ARC Review: Rough Rider (Hot Cowboy Nights #2) by Victoria Vane

Title: Rough Rider (Hot Cowboy Nights #2)
Author: Victoria Vane
Source: Netgalley
Length: Novel
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Reviewed by Laurie 
Rating: 3
Sexual: 3

Two loves ...

Janice Combes has two loves, bucking bulls and Dirk Knowlton. But Dirk only has eyes for a dazzling rodeo queen. How can Janice ever compete while mired ankle-deep in manure? Exchanging playful banter with Dirk is all Janice can expect-until the stormy night he knocks on her door dripping wet and needing a place to crash.

Different Dreams...
Dirk Knowlton is living the cowboy dream. Life should be good-roping, branding, backing broncs, riding bulls, but there's a void he can't seem to fill. After getting hung up by a bull, he wonders if this is really the life he wants. Restless and rebellious, he bolts...but there's a certain cowgirl he can't forget.

When a battle-scarred Dirk returns to his Montana ranch he's determined to hang on at any cost. Janice has come back home to lick her own wounds. When old dreams turn to dust, can two wary hearts take another chance on love?

Rough Rider is the second book in Victoria Vanes Hot Cowboy Nights series. Unlike many series this book is truly a standalone because the author takes you back to when Janice and Dirk first met. The romance between Janice and Dirk is first and far most as it should be in a romance story and Vane does not disappoint with a great HEA ending.

As stated the author takes you back to when Janice and Dirk first met which is good in ways, but to me it just ended up being a downfall for the story because between Dirk and Janice issues and drama, it just made the story really drag.  

I felt like Dirk was a bit of a hothead in book one and by the time I was done with a couple of chapters in book two, I found him not only a hothead but a true jerk. I didn’t like how he left Janice high and dry over and over again. I never read a book where one man had such drama over committing to someone. Needless to say his drama drags out through the whole book and I just didn’t care for it.

Janice has her share of drama too. Since Dirk wouldn’t have her she went with mister playboy knowing the fact he was a true playboy. I couldn’t believe how many times she let herself get hurt by Dirk, but at least she finally got her HEA with him, so I was happy for her.  I did love how the author introduced Janice’s son and I was truly surprised with the mystery and thought it was all well-handled.

With all of the drama I did like how the book ended so, I gave this book a 3. Now, in reading this review you might not think I wouldn’t suggest this book, but that is not the fact, I do recommend this book to those that loves reading characters with comment issues.

My review of book one Slow Hand

ABOUT VICTORIA VANE

Victoria Vane is an award-winning author of smart and sexy romance. Her work includes everything from wild comedic romps to emotionally compelling erotic romance. Her erotic historical romances have received more than twenty awards and nominations to include the 2014 RONE Award for Treacherous Temptations and Library Journal Best E-Book romance of 2012 for The Devil DeVere series. She is now making waves in contemporary romance with her critically acclaimed Hot Cowboy Nights series from Sourcebooks (Slow Hand, Rough Rider, Sharp Shooter, Silver Tongue). Look for her scorching hot Hotel Rodeo series coming from Kensington early 2016.

Where to find Victoria 

Website/Facebook/Twitter

ARC Review Slow Hand by Victoria Vane

Title:Slow Hand by
Author:Victoria Vane
Source: Netgalley 
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 5
Sexual:4
Reviewed by Laurie 

In rural Montana...

Wade Knowlton is a hardworking lawyer who's torn between his small-town Montana law practice and a struggling family ranch. He's on the brink of exhaustion from trying to save everybody and everything, when gorgeous Nicole Powell walks into his office. She's a damsel in distress and the breath of fresh air he needs.

Even the lawyers wear boots...

Nicole Powell is a sassy Southern girl who has officially sworn off cowboys after a spate of bad seeds-until her father's death sends her to Montana and into the arms of a man who seems too good to be true. Her instincts tell her to high tail it out of Montana, but she can't resist a cowboy with a slow hand...

 “Hate to burst your bubble, sweetheart, but a Stetson and a pair of Tony Lamas doesn’t make a man a cowboy.” 

A love story so captivating you'll never want it to end!

Sassy and sexy never looked so good on pages of a book before. Slow Hand is not your typical western, as a matter of fact, Vane entwined the old west with the new west and gave us a whole new contemporary romance cowboy that most romance reader would appreciate.

The story set you up with some great sexual tension right off the bat. Between Nicole’s sassiness and Wade’s cowboy coolness they grab you from page one and keep a hold of you all the way though the book. Vane adds just the right amount of bartering between these two without going overboard. You can also tell how much research she put into the book as you read about the unfolding family ranch story.

You get a good since of the surrounding in the story and you really get to know the other side characters along the way. This is an excellent start for an upcoming great series.

Romance first and far most along with a great HEA ending for the main characters and a great look into the next books characters. I highly recommend this book for any romance reader.

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Noble 

Cover Reveal and excerpt for Slow Hand by Victoria Vane

EXCERPT

SLOW HAND (Hot Cowboy Nights #1) Victoria Vane

He went to work on his shirt buttons. His collar was soon wide open revealing a generous show of muscular chest that make her hands itch to rip it off him. She diverted her gaze and curled her itchy hands by her sides.

“Have no fear, cowboy,” Nikki replied in a tone meant to disguise the warm flush that had come over her. “I corralled all my wild impulses long ago.”

“Did you, now?” He still stood in doorway, head cocked. “Somehow, I think you may have missed a few strays.”

“Maybe I need to make myself clearer. I have an aversion to cocky cowboys.”

Just keep telling yourself that, Nikki. Maybe if you repeat it often enough it’ll become true.

“Is that so?” His brows flew upward. “I can’t say I ever met a woman with an actual aversion to me.”

“Don’t take it personally. It’s nothing against you in particular, but to your type.”

“And what do you think you know about my type?”

“Since I don’t have a pole handy, enough to keep you at arms-length. Besides that, this whole line of conversation is entirely inappropriate in light of professional ethics, don’t you think? You are my attorney, after all.”

“Well, darlin’,” he scratched his unshaven jaw, “there’s a little hitch to that.”

“What do you mean? You said you’d help me.”

“And I will, but you can’t engage my professional services until I know who you are.”

“I’ve told you who I am!” she insisted.

“Sweetheart, I’m a lawyer, and according to the law, your claim don’t weigh without authentication.”

“Authentication?”

“Proof.”

“So what are you saying? That you don’t believe me?”

“I’m not saying that at all. Only that our professional relationship will commence once you get your I.D. In the interim,” His gaze slid over her in a way that threatened to melt her insides, “you’d best find yourself a nice, long, sturdy pole.”

About the author 

Victoria Vane is an award-winning author of smart and sexy romance. Her collective works of fiction range from historical to contemporary settings and include everything from wild comedic romps to emotionally compelling erotic romance. Her biggest writing influences are Georgette Heyer, Robin Schone, and Sylvia Day. Victoria is the founder of Goodreads Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers and the Romantic Historical Lovers book review blog. Look for her sexy new contemporary cowboy series coming from Sourcebooks in 2014.

Email: Victoria.vane@hotmail.com

Facebook: Author Victoria Vane

Twitter: @authorvictoriav

Link to author blog:  VICTORIA VANE’S TITILLATING TIDBITS

Review: Jewel of the East by Victoria Vane

Title: Jewel of the East
Author: Victoria Vane
Genre: Erotic Historical Romance
Length: short novel

Rating- 4
Sexual- 4

Having once lived his life only for larks, laughter, and ladies of easy virtue, Captain Simon Singleton has returned from the war with the colonies a shambles of a man. Now free from six years of captivity, he's still fettered by irrational fears that confine him to a life of seclusion.

