Cowboy Up and Ride by Lorelei James .... QC #161

Cowgirl Up and Ride by Lorelei James

Samhain Publishing ~ March 2008 eBook

Book #3 ~ Rough Riders

4 Stars! ~~~ Sexy cowboys, sassy cowgirls, and some good old country living.  

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Amy Jo Foster has been in love with Cord McKay since she was five years old and he’d scooped her up in his arms away from an angry rattle snake.   The Fosters and McKays have neighbouring ranches, and Amy watched as Cord went away then came back married and a father.  But then his marriage ended when his wife couldn’t live the life of a rancher’s wife and mother.  So Cord’s hardened his heart to all but his family and his son, Ky.  AJ’s never gotten over her crush, and has patiently waited for Cord to be ready to open his heart again.  She’s 22 now and done with the waiting, it’s time to seduce the reclusive cowboy.  While Ky is away for the summer to his mother, AJ’s also home from school in Denver to help her mother recoup from a broken hip.   AJ knows she’s only got six weeks while Ky is away to teach Cord to love her, and while she’s teaching him about love, he’ll be teaching her all about that naughty things she’s saved just for him.  Cord makes it clear though he doesn’t believe in love but he’ll give AJ the summer she’ll never forget.   

Ah those McKay men keep getting sexier and more appealing!  I really enjoyed AJ and Cord’s story.   The writing in this one wasn’t quite as raw as the earlier two books to this series.  This story is about family and the dynamics that make a family unique and bond together.   Cord’s the oldest and has always taken his responsibilities to the family and ranch very seriously.  AJ though the youngest was also the one that held her family and ranch up when her Dad suffered from heart disease and was too proud to let the community know they needed help.  AJ’s always been the giver and this summer she wants to give something to herself.  She wants Cord and she knows he’s ready to start his life again.   The love scenes are scorching as expected.  Earlier in the book, there are scenes that make you wonder where this book is going but they were a nice setup for stories that I’m sure are going to follow.   I thought there might be a secondary romance in this one with cousin Kade McKay; he’s another hard working cowboy who deserves a good woman.  Perhaps the next book in this series; “Tied Up, Tied Down” will be Kade’s story.   Sigh, unfortunately that one isn’t due out until July! 

 Excellence:  Very Good  ~ Steaminess:  Inferno

 My Totals = 60 ~ Harlequin Imprint = 56   ~ Other Publisher = 4

Publisher’s 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 lovin’.

~~ KatherineT ~~ I'm a Harlequin Addict, and I'm proud of it!
~~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog