This enticing little literary treat has not one, but two sexy stories for readers to devour... and boy are they tasty!! Each story comes equipped with a sexy cowboy on a mission and a feisty heroine that likes to push their buttons... and bring them to their knees! I thoroughly enjoyed both stories each one was highly entertaining, funny, action packed, and full of Ms. Leigh's trademark scorching heat!!

Cowboy And The Captive:
After being set up and almost being killed Luc Jardin sets out to get revenge, he kidnaps the woman who did him wrong, but soon realizes the woman he brought back to his ranch is not the same woman he has a score to settle with. Apparently Maria has herself a twin sister, her name is Melina, and she is nothing like her sister, and everything that Luc likes! From there these two butt heads, spawn a lot of sparks, and wind up finding something neither of them were looking for...love!

Cowboy And The Thief:
When Jack Riley gets word that his friend Joe has a priceless heirloom for sale in Ireland, Jack jumps at the chance to get his hands on it, but once he arrives in Ireland and meets Joe's daughter the heirloom loses a little of it's appeal. She is beyond gorgeous, and she isn't so willing to part ways with the heirloom, and plans to steal it right out from under him! Soon after a battle ensues between them, and things get heated, and the sparks start flying!

Highly recommend, the moment you meet these two cowboys, the minute they walk onto the page you will fall head over heels in love!!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.

Rugged Texas Cowboy features two books in one; Cowboy and The Captive & The Cowboy and The Thief. While both stories were quick and easy reads with unique story-lines, I found the characters in both stories hard to relate to. Don't get me wrong, both have some seriously sexy moments, but the overall story-lines were hard for me to wrap my mind around.

Cowboy and The Captive had some seriously crazy family drama, mistaken identity and a kidnapping gone wrong. This story certainly peaked my curiosity and had some sexier than hell moments.

Cowboy and The Thief is loaded with drama, mystery and of course lots of sexy good times.

Overall, I thought this combo was an ok read, but wasn't the right read for me.

This was a little rough for me. Jack was a regular jerk to Melina. The way she was treated, made me lose a little respect for Jack. He redeemed himself in the end although. The sister was a pill. The way Melina took up the blame for all of her sister's actions bothered me a little. I felt she was weak to continue this behavior to that extreme. I've read Lora Leigh before and this wasn't one that I would re-read. Melina just surrendered to Jack even after he treated her terribly.

I am a loving fan of this author whether Lora Leigh writes paranormal romance or off the charts cowboy romance. Thoroughly loved this steamy book and absolutely recommend it.

This book is actually two in one. The first, Cowboy and the Captive, tells the story of Luc and Melina. Luc kidnaps Melina, thinking she is her twin sister. Luc wants revenge after a job turned attempted murder. But as these things go, sparks fly between the two main characters.

I really liked this book. It was really well written, as Lora Leigh's books usually are. At times it could be a bit repetitive, but not so much as to ruin the experience. This is definitely worth a read.

The second book, Cowboy and the Thief, is the story of Angel and Jack. Jack goes to visit an old acquaintance in Ireland, who happens to be Angel's father. After unsuccessfully trying to seduce Angel while staying at their estate, Jack travels back to America with a newly purchased family heirloom meant for Angel, and Angel follows to reclaim what is rightfully hers.

Of the two, this was my least favorite. I found the characters to be a little lacking, especially in the beginning. The book itself is quite short, so it makes sense that developing the characters properly would be difficult, but I wish they would have gotten more depth. There is no growing attraction, as in the first book. They meet, and Jack almost immediately starts trying to seduce Angel. Just a bit too unrealistic for me to truly enjoy the book.

All in all, I would say Rugged Sexy Cowboy is worth a read.

Lora Leigh offers up a double dose of sensual deliciousness in her latest novel “Rugged Texas Cowboy” that is really two books in one. The first novel is “Cowboy and the Captive” in which Luc Jardin is set up by a backstabbing woman and almost killed which sets the wheels in motion for his brand of revenge. Melina Angeles is tired of cleaning up her twin sister’s messes and when she refuses her father’s demands to help out her sister he turns his back on her. Luc makes the mistake of not knowing that the woman who almost got him killed has a twin and when he kidnaps Melina they both are forced to come to the realization of some truths that will change their lives forever. “Cowboy and the Thief” is the second novel in this decadent treat in which Jack Riley travels to Ireland from Texas to meet up with his old friend, Joseph Manning, but it is Joe’s daughter, Angel, who captivates him from their first meeting. Angel finds Jack to be the most sensual male specimen that she had ever laid eyes on until she discovers that he has purchased a family heirloom and then she vows to get it back no matter what it takes. Angel’s plan is simply to steal it back, but Jack has other plans that manage to leave Angel wanting more than the heirloom. I was given an advanced copy of this book, and all of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book was a wonderful reading experience for this Lora Leigh fangirl. To my delighted surprise I got to read two fabulous western romances in one book. I absolutely adored both of these short stories from beginning to end.

The first story was an incredibly sexy and suspenseful thriller featuring a tale of two twin sisters. Lora Leigh definitely had some good versus bad in this one. The good sister, Melina, was a sweet angel who always had to pay for the sins of her pure evil sister. Being kidnapped in her sister's place was the best thing that ever happened to Melina. It placed her at the tender mercy of sexy cowboy Luc Jardin, and also saved her from her troublemaking sister's wrath. This first part of the book was my favorite because I loved Luc and Melina both. I was captivated by the steamy romance and plot twists in this one.