Once the crowning jewel of the most lavish brothel in London, the exotic Salime finds her reputation and livelihood destroyed by a bitter rival. With a closely guarded secret stripped away, Salime fears no man will ever desire her again. Seeking aid from the man who once saved her life, Salime accepts a proposition to repay her debt to him by becoming a companion to his war-scarred friend.

Circumstance brings these two damaged souls together; but fate ignites a love story worthy of the Arabian Nights.

Victoria Vane has the magic touch when it comes to spicing up historical romances. In Jewel of the East we get two emotionally and physically scarred characters that use their sexuality to heal one another.

In previous books in the DeVere series I became curious about Salime. She was a bit of an enigma; sensual,loyal, and trusting. I can't imagine very many 'working ladies' back then were as dedicated to their work as Salime. In Jewel of the East my ideal of Salime was shattered a bit. I slowly realized that all is not what it seems. She's not just a good-time girl that *entirely* enjoys what she's doing
While Simon has his own demons, stemming from being a POW, he brings to light Salime's tragic life which made me understand her much better.

There are a few layers to this book. If you're looking for an erotic romance to give you a little buzz it will do. But if you read deeper there is a darker story that should have been more of a struggle to overcome. With another 100 pages, or so, Jewel of the East could have been so much more. I still loved reading it and recommend it, but I wouldn't be opposed if I Ms. Vane were to lengthen it at some point :)

The Sheik Retold by Victoria Vane

Pride and passion vie for supremacy in this steamy retelling of E.M. Hull's romance classic.

A haughty young heiress for whom the world is a playground…
 

A savage son of the Sahara who knows no law but his own…
 

When pride and passion vie for supremacy...
 

Blistering desert days are nothing compared to sizzling Sahara nights…

"There will be inquiries." I choked out. "I am not such a nonentity that nothing will be done when I am missed. You will pay for what you have done."

"Pay?" His amused look sent a cold feeling of dread through me. "I have already paid… in gold that matches your hair, my gazelle. Besides," he continued, "the French Government has no jurisdiction over me. There is no authority here above my own."

My trepidation was growing every passing minute. "Why have you done this? Why brought me here?"

"Why?" He repeated with a slow and heated appraisal that made me acutely, almost painfully, conscious of my sex. "Bon Dieu! Are you not woman enough to know?"

Excerpt (steamy):


"Look at me."

I shivered, my downcast gaze wavering only briefly before defying him again.

"Look at me." An inflection had crept into his low tone that was unmistakably commanding.

I lifted my gaze with great reluctance and met his in the mirror. Though I wanted to, I could not look away from his handsome sun-bronzed face with those inscrutable eyes. They were not black as I had thought, but the deepest indigo blue. Dark and intense, they burned into me. I was fascinated. Mesmerized.

He swung me around to him, taking my chin in hand and tilting it upward. "Bon Dieu! Do you know how beautiful you are?" His gaze dropped to my clothing, and his eyes became fierce again, his stern mouth parting in a cruel show of teeth. "Perhaps you are unaware that Zilah shall be severely punished for your foolish rebellion?"

"No!" I cried, straining back as far as his grip allowed. "It wasn't her fault. I sent her away."

"You sent her away before my wishes were carried out?"

"Will you kill her too? Like you did the horse?" I accused. "If you kill everything that does not obey you, you might as well shoot me now!"

"I will deal with the girl as it suits me." His glower had broken, replaced by a mixture of mild anger and patent amusement. "As to you, ma belle, it appears I must be your valet, as well as your lover."

"Lover?" I gave a contemptuous laugh. "Is that how you perceive yourself?"

He lifted a brow above his fathomless eyes. "You question my prowess?"

I remained stoically defiant, letting my silence speak.

His black brows met in a thunderous scowl. "There are many things you must learn, ma chère. Of utmost import to your well-being is that, save only for Allah, there is no will in this camp above my own." He continued impassively, "I could have you now, you know. In this very moment, I could tear your clothes, throw you down on that bed, and take you any way and as many times as I wish." He paused, smiling at the flare of fear in my eyes. "Fortunately for you, that is not my wish…at present."

