Shackled by the Cowboy Drifter
Cowboy Bad Boys 1

Professional Reviews

5 HEARTS: "Ashley Carmicheal was a want-to-be actress that worked in a local diner. She waited tables while awaiting her dream job. Her long-term boyfriend, Rob, dropped her after he made it big. He had been so abusive she was afraid of any new relationship. That was until a gorgeous cowboy, Zack Delaney, showed up at one of her tables. The interest seemed mutual. However, things were not as they seemed. She was concerned about his secretive actions. Zack Cantrell couldn’t share his actions to anyone—even Ash. He didn’t want to get involved because he did not want to draw attention to her and put her in danger. However, when she found him dealing drugs, it was too late. He had to take care of her. That wasn’t likely since he had no confidence he would be able to. His secretive past scared him concerning his ability to protect her. Ms. Jan Bowles has written a poignant book about a couple who had unhappy pasts that they both kept silent about. These main characters were emotionally charged and grabbed my attention quickly. I was amazed at the way Bowles presented the background information. It made the couple seem quite realistic. The sexual content was very explicit, but scorching! It was an overall part of the storyline—not the story. The glimpses of the area, the land and the expectations they had and their own vulnerability toward each other was endearing. It was so easy to fall in love with the couple. The area was described so that I felt I was there. I couldn’t stop reading the book and was completely surprised at the ending. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this genre. I guarantee you will enjoy it." -- Brenda Talley, The Romance Studio

4.5 TEA CUPS: "Ashley Carmichael, known as Ash, is an actress who knows that her shelf life is about to expire. She is working as a waitress in the local diner when Zack Delaney comes into her life. Ash is also licking her wounds after emerging from a volatile relationship. Zack is a tall, dark and handsome hunk of Cowboy beef in his tight jeans and knowing blue eyes but he is carrying his own painful secrets. He breezes into the diner where he meets Ash, insults her and is left with his foot in his mouth after their initial encounter. Later that night, they meet up again in a bar where Zack makes a peace offering. Now, under different circumstances, their attraction is immediate and they share a night of passion with the understanding that it is only for that one night. When Zack walks out the next morning, Ash is convinced that she will never see him again. A chance meeting in a darkened alley puts Ash smack in the middle of Zack’s illegal activities and he finds himself caught up in lies to protect Ash from discovering the truth about him. Ash is fascinated yet repelled by what she knows so far. She then sees another side to Zack and her compassion elicits feelings in him that he thought were gone forever. In each other’s arms, they find a tenderness that has been missing from their lives, a feeling of excitement and connection. It takes a weekend getaway for the two of them to start wondering if there is a chance that they could make it work. I really enjoyed this story as it moved right along, allowing the reader to see the relationship develop between them. The sexual tension does not let up at all and fulfills the Happily Ever After theme. Shackled by the Cowboy Drifter should not be missed!" -- Ren, Happily Ever After Reviews

4.5 RIBBONS: "This is an exciting page turner that will leave you craving more. The love scenes are masterfully done and made me reach for a glass of ice water after reading them! Zack is the type of man any single woman would hope to find. He is a good boy who is just bad enough to make your toes curl and he looks hot in jeans! There are parts that will make you at least want to bite your nails and others that will make you laugh out loud. Over all a great read to add to any collection!" -- Maree, Romance Junkies Reviews

4 STARS: "Zach was walking along when he was attacked from behind. After the beating Zach received, he needs nothing more than a nice cold beer. Ash works as a waitress. Ash immediately zoned in on Zach the moment he walked in the door. Of course, it would be hard not to notice Zach. He is really good looking. When Zach stirs something up inside Ash, Ash realizes that she has been without a man for too long. Let’s just say though that Zach didn’t make a great first impression with Ash. Once, he redeemed himself…watch out! Shackled by the Cowboy Drifter is a Cowboy Bad Boys novel. Every book that I have read by author Jan Bowles is a favorite of mine. Shackled by the Cowboy Drifter is no exception. This book has both romance and action. If a sexy, cowboy like Zach walked into my place of employment, I would have a hard time resisting him. Ash was my favorite. She was feisty but sweet at the same time. Kind of like…honey mixed with red pepper flakes for kick. Mrs. Bowles really knows how to make her characters come alive within the pages of the book. I wouldn’t mind being shackled to a cowboy!" -- Cheryl, Manic Readers

