Customer Reviews

The Cowboy: Wild Ride / Cowboy in Paradise / Saddle Sore / Rodeo Man (Aphrodisia)

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4 star:		(3)
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Wild Ride by Vonna Harper

Jordan Shore was knocked off her horse by a wild bull while competing in a rodeo a year ago. She suffered an extensive injury but the emotional scars run much deeper. Cougar Lighthorse is the bull's owner. Cougar and Jordan have known each other since they were kids, since Cougar's dad was the foreman on Jordan's father's ranch.

Cougar and Jordan meet up at Jordan's first big rodeo competition since her injury and the sparks fly. Although it was kept hidden, the simmering attraction they have always had between them flares into a raging inferno.

Cougar is there when Jordan needs him. Will she do the same when Cougar needs her?

There is nothing frilly or flowery about Jordan and Cougar is a tough, headstrong man. They take turns controlling each other's passions and in turn the loving is hard, explosive and almost spiritual for them. Although Wild Ride is intense and wild, it is also tender and meaningful.

Cowboy In Paradise by PJ Mellor

Tyler Last has recently retired from the rodeo. He heads to his grandmother's house in Paradise Cove for some much needed peace and tranquility. The beach house is far from peaceful though; construction is under way to make the beach public.

Meg Holder is protesting the construction in Paradise Beach. She has a lousy job and a non-existent love life. While sitting on the beach one night a magnificent cowboy riding his equally magnificent horse rode up close to her. After a brief exchange of words, Meg is wrapped in Tyler's embrace and kissing him passionately. Tyler takes off suddenly though and Meg is left a bit stunned.

Tyler is left fantasizing about the mystery woman on the beach, which is a first for him since he is a love `em and leave `em kind of guy.

As they continue to meet for uninhibited great sex, Tyler is falling fast and hard, but how will he feel when he finds out who Meg really is?

A Cowboy In Paradise is a red hot, steamy romance! Tyler could charm any woman out of her clothes, so it's no surprise that Meg falls for his seductive cowboy charm. I like Meg. She is funny and down to earth but the seductress is not a role she seems comfortable with. There are a few inconsistencies in the story and there is a scene involving some plastic wrap that is a bit over the top. I liked the storyline though; "bad boy finds the woman of his dreams and turns over a new leaf" is very romantic.

Saddle Sore by Nelissa Donovan

Cassandra Donovan is a US Fish and Wildlife agent. Cassie has come to the small town of Granite Hollow investigating the possibility of some wolves that were released in the area are attacking the local livestock. Dean McCabe is a rancher. It's lust at first sight for Dean and Cassie and very quickly they are wrapped in each other's arms, tangled in his sheets.

Before they can figure out where their relationship is headed though, they need to solve the mystery of what is attacking the animals in town.

There is a lot of "story" in Saddle Sore. It has mystery, danger, past issues, and Dean and Cassie have a new relationship to work through, which are all interesting. These elements could have been expressed in more detail if it were longer though. Dean and Cassie are a good match and the sex is hot!

Rodeo Man by Nikki Alton

Ana Hartley is on a business trip when she loses her job and her fiancé so instead of heading back home, she moves on. Along the way, Ana's car breaks down and she stops a truck for help.

Grant Olson is all too eager to pick up the beauty flagging him down. After taking her to get help he has to move on to get ready for his next rodeo competition though.

Ana attends a rodeo where she meets Grant again and before long they are heating up the night in each other's arms. Grant and Ana come from two different worlds; one of them thinks they have what it takes to make it work but the other isn't so sure. It's going to take some smooth and seductive convincing for them to give a relationship a shot.

I really like the way that Rodeo Man is written. It's very descriptive and I was totally drawn into the story. The sex between Ana and Grant is mind-blowing. They give new meaning to the expression "playing with your food" and it's amazing that they never get caught playing with it. These two are very compatible sexually. I felt a little wistful at the ending even though I know it's all, all right. Rodeo Man is an extremely erotic story and I really liked Ana and Grant a lot.

Four lucky ladies get to rope in their very own cowboy in The Cowboy. These women know what they want from a man and their cowboys know just how to fulfill their every desire. The Cowboy is not a sugary sweet romance. It is hot, hard, and raunchy. If you're looking for steaming hot fantasies, then The Cowboy is your book!

Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

What a super hot cover. Va-voom. And four fine authors writing the erotic romance inside. They all have a light touch and good story-telling skills.

But I have to say that though this is erotica, and the book comes with a warning that the content sizzles, I still miss the parts that fall between the kiss and two people jumping between the sheets, or the horse blankets. Those parts aren't represented here. The couples say a few words face-to-face, then the guy has his hand on her ---- in the very next paragraph, if not the next sentence.

Maybe somebody thinks this is believable, but I find that I still want a little more paragrahical foreplay in order to get into the swing, "erotica" or not. And I think that all of these stories might have been even better if they had had real progressions of emotion, as much as a novella would allow, anyway.

This was a great book! Very erotic and HOT, HOT MEN! I only wish the stories were longer. I have also never met women that fast and easy but in a short story I guess you don't have time to chat. It was what I wanted, hot, quick romances I could read in one sitting. Lots of the Erotic! I recommend it.

