~REVIEW of Lorelei James' CORRALLED~

Corralled (Blacktop Cowboys, #1)

Opening Line: "Screwing two guys doesn't make you a slut."

I was pretty excited to hear that Lorelei James’ was starting a new series because I’m seriously addicted to her Roughriders books and IMO you can‘t ever have enough sexy cowboys. I also have a small addiction to the PBR and CORRALLED is all about the bullriding and its fearless bullfighters. Throw in a ménage storyline (yes girls, two swaggering, ultra sexy cowboys) and in theory this book should have had all my guns a blazin’. Unfortunately, and I can’t put my finger on why, it just never grabbed me like her Roughriders series always does and I was surprised by how difficult it was for me to get into her new Blacktop Cowboys.

One of the problems for me was the rodeo jargon, I kept forgetting what EBS and CRA stood for and these acronyms were used a lot. I also felt like I’d read this before as the storyline is very reminiscent of her first Roughriders book Long Hard Ride leaving me with a feeling of déjà vu for the entire read.

“As much as Hank loved bullfighting in the CRA, for a bullfighter, the EBS was the big time.”


If you’ve read anything else by Lorelei James then you’ll know what to expect from this. Erotic love scenes (every couple of pages) including some rope play and just about everything else, emotion filled storylines, a couple of dustups at a local saloon and a whole slew of unique characters and situations to keep you interested. James’ writing is also really fun. I love the way her characters talk and usually come away with a southern drawl much to my Canadian families amusement.

Lainie Capshaw is a sports therapist, traveling the rodeo circuits and patching up injured cowboys. She’s made it a steadfast rule not to date anyone, keeping things strictly professional amongst her many admirers. So it’s with some surprise that she finds herself dating not one but two handsome cowboys; Hank Lawson a bullfighter and Kyle Gilchrist a bull rider. Despite never discussing exclusivity Lainie feels guilty but also doesn’t assume she’ll have to decide between them as they work on different circuits. Honestly she doesn’t know if she could choose anyways.

Lainie’s two timing catches up with her one night at the local honky-tonk when Hank catches her with Kyle. To her surprise the two are childhood friends and since neither wants to bow down to the other they instead offer her a deal no horny cowgirl could refuse. They will all travel the CRA circuit together with Kyle and Hank taking care of Lanie's sexual needs until she makes up her mind which one of them she likes better. It sounds good until both men try to win her heart leaving Lainie hanging on for the full 8 seconds. What’s a girl to do?

~REVIEW of Lorelei James' ROUGH RAW AND READY~

Rough, Raw and Ready (Rough Riders, #5)

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

Wow, with each instalment in the Roughriders series I keep saying this one is my absolute favourite; it just can’t get any better. Well I was sorely mistakin because James has outdone herself with #5 and this one really is the best yet (no really) Now I’m left lamely trying to put into words how friggin fantastic this story is.

Ever since book #1 Long Hard Ride I’ve been wondering what happened to Trevor and Edgard and hoping for their story. I was curious as to how these delicious cowboys could get their HEA especially in a homophobic and generally not alternative lifestyle appreciating town like Sundance Wyoming. I never counted on a wife being involved but lucky, lucky Chassie Glanzer. She gets the lovin of two damn fine men here. And talking about fine men; if you’re a fan of M/M lovin then hang onto your cowboy hats because this is all kinds-of-ways hot and sexy man lovin. Of course Chassie does participate on occasion and even though I’m not a fan of the ménage, this works for me because all the partners are involved equally. There’s also an amazing 3-way love story unfolding here, full of undeniable passion, emotion and heaps of consequences which are all explored beautifully. And Yes theres a whole lotta spicy sex going on too, in just about every conceivable position/combination and location possible. Yeehaw!

Trevor and Chassie have been happily married for one year. Trevor loves his wife and life on the ranch is good but he’s never quite been able to forget about his old roping partner and he knows that sometimes Chassie can sense his longing. Trevor never expected to see Edgard again though especially after it became clear that he couldn’t be the kind of man that Edgard needed but now his secret Brazilian lover is walking right up the dusty driveway, looking as fine and sexy as ever and hoping to sort out their tangled past.

With the kind of sparks that are flying between this pair of cowboys it doesn’t take long for Chassie to catch them together (and damn those first mergers are aggressive and scorching hot) Chassie thought she knew everything about her husbands chequered past but this is really pushing things. However before she can come to terms with the fact that Trevor and Edgard were lovers she has to face the fact that she might just be losing her man because its not just lust she see’s in their eyes its unbridled love too.

Trevor promises he won’t leave but she doesn’t want him to stay out of any sense of duty, she knows he’d be forever missing his Latin cowboy and she’d be living half a marriage. So Chassie does the only thing a girl could do in this kind of situation she asks if she can watch them together and then she joins them. Of course for this arrangement to succeed theres all kinds of issues to work out and they are slightly worried about what the townsfolk are gunna think down at the local feed store but the more time they all spend together the more passion and raw emotion comes to the surface. Trevor and Edgard finally feel complete and damn if Chassie doesn’t too.