Excerpt

STORY EXCERPT

With pad and pencil ready, Ash walked up to table five. He was still studying the menu, so she let her gaze wander from the tip of his cowboy boots, past the tight fitting Wranglers, to his strong muscular chest.

This guy did some serious workouts. She could clearly see the six-pack abs under his tight-fitting clothes.

Girl, you need to get a grip and stop salivating.

Maisy was right. She’d been without a man for far too long. Nine months seemed an awful long time to be single, but then hadn’t she been burned badly by Rob? She hadn’t looked at another man since they’d split. Well, not until now.

Ash noted his black, wavy collar-length hair that fell about his temples, the strong jaw line, the way his large hands held on firmly to the menu. His skin the color of warm teak appeared rugged and weather-beaten.  He looked to be in his mid-thirties. When his eyes finally locked with hers, she swallowed hard. Bright blue and striking against his well-tanned skin, they simply took her breath away.

“What can I get you, cowboy?” Her voice sounded shaky even to her own ears, and she hoped he didn’t notice.

“I’ll have ham, with eggs over easy.” She assumed from his drawl he was from the South. So he wasn’t a local. Too bad, the guy was just probably passing through.

“Say, do you have any grits?”

She shook her head, pointing with her pencil. “Only what’s on the menu.”

“Hmm, then I’ll have hash browns and coffee.”

He nodded as she repeated his order back to him. He seemed to notice her for the first time, his gaze slowly travelling from her hands to her face. She had a sudden feeling that he’d ripped the clothes right off her.

“Is that an English accent?”

“Yes,” she answered. Now that he’d turned toward her, she noticed the cuts on the one side of his face. The man looked dangerous, and just a little exciting.

“Don’t tell me. You came to seek your fame and fortune in Hollywood but ended up waiting tables instead.” With an amused expression on his face, he leaned back in his seat and waited for her to answer.

If she hadn’t been so annoyed by his glib observation, her jaw would have dropped open. He had her life story to a T in just five minutes flat. She gave him a tight smile. “Yes, we’re a sad bunch. Like the song said, ‘All the stars that never were, are pumping gas and parking cars.’ Guess you now know why I work in this sleazy diner, serving dumbass customers.”

Before he could say anything, she lifted up her notepad and continued, “I’d better place your order, cowboy.” With that, she turned and walked away.

ADULT EXCERPT

As soon as they walked outside, he pulled her into his arms and pressed her hard against the wall. His lips sought hers, persuasive and demanding. Her breath shortened as his knee pressed between her legs and anchored her fast.

Zack handled her with an ownership that she found exhilarating.

“Now, how about we explore this mutual attraction somewhere a little more private? My motel room is just a ten-minute walk away.”

Trapped where she stood, his heat enveloped her. Before she could answer, his mouth captured hers with an infinite satisfaction, his tongue delving and tousling with hers. Already aroused by the intimate contact of dancing together in the bar for the last hour, her panties dampened even more. His hand rubbed possessively into the juncture of her thighs, grazing her clit with worldly experience.

There would be no fumbling around, just a man giving her exactly what she needed, hot, pleasurable, mind blowing sex.

Breaking the kiss, she breathlessly answered, “I only live across the road.”

He smiled. “Even better.”

For what seemed a long time, she just stared at him through her lashes. Plain dangerous came to mind. Surely she should run a mile. Yet the thrill seeker within her ignored her misgivings, and she finally motioned toward her condo.