All the Sexual gratification you could ever want concealed in a paperback book!

Jordan Shore and half-breed Cougar Lighthorse have a long history together. Now, Jordan is fighting more than her fear from a past rodeo accident, oh no, she is also fighting the volatile sexual attraction she has had for Cougar most of her life. One night these two will learn the true meaning of animalistic coupling!

WILD RIDE is by Vonna Harper. The outstanding writing and balanced storyline set this tale apart from the rest and it is the jewel of this anthology. Leaving this reader breathless from the sensual wordplay that flowed like firewater from the opening page until the last. This is one of Ms. Harper's best works to date in this reviewer's humble opinion.

Individual Rating: 5 hearts

Tyler Last has decided to hang up his rodeo career and his womanizing ways. Then out of the blue comes a woman who will turn his world upside down with her sexual attractiveness and personality. This is sure to be more than an eight second ride for Tyler!

COWBOY IN PARADISE is by P.J. Mellor. Of the four authors, this story was the most unusual. With witty characters and a horse named Jim that was reminiscent of another famous palomino from the past, it created a special read. This reader has read other works by this outstanding author and will be looking forward to reading more of P.J. Mellor's other novels in the future.

Individual Rating: 4 hearts

What do you get when you throw together a sexy and sultry conservationist that is not afraid to ask for anything she wants and a rancher that is a walking advertisement for stud's are us? Well, more than likely you will get SADDLE SORE that is for sure!

SADDLE SORE is by Nelissa Donovan. Ms. Donovan has a wicked and wily pen that will take the reader's by storm. This story was a combination of raw heat and fluid writing to create sizzling chemistry between the characters and to keep the pages turning at a barn-burning rate!

Individual Rating: 4 1/2 hearts

Anna Hartley has had one heck of a day. She has lost her job, boyfriend, and now is stranded on foot. What might make this a whole lot better is traveling down the same road is the handsome champion rodeo rider Grant Olson. Maybe things will be looking up--literally!

RODEO MAN is by Nikki Alton. This story has to be the naughtiest one of the bunch! Ms. Alton used every conceivable sexual situation to heat this baby into hedonistic heaven. This reviewer loved the ending of this tale of sexual heat between to totally different individuals that find that they might just be the perfect fit.

Individual Rating: 4 1/2 hearts

THE COWBOY is intoxicating blend of luscious heat and hard riding appeal, and one erotic book you will devour cover-to-cover! These four authors pulled out all the stops to fill their stories with enough hedonistic flavoring that nothing is sacred or left to the imagination. If you love rough, tough, Wrangler-wearing cowboys with sex drives that will burn you alive, then put THE COWBOY at the top of your erotic reading list! This reviewer will reread her copy over and over again -- it is that hot and exceptional well written. Don't be left in the dust, buy your copy today!

Reviewed by Janalee Ruschhaupt, 2006
Courtesy of Love Romances

Book 1 - Vonna Harper: "Wild Ride." Grade: B+
Sub-genre: New Beginnings
In Jordan Shore's world, attraction and Cougar Lighthorse went hand in hand. Even though she known the man for most of her life, he could still overwhelm and intimidate her! Yet, Jordan had other problems - like facing her demons. They called her demon Rampage - an aggressive Brahma bull. One year ago, this Brahma bull tried to kill her and as luck would have it - Cougar Lighthorse owed him! Still, if she wanted to return to the competitive world of barrel-racing, now was her chance.

*** Comments:
With only 79 pages to tell her tale, Vonna Harper simply ran out of room for WILD RIDE to be completely satisfying! And yes, her heroine was, at times, a little crass and why? Nevertheless, Vonna Harper still held me by using some major descriptive and setting talent. I have been to rodeos and Vonna Harper nailed this setting!

Book 2 - P. J. Mellor: "Cowboy in Paradise." Grade: B-
Sub-Genre: Light Comedy
Tyler Last felt old and tired. He knew the time had come; the entire Rodeo scene was for youngsters. It was time for a rest and rest meant - Gramma's house. Meg Holder grew up in Paradise Beach and she loved the tranquil cove. But soon they would ruin her private paradise. Outrageously, an affluent gated community was scheduled! Well not if Meg Holder had anything to say about it! So who cares if her boss is the developer? And who cares if her boss's new partner is sweet old Hanna Garnder-Edwards - the lady who owns all the beachfront property. And who the devil cares if Mrs. Garnder-Edwards' grandson is a picturesque cowboy with a magnificent body?

*** Comments:
Two people meet on a moonlight beach have hot, heavy sex, and suddenly it's LOVE. Question: Is knowing someone's name a prerequisite for marriage? Nay! But I bet they will be on a first-name basis at their divorce trial? P.J. Mellor's writes a fantasy all right, but it is so...ooo humorously silly!

