A great duo of western themed stories from one of my favorite authors. Very much enjoyed the first story, the second I enjoyed a bit less. The two stories are not related at all and can be read as standalones.

Cowboy and the Captive
This is a great story of mistaken identity of your enemy to lovers. If I had a twin I’d do all that I could to keep her safe but you can only do so much, they will not learn from their mistakes if they don’t deal with the fall out on their own. Our heroine realizes this a little too late, but will it cost her her life in the end? As with all of Lora Leigh’s books this story has some sexy heat that keeps you looking for more. The heroine is no mouse in this story; she has strength of her own. I do admire her for never betraying who she is no matter the situation. This story has action, kidnapping, and one sexy as all get out cowboy. Even though this story is a short story it is very well written with just the right amount of description that I did not get bored.

Cowboy and the Thief
This was an entertaining story even though I liked the first story in the book more, but still an enjoyable read. Jack doesn’t even know what he’s gotten himself into until it’s too late. Jack gets tricked into buying and an old family heirloom from his old friend Joseph, in Ireland. Angel, Joseph’s daughter, is so furious over this that she follows Jack back to Texas in hopes that she can steal it back. This is when things heat up. Author Lora Leigh has a way of writing these sexy stories that make you scream for more.

***I voluntarily reviewed this ARC for an honest review via NetGalley, this is my honest opinion and has not been influenced by the author, Publishers or NetGalley in anyway.***

This is two-part storybook about two good friends Jardin and Jack who both find love in unusual place.
COWBOY AND THE CAPTIVE
4.5stars
Is a story about Jardin to who was injustice made and now he looks justice in his own hand. He kidnaps Maria who once almost got him and his friend ack killed him to teach her right. But he doesn't know that Maria has a sister and that he kidnaps wrong sister. Melina and Jardin had from the first time they meet uncontrollable sexual chemistry, to which they cant long resist. I like the story, I didn't for a long time read something on this thema a was pleasantly surprised with the characters. Although the story is short are characters great developed and their chemistry is hot. I enjoyed reading it.
COWBOY AND THE THIEF
3.stars
This one is a story about Jardin and Angel -daughter from Jardin's business partner. The one that sold to Jardin family heirloom and which Angel is a determent to give it back. What none of them expect is to fall in love. This story I didn't like too much, all the mystery about heirloom was for me not attractive and there is not a lot happening just bickering between Jardin and Angel, some hot makeup sessions which escalate in hot sex.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgelly

Cowboy and the Captive

Melina is a twin and its pretty obvious from her upbringing she was nothing but a scapegoat for her twin's bad behavior even having to put up with jail time in her sisters place. Now her sister managed to find herself in more trouble and Melina refuses to take her place when go figure a she is kidnapped by a cowboy. Jardin has a brief history with Melinas twin and looking for a bit of payback. Only thing is that he got the wrong twin.

Although I liked this book I can only imagine what plenty other people would think about it. If anything there should be a trigger warning for readers. Beside that this was a pretty good book if you look past the sex the story line was interesting and this could've even been better if it was longer to get to know more about the characters. Overall I thought that this was a pretty good story and if your pressed for time and want a good story with plenty of steam then this book might be for you.

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Cowboy and the Thief

I really should've read the description or taken note of the genre before accepting to review this book. If your into erotica then this book is for you. But again if you look past the sleeping around to the novella that the story line I would say that this book was pretty good. Not something id normally find myself drawn to but once I start a book I make sure to finish it and this book was enjoyable.

Of both of the stories I liked Cowboy and the Captive better. Maybe because there was more about depth about the people in the story. And the danger and emotion was also deeper. Melina's pain was easy to connect with; she had been so undervalued for most of her life. Her parents and her sister (her twin) Maria were always eager to throw her under the bus. All to protect the best loved but evil twin Maria. It was incredible what she went through. Her family was so manipulative, all except her brother Joe who feared for her life. And he had plenty of reason to think that.
The struggles between Melina and Luc were epic. But so was his refusal to see who she really was.
But I grew tired of the constant references to what different sexual parts of her body were doing as she lusted for him. Some phrases were repeated so often, it made me want to roll my eyes.
Don't get me wrong, the story itself could have been so much better if some of the erotica had been cut back.

