Shoulda Been a Cowboy

Rough Riders, Book 7

By: Lorelei James

Narrated by: Rebecca Estrella

Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

The bigger they are, the harder they fall - in love.

Soldier Cameron McKay has found his niche, and it ain't ropin' steer and wearin' spurs. His deputy sheriff job, plus battle injuries that ended his military career, keep him right where he wants to be: Off the ranch and away from his family's pity. His darkest war memories are on lockdown, leaving him skeptical he'll ever find a woman who wants a man who's less than whole.

Domini Katzinski has had to control every aspect of her life since age eleven, when she was orphaned in the Ukraine. Watching others' relationships crumble has convinced her to focus on the short-term and find a take-charge man to whom she can relinquish total sexual control. Cam fits the bill: Gorgeous, with a brooding vulnerability no one else seems to see. Plus, he has his own handcuffs.

Once Cam gets over his surprise that sweet, shy Domini wants to be dominated, he is back to issuing orders. Their passion is as hot as a rocket-propelled grenade - and if Domini has her way, it's a one-shot deal. Cam wants more, and launches a full-out sensual assault...until tragedy strikes, forcing him to change tactics as he tries to keep past demons from blowing their future together all to hell...

©2009 Lorelei James (P)2014 Insatiable Press

Cam and Domine

Cam McCoy returns from Afghanistan with half a leg missing. He turns away from the help of his large family because he feels they will pity him. He meets Domini at the restaurant he frequents. He finds her beautiful and calming to the dominant man he is. They become a couple but their path is not smooth, somehow all their problems bring them closer together. Through a tragedy Domini is made guardian to a seven year old boy. They are now a family of three. The closing chapters show how much people can grow despite the tragedies that try to bring them down.

Heart pounding Sexiness leaves me wanting more

Any additional comments?

I love the Rough Riders series and Lorelei James's writing style. This story finally gives us Cams story, the wounded hero who returned from serving in Iraq without a leg and scars both physical and mental. Cam is a Dom through and through, he is happy with his sexuality and isn't willing to change, he is what he is no excuses. Even if that means staying away from sweet Domini, the one woman he really desires. Domini though is not what he thinks she is, she is in fact a natural submissive and the perfect complement to him...

What I truly enjoyed about this book is that Domini isn't portrayed as a simpering sub, she is portrayed as a strong independent woman who, because of her inner strength, is able to offer her gift of submission freely. Cam knows he loves Domini and Domini knows she loves Cam but neither are truthful with each other and believe the other doesn't feel the same way, that it is purely sexual. I am sure you can imagine the problems this may cause, and I’m not going to reveal anymore due to spoilers...

This was an incredibly well written story that had me riveted. It leaves you breathless, hot and filled up with romance. I have long wanted Cams story and it didn't disappoint in any way. The sex scenes were incredibly hot and left nothing to the imagination. Lorelei sure can leave your heart pounding :)

✫✫ 4 Stars ✫✫

Cam & Domini have been circling each other for awhile and It was great to finally get their story. Both of them have some issues and together they understand each other. Not sure this book really needed the forced marriage trope since these two were already in love and would have worked with or without it. I love how a 7 year old shows them how to be a family even though he didn't really know a lot about family dynamic. It was sweet but i'll be honest, I though Cam was a little hard in this book and I didn't expect that from him. The ending was more the Cam McKay I saw in earlier books.

Narration was just ok, would have been great if these cowboys had accents!

Cam & Domini

This book is full of feels when Cam comes home from Afghanistan injured. He has a long road ahead of him and shows what he’s made of.
Domini had a rough life that taught her how to fight for what she wants. She wants Cam, so she shows him how he can’t live without her.
Great book!!

More Naughty 'Ear Candy' With Serious Story Depth

Where does Shoulda Been a Cowboy rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I REALLY LOVE the Rough Riders series. It is definitely in my top 5 as series go (some others are On Dublin Street-Samantha Young, Black Top Cowboys- Lorelei James, Wicked Lovers-Shayla Black, The Kowalski Family-Shannon Stacey, etc)

Should Have Been A Cowboy ranks in the top 1-2 of the Rough Riders series. Lorelei James' work seems to mature and grow as the series continues. There were several sub plots revolving around the main story between Cameron McKay and Domini Katzinski. While it can be difficult to follow too many 'stories' within one book - this was not the case in Should Have Been A Cowboy.

