Chasin' Eight by Lorelei James: Official Jacket Copy

Squeee! Lorelei James finally revealed the jacket copy of Chasin' Eight (Rough Riders #11) yesterday on her blog. All I have to say is it's about flippin' time! Chase already sounds like he'll be just as smokin' hot as the rest of the McKay men. Too bad we still have to wait until June 28th for the book to be released. Sigh. I want my cowboy fix like NOW! Chasin' Eight is available for pre-order through Amazon and Samhain. 

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?

Warning: Strap in, another hot McKay is about to bust out of the gate and this bull rider knows a thing or two about riding hard…

Author's website

New Cover Alert: Chasin' Eight by Lorelei James

I have lots of love for Lorelei James and her Rough Riders series. As I have said before, she is my favorite contemporary romance/erotica author. Her McKay men are just to die for. 

Although there isn't a lot of information available on Chasin' Eight, it features Chase McKay who makes a small appearance in Cowgirls Don't Cry. I believe in that book Chase is described as the rodeo stud who has a different buckle bunny in every city. Sounds promising! 

Chasin' Eight is out June 30, 2011. 

Review: Saddled and Spurred by Lorelei James

Saddled and Spurred by Lorelei James
Blacktop Cowboys #2
Contemporary Romance
March 1, 2011
Trade Paperback, 336 pages
New American Library
                                                                                                   Once again, Lorelei James proves that she is the master of cowboy contemporary romance. While I liked the first book in the series, Corralled,  I absolutely adored Saddled and Spurred.
                                                                                                                                       Despite being a former beauty queen, 24 year old Harper Masterson does not have an easy life. After her no-good mother runs away to Mexico with a married man, Harper is forced to drop out of school and take on the responsibilities of caring for her baby sister Bailey. With her eldest sister serving in Afghanistan, Harper abandons her dream of having a career and takes on a number of odd jobs in order to pay the bills. With her sister graduating from high school in a few short months, Harper is willing to sacrifice her own well-being so her sister can go to college and they can both re-locate. However, with Harper currently living in a small town (Muddy Gap) and having a mother with a not so flattering reputation, the jobs aren't plentiful.  So when she is "let go" from her low-paying position as a sales girl, Harper scrambles to find another job so she can make ends meat. After telling her friend Celia Lawson (Corralled) about her predicament, Celia sets Harper up with a job as a ranch-hand for family friend Bran Turner.
                                                                                                                                             Ever since Harper first pulled into Muddy Gap, Bran has lusted over the blond hair whiskey eyed beauty. However, Bran believes that a looker like Harper would never go for a rough and tumble guy like him, so he keeps his distance. But after his former ranch-hand is injured during calving season, Bran is left in a bind. Since no one answered his help-wanted adds, Bran agrees to hire Harper, although she is completely inexperienced in all things ranch related. As her boss, Bran tries to treat Harper as just another employee. However, having Harper around him 24-7 soon chips away at his resolve and they both give into temptation. With Harper leaving in a few months, Bran sees no harm in them engaging in some after-hours activities. But when he starts to develop feelings for Harper, he begins to wonder if he'll ever be able to let her go.
                                                                                                                                             One of the great things about Lorelei James as author is her focus on character development. I particularly loved Harper. Despite being a pageant queen, she never comes off as being vain or selfish. She is devoted to ensuring that her sister finishes school and goes to college and as a result, she is willing to sacrifice her own dream of having a career in fashion. When Harper finally does decide to start caring about her own happiness and well-being I wanted to stand up and yell "you go girl". Harper's actions and reactions were also genuine and true to her character from beginning to end. There is one scene in particular where Harper thinks she has killed Bran's goats that had the potential to be cheesy, but Harper's reactions were so sincere that instead of cringing, I had a few giggles. I also particularly loved how she was so determined to show Bran that she is more than just a girly-girl and takes on all the jobs he gives her head on. Honestly, I wish I was a little bit more like Harper!
                                                                                                                                           And then there is Bran, sigh. There is nothing better than a handsome brooding cowboy. Like Harper, there is a lot more to Bran than meets the eye. Bran has considerable trust issues and as a result, doesn't let a lot of people get close to him. However, I enjoyed seeing him open up to Harper and allowing her to see a side of himself that he doesn't share openly. And like the rest of Jame's heroes, Bran is pure alpha male, complete with snarling and growling. As a result, this book is smoking hot! With Harper having limited experience in the bedroom, Bran makes it his mission to spice up her vanilla views on sex. This leads to lots of yummy encounters between the pair that are as far from vanilla as possible. There is one scene in a dressing room that is particularly titillating, hehe. Fans of James's Rough Riders series will certainly be satisfied with Bran's sexual prowess.
                                                                                                                                             James also introduces (and reintroduces) a number of secondary characters in the book. Considering that there aren't many single McKay men left (tear), it is clear that James won't be giving up on writing about studly cowboys any time soon. One of the new characters that definitely caught my attention was August Fletcher. I hope his book is next in line after Wrangled and Tangled, which features Abe Lawson, who was introduced in the first book, and Renner Jackson, a newbie to Muddy Gap. Two smoking hot cowboy's in one book? Yes, please!
                                                                                                                                             For those who were slightly disappointed by Corralled, Saddled and Spurred will definitely be more to your liking. Both Bran and Harper are great characters that have great chemistry both in an out of the bedroom. Like all other James books, when I finished reading Saddled and Spurred I was ready to pack my bags and move to Wyoming so I can find my own cowboy. They do exist, right?

