Category: Romance Publisher: Hachette - Grand Central - Forever
ISBN-10: 1455521973
Type: Fiction
Pages: 313
Copyright: 1/28/2014
ISBN-13: 9781455521975
Rancher Max Jameson, stunned by the unexpected death of his father, is determined to keep the family spread in Steamboat Springs, Colo., despite pressure to sell to a greedy neighbor. His brother, Wyatt, tries to help out, though the sibling relationship is strained due to Max’s discomfort with the fact that Wyatt is gay.
Bree Tanner is scarred physically and mentally after being wrongfully convicted of and imprisoned for her ex-boss’s shady financial dealings; now exonerated and free, she decides to start over by helping to raise rodeo bulls on the Jameson ranch.
Publisher's Weekly Review:
“The second entry in Drake’s Sweet on a Cowboy series (after The Sweet Spot) is another character-driven contemporary western with more heart than heat. Rancher Max Jameson, stunned by the unexpected death of his father, is determined to keep the family spread in Steamboat Springs, Colo., despite pressure to sell to a greedy neighbor. His brother, Wyatt, tries to help out, though the sibling relationship is strained due to Max’s discomfort with the fact that Wyatt is gay.
Bree Tanner is scarred physically and mentally after being wrongfully convicted of and imprisoned for her ex-boss’s shady financial dealings; now exonerated and free, she decides to start over by helping to raise rodeo bulls on the Jameson ranch.
Max’s tough exterior masks relatable fear, his relationship with Wyatt is handled gracefully, and Bree’s genuine shame about her past makes her sympathetic. While Max and Bree’s romantic relationship is secondary to their internal and interpersonal struggles, complex characters and some fun full-riding scenes balance out the seriousness.”
Excerpt
They topped a rise above a small valley. Herefords grazed in belly-high grass, and to the east, a stream bisected the pasture. Vivid color assailed her: deep green grass, rust colored cattle, and the white snow on the mountains. “A high-priced photographer would make a killing in this state.”
Max would have to take her word for it. She should have looked silly in a baseball cap, perched on that English saddle, a rein in each hand. But she didn’t. Gazing into the distance, heels down, head high, back ramrod straight, she looked like she belonged here.
“Let’s give ‘em their heads.” With just a touch of heel, Trouble laid his ears back and galloped down the hill. By the time they’d reached the bottom, Smooth pulled alongside. Bree flowed over the horse’s neck, baseball cap tucked into the waist of her jeans, hair streaming. Laughing, she urged her horse on with her heels.
The little brat is trying to beat me! He leaned forward and Trouble surged under him.
Cud-chewing cattle watched as they tore across the meadow. Max pulled up at the stream’s edge. Bree didn’t. She gathered the horse with her hands, and Smooth took off from the bank. The stream was too wide -- no way she’d make it. Max’s brain registered the image; Bree, hair flying, a look of bliss on her face as the horse sailed over the creek in a graceful arc. His hands tightened on the reins as Trouble fought for his head, wanting to follow.
Smooth touched down on the other side without wetting a hoof. Max released the breath he wasn’t aware of holding. He dismounted as she cantered in a circle. Smooth splashed through the water at a sedate walk. Bree’s laughed down at him, her eyes shining.
“Did you see him? What a great horse – he sailed over that water like it was a puddle.” She reined in, kicked her feet out on the stirrups, and leapt from the horse to land beside him.
He was still breathing hard when he grabbed her arm above the elbow and yanked her to his chest. “That was the stupidest stunt I’ve ever seen. You could have broken your neck, you little fool.”
He looked down at her wide, bright eyes and her breasts, rising with her rapid breathing. “You don’t know the terrain, the horse . . .“ Lord help him, he couldn’t take any more. He bent his head, his lips smothering her laugh. Desire hit him hard. When her mouth opened in surprise, he deepened the kiss. He’d wanted to do this since he’d first slapped eyes on her, and the reality of those lips was even better than he’d imagined.
She tasted clean and tart, like lemons and the chill wind. Once over her surprise, her tongue met his in greeting, then settled down to get better acquainted. This girl didn’t do anything by halves; when she kissed, she was there. Her soft mewling woke him like a slap. He hadn’t been invited, and she was an employee. He broke the kiss and backed up a step.
Bree’s face registered shock, her cheeks on fire with a blush.
Now I’m in for it. He tipped his hat. “I beg your pardon.”
Her eyes narrowed to slits as her gaze raked over his face. “I’d like to see you beg for something, Jameson.” Looking him straight in the eye, she snaked her hand around his neck, knocking his hat off as she pulled his mouth back down to hers.
Sweet Jesus. Max forgot his good intentions as he hauled her off her feet, flattening her breasts against his chest as her hair fell around them. He let her slide, slow, down his body. When she stood on her own feet, he fisted her hair in his hands and tilted her head to give him better access to that willing mouth. Hot. He reached down with one hand to cup her backside and snuggle closer. She shifted one leg between his and slid across him with a sinuous twist of her hips. Damn. She may look like the girl next door, but she sure hadn’t learned that move in the Girl Scouts.
