Review: Heartless by Elsie Silver

HEARTLESS
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Chestnut Springs #2
Author: Nikki Sloane
Release Date: February 23, 2021

Working as a nanny for the world’s grumpiest single dad should have been simple. Except I can’t keep my eyes off him. And he can’t keep his hands off of me.

Cade Eaton is thirteen years older than I am and barely looks my way. Until I get him into the hot tub one night for a game of truth or dare. Then all bets are off—and so are our clothes.


He’s gruff, a little rough around the edges. But broad-shouldered ranchers with calloused hands and filthy mouths are this city girl’s kryptonite. So who am I to resist?

But it’s in our quiet moments together that he softens. It’s when he takes care of me that I realize his hardened exterior is just a façade. It’s when I watch him go all sweet with his little boy that I really fall for him.

Someone convinced him once that his best wasn’t good enough. But I’ve never felt more cherished than I do in his arms.

My contract may say this arrangement is only for two months.

But my heart says this is forever.

 AMAZON 

Cade,” her lips part on my name, her tongue darting out to wet them. “God.”
“He’s not here right now, baby. It’s just me. And I’m done asking nicely. I’m ready to take.”

What rock have I been living under that this is my first Elsie Silver book? And why hasn’t everyone kicked out from under that rock sooner? Because OH MY GOD this book was EVERYTHING.

Right there at the birthday party?” Summer whisper-shouts across the small table at Le Pamplemousse. I take a sip of my mimosa and wink at her. “I saved another horse, Sum. I’m practically an animal rights activist at this point.”

Deeply immersed in my toxic antihero era as I am, I don’t venture out of the angst and gritty genre often. And I may have judged this cover and thought this book would be too fluffy for me. Boy was I wrong.

If you’re a fan of small town, grumpy/sunshine romances, you simply cannot miss this book. You just can’t. The banter here was utterly delicious. And the characters? Unforgettable.

Cade is the grump of his family and given his history, it’s understandable. After his wife walked out of his life leaving him to parent his adorable son on his own, he focused on two things; his son and his work. But he needs help and is seeking a nanny who can give his son the attention he needs while keeping the attention off of him. He may be a bachelor, but he doesn’t need the entanglement of another relationship and the broken heart that follows.

Willa is in town for the summer. She’s Summer’s best friend from Flawless. But if you’re like me and haven’t read that book yet, you can still enjoy this one as a standalone. However I’m not fully addicted to all things Elsie so plan on rectifying my oversight by devouring her backlist. But I digress.

Cade is immediately attracted to the younger woman but doesn’t want the complication. But the longer he spends in Willa’s presence, the more his resolve crumbles as their chemistry climbs to incendiary levels.

When I tell you I binge read this in one sitting, I’m not even a little exaggerating. It was sweet and spicy, emotional, hilarious, and everything I could want in a romance. An absolute must read and I can’t wait for the next installment. I’m a sucker for the unrequited love trope.

Review: Spun Out by Lorelei James

SPUN OUT
Series:
Blacktop Cowboys #10
Genre: Contemporary, Western Romance
Author: Lorelei James
Release Date: November 5, 2019

New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James returns for another wild ride in Wyoming with a new Blacktop Cowboys® novel.

Years in the Army equipped Bailey Masterson for many things: target shooting, rappelling off cliffs, dodging grenades. She’s lived through horrors that still give her nightmares. But nothing in Bailey’s life-or-death training prepared her for caring for the tiny terror that is five-year-old Olivia Hale. Or how to control her raging attraction to Olivia’s father, Streeter, the rugged, green-eyed cattle rancher who undermines her every move even when he stars in her dreams.

Streeter Hale has room for only two things in his life: his daughter and his job. He doesn’t date. He doesn’t get attached. Not anymore. So not only is Streeter stunned by Olivia’s improved behavior after just a few days with Bailey, he’s downright floored by his immediate attraction to the woman. But with secrets in her eyes and a body that doesn’t quit, Streeter begins to worry that Bailey Masterson might just be the one woman to heal his fractured family and broken heart.

One thing’s for sure–these two wrecked souls are spinning out of control as they desperately try not to fall in love…

AMAZON


You can show me those dark corners of yourself and I’ll help you shine a light on them, deal with them, chase them the fuck away without you havin’ to fear that I’ll abandon you when you need me the most. Ain’t happenin’, sweetheart. Ever.”

Oh.
My.
Heart.

This beautiful romance completely captured my heart and I never want it back. If single dads are your catnip, prepare to hand your heart and ovaries to Streeter Hale. There’s something so incredibly sweet and endearing about this man. And it’s not just his love for his adorable and rambunctious little girl. Streeter isn’t a man that’s been around the block. He married his high school sweetheart only to lose her in the worst way possible. Years later, the shadow of her death still follows him and his daughter’s inability to connect to anyone but him is a daily reminder of everything that’s he’s done wrong. My heart broke for this man and everything he’s been through. There’s this quiet intensity to him that you can’t help but fall in love with.

