Early Review of Million Dollar Cowboy (Cupid, Texas #5) by Lori Wilde

Title: Million Dollar Cowboy
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Cupid, Texas
Format: Paperback; 432 pages
Publisher: Avon (March 28, 2017)
ISBN-10: 0062468219
ISBN-13: 978-0062468215
Author's Website: http://loriwilde.com/
Notes: I received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating. Please note that as I read an ARC, any quotes listed are subject to change, they will need to be checked and verified against the final version.

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Ridge Lockhart has spent his entire life trying to prove himself. At the tender age of three, his mother dropped him off on his father's doorstep right before she allegedly committed suicide. His father and his then wife had wanted nothing to do with him, but had no choice but to take him in. So over the years Ridge worked hard to make a name for himself and earn his father's respect, praise, and love--three things Duke Lockhart seems incapable of giving him.

Ten years ago things came to a head when Ridge found his father in bed with his girlfriend. He left home without ever looking back. He no longer seeks anything from father. Now he's driven to prove that he's better than his dad. On the verge of a deal that will make him richer than his father, he's come home for his best friend's wedding.

Kaia Alzate comes from a long line of women said to be gifted with the ability to recognize their true love with just one kiss. Legend, or at least Kaia's grandmother, has it that when when a woman from their family line kisses their soul mate they hear a soft, but distinct humming at the base of their brains. Kaia's had a crush on her brother's best friend, Ridge, for as long as she can remember. When a kiss reveals him to be 'the one', she knows she's in trouble because everyone knows Ridge Lockhart is emotionally unavailable and allergic to commitment.

This is the fifth book in the Cupid, Texas series and you can jump right in with this one. I hadn't read the previous books, but I didn't feel lost at all. I will warn you, however, that you'll probably feel the need to read the previous four books in the series as I did. So be prepared.

There was so much going on in this book, but it was all good. Well, good for the reader that is. There is a huge amount of emotional depth in this one, and I love how Kaia wasn't afraid to call it like she saw it in regards to Ridge. She made him take a good look at himself and figure out what he really wanted--not just what he thought he wanted. He had a bit of tunnel vision going on and he wasn't looking at the big picture that was his life. Both he and Kaia had a lot to work through before they could truly be a couple, and I liked how the two seemed to balance one another. 

If you haven't figured it out, I absolutely adored this one. I gave it 5 out of 5 roses. It did get a little slow in the middle, but I was actually glad this romance wasn't  rushed. It's a story that centers around family, love, and forgiveness. It was fun, sexy, and emotionally deep which made for a delightful combination. A wonderful read that left me sighing. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Notes to keep you in the know:

   How to remove a ring with dental floss:

Order of the Cupid, Texas series:

Early Review of The Cowboy and the Princess (Jubilee, Texas Series #2) by Lori Wilde

• Title: The Cowboy and the Princess
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Contemporary Romance
• Format: Paperback, 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (July 31, 2012)
• ISBN-10: 0062047779
• ISBN-13: 978-0062047779
• Author's Website: http://www.loriwilde.com/
• Notes: I obtained the eARC (ebook Advanced Reader Copy) from Avon.

Once upon a time there was a princess who was tired of doing what she was told and having her life dictated to her. She would be getting married within a year to someone chosen for her, and she wanted some time to devote to herself before permanently giving up her freedom for the good of her country. So with the help of a good friend, Princess Annabella of Monesta ran away in hopes she'd have a grand adventure before returning to the royal reality that was her life. What she never could have imagined, however, was finding her Prince Charming in a little place called Jubilee.

Brady Talmadge was a horse whisperer who had no thoughts of settling down and planting roots. He was happy living out of his trailer going from job to job helping horses heal. But that was before he met the likes of Annie. What he never could have imagined, however, was her hitching her way into his life and later into his heart.

________________

This was a lighthearted read that was fun and sweet. Annie was as you'd expect her to be after living a sheltered life--quite naive. I loved how she was so excited about being out on her own and experiencing life on her terms. She really had no idea just how vulnerable a woman traveling alone could be. I kept wondering what kind of friend Anne had to not help her devise a better plan than hitchhiking for a ride in a rainstorm. Luckily, Brady realized the danger and decided to break some of the well warranted rules he'd established over 29 years. A code, if you will, he set up and lived by to avoid complications and protect himself.

Brady is another fun character. He doesn't see himself as the type to be in a long lasting relationship, and I feel that has something to do with his never being in a long lasting working relationship of any kind. He's got a great friend base, but has a knack for getting involved with the wrong women. Case in point: Princess Annabella, a woman engaged to a Prince. Luckily for him, in this case, the wrong one turned out to be the right one in the end. And when the right one comes along, not even the most devout of bachelors stands a chance.

The link of this book to The Cowboy Takes a Bride, the first book in the Jubilee Texas series, is Dutch Callahan. He'd given Brady a place to stay and a job fourteen years prior when Brady had runaway from home at age 15 and changed his life. In The Cowboy Takes a Bride, Dutch had just died. He had been a poor father to his daughter, Mariah, but was well thought of in Jubilee, Texas. I'm enjoying seeing the other side of Dutch that made him so beloved by the residents of Jubilee. It'll be interesting to see if Dutch is truly the tie that binds all the books in this series together because I think this would be a brilliant way to link the series together.