Loved it! It was one steamin' hot cup of joe.

Other opinions:

~Goodreads

~Night Owl Romance - 5/5

Other books in the series:

Corralled

Wrangled and Tangled (December 2011)

Author's website

Waiting on Wednesday: Saddled and Spurred by Lorelei James

I am HUGE fan of Lorelei James. Hands down, James writes the best cowboy/western romances out there. Although her Rough Riders series is number 1 in my books, I also cannot get enough of her new series, Blacktop Cowboys. On March 1st, James releases the second book in the series, Saddled and Spurred. I hope Bran Turner can measure up to those yummy McKay men...

Also, James has 3 lengthy teasers of Saddled and Spurred on her website. Click HERE to check them out. 

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.

Review: Cowgirls Don't Cry by Lorelei James

Cowgirls Don't Cry by Lorelei James

Rough Riders #10
Erotic/Contemporary Romance/Hot Cowboys

November 9, 2010

ebook, 1156 kb

Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

Source: Purchased ebook from mybookstoreandmore.com

Steam factor: 5 out of 5 steamin' cups of smexy goodness!

Good girls can play rough too...
Jessie McKay has accepted her marriage to Luke McKay wasn’t perfect. After two years of widowhood, she’s ready to kick up her bootheels—until Luke’s younger brother shows up to spoil her fun. But if Brandt thinks she’ll ever take orders from another McKay male, he’s got manure for brains.
Brandt McKay has avoided his sweet, sexy sister-in-law ever since the night he confessed his feelings for her weren’t the brotherly type. Unexpectedly faced with proof of Luke’s infidelity, Brandt is forced to ask for Jessie’s help in taking care of Luke’s young son. Jessie agrees on one condition—she wants Brandt’s boots exclusively under her bed for the duration.
The sexual heat that’s always simmered between them ignites. Brandt is determined to make the temporary situation permanent, proving to Jessie he’s a one-woman man. And Jessie is shaken by feelings she’s sworn never to have again for any man…especially not a McKay.
Warning: Contains branding-iron-hot sex , the one McKay on earth who wants to be tamed, and a woman who’s decided tame is for nice girls who finish last.

What can I say? I absolutely loved this book. I think it may even be one of my favorite books in the Rough Riders series. When I first read the premise of the book, I was a little unsure of how James was going to pull it off. I mean come on, taking care of your dead husband's illegitimate love child? That's a tough one to tackle but James handles it perfectly.

First, I want to address the prologue because I have recently read a number of reviews in which the reviewer didn't have a lot pleasant things to say about it. After grieving so long for her no-good cheating husband, Jessie wants to prove to herself that she can be wild and free with her sexuality. However, Jessie decides to hook-up with a loser named Mike who offers to share her during a beach party. After some reluctance and lots of alcohol, Jessie decides to go for it. What she doesn't know is that Brandt McKay is also attendance at the party and decides to stop Jessie from making a terrible mistake. After trying to convince a drunk Jessie to leave Mike's camper, he tries to storm out, but stays in order to prove to Jessie that he isn't a push over. After an awkward threesome situation in which Mike passes out, Brandt wraps a naked Jessie up in a quilt and drives her home.

