Giveaways:

None right now.
(all international & blog specific unless told otherwise, aka "U.S" only or "TW" aka Tour Wide)
Showing posts with label cowboys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cowboys. Show all posts

Saturday, October 5, 2013

GUEST BLOG - The City Gal’s Guide to Dude Ranch Survival (ACCIDENTAL COWGIRL)

The City Gal’s Guide to Dude Ranch Survival
by Maggie McGinnis

Thanks so much for hosting me today! I’m so happy to be here! 

In honor of Accidental Cowgirl’s release, the Whisper Creek ranch hands have put together their own City Gal’s Guide to Dude-Ranch Survival :


Early means early: Wake-up’s when the rooster decides it’s wake-up. Not when your pretty little alarm clock goes off

Breakfast is required: And you better eat more than a granola bar. We’ve got work to do, and you need fuel.

Grooming is not: You’re gonna put a hat on over that hair, anyway.

Riding is work: You’ll hate us the first two days, but trust us. Your thighs will thank us for this vacation. Your butt, too.

Horses play tricks: Yeah, don’t let the big eyes fool you. They’ll be the first ones to puff out their bellies to mess with the straps when you saddle them, and then once you’re on, boom! Down you go.

Calves do not want to be caught: We make it look easy, and we’re totally not laughing when we turn you loose to try roping them. Not laughing out loud, anyway.

Trail riding 101: Follow the leader, people. No shortcuts. Shortcuts lead to mooses. Yes, that’s the plural of moose around here. You don’t want to meet one this week. Or two.

Yeah, we do eat those: See that rabbit over there? Cute, yes? But see, if we lose sight of the supply wagon and have to go it alone, that little puffball could totally be dinner. Don’t name it.

No, we definitely don’t eat those: Some mushrooms are good. Some mushrooms are very, very bad. Do not eat the bad ones. In fact, just don’t eat any mushrooms. The hospital’s too far away.

Snakes love sun: Especially sunny rocks. Don’t get near them, especially on horseback.

Snakes bite: Hard.

You can too sleep: That’s nature, people. Nature makes noise. But it’s good noise.

Those twinkly things in the sky?: Those are stars. You might see one or two of them back East. Yep, there’re thousands out here.

You’ll want to stay here forever: Because once you experience a day on horseback, meals by the fire, and a night under the stars, you might never want to go back home.

So that’s the ranch hands’ version of country living advice. What advice would you give someone new to your area?

Thursday, August 8, 2013

REVIEW - THUNDERSTRUCK

"Every instinct tells Silent Hawk that Jo is The One, and despite her obvious uncertainty, his Apache beliefs give him faith. The signs are unmistakable. His skittish little filly requires a strong hand, patience…and blazing, mind-bending sex that leaves no doubt to his feelings and intentions."

Author: Kendall Grace
Pages: 192 pages
Publisher: Ellora's Cave on May 2013
Form: E-book (from NetGalley for an honest review)
Genre: Contemporary Cowboy Romance (+18 Only)
Amazon: Buy / $6.19 (Kindle) ( EU price, click to see yours )
Barnes & Noble: Buy / $6.99 (Nook)
Ellora's Cave: Buy / $5.95 (E-book)
Excerpt: Chapter 1

"Desperate to distance herself from her previous life, and her high-powered ex, Jo Montgomery moves to a tiny slice of Georgia, an impetuous decision if there ever was one. Though not nearly as impetuous as throwing herself into an intimate relationship with her new neighbor. Hawk Stephens, a horse breeder and local celebrity, is sex personified, a man built for dark deeds in dark places. But he wants far more from Jo.

Every instinct tells Silent Hawk that Jo is The One, and despite her obvious uncertainty, his Apache beliefs give him faith. The signs are unmistakable. His skittish little filly requires a strong hand, patience…and blazing, mind-bending sex that leaves no doubt to his feelings and intentions.