Ms. Wilde truly does have a beautiful writing style. I loved how she linked both Brady and Annie together at first sight by stating, "Their gazes meshed, their futures strangely entwined." Overall, I gave this one 3 1/2 of of 5 roses. It was a fun and entertaining read that made me smile. I feel this book would probably make for a great beach or poolside read. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, I gave this one a FAN rating - the temperature in the room seems to have suddenly gone up a couple of degrees and a fan would be nice.

Order of series:

Early Review of 'The Cowboy Takes a Bride' (Jubilee, Texas Series #1) by Lori Wilde

• Title: The Cowboy Takes a Bride
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Contemporary Western Romance
• Format: Paperback, 384 pages 
• Publisher: Avon; Original edition (March 27, 2012)
• ISBN-10: 0062047752
• ISBN-13: 978-0062047755
• Author's Website:  http://www.loriwilde.com/

"Has something happened?"
"Are you sitting down?"
"No."
"Sit down," Joe commanded.
"Just tell me," Mariah said, bracing for the worst.
"Dutch is dead," he blurted.
Mariah blinked, nibbled her bottom lip, felt...hollow. Hollow as a chocolate Easter bunny...
"You okay?"
"I'm fine. It's not like my life is going to change," she said quickly...
"Wait," he said. "Don't hang up."
Her hand tensed around the cell phone. "What is it?"
"Dutch left you his ranch."

When Miriah called back her father's number she wasn't sure what to expect. The two had been estranged for most of her life. She didn't expect to hear someone else's voice answer the phone and certainly didn't expect to find out he died and already had been buried. But what surprised her the most was that she'd inherited his ranch. The timing, however, couldn't have been better inheritance wise. She'd recently been fired from her prestigious position with one of  Chicago's most elite Wedding Planners. It had been her dream job and she'd been devastated. To make matters worse, her former employer of 11 years had black balled her and she couldn't get a job anywhere. Sometimes life just doesn't go as planned even for someone whose primary job is to plan things.

Joe Daniels was a wealthy young widower who had just lost his best friend, Dutch. With only two years between the loss of his wife and his friend he was in mourning and not taking things very well. Dutch's death brought back the feelings of loss he'd only recently been able to put behind him from his wife's tragic death. So when Miranda first encountered him he was not at his best. She found him practically naked in nothing but his BVDs, Stetson, and boots passed out in a golden plated horse trough. After attempting to make him leave her newly acquired ranch by threatening to call the police, she found out she'd made a mistake..."this here is is Green Ridge Ranch, and I have a sneaking suspicion you're looking for Stone Creek."  Oops! Not exactly the way you want to go about meeting your neighbor.

This was such an enjoyable read. In many ways Miriah and Joe are very similar. They both are relationship shy and both mourn, although, for different reasons. They try to deny their feelings for the other and are afraid of  being hurt and/or left behind. Miriah's feelings stemming from her father's abandonment of her and her mother all those years ago. Joe's coming from loving then loosing his wife. In other ways, however, the two are very different. She's a city girl although she has country roots, while he's country through and through. He's rich and she's poor. He's got a loving and supportive large family, while she's only had her mother and herself to rely on. He knows what it's like to love, while  she doesn't have a clue. Despite it all, or perhaps because of it all, each seems to be exactly what the other needs.

I enjoyed many of the background characters and the side story that was included. They helped to create the feeling of a caring and close knit community that is rarely seen these days. Of those character lurking in the background, Ila, Joe's sister-in-law and one of his oldest friends, was my favorite. She added a fun dimension to the story. She's secretly been harboring a crush on Joe for years and had been upset when he'd married her younger sister. If looks could kill, Miriah would be on her way to greener pastures because Ila was most definitely sending death glares her way.

Favorite lines/quotes/moments:

- "Never thump a man's Stetson...Unless you've got a death wish. You got a death wish?"

- "Will you look at that"...
  "What is it?"
  She peered at her ankle. He'd connected the teeth patterns and it formed the letter D.
  "That rat snake marked you with my brand." His dark eyes met hers. "D for Daniels."

- "Listen to me and don't you forget it. Make no mistake. What we did last night means everything. From here on out, I'm your man."


-"Miriah took a bit. Mmm, it was the best cranberry--Suddenly, her mouth ignited, it was all she could do to swallow it down instead of spitting it out. "What is that?"
  "My specialty, hellfire cranberry sauce." Gamma bragged. "Here you go." She extended a glass of water to Mariah that apparently she had at the ready. "Cranberries, orange zest, and habanero peppers. It was my husband's favorite thing about Thanksgiving. God rest his soul."
  Eyes watering, mouth aflame, Miriah gulped the glass of water. "What did he die from? A seared esophagus?" 

Overall, I rated this one 3 1/2 out of 5 roses. It was a wonderful blend of characters with a nice story line about love, loss, forgiveness, and letting go. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a FAN rating - the temperature in the room seems to have suddenly gone up a couple of degrees and a fan would be nice.