Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “Saddled and Spurred by Lorelei James |
Didn’t Like It “Generally, I do not like the erotica genre because the hero and heroine lack an emotional connection, the kinky sex is kind of a turn off to me, and the stories themselves lack depth and substance. I have read some books that I think qualify for that genre and a few are on my keeper shelf. For...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“Generally, I do not like the erotica genre because the hero and heroine lack an emotional connection, the kinky sex is kind of a turn off to me, and the stories themselves lack depth and substance. I have read some books that I think qualify for that genre and a few are on my keeper shelf. For instance, The Lady's Tutor, Gabriel's Lady, and The Lover (all by Robin Schone, BTW) are excellent examples of what appeal to me-heroes and heroines with a definite emotional connection, complex characters, a page-turning story. Perhaps these are more correctly categorized as romantica than erotica, but I believe they have all the elements of the erotica genre.
Kathy B wrote this review Monday, September 10, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I bought Saddled and Spurred by Lorelei James because I had read a few good reviews about this series on a reliable blog, and I thought I would try once again. Sadly, this book turns out to be just another example of why I shy away from this genre and why I haven't been the least curious about Fifty Shades of Gray.
To give the author credit, Bran Turner and Harper Masterson do not just jump into bed together by the end of Chapter 1. There is at least the beginning of a connection before their intimate relationship starts. But it felt like that tenuous link was broken when the sexual relationship started. Why? I think it was because Bran was completely and totally about Harper's physical appearance and I felt like he used her to explore his kinkier desires in sex. In fact he admits to having never done the things with other lovers that he did with Harper because he feared their reaction. I had no trouble believing these two were "in lust" with each other, but I closed the book seriously doubting either was truly "in love" with the other. That, to me, is a serious problem in a romance novel of any size or shape.
I was also a little disappointed in the story. While Harper was a very sympathetic character, she struck me as having a little martyr complex - suffering silently and bravely because of her slutty mother, taking care of a younger sister, taking on adult responsibilities at a very young age. All of this spelled "doormat" to me.
And here may be my real problem with Bran and Haper's relationship and how it was expressed. Her submissiveness and lack of standing up for herself and her wants and needs seemed to bleed over into satisfying what Bran wanted in their relationship. She admits to being sexually inexperienced ("vanilla" sex, was the term used), and when Bran decides to try out spanking and other dominant/submissive techniques she goes along. I found myself wondering if she really liked it or was she fooling herself because rolling over to allow people to walk all over her was so ingrained in her personality.
I didn't like the way Bran allowed Les, the hired hand, talk to and about Harper. Even at the end when Bran is about to patch things up with Harper and he realizes Les has had a big hand in messing things up, he doesn't fire him. And, sadly, Harper never stood up for herself against the' nasty, malicious things Les said to her.
I would like to read Janie and Abe's story because they have a history so maybe the elusive connection I search for will be there. But before I buy it I will be reading a lot more than one review. I won't be burned twice!”
“Harper Masterson was fired from a job and must find another in the small town of Muddy Gap, Wyoming. She is waiting for her little sister to graduate from high school in a couple of months and then they can leave town. They will live in the town of her sister's choosing, where ever she wants to go to college. Now she must go out and find another job. Problem the are no jobs to be had. Her best friend Celia Lawson must have a sixth sense. Because she is really in a pissy mood and she calls. It is really good to her from her, but she is depressed about her job and breaks down and blubbers out the story. Celia says she may have an idea for an idea so she hangs and promises to call right back. When she does, she says she has lined up a job interview with rancher Bran Turner for his hired hand. She doesn't even care what for, she just needs a job. So the next day when she goes Bran about has a fit because Celia doesn't let on that his interview is with hottie Harper. And he know for a fact she is a greenhorn around cattle. She talks her way into the job.
July L wrote this review Friday, September 7, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Bran Turner has always had a soft spot for Harper but has kept away because she is younger. Now that she is working for him, the temptation is even harder. Things get mighty hot between these two.
This is a better read than the last one is this series.”