Bailey is a soldier that used the army to escape her not so sunny childhood. She may have a good relationship with her sisters, but even they don’t know all of the secrets that she’s determined to hide. Steeter and Bailey immediately clash, but underneath the glares and barbs, there’s an undercurrent of attraction.

When it becomes evident that the rambunctious kids in their circle of family and friends can use someone like Bailey to give them some structure and discipline, Bailey sticks around longer than she expected to run a summer camp. It doesn’t take long for her to fall for the sweet little girl with too much energy and sass right along with her sinfully sexy daddy.

I mean, y’all. This book. I don’t even have words. Sexy. Swoony. Emotionally gripping. Touching. Heartwarming. Tearjerker. Ok, so maybe I do have words?. But seriously. This romance was just everything. I loved the slight role reversal of Bailey being the one that really pursues Streeter and is more sexually experienced. I loved Streeter’s sweet side and the way he peels back Bailey’s layers effortlessly. I loved watching their hot and short-planned affair bloom into something neither of them expected.

This book touches on several deep and highly emotional subjects and I thought that the author handled them perfectly. She didn’t shy away from the ugly details and the ramifications of them. She takes the issues head on and throws the reader right in with the characters. It was perfectly written. There’s plenty of sizzle in typical Lorelei fashion, but it was so much more than just a romance. It was a beautiful story about second chances and finding love when you least expect it. It was yet another amazing addition to one of my favorite series and just another reason why I will never tire of this woman’s writing. Ten books into the series and they just continue to get better and better!

Review: Justified by Jay Crownover

JUSTIFIED
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Western
Series: Loveless, Texas #1
Author: N.E. Henderson
Release Date: June 25, 2019

The New York Times bestselling author of the Marked Men series delivers a romance about a rugged Texas sheriff who must protect the woman who was once his sworn enemy…

Case Lawton comes from a family of criminals. So as the sheriff of Loveless, Texas, he’s determined to do everything by the book–until he’s called to Aspen Barlow’s office after a so-called break-in. The last thing he wants to do is help the woman who cost him custody of his son. But Aspen isn’t the heartless lawyer Case remembers, and he starts to question his long-held grudge…

Aspen is scared for her life, and Case is her last hope for protection. But to get him on her side, she’ll have to reveal the painful truth from all those years ago. Now, as they work together to track down a dangerous criminal, Case and Aspen learn to trust each other. And as the threats escalate, it becomes clear there’s a thin line between love and hate… because there’s nothing Case wouldn’t do to keep her safe.

AMAZON

She was the last woman I should have my hands on, but she was the only one who could make me lose all sense of reality.

I love a good enemies to lovers romance, and boy did this book bring it. I will admit, it’s been a hot minute since I’ve read a Jay Crownover book and I’m not even sure why. I forgot just how much I missed her writing until I dove into this one. Having said that, while there’s some carryover from her other series, I had no problems diving right in.

This starts out with a real bang with Aspen representing Case’s ex wife in their divorce settlement. She’s a phenomenal lawyer, but she can barely stifle the guilt over her skill at her job being responsible for the woman getting full custody rights from the man that’s devoted to his son. It’s been years since that moment, but Case has never forgiven her and the animosity has only grown. You can’t help but feel for Aspen. She was the awkward new girl that fell for the town’s golden boy in high school. Only to be the object of his anger years later.

A lot of things have changed over the years. Case now has full custody of his 17 year old son and Aspen is dealing with a divorce of her own supposed perfect. But when her office gets trashed and her life seems to be in danger, none other that sheriff Case can get to the bottom of it. But protecting her also forces them to finally deal with all the years of pain and anger between them and to finally give into the passion that’s been brewing right along it.

The beginning is a bit of a slow build and there’s a lot of backstory that fills the pages, but I really enjoyed that part. I loved seeing Case’s anger slowly defrost and the cloud of judgement begin to dissipate until he sees Aspen for the woman she really is.

There’s a lot of story that’s set up here for some secondary characters that I’m already chomping at the bit to get books for (especially one particular MC). There’s plenty of action and suspense to play along with the evolving romance, and I devoured it. The only quibble I had was with the ending. There’s a certain twist that happens that seemed just way too OTT and grand for be to fully buy into it, especially taking all the other dynamics into account. It felt more like shock value rather than a true twist to me, and it took away from my engrossment of the story a little bit. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed it immensely and can’t wait for book two, I just could have done with a different twist. But this is an entirely subjective thing and I’ll probably be in the very minority with my thoughts. Either way, I can’t wait for the next book!