~REVIEW of Lorelei James' Tied Up Tied Down~

Tied Up, Tied Down (Rough Riders, #4) 

 

Opening Line: "Skylar Ellison hated being naked in public"

Giddy-Up, another smoking hot read from Lorelei James’s Roughrider series. This is book 4 and as usual theres all kinds of hot and sexy lovemakin goin on. Its also been tied together again with an awesome story; encompassing ranch life, love, heartache, the occasional dust up and of course family. You know real life kinda stuff. I’m finding this series seriously addictive and almost impossible to put down. It seems I’ve fallen hard for those wild, sexy, and charming MacKay boys, even if most of the time I can’t keep their names straight. Now all I need is a blue-eyed/black haired cowboy of my very own to play with. I’ve also got to stop talking like I’m from Wyoming Y’all because I live in Canada and my family thinks I’ve lost it.

We first met Kade and Skylar in Cowgirl Up and Ride where they had several dates and an unprotected romp in the back of a pick-up before goin their separate ways. 12 months later cattle rancher Kade McKay returns to town only to learn that he’s a daddy. Thing is though he wants to be a dad. Never mind stepping up to the plate Kade runs, embracing his new daddy status with pure delight. Given half a chance he’d also like to be a husband but independent business woman Skylar Ellison has some trust issues and won’t give an inch despite his constant marriage proposals. She’s also pretty sure he’s just asking because of the baby.

Within days Kade and Skylar move in together, under the pretence that they’ll live platonically, just sharing in the parenting duties. (Yeah right) Anyways, Kade agrees to play by her rules long enough for Skylar to see that he’s in this for the long haul. (He might love her a bit too) Since this is a Roughriders book the arrangement lasts like one chapter before desire takes over. At first their sex life is perfunctory however once Kade convinces Skylar that sex really is better with the lights on and not in the missionary position (or even indoors for that matter) things evolve to a whole new level of passion. Kade ultimately takes complete control in the bedroom; instilling the “Nekkid rule” and making quick use of some ropes, leaving Skylar in an unfamiliar ‘sub’ position but very satisfied. However nothing worth having ever comes easy. And just because Skylar’s given her body to Kade doesn’t mean she’s going to hand him the reins to her heart too. Just how much one sided lovin will this cowboy take before he finally hit’s the dusty trail?

Kade is just lovely as our cowboy daddy, he’s sweet, honest and hardworking (plus he likes a girl with curves) and in all honesty Skylar doesn’t deserve him. Of course theres a whole lot of other stuff going on here too and fans of the series won’t be disappointed. Cheers

~Review of Lorelei James' COWGIRL UP AND RIDE~

~SAVE A HORSE RIDE A COWBOY~

Cowgirl Up and Ride (Rough Riders, #3)

Opening Line:"Amy Jo Foster had loved Cord McKay her entire life."

Yeehaw, another smoking hot instalment from the Roughriders. This is book 3 in the series and my favourite so far. As usual our couple has all kinds-of-ways hot and sexy lovin going on but between the erotic interludes theres also a really romantic love story unfolding too. Yup I fell hard for tough, gruff, single dad cowboy Cord McKay and enjoyed his struggle with the sweet and much younger, little Miss AJ.

There’s also a whole family of disfunctional, confusingly named McKay cousins and brothers just itchin to get there tales told. With several of them jumping the gun here and telling wild and naughty side stories about their drinkin, dating, bar fightin, multiple partner swappin, M/M encounterin, getting kicked off the range, where’s my life headin, unruly lives. It’s a wonder really that any woman would go near those McKay boys, must have something to do with their blue eyes, cheeky grins and the way they fill out a pair of Wranglers. Oh Yeah, I loved every angle of this story.

Divorced rancher Cord has sworn off women besides what with running his ranch, looking after his young son and dealing with his deviant brothers and drunken cousins he’s got his hands full. However when his former babysitter AJ Foster asks him to teach her the ways of lovemaking, taking her virginity in the process its an offer he can’t refuse.

AJ is a strong, completely likable character who’s been in love with Cord since she was 5 years old and he white knighted her after she fell from her horse. She’s been saving herself ever since, waiting for Cord to see her as more than just the neighbour girl in pigtails. Now she’s all grown up and ready to claim the man she wants. All she has to do is convince Cord to open his battered heart long enough to realize that they’re perfect for each other, in and out of the bedroom.

So saddle up girls and enjoy the ride, theres plenty of sexy, nekkid fun here, a hilarious drunken bachelorette party and some surprising tragedy too. And then theres the love. Cord and AJ will ramp up your pulse in the bedroom while at the same time managing to tug at your heartstrings. Even though Cord’s bossy and downright stubborn you can see early on that he also genuinely cares for AJ and despite his domineering ways crumbles when he thinks he’s lost her. Then watching while she stands her ground and he tries to win her back…*sigh* be still my heart.

