Customer Reviews

Cowgirl Up and Ride (Rough Riders)

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Amy Jo "AJ" has loved Cord McKay since he "rescued" her when she fell of a horse at 5 and he was 18. Since then AJ is best friends with Cords sister Keeley, and studying massage therapy in Denver. Now almost 18 years later AJ is home to help her sister help care for her mother after a accident on the ranch that borders the McKay ranch. AJ decides to take the Bull by the Horns and Bootscoot her way into Cords life and heart.

Cord McKay is the oldest McKay and feels the responsibility of helping the rest of the family on the McKay Ranch. He is defintely not looking for a relationship. Having already been married to a flighty girl from Seattle who up and left him 6 months after their son Ky was born. Now 4 years later the Mother is demanding visitation and Cord is free for the first time in years.

One night at the local watering hole Cord notices a pair of legs that lead to a way short mini skirt and can't take his eyes off her. When he realizes it's little Amy Jo, his sons baby sitter he can't believe it at first. After a light flirtation and AJ's request that he be her first they decide that until Cord's son comes home AJ will spend every night with Cord. The teaching is about to begin.

AJ is a likable character. I could totally relate to her vision that Cord was the one for her and that she was willing to sacrifice her heart to have what time she could with him.

Cord was just as easy to like. Pure ALPHA male through and through. This DOM/Submissive story was very tasteful and erotic. I never felt that he meant to hurt or humiliate her in any way. It was as much a learing experience for him as much as her. I could feel the love they had for each other through the whole book. She struggled with the fact that the relationship was only for a short time plus the fact that her whole life was changing around her (Sister's divorce and Mother selling the Ranch). Cord struggled with the obvious feeling he had for her right away and the fact he had already had one wife leave him so it was only right the AJ would too, not to mention the age difference.

The back stories were very interesting but could have been fleshed out a little more. Colt's struggles with his addiction would make a nice story and a little more explanation for Dag would work. Kane and Kade the twin cousins of Cord have their own problems and I can't wait to read their stories in much more detail. Not to mention Keeley. She is not going to fall lightly that is for sure. I can't wait to see her get her own story and can just imagine the pure Alpha male that awaits. Although why leave it with just one. She's strong enough for more. I personally can't wait for her story.

This is actually a sequel to "Long Hard Ride" and "Rode Hard and Put up Wet". So I would suggest you read the other two first.

Overall the story was good. The dialogue was snappy and real. Very sexy, steamy, and worth a permanent spot on my keeper bookcase. I will definitely be adding Ms. James to my Author list to keep track of.

You would not be disappointed with this story line or with the writing style. It seemed to flow very nicely for Ms. James. With a little more work I believe she could be the next Julie Garwood or Julia Quinn.

AJ is tired of her "good girl" image so when she comes home to help out her mother she decides to go after what she wants and what she wants is Cord McKay. AJ has been in love with Cord since she was 5 years old and wants him to be "her first lover".

When Cord first sees AJ at a local bar he can't believe how hot she looks or how hot she makes him feel. But, that's nothing compared to how he feels when she propositions him to initiate her into "hot sweaty no holds bared sex" At first shocked and later intrigued, Cord agrees until his son comes home from visiting his mom AJ will be his every night no strings no ties. Can AJ wins Cords Heart?

The interaction between characters is amazing. Lorelei weaves a spell around the reader and before they know it the characters are no longer characters but "very real" people with "real lives, desires, hopes, and dreams". I can't wait for the next book in this series. I do so love this family and do so want a Mckay man of my very own.

Amy Jo Foster, aka AJ, is known for being a good girl and always doing the right thing. So, when her mother needed her to leave school and come home to take care of her, AJ went without even thinking about it. But going home comes with a problem, not with school or her mother, but with the handsome rancher that lives on the next ranch. AJ has had a crush on him since she was 5 years old. Unfortunately, he still sees her as a little girl.

Cord McKay had his own problems. His wife left him with a small son and he's got a big ranch to run. Granted it's a family run ranch and he has plenty of family to help but he's still kept busy. Right now, he's having to adjust to his son visiting his mother for the first time in a couple of years. Cord isn't happy about it but his son seems to be adjusting well. When he bumps into AJ, he gets the shock of his life and only because his son isn't at home can he act on AJ's suggestion and desire.

AJ wants Cord to teach her all about making love. She can't think of anyone better and at 22 either she's going to get Cord to love her back or she's going to loose her virginity and gain a lot of knowledge. Cord strikes a deal with AJ fulling expecting her to back down but when she doesn't, things get interesting.

Though AJ's love life may be looking up, her home life isn't. Her much older sister has decided to divorce her husband of 12 years and the father of her 3 children. While she figures out what she is going to do, she moves home to the family ranch. AJ's mother finally decides that it's time to sell the ranch and move into an assisted living center. Suddenly, AJ's packing up the only home she has ever known and has no place to call home! Even her plans for after school change when her best friend and fellow classmates decides that she's not returning to open a business with AJ. With all the change and turmoil, AJ is holding on to what she has with Cord for all she's worth but even that will end when his son return home in a few weeks.