Review: Unbroken by Jay Crownover

UNBROKEN
Series: Loveless, Texas #0.5
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Western
Author: Jay Crownover
Release Date: May 14, 2019

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Marked Men series comes a captivating novella about a rugged rodeo star who will do anything to protect the people he loves.

When rodeo star Crew Lawton loses everything in a bad bet, he has no choice but to take a new job to pay off his debts – even if it means becoming the face of an expensive male skincare line. Crew is used to getting sweaty and rustling in the dirt, not posing for photo shoots. And he’s certainly not used to being bossed around by a woman who doesn’t even know the difference between bulls and broncs. But Crew owes money to dangerous criminals, and he’ll do anything Della says in order to pay them back and keep them far away from his family in Loveless, Texas…

The launch of her new men’s line for her family’s company means everything to Della Deveaux, and she’s not willing to let some rugged, arrogant cowboy ruin her campaign. Crew Lawton is the last man she would have chosen to represent her chic, sophisticated brand. Unfortunately, her father already invested millions in Crew’s stupidly handsome face. Yet the more time they spend together, Della and Crew realize that opposites doattract. But when the time comes for Crew to face his past mistakes, will he be able to protect his family…and the woman he’s come to love?

AMAZON 

You can be my bad habit, Crew. You can be the entirety of my rebellious phase.”

Confession: it’s been a hot minute since I read a Jay Crownover book. I know, I know! I’m ashamed of myself and I don’t even know why it’s been so long. And it has been. TOO LONG. And this was the perfect novella to throw me right back into my Jay lovefest. Consider me hooked. Line and sinker. I’m frothing at the mouth for more of her Loveless series. FROTHING AT THE MOUTH I TELLS YA.

This was a short yet satisfying story to introduce readers to the Lawton siblings. Starting with the bad boy rodeo star, Crew. Crew has been drowning in his own mistakes for a long while under the water starts rising over his head and he realizes just how much trouble he’s in. When a deal that he would never jump on under any normal circumstances lands in his lap, he knows it’s his only way out.

Della Deveaux is Crew’s exact opposite. The good girl to the bad boy. The woman that’s never so much as stepped out of line and has worked her butt off to prove herself to her father and show him that she has the chops to run their company. The attraction between Della and Crew is inconvenient but undeniable and it’s not long before the sparks ignite into flames.

Now look, I hate to be one of those readers that knowingly picks up a novella and then complains that it was too short to be satisfying. But…I am. Because here’s the thing. I couldn’t help but feel that this story should have been a full length novel. There was so much that happens off page (Crew’s fall from grace specifically) as well as some other things that I would have loved to sink my teeth into. There are some stories out there that you know are better suited as a short novella. Yet this didn’t feel like one of them. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed it, and it was most definitely satisfying. But I also would have loved more. So much more!

I will definitely tell you that it did a heck of a job introducing and launching this new series. Because this reader is instantly hooked! If you’re looking for a quickie novella that has a little of everything, opposites attract, and some sexy cowboys, definitely give this one a go!

Review: Booted by Pam Godwin

BOOTED
Series: Trails of Sin #3
Genre: Dark Cowboy Romance
Author: Pam Godwin
Release Date: September 18, 2018

The night I’m released from prison, she’s in my bed.
It’s been eight years since I touched a woman, and the Native American beauty is half-dressed, beaten, bruised, and devastatingly exquisite.

We’re toxic together, but we want the same things. Blood. Vengeance.
Violent relief in a warm body.

Beneath her touch, I’m alive.
Against her skin, I’m redeemed.
Buried inside her, I forget the past.
Until the past takes her from me.

Prison made me cold, but losing Raina makes me cruel. Ruthless. Unforgiving.
I killed before. For her, I’ll kill again.
I’ll end this once and for all or die in my boots.

TRAILS OF SIN series (HEAs with no cliffhangers – must be read in order):
Knotted #1 – Jake and Conor
Buckled #2 – Jarret and Maybe
Booted #3 – Lorne and Raina

AMAZON  

Beautiful doesn’t begin to describe him. He’s arresting in the way a viper is deadly. Entrancing. Calculating. Patient. If he strikes, I won’t survive the bite.

After two deliciously twisty installments, it all comes to a head in this heart pounding conclusion to the Trails of Sin trilogy.

After eight years behind bars, Lorne is back home but he’s no longer the boy that he was when he went in. He’s hardened. Cold. Detached. That’s what happens when you spend years behind bars for killing a man that had involvement in your sister’s brutal rape that you were forced to helplessly watch happen. Now Lorne only wants one thing; revenge on the one man that’s been pulling the strings.

