Title: Branded as Trouble
Author: Lorelei James
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Publisher URL: http://samhainpublishing.com/
ISBN: 978-1-60504-458-3
Genre: Contemporary Western Romance
Nymph Rating: 4 Nymphs
Literary Nymph Reviewer: Mystical Nymph
Former bad boy Colt McKay has three years of sobriety under his belt but his family and the people of his small Wyoming town have very long memories, and they seem unwilling or unable to forget his past. The only person who sees him as a man who’s put his drugs, alcohol and sexual excesses behind him is his AA sponsor India Ellison. Everything about Indie is a turn-on for the hunky cowboy; her sassy attitude, multiple piercings and tattoos, and her soft emotional center. Now, if he can get the woman of his dreams to see him as more than a friend, he’ll have his heart’s desire by his side and in his bed.
Tattoo artist India Ellison, with her body art and oddly dyed hair, is a walking advertisement for her small, privately owned tattoo studio. Despite the stares and misunderstanding of the townspeople, Indie has a good life. She has her best friend Colt by her side, she’s crazy about her sister’s children, she’s clean and sober and still struggling with her addiction every day. After an unexpected night of passion, all Indie can think about is Colt, and not as her friend, but the lover she wanted for three long and painful years. The question is whether these two strong-willed and damaged individuals can find a way past the hurt of yesterday and into a happy future together.
Branded as Trouble is the sixth release in Ms. James’ Rough Rider series, and it’s just as hot, sexy and fast-paced as its five predecessors. What I really appreciated was the sexual tension simmering between Colt and Indie, and his resolve that they start their personal relationship by ‘dating’ for two weeks before they jump into bed. This portion of the book was very well-done and had me chuckling with amusement at the frustration making Colt and Indie achy, hot and bothered as they tried to get through the two weeks. When they finally released their passion, the scenes were intense, frequent and sexually demanding…Colt demanding submission to his will and Indie complying.
It’s rare to have the hero and heroine of a contemporary romance to have such addictive and flawed pasts, so I really appreciated the unique background these two characters brought to this new story. The AA portion and the mentoring sponsors was a welcome addition, as was the integration of past characters. It’s too bad that I didn’t get many warm and fuzzy feelings from Colt’s family, aside from his brother Cam. With so many family members having wild personal pasts, I found their actions toward Colt oddly hypocritical, despite that he’d turned his life around. He still loved his family and chose to ignore their hurtful words and actions when he should have told them to go to hell. The scene where Cam told his family off for their treatment of Colt were nicely done and full of emotion, but the scenes where his father and brothers apologized; those tugged at the heart strings.
I’ll be watching and waiting anxiously to see where this storyline goes with the next release in this well thought out and interesting series. If I had my picks, I’d like to see Cam’s story dealt with next. Hint…hint.
Author: Lorelei James
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Publisher URL: http://samhainpublishing.com/
ISBN: 978-1-60504-458-3
Genre: Contemporary Western Romance
Nymph Rating: 4 Nymphs
Literary Nymph Reviewer: Mystical Nymph
Former bad boy Colt McKay has three years of sobriety under his belt but his family and the people of his small Wyoming town have very long memories, and they seem unwilling or unable to forget his past. The only person who sees him as a man who’s put his drugs, alcohol and sexual excesses behind him is his AA sponsor India Ellison. Everything about Indie is a turn-on for the hunky cowboy; her sassy attitude, multiple piercings and tattoos, and her soft emotional center. Now, if he can get the woman of his dreams to see him as more than a friend, he’ll have his heart’s desire by his side and in his bed.
Tattoo artist India Ellison, with her body art and oddly dyed hair, is a walking advertisement for her small, privately owned tattoo studio. Despite the stares and misunderstanding of the townspeople, Indie has a good life. She has her best friend Colt by her side, she’s crazy about her sister’s children, she’s clean and sober and still struggling with her addiction every day. After an unexpected night of passion, all Indie can think about is Colt, and not as her friend, but the lover she wanted for three long and painful years. The question is whether these two strong-willed and damaged individuals can find a way past the hurt of yesterday and into a happy future together.
Branded as Trouble is the sixth release in Ms. James’ Rough Rider series, and it’s just as hot, sexy and fast-paced as its five predecessors. What I really appreciated was the sexual tension simmering between Colt and Indie, and his resolve that they start their personal relationship by ‘dating’ for two weeks before they jump into bed. This portion of the book was very well-done and had me chuckling with amusement at the frustration making Colt and Indie achy, hot and bothered as they tried to get through the two weeks. When they finally released their passion, the scenes were intense, frequent and sexually demanding…Colt demanding submission to his will and Indie complying.
It’s rare to have the hero and heroine of a contemporary romance to have such addictive and flawed pasts, so I really appreciated the unique background these two characters brought to this new story. The AA portion and the mentoring sponsors was a welcome addition, as was the integration of past characters. It’s too bad that I didn’t get many warm and fuzzy feelings from Colt’s family, aside from his brother Cam. With so many family members having wild personal pasts, I found their actions toward Colt oddly hypocritical, despite that he’d turned his life around. He still loved his family and chose to ignore their hurtful words and actions when he should have told them to go to hell. The scene where Cam told his family off for their treatment of Colt were nicely done and full of emotion, but the scenes where his father and brothers apologized; those tugged at the heart strings.
I’ll be watching and waiting anxiously to see where this storyline goes with the next release in this well thought out and interesting series. If I had my picks, I’d like to see Cam’s story dealt with next. Hint…hint.
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