Gone Country (Rough Riders Book 14)

5++++ StarsThis is probably the hardest review I've ever had to write because this is a huge release into a wildly popular series and it's about someone who until two years ago didn't even know he had this crazy, huge, but loving family. It's hard because we are nearing the end of this series and because of that I read this book with a different eye and had such a difficult time not crying through the whole thing. It's hard because I want to make sure my thoughts are coherent enough to give this book the justice it deserves and it deserves a lot. While I've always been vocal about my favorite McKay man and couples, and those haven't changed with this story, this book is probably my favorite overall book in this series. This is the longest book in the series to date and it by far has the most complex plot, yet I still finished it and was ready for more. Don't get me wrong, it has a very satisfying ending but as always Lorelei leaves me wanting more and that my friends is the mark of one of the best authors out there. Even my husband who has enjoyed every one of Lorelei's Rough Riders books and everything she's written as Lori Armstrong commented that he appreciates the details and character development she puts in every story. Something he believes is lacking more often than not in books these days. Gone Country steps beyond the norm in a Rough Rider book, this story is about relationships of many different kinds and it was easy to read this book and reflect back on the entire series. Seeing the McKay family from "outsider" eyes, is interesting, hysterical, heartwarming, heart breaking, and cathartic. I loved every minute of it and despite knowing there are two more books to go, I'm at peace with this part of the series coming to a close because I feel like the missing pieces to the McKay family puzzle are in place; Gavin and Sierra are where they have always been meant to be; in the bosom of the McKay family.Gavin Daniels has fascinated me since he first appeared on the scene in Chasin' Eight. I will admit though at first I worried about what this outsider might do to shake up the McKay family and their ranching empire. I'm highly protective of the McKay family so I didn't trust Gavin, I found myself worrying what this could mean for everyone involved. But when he flew to Wyoming for the "intervention" with Ben in Cowboy Casanova, I decided right there and then Gavin was a stand up guy. In this book he proves over and over what a stand up guy he is and while he has his moments where I threw up my hands and shouted "quit acting like a typical McKay." It dawned on me that despite being raised in a totally different environment, the whole nature versus nurture argument comes into play because when he's mad or upset, he takes on the pissy man McKay attitude and says things that are totally out of character for him. However, he's generous to a fault, he's a fantastic father (despite making some mistakes), he a caring lover, and he's really trying to be a brother, son, nephew, uncle, and cousin to people he didn't even know existed two years ago. I honestly can't imagine all the issues he's dealing with and there are some pretty wonderful moments in this book as he works through all the changes in his life.I admire Rielle Wetzler for the choices she's made in her life. She works hard and despite some financial troubles in the past, she's a smart business woman. When she first appeared on the scene, I didn't like her much but that had more to do with the fact that she was kind of mean to Ainsley. Once I realized her motivations for that though, I forgave her and it's been interesting uncovering the layers of this complex woman. I really love the parallel lines between Rielle and Vi (Gavin's birth mom). I also applaud her for raising her daughter on her own despite the odds and making sure her daughter had the best upbringing she could provide no matter how hard she had to work for it. I will forever be grateful for the way she embraced both Gavin and Sierra and how she always listened to them without meddling. I'm not sure there are many women who would have seen fit to play the role of sounding board without giving her opinion.Something every interesting in this book is we see part of it from Sierra's eyes. As a 16 year old girl who was moved from a big city into the wild of Wyoming, she has some pretty damn insightful moments. There are also a lot of very realistic teenage girl moments that left me shaking my head one minute and thanking the Lord I had a son the next. Everyone thinks Sierra is shallow, spoiled and self centered but we learn there is a lot more depth to this young woman and I can't help but wonder where life will take her.We also get to see a lot more of Rielle's daughter Rory in this book and some of her scenes make me realize that no matter how old children are, they still expect to be the center of your universe. At 24, she's not happy about her Mom finally getting a life and she doesn't handle it well. She makes some of Sierra's outbursts look really minor. I did however enjoy the budding relationship between Rory and Sierra. Rory really stepped up into a big sister role and Sierra was there to remind Rory to take a good, hard look at herself when she was being particularly bitchy.Throughout this book we get to see Gavin learning to deal with his extended family but also forging bonds with his brothers, and his birth parents. This isn't always neat and pretty but the scenes will forever hold my heart. Gavin's reaction to so many of the things he is dealing with is so real that I often found my eyes leaking. We also get to see Sierra finding her place in this huge family and learning about the family's history. Sierra also experiences a changing crush but I won't say anymore because I don't want to spoil it for you.As you can tell many different kinds of relationships are explored, but this story is about Gavin and Rielle moving from friends to lovers. Once they finally figure out there is no way to ignore the passion that is between them, they move quickly and their intimate scenes are scorching hot. Watching Gavin take the reins in their relationship and them both realizing that it takes the right partner and the right chemistry for great sex, they leave no stone unturned and no surface untouched! While I have loved watching each and every McKay man fall in love, Gavin and Rielle have a very mature relationship that comes from them being at very different places in their lives compared to the previous couples. That's not to say they are boring, they are far from that, but with 16 and 24 year old children in and out not to mention business to run and extended family nearby they have a lot on their plates.Every day I thank Lorelei James for opening my eyes and making me realize that just because you are comfortable in your relationship doesn't mean you can't spice things up and make it new again. With Gone Country, if she helps one single parent realize that they deserve a life outside of being a parent then in my opinion, her work is done. I can almost guarantee when Lorelei set out to write this series she had no idea what great marriage, sex, and life therapy they would be. But the truth is, they are and Lorelei James is a master at her craft. This book is more than a story about two single parents finding love. Gone Country is the story of people finding their way in this big world, learning to deal with everything life throws at them and then being lucky enough to find that one person that makes them feel like no one else can. It's truly a masterpiece and while I've enjoyed every story in this series, this is without a doubt the best overall story to date and one that I feel will top the bestseller charts and should remain there for a good, long time. Congrats Lorelei on a job well done, consider me overwhelmed and overjoyed. This book is 5 stars only because we don't have anything higher!Review copy provided for an honest review.

