Cover Image: Strong, Silent Cowboy

Strong, Silent Cowboy

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Rating 4.5
This is the second book in the Moving Violations trilogy. I really enjoyed this book; the characters were wonderful and interesting. The pace was also spot on and the story is super-HOT. The story kept me guessing as to what would happen next. Can’t wait for the third book in the series. Though this is the second in the trilogy, I feel it could be read as a stand-alone novel.

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I loved this angsty cowboy romantic suspense book. There is a lot of "loving" (LOL) going on in this book, but I was intrigued from the moment I started this book. This is the second book in the series and I liked this one more than the first. I love Sallie and Jacob very much. Plenty of twist and turns to keep you guessing what is going on. 0There story is one I won't forget soon. I'm looking forward to more stories set in this world.

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Unanswered Questions 3.5*
This story left me confused and asking why characters had done certain things. Whilst well written, I didn’t really like the hero who I felt was too hard without an ounce of compassion or gentleness - it was all about his dominance and possession of the heroine as if she was an object not a person with heart and feelings.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Do you remember me
This author really shines where she can have her hot alpha males find and protect the women who hold their hearts, even when they don’t recognize them at first. I really enjoyed every step of the buildup in Jacob and Sallie’s relationship, each new turn of the page brought more depth to them as characters and as a couple. Not to mention the steam that just wafted off the pages anytime these two were within touching range. The author kept the danger and intrigue high, and I was lost in the story before the end of the first chapter. This book is a fast-paced read that I was sad to see end because the story was just that good. Although it is part of a series, this book can be read as a stand-alone, and I can’t wait to re-read the first two books until the next book in the series comes out.

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This is book 2 in the Moving Violations series and can absolutely be read as a stand alone. Sallie Hamblen spent three nights with Jacob Donovan before he disappeared and left her broken hearted. Years later, and he doesn't recognize the woman he is trying to seduce. She has never forgotten him and he doesn't remember her. And he also doesn't know that she is on the run. Jacob was a CIA agent and is now a cowboy who just wants a simple life. Just his ranch and sometimes someone to warm his bed. When Sallie comes into his life, all he can think of is her in his bed. And when he finds out her life is in danger, he vows he will protect her. But he doesn't remember their shared past, and when secrets come to light-can he keep her safe?

I really liked this one. Much better than the first one for me. The characters were more likable, in my mind. I also liked their chemistry. They definitely were attracted right from the start. My downside, I felt like they never really figured out how to communicate with each other. Not truly. And I was a little lost about some of the side characters, almost like they have their own stories somewhere and I just don't know where they are? But take that out, and I did really like it. The writing is still good, the story was good and moved along at a good pace, and of course the sexy times were off the chart hot! My only concern, I hope it doesn't take quite so long for the next book in the series to come out. It was a little over 2 years for this one since the last one, and I had honestly forgotten about the previous book. But I am always hopeful!

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Sallie and Jacob met several years before and then he disappeared. Sallie was devastated but then she spent a few years running for her life. Not knowing why someone was after her or why. The last place she ran to she finds Jacob again only he doesn't remember her. This would have been a good book but several things bothered me. Jacob is 29 and Sallie is 26. He met her when he was 25 and quite the CIA not long after. At 25? Doesn't seem plausible. There is a over abundance of sex scenes in this book. They could cut it by half and take out all repetitive descriptive words and it would have been so much better. I like the idea for this story a CIA operation gone wrong and I liked the characters but I found myself skimming a lot and that's just sad when it's sex scenes and you have to do that.



Find out more about this series and Lora Leigh here www.loraleigh.com

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First, I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this eARC in exchange for an honest review. That said, I want to give this book a positive review because I am so appreciative for the opportunity to read it, but there's just too much that I just didn't enjoy about it. Full disclosure: I did not read the first book in this series, so I went into it just as a Lora Leigh fan from her Breeds series and not having read any of Veronica Chadwick's work. This book can be read as a standalone.

I'm going to start with what I liked first...

The chemistry: Sallie and Jacob have some serious chemistry going on! The passion between them is on-point and the way they act around each other socially and around other characters is fun to read. Jacob keeps Sallie on her toes, in a good way of course.

