From #1 New York Times bestseller Lora Leigh and Veronica Chadwick comes a second chance at love and bodyguard romance Strong, Silent Cowboy, a Moving Violations novel. “Leigh’s books can scorch the ink off the page.”–RT Book Review He Will Do Anything… Sallie Hamblen had three incredibly hot, sexy nights with Jacob Donovan, an undercover CIA agent, before he disappeared, leaving her broken … Donovan, an undercover CIA agent, before he disappeared, leaving her broken hearted and forever yearning for the man she lost. Years later, Jacob doesn’t know that the beauty he’s about to seduce in a small town bar is the woman he held in his arms all those years ago… and that she’s on the run from her past.
To Keep Her Safe…
Former CIA agent turned cowboy, Jacob Donovan wants nothing more than a simple life. Just the ranch and occasionally someone warm and sweet in his bed. Until Sallie comes back into his life and all of a sudden he wants to be in her bed every night…all night. When he discovers that her life is in danger, he swears he’ll protect her. Even when secrets are revealed that threaten everything between them, he will lay everything on the line to keep her in his arms.
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Rating 4.5
This is the second book in the Moving Violations trilogy. I really enjoyed this book; the characters were wonderful and interesting. The pace was also spot on and the story is super-HOT. The story kept me guessing as to what would happen next. Can’t wait for the third book in the series. Though this is the second in the trilogy, I feel it could be read as a stand-alone novel.
I loved this angsty cowboy romantic suspense book. There is a lot of “loving” (LOL) going on in this book, but I was intrigued from the moment I started this book. This is the second book in the series and I liked this one more than the first. I love Sallie and Jacob very much. Plenty of twist and turns to keep you guessing what is going on. 0There story is one I won’t forget soon. I’m looking forward to more stories set in this world.
Do you remember me
This author really shines where she can have her hot alpha males find and protect the women who hold their hearts, even when they don’t recognize them at first. I really enjoyed every step of the buildup in Jacob and Sallie’s relationship, each new turn of the page brought more depth to them as characters and as a couple. Not to mention the steam that just wafted off the pages anytime these two were within touching range. The author kept the danger and intrigue high, and I was lost in the story before the end of the first chapter. This book is a fast-paced read that I was sad to see end because the story was just that good. Although it is part of a series, this book can be read as a stand-alone, and I can’t wait to re-read the first two books until the next book in the series comes out.
This is book 2 in the Moving Violations series and can absolutely be read as a stand alone. Sallie Hamblen spent three nights with Jacob Donovan before he disappeared and left her broken hearted. Years later, and he doesn’t recognize the woman he is trying to seduce. She has never forgotten him and he doesn’t remember her. And he also doesn’t know that she is on the run. Jacob was a CIA agent and is now a cowboy who just wants a simple life. Just his ranch and sometimes someone to warm his bed. When Sallie comes into his life, all he can think of is her in his bed. And when he finds out her life is in danger, he vows he will protect her. But he doesn’t remember their shared past, and when secrets come to light-can he keep her safe?
I really liked this one. Much better than the first one for me. The characters were more likable, in my mind. I also liked their chemistry. They definitely were attracted right from the start. My downside, I felt like they never really figured out how to communicate with each other. Not truly. And I was a little lost about some of the side characters, almost like they have their own stories somewhere and I just don’t know where they are? But take that out, and I did really like it. The writing is still good, the story was good and moved along at a good pace, and of course the sexy times were off the chart hot! My only concern, I hope it doesn’t take quite so long for the next book in the series to come out. It was a little over 2 years for this one since the last one, and I had honestly forgotten about the previous book. But I am always hopeful!
It might have been a little long since we’ve had a book by Lora Leigh but it was well worth it. This is the second book in the Moving Violations series. I almost reread the first book in the series to remember it because it was out in 2019. Unfortunately, I was a little lazy so that didn’t get done. The good news is that this one is pretty much standalone. The first book is mentioned but only in passing.
I’m going to start out by saying that I really loved the characters in this book. The Culpepper brothers remind me of her Nauti family which I just love. A lot happens within the story and you have to pay attention to make sure you don’t miss anything.
The idea of how Jacob and Sallie met and parted is a good one. I kinda wish the beginning of the book handled it better. I must have needed more of an explanation because I was a little lost. I did get into the story pretty quick so I got over the confusion. Once in the story, it moves really fast.