I did like that the two stories are linked because of the long friendship between the two men.
In the second book, Jack is stronger and better than he seems. He is more than just the playboy. Angel finds out that he has a core of steel when pressed. And boy does Angel push that envelope. The history of the heirloom was interesting and added to the story. But once again more detailed sex even though probably not as much as the first book.
Still that is something that both books did have in common and had me skimming some of the pages. Quite a few actually.

If you didn't know this before reading Rugged Texas Cowboy then let me let you in on a secret, both of these stories are previously published. Cowboy and Captives was published in 2004, and Cowboy and the Thief was in 2009.

I tell you this for two reasons, one so if you've already read it you know this going in and also why I don't really remember much about the stories. They first came out a long time ago.

The author mentioned that she added to the stories but I couldn't really tell you what. Without really remembering the originals it's not that easy.

What I can tell you is that I enjoyed both stories. They aren't two of my favorites of Lora Leigh but they aren't bad reading. Each story was well-written with good characters but I'd have to say that my favorite of the two is the first story. I'm wondering if the publishers felt the same way and led with the strong of the two stories?

Food for thought!

Even though Cowboy and the Thief wasn't may favorite and did like it too. Like I said, both stories are worth reading and are enjoyable. Of course there isn't much I don't like from here so...

The Rugged Texas Cowboy is a combination of the first two Cowboy's and captives series. These two cowboy's have been screwed over, almost killed, and looking for something they didn't even know they were looking for.

Luc is up first. After a near death experience and a privileged girl who has her parent's get her out of everything he is hell bent on revenge. With the help of some friends...he plans to kidnap her and help her get clean while exacting revenge on her for what she has done. However what he doesn't know is she has a twin sister and things are going to get interesting when he grabs her instead.

Then we have jack and Angel. These two are like water and oil. But they burn when they finally let their guard down. Their issiues come from a torque her family had left for her. However when she loses it when her father sells it to Jack. She will do what she has to to get it back. Things heat up when she tries to steal it back and Jack wont let her go.

All in all good.

Emotionally thrilling, intriguing, sexy, gripping and exciting romantic adventure filled with danger, mystery and family betrayal of the deepest kind.

COWBOY AND THE CAPTIVE
Melina is sweet, sexy, honest and has a natural air of innocence about her that her not so nice twin sister and her parents take advantage of her for, until the final straw after she is sent to Jail for Maria's crime. Luke is strong, sexy, sweet, charming and rugged cowboy that was almost killed by Maria's partners in crime for helping her transport a crate. Looking for payback for the hurt inflicted on himself and his partner Jack I agrees to abduct Maria at her brother Joe's request to try and clean her out of the drugs she is addicted to. Only Joe has him take Melina instead of Maria and the real fun begins. Loved every heart pounding twist and turn.

COWBOY AND THE THIEF
Angel Manning is head strong, sassy and so sure the stories of her family's legendary Irish torque leading her to the only man for her is just a fairy tail. That is until her she confesses this to her father and he sells the torque to the notorious playboy and rugged cowboy Jack Riley. He catchers her in his home trying to steal it back and the wild adventure begins. Highly entertaining late night reading.

As much as I liked the premise of this book, the hero with his lack of research and prep before kidnapping the heroine and his subsequent complete douche-nozzle actions after were just too much to overcome for me. I also considered the fact that no one in the area knew about the heroine being a twin ridiculous. Unless the parents knew from the day they were born that the sister was going to be such a disaster and would need a secret twin to bail her out, this whole premise doesn't make sense. Seriously, where did she go to school? Unless they moved around a lot, there is no way this was hidden much less in a farming/ranching community where everyone knows everyone else's business. I ended up DNFing at 52%

There be sexy cowboys!

Cowboys are one of my favourite reads and these hot and heated stories are delicious! This bundle is a re-issue of stories that are classic romance with a sexy slant this author does so well. It didn’t take me long to remember why I loved them so much the first time around…

COWBOY AND THE CAPTIVE - *4.5 stars*
Complicated family is an understatement when Melina finds herself at the will of a man who believes she betrayed him. Jardin is angry, almost stoic, as he plots and executes his revenge. Melina has the truth behind her and as the days pass, they both are going to change their minds about the other…

“She might as well get used to being his captive, because she had stolen his heart and there wasn’t a chance he was going to let her leave with it.”