This is a book in Ms James's stories about the McKay family. They don't need to be read in order though the timeline would make more sense. This story is good all on its own though many characters from the first two books are also in this one.

AJ and Cord are well-developed characters. AJ has issues and problems that many people face in real life. She deals with them the best she can but not perfectly as none of us are perfect. Cord has major concerns. He has a young son whom he has primary care for. He doesn't want anything to hurt him. Cord also worries about the age gap between him and AJ. AJ is just starting out in life while he's been living it a while. Because both characters interact with their families on a regular basis, this adds dimention to them.

The love scenes, while containing some bondage, are just that love scenes and not just sex. Yes, AJ wants Cord to teach her about sex and even though he doesn't love her, he does care about her. Will he ever love her? Maybe. Regardless, the caring comes out and while not everything that Cord and AJ does would be considered normal sex, it works for them and their okay with it, which makes everything okay. If you don't like graphic sex scenes this may be a bit much for you.

By the end of the book, you're rooting for AJ and her love for Cord. And as it is a love story, you know how it's going to end.

STORY BRIEF:
Amy Jo (AJ) has been secretly in love with Cord since she was five years old. She is now 22, he is 37. His wife didn't like ranching and left him. He is divorced and raising his son. AJ flirts with him and tells him she wants him to take her virginity. He feels too old for her, but he is also in lust with her. So he agrees. He is bossy and controlling. He hides his eagerness to be with her. For example, when she knocks at the door he counts to ten before answering it. She is like a puppy, eager to please and compliant. He starts out teaching her ways to please a man. But he also pleases her. He tells her this is a temporary relationship and must be kept a secret.

AJ is a student in Colorado. She came to Wyoming for a few weeks to help her mother who is ill. Cord is in Wyoming.

REVIEWER'S OPINION:
Bossy controlling guy with sweet compliant girl. I liked the emotional development between the two. The major question and conflict is "will Cord ever be able to love again?" He has closed off his heart. The story between AJ and Cord is a simple story with some arguments and conflicts, nothing unusual or too deep. There's a sweet feel good ending. There are some side stories with Cord's relatives that were interesting but needed more development. I wanted to know more about Kade and Skylar, Dag, and Colt. However the purpose of the book is sex, so don't expect a fully-developed-in-depth novel. The sex scenes are erotic and hot. There is a little bit of the Dom/sub, but not too heavy. There is group sex (3 men 1 woman), gay group sex (4 men with each other), rear door activity, light bondage, spanking, and sex toys.

DATA:
Story length: 252 pages. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: strong/erotic. Number of sex scenes: 16. Approximate number of sex scene pages: 58. Setting: current day Wyoming and Colorado. Copyright: 2009. Genre: erotic contemporary romance.

AJ Foster has been in love since she was five years old. Too bad her dream cowboy has only seen her as his little sister's best friend, and therefore, a little sister for her entire life. What he and everyone else have not realized is that AJ is determined to get what she wants. She just has to wait until the timing is right -- when she is home from college taking care of her mother who has broken her leg.

Cord is stunned when he notices little Amy Jo at a bar and before he knows that she is also "AJ," he's asking those around him who the hottie is. He is further surprised when she actually propositions him. She is relentless and he finally gives in to a short-term affair. AJ doesn't want a short affair, but she will take what she can get.

The fun and games might just be what they both need. But what will happen when their time is up? Will either have learned anything about the other's heart? Or will they have just had a great affair?

Cowgirl Up and Ride made me cry, which isn't a bad thing. It means I was so involved in the story that I was upset with something in this "fiction world." I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I'm now searching for any other stories that Ms. James has written about this extended cowboy family. She also did a wonderful job of weaving the characters' histories through the story. I thoroughly enjoyed Cowgirl Up and Ride and think if you like contemporary western romances, you will, too.

Tanya
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I loved this book. I loved the story, and I LOVED Cord McKay.
AmyJO aka AJ was not the usual variety of females in James's book - far more real like someone you could relate to unlike some of the wilder babes in prior novels. But back to Cord.
Wow. You could feel the heat of this guy through the electrons of the kindle. I've had it a week on my kindle and am reading it for the 3rd time. Its by a long shot - the best of her work so far.

AJ has loved Cord since she was 5 years old. So certain she was the one for him she saved herself for him and as an adult, challenged him to give her some "personal" lessons in lovin'. He was too scared of a repeat performance of his first wife leaving him so he closed himself off to love and AJ was just glad to have him for a small period of time, even though she knew he was too stubborn to give in to his heart. Of course all is realized and settled in the end in an EXTREMELY romantic way.

