One Tough Cowboy by Lora Leigh

For as long as Samantha can remember, Hunter—a man as strong as steel, with a heart of gold—has been her hero. It came as no surprise to Samantha when she found out that the ranch-hardened cowboy who always protected her from bullies went on to become the town’s sheriff. What does surprise her is how incredibly hot he still is. And how much she still wants him…

And, lo and behold, Hunter still has feelings for Samantha. The long-smoldering heat of their innocent flirtation has grown into a full-raging fire. But when tragedy strikes, and their small-town community is shattered, Hunter vows to do everything he can to keep his childhood sweetheart safe. But can Samantha trust that Hunter has her best interests at heart…and that, after all these years, his love is true?

Book: One Tough Cowboy by Lora Leigh
Published: January 29, 2019
Pages: 293
Genres: Romance, Cowboy, Erotica
Format: Kindle
Date Read: December 11-12, 2021
Rating: 2 Potatoes 🥔🥔

With the way this book started, I thought it would be a nice slow burn. Then, only 4 or 5 chapters in, the hero and heroine had sex and I was left confused. These characters had barely even flirted at this point! Both had crushed on each other 10 years ago and liked what they saw now but they were having a serious discussion and then bam- having sex. I don't know if its just my old fashioned views or what but I was definitely shocked by what seemed like a random sex scene.

In the next chapter they almost have sex again and then the heroine says that they need to stop and that it was a mistake. I enjoy Lora Leighs writing so much, some of my favorite books were written by her, but this book confused me more than anything in the first few chapters.

I kept reading, hoping it would get better as I truly do enjoy her characters and stories but it didn't. I ended up skimming the second half of the book just to see how it ended.

I was not impressed by this book, the characters annoyed me and seemed to have no real depth, the storyline itself had potential to be great but was too rushed. I will obviously continue to read Lora Leigh's books in the future but this one gets a thumbs down from me.

Because You're Mine (MINE #1) by K. Langston

Madison Waters knew exactly what she wanted to do with her life. She was already working for one of the most prestigious law firms in Boston as a research assistant, and in a few short months, she would finally graduate from Harvard and collect her law degree. Everything she had worked so hard for was well within her reach.

But when Madison had to take an unexpected trip back home, she was blindsided by the one thing she never planned on.

Desperate to escape his wicked past, Holden Brooks moved to Madison's hometown five years ago. It’s was a struggle at first, but he eventually overcame the demons that almost destroyed him back in Texas. Holden was in a good place in his life and love was the last thing on his mind.

Everything changes the moment these two paths collide and they soon find out, fate has a plan of its own.

You never know when or where love will come along and change everything.

Book: Because You're Mine (MINE #1) by K. Langston
Published: September 17th, 2013
Pages: 211
Genres: Romance, Cowboy, Freebie On Amazon
Format: Kindle
Date Read: June 8-10, 2016
Rating: 3.5 Potatoes 🥔🥔🥔

This was a short, cute and fun read. I liked the idea of the storyline, even though its been done so many times before. I love the idea of pretty much love at first sight and just knowing that someone is the right person for you - it intrigues me.

I wish the book would have been longer and more fleshed out; it would have been much better had it been an extra 100 pages. I would have liked to have read more of Madison and Holden's backstory's and delving more into why they think and act the way they do about certain things. I also would have liked to have learned more about Madison's parents and what was going on with her father. She came home because he was in the hospital and after she comes home there is barely any mention of her parents. However, the book was still good as it is and I did enjoy it.

3.5 Stars!

Break In Two by M.J. Summers

Thirty-one-year-old Claire Hatley is running from Seattle having just discovered that her live-in boyfriend has traded her in for a twenty-two-year-old hostess. Devastated and alone Claire must make a fresh start. She answers an ad for a chef at a guest ranch just outside Colorado Springs and finds herself face to face with Cole Mitchell, quite possibly the sexiest man to ever ride a horse. Common sense tells them to stay away from each other, but their attraction is not to be denied. He gives her a glimpse of what love should be, but just as she starts to trust him, the past comes back to tear them apart.

Join Claire and Cole as they embark on the stormy love affair of a lifetime.

Book: Break In Two by M.J. Summers (Goodreads)
Published: November 5th, 2013
Pages: 378
Genres: Romance, Western/Cowboy, Erotica
Format: Kindle
Date Read: December 10, 2015-January 26, 2016
Rating: 2 Potatoes 🥔🥔

DNF!

I got this book for free on Amazon and decided to give it a shot since I have come across a lot of free books on Amazon that turned out to be absolutely amazing. Unfortunately, that is not the case with this book.

I have tried reading this book for the last 6 weeks and every time I start I almost immediately stop. I like the premise, the setting, the characters are likeable but there is something missing. This book did nothing to keep me interested and draw me in. It was okay but not something that makes me so engrossed that I don't want to do anything but read.

I'm currently at 12% and don't intend to finish. I know some books have slow starts and need to be given time to introduce things but after 5 chapters there should be something going on in this book to make me want to continue reading.

Maybe in the future I'll go back and give this book another chance but for right now I just can't.