Review & Release Blitz & Giveaway–Short Rides by Lorelei James

Short Rides is an anthology compilation of two novellas and one short story in the Rough Riders world. These are NOT meant to be read as standalone stories, but are a peek into favorite character's lives after the happily ever after...
The stories included in the Short Rides anthology are:
King of Hearts* -- Deputy Cam McKay deals with a murder/suicide case on Valentine's Day.
Rough Road -- Chassie, Trevor and Edgard Glanzer spend a romantic weekend away from the ranch and kids celebrating their anniversary...only to return home to face their biggest challenge yet.

All Knocked Up -- Keely and Jack Donohue are having a baby. Given Keely's raging pregnancy hormones, will Jack need to wear a cup in the delivery room?
*previously published in the Guns and Roses anthology in 2012

 

B&N

 

My Review:

Short Rides by Lorelei James  (LJ) is a fantastic book. In it, we meet up with Cam McKay, Chassie West Glanzer, Trevor Glanzer, Edgard Glanzer, Keely and Jack Donohue from the previous books in the Rough Riders Series.

I loved reading about Cam, Keely, and Jack. But I have to be honest, “Rough Road” tugged and pulled my heart strings to tears. I'm not saying that “King of Hearts” or “All Knocked Up” weren't great stories because they are just as awesome.

LJ gave “Rough Road” something extra special and heartbreaking because it happens in everyday life. Prejudice and hate are alive and well which is really sad considering not everyone's family is perfect. The heart wants what the heart wants no matter what anyone else says or does for that matter.

“King of Hearts” brings home the fact that some of our veterans suffer from mental illness which is often hidden from family and friends due to the fact that mental illness is such a taboo and stigma in today's society. At the heart of “King of Hearts” is about a family's love in the midst of darkness.

“All Knocked Up” is about learning to cope with hopes, dreams, being scared, and all the emotions that come with being pregnant. For me, “All Knocked Up” showcases what first time parents go thru before and after pregnancy.

LJ has once again shown she knows the hearts of her characters in the Rough Riders Series. The characters are rich, bold, smart, loving, caring, and most compassionate to each other and those around them. I love reading this series for these reasons. I look forward to the next adventure in this awesome series.

Short Rides features:

• ménage
• m/m/f,
• backdoor play
• oral sex

 

Rating: 5 Kisses

*book was provided to Read Our Lips! for review*

 

From: KING OF HEARTS

A murder/suicide.

In Sundance, Wyoming.

It was one of the worst scenes Deputy Cam McKay had dealt with. And he’d seen a lot of horrific things over the years. He’d served several rotations in Iraq and witnessed the aftermath of suicide bombers. He’d seen animals used as vessels to hold bombs. He’d been in a caravan that’d hit a string of IEDs, resulting in death and dismemberment of his fellow soldiers. He hadn’t come away from war unscathed—he’d lost most of his left leg, part of his hand, and bore scars, both visible and invisible.

During his time as deputy in Crook County, he’d dealt with deadly car accidents, including a fatality involving his cousin, Luke McKay. He’d broken up domestic disputes where one or both of the parties were drunk, armed, angry, and bleeding. He’d stumbled across a wild horse slaughter.

But this? It was beyond sickening.

The hysterical 911 call from the neighbor who’d discovered the bodies hadn’t prepared him at all for what he’d found at the crime scene.

His stomach roiled as his brain flashed back to the carnage and he fought the urge to throw up.

Again.

But Cam hadn’t been alone in his reaction. Sheriff Shortbull had stumbled outside and heaved over the juniper hedge after his glimpse at the dead couple.

A murder/suicide.

In Sundance, Wyoming.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Maybe it seemed worse because Cam knew the couple. He’d graduated from high school with Jeff Wingate. Cam couldn’t fathom how the mild-mannered insurance salesman could carry out such brutality, especially to his wife. And Angela hadn’t fought back. She’d literally lay down and died.

What a fucking waste.

What a fucking mess.

There’d been no indication of domestic issues. No 911 phone calls in the last year. No history of violence. He’d seen them eating in Dewey’s Delish Dish two weeks ago. They’d acted… happy.

Because the crime scene was beyond their small county’s investigative expertise, they’d had to call in the DCI from Cheyenne. Which meant waiting for the crew to arrive. But neither Cam nor Sheriff Shortbull could stomach waiting inside the house where the bloodbath had occurred.

So they stood outside in the frigid February weather, taking turns warming up in their patrol cars. He and the sheriff were too disturbed to slide into their usual defense mechanism, cracking jokes—which was how most law enforcement officers handled unpleasant aspects of the job—trying to find any bit of humor to escape the horror of the gruesome scene.

 

 

PRIZE Information: Winner will be announced 4/27/13. Grand Prize: $100 Amazon, B&N or ARe Gift Card (winner's choice)

 

 

Release Blitz Schedule

4/17/13
Seductive Musings
The Risque Redhead Reads
Le'BookSquirrel
Reviewing in Chaos
Sarah Aisling
A Crazy Vermonter's Book Reviews
Hesperia Loves Books
My Keeper Shelf
Shayna Renee's Spicy Reads
Black Raven's

4/18/13
SnifferWalk Books
Talk Supe
Italian Brat's Obsessions
Romantic Book Affairs
Kinky Book Reviews
Busy Moms Book Reviews
THESUBCLUBbooks
Blackraven's Erotic Cafe
Simply Ali
My Fiction Nook
i love lady porn
AJ's Reading Nook

4/19/13
herding cats & burning soup
Happily Ever After - Reads
Harlie Williams, Writer
Momma's Books
Sugar and Spice
Books Books and More Books
Red Headed Bookworm
Jelena's Book Blog
Read Our Lips! Book Review Blog

4/21/13
Delighted Reader
Melinda Dozier
The Rambling Readerista
Under the Covers
Heart Breaking Reviews
Fictional Candy
Read Your Writes Book Reviews

4/22/13
Tyra's Book Addiction
Tattooed Book Review
Reading, Eating & Dreaming
Smut Book Club
For The Love of Reading
Mama Knows Books
Reading Between the Wines
Smardy Pants Book Blog
Book Bitches Blog

4/23/13
Live Read and Breathe
Guilty Pleasures
Regina May Ross's
Rachel Brimble Romance
StoreyBook Reviews
Day Dreaming Book Reviews

4/24/13
What's On the Bookshelf
My Book Muse
Reality Bites! Let's Get Lost!!
Shh Moms Reading
Harlie's Books
Queen of the Night Reviews
Readers Confession
Manic Readers Guest Author Blog
Bookworm Brandee
For the Love of Bookends
Mrs Condit & Friends Read Books
Scorching Book Reviews