at him. “Is that what you were thinking about, Colt? Us having sex?”

Yes. Goddammit, that was all he could think about. Why in the hell couldn’t she see it?

DC: How many more books are planned in the series?

LJ: ONE BILLION. Seriously…I don’t know. There’s a whole branch of the McKays I’ve scarcely mentioned, yet some characters’ storylines aren’t conducive to a full-length novel. I’m working through ideas for both the West and McKay cousins. I’ll probably keep writing them as long as my editor and readers are buying!

DC: I’ve heard writers often say their stories take them in surprising directions or that dialogue flows from some unknown place. Is it the same with you? Do your characters surprise you sometimes?

LJ: I think it’d get boring if everything I envisioned for a character/storyline came to pass exactly the way I’d planned it. Sometimes I veer completely off the synopsis. It’s what makes writing exciting for me; my best laid plans oftentimes are shot all to hell—and usually for the better.

DC: Do you ever argue with your characters while you’re writing? Who usually wins?

LJ: Yes. The characters almost always win. If I’m trying to force a character to do or be something and it isn’t working, most times it stops my writing flow. So I’ve learned to listen and let them take me where they want to go–sounds crazy to non-writers I’m sure, as we’re not talking about real people but figments of my imagination.

DC: What is sure to distract you from sitting down and working/writing?

LJ: Usually if I have a really great book I’m dying to read.

DC: Does your husband read your hot and steamy books? How’s he feel about them? Has he been some inspiration for writing your heroes?

JL: Yes, he reads them, but not until they’re available for sale. He is NOT my critique partner. He’s proud of me, and the books, and always says he’s the luckiest man in the world. He’s an inspiration in my real life, rather than in my fictional world.

DC: Do you think you write differently now than you did when you started?

LJ: God, I hope so. I hope I’m getting better with every book. It’s scary to contemplate that readers will always compare your most recent book to the one that got them reading you in the first place—and somehow find it lacking.

DC: When you have the time, what genre do you normally read?

LJ: Paranormal romance because it seems like the only genre I’m not writing in, so it’s purely fun. I keep up with mystery and erotic romance too.

DC: Is there a genre you haven’t tackled in your writing but would like to try?

LJ: Young adult. I’ve been kicking around an idea for a couple of years, every once in a while I’ll bring it up with my daughters…it’s the only time I ask their advice on what they’d like to read in a book.

DC: What advice would you give to your younger self?

LJ: Study harder. Knowing how to tap a keg really won’t get you very far in life.

DC: If you had never become an author, what do you think you would be doing right now?

LJ: Probably still working in my husband’s family’s firearms business, where I toiled for a decade as the bookkeeper before I got back into writing.

DC: Favorite author:

LJ: Mystery: Sue Grafton; Romance: J.D. Robb

DC: Favorite book:

LJ: Of all time? Gone With the Wind

Lightning Round:

- dark or milk chocolate?
milk
- smooth or chunky peanut butter?
smooth
- heels or flats?
flats
- coffee or tea?
Coffee in the morning, iced tea in the afternoon
- summer or winter?
summer
- mountains or beach?
I love the beach, but I live in the mountains
- mustard or mayonnaise?
mayonnaise
- flowers or candy?
Is this a trick question? Flowers…unless the candy is chocolate
- pockets or purse?
Purse, a huge purse that carries everything
- Pepsi or Coke?
Diet Pepsi
ebook or print?
Both – the Sprint “whispernet” feature for amazon kindle isn’t available out here in the Wild West, hence, I returned my Kindle…but I know if I had one, my cyber TBR piles would be catching up with the piles of books in my library. I have an ebookwise that I use, but getting the titles in their preferred format is a pain…and limited without converting the files…which is a pain.

And just for some extra fun:

1. What is your favorite word?
*see answer #7
2. What is your least favorite word?
Grimace or padded
3. What turns you on creatively?
Depends on the day. What I have for deadlines and/or family commitments is usually the deciding factor of what I work on–for me there is no waiting for the muse. I put my butt in the chair and get to work even if I don’t feel like it
4. What turns you off creatively?
Sometimes what turns you off personally is great for inspiring creativity
5. What sound or noise do you love?
The bell ringing on the front door when my kids and my husband come home
6. What sound or noise do you hate?
The new neighbors’ stupid barking dogs and the wild turkeys constant gobbling, clucking and screeching during mating season—which is right now
7. What is your favorite curse word?
*Fuck. It can be a verb, a noun, an adjective, an adverb when used properly (or improperly?) I get in trouble for using it too much in real life…and sometimes in fiction
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
As long as we’re pretending…I’d love to be an international spy like Sydney Bristow on “Alias”—cool disguises, hot men, and that air of mystery
9. What profession would you not like to do?
I wouldn’t like to be the person from the state highway department who has to pick up dead animal carcasses from the roads and ditches. Lots of dead critters on the roads here in South Dakota, and in the summertime, I can’t imagine the smell
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you
arrive at the Pearly Gates?
“Wow. We must’ve really lowered our standards.”

Thanks so much, Lorelei, for being with us today!

