RACKED AND STACKED (Blacktop Cowboys #9) by Lorelei James-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

RACKED AND STACKED
Blacktop Cowboys #9
by Lorelei James
Release Date: August 7, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, cowboy, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date: August 7,2018

Growing up with three older brothers, Larissa “Riss” Thorpe defines the term tomboy–a moniker that never mattered to her until she crossed paths with sexy cowboy playboy, Ike Palmer. His declaration that he prefers his women soft and feminine is the one benefit to becoming his business partner. Since Riss is obviously not his type, there’s little chance they’ll mix business and pleasure when they’re in close quarters on the road together.

Former cattle broker Ike Palmer was ready for a new chapter in his life when he partnered with Riss, a contrary redhead who lords her mechanical abilities over him at every turn. Ike raised his three younger sisters; he knows a thing or three about how women work. The problem is…Riss is unlike any woman he’s ever met.

With the odds stacked against them, Riss and Ike will have to choose between the stubbornness that keeps them apart and the fiery attraction that could lead to something more.

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REVIEW: RACKED AND STACKED is the ninth full-length instalment in Lorelei James’ contemporary, adult BLACKTOP COWBOYS erotic, cowboy romance series. This is thirty-year old, truck driver Larissa ‘Riss’ Thorpe, and forty-year old, former cattle broker Ike Palmer’s story line. RACKED AND STACKED can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Riss and Ike) RACKED AND STACKED focuses on the contemptuous relationship between thirty-year old, truck driver Larissa ‘Riss’ Thorpe, and forty-year old, former cattle broker Ike Palmer. Ike Palmer is the bane of Riss Thorpe’s existence since the day, two years earlier, Ike supposedly got her brother Lloyd fired. For the upcoming wedding of Tobin and Jade, Ike and Riss have agreed to call a truce in their mutual disdain for one another until an accident finds Riss in need of round the clock care, and Ike offers up his services for the foreseeable future. What ensues is the building but acrimonious relationship between Riss and Ike, and the potential fall-out as a distinct lack of communication, snark, misunderstanding, and risks to one another’s independence threatens the growing love and limited peace that as developed throughout the weeks.

Larissa Thorpe is a bit of a ball-buster; a hard-nosed, stubborn, in your face heroine who refuses to ask for help especially where is concerns any threat to her long-fought independence. Finding herself laid-up for close to twelve weeks is a slap in the face for both her financial and personal life but coming face to face with the man who was once the target of every nasty word and thought pushes our heroine into a friend zone that slowly develops into something more. Ike Palmer raised his three younger sisters, and didn’t think anything about helping Larissa Thorpe on her long road to recovery but Ike never expected to find himself falling in love with the foul-mouthed red-head who was currently starring in his fantasies and dreams.

The relationship between Ike and Larissa is an enemies to friends to lovers romance that struggles with misunderstanding, a lack of communication, and Riss’s fear of losing her independence. Ike’s fear of failure pulls him closer to the brink of bankruptcy and unemployment, and Riss’ downtime forces her to confront the direction of her life. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic, intense and seductive but I dislike the use of a certain four-letter word I found unnecessary in a romance story line.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Larissa’s brothers-Lou, Lonnie and Lloyd, as their Aunt Beatrice; Ike’s sisters Lea, Jen and Kay, as well as Tobin and Jade (Hang Tough #8).

RACKED AND STACKED is a story of family, friendship, misunderstanding and forgiveness. The premise is energetic and encouraging; the characters are lively and animated; the romance is fated and sassy. RACKED AND STACKED is an engaging and delightful addition to the Blacktop Cowboys series.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy 

Lorelei James Publisher and The Reading Cafe are offering a paper copy of RACKED AND STACKED to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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