“4.5 Stars
Under The Covers Book Blog wrote this review Tuesday, March 20, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Saddled and Spurred
Reviewed by Francesca & posted at Under The Covers Book Blog
http://underthecoversbookblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/review-saddled-and-spurred-by-lorelei.html
Words that can best describe this book for me:
Rough, Hot, Dirty, Fast, Dominant, Wild
Don't let the inspirational cover look-a-like fool you! =) This book is hawt! After finishing Corralled, and even though I liked it, there was something missing. I think that something was the family and community bond that is now present in Saddled and Spurred.
Hank and Kyle, the men of book one, are actually all part of a group of friends that we learn more about in this book. Of course there's Hank's brother Abe, and one of the buddies is Bran. Reserved, calm, cool Bran. Excellent rancher and excellent fisherman. Not the guy that is the best looking to always get the girl. Definitely the guy that thinks a beauty queen like Harper would never look his way.
But I have a secret to tell you, I am falling a little bit in love with Bran! Not that I've personally had a cowboy myself, but maybe Ms. James could introduce me to a Bran?!?! Because he rocked my world! Bran is a dirty talker to boost, and I just love that Harper is willing to give herself over to him.
And Harper was no slouch either. I adored her. Beautiful as she is and yes a beauty queen, she is no primadonna. She's struggled to make ends meet doing whatever she has to do to support herself and her sister, and put her through school, giving up on her own dreams. And now she ends up working for Bran as his temporary ranch hand!
Then there's the secondary characters. Hank's sibligns, Abe and Celia, I can't wait to read about them! The new resort in town is bringing with it some new characters to stir things up. I can't wait for Abe's book next!!!
”
“Enjoyed this more than "Corralled" but less than "Wrangled and Tangled". ”
Linsey wrote this review Sunday, March 4, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I feel gross after reading this. Poorly written erotic drivel.”
Angela L wrote this review Monday, January 16, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I loved it! Lorelei James tells incredible love stories with kinky erotica. I've never been able to put down one of her books!”
Shari G wrote this review Friday, September 16, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“LOVED IT! I CAN NOT WAIT TO START THE NEXT ONE! i HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO STOP YELLING SINCE I FINISHED IT! opps or maybe it was just my caps key, either way I want a cowboy!”
Lexi R wrote this review Monday, May 30, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No1 of 1 members found this review helpful“Saddled and Spurred by Lorelei James
Bookaholics R wrote this review Wednesday, February 23, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Western Romance -March 1st, 2011
4 ½ stars
This is the second in Lorelei James’s contemporary western series called Blacktop Cowboys. The first was Corralled and some of the characters are featured in Saddled and Spurred. However, Saddled and Spurred can easily be read by itself.
In this enjoyable western, Bran Turner is a rancher down on his luck in a depressed area of Wyoming. His only ranch hand suffered an injury during the busiest time of the year and help is no where to be found. That is until his friend’s younger sister plays a trick on him. She offers him a worker to assist him but Bran is startled to find it is the super feminine and sexy beauty queen Harper Masterson. Bran is torn, he needs a hand desperately and Hare is certainly easy on the eyes. But can she actually help?
Harper desperately needs help. She and her sister are stranded in this poor town when her mother up and left, leaving behind a scandal and some serious town resentment But Harper wants her younger sister to graduate before they get out of Wyoming for good. However, in this small town, work is difficult to find and her she has just been let go from her latest job. In a fit of self-pity, she bares all to her best friend who tells her she might have work for her. But Harper really has no idea what is in store for her or how much this job will change her life.
This book was a pleasure to read. The author really gives the reader a feel a small western town down on its luck. She also delves into Harper and Bran’s personality so they felt like real human beings. I also liked how Harper slowly adjusts to the fascinating world of ranching/farming and begins to really appreciate it. Bran is a hardworking, modest guy who you can’t help liking. Compared to the first book, I think this book goes more into the relationship/dynamics between the two main characters. While it still has some very steamy scenes, I would say it doesn’t quite have as many as the first since the relationship between the main characters starts slower.
Saddled and Spurred is an emotionally satisfying western. Readers who love westerns will be sure to appreciate this wonderful romance.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club”
Displaying 1-8 of 8