Misunderstandings are never a good basis for a relationship yet they swirl around every interaction and conversation these two have. The chemistry between them is hot and carnal as their emotions follow a step behind. A classic tale of innocence vs big bad wolf, it is told in a way that keeps its sweetness, and black vs white, in just the right balance…

COWBOY AND THE THIEF *3.5 stars*
A touch of mystic folklore and magic surrounds Angel and Jack as they battle their hearts and their minds over a family treasure. Each believes they have ownership of the Irish torque that holds family history as well magic… The battle is heated and pits them against each other in a battle where winner takes all – including hearts…

“I love you, Jack… Now remove these chains before I’m forced to kill you.”

These two argued their way through most of this story as they each claimed ownership over an heirloom that would either be the best thing that ever happened to them both – or be their downfall. Neither would give an inch and their banter and fights would be as legendary as the torque itself. This author knows how to write sexy and emotional and this was no exception! ~Diane, 4 stars

❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥

What's better than one hot Cowboy story? Yep, two hot Cowboy stories!!

BOOK 1 - COWBOY AND THE CAPTIVE

4 Wrong Sister Stars

Well this one started with a bang!!

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Melina's twin sister is ruining her life and tearing apart her family. Maria nearly got Lucas Jardin/Luc killed in the shoot out two years ago, the same shoot out that Malina took the blame for. Her father is trying to get her to cover for Maria again begging her to take the fall for her drug addicted sister, this time Malina refuses.

"You never see her lies, Papa. The rest of us do, but never you. Maria is killing herself and this family, and I refuse to let her destroy my life in the process."

Joe, Malina's brother gets wind of his parents plan to make her take the wrap for Maria's latest drug charges and hatches a plan to keep her safe.

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It just so happened Joe and Luc had become friends after that first incident so Joe uses Luc's hatred of Maria to keep Malina safe. Luc kidnaps Malina believing it's Maria with plans to extract revenge by making her work hard on his ranch.

I really liked when they first got to the ranch with Luc still believing Malina is Maria but not understanding why she seemed so different and why he is so attracted to her. I like the fun banter between Luc and Melina and Mason the cat brought some lighthearted fun and giggles.

So this was a jam packed little novella, it had a bit of everything and I really enjoyed it. Yes it was a little OTT but in a good way, there could have been a little more 'loving' but hey couldn't there always in saying that what scenes we did get were very steamy. I could have kept reading about Melina and Luc's life on ranch.

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BOOK 2 - COWBOY AND THE THIEF

3 Give A Little, Get A Little Stars

This is kind of connected to book 1, in this one we have Luc's friend and business partner Jack and his story of love.

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This one had a historical feel with the strong Irish accents and the Castle setting. This was set in the modern day though so that was a little weird.

Angel came across as a bit of a stuck up prude to me and Jack was this this up himself playboy who thought everyone should love him.

This wasn't for me and if I'm being honest I don't think it was needed. I think Cowboy and the Captive was good enough on it's own.

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-Alicia, 4 Stars

Rugged Texas Cowboy is not at all what I had hoped for. Cowboy and the Captive were by far my favorite couple. I loved the intensity and the angst. I didn't really connect with the Cowboy and the Thief. I think I would have enjoyed them more had they been full length novels instead of short stories. The types of relationships Leigh writes about are very intense and built on trust. That being said there are a slew of short stories by Leigh that I love. I am a fan of her Breed series and dying for one particular story that is soon to come out next September, Cross Bread. If you haven't read Leigh's work, you MUST.

An enjoyable read by a new to me author.

RUGGED TEXAS COWBOY by Lora Leigh is a fabulous bargain as you get two seductive stories in one great package and be prepared to get very hot under the collar.

Both stories have very compelling female characters that are strong yet vulnerable, tough yet delicate, and both are really likeable, but I have to admit that Melina was that little bit extra special as she had gone through so much and been abandoned and abused by those who should care for her the most, that you cannot help but hope that she finds some happiness.

The male characters are confident, powerful, and loveable rogues who are used to getting exactly what they want and struggle a little when they find themselves on the receiving end of some not-so-subtle put-downs from these women who have captured their attention. With danger, desire, and a magical connection, both of these erotic stories are sure to warm you up on these cold winter nights, but there are also some heartbreaking moments too that will pull on your heartstrings, and makes these stories well worth reading.

This was so not the book for me. If you like your books to just be about sex and really nothing else then by all means read this book. If you want a book that actually has a story to it and not just sex the whole time then don't read this book. I wish I could say something good about these two books but it just got to much to keep reading only about sex if they weren't having it they were thinking about it all the time. There is way more to a story then just sex and how both couples fell in love so quickly when all they did was have sex, I have no idea.

