Tag Archives: Western Romance

Must Read Series: Rough Riders by Lorelei James

2345510 2345511 3654372 3654380 5041279 6238846 6336897 6684786 7054353 7865121 7865125 9529585 9674558 9674572 11094758 13022025

“I love writing about the modern day west, creating larger than life cowboys and the women who love them. I set out to create books that were a bit more realistic in the day to day life of Wyoming ranchers and a whole lot sexier than what I’d found on the shelves of the local bookstores or online…This series is actually a western saga, carried out over a multi-book arc, so not all questions are answered in every book. I don’t consider this ―series baiting because this long-term approach allows me to detail the trials, triumphs and tribulations of a one ranching family over the span of several books and several years.”-Lorelei James

Reading Order

Long Hard Ride

Rode hard, put up wet

Cowgirl up and ride

Tied up, Tied Down

Rough, Raw, and Ready

Branded as Trouble

Strong Silent Type in Wild Ride Anthology

Shoulda been a Cowboy

All Jacked Up

Raising Kane

Slow Ride

Cowgirls Don’t Cry

Chasin’ Eight

Cowboy Casanova

Guns & Roses

Kissin’ Tell

Gone Country

Redneck Rodeo

ARC Review: Take me Home Cowboy by Krista Ames

Take me Home Cowboy16162387

Krista Ames

Decadent Publishing

Nov 19th, 2013

Description

Ally Kincaid returns to Freewill, Wyoming, to see her father after a two year absence. Anticipating a quiet family reunion, she finds herself butting heads with her father’s foreman instead. The man’s arrogance and sexy drawl push all her buttons, making her wonder what he’s hiding beneath his cowboy swagger.

Matt Gentry walked away from the past and shies from the future. No ties means no one gets hurt…until the boss’s daughter, a hot, green-eyed blonde, tempts him to break his own rules.

When tragedy strikes, will building tension and pride destroy their growing attraction or show them the way home?

My Thoughts

Krista Ames is a new to me author and has a new fan in me. I’m a huge fan of western romance, and this one give me a little bit of that and a little bit of the angst and romance that I love.

Ally is a country girl at heart that had to be a city girl for the past two years to do her job. Though she loves her father, she had to pull away to make sure she could grow up on her own.

Matt is someone who was more of a mystery most of the time who was just as alpha as any man—swagger and all.

I loved the connection between the two of them, though I’d like to have seen more from them. It was a great start and I wanted more. Yes, I’m greedy. I didn’t really get the whole secret thing with Matt and I think that’s what shaded my vision of this novel, but the rest of it I loved and now I want more.

Take Me Home Cowboy is a great start to what I hope is a promising career in western romance for Krista Ames.

I received an ARC of this novel via the author in exchange for an honest review.

–Review by Nicole

RS-3

ARC Review: Cowboy for Keeps by Cathy McDavid

Cowboy for Keepscover22952-medium

Cathy McDavid

Harlequin

Pub Date   Mar 5 2013

Description

He’s Just A Cowboy

Not by choice, Conner Durham has traded in his suit for jeans and cowboy boots. He’s grateful to find work training mustangs-after all, cowboying is in his blood. But for years he’s been pulling down six figures working as a systems analyst. Now he’s lost his job, his house and his whole way of life. The one good thing that has happened is meeting Dallas Sorrenson, a former flame, again.

Dallas has some surprising news-she’s pregnant. It’s not the coming baby that has Connor tied in knots, but his current position in the world. Can a successful photographer fall for a lowly cowboy? And what about Dallas’ ex-who just happens to be the man who ended Conner’s job? The situation couldn’t be more complicated…but maybe there’s no such thing as a bad time to fall in love.

My Thoughts

Cowboy for Keeps is the final book in Cathy McDavid’s series and ties off all the loose ends. I also think that each book has gotten better in the series and I’m so happy Conner and Dallas got their story.

Conner has been in the background of all the other books while Dallas showed up in the last one. I hadn’t known they had chemistry in book 3, though I’m sure it was there. They knew each other from Conner’s previous life and work. Dallas had been engaged to the man who took Conner’s job and left him practically penniless.

While I loved their chemistry and the way that they took care of the wild horses, as well as tie up those loose ends, I couldn’t get past Conner’s reluctance to let Dallas be herself and let himself not be perfect. He couldn’t see past his failures—even if they weren’t his fault. Though I’m glad the family and Dallas showed him what he could be, rather than who he thought he wanted to be.

Cowboy for Keeps was a nice way to end the series and I’m sure to find out what else this author has to show us.

I received an ARC of this novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

–Review by Nicole

Heat Rating 3

 

ARC Review: Once Tempted by Laura Moore

Once Temptedcover26796-medium

Laura Moore

Random House Publishing Group

Pub Date   Mar 26 2013

Description

Sweeping passions, family drama, and searing scandal play out at the magnificent Silver Creek Ranch as the heirs to a powerful dynasty seize their legacy of love.

