Wrangled and Tangled (Blacktop Cowboys Novel)

Wrangled and Tangled, Blacktop Cowboys #3, by Lorelei James
Grade: C+

"I didn't promise them a lot of cowboys, nor did I specify the ages or marital status of said cowboys, but I didn't think it'd be a big deal to track some down. After all, we are in Wyoming."

Renner Jackson has put he heart, soul and every single penny he has to build Split Rock Ranch, a western resort in Wyoming. Renner never expected he would have to deal with Tierney Pratt, the daughter of the man who helped him get the final financing for the Ranch, or that she would want to live on the Ranch and help him get it up and running. Their fights become legendary around the Ranch but it's all a cover for the secret affair the two are having but when finances come into play can the two really separate business from pleasure?

Janie Fitzhugh left Muddy Gap eight years ago after she divorced sexy cowboy Abe Lawson after only three short years of marriage. Janie now finds herself back in Muddy Gap working for her boss Renner Jackson at the Split Rock Ranch and trying her hardest to hide from Abe and her feelings for him that never went away. Abe realizes that he made mistakes with Janie and now that she's back he is determined to win her back and make up for their first marriage. Both Abe and Janie have changed and grown up but their feelings for one another have never changed but will they be willing to take a second chance on love and each other?

Wrangled and Tangled is the third book in Lorelei James' Blacktop Cowboys series and is very different from the first two book by combining two couples stories into one book. I would read the first two books in this series before reading this book as it is not meant to be a stand alone and the first two are really good. I am a very big fan of Mrs. James and both this series and her Rough Riders series and Wrangled and Tangled fits right in to Mrs. James wonderful world of hot, sexy cowboys.

This book is heavily dominated by Renner and Tierney which is a surprise to me because I felt that Abe and Janie would be the main focus after how much of the last book focused on setting them up together. I was actually really disappointed that I didn't get more of Abe and Janie and felt that they needed their own book so that they could really work on fixing their relationship. I don't feel like I really got a good feel for Abe or how he felt about his relationship with Janie. They seemed to have so many problems and I never felt that things really got resolved and not just sweeped under the rug. This was my biggest disappointment with this book and I really wish the two stories would have been broken up into two separate books.

I did enjoy Renner and Tierney but I was so invested in Abe and Janie that I found myself wanting to skip their parts to get to Abe and Janie. I had a very hard time with their relationship at first because all they did was fight and it was always over very stupid things or Renner being a jerk. I thought Tierney was a great character and I liked watching her grow as a woman and stand up for herself. Renner was okay but he was very quick to judge Tierney at times and his first reaction was to be a jerk then apologize which I really hate.
I was very, very excited about reading and reviewing Wrangled and Tangled but sadly I was left really disappointed. As I expressed before the build up for Abe and Janie had taken place for two books and then to finally get it and only get half of the story left me very frustrated. I loved the first two book in this series and the fourth book is Kyle's so I will continue to read this series and any other book that Mrs. James writes about sexy, hot cowboys.

Wrangled and Tangled is the third book in Ms. James' Blacktop Cowboys series and features her own brand of sexy cowboys that fans have come to love and she rewards readers with not one, but two couples which means double the fun! I had expected this book to be Abe Lawson and his ex-wife Janie Fitzhugh's story, but we get a bonus with the additional love story of Renner Jackson and Tierney Pratt of the Split Rock Ranch.

Janie and Abe fell madly in love when they were both young and not necessarily ready to deal with the responsibilities of life together. Running a ranch, raising Abe's two younger siblings as well as learning how to live as a married couple strained their relationship until Janie felt that she needed to leave. Both Abe and Janie have moved on with their lives, but both have regrets about the failed relationship. But when given the chance to rekindle their love, Abe takes the bull by the horns so to speak and is determined to win Janie's heart again...which should be easy to do since deep down she still loves him. Through the course of the book Janie and Abe learn to talk to each other, express their needs, remember what drew them together in the first place and learn to love each other as flawed and mature adults to find the perfect love that held so much promise for them all those years ago.

Renner Jackson is the owner of the Split Rock Ranch. He loves his land and has dreams of running a successful guest ranch, but needs money as well as know how to make it a reality. Tierney Pratt is the daughter of the man who loaned money to Renner, and uses the connection as a way to distance herself from her father, his company and the world she despises. She moves to Wyoming to start a new life out from under the shadow of her manipulative, domineering and ruthless father. Renner sees her as a smart, yet spoiled little rich girl with tight purse strings, geeky glasses that are surprisingly sexy, and a sassy mouth which he can't stop fantasizing about. Sparks fly from the beginning between the two, but not in a good way, because Renner constantly makes assumptions about Tierney based on a past relationship with another woman, assumptions that couldn't be further from the truth as Renner eventually finds out. Renner learns to see Tierney for the person that she really is, and Tierney learns to trust in herself, in her heart and that some chances are worth taking despite what the balance sheets may say.