Book 3 - Nelissa Donovan: "Saddle Sore." Grade: A-
Sub-Genre: Romantic Suspense
Dean McCabe compared agent Cassandra Darling to a glorified cupie doll. The US Fish and Wildlife Service had sent him a well-stacked, pixie faced, cupie doll! Oh yea, the government always worked for its citizens' best interests! What a joke! Cassandra Darling loved her job even if it meant butting heads with the likes of rugged, sexy Dean McCabe - the owner of the Rocking T ranch. She was in Granite Hollow to investigate the Wolf Release program. Unfortunately, the evidence spoke volumes - the newly released wolves were hunting and killing the local livestock. And the citizens of Granite Hollow were angry. Angry enough to hunt down the pack . . . and Dean McCabe would lead the posse!

*** Comments:
After reading SADDLE SORE, Nelissa Donovan is now on my Check Out Author's Next Book list. This story is indeed hot, but remarkably the author moved beyond the bed sheets to give her reader some great entertainment. Although, Nelissa Donovan's tale ran out of room, she still managed a very good story!

Book 4 - Nikki Alton: "Rodeo Man." Grade: C
Sub-Genre: New Beginnings
Anna Hartley was having a lousy day! First, they fired her, then she found out her boyfriend was unfaithful, and now her rental car had an eight-hundred dollar repair bill attached to it! On the bright side, Wyoming cowboy Grant Olson stopped and offered her a ride into town. This rodeo star was incredibly attractive, with his curly blond hair, violet eyes and sashaying self-confidence. And boy, did Anna want him; she really wanted him! Grant had given up trying to play it cool. Anna Hartley was too hot for his usual playful, seductive games. Grant Olson lived his life under the slogan: live for the NOW and always for the next ride and Anna Hartley was more than accommodating!

*** Comments:
What started with so much promise, soon turned into so much disappointment. In RODEO MAN, Nikki Alton's characters and their sexual antics are too crude, too rough, and too raw!

MaryGrace Meloche.

This was a great read. The stories kept your intrest and they were very steamy. I will be looking for more on the same line of this one.

Overall, The Cowboy is a good, sexy read. It has plenty of hot sex, and some humorous moments. The problem with anthologies is that there isn't enough time to really get to know the characters. At times, I felt like I was dropped in the middle of a book, not fully understanding exactly what dynamics were taking place. But on the good side, it does give me a guideline on what authors to look for.

There's just something about a cowboy's devilishly sexy smile, his swagger, and grab life by the horns attitude that draws women to him. Or maybe it's just the way those chaps ride low on his hips and draw our attention to everything below the belt.

WILD RIDE by Vonna Harper
Jordan has been infatuated with half-breed bull rider Cougar since she was just a girl. One year ago, she was thrown when his Brahma, Rampage, displayed his bad attitude by running into her barrel-racing mare. Jordan is making an attempt at getting over the fear of bulls that she's developed and Cougar is ready, willing and able to help fulfill any and all her needs.

Vonna Harper does a brilliant job depicting the raw courage it takes Jordan to confront her fears. Cougar and Jordan's attraction is mutual but they've kept a tight rein on their emotions and never acted on them - until now.

COWBOY IN PARADISE by PJ Mellor
Tyler is tired of the hard living he's known on the rodeo circuit. He decides to return to Paradise Beach with his horse Jim. Only it's not the nice quiet community he remembers and he's relegated to riding Jim on the beach at night. It's on one of his moonlight rides that he encounters Meg. Instantly infatuated, Tyler is determined that this little filly belong to him - even if she is determined to keep him at an emotional distance.

Who can possibly resist a sexy cowboy on a moonlight beach? It's the perfect scene for love or at least an unforgettable seduction. Tyler's horse, Jim, had me smiling through this book with his antics. PJ Mellor uses the perfect blend of humor and romance to satisfy any reader.

SADDLE SORE by Nelissa Donovan
Horse rancher Dean McCabe takes his work very seriously and no one is going to get in his way of protecting his interests. Conversationalist Cassandra Darling has been brought in to investigate a series of attacks that are being blamed on the Mexican Gray Wolf. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Dean and Cassandra can't resist the lure of the animalistic desire that burns between them. Is there any hope for their tenuous relationship?

Nelissa Donovan brings to light the plight of relocated animals while drawing us into the relationship between Cassandra and Dean. I loved the passion that develops between the main characters while Cassandra tries to uncover the truth behind the animal attacks.

RODEO MAN by Nikki Alton
While on assignment in Wyoming for an L.A magazine, Anna Hartley is let go from her job because of downsizing, learns that her boyfriend is cheating on her, and then her rental car breaks down on a deserted road. Her luck changed for the better when rodeo rider Grant Olson takes a shortcut and gives her a ride to a ranger station. There's a definite connection between them but they're from completely different backgrounds. Is there any hope for a future between a big city girl and a rodeo cowboy?

Any city girl will really appreciate this gem by Nikki Alton. Who among us doesn't have a horrible day and long for a special man to rescue us? If he's a sexy-as-sin authentic rodeo cowboy, then you've got the perfect ending to a bad day.

THE COWBOY contains four novellas by well-known authors. Each story will tempt, tease, and leave readers drooling for a cowboy of their very own. The authors capture the persona that draw us to these men who work hard, play harder, and when they love, they make sure they stay in the saddle until everyone is fully satisfied. This is definitely a book I'll be adding to my keeper shelf.

Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)