Anticipation flooded her mind as they walked the short distance across the road. He was tall and broad, and God help her, powerful. She swallowed hard. Tonight, he was exactly what she needed.

Her apartment was on the first floor and had been her home for the past few months. It felt warm and inviting when she opened the door. The open-plan living area had her familiar possessions. Two over-stuffed sofas sat opposite one another. Their arms might be worn, but she loved their comfortable blue seating. The small lamp she’d left on cast a reassuring glow around the newly painted walls of cream and gold. Her confidence grew. She took hold of his hand as she pulled him inside. With her back to the door, she closed it behind her.

“Coffee?”

“No. Coffee is the last thing on my mind.” His voice was deep, and he placed a hand on either side of her head, showing her she was going nowhere. He leaned in and kissed her. His dark lashes curled onto his cheeks as he stared intently at her.

“So what’s on your mind, cowboy? I just wanted to show you some hospitality.”

He gazed at her mouth and then grinned. “How about you show me your bedroom, and I’ll accept all the hospitality you have to offer.”

“You,” she touched his smooth lips, “are one very naughty cowboy.” Her hands skimmed of their own accord under his T-shirt, running up the taut, warm muscles of his chest. He felt so powerful standing before her as he watched her every move, the tousled hair on his head falling about his face in raven-black waves, a devil-may-care grin on his face. Her breathing had gone into overdrive in anticipation of what was to come. He flicked his hat onto the sofa and turned back to her.

She licked her lips. Desire pooled at her core, flowing out to moisten her panties once more. He removed his T-shirt and threw it onto the sofa.

Her gaze drifted over him, devouring every muscle. The six-pack. The V-shaped smattering of masculine hair that dipped down into his jeans. She couldn’t help but notice the large bruise on his left side, and she touched it briefly, observing the wince on his face.

“That looks nasty.”

“It’s nothing.”

It didn’t look like nothing, but his hands had already slipped to her dress.

“My turn,” he said as he peeled it from her shoulders.

The style of dress meant she didn’t wear a bra, and his gaze lingered on her naked breasts as it pooled at her feet. She stepped out of the dress, and immediately he scooped her into his arms, drawing on the peaked tips of her nipples as she wrapped her legs firmly around him and kicked off her shoes.

He pressed her back against the door, grinding his full weight into her hips.

“Brown nipples are my favorite.”

She writhed against his torso as his teeth nibbled the sensitive flesh. “Slow down, cowboy, the bedroom’s through there.”

“Don’t you worry, baby. We’re gonna have a good time.”

Within two strides, he had the door open and laid her on the bed. He thrust a wrapped condom into her hand. “Hold on to that.” The Victorian-style brass bed creaked as he stood and removed the rest of his clothes.

The only light came through from the living area, lighting his body with a halo effect. She could just see his erect cock, standing proud and taut against his muscled stomach, and anticipation flooded her mind at the sheer size of him.

He leaned forward and pulled off her panties. Her freshly trimmed pussy glistened from her arousal.

“Baby, I just have to taste that honey pot.” Immediately, he spread her legs apart and ran his fingers over her wet folds. Using both thumbs he opened her sex to his tongue, and lashed her clitoris so slowly that she thought she would expire. Her whole body writhed from the delicious feeling.

A moan escaped her lips as he did it again. Dear heaven above, of the nine years she’d known Rob, he’d never done this to her.

She panted uncontrollably as he thrust two fingers deep into her pussy and sucked on her clitoris. A whimper escaped, as she crested on the very edge of orgasm. Then he withdrew and did it again, sucking and stroking her entire slit with his tongue. The pressure built, burning from deep inside, moving higher until she moaned in pleasure as her orgasm finally took hold. Spasm after delicious spasm racked through her body, making her arch up off the bed.

He moved up and stared down into her face as the aftershocks still flowed fiercely inside her. His weight transferred to his strong arms at either side of her.

“Now I get to look into your beautiful eyes while I fuck you.”