Roped
The Cowboy Mavericks

Professional Reviews

5 HEARTS: "Ms. Jan Bowles has, once again, proven her ability to grab and hold my attention with her writing skills. She has a way of weaving both main and secondary characters into a plot. The sensuality of her book was intense and superbly written. The believability of her characters was such that I could visualize being involved in the story myself. The sexual activity was part of the book not just thrown in to have bedroom scenes. It was a serious part of the manuscript. I highly recommend this book to you. You will be able to see why Ms. Bowles has landed on my must-read list. I seek out anything she writes. She gives her readers something to remember long after the final scene." -- Brenda Talley, The Romance Studio

5 TEA CUPS: "Mother Nature has a way of bringing a family to a full circle...After seven years of being away from home can he come back and make a life with a person that he left behind? He was the world to her, since the age of eighteen she was in love them him but since he is back can they rekindle what they had and maybe move to having a committed relationship? Why not, anything can happen if you truly want it, even if you have stubborn brothers that seem to want to ruin your life. Brett is a wild, handsome, strong cowboy that has come back to his home town after his father passed away. Old memories come back to him after seeing Fay for the first time after seven years. She still rattles his fanny. Are all men afraid of the word commitment? Brett is such a sexually hungry man that he cannot keep his hands off of Fay. Brett is so gentle with Fay and so passionate that it makes you feel all warm inside. He is a fighter and is willing to take charge of his life and will not stand anymore slander from the Maverick brothers. Brett is determined to have Fay with him no matter what, even if it means them leaving their home town with or without the blessing of her brothers. He is a true Prince Charming. Fay is a young, strong, opinionated woman that will do anything to have her cowboy. She has only been committed to one person when she was eighteen and seven years later her cowboy has come back. Wow, imagine that—her brothers are real pricks for not letting her leave, but all good for those who wait. After her first date with Brett, she actually stands up for herself and actually starts living her own life. She is determined to stay with Brett and make a life with him if he will have her. I love when she stands firm with her brothers and gives them a piece of her mind, who do they think they are? Life has a way of revolving but Brett and Fay will get their happily ever after, but not before tragedy hits and things will never be the same. This is truly a romantic story from beginning to end and you will fall in love with it. I highly recommend this book to anyone to read, you will not regret it!" -- Monica, Happily Ever After Reviews

4 STARS: "ROPED is a lot like a hot pepper--it may be small but boy howdy, can it set you on fire! ROPED is a very short story about Brett Donovan and Fay Maverick reuniting. Seven years earlier, Brett took Faye's virginity. Unfortunately it was the same night he was accused of robbing a store. To protect Fay, he pled his innocence without her as an alibi. His father tossed him out and the town turned on him. Now his father has passed away and he must return to sell the ranch. Fay's brothers have it good. Their sister not only works part time but she does all the cooking, cleaning and housework while they run the ranch. But they shoot themselves in the foot when they mess with Brett. He is the only man she has ever loved and she's going to cook for him over them any day. Now all she has to do is woo her man back. I thought it was a cute story with interesting characters and an intriguing set up. Unfortunately the shortness of the story left it feeling a tad bit like I was reading bullet points at times. I thought the whole thing from the characters to the plot just needed some more developing to be even a satisfying short read. I will say that Brett and Fay can ignite the sheets. Brett has a real tender spot for Fay that I found utterly charming. I loved her strength. I expected her to cow to her brothers and feel as though she had to care for them. The fact that she stood her ground and made them cook for themselves was a hoot. Again, I would have like to have seen it developed further, but what I got was certainly fun. So for all of you cowboy fans who like it hot and short, this is one to check out. Brett and Fay are the couple you want to root for. Enjoy!" -- Michelle R, The Romance Reviews

4 STARS: "Brett Donovan left Black Creek seven years ago after he was accused of a crime he didn’t commit, now returning after the death of his father he wonders if enough time has passed for the town to forget. Only one person knew of his innocence, Fay Maverick who would have given him an alibi if he had allowed it, but a long running feud between the Donovan’s and Maverick’s was just one of the reasons he chose to leave instead. Seeing Fay again, Brett realizes the attraction has never faded and despite his best intentions finds that Fay is relentless in her pursuit of him, making it difficult to turn away. Fay has loved Brett for years, now that he is back she wants to make sure he never leaves her again. Even with four brothers breathing down her back, she knows what she wants and will stop at nothing to get it. Roped is a quickly paced story that readers will love. I really enjoyed reading from Fay’s perspective, she is a stubborn woman who when furious is fit to be tied. Another fantastic read from Jan Bowles." -- Emily, Sensual Reads

4 CUPS: "Brett Donovan returns to Black Creek, Kansas to settle things after his father dies. He is surprised his father left him anything after disowning him years before. Since people still believe the lie that was told years ago, he thinks he just might settle things and leave. Fay Maverick has always had feelings for Brett, only she is younger and there is the family feud that says they should not be together; not to mention her four brothers who would gladly find any way to keep them apart. So can she find a way to convince Brett to stay? With so much at stake to stay, why would Brett consider it? One woman named Fay that makes his blood run hot. So who is going to win out in this family feud; old grudges and lies, or love? Roped is an entertaining quick read for when you are short on time but want a story to pack a whole lot in a little package! This story is filled with likeable characters and enough action and suspense to keep you wanting more." -- Matilda, Coffee Time Romance and More

Excerpt

STORY EXCERPT

Fay breathed in. That tight knot of tension had been there ever since she’d learned that Brett Donovan had come back to Black Creek. The closer she got to his ranch, the tighter the coil grew in her stomach.

She urged the gray appaloosa faster. “Come, Cinders, just a little farther. I’m the one feeling nervous, not you.” It was funny how animals picked up one’s mood.