As this is another 'broken boy meets broken girl' that is the rage these days Lorelei James does use this as the big picture however, these characters and their stories are very unique:

From the large close knit McKay family - Cameron, a veteran with a prosthetic leg, has isolated himself. We learn some of the many challenges he faces -physical and emotional. Now a local lawman he is responsible for upholding the law in the most difficult situations (2 stand out, but I don't want to 'spoil' things.)

Domini is a Ukrainian with a transient background from age 11. She has finally set roots with her best friend (whose ex-husband was abusive) and her son in Wyoming.

As is often the case, the two main characters decide their attraction to one another should lead to a physical relationship only. Then 'life happens' and circumstances change for each of them and what they want or need from the relationship without voicing those needs.

There is a steady stream of hot, graphic scenes for the naughty listeners (like me) However, there are some major events that I cannot describe too much more without giving away the unique trail - they are believable, fit well and at times are unexpected. This makes the book interesting, multidimensional and got me really invested in the story.


Here's the Publishers Summary:
The bigger they are, the harder they fall - in love.

Soldier Cameron McKay has found his niche, and it ain't ropin' steer and wearin' spurs. His deputy sheriff job, plus battle injuries that ended his military career, keep him right where he wants to be: Off the ranch and away from his family's pity. His darkest war memories are on lockdown, leaving him skeptical he'll ever find a woman who wants a man who's less than whole.

Domini Katzinski has had to control every aspect of her life since age eleven, when she was orphaned in the Ukraine. Watching others' relationships crumble has convinced her to focus on the short-term and find a take-charge man to whom she can relinquish total sexual control. Cam fits the bill: Gorgeous, with a brooding vulnerability no one else seems to see. Plus, he has his own handcuffs.

Once Cam gets over his surprise that sweet, shy Domini wants to be dominated, he is back to issuing orders. Their passion is as hot as a rocket-propelled grenade - and if Domini has her way, it's a one-shot deal. Cam wants more, and launches a full-out sensual assault...until tragedy strikes, forcing him to change tactics as he tries to keep past demons from blowing their future together all to hell...

What other book might you compare Shoulda Been a Cowboy to and why?

I think I outlined that above but I would consider Tied Up, Tied Down Rough Riders as something similar with the dynamic of children or All He Ever Desires - Shannon Stacey

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I really appreciate Rebecca Estralla's work and portrayal of the characters in one of my favorite series. She is an adequate reader. She can sound choppy and robotic however, she must portray many male characters and it is tough to distinguish between them.

I'm not sure if it is the way the author wrote it or the delivery of the narrator. There is a lot of internal dialog within the characters own mind. It was difficult to understand what the character ACTUALLY said versus what he or she was thinking (wishing he/she could say).

Any additional comments?

These books keep getting better...my goal is to get the entire series on Audio, come on Audible...

Adult themes and strong language

AWESOME!

Absolutely one of my favorites books in the series! Although the premise is basically the same, each book has its own unique flavor. LJ has found a way to add depth to these characters while keeping the steamy heat of each story high! This one that I could listen to again and again.

More Bossy Cowboys - Yawn

While I enjoy Lorelei James's writing and the western setting of this series, I am getting bored with so many overbearing male characters. The main female character "Domini" is likable, smart, and resilient but uneven. It seems unlikely that an immigrant from a oppressive country would want to be instantly dominated by a man she barely knows.

Cam, a wounded war vet with a dark side and a good heart, needs total control to enjoy sex. Rather than deal with his emotional issues, he thinks it's okay to be treat women like sex toys - boring. As a deputy, Cam is sworn to serve and protect abused women while believing he has the right to bruise a lover - really?

I am constantly surprised that modern erotic novels, with a mostly female audience, portray submissive women as sexy and/or romantic. This book had some great moments and snappy dialogue, but I believe it would have been so much better without the bossy man.

PS, there are dozens of family & friends who aren't really introduced or explained. Excellent narration!

Cops Can Be Cowboys Too

Cam, a heroic, wounded soldier turned lawman in a family of cowboy ranchers finds it hard to return to normal life when he returns home as a wonded warrior. Domini, a wandering immigrant, has it bad for a big, brooding lawman. Circumstances bring the two together to raise a family and the heat helps to meld their family. Disabilities and insecurities don't get in the way of their passionate encounters.

For the squeamish -- threesomes, anal sex, bondage, oral sex and dirty talking.