Yes, the prologue is awkward to read. However, it is meant to be awkward. It's purpose is to make the reader uncomfortable so one can understand just how misguided Jessie is in trying to forget all the regrets she had about her marriage and exert her sexuality after years of being cheated on by her late husband. In the prologue, I really felt Jessie's desperation. Without the prologue, I don't think I would have fully understood Jessie's mentality in trying rid herself of the stigma of being a widow who couldn't keep her husband satisfied. For me, the prologue was the perfect introduction to the book.

Like the rest of the Rough Riders series, I was completely smitten with the main characters. Brandt McKay is simply delicious and a true gentlemen at every turn. He was there for Jessie despite her rejecting his advances. And when Landon, the illegitimate love child of his brother Luke, comes into his life, he takes full responsibility in taking care of the boy. Like the rest of the McKay men, Brandt is also an alpha male to the T, who takes control in and out of the bedroom. I'm so excited to read about the rest of his brothers and cousins who will hopefully get their own books as well. Personally, I hope it's either Chase or Ben. I can't get enough of those McKays!

I also liked Jessie. She goes through a huge transformation throughout the book. After being a victim of abandonment, widow-hood, and being kick-out of her home by her father-in-law, she is now just starting to get back on her feet. I really felt for her throughout the book. I thought her reactions to the obstacles in front of her were believable. I mean, who wouldn't freak out a bit when faced with trying to care of their significant other's illegitimate child? I'm also glad she didn't deny her feelings for Brandt through the entire book. There is nothing worse than a stubborn heroine.

I don't want to give it away, but I also enjoyed how James did the right thing with Landon in the end, although it broke my heart. Essentially, this book was an emotional roller coaster. I've never been so close to crying while reading a book.

Also, plenty of past Rough Riders characters and their millions of children make an appearance. Gotta love when an author updates the reader on the statuses of past characters! However, I have no idea how James comes up with all the different names for the children. I wonder if she just has a baby name book on hand?

And of course, like every other book in the Rough Riders series, there was plenty of smokin' hot smexin. I never thought a pear could be used that way, blush.

Loved it! It was one steamin' hot cup of joe.

Other Opinions:

~Goodreads

~Night Owl Romance - 5/5

~Maldivian Book Review - A+

Other books in the series:

For a complete list of the Rough Riders series, check out my Book Recommendation page

Author's website

Pick of the Week: Cowgirls Don't Cry and Slow Ride by Lorelei James

Sadly, I have 2 major papers due next week, so I'll be off the radar for a little while. Nevertheless, I'll try to keep up on all the latest book news and hopefully I'll be able to post at least one review. No matter how stressed I get with school I always make time to read!

This week's Pick of the Week goes to Cowgirls Don't Cry and Slow Ride by Lorelei James. I recently read the Rough Riders series back to back and I still can't get enough. Those Mckay men are smokin'! Also, Slow Ride is being offered as a free read from Samhain Publishing. FREE!

Good girls can play rough too…
Jessie McKay has accepted her marriage to Luke McKay wasn’t perfect. After two years of widowhood, she’s ready to kick up her bootheels—until Luke’s younger brother shows up to spoil her fun. But if Brandt thinks she’ll ever take orders from another McKay male, he’s got manure for brains...
Brandt McKay has avoided his sweet, sexy sister-in-law ever since the night he confessed his feelings for her weren’t the brotherly type. Unexpectedly faced with proof of Luke’s infidelity, Brandt is forced to ask for Jessie’s help in taking care of Luke’s young son. Jessie agrees on one condition—she wants Brandt’s boots exclusively under her bed for the duration...
The sexual heat that’s always simmered between them ignites. Brandt is determined to make the temporary situation permanent, proving to Jessie he’s a one-woman man. And Jessie is shaken by feelings she’s sworn never to have again for any man…especially not a McKay.

Warning: Contains branding-iron-hot sex , the one McKay on earth who wants to be tamed, and a woman who’s decided tame is for nice girls who finish last.

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.