I really love Jacob too. Any man that lets his grandma live with him is okay in my books. She’s a fun lady and I wish she was in the book more. Since the story moves so fast you don’t have time to question anything. The great part is that even though the book is fast-paced you really get to know the characters within it. I like that about her writing.
You’ll feel for both of these characters they’ve been through some crap. Sallie more than Jacob. Her family life really sucked. How she turned out so nice is beyond me. As a whole, this is a wonderful story. There is plenty of action and sexy scenes to keep you reading more add some great characters and you have a wonderful book.
The story was like peeling an apple…each chapter peeled back another part. The book starts with a lot of unknowns and it slowly reveals the the core. It has a good amount of action and is completely steamy. It is the second in a series. I hadn’t read the first and it wasn’t necessary to understand the second. The pace of the book was good and it was an easy read. I am intrigued in the secondary characters and will add the other books in the series to my want to read list. I received a copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I the characters for the most part, but I thought the storyline could have been a little stronger. There was some nice suspense and lots of steamy smexy-times (so many I skimmed some of the pages). I give this book 3 stars. Others may like it much more than I did.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.
Sallie has built a nice life for herself in Deer Heaven but she lives with a level of fear, waiting for whoever is after her to show up which means she has to run again. The big shock for her was seeing Jake, or Jacob, the man she met years ago and shared an incredible weekend who left and never returned. Not only that, but he doesn’t remember her which breaks her heart since she fell in love. Then one night, Jacob picks her up at the bar causing all the gossips in town to go crazy. Jacob is working to keep his life simple after he left the CIA. The last mission almost cost him his life but it did take away some of his memories. The moment Sallie came to town, he sensed something different and the dreams that captivated him at night with the faceless woman begin to look like Sallie. After their night together, he knows he won’t let her go but when she is also threatened by an unknown attacker, he lets his alpha male loose to protect her. There is a great mystery surrounding Sallie and Jacob that was compelling and unpredictable. The chemistry that these two shared is off-the-charts steamy and intense but sometimes overdone. I did enjoy this journey and love the cast of characters that are there to lend a hand no matter what is needed. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
3.5 stars–STRONG, SILENT COWBOY is the second instalment in the contemporary, adult, MOVING VIOLATONS erotic, romantic suspense series co-authored by Lora Leigh, and the late Veronica Chadwick. This is former CIA agent turned rancher Jacob Donovan, and feed-store manager Sallie Hamblen’s story line. STRONG, SILENT COWBOY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Sallie and Jacob) STRONG, SILENT COWBOY follows the second chance romance between former CIA agent turned rancher Jacob Donovan, and office manager Sallie Hamblen. Six years earlier, a then eighteen year old Kyra Bannon, spent a glorious weekend in Switzerland with a man she knew as Jake Rossiter, a man with whom she quickly fell in love, but also a man who disappeared without a trace. Fast forward to present day wherein, Kyra, now known as Sallie Hamblen has been on the run since the demise of her short lived marriage to another man, a marriage she believes now places her in the direct line of fire. Finding Jake Rossiter, aka Jacob Donovan, living in the small town of Deer Haven, California was more than a coincidence that Sallie refused to ignore but said man had no idea who Sallie was, or his history with the woman that would call to his heart. Keeping her distance for close to three years, Sallie caved and spent another night with our story line hero.An overwhelming sense of déjà vu, and a need to protect our story line heroine, pulled Jacob Donovan back into the world he could no longer remember but a world that threatened everyone he loved. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Sallie and Jacob, and the potential fall-out as their mutual pasts demand payment in blood.
Jacob Donovan is no longer working for the CIA. A life threatening incident almost destroyed his life, and took the memories of the time he spent with our story line heroine. Sallie Hamblen struggles with the heart breaking memories of her weekend with the man she would never forget, memories of which Jacob could no longer remember. Unable to let go of the grief and pain, Sallie continues to push our hero out of her life until threats to her life force her to run in the opposite direction.