Raina has survived plenty in her young life. A survivor at her very core, she’s used to taking care of herself. But then she finds herself chained and beaten within an inch of her life and finally asks for help. And while it looked as though she was willingly at John’s beck and call and bent to his demented sexual will, looks are deceiving. Now seeking revenge of her own against the man that’s responsible for her greatest pain, she won’t stop until John is dead at her hand.

She’s an addictive drink of legs and attitude, with a kick of heat and vinegar.

Lorne and Raina are incredibly broken characters though each for different reasons. Each of them has seen the very bowels of human depravity and paid dearly for it. Raina’s past was heartbreaking to read. I loved that through everything that she’s been through, she doesn’t lose her backbone or sass. This is a woman that gives as good as she gets and she’s gotten plenty.

The sparks with her and Lorne are immediate and downright incendiary.

Let me tell you something about me. If you were my girl, I’d make you feel like my world. Only then would I deserve to make you feel like my slut.”

There’s plenty more secrets that get unraveled and so many twists and turns it will leave your head spinning. A perfect page turner of a conclusion to an addicting trilogy. And while book two is still my favorite, Booted didn’t disappoint. It was dark and sexy, and with Pam Godwin’s signature gritty lyrical writing style.


TRAILS OF SIN Series

KNOTTED Book #1
Available Now
Amazon | Other Retailers

BUCKLED Book #2
Available Now
Amazon | Other Retailers

BOOTED Book #3
Available Now
Amazon | Other Retailers


Pam Godwin Books GrayScale

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, Pam Godwin, lives in the Midwest with her husband, their two children, and a foulmouthed parrot. When she ran away, she traveled fourteen countries across five continents, attended three universities, and married the vocalist of her favorite rock band.
.
Java, tobacco, and dark romance novels are her favorite indulgences, and might be considered more unhealthy than her aversion to sleeping, eating meat, and dolls with blinking eyes.
Join my Facebook Reader Group: here

Other Books by Pam Godwin

Tangled Lies Series
ONE IS A PROMISE (#1) – FREE
TWO IS A LIE (#2)
THREE IS A WAR (#3)

Deliver Series
DELIVER (#1) – FREE
VANQUISH (#2)
DISCLAIM (#3)
DEVASTATE (#4)

Trilogy of Eve
HEART OF EVE – FREE
DEAD OF EVE (#1)
BLOOD OF EVE (#2)
DAWN OF EVE (#3)

Stand-alones

DARK NOTES

DIRTY TIES

BENEATH THE BURN

INCENTIVE

 

#DGRFave & Review: Buckled by @pamgodwinbooks

BUCKLED
Series: Trails of Sin #2
Genre: Dark Cowboy Romance
Author: Pam Godwin
Release Date: July 10, 2018

I protect what’s mine.
The ranch, my family, our buried secrets.

Nothing will stop me from reassembling the life that went terribly wrong.
Not the law.
Not our enemies.
Not even Maybe Quinn.

The gorgeous, quarrelsome journalist shouldn’t have meddled.
I shouldn’t have let her stay.
But she’s hiding something in those deceptive blue eyes.
Something deeper than her thirst for a news story.

I make a deal with her to buy time.
To unravel her lies. To play with her. To satisfy my darker appetites.
When she buckles beneath my belt, I’ll send her away.
Unless I buckle first.

AMAZON | Other Retailers 


Wild and molten, wet and volatile, her fight is beautiful, but her surrender is goddamn exquisite. I consume it with everything inside me, feeding on it and fueling a desire that has never felt this out of control.


Dark and sinful with story that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to finish, Buckled was one addicting ride!

Ever since Maybe and Jarret first met in Knotted, sparks flew, and I was instantly hooked. I couldn’t wait for their book. I knew it was going to be good, but I didn’t expect it to be as good as it was. I devoured this story in one sitting. It kept me squirming on the edge of my seat, starved for each new revelation and totally captivated by the story. It was this magnetic combination of mysterious and kinky with a dark edge that Pam Godwin is oh so good at weaving into her writing.

There’s attraction. There’s sexual desire. Then there’s this. It’s curiosity and gravity and some kind of illogical magnetism that makes my heart beat with the impulse to claim and possess.

I love a good enemies to lovers trope, and this one delivered it in spades. The hate lust was strong with these two and their chemistry was electrifying. Maybe is probably one of my favorite heroines this author has written. She’s strong, sharp witted and has no problem giving as good as she gets. This is a woman that’s not afraid to stand up for herself, yet she also has this hidden vulnerable side to her that seems to come out in Jarret’s presence. She was an incredibly multi-layered character that I couldn’t get enough of. And did I mention the sass?