Sandy M’s review of Branded as Trouble (Rough Riders, Book 6) by Lorelei James
Contemporary Western Erotic Romance eBook released by Samhain 3 Mar 09

I know the big draw to the Rough Riders series for Lorelei James fans is the erotic.  Her heroes and heroines steam up the pages something fierce. Ms. James never runs out of ideas for her love scenes. That’s a big draw for me too, but what I like just as much is the sense of family that has run throughout this series. It’s secondary to the romance and the sizzle, of course, but it’s there in every book and sometimes just as powerful as all that lovin’ that’s goin’ on.

Colt McKay has been sober for three and a half years, a huge milestone for him considering his wild and crazy days of booze and sex that went on for a good eighteen months before he realized he needed help. But no one even acknowledges his sobriety or the effort it takes to maintain it. His brothers are just waiting for him to fall off the wagon. Then he finds out his parents feel the same. Colt keeps right on plugging along, however, enduring Sunday supper with his family, doing his work on the ranch and other community activities his family knows nothing about.

The only one who can even come close to understanding him and really knowing him is India Ellison, sister to his cousin’s wife and a fellow AA member. Indy always feels the outsider with her body tattoos and piercings, though she does a steady business in her tattoo shop. She’s been Colt’s sponsor for the time he’s been attending meetings, but lately she’s been wanting something more with him. They have so much in common thanks to their pasts. She’s not sure if they have a future, but she’d definitely like to find out.

Little does India know that Colt’s been in love with her for the past three years. When they decide to take their relationship to the next level, it’s Colt who wants to take it slow. Though he can’t remember much during his year-and-a-half bender, he knows none of it was good. So he wants to date India, show her his gentlemanly side. So they take it easy and nearly drive each other nuts with wanting before their two-week deadline is up. And though things sizzled between them with all the sexual teasing, the world shakes, rattles, and rolls when they finally let loose. Their love scenes are intense, demanding, and oh-so-hot.

In between all this, Colt is still struggling with his family. It’s his youngest brother Cam who gives the family what-for, how they’re not helping Colt by doubting his every move and expecting him to return to his former ways. That was a terrific scene and I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next. Ms. James took her sweet time getting there!  She made me wait a while, but it was worth it. Colt’s brothers come to him, hat in hand, to apologize for their behavior and to let Colt know they’re behind him.  And while that was a nice scene, it’s the scene with his father later that tore at my heart. The McKay men don’t cry, but they do tear up as Colt does when talking to his father. I was hoping for a tad more emotion between them, a quick hug at the least, but what’s there works wonderfully.

India and Colt have their misunderstandings along the way, but I really enjoyed how they went to each other and talked things out. They may have yelled and thrown things, but in the end they did the right thing to make sure their relationship worked. They are both so tortured by the past, and the present and future give them fits too, push them to take another drink, waiting to see how they’ll survive. They may be branded as trouble because of their past, the future is bright for them, even if they have to work extra hard for it. That just makes it all the sweeter.

Grade: A

Summary:
.
It’s hard to trust the future when you’ve been branded by the past
.
As a walking advertisement for the tattoo shop she’s set up in a small Wyoming town, India Ellison is well acquainted with preconceived notions. Despite the odd looks and off-color comments about her off-color hair, life is good. She’s clean and sober, dotes on her sister’s kids and, best of all, spends most of her free time with her best buddy, cowboy Colt McKay.
.
Reformed bad boy Colt never expected three years of sobriety to lead to three years of abstinence. Curbing his craving for booze and random sexual encounters is nothing compared to the ever-increasing craving for his hot-tempered, hot-bodied best friend, India. Too bad she’s his A.A. sponsor. Too bad she hasn’t a clue that Colt’s been head-over-bootheels in love with her from day one.
.
After an unexpected, steamy interlude, all India can think about is riding the sexy cowboy instead of her motorcycle, even when Colt is determined to show her a slower ride is worth the wait.
.
Or are they risking their friendship for a fling that could burn them both?
.
Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series (print releases linked below, go here for eBook releases):

This just in…

If you’ve read any of my reviews for Lorelei James’ McKay family series, you know I’ve had a darn tootin’ good time with every book she’s written in the series.  If you’re a cowboy lover, Ms. James knows how to write’em, from that cowboy swagger to their smooth talkin’, lovin’ ways. I just finished the latest book in the series and, once again, had one heck of a time with it. Here’s your chance to try the first McKay story for free if you’re a Kindle user.

~ Amazon is offering up Long Hard Ride, the first book in the series, free.  Read a little about the book:

Summary:

One lucky woman-three sexy cowboys…she’s in for the ride of her life! Channing Kinkaid itches for a change; a wild western adventure with an untamed man. Determined to shed her inhibitions and embrace the steamier, seamier side of life, she sets her sights on hooking up with a real chaps-and-spurs-wearing cowboy. Enter Colby McKay — bull rider, saddle bronc buster and calf roper. From the moment he sets lust-filled eyes on the sweet and fiery Channing, he knows he’s found the woman who-s up to the challenge of cutting loose. What rough and rowdy cowboy could resist a no-holds-barred sexual romp with a sassy young thing starring as his personal buckle bunny?