The relationship between Jacob and Sallie is a rekindling romance; a second chance relationship between two people torn apart by secrets and lies, and a government agency determined to keep those secrets hidden deep undercover. Sallie battles between head and heart believing Jacob walked away without looking back; and Jacob’s sense of something missing is about to come full-circle when his memories return. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense, as per Lora Leigh’s style of writing.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Sallie’s step father Rance Dougal; Jacob’s grandmother Mary Ann Donovan; ranch manager John Grange; former military or FBI agents turned ranchers Justice, Rancor, and Pride Culpepper; Sallie’s friends Lily and Shay; and office assistant Tara Danner. Here’s hoping Lora has plans for the Culpepper siblings.
STRONG, SILENT COWBOY is a story of betrayal, secrets, forgiveness and love. There are a number of issues with the way the story, and history has been presented, including a three year gap where apparently Sallie and Jacob never once crossed paths in a town where everybody knows your name. There is also a bit of disconnect between events, as though the editing removed some important information. I also found issue with the purpose of Justice Culpepper’s attitude with our story line heroine but perhaps it had everything to do with the who, how and why of Sallie’s appearance in Deer Haven, California. The character driven premise is intriguing; the romance is provocative; the characters are energetic, strong minded, charismatic and wounded.
Hot romantic suspense!
Sallie Hamblen/Kyra Bannon knows that she will have to go on the run again when they find her again but seeing rancher Jacob Donovan/Jake Lassiter who acted like he didn’t remember her from their weekend before he disappeared from her life. But when she was attacked, they both had secrets that ended up changing everything between them.
If you want a hot romantic suspense about cowboys and secret agents and people on the run, you need to read Strong, Silent Cowboy by Lora Leigh & Veronica Chadwick where not everybody is what you expect them to be.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Let me preface this by saying that this has A LOT of explicit sex scenes; so, if that’s something you would rather not read then stop right here.
Despite the fact that I thought there were more sex scenes than necessary; it is a very good story. Maybe the publishing co/author would consider making a “sweet” version of this story as well. If you like a little mystery/intrigue sprinkled in your romance novels then this is a good fit for you.
The main character, Sallie, is on the run and living under an assumed name. She moves to a small town as a Feed/Grain store manager. On one of her first days there she sees a ghost from her past; Jake, the man she spent one hot weekend with in Switzerland years earlier; before he disappeared, without a trace. She figured he had just flat-out left her. When he sees her and there is no spark of recognition; she figures he must be the “love ’em and leave ’em” type; that found her highly forgettable. So even though she can’t forget the steamy nights they had spent together; she does her best to ignore him.
Jake was the name of the undercover CIA operative that Sallie had that amazing 3-day weekend with in Switzerland; Jacob Donovan is the rancher and ex-military man in town that finds Sallie intriguing and can’t help staring at her whenever she’s around.
Sallie has been on the run for 3 years when she sees Jake again. There is someone after her; ever since her husband left her with annulment papers. She tries to keep a low-profile and not make friends with anyone in the towns she goes to so that there isn’t anyone that can get hurt by whoever is trying to kill her. Unfortunately, Sallie likes it in this small town and has actually put down some roots. Will her world come crashing down when the assailant finds her again or will she be able to find out why they want her and finally stop running?
Possessive protection:
This was a fairly enjoyable and intense romantic suspense.
Sallie was hiding from a dangerous past and when her path collided with Jacob’s, she was shocked and disappointed that he didn’t remember her. One thing that still existed was the intense attraction between them. It was a steamy read and I would have personally preferred more of a build up. It was also quite repetitive and instead of being able to feel the emotion and chemistry between the characters, we were just told it existed.
I enjoyed the mystery aspects and was desperate to find out how it would all unfold, however not everything was fully explained.
Whilst technically a standalone, I did feel as if I missed out a bit not having read the first book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
First off, this book is filled with super hot, smexy scenes. If that is not your bag, you will not enjoy this book. The blurb makes it sound much sweeter than it is. In actuality, Jacob is much more of a dominant alpha male, but never quite pushes the story towards a more erotic read. I had no problem with that part of the book. Jacob and Sallie aware engaging characters for me, although I will say I don’t care for her name. It would occasionally throw me off, to be totally honest.
There are a lot of secrets and a very good suspense plot and most of the reveal wasn’t something I saw coming. The twists and turns kept it interesting, but after the mystery was over, the ending just fell flat. This reader is missing closure and not very happy about it, hence the starred rating.
I enjoyed the characters and hope to see at least a few of them who are directly related to this story in a subsequent Moving Violations book. Not having read the first in the series, I don’t know if the books share characters or just location.