But before their love affair has barely begun, the reemergence of Jo’s ex, coupled with a potentially tragic event, forces Jo to make decisions that not only damage Hawk’s beliefs, but could also shatter their tender romance beyond repair."  ~ From Goodreads


I love the stories of a woman burned by her last relationship moves to a small town in the south to escape her former life that's in ashes and falls right in to hands of a handsome new man's man lover whose going to help heal the wounds she's licking.

Life Jo has been a pain, loveless marriage, cheating... it's behind her and she wants nothing to do with love. She's got herself a new home; a fixer-upper, a new tall, dark and sexy neighbor who seems to think she's up for some fun. She's determined to life alone, in her little home and just focus on herself. But focusing on herself is hard when there is much hotness to focus on in Hawk.

Hawk, half Apache-half Cowboy knows all the signs of nature and Jo coming into his life is nothing more than spectacular, he's been waiting for her his whole life and he's going to do what ever it takes to have her love him. But she's gonna have to tread lightly as she's fearful of him and their attraction. It was instantly easy to love Hawk, he's charming intense in the best possible way and loyal as hell to boot, and will stop at nothing to get his woman.

What bugged me was that it was all so good, all so happy and then all hell breaks loose and Hawk just gives up. Seriously, it didn't fit his character, he'd been so good all through the book and then he suddenly flakes on her and I seriously suspected he'd gotten a brain tumor - but I guess he had some pride in him, a good dollop of it and his insecurities got the better of him. Luckily it all ended well but that one part ticked me off, royally - luckily he pulled up his big boy undies and buffed up his man card, and manned the hell up.

Rating :




BTW, that Taylor Cole on the yummy cover, if you want you can check out a books he co-authored:
"Take It Off!" and "Take It Off! (Again)" 
The Naked Truth About Male Strippers

The links will take you to my reviews of the two books!

Sunday, August 4, 2013

REVIEW - STERN

"Years ago, Canyon Westmoreland let misunderstandings come between him and Keisha Ashford. But when Keisha returns to town with a two-year-old son, it's time to settle things once and for all."

Author: Brenda Jackson
Pages: 192 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Desire on Sep. 3rd 2013
Form: E-book (from NetGalley for an honest review)
Genre: Contemporary Cowboy Romance
Series: Westmoreland Novel #26
Amazon: Buy / $4.39 (Kindle) ( EU price, click to see yours )
Barnes & Noble: Buy / $3.82 (Nook)
Excerpt: Chapter 1

The third of a new trilogy starring three Westmorelands who are impossible to resist: Zane, Canyon and Stern.

"Stern Westmoreland never makes mistakes — until he helps his best friend Jovonnie "JoJo" Jones with a makeover… for another man.

Now Stern wants JoJo for himself. Their attraction is undeniable and there's only one way to test it: one long, steamy night together as much more than friends!"  ~ From Goodreads


"I'm desperate to read Canyon which is next in line to be published - and then Stern. The author has a new fan in me!" ~ From my "Zane" Review

I absolutely love "From Friends to Lovers" stories, love love love love them! It's just so yummy to have a guy suddenly become jealous, and wonder why he feels that way, and then trying to talk himself to a comfort zone, when all along he's falling in love. * sigh *

Stern sure fits the bill, the hot and hunky charmer who doesn't have issues getting ladies suddenly finds himself annoying that another man has snagged his best friend Jojo's eyes, and the feelings coming with it befuddle him. Some of the funniest parts are where he refuses to acknowledge he's become jealous of Jojo.


Of course the only reason Jojo is looking at other guys is to try and replace Stern because she doesn't think he could ever love love her, so she's taking steps to guard her heart from when he finds a woman who's undoubtedly going to make Stern step away from their friendship. I loved that Jojo was a tomboy, she could take care of herself and only few things made her uncomfortable, her newly found attraction to Stern was one.

Of course they guy she picks to get Stern off her mind is a total douche, so what is a Cowboy to do but make sure they don't get together... and if that means that he gets her, then all the better.