I just have to say a huge BRAVO to Lorelei James for this story. Here is the reason. I absolutely hate heroines who love so desperately and give in so easily and compromise their pride and respect for a man who doesn't have the nuts to show their feelings and give themselves wholly, not partially. It's insulting, humiliating, and just plain painful to imagine such easy compliance. Nor do I like the "femiNazi" heroines who throw every possible roadblock at the hero in order to prove some crazy point. AJ WAS NEITHER OF THESE!!! She was absolutely perfect!! Yes, she protected her heart while having a no strings affair with Cord but that was discussed and decided upon up front so there were no misunderstandings or expectations. Did she secretly hope he would fall in love with her and she would never have to be without him? yes, but she knew better and knew it would never be that easy for Cord. Still, she rode out the affair and took as much from the experience as she could but NOT ONCE did she ever compromise herself, beg or short change her need for the ultimate 100% relationship she knew she deserved. She stuck by that until the very end. (And boy did he ever pull it together in the end!!) She gave in to her 'desires' for Cord whenever he wanted her but on her own terms, not some desperate need for happiness or validation. She was strong enough in herself to know she would be okay and she would make it no matter what, even if it meant a broken heart. I LOVE THAT!!! That is more realistic to what most of us females would do. How we would handle a situation like that. We might be dying inside but we wouldn't give up our dignity!! FANTASTIC!! Someone finally got it right and I'm so proud of you for that, LJ!!!

If there was any small criticism, it would only be that I would have loved to read a few more pages of their ending up together and the beginning of their new life together with Ky and the McKay family...but that's just me!

Thanks so much!! Well done!!!

I have to say that I think this is Ms. James best book in the Rough Riders series thus far. As another reader stated, this heroine was far more believeable and one I could relate to than some of Ms. James others. Although I loved all of her books in this series, this one is my favorite. I could actually imagine the way Cord kissed and made love to A.J. while reading the love scenes. Ms. James was so descriptive and the characters were so wonderfully written. The love that A.J. had for Cord (and Cord was denying himself he had for her) was so touching and beautiful. I found myself brought to tears in several sections of the book. I do have to say that I laughed pretty hard when I read the part about the bachlorette party--I could just envision all those women misbehaving then sneaking out so that noone saw them! This is a book that could be read as a stand alone but you would understand more re other characters if you read the first two books in the Rough Rider series. I'm looking forward to Kade and Skylar's story...I'm hoping it will be as hot as this one was!!

I guess there's a hero out there for everyone, and this hero is not mine. Cord is an alpha male cowboy which I usually love, but he doesn't do it for me. I never really got a feeling for who he is as a person. I didn't enjoy they way he always called AJ babydoll. And I felt that their love scenes were typically too unconnected and more about domination and crazy situations than an actual love connection, but that's just my opinion. I enjoyed reading the book, and actually went right away and bought book #4 in the series which I enjoyed a lot more, but in all this just wasn't the story line I had been hoping for.

Yeehaw, another smoking hot instalment from the Roughriders. This is book 3 in the series and my favourite so far. As usual our couple has all kinds-of-ways hot and sexy lovin going on but between the erotic interludes theres also a really romantic love story unfolding too. Yup I fell hard for tough, gruff, single dad cowboy Cord McKay and enjoyed his struggle with the sweet and much younger, little Miss AJ.

There's also a whole family of dysfunctional, confusingly named McKay cousins and brothers just itchin to get there tales told. With several of them jumping the gun here and telling wild and naughty side stories about their drinkin, dating, bar fightin, multiple partner swappin, M/M encounterin, getting kicked off the range, where's my life headin, unruly lives. It's a wonder really that any woman would go near those McKay boys, must have something to do with their blue eyes, cheeky grins and the way they fill out a pair of Wranglers. Oh Yeah I loved every angle of this story.

Divorced rancher Cord has sworn off women besides what with running his ranch, looking after his young son and dealing with his deviant brothers and drunken cousins he's got his hands full. However when his former babysitter AJ Foster asks him to teach her the ways of lovemaking, taking her virginity in the process its an offer he can't refuse.

AJ is a strong, completely likable character who's been in love with Cord since she was 5 years old and he white knighted her after she fell from her horse. She's been saving herself ever since, waiting for Cord to see her as more than just the neighbour girl in pigtails. Now she's all grown up and ready to claim the man she wants. All she has to do is convince Cord to open his battered heart long enough to realize that they're perfect for each other, in and out of the bedroom.

So saddle up girls and enjoy the ride, theres plenty of sexy, nekkid fun here, a hilarious drunken bachelorette party and some surprising tragedy too. And then theres the love. Cord and AJ will ramp up your pulse in the bedroom while at the same time managing to tug at your heartstrings. Even though Cord's bossy and downright stubborn you can see early on that he also genuinely cares for AJ and despite his domineering ways crumbles when he thinks he's lost her. Then watching while she stands her ground and he tries to win her back...*sigh* be still my heart.

"Marry me for me. Marry me because I'm a selfish b@stard and I want you to be mine forever. Marry me because I don't know if I'll survive the rest of my life without havin' you by my side every damn day."