Where are you taking me?”
“To my office.”
“I can walk there on my own. Put me down.”
“No can do, sweetheart.”
“This is bullshit.”
“What you’re smelling is horse shit. The bulls are in the west pasture.”
She makes a frustrated sound in her throat. “How the fuck are you the sperm that won?”
“I can explain it to you, but I can’t understand it for you.”
“I really wish I had more middle fingers right now.”

Jarret delivered on the kinky cowboy promise that I was hoping for in book one. This man has a presence to him, let me tell you. He’s downright sinful. And when he sets his eyes on Maybe, he’s determined to get her beneath him even when they both know she’s hiding something for him.

Maybe comes to their ranch in search of answers. She knows about the dark past and secrets that the Holsten family has hidden and she’s convinced it somehow ties into her own. She’s determined to get to the bottom of it no matter what she has to do, but she doesn’t expect the magnetic connection she feels with Jarret or for it to suck her into his orbit as much as it does.

He’s a torrent of brutal force and sensual precision, fluctuating between violent bites and gentle kisses, rough hands and expert caresses. His passion is explosive, his touches methodical. Nothing about him is tame.

There are a lot of secrets that get unraveled here. And while we get answers to some things, we’re also left with even more questions. The blood feud between father and sons and the secrets that they have buried are all coming to a head and it’s bound to be on hell of a conclusion.

I absolutely LOVED the chemistry and banter between Jarret and Maybe. Their relationship was a sizzling slow burn full of spark and erotic undercurrents. When these two finally give into the pull between them? Holy hell! This book had one of the hottest sex scenes I have ever read. I have two words for you: rain and lightning. HOT. DAMN.

All I can do is hold on, shredding my vocal chords as I scream. I scream his name. I scream for a god. Maybe they’re one and the same. He looks like a warrior god. He fucks like a sex god. I’ll happily worship him, and I do.

We also finally get to meet the heroine of book 3 and let me just tell you, I’m practically salivating for that story.

While I enjoyed the first book, I was completely blown away by this one. I cannot wait to see how it all concludes in what’s bound to be an explosive final chapter of this trilogy.

 


TRAILS OF SIN Series

KNOTTED Book #1
Available Now
Amazon | Other Retailers

BUCKLED Book #2
Available Now
Amazon | Other Retailers

BOOTED Book #3
Releases Sep 18, 2018
Amazon | Other Retailers


Pam Godwin Books GrayScale

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, Pam Godwin, lives in the Midwest with her husband, their two children, and a foulmouthed parrot. When she ran away, she traveled fourteen countries across five continents, attended three universities, and married the vocalist of her favorite rock band.
.
Java, tobacco, and dark romance novels are her favorite indulgences, and might be considered more unhealthy than her aversion to sleeping, eating meat, and dolls with blinking eyes.
Join my Facebook Reader Group: here

Other Books by Pam Godwin

Tangled Lies Series
ONE IS A PROMISE (#1) – FREE
TWO IS A LIE (#2)
THREE IS A WAR (#3)

Deliver Series
DELIVER (#1) – FREE
VANQUISH (#2)
DISCLAIM (#3)
DEVASTATE (#4)

Trilogy of Eve
HEART OF EVE – FREE
DEAD OF EVE (#1)
BLOOD OF EVE (#2)
DAWN OF EVE (#3)

Stand-alones

DARK NOTES

DIRTY TIES

BENEATH THE BURN

INCENTIVE

 

Review: Three To Ride by Lexi Blake

THREE TO RIDE
Series: Nights In Bliss, Colorado #1
Genre: Erotic Romance, Menage
Author: Lexi Blake
Release Date: March 20, 2018

Re-released in a second edition with two new chapters and additional new content.

Rachel Swift is a woman on the run.

A stalker sent Rachel’s world reeling. Now she’s running for her life, and Bliss, CO, seems like the perfect place to hide. Bliss is a strange little town, filled with artists, nudists, and the occasional conspiracy nut. It’s a good place to start over.

Max and Rye are just the men to catch her.

Horse trainer Max and Sheriff Rye gave up on their dream of finding one perfect woman to share long ago. Rachel walks in, and they’re both in love and fighting their true natures.

A town like no other….

When Rachel’s past catches up with her, all of Bliss is in danger. Rachel knows she should run, but how can she leave behind the love she’s found with Max and Rye and the home she’s built in Bliss? With her whole town behind her, Rachel is ready to make her stand. It’s time for her to get back in the saddle and ride.

AMAZON

This man tore away all her defenses and inhibitions.

A litte suspense with a whole lot of sexy makes Three To Ride one titillating read! I first got curious about Lexi’s Bliss series when she hinted at it in Nobody Does It Better. As I hadn’t yet read this series that she initially released under her Sophie Oak pen name yet, I was instantly intrigued.

