Corralled: A Blacktop Cowboys Novel Review
by Selene
Synopsis:
In the rodeo arena, all you have to worry about is surviving. But in the arena of love and ecstasy, things get much more complicated.
Lainie Capshaw has been servicing injured cowboys long enough to know that a charming Western drawl combined with a fine physical form doesn’t mean you should fall for a man. As a sports therapist, she travels the rodeo circuits patching up riders – and fending off their sweet-talking, swaggering advances.
So no one is more surprised than Lainie when she finds herself involved with not one, but two different men on different circuits. Hank Lawson, a bullfighter, and Kyle Gilchrist, a bull rider trying to stage a comeback. Lainie feels guilty about her two-timing, but it doesn’t keep her from doubling her fun -until Hank catches her with Kyle.
She’s shocked that Hank isn’t mad. She’s more shocked to learn Hank and Kyle are hometown buddies. But when the men offer to share her – she knows that both of them are going to try to win her, body and soul. Now it’s up to Lainie to choose the one man who can give her the ride of her life.
Selene’s review:
An excellent first novel of a series, Corralled introduces us to the fast-paced world of rodeo and some of its super sexy and super wild “blacktop cowboys”. Hank Lawson and Kyle Gilchrist are childhood friends who come to realize that they’ve both been seeing the same enormously appealing sports therapist Lainie Capshaw. Lainie, feeling somewhat guilty about being with them both, yet also feeling very, very lucky to be having them both, gets an offer of a lifetime… and it’s not the new job offer from her current employer; it’s to have a hot and steamy threesome with the objects of her affection Hank and Kyle!
Whereas Lainie is not what I’d consider an entirely relatable character, she is somewhat endearing and definitely a heroine in her own right. Not only does she fall in love with what I agree is her perfect man, she finds herself and matures as she is exposed to the realities of the world around her. Her vulnerability is sometimes counteracted by her stubbornness and directness and after an unwarranted advance by a professional bull rider in the circuit as well as a shocking revelation about her employer, she finds her strength and the emotional injuries from her past finally begin to heal.
Bull fighter Hank Lawson is exactly how I’ve always pictured a true cowboy: tall, dark, handsome, and 100% gentleman (at least away from the bedroom). Though his sexual antics had been on the tame side, he definitely kicks it up a notch… or ten. Lucky Lainie. His family is such a pleasure to meet in this novel as well and Lorelei James leaves me wanting to know more about his brother and sister; rancher Abe and Barrel racer Celia.
Bull rider Kyle Gilchrist, or Gilly, definitely has sexual tricks up his sleeve… and in his collar, and in his cowboy boots, and definitely, definitely in his pants. A more aggressive sexual partner for Lainie, that is until Hank steps it up, he’s the true definition of a rider. His competitive streak bleeds into his quest to win Lainie’s heart and his tenacity is one of his sexiest qualities. His romantic side definitely doesn’t hurt either.
This threesome together (along with them as separate couples) are hot, Hot, HOT!!! By the middle of the book, you know who Lainie belongs with yet you can’t help but want more of both cowboys. Author James continues to keep me intrigued by her world and characters and I am very much looking forward to the next installment!
Four Loves
About the author:
A bit about me: When I’m not squirreled away behind my laptop writing fun, sexy, contemporary erotic romances set in the modern day Wild West, I can be found reading everything under the sun, practicing yoga until I’m a pretzel, shootin’ my .22, watching the Professional Bull Riders tour on Versus, and running a kid’s taxi service, all in the guise of avoiding housework and rustlin’ up vittles. Why do I have a particular fondness for all things western? Well, I’m a fourth generation South Dakotan, living in the Black Hills, which is chock-full of interesting characters, including cowboys, Indians, ranchers, and bikers. The geographical diversity of the surrounding area showcases mountains, plains, and badlands. Living in and writing about rural settings gives me a unique perspective, especially since I’m not writing historical westerns. Through my fictional world, I can show the ideals and the cowboy way of life are still very much alive.
Awsome!!