The backstory: I'll get to why this is also a negative in just a minute, but there is an interesting backstory and plot to this one. It's unique in regards to the reason why Sallie and Jacob actually already know one another, yet also why Jacob doesn't seem to remember his past with her.

The characters: I really did like each of the characters, both their interactions with one another and their own individual personalities. Sallie is a strong female lead and Jacob is a fierce protector, both of which are perfect for a romantic suspense.

Now, the negative...

The sex scenes: Yeah, that's right, I'm calling this aspect a negative. When certain aspects of sex are given outlandish terms (i.e. "feminine juices"), you've lost me. Maybe it's just my own personal preference, but I'd rather you just call it what it is. Also, there's a lot of sex scenes, to the point where you lose the story a bit. I'm not adverse to sex scenes or anything, but they're "going at it" by chapter two while the readers have no idea what's going on because no plot has really been introduced yet. I'd rather know more about them first, but call me old-fashioned.

The plot: Now, that leads me to the story itself. Like I said, there's an interesting one in here but it's hidden by the sex. The backstory is incredibly confusing at first because readers are only given a snippet before the main characters "fall into each other's laps", and the timeline is a bit complicated to follow at times. There's mentions of what happened four years ago, then six years ago, then three years ago, and none of it is linear for the most part, so it was a struggle for me at first. But I'd say about halfway through we get more plot and more chemistry (versus just bedroom scenes), and it really gets interesting from there.

Overall Thoughts: Despite being confused for the first third of the book and being inundated with sex scenes before getting to know the characters or what is actually going on, I still thought this book was worth finishing. There's a good romantic suspense plot if you just wait for it, and the characters themselves are pretty likable. I'd also be interested in reading other books in the series because I am a fan of Lora Leigh and maybe this was just a bad fluke.

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There is something to be said about a man in some worn in wranglers, and boots. Who works hard, and loves harder.

Sallie is hiding out in a small town, after her ex-husband left her, and someone attacked her trying to find him. Staying under the radar has helped, but then in walks Jacob. The man she had a passionate weekend with six years ago. Trouble is he doesn’t seem to remember her, when it is all she can remember.

Jacob is a former CIA agent, settling down on his family farm, he doesn’t take women home, and on the night he can’t resist Sallie any longer everyone notices.

When Sallie’s attacker comes hunting, Jacob won’t let anything happen to her.

This book had all the steam you could ask for, wall sex, bed sex, shower sex, pretty much everywhere. I only had one minor issue when a secret was revealed and instead of talking about it, they had sex. 🤦🏼‍♀️ I did like them as a couple, how all the cowboys and family surrounded around them to help protect each other. You have mystery, secrets, danger, sex, and a HEA. Can’t ask for more, add this to your TBR.

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It might have been a little long since we've had a book by Lora Leigh but it was well worth it. This is the second book in the Moving Violations series. I almost reread the first book in the series to remember it because it was out in 2019. Unfortunately, I was a little lazy so that didn't get done. The good news is that this one is pretty much standalone. The first book is mentioned but only in passing.

I'm going to start out by saying that I really loved the characters in this book. The Culpepper brothers remind me of her Nauti family which I just love. A lot happens within the story and you have to pay attention to make sure you don't miss anything.

The idea of how Jacob and Sallie met and parted is a good one. I kinda wish the beginning of the book handled it better. I must have needed more of an explanation because I was a little lost. I did get into the story pretty quick so I got over the confusion. Once in the story, it moves really fast.

I really love Jacob too. Any man that lets his grandma live with him is okay in my books. She's a fun lady and I wish she was in the book more. Since the story moves so fast you don't have time to question anything. The great part is that even though the book is fast-paced you really get to know the characters within it. I like that about her writing.

You'll feel for both of these characters they've been through some crap. Sallie more than Jacob. Her family life really sucked. How she turned out so nice is beyond me. As a whole, this is a wonderful story. There is plenty of action and sexy scenes to keep you reading more add some great characters and you have a wonderful book.

