Angeline’s Review – Branded As Trouble (Rough Riders #6) by Lorelei James

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Description:

…It’s hard to trust the future when you’ve been branded by the past

As a walking advertisement for the tattoo shop she’s set up in a small Wyoming town, India Ellison is well acquainted with preconceived notions. Despite the odd looks and off-color comments about her off-color hair, life is good. She’s clean and sober, dotes on her sister’s kids and, best of all, spends most of her free time with her best buddy, cowboy Colt McKay.

Reformed bad boy Colt never expected three years of sobriety to lead to three years of abstinence. Curbing his craving for booze and random sexual encounters is nothing compared to the ever-increasing craving for his hot-tempered, hot-bodied best friend, India. Too bad she’s his A.A. sponsor. Too bad she hasn’t a clue that Colt’s been head-over-bootheels in love with her from day one.

After an unexpected, steamy interlude, all India can think about is riding the sexy cowboy instead of her motorcycle, even when Colt is determined to show her a slower ride is worth the wait.
Or are they risking their friendship for a fling that could burn them both?

Warning: This romp features nekkidness the cowboy way—sex with boots on and with boots off, dirty sex against a dirty pickup truck, bare-assed sex on a bear skin rug, graphic language, unfortunate aim with a nail gun, and improvisational use of whips and whipped cream.

Angeline’s Thoughts:
When I first discovered Lorelei James Rough Rider series, I was in heaven. Cowboy heaven to be exact. I believe the Rough Rider series to be one of the most accurate accounts of life in ranching, rodeoing, and cowboying that I have ever read. Am I an expert? Close enough. I am blessed to live this in real life.

Colt and India are best friends, who truly understand each other but are both scared of making the move to something more. Neither of them wants to mess up their friendship or relationship by doing something wrong. They are a little on edge with each other until they both admit to themselves how much they love each other. You can feel the intense connection they have long before they do.

Not your typical western, this is a story of redemption. Both Colt and India have hit rock bottom with their addictions. They both survived and rebuilt their lives to be the people they want to be. They deserve happiness like everyone else.

I love a story that touches on not-so-pretty subjects. Ms. James does not sugar coat addiction or the recovering addicts’ struggles. Her Rough Rider stories are about hot, hunky cowboys and girls who find their love matches. However, they all touch on real life issues and are portrayed honestly and realistically. Yes, this is fiction, so we are guaranteed a happily ever after. Knowing that, we can still take away a sense of understanding with these characters that can transfer into our own real life situations.

We see more of Cam in this book. I was reminded why he is one of my favorite heroes when he sticks up for Colt to their family. There really should be more people like him. Again, the lesson learned here is huge, in my mind.

There is a lot of serious in Branded as Trouble. Recovering from addiction is a serious topic. Colt and India show how it is possible to fight their demons. That it is an everyday struggle. That they will need to keep fighting for themselves and for each other. They do it with humor too and I laughed many times. I learned a lot about myself when reading this story and how I treat others that I know have recovered and still need my friendship and support. Eye-opening.

And oh baby!! The sex scenes are not just hot; they are EXPLOSIVE! There is so much passion and fire when these two hit the sheets, or the rug, or the wall… There is no denying that Ms. James writes some of the best love scenes ever. You will not be disappointed.

Loving people for who they are right now and not judging them for what they have done in the past is a huge issue to overcome. People can change. They can get better. They can get worse too. But if we don’t open our eyes and see the good that can happen and that people can change, we will be missing out on some really great people in our lives.

Ms. James’ Rough Riders is one of my all-time favorite series. Start with book one and work your way up. This is one of the most well thought out series I have ever read. The talented Ms. James keeps us wanting more of her beloved McKay’s. And believe me, you’ll want more!!

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