Intrigued by Channing’s bold proposition of horsing around on the road, Colby impulsively sweetens the deal; sexual escapades not only in his bed, but in the bedrolls of his rodeo traveling partners, Trevor and Edgard.

Although Channing’s secretly longed to be the sole focus of more than one man’s passions, Colby’s demand for complete submission behind closed doors will test her willful nature.

Can Channing give up total control? Especially when not all is as it seems with the sexy trio? Or will the cowboys have to break out the bullropes and piggin’ string to break in this headstrong filly?

Read an excerpt.

~ Be sure to check out my review of the current book in the series, Rough, Raw and Ready!

~  So fire your Kindle up and get ready for some bronc ridin’, family shenanigans, and some tantalizin’ lovin’ and go along for a ride like you’ve never had before!  Go here to get your free Kindle copy now!

Consider yourself flashed.

Sandy M’s review of Rough, Raw and Ready (Rough Riders, Book 5) by Lorelei James
Contemporary Erotic Romance eBook released by Samhain 4 Nov 08

I’m amazed at how Ms. James can keep the stories in this series fresh as fast as she writes them.  But with each book we get a closer look into this circle of family she’s created, a much closer look into their lives, tragedies, loves, and their good times in life.  In this latest book is the update her fans have been waiting for, the past and present loves of one man collide, which puts the future of everyone involved in jeopardy.

Trevor and Chassie have been married for a year, barely eking out a living on her family ranch, but they’re at least happy in their new life together, both away from the families that made them into people they didn’t like and left with nothing and no one but themselves to depend on. Then with the appearance of a man who Trevor thought to never see again, their lives take on a decidedly different turn.

Edgar Mancuso was Trev’s roping partner when they were both on the rodeo circuit.  They became more to one another after a couple of years together, Trevor giving into the confusing desire he felt for the man.  Theirs was a tempestuous relationship even while being a fierce and loving one.  It all came to an end several years ago when Ed headed back to Brazil after realizing the man he loved would never acknowledge that love, neither with a loving gesture in public nor the words.  Things have not gone well for him in those intervening years and he’s back on U.S. soil to see if there’s any chance at all Trevor would want to pick up where they left off.  His wife may have something to say about that, however.

Trevor is both elated and scared to death at Edgar’s sudden presence in his life again.  The same feelings that took him by surprise the first time around are still there, but now he has a wife he loves more than anyone and won’t do anything to compromise what they have together, even though his heart wants Ed in his life again.  Chassie is thrown for a loop when she finds her husband kissing another man, and when she learns the whole truth that Trevor never told her about, she’s afraid he’ll want Edgar over her.  Deciding to do anything at all to keep him in her life, she decides to finally learn about those sexual goings-on she’d always heard about on the rodeo circuit.

What she never thought would happen is finding she’s developing feelings for Ed.  The fact she’s having the time of her life with two sexy cowboys in her bed should muddy the waters, but instead it only tells her what she knows her husband wants from her ever since Edgar walked back into his, and now her, life. It didn’t all go as smoothly as this makes it sound, they each have their moments of doubt and vulnerability during the getting to know each other process.  Having Trevor and Edgar come together again also didn’t go all that smoothly.  I like how everyday things get in the way to go along with their mind’s and heart’s uneasiness at times.

And, as I say in each of my reviews of these books, the family factor in these stories is one of the main attractions for me.  This time, however, though we do see a lot of the McKay family, it’s Trevor’s family that rear’s an ugly head to remind him of what he should be grateful for.  There’s also little teases thrown in for the next couple of books.  I’m waiting for Cam’s story myself.  The beginning of his storyline caught me off guard in this book and it has the makings for a very, very emotional story.

While this is not my favorite of the series, it’s still loads of fun, full of hot and steamy love scenes, and it’s always the cowboy’s themselves that get under my skin.

Grade: B+

Read reviews and info of the books in this series by following its tag.

Summary:

…Torn between the love he has…and the love he’s always wanted.

Chassie West Glanzer hasn’t been a stranger to drama and tragedy. A year of wedded bliss to sexy-as-sin cowboy Trevor Glanzer has brought her the happiness and contentment she never thought she’d find, and mellowed Trevor’s rodeo wanderlust. Then Trevor’s old roping partner ambles up the driveway—and Chassie’s life changes drastically.

Trevor never expected to see Edgard Mancuso again, after it became clear he couldn’t be the man Edgard needed. Now Edgard is back from Brazil to sort out their tangled past, and Trevor is plagued with feelings he thought he’d buried over three years ago. Although Trevor is hat-over-bootheels in love with his sweet, feisty wife, the sense his life is missing a piece has always gnawed at him.

Chassie’s shock that Edgard and Trevor were once lovers turns to fear of losing her husband. Or worse, fear that Trevor will stay with her only out of a sense of duty. Yet as the three of them spend time together, the sins of the past blur and fade, leaving raw emotion—and unbridled passion.

Passion that could heal…or cause irreparable damage to their future.