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The story was like peeling an apple...each chapter peeled back another part. The book starts with a lot of unknowns and it slowly reveals the the core. It has a good amount of action and is completely steamy. It is the second in a series. I hadn't read the first and it wasn't necessary to understand the second. The pace of the book was good and it was an easy read. I am intrigued in the secondary characters and will add the other books in the series to my want to read list. I received a copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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I the characters for the most part, but I thought the storyline could have been a little stronger. There was some nice suspense and lots of steamy smexy-times (so many I skimmed some of the pages). I give this book 3 stars. Others may like it much more than I did.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.

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Sallie Hamblen worked hard and lived simply. She was not one to pick up men at the bar, but Jacob Donovan approached her - and the answer was yes. So starts a hot novel.

Stong, Silent Cowboy by Lora Leigh and Veronica Chadwick is a romantic thriller. The story line introduces us to Sallie Hamblen. She has been on the run for four years and did not know why or what the men chasing her wanted. Living in Deer Haven, Texas has been where she has been living quietly and simply for the last three years.

The story however, was not so simple. Sallie knew Jacob. In Switzerland, she had three days and nights with him. Years ago and then he disappeared and she never could find him. Move forward and she finds herself hiding in plain sight in the same place as Jacob Donovan - a different last name, but he doesn’t seem to recognize or know her.

It is at that point, Sallie is found again, and Jacob comes in to help Sallie. And then it gets interesting. There is nothing like an ex CIA agent to “heighten” the suspense. Strong, Silent Cowboy by Lora Leigh and Veronica Chadwick was a great read.

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Sallie met Jacob years ago but had no idea he was an undercover CIA agent. They had a passionate weekend and Jacob vowed to return to her. Unfortunately, he was seriously injured shortly after and has no memory of Sallie except for some steamy dreams in which he can't see her face. Now when Sallie meets Jacob again she's crushed that he doesn't remember her.

Sallie is in danger and has been on the run for years. The man who is terrorizing her keeps finding her even though she's changed her name and moved many times. When Jacob finally remembers Kyra (Sallie now) he realizes that someone is trying to use her to get to him. Lots of intrigue, suspense, and steamy romance make this a red hot read.

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An extremely sensuous story for Sallie and Jacob. If you are averse to explicit sex scenes this may not be the story for you. Years ago, Jacob Donovan and Sallie Hamblen spent a weekend together and then he was gone. Sallie has been running for her life, changing her name and home with the help of her stepfather. Moving to Deer Haven, she had no idea that Jacob lived here and owned the Rocking D Ranch. He doesn’t remember her due to an injury he received, causing a week of his memory to be lost. After all this time, the attraction between them is incendiary, but how can she put him and others in jeopardy? Jacob learns that someone is targeting her, possibly to get to him, but he swears that he will protect her. His neighbors and good friends, the Culpepper brothers, have his back but will they be enough to take out and eliminate the threat? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

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Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the electronic copy of Strong, Silent Cowboy by Lora Leigh. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this book. My opinions are my own and nothing has influenced them.

Strong, Silent Cowboy has several redeeming aspects to the story. The pacing remained steady throughout the tale. However I did have issues with the time line. Sometimes it was 3 nights and other times it was one night. Sometimes it was a couple years and other times it was three. Those issues pulled me from the book.

Sallie Hamblin is the heroine of this story, and she has several traits I enjoy in a female lead. One thing I did like about her, she’s more mature than the typical heroine in a romance. That was refreshing.

Jacob Donovan is a great hero. He’s ex- CIA and now he just wants to live on his ranch, but when things quickly heat up between him and Sallie, he steps in to her help her. I also enjoyed the camaraderie between him and his friends.

There’s no doubt Ms. Leigh knows how the heat up the sheets between the hero and heroine. The passion between them is electric. While I’m not super enthused over graphic sexual scenes, Ms. Leigh are well written and move the story along.

If you enjoy hot cowboys, and a plot with plenty of fire, then Strong, Silent Cowboy may be the perfect romance for you. I can definitely understand why her book are well received. Happy reading!

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Having read the first one in the Moving Violations series, I decided to give the second one also a go.

Because who can resist cowboys, right? And while in One Tough Cowboy Hunter wasn't really a cowboy, in Strong, Silent Cowboy Jacob is a certified rancher. But before he became a cowboy he was a CIA agent, having retired from the force after a nearly death accident.