I knew going in that this book would be significantly longer than the rest.....but this story deserved Every. Single. Page.I got the feeling, as I was reading, that the author was more involved/invested in this story. There seemed to be something way more personal coming through. There was no quick fix to anything in this story-it was definately more realistic in how life really plays out. The author tok her time to really make you feel like this could be your life...no wham, bam, let's have a happy ending now. I applaud that. While sometimes you just want a quick build, hot sex & happy ending, that is not the way this series is. You are attached to the McKay/West clan...you actually feel involved & invested in the way the story goes. That's the sign of a really well written story.Ms. James has always given us a wonderful story full of romance, heartbreak, more romance, lots of steamy sex and the inspirations that make our own lives more interesting. This book continues to provide more of the same, but this story just seems so much more relatable to every day life. I mean, most everyone these days has some sort of experience with single parenthood, having to make the hard choices between being a 24/7 parent controlled by every whim of your child and actually trying to have a life of your own. This wonderful story told by Ms. James shows the true reality of the ups and downs, the battles and victories, the angst of teenage drama/love....and the whole time, you sit there thinking "yep, I know that". But at the same time, you feel like you're living in their world, experiencing their passion and only wanting more.Even more, there are so many McKay/West family members that have come along as the Rough Riders series has unfolded, you would think it would be confusing...but every time, she brings all the charecters together, giving us subtle reminders as to how their stories came to be, how they are all tied together and why we love every damn one of them! And FINALLY we get to the lowdown on the illusive details of the McKay/West feud! Wow-I was seriously impressed with how that history was developed & given to us. The details were unbelievable and the long forgotten history was used to bond Gavin & Sierra to the family they were lucky enough to have.The characters in this story were so strong, so independent. Rielle is a force to be reckoned with. She has pulled herself up by her bootstraps so often, they should have ripped off years ago. She is an example of what every single mom, every independent woman should every aspire to be. Gavin is an amazing blend of the men we love & the men we fantasize about. He is gorgeous, sexy & pays homage to a woman's body like we all dream our men would. But he's also stubborn, pigheaded and takes forever to admit he's wrong....like men tend to be. The perfect blend of reality & fantasy. What more could we ask for??This Rough Riders installment left me happy, hopeful & horny....that's 5 stars in my book. I am so anxiously awaiting Dalton & Rory's story that it will seem like forever before we get it. ...And can I just say that I really hope there's a "fast forward" into the future that will give us a story for Sierra(since she's nowhere near legal age yet)& Boone.....every girl needs a happily ever after.Thank you, Lorelei, for letting us live in the world you created. And making that world so unbelievably wonderful. You have written another amazing story.