Warning: this book contains unbelievably explicit sex, including multiple cowboy/cowgirl/cowboy ménage scenes, juicy, hot, male on male action, a bucketful of politically incorrect situations and true Western ideology. 

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series (paperback releases referenced where available):

Sandy M’s review of Mistress Christmas (Wild West Boys Series) by Lorelei James
Contemporary erotic romance eBook novella released by Samhain 23 Dec 08

I’ve really enjoyed Ms. James’ Rough Riders series, which is all about her McKay family members and their ups and downs and tragedies that her fans have come to love.  Now she’s giving us a look at another part of that clan, the West cousins, and Nick West is up first in this delightfully fun Christmas romp.

Holly North is an accountant.  Staid and about as boring as you can get.  She’s about to let loose her wild side, though, and she ends up having the night of her dreams.  Her best friend Ivy owns a strip club, Sugar Plums, and Christmas is their busiest time.  Her Mistress Christmas is out sick, so Holly finally gives in and steps into the role, agreeing to only strut across the stage and chat up the clients.  No dancing.  Which is a good thing since Holly is a little bit of a klutz.  Little does she know that Santa is waiting in the wings and he’s got one heck of a Christmas wish for her.

Determined to get to the bottom of how his friend was ripped off at Sugar Plums after a lap dance, Detective Nick West does some investigating on his own time.  Mistress Christmas is the culprit, but when he gets a glimpse of the sexed-up Mrs. Claus in action, he has more in mind that just handcuffing her.  After his own lap dance, Nick is hooked and when Holly tosses out her Christmas wish of a night sensual and sexual pleasure with the handsomest cowboy she’s ever met, he wastes no time in obliging her.  It’s his secret wish too with this woman who is full of contradictions.

What they don’t bargain for is the feelings that crop up between them during their night of pleasure and they each have other secrets to reveal, but even those good intentions are waylaid for the night to a time when it might be too late.  This is a good-time read that will have you chuckling, then fanning yourself during the great love scenes between these two, and then sighing at the sensitivity and emotion that unexpectedly arises.  The sense of family is also part of this series as it is in the Rough Rider series, which is a main attraction for me.

If you haven’t read Lorelei James, give her a try.  She’s got those sexy cowboys down pat.

Grade: A

Summary:

…All signs point North for not-so-Saint-Nick

In a rare moment of recklessness, mild-mannered accountant Holly North lets her best friend guilt her into filling in as Mistress Christmas at Sugar Plums, a Christmas-themed strip club. Fearing she’ll be recognized—or worse, considered a fraud—she dons a velvet mask along with the Mrs. Claus-meets-dominatrix costume. She’s shocked at how deliciously wicked anonymity feels.

Detective Nick West is determined to discover how his friend was supposedly robbed after a lap dance at Sugar Plums. His visions of revenge vanish faster than a flying sleigh upon his first peek at Mistress Christmas—a leggy brunette with smoky eyes and a lush mouth begging for hours beneath the mistletoe.

Their attraction flares hotter than a fireplace on a cold winter evening, and Nick is only too happy to oblige when Holly blurts out her one Christmas wish…

For a naughty secret Santa to sweep her away for a night of anonymous sexual pleasure.

Warning: This erotic comedy contains naughty holiday innuendo, creative use of garland, sexy love scenes hot as spiced cider, a heroine as sweet as sugared plums, and a wildly romantic hero with a great big…candy cane. 

Read an excerpt.

Sandy M’s review of Wicked Garden by Lorelei James
Contemporary Erotic Romance eBook Novella released by Samhain 9 Sep 08

Lorelei James is turning out to be one of my favorite authors for erotic romance.  This is her first book I’ve read that isn’t a western, part of her McKay family series, and I enjoyed it almost as much as I do her sexy cowboys.  Besides the hot and sizzling sex you get in a James book, there’s just something about her characters that always draws me in.  They wear their hearts on their sleeves and you feel every nuance of their emotions, good or bad, leaving you wanting to know what happens to them and if they’ll be okay in the end.

Eden has finally gotten her life together after Billy left her right before the consummation of their young relationship. She runs a city-financed community center for kids and the city wants to shut the money-eater down.  That’s what’s brought Billy back into her life.  And he looks just as good now as he did back then.  Just sexier.  When realizing her feelings for him are cropping up again, she can’t afford to get into a relationship with the man whose word would give the city what they need, she tries to keep it all business.  But Billy has other ideas.

He wants to tell Eden why he left the way he did ten years ago, but every time he tries, Eden shuts him down.  He kicks himself every time he thinks he about it. Seeing her now shows him all he lost.  And he knows if they become involved again she’ll always question his decision concerning the community center, no matter which way he goes on it.  Keeping away from her is not an option, though.  She’s more complex and, of course, sexier all these years later, and seeing her with the center kids gives him an idea of how seriously she takes her job.  Feelings as deep and lust as hot as theirs can’t be stopped, and soon they’re caught up in a passion that will never let them go.

I always so appreciate a good story in any erotic writing and I always get that with Ms. James’ work.  Billy and Eden are great characters, serious when need be, but they still have fun together, as well as great sex.  A complication comes along in the guise of Eden’s friend Jon, a rock star who comes home to recuperate, and part of the relaxing usually includes no-strings sex with Eden.  Oh, but there’s such fun to be had when those three come together.   Another hit for Ms. James!