Rachel Swift is a heroine that I clicked with right away. This is a woman that’s trying everything to escape a dangerously obsessed stalker that has the resources of being a cop behind him. Forced on the run with nothing to her but her few meager belongings, she’s about to give up hope when she stumbles into the small town of Bliss, Colorado and instantly falls in love. What she doesn’t expect is to fall for a sweet yet brooding man while also harboring feelings for his twin brother and town sheriff.

I absolutely loved the way that Rachel took no sh*t from either man. She was quick to shut down Rye’s advances since she was dating his twin, and she was quick to put Max in his place any time he let his unreasonable jealousy get the best of him.

You will treat me like a lady, Maxwell Harper. You will politely ask me questions, and you will not accuse me of anything again unless you’re damn sure I’ve done something to deserve it. You will not walk into my place of business and tell the town I’m some sort of harlot. Is that understood?”

While her relationship with Max starts when he pursues her, it’s still a bit of a slow burn. All the while, she’s fighting her attraction to his twin, even though rumors in town is that the men like to share everything…and I do mean everything.

The road to the menage is a slow and sizzling burn. It also had the added element of suspense from Rachel’s stalker which I enjoyed thoroughly. The pacing was perfect and I really liked how everything wrapped up in the end. I can’t wait for more in this deliciously kinky series!

Review: Lost Rider by Harper Sloan

LOST RIDER
Series: Coming Home #1
Genre: Western Romance
Author: Harper Sloan
Release Date: April 25, 2017

In Lost Rider, the first Western romance in New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Harper Sloan’s Coming Home series, an injured rodeo star encounters an old flame but will she be just what he needs to get back in the saddle?

Maverick Austin Davis is forced to return home after a ten-year career as a rodeo star. After one too many head injuries, he’s off the circuit and in the horse farming business, something he’s never taken much of a shine to, but now that it’s his late father’s legacy, familial duty calls. How will Maverick find his way after the only dream he ever had for himself is over?

Enter Leighton Elizabeth James, an ugly duckling turned beauty from Maverick’s childhood—his younger sister’s best friend, to be exact, and someone whose heart he stomped all over when she confessed her crush to him ten years back. Now Leighton is back in Maverick’s life, no longer the insecure, love-stricken teen—and Maverick can’t help but take notice. Sparks fly between them, but will Leighton be able to open her heart to the one man who broke it all those years ago?

Written in the vein of Diana Palmer and Lindsay McKenna, this Texas-set series is filled with sizzle, heart, and plenty of cowboys!

AMAZON | iBOOKS

 

She was my compass when I was lost without direction. She was the pull I always felt to come home but never had the balls to try, knowing that it might be too late.

It’s been a long while since I read a Harper Sloan book. While I enjoyed several of her Corps Security books, her others just didn’t jive with me. But being a sucker for Western Romance, I simply couldn’t pass up the chance to give this a shot, and I’m glad I did. There’s a distinct difference in the writing style that I really enjoyed. Besides that, the blurb for the book instantly hooked me

Leighton James isn’t a woman that you can have and let go.

Leighton James has been in love with Maverick Davis for as long as she can remember. But when she finally grew enough strength to admit to her feelings, he broke her heart and left it shattered beneath his cowboy boots as he ran as fast as he can from the town he grew up in. Now ten years later, after a career ending injury and his father’s death, he’s begrudgingly back. But many things have changed since he left and Leighton is no longer the little girl with stars in her eyes that he left behind. She’s now a woman that’s not afraid to tell him exactly what she thinks of him and she certainly doesn’t mince words.

All she had to do was walk into a room and I forgot it all. I forgot because she became the only thing I wanted more than my need to chase my dreams. The only thing I craved more than escaping.

The first 35% of the story had me completely hooked. I loved the unresolved tension between Leigh and Maverick. I loved their angst and I seriously loved their banter. Leigh is a firecracker and it was entertaining as hell watching her tell Maverick exactly what she thinks of him. Maverick is determined to right the wrongs of his past mistakes, the biggest being pushing Leigh away and never telling her his feelings. He’s not letting her go a second time and he’s prepared to fight for her this time around.

Then somewhere around the 35% mark, my interest began to slowly wane, and somewhere around the 50% mark I found myself almost disengaged from the story completely. I felt like the we got so much in that first 30% that everything following that was almost…dare I say…filler. There was a lot of conversations about the past. Numerous and repetitive. You get Maverick explaining why he left and the secrets he’s been hiding. But because you get that revelation so early in the story, there’s nothing really hooking you anymore. Yes, you get the development of their relationship, but it’s already fairly obvious of where it’ll go, so the rest of it kind of started to feel like mundane detail. All of the excitement is packed in the first quarter of the story and the rest is Leigh and Maverick talking, living their lives, and interacting with the locals and Maverick’s brother and sister. I really felt like the last 70% could have easily been cut down and the reader wouldn’t have lost out on much.