"Marry me for me. Marry me because I'm a selfish bastard and I want you to be mine forever. Marry me because I don't know if I'll survive the rest of my life without havin' you by my side every damn day."

~REVIEW of Lorelei James' RODE HARD PUT UP WET~

Rode Hard Put Up Wet (Roughrides #2)

Opening line: That horse nearly throwed you clean into the funeral parlour, boy."

Giddy-up Cowgirls, Welcome to another deliciously hot read from Lorelei James’s addictive Roughriders. This is book 2 in the series although for some reason I missed it the first time through. So now even though I’m up to book 9, I had a super fun time going back to the beginning and revisiting the delicious McKay boys before they all grew up, got married and started acting responsible and repopulating most of Wyoming. With Rode Hard Put Up Wet we of course get all-kinds-of-ways hot and steamy cowboy lovin but here we also get the added bonus of a two-four. As in 2 couples finding love and passion in 1 sexy story and how great is that!

We met our first couple; Gemma and Big Cash Crow in LONG HARD RIDE and although they’re older in the traditional sense (30’s & 40’s) both still very much have the “it” factor when it comes to spice in the bedroom. I loved their story and definitely preferred it out of the two. Cash even gave me a couple of *sigh* moments when he finally turned the lights on and opened his eyes… Their romance is about second chances, no matter what stage of life you’re in.

Explosive, impulsive, selfish, jealous, unsure, intense and at times downright annoying; Cash’s daughter Macie and self-centered artist Carter McKay as our second couple personified young love. This pair was all over the place with their emotions and a ton of fun to watch as I never knew what they were going to do next. I had a seriously tough time liking Carter though --as Macie often says “He’s a dumbass” Finding him immature and for the most part just an idiot. Cash on the other hand is all MAN...

Widow Gemma Jansen is looking for someone to help manage her ranch, luckily she knows just the sweet cowboy for the job. Cash Big Crow has just retired from the rodeo circuit and is looking to reconnect with his grown daughter Macie. Going to work for Gemma might be just the answer everyone’s looking for. Giving Cash and Macie the opportunity to settle in one place and get to know each other and Gemma the hired hand she needs. Of course before Cash agrees he has a few non-negotiable conditions; theres won’t be a strictly working relationship, Gemma might be the boss lady during the day but once in the bedroom Cash is going to be in charge, no questions asked.            

To complete our foursome we’re also introduced to ranch hand and I’m too sexy for my boots/tortured artist Carter McKay. He takes one look at Macie and realizes he’s found his perfect muse. The artist in him begging to paint her, sculpt her and just plain have her. This doesn’t sit well with Cash, he knows all to well the reputations of those hard living, womanizing McKay boys and there ain’t no way one of them is getting near his daughter. Oh theres sure to be fun and games and even a few dust ups at the Bar-9 this summer.

As much as I enjoyed this it certainly wasn’t my favourite in the series and it took me a while to figure out why I was having a harder time connecting with this story. But with 2 couples and 4 POV’s it just wasn’t as tight. And with all the switching back and forth neither couple ever felt complete. Anyways, a very small gripe for another great instalment.

~REVIEW of Lorelei James' LONG HARD RIDE~

AND I’M OFF TO THE RODEO…

Long Hard Ride (Rough Riders, #1)

Opening Line: "On a drunken dare after too many kamikazes, Channing Kinkaid found herself standing on a shellacked bartop while a bartender named Moose sprayed her chest with ice-cold beer."

Yeehaw, what a great read, now I know what all the fuss is about. Based on good reviews and my love of cowboys in general I just had to give this series a try and wow am I ever glad I did. LONG HARD RIDE is all kinds-of-ways hot and sexy lovin but it’s also so much more. Between the erotic interludes theres an actual story and a whole cast of characters that I became invested with and in the end really cared about. All with relatable issues, deep emotions and yeah theres even a touching love story (or 3) to boot. Theres also several subplots going on here that got me so hooked I’ve since ordered the entire Roughriders series because I just have to know how things turn out for everybody.

So if you like hot alpha male cowboys and have a (secret) dream about hitting the rodeo circuit with a trio of your very own then I highly recommend joining the Roughriders family for a little ridin, ropin, chaps and spurs wearin western adventure. Giddy-up cowgirls.

Channing Kinkaid wants an adventure that she’ll remember for a lifetime she also wants to shed her sexual inhibitions and embrace a steamier, multi-partnered lifestyle. What better way to fulfill her fantasies than hooking up with Colby, Trevor, and Edgard. Three rowdy, bull riding, calf roping and bronco busting cowboys who are more than willing to take Channing on as their personal “buckle bunny” while they travel the rodeo circuit. However she has to play by their rules and Colby’s demands for complete submission are beginning to test her heart as much as her will. Of course everything is not always as it seems with this sexy threesome and when cowboys get injured and friends become lovers you better turn on that sad country music and hang on for the full 8 seconds because this is going to be quite the ride.

Just about anything goes here sexually speaking including light bondage, ménage a cowboy, partner sharing, partner swapping, oral, anal and some fine M/M lovin. Cheers