Something I didn't address in the "Zane" review, this is actually the first series for me with african american couples - I thought these might have been harder reads, as I imagined somethings I might not get, but silly me that was not the case, I absolutely love these books and there are no references I didn't get.

Those of you who love Friendzone Romances and a cowboy desperate to have his best friend notice he's falling for her, this novel comes highly recommended!

Rating :




Have you read the Westmorelands series before?
What did you think? 
Should I go back and read some 
and if yes, which ones?!

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

REVIEW - CANYON

"Years ago, Canyon Westmoreland let misunderstandings come between him and Keisha Ashford. But when Keisha returns to town with a two-year-old son, it's time to settle things once and for all."

Author: Brenda Jackson
Pages: 192 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Desire on Aug. 6th 2013
Form: E-book (from NetGalley for an honest review)
Genre: Contemporary Cowboy Romance
Series: Westmoreland Novel #25
Amazon: Buy / $4.39 (Kindle) ( EU price, click to see yours )
Barnes & Noble: Buy / $3.82 (Nook)
Excerpt: Chapter 1

The second of a new trilogy starring three Westmorelands who are impossible to resist: Zane, Canyon and Stern.

"Years ago, Canyon Westmoreland let misunderstandings come between him and Keisha Ashford. But when Keisha returns to town with a two-year-old son, it's time to settle things once and for all.

A blazing attraction still burns between them, and this time around, nothing will stop Canyon from claiming what is his - his woman and his child."  ~ From Goodreads


"I'm desperate to read Canyon which is next in line to be published - and then Stern. The author has a new fan in me!" ~ From my "Zane" Review

And the Westmorelands are back! I loved Canyon's story, not only was it about his relationship with Keisha, and trying to make her believe he never cheated on her - but about discovering Keisha kept the birth of their son from him. There's something that are hard to forgive. I liked the fact that we started with him still having feelings for her, then he discovers he has a son and he gets mighty pissed off a Keisha. Add in the fact someone is trashing Keisha's house, and threatening his newly discovered son... No boring moments in this book!

There is something about these Westemoreland men that just revs your engines, all tall, dark and handsome, smooth, charming and sexy as sin - what's not to like honestly. Plus they are fiercely loyal and  stick together as family in a way that is sexy on it's own... Canyon is a great addition to the mix he's all that and he takes into being a father like duck to water. It's sweet, adorable and again sexy. I know right, "stop saying sexy". ;)

Keisha had a lot to reform to, first Canyon discovering she'd held a son from him, her house trashed, moving in with Canyon and watching all those abandoned feelings reappear, unwanted mind you, she's not willing to admit maybe he didn't cheat on her those years ago, because if so then... just what has she done to both of them, to their son. Loved her story arch! And the kid wasn't annoying, wohoo!

And the romance, hot. With all the drama, they still couldn't help checking each other out.

Something I didn't address in the "Zane" review, this is actually the first series for me with african american couples - I thought these might have been harder reads, as I imagined somethings I might not get, but silly me that was not the case, I absolutely love these books and there are no references I didn't get.

I just read Stern, so eyes open for that review early next month. ;)


Those of you who love second chances and a cowboy desperate to have his girl  trust him again this novel comes highly recommended!

Rating :




Have you read the Westmorelands series before?
What did you think? 
Should I go back and read some 
and if yes, which ones?!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

BTS eMAG REVIEW - THE WAGONMASTER

Title: The Wagonmaster
Author: Nita Wick
Genre: Historical Western Romance
Heat Rating: 4 / 5
Stars: 4.5 / 5
Reviewed by: Niina C ( from For The Love of Reading )

"Medical school taught Dr. Adelaide Jennings that there is no cure for her father's consumption. Determined to reach him in Oregon before the disease claims him, Addie will risk anything. Even her own life.

Joshua Reynolds escorts people along the arduous and often dangerous Oregon Trail. He cannot force the members of the train to allow an unwed woman to join them. But the foolish doctor is determined to make the journey, even if she has to go alone. To protect the willful, spoiled young woman, Josh agrees to marry Addie in name only.