In the second chapter Lora Leigh unveiled the magical romance between an angel and her wolf. Jack and Angel were endearing characters and I loved their sizzling hot love scenes. Jack was a lone wolf who found just what he never knew he was looking for in fiery spitfire Angel. This magical romance captured my attention from the first page. I enjoyed everythiong about it.

As usual, Lora Leigh did an awesome job of storytelling on this book. I loved the rich characters and vibrant plot that immediately pulled me into each story. I'm so glad that I got to read this book. I recommend it to everyone.


This review will be posted at Night Owl Reviews.

Lora Leigh certainly knows how to write a book that immediately draws the reader into the action. This is especially true of the first story, The Cowboy and the Captive. It was a very enjoyable romance that centered around a kidnapping paired with a case of mistaken identity. Complete with loads of family drama, this story had a little bit of everything that makes for a great romance. Exactly what I've come to expect when I pick up a book by this author. The second story, the Cowboy and the Thief, tells the story of Jack who is briefly mentioned in the first story.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.

Ms. Leigh is a true storyteller. Hot in all the right places. Great plots. THank you.

This was a quick introduction for me to Lora Leigh, her characters, and her stories. I really liked having two shorter stories in one book. Not only did the stories give me an idea of what Lora's writing style was like, but I was able to also read the HEAs for two couples in one book. I didn't have to wait to get Jack's story several months to a year later. That instant gratification was nice for a reader that reads between 5-10 books a month. If you like cowboys, steamy sex, alpha males, and strong heroines, I recommend these stories.

Rugged Texas Cowboy is a combo of two books. The first book is a thriller and the second book a mystery with drama and humor added. Both books pack a ton of heat between the characters and pull you into the story from the very beginning. I always enjoy Lora Leigh's books and this one did not disappoint.

Melina is a twin who has always stood in front of her sister. When Maria gets into trouble her parents expect her to stand in for her. She did it once but won't do it again. Instead she gets kidnapped by a sexy cowboy. Luc was shot by some goons that helped Maria smuggle drugs in. Now Melina's brother is convinced she's in danger, so he tells Luc to kidnap her and help her get clean. Poor Luc, thinking he's kidnapped Maria, does but doesn't understand the feelings he has for her. Will Melina convince him she's not her sister and will she lose her heart to him anyway?

Good story. Good twin and bad twin. Stupid parents. And really Luc should have figured it out sooner that she wasn't Maria. The sex is hot.

COWBOY AND THE THIEF...4.5 stars

Angel is an Irish woman with a fiery temper. Jack knows her father and comes to visit. Jack is a co owner of a ranch and plane with his best friend Luc. When they meet, they constantly bicker and fight. But when he buys a family heirloom, she goes berserk. She follows him back to Texas and attempts to steal it back. When he finally gets her in his bed, he never wants to let her go. Jack is not the type to settle for one woman but something about Angel gets to him. Angel wants to leave before she loses her heart and Jack will do anything to keep her.

Story is good. An Irishwoman and a cowboy. Down and dirty sex?

Lora Leigh is my favorite authors and she didn't disappoint with this new title. There are two incredibly sexy novellas and if you read Lora at all you know she can write on hell of a sex scene! 5 stars!

Two fairly short stories, that are both fabulous in every way. Sexy, romantic, insta lust, strong characters, did I say sexy? Both couples are just so damn likeable, the men are so up front with their emotions, which is a pleasant surprise, the women too are strong, intelligent and I can imagine them becoming good friends (the male characters are friends).
Overall, I would recommend this 2 novella book if you enjoy insta lust with an actual story too.

Rugged Texas Cowboy by Lora Leigh is like hitting the jackpot, you get two book in one. Both books are well-written and populated with amazing characters. The first book, Cowboy And The Captive is Luc and Melina's story of mistaken identity. This is my favorite of the two books. There's plenty of drama, action, humor and sizzlin' sexy bits. The second book, Cowboy And The Thief is Jack and Angel's story. Their tale is loaded with drama, humor and yes, enough heat to start a bonfire. I enjoyed reading Rugged Texas Cowboy and look forward to reading more from Lora Leigh in the future. Both of the stories in this book are complete, no cliff-hangers.

I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this book that I received from NetGalley.

Full review to be published online in late November.

RUGGED TEXAS COWBOY is a duology of previously released stories repackaged into one book. In 'Cowboy and the Captive', Melina has been coerced by her parents to take the fall and go to jail instead of twin sister Maria; where she is almost raped and severely beaten. Then Melina is kidnapped by the man who fills her dreams.

Luc is obsessed with thought of revenge; payback for the close encounter with death Maria dealt him and his best friend. He has planned for this abduction and now everything is ready to be set in motion. But the woman he thinks is Maria doesn’t react as he thinks a drug addict should. Slowly it dawns on him that the woman really is Melina as she claims. Steamy and sexy story, if rather short.


In ‘Cowboy and the Thief', Angel Manning is in Ireland, where she meets the ruggedly handsome Jack Riley. Jack is spending time at the estate owned by Angel's father. During this time, he purchases a Celtic tourque necklace from Angel's father, which belongs by birth-right to Angel. Angel travels to Texas to steal the torque back; but she gets caught, not just her but her heart too. Jack doesn't believe love exists, but finds himself changing his mind and heart when he falls for Angel. A cute short story, but not nearly as enjoyable as the first one.

These stories are enjoyable enough if rather dated, and probably best appreciated by fans of Lora Leigh's erotic stories more than those of us who read her for her “Breeds” series.