Grade: A-

Summary:

…One woman’s past and present collide in the ultimate temptation.

Eden LaCroix loved Billy Buchanan ten years ago, but he ran out on her the night of prom. Now he’s back, and Eden thinks a fling will help her move on from their tangled past. She wasn’t counting on Billy’s wicked side—or the return of her sometime lover Jon White Feather—to appeal so strongly to her own dark, hidden desires.

College took Billy away from Eden, but it’s a mistake he can rectify now that he’s in town to make the final decision on the fate of the community center Eden manages. Except reignited sparks keep getting in the way of his objectivity. The flames only leap higher when Eden’s rock star lover comes home from the road.

Eden considers herself a one-woman man, but in the arms of Billy and Jon she feels truly beautiful for the first time in her life. But does the healing go far enough to prevent her from letting love slip through her hands a second time?

Warning: ain’t nothin’ sweet about this garden of naughty sexual delights, including threesomes, creative use of a weight bench and bonding over bondage. 

Read an excerpt.

Sandy M’s review of Tied Up, Tied Down (Rough Riders, Book 4) by Lorelei James
Contemporary Western Erotic Romance eBook released by Samhain 8 Jul 08

I know I received some flack – hell, it was a lot of flack! — on my review of Ms. James’ previous book in this series, Cowgirl Up and Ride, because I dared to look past the gritty, ugly, but important, parts of the book to get to the overall picture she paints for the McKay family in that story.  It was all necessary and very well done, as far as I’m concerned, and in this book she’s once again given Rough Rider fans a story to dig their teeth into and sigh, but this time it’s done with some lightheartedness and fun and only a tad of angst and hardship.

We met Skylar in the previous book when she thought she had a date with Kane McKay but ended up in bed with his twin brother Kade.  Kade is the charmer of the two, at least at that point in time.  Kane was still into drink, women, and song, so it’s a actually a good thing Sky doesn’t know she’s been duped, although she doesn’t feel that way when she finds out what Kade’s done.  She slashes him to bits and out of her life, so Kane heads out to the furthest north forty of the family’s property where he spends the next year overseeing an experimental project for the ranch.

When he gets home after some quality alone time, he finds out from his angry mother that he’s a father.  Eventually realizing it has to be Sky his mother is talking about, he can’t hightail it fast enough to her door to see his daughter.  And he’s smitten.  By both his girls.  But one isn’t falling for him anymore while the other wraps him around her little finger.

Kane takes to fatherhood like a duck to water.  It’s not surprising because in Cowgirl he’d been feeling discontent with his life at that time and when he met Skylar, he was hoping for more with her when his little ruse backfired on him.  Now the family he’s always wanted seems to be just as out of reach as ever before.  But this man is determined to be part of his daughter’s life and he’s hopeful that he’ll re-win Sky in the process.  So he helps himself and moves right in with them and begins to show Skylar what they could have together.

I really enjoyed Kade’s character.  Even though he’d lived as rowdy as his brother and his McKay cousins at one time, he’s the one that woke up earlier than the others to smell the coffee.  He’s turned out to be a charming, straightforward, honorable, and sensitive man.  The scenes with his baby girl are just delicious.

Skylar, in the meantime, is just as determined to keep her space separate and apart from Kade, which, she finds out quite quickly, is damned impossible — they’re sharing the same bed.  Kade is not willing to give in on any aspect of raising his child, so if she sleeps in mama’s room, so does he.  I had to grin at their resolution to keep their hands to themselves while sleeping next to one another, knowing all the while it would be Sky who would cave first.   She didn’t stand a chance once Kade set his mind to getting what he wanted, both in bed and out.

Sky has to learn to stop overthinking every nuance of her life, especially when it comes to Kade and her heart, and she almost looses everything when she learns that lesson a little too late.  Even though things got a trifle tense between these two once in a while, they had fun together, even when the McKay family overwhelms Sky at their get-togethers.  But it’s little Eliza who always saves the day and keeps her parents happy.

We get to see a lot of the McKays again in this book, catch up with what’s going on in their lives, see how they’re grieving due to the deaths that happened in Cowgirl.  I enjoy the family-ness of this series, brothers and cousins who are like brothers, the fierceness of protrecting each other no matter what and teasing each other as families are wont to do.

And I enjoy Ms. James’ writing.  She catches the “cowboy” attitude and way of talking perfectly.  She’s made me yen for my local rodeo again, but I have to wait until next April.  I’m in the mood for some Levi-wearin’, buck-broncin’, grinnin’ cowboys after reading this latest Rough Rider installment!

Grade: A

Summary:

Businesswoman Skylar Ellison is firmly in control of her life. So getting tangled up with a sexy Wyoming cowboy and conceiving a baby in the parking lot of a honky tonk wasn’t in her plan. Since it appears the daddy has taken off for greener pastures, the only thing to do is pull up her bootstraps and carry on alone.