Behind him, Trouble nickered and pawed the ground. The beast tossed its head and bolted, ripping the reins from his hand. Max tore his mouth free and turned, but it was too late. He stood, catching his breath, and watched the black and white rump retreat into the distance to the thumping cadence of hooves.
“That Cayuse is dog food this time, I swear to God.” Dazed, he bent to pick up his hat.
Grinning, Bree tugged her cap from her waistband and snugged it over her hair. She cocked her head and fluttered her lashes. “Need a lift, cowboy?”
God, he’d love to do things that would wipe that smug smile off her face.
“I need to be getting back anyway.” She turned to check Smooth’s girth. “I’ve got this slave-driver boss. If he knew I was out here wasting time, he’d can me for sure.”
He chuckled. “Sounds like a real butt wipe.”
“He is.” Bree gathered the reins and mounted, throwing him an impish smile. “Sometimes.”
He ignored her extended hand, grabbed the cantle of the saddle, and vaulted up behind her.
Professional Reviews
Publisher's Weekly
“The second entry in Drake’s Sweet on a Cowboy series (after The Sweet Spot) is another character-driven contemporary western with more heart than heat. Rancher Max Jameson, stunned by the unexpected death of his father, is determined to keep the family spread in Steamboat Springs, Colo., despite pressure to sell to a greedy neighbor. His brother, Wyatt, tries to help out, though the sibling relationship is strained due to Max’s discomfort with the fact that Wyatt is gay.
Bree Tanner is scarred physically and mentally after being wrongfully convicted of and imprisoned for her ex-boss’s shady financial dealings; now exonerated and free, she decides to start over by helping to raise rodeo bulls on the Jameson ranch.
Max’s tough exterior masks relatable fear, his relationship with Wyatt is handled gracefully, and Bree’s genuine shame about her past makes her sympathetic. While Max and Bree’s romantic relationship is secondary to their internal and interpersonal struggles, complex characters and some fun full-riding scenes balance out the seriousness.”
Romantic Times
4 ½ Stars Hot!
Drake writes excellent c contemporary westerns that show the real American West – not a dude-ranch fantasy. Her characters illustrate the problems, changes and bedrock strengths of ranchers and their communities. This one’s not to be missed.
Summary:
Left with only nightmares and an ugly physical scar, Aubrey Madison is on the road looking for a new life with more freedom. On a whim she answers an ad for a groom on a Colorado ranch. The job gives her plenty of hard work and a quiet place to heal – and it also introduces her to hot, old-school rancher Max Jameson. Max has been raising cattle and breaking horses for all his life, just like his father did before him. Now he’s faced with the fact that those skills are not enough to keep the land in the family. Bree has an idea to save the ranch, but can she risk getting attached to the land and the cowboy who comes with it?
Can Max trust a stranger with his future?
Reveiws by Crystal
I have now had the grand pleasure of reading both books in Laura Drake's Sweet on a Cowboy series, and over all I have read all three books by one of my new favorite authors. Laura Drake has such a talent for writing a story that just grabs a hold of your heart strings and touches all those emotions. I have not yet read one of her books that I did not laugh and cry during the story. She has such wonderfully creative story lines with characters that I would LOVE to meet. I always feel like I have made a new friend or two when I've finished one her books.
Aubrey Madison is in drastic need of a new start. She has had a horrible couple of years and none of it was really her fault. She has started out to find a new job and a new life where no one knows about her past. She's not hiding it she just really doesn't want to have to deal with it. I loved Bree, this girl is so strong and has such a great charismatic personality.
Max Jameson has lost his father, and dealt with relationship issues in the past. He has a mess on his hands trying to save his ranch. I really liked Max even though at times I wanted to tell him to get his stuff together and see what a gem he had in Bree. One thing I really enjoyed in this story was watching Max and his brother Wyatt's relationship grow as the story progresses.
There are plenty of sparks between Bree and Max, these two have a lot of chemistry. They each have problems from their past that they must work through to make it to their happily ever after. Max has trust issues and Bree has the major thing from her past that she has to share with Max. She just has to find the right time. There is lots of drama, some humorous moments, a really nice romance with some steam, and cowboys. Who doesn't love cowboys? If you have read some of my reviews you know I love a good cowboy book!
Once again Ms. Drake has produced another wonderful piece of work that is full of all the great things I enjoy in a story. Laura Drake is on my must read list. If this wonderful lady writes a book I just have to get my hands on a copy of it. In my opinion she is one fabulous writer and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next. If you enjoy a nice romantic contemporary western book, with some drama, and emotion, I think you really should give Laura Drake's work a try. Nothing Sweeter is part of a series but I don't think you would have a problem reading it as a stand alone, if you want to start with this one.
I am so delighted I was given the opportunity to read this book, so I may share my thoughts with you. As always is has been my pleasure to share my thought with you on this wonderful book.