Oldest son Ward Knowles feels the sprawling California ranch in his blood. And now that the family business has expanded to include a popular resort, he’s working harder than ever. Silver Creek is his legacy and his life, which is fine for the ruggedly sexy ladies’ man and committed bachelor. Love and trust don’t come easily for Ward since he lost his heart to a gold digger—until he meets a shy, unpretentious beauty whose sweet grace is about to turn his jaded heart into a hungry one.

Tess Casari has found sanctuary at Silver Creek, working as an assistant to Ward’s mother, Adele. Grateful for her busy new life running the ranch’s spa and resort, Tess can escape the heartbreak, humiliation, and secret shame of her failed marriage. The last thing she needs is temptation—especially from a man who reminds her so much of the husband who shattered her faith in love. But passion and destiny are about to change the rules for two people who have stopped believing in the healing power of love.

My Thoughts

This is a brand new series for Laura Moore and I’m glad I got a chance to check it out. I read her first series and loved it, so I couldn’t wait to pick this one up. Once Tempted is the first book in this new series that centers around a ranching family that not only has your sexy cowboys dealing with horses and cattle, but also the idea that they had to use their working ranch as a place to bring tourists in. I enjoyed the way it was different than others I’d read in which I got both sides—cowboy and business. I can’t wait to see what happens with the rest of the family.

Tess was a city girl now living in a rancher’s world. I really liked the way she let fate lead her to her new home, but used her own work ethic to make sure she actually had a life. I loved the fact that she wore high heels to get under Ward’s skin—and to remind her of home. It took her a bit, but she learned how to love again.

Ward was one sexy cowboy. I really did love the way he took care of everyone—even if I thought others took advantage of that. He was a strong cowboy who knew when to show his softer side. Honestly, I could have done without his ex and the way he jumped to conclusions at the end. It was the only sore spot for me, but since I loved the rest, I got over it quickly.

Once Tempted was a great start to the series in which I can’t wait to see what happens.

I received an ARC of this novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

–Review by Nicole

RS-4

ARC Review: Jake by R.C. Ryan

Jake15791111

R.C. Ryan

Grand Central Publishing

Pub Date   Feb 26 2013

Description

A WYOMING SKY NOVEL

Wild at Heart . . .

Jake Conway is good with his hands. A veterinarian known for his gentle touch, he’s also the most eligible bachelor in Wyoming. But like any wild animal, Jake longs to roam free . . . until a sultry redhead with a smile from here to heaven turns up in town.

When her estranged father dies, Meg Stanford inherits his rustic ranch-and all the painful memories that come with it. She’s determined to settle the estate and face down the ghosts of her past. But a series of midnight break-ins have Meg running from the ranch-and into the arms of the sexy cowboy next door. As their passion grows hotter, the attacks grow bolder. Can Jake keep her safe, or will he lose the only woman he’s ever loved?

My Thoughts

Jake is a romantic western that is just cozy enough to make you want to venture into the wild west and find yourself a cowboy. Is it wrong that’s all I wanted to do when I finished this book?

I’ve read the other two books in this series and loved them. I couldn’t wait to read Jake’s story and see him have his happy ending. Jake was just how I wanted him, alpha but able to step back and let the others move. While his brothers were more hands on in the farm, he was the caring one who tried to heal everything and everyone in his path—animals and humans alike. When he found Meg and her brother, he not only did all in his power to care for them, but stood back so they could care for themselves. And when the choice came for him to beg her to stay or follow her path, he did what he could, but had to do what was right for the both of them. It broke my heart, but I loved him all the more for it.

Meg was a newcomer to this series and a city slicker. Though she’d spent her childhood on the trails, she hadn’t been back in some time. After her father’s death she found herself shaken, lost, and with a new half-brother. When certain things come to light from her past, I broke right along with her. I mean gut wrenching sobs at the injustice of it all. I think that’s why I understood her choices and forgave her just as Jake had.

This story also ended the series long mystery about certain elements that also broke my heart. I think I spent 1/3 of the time sobbing in this book but all in the best ways. The only reason this isn’t a five star for me is because the pacing was a bit off. It was like the last ¼ of the book as almost an epilogue. I’m not sure how it could have been done any better, but I lost momentum and wanted more.

Jake is a must need addition to any western lover’s collection. And if you haven’t read a western romance before, then R.C. Ryan where you should start. You find yourself immersed in their rolling hills and mountains and wanting to find yourself on a horse by your cowboy’s side. I do hope that R.C. Ryan writes more series and I can’t wait to see what happens.

I received an ARC of this novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

 –Review by Nicole

RS-4