Cattle rancher Kade McKay returns home after a year on the range, and is knocked for a loop when he learns he-s the father of a three-month-old baby girl. When Skylar refuses to marry him, Kade grits his teeth, moves in and plays house by her rules to prove he-s a man in for the long haul.

Despite Skylar’s insistence they are to remain strictly parenting partners, their old passions flare hot as a brush fire, spurring Kade to demand absolute sexual surrender from the headstrong woman. Skylar willingly submits her body to the hot-blooded cowboy, but she’s leery of handing Kade the reins to her heart.

Can Kade convince Skylar the wicked sex games aren’t a temporary distraction? Or will he have to bust out the ropes to show her he wants to be tied to her forever?

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Cowgirl Up and Ride (Rough Riders, Book 3) by Lorelei James
Contemporary Western Romance released by Samhain on 18 Mar 08

I’ve read a couple of reviews (including our own Teddypig) of this book lately that criticize the fact that this story looks into the lives of other McKay family members and that detracts from the story of the hero and heroine. I beg to differ with ya’ll. This is a series about the McKay family and when tragedy strikes a family, it affects the entire family. So having parts of each book about that family is certainly fine by me. The few parts of this book that do delve into the other family members’ lives aren’t that many and aren’t that lengthy at all anyhow.

I’ve only read the first book of this series so far, Long Hard Ride. The second book, Rode Hard, Put Up Wet, is still on my to-be-read shelf and now I’m sorry I haven’t read it. Cowgirl is so much more emotional than Ride and I liked meeting more of the McKay family. After reading this book it’s made me curious about Rode Hard. Maybe it’s because I’m looking at it as a family series that bringing in other members doesn’t bother me. It’s a big, boisterous family and if you get involved in a serious relationship with one member, you get involved with the rest of’em too. Ain’t no two ways about that. So the fact that we learned more about Cord’s brothers and cousins sat just well with me. That’s the one thing I missed when reading Ride. We didn’t meet any other McKays until near the end, and I knew then this is one family that takes care of its own. How right I was.

Cord is the old man at 35 of the McKay siblings and is astounded when young Amy Jo comes on to him. AJ has been in love with him forever and has decided it’s high time to go for what she wants. Cord likes what he sees and decides to go for the good ride she’s offering before she has to return to school. I liked the idea of AJ maintaining her love for Cord for most of her life. She didn’t let life or anyone taint those feelings, she kept them pure and honest. She also waited to give up her innocence to him, knowing he’s the man for her.

She’s young, but she knows her mind. She had to grow up mighty fast when her father became ill and she was forced to run their ranch pretty much on her own. Even Cord’s dominance in bed doesn’t phase her. He’s a very demanding lover and she blossoms in his bed with his every touch. Cord has also been the one in his family to take over most of the ranching duties, make sure things go right and everyone does their job, so he has a kinship with AJ from the beginning that he almost doesn’t realize until it’s too late. In fact, that’s one of the best parts of the book when Cord’s realizations hit home and we see the side of him that AJ has longed for, the part of him she has to face she’ll never have. He surprises both of us.

Now that going-off-on-a-tangent part of the book others didn’t care for. A lot of it isn’t pretty, but we also get to see the difference between someone falling so far down into a bottomless pit they won’t get out and someone who recognizes the danger early and gets out before it’s too late. Some of those tangents are obviously setups for future stories.

But I liked the interaction of brother with brother, including the twin cousins Kane and Kade. They fight like brothers are wont to do, but they still gather round when one of them is hurting and needs help. And when tragedy strikes. As in any family, that’s the impetus for folks to look at their own lives and clean their acts up, if possible. There’s not a thing wrong with allowing the story to meander through the downward spiral of a family member’s life and the consequences of that downfall. Which, in turn, takes us back to the setup for future books. I can see stories for both Colt and Kade quite clearly. The others’ stories will become more clear in those books or whoever Ms. James decides to write next, I’m sure.

The sex scenes between Cord and AJ are hot, hot, hot. As much as I had fun with the first book in the series, this one is fraught with emotion as well as fun and filled with family, and I like it so much more. It’s a whole new level of writing, as far as I’m concerned. An author can only get better the more she writes and this author proves that with each word she puts on paper.

A note: Someone on the publishing end needs to take more caution in editing. At least twice the name Colt appears when it should have been Cord. It’s a little confusing when you have to look back to see if you missed something on the page before.

Grade: A-

Read TeddyPig’s review here.

Summary:

Ridin’ the edge of lust is fun—until someone falls in love.

Goody-two boots AJ Foster has waited her entire life for her dream cowboy Cord McKay to see her as more than the neighbor girl in pigtails. Now that she’s old enough to stake her claim on him, she’s pulling out all the sexual stops and riding hell-bent for leather—straight for his libido.
Divorced rancher Cord has sworn off all women…until innocent AJ suggests he teach her how to ride bareback—and he realizes she doesn’t mean horses or bulls. Between his responsibilities running his massive ranch, missing his young son and dealing with the sexual shenanigans of his brother and cousins, Cord is more than willing to take AJ up on her offer. On a trial basis.