Did I enjoy it? Yes. For the most part. The first quarter was enough to tide me over and while I did have to push myself to finish, it was still a sweet read. The steam factor was just enough and didn’t feel like it was overshadowing the romance.

Head over boots, cowboy. Head. Over. Boots.”

And I’m hooked enough that I’d be curious to check out the next book in the series.


PRE-ORDER BOOK 2 IN THE SERIES, RELEASING JULY 18, 2017

KISS MY BOOTS

AMAZON

Review: Hang Tough by Lorelei James

hang-tough-reviewHANG TOUGH
Series: Blacktop Cowboys #8
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Lorelei James
Release Date: November 1, 2016add-to-goodreads-button-2

Hang Tough

In the new Blacktop Cowboys® novel from the New York Timesbestselling author of Wrapped and Strapped, one woman learns that when it comes to cowboys, looks can be deceiving…

When Tobin Hale stepped in to stop Garnet Evans’s son from railroading her out of her own home, he knew moving in with his favorite Mud Lily could be seen as strange. But nothing prepared him for the arrival of Garnet’s fiery, beautiful granddaughter, Jade—or her assumption that he’s up to no good…

While Tobin might be the hottest man Jade Evans has ever seen, his physical attributes won’t distract her from protecting her grandma from his sweet-talking ways. But the stubborn cowboy digs in his boot heels and refuses to leave. Stuck in close quarters together, Jade learns Tobin is the real deal—a hardworking, fiercely loyal man and she’s the one in danger of losing her heart.

And just when he was prepared to leave Muddy Gap behind, Tobin may have found the kind of woman worth sticking around for…

Buy LinksAMAZON | iBOOKSReview-DGR3.5 stars

 

We are together and that makes you mine. I take care of what’s mine. From the smallest things to the biggest. Now close your eyes and pucker up, baby, ’cause I am gonna rock your world.”

Nice guys don’t always finish last.

Tobin Hale has always been known as the nice guy in his small town, the boy scout that’s perpetually friend zoned by women that crave someone with more edge. Leaving town to seek the career he wants may be his answer to everything, but before that he has one last duty.

When Tobin moves in with Garnet Evans’s in order to stop her son from forcing her out of her home, what he didn’t expect is Garnet’s beautiful and sassy granddaughter to test every ounce of his ironclad control.

The stubble on his jaw wasn’t affected like the city guys she knew who didn’t shave in an effort to appear more manly. This guy probably scared his razor away. He probably hadn’t shaved because he had important manly stuff to do and didn’t waste time with trivial stuff like running a blade over that beautifully chiseled face.

Jade may need a break from the hustle and bustle of NYC and working three part time jobs, but she’d never admit it. But when her father asks her to look in on her grandmother that seems to have a hustler that recently moved in looking to hone in on her belongings, Jade knows what she needs to do. But she doesn’t expect the tempting cowboy that greets her or the immediate sparks that fly between them

Say yes.” He brushed his lips across hers. Just once. “Admit you want to be a dirty little rule breaker too.”
“I do,” she said breathlessly. “Like you wouldn’t believe.”

I loved the banter between these two. It starts out with a little hate/lust that soon begins to turn into something much more. Neither Tobin nor Jade deny their chemistry when they finally give into it. Their relationship is a tease at first, the sexual tension spanning over half the book. But when they finally give in? Yowza!

Tobin may be a nice guy, but that man sure has a dirty mouth on him. I loved that he had both sides to him, the dirty and the uber sweet.

Tobin?” she said softly. “What are you doing?”
“Memorizing you.”
“Why?”
Tobin forced his gaze back to hers. “Because when I close my eyes at night, I want to recall with perfect clarity every nuance of this face.”

Garnet and the Mud Lilly’s were the perfect comedic relief. Their colorful personalities never failed to put a smile on my face. And while I love the bad boys, it’s a nice change of pace to read about a nice guy every now and then.

While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was a touch too sweet for me at times and I found myself getting restless in the second half. There wasn’t much tension going and even though Tobin and Jade burn up the sheets together it just wasn’t enough to keep me riveted to the pages. The story was a great balance of sweet and sexy, and if that’s what you’re in the mood for, this will surely fit the bill.