Together they embark on a journey that tests their mettle, challenges their beliefs, and inflames their senses. Can Josh resist the temptation to make the marriage a real one? Can Addie ignore the fascinating attraction she feels for the wagonmaster? And will they make it to Oregon alive?"


Got to love a good historical romance, and The Wagonmaster was just that! An interesting mix of historically accurate and sexy, Josh and Addie completely carry this romance with interesting, authentic character traits and chemistry that smolders - and even the parts that aren't full blown romance are intriguing and entertaining which is always the mark of a good book for me. ;)

Want to read the whole review? 
Checkout Page 24 to see it!



Thursday, June 27, 2013

REVIEW - KIDNAPPED COWBOYS (GIVEAWAY)

"Retired rodeo star, Dalton Barnes, gets the surprise of his life when he’s abducted by a soft-spoken female with a ‘gun’ and taken to the retreat his family owns. He soon learns she’s kidnapped the wrong cowboy by mistake. She wanted his brother."

Author: Lindsey Brookes
Pages: 380 pages
Publisher: Self Published on Feb 2013
Form: E-book (from tour for an honest review)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Amazon: Buy / $6.19 (Kindle) ( EU price, click to see yours )
Barnes & Noble: Buy / $2.99 (Nook)

"After countless attempts to speak with the owner of the retreat for troubled teens she runs on the outskirts of Lone Tree, Montana, Caitlin Myers resorts to kidnapping Brandon ‘The Ogre of Lone Tree’ Barnes in a desperate attempt to change his mind about turning Stoney Brook into a vacation resort for the wealthy.

Retired rodeo star, Dalton Barnes, gets the surprise of his life when he’s abducted by a soft-spoken female with a ‘gun’ and taken to the retreat his family owns. He soon learns she’s kidnapped the wrong cowboy by mistake. She wanted his brother. Things go from bad to worse when a late spring snowstorm strands them together at the cabin. But it’s during their snow-in that Dalton learns why Caitlin has gone to such lengths to save Stoney Brook. Having had issues with his older brother himself and a not so happy past, Dalton promises to do what he can to help her.

When confronted Brandon tells Dalton he’ll hold off on his plans for the retreat, but only if Dalton agrees to stick around and help run it. Keeping his promise to Caitlin, Dalton agrees and what starts out as a common goal to turn the troubled teens’ lives around that summer ends up turning theirs around as well. Can a man who has always avoided putting down roots and a woman with a deep-seated fear of abandonment hang on to the happiness they've found together? Or will the past return to threaten their newfound love?"  ~ From Goodreads


I really wanted to like this book and I think I did pretty good 1/3 into it, then it began to lose pace and entertainment value, sure the humor was there but it started to feel slapstick and forced. I might be near alone in this opinion as I've heart great reviews on this book.

In the beginning I liked both Brandon and Cait and their chemistry, and the love of chemistry never faltered, just the story did a little. The "bad brother" Dalton was heavily featured as well which is I believe to see his story, he seemed to have heartache, a bitch ex and some hollywood star caliber package lying around. But of course you got glimpses of a good heart. Brandon had a pretty good story arc from runaway playboy rodeo-star to stand-up ( except for the soap incident ) disciplinarian of teenage misfits, Caitlin was just little coocoo, endearing at times, annoying in others. I wasn't quite sure which won. ;) Perhaps her good heart made her more likable in the end.

The blurb ( even though bit on the long side ) promises some fun, love and drama and you do get that - and a lot reviewers have found this book great, so I'd say if the blurb intrigues you pick up a copy - make up your own mind. :)

Rating :






Lindsey will be awarding a $10 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour!

