September has not been a good writing month for me. My mom’s ill, and nothing saps writing time like worry over a loved one. However, I’ve found reading romance novels to be very therapeutic these days, and I’m burning through them like a California wildfire.

Two I’ve read recently are contemporary cowboy romances, both on the short side (the manuscripts, not the heroes, who are big hunks of Western manliness). Perfect for distraction from life’s harder moments.

Leslie Scott’s new release, available on September 26th, 2018

Leslie Scott’s (contemporary cowboy romance novella) Two Hearts One Stone snared me right off the bat with its hilarious opening.

Angry women could be tenacious creatures. Mostly, for Stone Dempsey, they were beautiful, succulent, amazing beings in whose bodies he could seek a thousand pleasures.

“You washed up, low-life, piece of shit! How dare you?”

Occasionally though, one would find another’s lacy black thong beneath his bed and cling to that betrayal as if her life depended on it.

Studly horse trainer Stone Dempsey’s been trawling the country club set for his playmates. Rich married women provide fun and frolic without lasting consequences, and that’s how he likes it. Until Emmersyn. Granddaughter of the ranch owner who employs him, this tall, cool, confident pediatrician has returned to town to open her practice. And, get this, she’s a former champion at reining (like Western dressage). Typical romance novel dilemma—they’re fiercely attracted to each other, but she’s not about to let a “man whore” into her life, and he’s not about to ruin his career by messing with the boss’s granddaughter.

I enjoyed the way Scott played out their attraction, strong and dramatic, yet believable, with lots of humor as both characters resist the chemistry tugging them together. The secondary characters, Emmy’s nurse and receptionist, provide humor and wise counsel, as well as a peek at Stone’s better qualities. But the dam of Emmy’s resistance really breaks when Stone’s drug-addicted sister drops off her adorable baby daughter then flees. Of course, this event tugs Emmy closer to Stone as they both develop a strong attachment to the child.

The riding sections are well-written, the conflict believable, and the love scenes steamy and delicious.

Marie Tuhart’s Billionaire Cowboy’s Conquest takes a similar scenario in a different direction. Hunter Knight has a big ol’ ranch, and his sister has just hired a new office manager, her college roommate Jessica Sinclair, who has a reputation as a party girl. She’s shy but spunky, and life has backed her into a corner in the form of serious financial trouble and a dastardly ex-fiancé. Ever notice how many romance heroines arrive on page one burdened with one of them?  Must be a popular trope.

Sparks ignite, but Hunter’s an alphahole at first, determined to rid himself of this city girl. Read on; he has his reasons, and Jess proves herself to have far more depth and strength than he bargained for.  Another complication: he’s a rodeo bull-rider, and she’s petrified of bulls—again, for a good reason beyond mere girlishness.  Hunter’s sister proves an interesting secondary character. Tuhart furnishes a ticking clock: Jess bets Hunter she can do the job and offers to work for just room and board for three months. If she succeeds, she gets her pay and the job. If not, buh-bye. Tick, tick…

Trigger warning: Hunter’s alphahole behavior includes trying to intimidate Jess via what can only be called sexual harassment. She handles it by using his hunger for her to bring him to his knees. If that kind of behavior ruins the story for you, be forewarned. If you enjoy watching a cocky, obnoxious man forced to reveal his gooey center, you’ll enjoy this one. A quick, fun, steamy-but-not-explicit read with horses, bulls, and honky-tonk dancing.

P.S. In the lead-up to the November review of my debut contemporary romance, I’m still wrestling with MailChimp. Pretty please, pop over to my home page and sign up for my email newsletter. I promise to email only once per month and, as a thank-you, you’ll receive A Peek Behind the Red Door, a look at the historical erotica that inspired the Book Nirvana series. (Adult content)