The fun and games tie them both up in knots. AJ isn’t willing to settle for less than the whole shootin’ match with her western knight. But for Cord, even though the sexy cowgirl sets his blood ablaze, he’s determined to resist her efforts to lasso his battered heart.
Sweet, determined AJ has the power to heal—or heel—the gruff cowboy…unless Cord’s pride keeps him from admitting their relationship is more than a simple roll in the hay.

Read an excerpt.

Teddypig’s review of Cowgirl Up and Ride by Lorelei James
Contemporary western erotic romance released by Samhain 18 Mar 08

AJ Foster has been in love with Cord McKay since she was about five years old when she first ran into Cord who has lived and worked the Wyoming ranch next to hers forever. So even with the age difference between them she feels at 22 and she is all ready to set her sites on a piece of hot, manly, divorced, single parent, stud muffin that is Cord McKay.

Now, I have this friend at work named Lynette, and she is a great person who handles all these little day to day emergencies for the whole office. She just seems to know everything about how to fix this or get that or who to talk to get something done. She also keeps me up to date on the goings on of her family including her only Daughter In Law who has, shall we say, really bad taste in men and three kids to prove it.

Last year Lynette told me all about her Daughter In Law getting dragged to Oklahoma by her husband (Yeah uh huh, they are not really married) who promptly became an unemployed meth addict (Yeah uh huh , like he was not an unemployed meth addict before all that) and then the Daughter In Law got pregnant by mistake (Yeah uh huh, like we all know she has no idea what birth control is) again for the third time in a row. So Lynette’s husband worried about the grand kids shipped them all back to San Francisco to live with them in a two bedroom city subsidized apartment (Yeah uh huh, because living in San Francisco is gonna really solve all those drug addiction problems). Which I definitely indicated to Lynette was probably not the greatest idea in the world.

Um, does me talking about all this in the middle of a review of a Contemporary Western Romance get you all hot, bothered or interested?

I hope not.

You see having to be dragged into the private lives of Cord McKay’s various male brothers and cousins struck me in about the same way. We are forced several times in this story to share the goings on of Kade or Kane or Dag or whoever is having butt ugly sex at this bachelor pad called The Boars Nest and it ain’t sexy or even fun let me tell you.

Almost from the start of the book we experience vicarious impromptu sex scenes with a female stripper named Jasmine and Kade and then Kane joins in (twin brothers) while Colt (Cord’s twin) watched them all going at it and then not only once but twice Kade walks in on Dag who I guess was figuring out he was gay since the sex scenes involved several guys and no girls.

None of this had anything to do with the growing romance between AJ Foster and Cord McKay. I must admit I found their romance story to be fun and the various problems faced seemed well thought out and well written.

It was all the crazy secondary characters and their doing a ton of not very nice or sexy or even interesting things while caught up in stages of alcoholism, drug addiction, falling apart or coming to their senses. I felt forced to share all this inner turmoil with them against my will. In the end none this mess added a single dang thing to the main romance and I still have no idea why watching Dag fall into alcoholism, drug addiction, homosexual experimentation, and eventually death provided any type of benefit at all to the story. Except, well, maybe some moralistic superior cautionary tale that I would rather not think about.

Grade: D, for Disturbing

Summary:

Ridin’ the edge of lust is fun-until someone falls in love.

A Rough Riders book.

Goody-two boots AJ Foster has waited her entire life for her dream cowboy Cord McKay to see her as more than the neighbor girl in pigtails. Now that she’s old enough to stake her claim on him, she’s pulling out all the sexual stops and riding hell-bent for leather-straight for his libido.

Divorced rancher Cord has sworn off all women…until innocent AJ suggests he teach her how to ride bareback-and he realizes she doesn’t mean horses or bulls. Between his responsibilities running his massive ranch, missing his young son and dealing with the sexual shenanigans of his brother and cousins, Cord is more than willing to take AJ up on her offer. On a trial basis. The fun and games tie them both up in knots. AJ isn’t willing to settle for less than the whole shootin’ match with her western knight. But for Cord, even though the sexy cowgirl sets his blood ablaze, he’s determined to resist her efforts to lasso his battered heart.

Sweet, determined AJ has the power to heal-or heel-the gruff cowboy…unless Cord’s pride keeps him from admitting their relationship is more than a simple roll in the hay.

Warning: this book contains: raunchy sex scenes that’ll work you into a lather faster than a winded horse, graphic language, resourceful use of baling twine, ménage a trois, ménage a quatage, and yippee! hot nekkid man-on-man-lovin’.

Read an excerpt.

Sandy M’s review of Long Hard Ride (Rough Riders, Book 1) by Lorelei James
Contemporary erotic romance eBook released by Samhain 1 May 07, paperback release 1 Feb 08

It’s so nice to finally find an eBook that I enjoyed so much I finished in fairly short order.  I’ve had a string of disappointments in eBooks lately, but Lorelei James’ Long Hard Ride has hopefully brought my disappointment to an end.  She has strong characters with a sense of humor and who know how to play, and, boy howdy, do the characters in this book play! 