He stroked the pad of his thumb over my lips. His expression grew almost whimsical. "Shall I make you care, cherie? Shall I make it your deepest desire, your only desire, to please me? I can make any woman love me when I choose."

He was amusing himself at my expense. He did not care if I hated or loved him, but was only enjoying a new form of torture, one that was even more detestable than anything that had gone before it. The mere suggestion that I could ever care for him, that I would ever look on him as anything but a brutal savage, infuriated me. I felt degraded and soiled that he would class me with the other women he spoke of. "I would rather you killed me," I replied coldly.

"So would I." He chuckled drily. "If you loved me, you would bore me to death.

Victoria Vane is an award-winning romance novelist, cowboy addict and history junkie whose collective works of fiction range from wildly comedic romps to emotionally compelling erotic romance.

Victoria also writes historical fiction as Emery Lee and is the founder of Goodreads Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers and the Romantic Historical Lovers book review blog.
Look for Victoria's Contemporary Cowboy Series coming summer 2014 from Sourcebooks

 

Connect with Victoria:
Website | Facebook | Amazon Author Page| Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

Review Devil in the Making Illustrated Edition by Victoria Vane

Title: Devil in the Making Illustrated Edition (Devilish Vignettes, #1)
Author: Victoria Vane
Source: Request
Genre: Historical
Length: Novella (approx 60 pgs)



Every devil has a beginning... 

A rebellious young nobleman's prank with the king's lion goes comically awry, leading to a startling chain of events.


*An illustrated prequel to the Devil DeVere*

ARC Review The Devil's Match by Victoria Vane

Title: The Devil's Match ((The Devil DeVere, #4)

Author: Victoria Vane

Source: Author Request

Genre: Historical Erotic Romance

Length: Novella

Release Date: Aug. 24, 2012 from Breathless Press

Once burned twice shy… 

but when old flames come together…

passion reignites...

When burned once… Arriving in London as her goddaughter's chaperone, Baroness Diana Palmerston-Wriothesley wants to avoid her erstwhile lover at all costs. Once nearly consumed by passion, four years has reduced the former inferno to bitterness and ashes.

By an old flame... A world-weary master of seduction, Ludovic "The Devil" DeVere is bored with his chosen life of debauchery. When Diana's charge disappears, she is forced to seek help from the devil's lair, and their mutual desire reignites with undeniable ferocity.

Fire is best fought with fire… While DeVere is hell-bent to have her back for keeps, Diana is equally determined to bring him to his knees…by acquiring some sensual secrets of her own.

Book Spotlight/Giveaway The Virgin Huntress by Victoria Vane

The Virgin Huntress - The Devil DeVere #2

by Victoria Vane

Historical Erotic Romance

Short Novel

Publication: June 29th 2012 by Breathless Press 

Desperate times call for devilish measures… when the object of one's passion has eyes for another… it's time to take matters in hand!

 Lady Vesta Chambers is accustomed to getting what she wants…Coddled and pampered, since her mother's death, Lady Vesta Chambers is beside herself when her father goes to London to prepare for her come-out and returns with a young bride of his own. With her world turned upside down, Vesta accompanies her godmother, Diana, to town, where she is smitten the moment she lays eyes on a certain captain of the Seventeenth Light Dragoons.

But when the object of her passion has eyes for another… Captain Hewett DeVere, younger brother and heir to Viscount Ludovic "The Devil" DeVere, has returned from the American war scarred, disillusioned, and looking forward to settling down to a quiet and respectable life. But when the handsome and straight-laced captain turns his eyes toward the widowed Diana, Vesta is prepared to take devilish measures to prove she is no longer a little girl, but a woman with the passion of …

a huntress.

Read More for a short excerpt from The Virgin Huntress