BLACKTOP COWBOYS SERIES

CORRALLED | SADDLED AND SPURRED | WRANGLED AND TANGLED | ONE NIGHT RODEO | TURN AND BURN | HILLBILLY ROCKSTAR | WRAPPED AND STRAPPED | HANG TOUGH

 

 

#NewRelease, Excerpt & Review: ★Stripped Down★ by @loreleijames

STRIPPED DOWN RDL bannerSTRIPPED DOWN is a Blacktop Cowboys Series Novella brought to you by 1001 Dark Nights. add-to-goodreads-button3

STRIPPED DOWN - cover

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lorelei James, a new steamy story of the Blacktop Cowboys…

Never challenge a cowboy to a little naughty competition…

A flirty game of sexual truth or dare between best man, Wynton Grant, and maid of honor, Melissa Lockhart during their BFF’s wedding reception results in a steamy hookup.

But their plans for a one and done change when a family crisis leaves Wyn shorthanded at the Grant Ranch. Experienced horsewoman Mel volunteers to help out and gets way more than she bargained for living under the same roof as the sexy rancher. Playing house has never appealed to Wyn…until now.

But the feisty redhead is keeping secrets and Wyn’s not above stripping her bare—body and soul—to get to the bottom of it…

Buy-Links10Amazon eBook / Amazon PaperbackSTRIPPED DOWN - Teaser - RDL

Excerpt

Mel, you are in deep with this man and you’ve known him less than half a day.

She watched Wynton Grant amble off. And she couldn’t help but notice other women sizing up the rancher hottie too.

From the moment she’d set eyes on him she had that overwhelming punch of want—a feeling that happened to her so rarely lately. So seeing the identical look of lust sizzling in his eyes? The balls to the wall woman of action who’d been in hiding for the past six months had awakened with one thing on her mind.

Sex.

Lots of it.

Hot and dirty sex.

Fast sex.

Slow sex.

And it turned out the very sexy best man was more than happy to oblige.

This was turning out to be the best wedding ever.

The object of her lust stopped to speak to an older woman, giving Mel ample opportunity to study him. The man had it going on. His shoulders were so broad that he blocked the view of the woman entirely. Pity he hadn’t taken off his western cut suit coat so she could check out his ass; she’d bet his buns were grade A prime beef too. Not only did he have a big physical presence, he carried himself with confidence. He had an easy smile—which was a sexy-as-his wicked grin. From the back she noticed his dark hair brushed his collar and held more than a little curl. The groom and groomsmen had removed their cowboy hats as soon as the wedding pictures were done. As much as she appreciated a man in a hat, Wynton looked better without it.

Hands landed on the back of Mel’s chair and a soft rustle of fabric tickled her neck.

“Staring at him that intently won’t make his clothes disappear,” London murmured in her ear.

“That obvious?”

“Yes. But if it helps, my brother-in-law is staring back at you the same way.”

“Then maybe I’ll get lucky on your wedding night too, Mrs. Grant.”

Review4 starsStripped Down -Dirty Girl Romance

…call me Mel.”
“Mel? Nope. Sorry. No can do.”
“Why not?”
“Mel is the name of a line cook. Saying, ‘Suck harder, Mel,’ or ‘Bend over, Mel,’ brings totally different images to my mind than I’m gonna fuck you through the wall, Melissa.”

Can you get a highly satisfying and enjoyable steamy romance in just a short 120 pages? In the case of this book; also-fucking-lutely. There’s a reason I’ve read practically every book in Lorelei’s backlist and this book is the perfect example why. It’s wonderfully smutty but with a great story and fantastic characters. I love this author’s dirty talking cowboys, and Wynton Grant was utter perfection.

If you haven’t read the rest of the Blacktop Cowboys series, I highly recommend you do simply because it’s fantastic. But if you’re thinking of starting with this one to get a taste for it, you can easily do that to since it does read well as a standalone. So what does this book have?

1. An awesome heroine that owns her sexuality and isn’t ashamed of her sexual history. This is a woman that enjoys sex for sex’s sake. How amazingly refreshing and rare to find in most romances these days. I loved Melissa. She’s certainly no blushing virgin, but she was never brash. She was such a fun heroine to read about.

2. A hot as sin cowboy. pervy swoon. Gawd but I loved him.

3. Super hot cowboy lovin’. No one writes the sexy times quite like Lorelei James and you’ll get no complaints from this pervert reader.

4. A great story. In just a few pages the author managed to pack in a great story. It wasn’t just sex and I loved all the secondary characters. Dare I hope that we’ll soon be getting a book for Sres and Mick? *waggles brows*

In short, I love it. If you’re a fan of this author, this is a no-brainer must read. And if you haven’t discovered her yet, this is the perfect book to start with. Short, sexy, and fun. What else can you possibly ask for?


About the Author

Lorelei James

Lorelei James is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of contemporary erotic western romances set in the modern day Wild West and also contemporary erotic romances.

Lorelei’s books have been nominated for and won the Romantic Times Reviewer’s choice Award, as well as the CAPA Award. Lorelei lives in western South Dakota with her family…and a whole closet full of cow girl boots.

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