I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Shoulda Been a Cowboy
by
Lorelei James
It is part of the , #7 series and is a erotic romance in eBook edition that was published by Samhain Publishing on August 2009 and has 288 pages.
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Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Corralled, Saddled and Spurred, Rode Hard, Put Up Wet, Wrangled and Tangled, Long Hard Ride, Cowgirl Up and Ride, Rough, Raw and Ready, Tied Up, Tied Down, Wild Ride, Branded as Trouble, All Jacked Up, Raising Kane, Cowgirls Don't Cry, Chasin' Eight, One Night Rodeo, Casanova Cowboy, Kissin' Tell, Gone Country, Mistress Christmas, Miss Firecracker, Bound, Redneck Romeo, Unwound, Turn and Burn, Hillbilly Rockstar, "Schooled", Wrapped and Strapped, Unraveled, What You Need, Just What I Needed, Racked and Stacked, Hang Tough, Spun Out, All You Need, I Want You Back, Want You to Want Me
Seventh in the Rough Riders erotic romance series revolving around the McKay family and set in Wyoming. The couple focus is on Cameron McKay and Domini Katzinski.
My Take
It’s a mix of erotic with Cam’s dominating side and Domini’s willing submission with that brief, very mechanical moment in the threesome with Brock. For the most part, Shoulda Been a Cowboy is more of an exploration of the dynamics between family and son, man and woman, sibling and sibling, man and son than it is about sex.
It’s a sweet combination of a decent man wanting to do the honorable thing and not condemn the woman he loves to half a man while a decent woman simply cannot allow a boy she loves to be condemned to a foster care system when he deserves so much better. There’s Domini’s internal conflicts over her own health and her deep love for Cam. Wanting to give him everything even as she wants him.
There is an amazing amount of activity in here with all the drama of an extended and caring family willing to voice their opinions. James has created a very warm, loving series about family…that just happens to include the erotic.
The Story
It’s Domini who sets the pace and pushes Cam into a response. A hot, desperate kiss from which Cam abruptly turned away. Just turned and ran. She’s only gonna try one more time…if he runs again…well, there are others who are interested in her.
Seems, though, that Cam McKay was more worried about her being able to take on his dominating side. A side, it turns out, Domini is just begging for. So Cam lays down the rules “any time, any place, any position…” A rule Domini is fine with…as long as there’s no relationship between them. Hiding, though. Nope, that just ain’t on.
It’s Brock’s visit though that causes Cam to re-think their relationship. When he decides he wants to see just how far the three of them will go.
The Characters
Domini Katzinski is a Ukrainian immigrant brought to the States through the auspices of a religious organization and now she’s the general manager for Dewey’s Delish Dish, Macie and Velma’s in-town restaurant. Nadia and her son Anton had been her housemates for quite a while until Nadia started making noises about being on her own and Domini moved into India’s old apartment. Rex DeMarco is Nadia’s abusive ex-husband.
Terribly wounded in Iraq, Deputy Cameron McKay came home without a leg and is now working for the Crook County Sheriff’s department. His dog, Gracie, creates issues between him and Anton. Brock Tennyson is Cam’s old war buddy. Seems Cam and Brock shared a lot more than just war experiences.
Keely McKay is the youngest McKay and the only daughter as well as a physical therapist practicing sports medicine. Colt is married to Indy McKay and they have a new baby boy, Hudson making it ten boys in a row so far for this generation of McKays. AJ and Cord McKay and his son Ky. Channing and Colby McKay have four kids now—Miles is six-months-old and already Channing is pregnant again. Kade and Skylar McKay have Eliza and the twins, Shannie and Peyton. Libby and Quinn McKay are back together and happy. Macie and Carter McKay are at the picnic with their kids Thane, Parker, and Spencer. Seems Luke McKay can’t be bothered most of the time to handle his share of the chores, leaving it to his wife Jessie. Chassie West Glanzer who’s married to Trev and Ed Glanzer are there with their son Westin. Ramona West is at Keely’s bar brawl. Ginger Paulson is a local attorney who handled Nadia’s divorce and is working with Domini. Carolyn and Carson McKay are the boys’ and Keely’s parents. Blake West has moved to Nebraska and is head over heels in love with Willow (“Miss Firecracker“, 2).
Jack Donohue is Carter’s best friend and Keely absolutely hates him.
The Cover and Title
The cover has the faux leather quarter panel at the bottom with the “carved” leather floral spray framing the title that looks like was carved from wood. Above is a black-and-white photograph of a carved Cameron wearing camouflage pants with the ribbed army belt low on his hips and a dark jacket open over his very buff six-pack while Domini is posed behind him, one arm up and tilting her cream cowboy hat forward over her face while the other arm is cocked behind her with her hand resting on her back hip thrusting her chest forward in its skimpy torn wifebeater and those leather chaps barely keeping her covered.
The title is a misnomer for Cam never wanted to be, never Shoulda Been a Cowboy. Then again, “if he’d stayed a simple cowboy”, he wouldn’t be refereeing between Opal and Ralph…