When Brett had left Black Creek some seven years before, it had felt like the bottom had dropped out of her world. Now that he was back, she didn’t know how she felt. She guessed that was the reason why she was visiting today. See if any feelings were left between them.

The ranch grew closer until she finally drew up outside and dismounted.

“Anyone home?” she called. Surely, he would have heard her approach? Maybe he was out back. Fay took the still-warm apple pie from her saddlebag and walked around the side of the ranch house. “Brett,” she called again.

The fly screen swung open, and he stepped out onto the decking. It shut behind him, and he leaned against it.

Brett had been twenty-four when she’d last seen him. He’d been a man then, but he was even more of a man now. Standing about six-three and weighing some two hundred pounds, he was dressed in tight jeans and black denim shirt. He appeared broader than she remembered. Her gaze drifted over him. His fair hair was kissed by the sun and fell about his manly features in streaks of gold. The channels on either side of his face were even deeper. She’d always loved the way they would spread into a dimple when he smiled at her. Though he wasn’t smiling now. Instead his deep blue eyes connected with hers. They seemed to consume her body from her head to her toes.

  A deep satisfaction flowed through her veins. The sexual attraction was still there between them. Only now it seemed magnified. No man had ever looked at her in that primal way, no man apart from Brett.

“Good to see you again, Fay.” His deep voice lifted the hairs on the back of her neck.

“You, too, Brett.” She held out the bag she’d brought with her. “It’s an apple pie.”

“Did your mother bake it?”

“No, Ma’s been dead some five years now.”

“Sorry, I didn’t know.”

“Me, too, about your Pa, I mean.”

He let out a long, slow breath. “Your brothers know you’re here?”

She shook her head. “They don’t need to know everything I do.”

“Well, perhaps you ought to tell them that.”

“Why?”

“Cody came calling last night. Said I should keep away from you.”

“Oh? They’re just over possessive, what with Ma dying and all.”

He stared at her, assessing her, making her knees go weak. “You look…” He shrugged.

“What?”

“All grown up. You’re not the girl I remember.”

At eighteen, she had worn all her emotions on her sleeve. Seven years ago she had carried a huge torch for Brett Donovan. She guessed he’d always known that. Taking on the role that her mother had left when she died made her grow up in a hurry.

“I’m a woman now, Brett. I’m not that girl you once knew.”

“So I see.” He stared at her long and hard then said, “I’ve got some hot coffee on the stove. Would you like some?”

ADULT EXCERPT

He scooped her into his arms and carried her up the stairs. Every now and then he would steal a kiss, making her smile. Her fingers threaded into his hair, and it was all he could do to hold back and slow everything down. Usually he would always think of his own needs, but with Fay, he felt different. He wanted it to be special for her. At the moment, he couldn’t analyze why that was. It just felt like the right thing to do.

He laid her on the bed and switched on a small bedside lamp. She looked so fucking sexy stretched out before him. Her long, smooth legs enticing him in her short red skirt, making his cock harden further.

He pulled off his shirt and tossed it aside, reveling in the way her gaze hungrily devoured every part of his torso. Fay had always wanted him. She’d pursued him for years until she’d reached eighteen, and he’d finally seen the woman behind the girl.

“Your turn.” He motioned with his hands and helped her remove her blouse. He breathed in. “Perfect,” he murmured, dipping his head and sucking on her pale, pink nipples. She moaned and flexed her hips, arching into him as he circled his hands around her full breasts. He licked the areola, enjoying her taste and femininity. “Just perfect.” Her figure had matured in the intervening seven years. Her breasts were fuller and more rounded, and her hips more curvaceous. She had been a teenager. Now she was a woman.

His cock was uncomfortably hard inside his tight jeans. He needed release, but he was determined to slow the pace and make this a night to remember. Her hands caressed over his chest, feeling every muscle. He’d always done manual labor, and he was proud of his physique.

She kicked off her shoes and began loosening the belt around her waist. He pulled her skirt from her along with her panties. Her freshly trimmed pussy aroused him further. He imagined his cock buried deep inside her and felt himself stiffen even more.

“Hurry,” she whispered as he lay down on the bed next to her.

He pressed his hands between her legs, spreading her thighs, and she let out a tight moan. Her whole body writhed as he slipped a finger into her soaking wet pussy. “Easy,” he murmured against her lips before kissing her possessively. “We’ve got all the time in the world.”

When his fingers caressed her clit, she bucked and whimpered. “Brett, it’s not fair you’ve still got half your clothes on.”

“Just be patient, Fay. Just be patient.” He captured her clit between his finger and thumb, enjoying the sight of her body rapidly losing control. Her breathing had gone into overdrive just like his own. Her chest heaved as his fingers continued their onslaught on her senses. The folds of her sex were now so wet with her arousal his finger slipped effortlessly inside her.

“Mmm, you’re so tight. I’m just gonna caress you for a while until you loosen up a bit.” He kissed her breasts, drawing the nipples against his teeth, enjoying the muffled whimpers that broke from her lips.

She gasped as his fingers sought the swelling nub of her clitoris once more, and he began stroking the entire length of her slit. Her hands fisted into his hair, and she pulled relentlessly at his blond locks.

“Oh, God, yes. I want you so much, Brett.”

Her whole body arched off the bed, and he knew she was close. He slipped his fingers further inside her and then curled them back, pleasuring her G-spot. “You like that, don’t you, Fay, me finger fucking you?”

“You know I do, Brett. I adore you.”

“How about this. Do you like this?” He pulled his fingers from her sopping cunny before sucking the juices hungrily from them. “You taste so fucking good, Fay.”