While I’ve read Ms. Leigh’s books in the past, I haven’t had the same pleasure to read anything by Ms. Chadwick and I was sorry to read of her passing in the dedication. I wish I could give this book a higher rating, because even though I liked it, it had a few too many issues boost it above a 3.5.
I will say after reading book one and really liking Jacob, I was excited to read his story. However I was not a fan of him in this book he was annoying to me and everything about him and this book was sex driven. Just like in the first book I had a hard time getting in this book there was not much of a storyline unless the authors were going for a book about sex then they hit it out of the park with this book for sure. I will say I liked Sally, Lily and Tara they are super stubborn and strong headed women. I really loved Gram she was a pistol I think was hands down my favorite and I wish there was more of her in the book. I did feel in the end I did have some questions but I am guessing the authors left it up to you. Overall this was not for me. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is a very steamy book, if you don’t like reading that stop now. Like a 10 out of 10!!
Jacob Donovan is an ex-CIA agent turned cowboy. He has come home to run his family ranch in the small town of Deer Haven. Sallie Hambllen is new in town and is the manager for the large feed and supply story. When they meet, Sallie is shocked to see him, three years ago she spent three night with him. Three very sexy days and night. Then he left and never come back. After she got back to the states she runs into trouble and has been on the run for five years.
When Jacob first meets Sallie again, he acts like he doesn’t know who she is? She can’t believe it.
She had her heart broke once by him, so she stays away from him for three years. That is really hard to do in a small town where everyone knows what a person is doing.
When the attraction proves two much for them, they will not only re-learn about each other but a lot of secrets too. This is a very fast-moving story, with lots of drama, suspense and intrigue.
There are many twists and turns, flashbacks and history. With great characters from other books in the series too. Once you start this story you will not want to put it down.
The reason I gave it four stars instead of five, was the quick ending. It should have had an epilogue so we knew what happen to them.
I received and ARC from the author and want to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.
Wow! This is an action packed read that has mystery, suspense and intense chemistry. Strong, determined characters work to solve a mystery and stay alive as well. Really enjoyed this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book; all opinions expressed are my own.
Wow, talk about your alpha male. Jacob is every woman’s wet dream. He is a super hot alpha cowboy. Sallie is in hiding from people who want to hurt her. The story is fast moving as the action ramps up. The steam level is off the charts as Jacob and Sallie set the pages on fire. The setting is small town which comes with the wonderful addition of fun characters. This is a wonderful story that would be worth reading more than once.
It’s been three years since I last read a novel by Lora Leigh. That novel was the first book in this this series, One Tough Cowboy, and I had to go back and check my review, because I’ve read and reviewed hundreds of books since then, and surprisingly, I had given that novel a 1-star review, which, shocked me because I’ve been a fan of this author’s books for a very long time. Even more surprisingly, this novel didn’t rock my world for a number of reasons, and the best I can do is give this second book in the Moving Violations series the same 1-star rating.
First, there is one thing you can say about Lora Leigh’s novels, there are always a lot of graphic, steamy sex scenes and this novel has more than its share of them–too many in this novel and in this reader’s opinion, when used as an alternative to character and plot development, and from the prologue on, that seems to be all the relationship between Jacob and Kyra/Sallie is based upon.
Six years earlier, 18-year-old Kyra, stepdaughter of an American diplomat in Sweden (in the prologue) or Switzerland (in the rest of the novel), lost her virginity and spent 3 days having wild sex in bed with Jacob, a virtual stranger, although that period of time is later referred to as one night, and also one weekend. When he left, Jacob told her he’d be back, but he never showed up, and soon after that, heartbroken Kyra, married John, her stepfather’s aide, whom she didn’t love, and with whom she never had sex, and after a year of marriage, John informed her he was having their marriage annulled, which didn’t seem to bother Kyra at all.
After that, Kyra, now known as Sallie, is on the run from some terrorist group based in Switzerland, and has been running and hiding for 2 years when she finds her latest identity and job managing a feed & supply store in a small town, and comes face-to-face with her former lover, Jacob Donovan, who was originally introduced to her as Jacob Rossiter, and who doesn’t appear to recognize her at all. Does she tell him who she is? Does she ask him why he doesn’t remember her? Of course not, because that would make too much sense. Apparently, we’re told, his assignment in Sweden/Switzerland ended with him being caught in a warehouse explosion, and he has no memory of the entire week before the explosion, but what he does have are sexy dreams of a mystery woman, and when he meets Sallie, the mystery woman in his dreams starts to look a lot like Sallie. Does he mention it to her? No, not when he meets her, and not for the next three years.