Two hot cowboys who know what they want and go after it. Two extremely hot and steamy stories that are re-releases but just as hot this time around.

The Cowboy and the Captive
Melina is mistaken for the twin sister and kidnapped by Luc. Oh my but he is in for a rude awakening when he figures out this one.

The Cowboy and the Thief
Jack and Angel are like chemistry times 100! Sparks flying all over the place. When she follows him to Texas how will that work out.

Definitely recommend these!

**Received this ARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley**

Rugged Texas Cowboy by Lora Leigh is a Two book collection.
COWBOY AND THE CAPTIVE
Is the story of Melina and Lucas Jardin. Melina and Maria are twins...one being good and the other bad. Maria is the bad twin who gets in to real bad trouble but her family digs her out of...namely using Melina. They expect Melina to take the fall and responsibility of her sister's actions. Jardin kidnaps Melina because he once was involved in one of Maria's bad situations. But Jardin has mistaken the identity of the twins and takes Melina to work on his ranch to teach her a lesions.
COWBOY AND THE CAPTIVE
This is the story of Angel and Jack. Jack buys a heirloom with special powers. But Angel is trying to steal it back thinking it should stay with her family. This leads her to Texas and meeting Jack.
Really enjoyed these stories.

Melinda and Luc's relationship doesn't have a traditional beginning that you may think of as far as meeting your true love.. Her not so nice sister could be blamed, but then Luc was under the mistaken impression they were the same person.

Rugged Texas Cowboy captured my attention from the word go. What a great way to spend my day.

What a sexy and thoroughly smoking hot book this was! I was fanning my face numerous times from the chemistry alone. The story was so good I didn't want to put it down and the characters so lifelike. Overall a great book!

Story #1
Melina is sick of covering for her sister and this time she took it too far. Luck is seeking revenge and will stop at nothing to get it. Can she stay safe and can he get the revenge he so seeks or will the plans just go to far?
This story ok was not a fan. There was a lot of suspense and that kept the storyline going. There was some thing that were just to graphic for my taste in reading material. Melina’s family seemed more like the mob then just a super rich family so there was twist and turns every page for sure.


Story #2:
Jack is a free spirit and will never settle down, he is a wandering spirit and is more then happy. When he visits Ireland and a friend he seems to have met his match. Angel has missed so much since the loss of her mom but one thing is the legend that will forever be in her family. When she finds her what her dad has done with the precious gift that was meant to be hers she seeks it out and will stop at nothing to get it back. Can she get it back along with leaving her heart in tact or will Jack just be to much for her?
Out of the two stories this one was my favorite. I really enjoyed the free, suborned strong willed spirit of both the characters. I loved how the both had this take no prisoners kind of attitude. This story like the first one was very erotic and very much has is full of strong language and adult scenes. Over all I am not sure how I feel about these books as a whole. But to each his own.

To be clear from the beginning, both stories within Rugged Texas Cowboy (Cowboy and The Captive, Cowboy and The Thief) have been previously released – this edition has been re-edited, revised and added to. It is a personal nitpick of my own to discover that I already own combined or revised stories, so if you’ve read either of these stories before be aware that there are some changes but still the same basic stories.

I enjoyed both stories in Rugged Texas Cowboy, but I will admit that I liked Cowboy and The Captive more simply because I liked the characters and the situation more… a personal preference really. I understood Luc’s need to go after Maria, he simply didn’t know that he was dealing with twins and that the wrong twin for revenge was the one in his control. I felt more for Melina because she was her family’s scapegoat, they could not or would not see the destruction that Maria left in her wake – and Melina had already paid the price for Maria’s actions once, that was one time too many. Luc and Melina are definitely hot and steamy, and I enjoyed this enemy to lover story very much.

While Cowboy and The Thief is slightly connected to the first story, I never felt I had to read both to get an entire story. Angel had been counting on receiving her mother’s heirloom and when her father sold it she was furious. Now she’s determined to get it back no matter the cost – even when it seems the legend is fulfilling its prophecy quite nicely by leading her to Jack. Also hot and steamy, with a likable couple, I simply connected with the first story better.

If you love some steamy cowboys then you’ll enjoy Rugged Texas Cowboy. I’d recommend this double story book to any Romance reader who enjoys fiery characters and a good story.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*