Wrangled and Tangled is everything that I've come to love about Ms. James's romances. Abe and Renner are so damn sexy you'll want to move out West and find a cowboy of your own. And fans of the series will also be happy to know that there are cameo appearances with characters from the two previous books Corralled and Saddled and Spurred, especially the ladies from the salon that Harper used to work at. They are a hoot and a half!

This book is not as emotionally deep as some of the author's other romances (which is ok), and I think that has a lot to do with the focus being on two couples rather than just one in the same book. In fact I really enjoyed the fact that this story was a bit more lighthearted while still dealing with all of their issues. When I first realized that the story would have more than one romantic focus I was a bit worried that both couples wouldn't receive a satisfactory happy ever after in just under 300 pages, but let me reassure you that neither story feels short changed.

Wrangled and Tangled has it all and does not disappoint...hunky cowboy heroes, smokin' hot lovin' that has become a trademark for Ms. James's erotic romances, as well as sassy, sexy dialogue with humor, heart and happy endings. I loved it and can't wait for the next book One Night Rodeo (Celia and Kyle's story) which promises to have lots of fireworks but unfortunately it's not scheduled to be released until August 2012 :(

Ratings:

Overall: 4.50 There's a tiny part of me that wishes Abe and Janie would have had the book to themselves, but watching Renner and Tierney fall in lust then love was way too much fun to lament it too much)

Sensuality level: 4.25 yeah, Abe and Renner know their way around the bedroom, and the office, and the laundry room...and a few other places that are guaranteed to turn up the heat. Though Abe's not as kinky in this book as I expected him to be based on the hints in Corralled and Saddled and Spurred, the addition of Renner makes up for it...in a big way)

Simply amazing! The perfect balance of emotion, passion, and story to make this a story you don't want to miss.

Janie and Abe have been divorced for many years now. They married young and when the going got tough Janie took off and Abe let her go. Abe has always regretted his decision to do that and now that Janie is back in town he is determined to win her back and he isn't going to let his second chance go without a fight.

Renner Jackson has been forced to partner with Tierney Pratt in order to get his dream job. Lets just say things are rough between them in the beginning and they literally need a referee to be in the same room together. When all that emotion turns to passion, things really start to heat up.

This book is amazing and a definite must read. Ms James has managed to bring these two stories together in an action packed adventure filled with passion and heat. The plot lines are fantastic and they are well thought out. I thought this story flowed well and Lorelei did a fantastic job of switching between the couples to keep you up to date on what was going on. She also managed to give us an update on past characters and on future characters as well. Both these cowboys are sexy and sweet but extremely alpha and the ladies were a perfect match for them. I highly recommend this book to all who want to enjoy a story about sexy Wyoming cowboys.

If you have not started this series...get to it...I guarantee you will enjoy it!!!

Thanks Lorelei for another great book!!!

I HONESTLY do not know how, NYT Best Seller, Lorelei James keeps doing it, but every new book is a masterpiece, blending an incredible story line, sexy alpha cowboys and strong women, plus luvin' so smokin' hot you'll be stocking up on batteries!!

GOOD GAWD!!! Lorelei James has been teasing me with the sexy cowboys Renner and Abe for a while. Now she gives us both of their stories in Wrangled and Tangled and she did NOT disappoint.

Tierney and Renner - who have some what a love/hate relationship, they bicker constantly. Renner is the rich, playboy and Tierney is the spoiled little rich girl working for her daddy,Renner's business partner, oh and Tierney hasn't dated much. The sparks fly as these two fight the the sexual chemistry between them. When they finally give in it is sizzlin' hot! They agree that because they work in the office together they need to keep their love affair secret. Neither one can keep their hands off each other which leads to some funny and hot secret smexin' scenes. Hard to believe, but deep inside of both of them is a sweet loving soul...but will they allow it to come out. Renner and Tierney, are now one of my favorite couples.

I would love to post some of my favorites smart a** comments Renner and Tierney fling at each other, but I don't want spoil the LOL moment for anyone, not to mention there are so freakin' many this would be the longest review ever.

Abe and Janie - Their story has a lot of emotional ups and downs, they have to admit to each other that they did wrong in their marriage and they have to learn to accept the changes that have happened in the past 8 yrs. Abe fell head over heels in love with Janie 11 yrs ago, but their marriage didn't last, Janie couldn't handle the demands of being a ranchers wife, the stress of helping with Abe's two younger siblings and the fact that Abe didn't like to change ANYTHING, even furniture in the house. Abe never stopped loving Janie, but he didn't fight for her, he couldn't handle the fact that she didn't want to be a ranchers' wife. Janie is back working for Renner and all the feelings she still has for Abe come rushing forward. Abe is determined to get Janie back in his life. They both realize they made mistakes in their marriage and want see where a new relationship goes. BUT.....Can Abe handle the new confident, independent Janie? Can Janie handle the dominant/kinky side of Abe in the bedroom, especially when all things sex were vanilla before?

