Sweet love story, nice mix of happiness and tragedy to make this a good rainy weather/pass the time kind of book.
Time tested formula works...young couple, one romantic night. Life happens, harsh words said and they go their separate ways. Years and tragedies later they find themselves where they had once been, longing for what was lost but scarred by life and unsure how to get what the want...and do they deserve it.
Dirk had enough gentleman in him to balance out the arrogance and immaturity he had. War and it's injuries gave him the humility and self-doubt that made you want to hold and heal him. Janice was a tomboy from the word go but had a romantics heart hidden. Bad times, a worse husband and a son to protect made you cheer for her to get a HEA. The fact that she finds the strength to see her chance at it and go for it, while pushing Dirk to deal with his issues, makes you want to give her a round of applause.
Should have predicted the bombshell that dropped towards the end. Convenient, maybe but then again in fairy tales and romance novels, anything can (and usually does) happen. ( )

Rough Rider is the scorching hot second installment in Victoria Vane's Hot Cowboy Nights Series. This fast -paced romance is a wonderful mix of themes: it has a new adult-y vibe for the first part of the story but then it turns into a very heartwarming second chance at love story. Another fantastic thing about this novel is that it can stand alone for newcomers to the series while the missing pieces of the Knowlton brothers' troubled relationship are fully revealed to readers of Slow Hand.

When Rough Rider opens, Janice Combes and Dirk Knowlton are in their early twenties and both are busy following the rodeo circuit. Janice is a stock contractor and Dirk is a competitor in rough stock events (bronc and bull riding). Janice has been in love with Dirk for years, but since Dirk has been in a long term relationship with Rachel Carson for years, the two are just friends. A series of misunderstandings, lack of communication and impulsive decisions take both Janice and Dirk in very different directions, but when they are reunited after a ten year separation, will the couple finally get the chance to live happily ever after?

The years apart were not easy for either Janice or Dirk. Janice married a bull rider but theirs was not a happy marriage. Now widowed, she, along with her nine year old son, have returned to Montana. Since the family's ranch has mostly been sold to pay off debt, she is working as a waitress while trying to find a job on one of the area ranches. Dirk's time in the military has left mental and physical scars and he is locked in a fierce battle with his brother over the fate of their family's ranch. Janice and Dirk's first meeting does not end well, but they set aside their differences when Dirk offers Janice a part time job as a ranch hand. However, their professional relationship is quickly complicated by their simmering attraction and unresolved issues from their long ago past.

Rough Rider is an intense and emotional novel that is sure to delight readers of contemporary western romances. Victoria Vane brilliantly weaves past and present into a heartfelt and engaging love story that is realistic and quite touching. The Hot Cowboy Nights series is absolutely outstanding and one that I highly recommend to fans of this genre. ( )

“That’s one promise I can make. For better or for worse, but for damn sure never for granted.” – Dirk Knowlton

I. Love. Dirk. Knowlton!

I said it, I knew it, I freaking expected it! But never to this level! Imagine being a choco-maniac, then being introduced to this super extra chocolatey fudge. You know you’re gonna love it. And yet, the moment it hits your tongue, it’s like fireworks and rainbows in your mouth!

Or maybe I should say that I love Victoria Vane’s writing. After all, she’s the one who wrote this amazing series. If Wade’s story hadn’t gotten me hooked with this little Montana town she’s introduced me to, Dirk’s story sure did the trick!

Janice Combes always knew she was in love with Dirk Knowlton. However, luck never seemed to be on her side. Now, so many years after their first and only night together, she has a son, her husband’s dead, and she’s back in her hometown, no longer a starstruck , pink-glasses-over-her-eyes young woman – and so is Dirk. The man has become even more attractive, if that’s even possible. Despite missing a leg – and social manners – the grumpy cowboy still manages to light a fire in her belly. What she doesn’t know, is that she has pretty much the same effect on him. Maybe it’s about time some of their secrets come to the surface – secrets that have kept them apart for so long, and that may very well either make them or break them as a couple…

I have to say, it wasn’t just because of Dirk that I loved this book – though he did play a major part in my decision, and yes, I do call dibs on his moody butt.

It was also the fact that Janice was a wonderful female lead. Down to earth, modest, and she knew what she wanted. Whether she managed to get it or not doesn’t matter. She never stood still, always moving forward to make sure things were taken for, even if she was not comfortable with her decisions. No crying for this lady – unlike a certain Nikki… – nope, she was a powerhouse all on her own. Which makes sense, cause no other woman would be able to move Dirk enough. I loved how she was firm on being respected, how she admitted her mistakes, how she always chose for her life whatever would benefit her parents and her son. I respected her for not chasing after Dirk all the time, and for letting him come to her, because it showed that, somewhere inside her, deep inside her, she instinctively knew she was worth it, that she was more than just a piece of whiny, hot ass.

Of course, the story didn’t disappoint either. Though admittedly it was the first time I saw a western romance being told from when the couple was so young and develop through the years, it was more than welcome. It helped us see Janice’s growth as a character, and showed everything that was Dirk. It explained their personalities and quirks without even looking like an explanation! It’s kinda hard not to understand everything that makes those two tick after looking thoroughly at their early experiences in life. And it made me feel better, knowing that I was right about Wade’s dead wife – allow me my bitchy moment, please, will ya?

Yes?

Thank you!

Ok, then… Rachel, go rot in hell!

Sorry about that, I just had to get it off my chest.

I don’t know what kind of guy will be the next male lead, but if the next book is anything like this one, I’m gonna fully enjoy it!

***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.*** ( )

I was given Rough Rider for an honest review through Net Galley

Janice Combes has wanted Dirk since high school but his rejection after their one night together sends her running into the arms of his buddy, the selfish Grady, who only wants her for her farm.

Dirk Knowlton thought he was in love with Rodeo Queen Rachel but one night in Janice's arms sends into an abyss of confusion and bad mistakes.

Ten years later she has a son and a dead buckle bunny chasing husband and he is missing his pride and a leg. She is determined to get the man she should have had and he seems to still want to mess things up by sitting on the fence.

For the rest of this review please visit http://lauralusbookreviews.blogspot.com/2015/02/rough-rider-hot-cowboy-nights-2-... ( )

Dirk always seemed to want the rodeo queen, while the woman behind the scenes who always had her hands dirty with the bulls, always had a soft spot for him. She longed to at least be Dirk's friend, but he always told her men and women couldn't be friends since a man would eventually want in her jeans. When their lives took them in different directions, Janice settled for second best. It was far from that and her list of regrets got longer every day. When Dirk and Janice finally ended up back home, trying to sort out the mess of their lives, would it be too late for another chance? Would they be able to see past their own hurt and anger?

As usual, Ms. Vane gives us a sensual (and quite steamy), yet tender romance that immerses the reader in the story so deeply you feel as if you're a part of the intended cast of characters. I'm wild about Ms. Vane's sexy cowboys who are always the epitome of the ultimate romantic hero, the perfect champion for their damsels in distress. Dirk was a stubborn cowboy who didn't always have the right words, and always seemed to have intense attitude, but he tried his best to be an honorable and upstanding guy. It was so easy to root for this hero and heroine and you get so caught up in their story, before you know it, you're at the end! I loved Slow Hand, the first book in Ms. Vane's Hot Cowboy Nights series, but I thought Rough Rider (Book #2 in the series) was even more exceptional. My heart strings were wrenched from beginning to end. I can hardly wait for book #3! Rough Rider is one hot cowboy romance that's a Keeper and the whole series is on my list as Must Reads! Yehaw! 5 Stars! ( )