When Sallie’s few friends ask her to join them at a local bar one night, she finally agrees, and she ends up leaving with Jacob, with whom she barely speaks, and then ends up in bed with him for another wild night, but she’s been in love with him for 6 years, and she’s never had sex with anyone else. She calls it love, and I call it downright ridiculous. Suddenly Jacob becomes very protective of Sallie, and suddenly it seems that whoever was after her managed to track her down, and the attacks begin. She has no idea why or who is after her, and neither did this reader. What should have moved the plot of this romantic suspense novel forward, simply didn’t, because it became an afterthought when these two characters could barely have a conversation without ending up in bed, where Jacob finally recognizes Sallie as Kyra, admitting that he fell in love with her during their weekend of hot sex 6 years earlier. Really? They didn’t even know each other’s real names or anything about each other, but fell in love? To this reader it seemed that what really happened was that they fell in lust. As their renewed relationship leads to more sex scenes, which become rather redundant, Jacob becomes more dominant, but it’s hinted at rather than developed, as is their entire relationship.
When the people Sallie was hiding from find her, and also Jacob, who we learn was former CIA, we finally get some action outside the bedroom, and the suspense finally ratchets up, but it was too little and too late for this reader. Of course, there’s a long explanation of the plot near the end of this confusing and underdeveloped story when it would have benefited the reader to have some clue of what was happening and why long before needing to have it explained near the end of the novel. Additionally, what was desperately needed in this novel was a reason why these two characters mistook sex for love, and a plot that carried the reader along so that we actually understood these characters and their motivations, and some verbal communication between these two that might have given them a reason to love one another outside of the bedroom.
If you find this review confusing, you’re going to find this novel even more confusing. I couldn’t help but wonder about the lack of editing and why there were so many inconsistencies in Strong Silent Cowboy. And, by the way, at no point in this novel was Jacob actually on his ranch doing anything cowboy-related, so even the title was confusing. Lora Leigh is a far better writer than is evidenced in this novel, and if you’re new to her novels, start reading some of her earlier ones, which at least made sense. Sorry, but I can’t recommend this one.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
Wow! This was one hot and steamy read with plenty of drama and mystery to hold it all together.
While I enjoyed Sallie and appreciated her ability to endure the ordeal she’s been through, this book really got me with Jacob. He’s a super alpha hero that’s fiercely protective, extremely possessive and exhibits a streak of jealousy when the situation calls for it. And oh man, things between him and Sallie were explosive. Yeah, you can totally go there. They literally set the pages of this book on fire.
This has several surprises and along with all the steam, it’s actually got a great storyline running through it. The inclusion of a trio of brothers has me hoping we’ll be seeing them in the future as they all carry great potential to be just as amazing as Jacob.
Highly recommended if you like a strong alpha and a lot of heat.
Strong, Silent Cowboy by Lora Leigh & Veronica Chadwick, book two in their Moving Violations series, is a suspenseful second chance romance, filled with magnetic attraction, sizzling chemistry, hidden identities, and international intrigue. Sallie Hamblen and Jacob Donovan, a sexy, undercover CIA agent, fell in love after three incredibly hot nights together in Switzerland. Disappearing afterward, Sallie was broken hearted, hurting and wishing for the man she loved and lost. Years later, Sallie unexpectedly relocates to Jacob’s home town, not understanding why he doesn’t recognize or remember her. For three years, she keeps quiet, not reminding him who she is, and then Jacob takes her home from their small town bar. Spending time together, burning up the sheets, bring dreams Jacob thought he had dreamt, to life. Jacob wanted a simple life, never expecting to want one woman in his bed, every night. When Jacob discovers the truth about Sallie and the danger she is in, he vows to guard, protect, and keep her safe until he can neutralize the enemy.
Ms. Leigh and Ms. Chadwick wrote an enjoyable, sizzling romance that should definitely not be missed. They provided a story with off the chart chemistry, magnetic attraction, a caring community, and charming secondary characters helping Sallie and Jacob finally get their happily ever after. I enjoyed and highly recommend Strong, Silent Cowboy to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.