Sallie is on the run again, after yet another attack. After all these years, she still doesn't know who is after her and why. All she knows is that she needs to pack up her life again and start over somewhere else. She ends up in Deer Haven, a small town, where she runs into Jacob. But he doesn't remember her. Six years ago, during a CIA mission they met and they had a steamy romance. Only Jacob left her behind without any message or any way to contact him. Definitely holding a grudge, but not able to deny the sparks flying between them, Sallie starts a relationship with Jacob.

And then the threats start again. Should Sallie start to run again? Or should she trust Jacob with her secrets and can they face the dangers together? A fast paced, steamy story with a lot of sexy scenes. And did I say that sparks are flying already? Keep the fire extinguisher near. Four out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

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Sallie has built a nice life for herself in Deer Heaven but she lives with a level of fear, waiting for whoever is after her to show up which means she has to run again. The big shock for her was seeing Jake, or Jacob, the man she met years ago and shared an incredible weekend who left and never returned. Not only that, but he doesn’t remember her which breaks her heart since she fell in love. Then one night, Jacob picks her up at the bar causing all the gossips in town to go crazy. Jacob is working to keep his life simple after he left the CIA. The last mission almost cost him his life but it did take away some of his memories. The moment Sallie came to town, he sensed something different and the dreams that captivated him at night with the faceless woman begin to look like Sallie. After their night together, he knows he won’t let her go but when she is also threatened by an unknown attacker, he lets his alpha male loose to protect her. There is a great mystery surrounding Sallie and Jacob that was compelling and unpredictable. The chemistry that these two shared is off-the-charts steamy and intense but sometimes overdone. I did enjoy this journey and love the cast of characters that are there to lend a hand no matter what is needed. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

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Hot romantic suspense!

Sallie Hamblen/Kyra Bannon knows that she will have to go on the run again when they find her again but seeing rancher Jacob Donovan/Jake Lassiter who acted like he didn’t remember her from their weekend before he disappeared from her life. But when she was attacked, they both had secrets that ended up changing everything between them.

If you want a hot romantic suspense about cowboys and secret agents and people on the run, you need to read Strong, Silent Cowboy by Lora Leigh & Veronica Chadwick where not everybody is what you expect them to be.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Let me preface this by saying that this has A LOT of explicit sex scenes; so, if that's something you would rather not read then stop right here.
Despite the fact that I thought there were more sex scenes than necessary; it is a very good story. Maybe the publishing co/author would consider making a "sweet" version of this story as well. If you like a little mystery/intrigue sprinkled in your romance novels then this is a good fit for you.
The main character, Sallie, is on the run and living under an assumed name. She moves to a small town as a Feed/Grain store manager. On one of her first days there she sees a ghost from her past; Jake, the man she spent one hot weekend with in Switzerland years earlier; before he disappeared, without a trace. She figured he had just flat-out left her. When he sees her and there is no spark of recognition; she figures he must be the "love 'em and leave 'em" type; that found her highly forgettable. So even though she can't forget the steamy nights they had spent together; she does her best to ignore him.
Jake was the name of the undercover CIA operative that Sallie had that amazing 3-day weekend with in Switzerland; Jacob Donovan is the rancher and ex-military man in town that finds Sallie intriguing and can't help staring at her whenever she's around.
Sallie has been on the run for 3 years when she sees Jake again. There is someone after her; ever since her husband left her with annulment papers. She tries to keep a low-profile and not make friends with anyone in the towns she goes to so that there isn't anyone that can get hurt by whoever is trying to kill her. Unfortunately, Sallie likes it in this small town and has actually put down some roots. Will her world come crashing down when the assailant finds her again or will she be able to find out why they want her and finally stop running?

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This is a fast paced story that doesn't quite fit into a genre, but maybe second chances meets Deep Ops? Lots of twist and turns to keep you engaged. And still many unanswered questions about the men in this sleepy little town
Jacob is a rancher, well liked in the community but he has secrets buried deep. Sallie is trying to fit in without actually exposing who she really is. Shocked when coming face to face with the man she thought she loved forever and realizing he doesn't remember her. Then one night opens the floodgates of passion and there's no turning back. And when bullets start to fly Jacobs protective urges go into overdrive. The time for shedding secrets has come and Sallie had to face her past to secure her future.

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