Channing Kinkaid has finally wised up and decided to live the life she wants, not the one her parents want for her.  Walking out on everything she’s ever known, she runs away with the rodeo.  Things don’t go all that well for her at first.  She gets tangled up with the wrong guy.  Jared is someone who doesn’t take to crowds, is a little too possessive, and doesn’t know how to have fun.  And fun is something Channing is definitely looking for at this point in her new life.

The deal breaker for her is when she finds out Jared is married, so his sorry ass is now on its way to Australia and his wife and Channing is hooking up with the bad boys of the rodeo circuit, sexy Colby McKay and equally sexy Trevor Glazner.  She’s had her eye on Colby for a bit now and she’s not about to let the opportunity pass to spend some quality time with him, whether in his bed or out.

Colby is finding life on the rodeo circuit is not as exciting as it used to be and having a different woman in his bed in each new town is suddenly just as lackluster for him.  Lately he’s been thinking more and more about Channing, what it would be like loving her every night of the week.  When he finds out she’s split from Jared, Colby makes tracks straight for her.  He offers her exactly what she wants to hear — a week on the road with him to Cheyenne, the last rodeo of the season.  Of course, there are a few conditions they each want.  As long as Colby doesn’t have a wife or girlfriend hiding in the wings, Channing is ready for the trip.

Colby, however, gives her something to think about.  She’d already figured she’d end up in Colby’s bed, but when he tells her he shares everything with Trevor and their third traveling companion, Edgard — especially their women — a whole new world opens up for Channing.  Agreeing to Colby’s condition that she submit to anything the three men ask of her, she heads off toward the horizon for a week of raunchy, down-and-dirty sex and the ride of a lifetime.  If only her parents could see her now.

In all her life Channing has never experienced the sensations Colby and Trevor make course through her when they’re loving her.  She just wishes Edgard would loosen up and join in. So far he’s refused to participate in their free-for-alls.  Assuming Ed just doesn’t like her, Channing gives her everything to the other two men who are hard as rocks and can rev her engine with hardly any effort at all.

As the week rolls on and she makes friends with family members of the other cowboys, Channing suddenly finds herself wanting only Colby to love her, even as much as she’s enjoyed their threesomes.  But she knows what the rules are.  This freedom and this man that have finally come into her life will only last as far as Cheyenne and then they’ll go their separate ways.  Colby will go home to his family’s ranch and Channing will end up teaching on the East Coast, just like her parents have always planned.

He’s never once been jealous when Trevor has shared women with him, but suddenly Colby can’t stand the thought of Trevor’s hands on Channing, the thought of another man, even his friend, making love to her.  He has no idea what to do with these feelings that have crept up on him, and the only thing he knows is he’s not sure if he can walk away from her when the time comes.  But when Colby is seriously injured during the Cheyenne rodeo, his family swoops in and circles the wagons around him, leaving Channing on the outside with a broken heart.

It was rather difficult for me to write this review because so much happens in this book!  This is a book full of good old boy charm from marble-sculpted cowboys that would make any woman whimper if one just winked at her.  It’s full of friendship, kinship, and family, all from sources you’d never expect.  It’s full of fun and humor, roarin’ good times at the rodeo, and it’s definitely full of lip-smackin’, toe curlin’, sweaty, everything-goes sex.

As much as I liked those ménage scenes with Colby, Channing, and Trevor, I loved the sweet and tender scenes that came with just Colby and Channing, especially the closer they got to realizing they’re falling in love, and their underlying vulnerability when each is not sure what to do when their time is up makes those love scenes that much more poignant.  These are two strong characters who know what they want, they go after it, they enjoy it, and when it comes down to the hard decisions to continue on with their lives, they don’t even think about giving up. Lorelei James has done herself proud with this book.

Grade: B+

Read reviews and info of the books in this series by following its tag.

Summary:

One lucky woman…three sexy cowboys…she’s in for the ride of her life!

Channing Kinkaid itches for a change; a wild western adventure with an untamed man. Determined to shed her inhibitions and embrace the steamier, seamier side of life, she sets her sights on hooking up with a real chaps-and-spurs-wearing cowboy.

Enter Colby McKay-bull rider, saddle bronc buster and calf roper. From the moment he sets lust-filled eyes on the sweet and fiery Channing, he knows he’s found the woman who’s up to the challenge of cutting loose. What rough and rowdy cowboy could resist a no-holds-barred sexual romp with a sassy young thing starring as his personal buckle bunny?

Intrigued by Channing’s bold proposition of horsing around on the road, Colby impulsively sweetens the deal; sexual escapades not only in his bed, but in the bedrolls of his rodeo traveling partners, Trevor and Edgard.

Although Channing’s secretly longed to be the sole focus of more than one man’s passions, Colby’s demand for complete submission behind closed doors will test her willful nature.

Can Channing give up total control? Especially when not all is as it seems with the sexy trio? Or will the cowboys have to break out the bullropes and piggin’ string to break in this headstrong filly?

Warning: This title contains the following: lots of explicit sex, going strong long after the cows come home, graphic language that’d make your mama blush, light bondage with bullropes, ménage a trois, and – yee-haw! – hot nekkid cowboy man-love.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series (paperback releases referenced where available):