Rode Hard, Put Up Wet by Lorelei James ... QC #160

4 Stars! ~~~ More sexy cowboys and the women brave enough to tame their hearts

Rode Hard, Put Up Wet by Lorelei James

Samhain Publishing ~ October 2007 eBook

Book #2 ~ Rough Riders

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It’s been two years since Gemma Jansen’s husband died, and at 47 she’s ready to move on. She’s ready for Cash Big Crow to come back into her life; last year she’d pushed aside his advances as she hadn’t been over her grieving. Her neighbour Colby McKay has let Gemma know that Cash is no longer on the rodeo circuit and looking for full time work, and as she needs a ranch foreman desperately, she seeks him out. Cash is happy to take the job on two conditions, one his 22 year old daughter Macie can stay for the summer and two, Gemma may be the boss on the ranch but Cash is going to be the boss in the bedroom, and they’ll be sharing the bedroom. Cash also makes it clear that he’s not a gentleman and is relieved when Gemma agrees. Colby’s brother Carter is a struggling artist who’s been busy putting together enough paintings and sculptures for his upcoming show. In exchange for the use of a spare barn and trailer at Gemma’s, he’s been helping out with the ranch chores. The exotic beauty that comes to the ranch with Cash and Gemma is just the inspiration Carter’s been looking for. While Gemma and Cash get themselves reacquainted, Carter is showing Macie that he can meet her every fantasy and desire.

It was great to see Gemma and Cash, whom we met in Long Hard Ride, have their story. Gemma has fears that she’s too old for Cash (her 47 his 38); and Cash fears that he’s just not good enough for Gemma, after all the years on the circuit he has nothing to show for it. Cash is a great hero, seeing what Gemma needs and giving freely. I was pleased that the second romance with Macie and Carter didn’t detract at all from Gemma and Cash’s story. Macie’s had to grow up pretty much on her own as Cash hadn’t really been in her life until she was a teenager. More than anything she wants to know what it’s like to have roots and family. Carter has roots and family, but he’s always felt he was an outsider, and misunderstood. He feels things intensely and this comes out in his art. It’s that intensity that binds him to Macie. Both romances are about second chances and fighting for the one you love. I loved visiting with Colby and Channing and the hot scene with Trevor, from book one. Hints are made that someday Trevor may have his own story, and the upcoming book with Cord McKay is nicely set up for book three.

Excellence: Very Good ~ Steaminess: Inferno

My Totals = 59 ~ Harlequin Imprint = 56 ~ Other Publisher = 3

Publisher’s Warning: this book contains: explicit sex nine ways ‘til Sunday – including ménage a trois, inventive use of ropes, naughty girls getting spanked, stubborn men getting hog-tied, graphic language and whoo-wee! hot nekkid cowboy action

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