I have got to give full stars for this book anyone who can write a series with 14 books and each one is hot full of story and great characters sexy cowboys and hot sex scences, with great covers to the books deserves a medal good on you Lorelei James keep up the good work, when ever I read a book by LJ I know I am not going to be let down or waste my money always value for money and a good read best book I have read all over the holidays, I liked that in this the leads are a little bit unsure of how they perform in bed and even though I wasnt a big fan of Rielle in the book she was last in she did grow on me in this again points for Lorelei James she often shows one side of a person then flips it round when they get a book without making you feel you are reading about a totaly diffrent character love this series cant wait for book 15, but please Lorelei James hurry up with Boone and Serra's book I got chocked up reading their side story, loved them and cant wait for their story.Tycon rich Businessman and long-lost McKay Gavin Daniels has been awarded sole custody of his teenage daughter Sierra for one year. In order to get Sierra back on track after a run in with the law for shoplifting, he decides to move to the house he bought in Wyoming, also hoping he might get to know the Mckays better along the way but he's thrown for a loop when his new housemate, Rielle, is a whole lot sexier, funnier and sassier than he remembered.great story with romance and a lovely side stroy with Boone and a hint for Daltons love intrest (if its Rory there will be fireworks) I throughly enjoyed every word and will be counting the days for the next Mckays book or any of her books to be honest but the Mckays are my favourite love a hot cheeky cowboy!

The latest instalment in the rough riders books has a different feel to it. Compared with the early books which were very much raunch on the ranch this felt much more plot and character driven. More depth.This is Gavin Daniels' story and tells of his burgeoning relationship with Rielle. It is different from the usual for several reasons. It's longer. Gavin isn't a traditional McKay in that he was adopted away from the Wyoming life and is a successful businessman. Both he and Rielle are older than the usual protagonists with children in their late teens and early twenties. There is backstory concerning their relationships with their respective offspring, about Rielles farming business and Gavin's daughter Sierra's integration into the Wyoming life. That said, there is still a fair amount of raunchy sex and Gavin's initial hesitations over his ability to woo Rielle seem paper thin given his alpha sexual tendencies. Definitely a McKay in the bedroom. I really enjoyed this as a more complete story with a little more depth.

I wasn't sure about Gavin's book, the appeal for me with LJ books is the Wyoming lifestyle cowboys etc. but I've got to say I really enjoyed the different sides to tycoon and cowboy even tho he isn't he really had a go at it especially to bond with his brothers and father.I struggled a lot with Sierra childish bratty behaviour but I'm even more annoyed by Gavin giving in and let her rule him.I liked that even though Rielle and Gavin seem to total different but really well. Both bring best out of each other.I love Boone and what he represents for Sierra future. Thankfully LJ has mentioned in posts that they will eventually get there story.Looking forward to reading Rory and Dalton book soon.Great ending finished perfectly and as always just the way I like my LJ book with a HEA.

I have loved all of the Rough Riders series, and Gone Country is no exception. Great storytelling, sexy and romantic, those McKay/West cowboys are seriously HOT! I adored Gavin, he may be a Daniels, but he's all McKay! I liked that he and Rielle were a bit older, and although I wasn't sure about Rielle to start with I warmed to her as she and Gavin got more involved. Hopefully we will hear more about Sierra & Boone, and Rory in the future.These are not stand alone books, Gone Country is number 14 in a planned series of 16, with Dalton McKay up next (May 2013 hopefully). Lorelei has achieved something special, keeping each story fresh and so sexy, and creating characters that we care about. I love catching up with members of the McKay/West clan with each new book. They feel like old friends, and although I can't wait for the next book it will be a very sad day when this series comes to an end!I will just have to read them all again!

I love these books and confess I do get confused from time to time with the extended families. This book I liked especially as the two partners were older. I didn't see the relationship coming for these two when he bought the B&B but the story was excellent. What has me buzzed now is when Boone returns, if he survives will Sierra still be holding the b-day for him!Thanks Lorelei for continuing to share.