The rodeo is headed to Sin City! Sounds like a lethal combination, no?
What’s it About?
As if Vegas didn’t have excitement enough, December brings the National Finals Rodeo to the city. Heading the Imperial Hotel’s participation as a host hotel, Kerstin Hennepin is rushing to a meeting when a fall sends her tumbling into a stranger’s arms and he’s in no hurry to let her go.
Jake Aaron is a troubleshooter for the rodeo Or maybe he’s just plain trouble. Their attraction is instant and one close encounter leads to another, but Jake comes with plenty of questions. True he’s busy handing the offstage antics of rowdy rodeo contestants, but does his job also include romancing a young barrel rider and carrying a concealed weapon? With the finale of the Finals approaching, Kerstin needs answers. But when her search for the truth reveals more is going on behind the scenes than on the arena floor, she and Jake are squarely in someone’s cross hairs.
First Impressions
Yes, this novel definitely had a romantic aspect to it. However, I felt like it could also almost be categorized as a “How To” book. Basically, how to run a large scale event at a hotel, and how to manage rodeo activities. There was so much detail included on both subjects! I’m sure a lot of it was spot on accurate, as it seemed like there was a lot of research involved to make it as realistic as possible. Unfortunately, I felt like this resulted in our characters being pushed aside in order to focus more on logistics of event planning. Definitely unfortunate, as I love me some rodeo cowboy.
Heroine vs. Hero
We definitely focus more attention on Kerstin’s character rather than Jake’s. Her relationship with the rest of her family back East, not to mention her ex-boyfriend who is suddenly back in the picture, meant that it was much easier to connect to her personality. As for Jake on the other hand, I felt like we never really had the opportunity to get to know him completely.
I think his character was meant to remain a bit mysterious and distant. However, he always seemed off in the background, without much meaningful interaction between him and Kerstin. When they were together they were delightfully flirtatious, and I guess I was intrigued enough that I wanted them to spend more time together! At the very end we do find out a crucial hidden detail about Jake, but it was only brushed upon briefly, and I wish I had learned more about his background. Basically, gimme more!
*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*
Series: Stand-alone
Should you read it? There were some slight rumblings of illegal activities happening behind the scenes, but I think the story would have benefited much more if the suspenseful story line had been focused on more than the details of how to host a holiday hoedown for rodeo guests.
Smut Level: Overall this is a fairly clean read. One sexy make out session that is cut short, and a little something more at the very end of the book. I must say though, I’m not sure they are a forever couple.
Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $4.99 Kindle Price. The Wild Rose Press, Inc. 170 Pages.
Romance Novels for the Beach 