There is some danger and suspense in W&T that adds to the emotions and was a great way to connect the two stories. I've read books with two stories before and was left wondering "why didn't the author just make two books?" This is not the case with W&T, the way LJ weaves the two stories together is LORELEI JAMES' MAGIC at it's finest.

I like the way the book flows over a few months. Something I really like is at the end of W&T, Abe and Janie are back together, but they know they still have things to work out. To me, because of their history, this ending makes it more "realistic" and different because it's not all wrapped up with wedding bells and smiles.

Color me EXCITED because we get to see Hank, Lanie, Harper and Bran. Plus more of Kyle and Celia's interactions....methinks we are in for an explosive story if LJ puts them together...I'm speculating here, just from the tidbits about those two in Corralled, SAS and W&T.

So NOW I am going to be waiting with bated breath for Kyle's book, hell I've been waiting for Kyle's book since Corralled.....now one thought that hit me while reading W&T, is IF Lorelei pairs of Kyle and Celia, she is going to have a hell of a challenge (and fun) LJ making Celia ok with Kyle having been in the menage with Hank and Lanie...and Hank and Abe, being ok with Kyle getting with Celia ;-)

Lorelei can't put her books out fast enough for me, THANK GOODNESS we have the next installment of Lorelei's Rough Rider series, Cowboy Casanova, Ben McKay's story, coming out December 2011.

To see more of my reviews and the exciting author interviews and give aways we do, check out guiltypleasuresbookreviews dot com

Janie and Abe, they were once married. She has been gone for a few years but when offered a job in Split Rock she jumps at it. Abe is trying to deal with his ex being so near. It's pretty obvious from the start that they still have pretty deep feelings for one another.

A lot of the book is Tierney and Renner. I liked them individually but as a couple there way something missing.

The back and forth, switching between he couples just got annoying to me and distracted from both of their stories.

I will admit that while I like the Blacktop Cowboy series it wasn't as strong a like as I had for other works by Lorelei but with this addition to the series all that changed. This dual story of two couple who were so different in so many ways yet seeming to be completing a parallel journey was wonderful. I love books were you can watch the characters develop and grow through the story and Wrangled and Tangled sure didn't disappoint. Also, this book is so full of great humor that you couldn't help laughing out loud. Who knew bulls could leave notes.

After eight years and one divorce away from her hometown of Muddy Gap, Wyoming, Janie Fitzhugh is home. She helps Renner Jackson with his new Split Rock Ranch and Resort. Janie is stunned by her attraction to her former spouse Abe Larson and him with her. Also a bit shocked is Renner over his feelings for Tierney Pratt the spoiled daughter of his backer CEO of the Pratt Financial Group who he assumes s is spying on him for her dad. She has feelings for Abe even though he scorns her.

Someone driving a truck rams into Janie's vehicle deliberately knocking her in a ditch. Abe is at the scene when Deputy TJ McConnell arrives suspecting him, but he has proof of his innocence as his truck has no damage. No longer bitter at the woman who dumped him leaving him the victim of pity, Abe knows he still loves Janie and vows to protect her. Janie also realizes she still loves her former husband who has gained a maturity he lacked when they were married.

The third Blacktop Cowboys contemporary ranch romance (see Corralled; and Saddled and Spurred) is an enjoyable heated tale as two couples find love in Wyoming. Although the suspense never gels and Tierney's dad Gene is a nasty sort using his daughter as a commodity, readers will enjoy two times the erotic fun.

Harriet Klausner

I enjoy all Lorelie James novels. However, this novel left me with the "meh" feeling.

The good: basic story lines, inter-connectivity with other books in this series, hot sexy time.

The bad: the stories did not seem fully fleshed out to me (especially Janie & Abe). I understand you can't please everyone, every time. However, realistic reactions from characters in a novel is something I do prefer. For instance, I would not take a current lover describing explicitly what sexual encounters they had with another person (especially one I had met) right after having sex. Or after a huge fight in which one person says some rather ugly things and then takes off for a month without any communication and comes back without apology and everything is fine, happily after. I could go on with more issues, but it's not productive. I'll just leave it at, Lorelie James could have written a better book.

WOW!! A very enjoyable read! Definitely worth the wait!
I loved how Abe and Janie finally got their HEA.
Renner and Tierney story was just as good! I LOVED THIS STORY!!!
I can't wait for the next book in the series!!

WOW!! A very enjoyable read! Definitely worth the wait!
I loved how Abe and Janie finally got their HEA.
Renner and Tierney story was just as good! I LOVED THIS STORY!!!
I can't wait for the next book in the series!!