 All the tour dates can be found here:
http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/04/virtual-reviews-tour-kidnapped-cowboy.html


Romance author Lindsey Brookes grew up reading romance novels. She penned her first romance, a historical, at the age of seventeen. From there she went on to join Romance Writers of America where she learned the ins and outs of the publishing business and ways to hone her craft. She switched to writing contemporary romance and has finalled in/or won more than 75 RWA chapter sponsored contests with over a dozen different manuscripts. She is also a four time RWA Golden Heart finalist as well as a past American Title III finalist and winner of Harlequin's Great American Romance Novel contest. She's married to her childhood sweetheart, her hero, with whom she has two beautiful daughters.

Check out her websites:
www.lindseybrookes.com
www.possumhollowseries.com
Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/lindsey.brookes.9?ref=tn_tnmn
Twitter
https://twitter.com/Lindsey_Brookes

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

THE LONELIEST ALPHA VS. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - GUEST BLOG


One look will change their lives forever.

"Lingerie designer Alicia Clarkson just had to open her stupid mouth. Now thanks to trying to defend a fellow pack mate, Alicia’s been blindfolded, tied up, and carted off to the new alpha of the Oregon pack—Gavin MacKellen.

However, the blindfold doesn't come off so soon. Alicia’s curiosity gets fired up when Gavin refuses to reveal his face to her. Just what happened to him? He talks to her from shadowy corners and behind closed doors. The man is as allusive as a squirrely fox, but Alicia doesn't play games and the quiet spoken, hoarse voiced alpha doesn't stand a chance against her. They settle on an agreement, thirty days for them to get to know each other because that’s the only way this cowboy alpha will have it.

Gavin MacKellen needs a mate. But he knows no good woman would ever want to look at his face after the incident he suffered. After one look at Alicia Clarkson all his plans fly out the window. The woman’s beauty has him damn stunned speechless. She torments his thoughts and Gavin finds himself yearning to know everything about her. As relationship forms, love threatens to grow between them but Gavin struggles to cope with his physical appearance in the face of the beautiful Alicia.

Will she be the one to stand in the face of a monster and accept or will she turn her back on him as everyone else has?"

Amazon  /  BN  /  Smashwords  /  Kobo   All Romance eBooks


The Loneliest Alpha vs. Beauty and the Beast
by T.A. Grey

The Beauty and the Beast is by far my favorite Disney movie. Belle is the perfect heroine and almost one-of-a-kind for a Disney princess. She’s book smart, strong and not afraid to stand up and fight for others. And of course she’s beautiful. 


Then enter the beast. 


We all know Disney’s version of the beast—a hairy, monster of a man with claws and fangs.
In THE LONELIEST ALPHA, I have written a similar story. Our heroine, Alicia Clarkson is an exceptionally beautiful woman with a lot of courage, heart, and a gift for designing sexy lingerie. 


Our heroine is Gavin MacKellen. He is a lykaen, a paranormal creature similar to a werewolf, but he and his kind do not shapeshift. Instead they grow stronger, faster, and more powerful when they channel their lykaen powers. 

Gavin also had something terrible happen to him—his face is badly disfigured. This isn't a single scar that simply makes people curious but something ugly that turns people away. It’s through Alicia’s tenderness and understanding that he’s able to finally show her his face and accept what happened to him.


Both THE LONELIEST ALPHA and Beauty and the Beast are stories of acceptance. Accepting who you are or what happened to you is the only way to overcome. Once characters such as Gavin MacKellen and the Beast move on from their disfigurements/differences then they open themselves up to those who’d love them.

THE LONELIEST ALPHA is such a story. Inside my story you’ll see some things you won’t in the Disney movie. You’ll find erotic spanking over the kitchen table, hot love making, and some sexy lingerie that sends Gavin’s blood roaring. You will find some things that are in the Disney movie. Such as a plot to murder Gavin, the heroine fighting to escape our hero, and more that I won’t spoil here.
If you like Beauty and the Beast style love stories then you will love THE LONELIEST ALPHA.



        “When is the last time you were with a man?”
        Her body jerked. “Excuse me?”
        He sighed, the sound thick not with impatience but caution. “I won’t repeat myself, Alicia Clarkson.”
        She froze at the sound of her name even as a part of her understood that he had to know her name. The tone of his voice had changed though, the grating sound becoming a growl.
She answered as soon as she collected herself. “Seven months ago. No six. Yeah, six months, I think.”
        “Were you sleeping with him?”
        She bit the inside of her cheek, jaw flaring as a blush covered her face. “I don’t see what this as to do with–”
        “Just answer the question,” he said in that slow, measured voice. He sounded like someone who didn’t waste words but chose them with care.
        “Yes, I did.” Why that admission embarrassed her when she knew there was no shame in what she’d done annoyed her.
        Then he spoke and every inch of her stiffened. Even her heart skipped a beat. “What do you look for…in a man?”
        “What?” she said, her voice as soft as a whisper. He sounded curious, maybe even a little embarrassed. 
        “Answer the question, please.”
        She shook her head sending locks of hair snapping across her cheek and stood, teetered, then widened her stance to steady herself. “No, I’m done with this. I won’t play your little games anymore. You either explain what this is about or untie me. Actually, untie me and show me the door. I’ve been ready to leave since I got here.”
        He stood and she took an abrupt step back. Was it because she feared him—damn right.
        “Turn around.”
        “Like hell.”
        “Turn around so I can untie you.”
        Biting her lip, she debated his words. He could by lying. “Promise that’s all you want?”
        He grunted some sound of agreement.
        She was loathed to give him her back but she did, slowly. Better to show him her back than to keep the ropes on for god knows how long. He grabbed the rope binding her wrists and her heart jumped with fear. He could kill her; hurt her in so many ways.
        “Stare straight ahead.”
        Naturally, she tried to look over her shoulder but he grabbed the back of her head and turned it to face forward before she could catch a glimpse.
        “Don’t.” A warning.
        It became difficult to breathe. This close, she caught his scent. It was fresh and masculine smelled of something rugged and outdoors. The lykaen in her rolled onto its back and stretched, content. Whoa. Reel it in, Alicia.
        She jumped at the sound of his voice so close to her ear. He had a gravelly, coarse voice, deep as a bass singers. He held the rope hostage as he spoke. “I’m searching for my mate, not lookin’ for no whore. I want you to stay here while we get to know each other. That means I’m gonna have some questions you’ll need to answer. You got that?”
        Not really. “Yeah,” she said instead since she didn't see any other options.
        Another grunt of approval, then she heard the metal swish of a switchblade coming out. She wiggled, tugging to get her arms free as fear rode her. 
        “Please don’t hurt me.” She hung her head, arms trembling in his grasp.
        “Stay still. I don’t wanna nick you.”
        Like that her fear passed. The blade passed through the ropes with ease and her shoulders sagged with relief. The itchy, cursed rope fell away. She smiled at the tiny pleasure of being free.
        “You’ll sleep down the hall. I’ll have Will show you the room.”
        Fingers touched her forearms, strong and direct. And then it vanished in an instant.
Rubbing her arms at the sudden chill, Alicia turned back only to find he’d retreated back into the shadows.
She didn't mean to ask it but the words flew from her lips. “Why won’t you let me see your face?”
        He opened the door, stepping into the hallway. She was so certain he wouldn't answer her that she fiddled with her reddened wrists to hide her eyes.
        But then he did answer and his words couldn't have shocked her more.
        “I don’t want you to see my face ‘cause I’m an ugly son of a bitch and you’re too pretty to be looking at that.”
        She gaped as he quietly shut the door behind him.



I love to write the kind of stories that will keep you up late at night and make your heart pound. It's my goal to make each new book better, more exciting, and more action-packed to keep thrilling you. I'm always trying to push the boundaries with my imagination, and yours, to create something new and different.

Open up one of my novels and you will find hot, erotic stories that will make you laugh out loud, cry, and fly through the pages. I write addictive love stories and I hope you like them.Visit my website to learn more about my books at www.tagrey.com.

Website – www.tagrey.com

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...