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Desperate times call for desperate measures...
When Tyler Garahan said he'd do anything to save his family's ranch, he never thought that would include taking a job as a stripper at a local ladies' club. But the club's fiery redheaded bookkeeper captures Tyler's attention, and for her, he'll swallow his pride...
And one good turn deserves another...
Emily Langley feels for the gorgeous cowboy. It's obvious that he's the real deal and wouldn't be caught dead in a ladies' revue if he wasn't in big trouble. And when he looks at her like that, she'll do anything to help...
Working days on the ranch and nights at the ladies' club, Tyler is plumb exhausted. But could it be that his beautiful boss needs him just as much as he needs her...
When Tyler Garahan said he'd do anything to save his family's ranch, he never thought that would include taking a job as a stripper at a local ladies' club. But the club's fiery redheaded bookkeeper captures Tyler's attention, and for her, he'll swallow his pride...
And one good turn deserves another...
Emily Langley feels for the gorgeous cowboy. It's obvious that he's the real deal and wouldn't be caught dead in a ladies' revue if he wasn't in big trouble. And when he looks at her like that, she'll do anything to help...
Working days on the ranch and nights at the ladies' club, Tyler is plumb exhausted. But could it be that his beautiful boss needs him just as much as he needs her...
338 pages, Paperback
First published February 8, 2011
24 people are currently reading
556 people want to read
About the author
C.H. Admirand
76 books619 followersC.H. was born in Aiken, South Carolina, but her parents moved back to northern New Jersey where she grew up. She believes in fate, destiny, and love at first sight. C.H. fell in love at first sight when she was seventeen. She was married for 41 wonderful years until her husband lost his battle with cancer. Soul mates, their hearts will be joined forever. They have three grown children—one son-in-law, two grandsons, two rescue dogs, and two rescue grand-cats.
Her characters rarely follow the synopsis she outlines for them…but C.H. has learned to listen to her characters! Her heroes will always have a few of her husband’s best qualities: his honesty, his integrity, his compassion for those in need, and his killer broad shoulders. C.H. writes about the things she loves most: Family, her Irish and English Ancestry, Baking, and Gardening.
C.H. is currently spending time in Regency England, writing for Dragonblade Publishing. Book four in her new series, The Lords of Vice, is in her editor’s hands. Pre-Order is live for Dragonblade’s 2021 holiday collections. Her novella, A Promise Kept…A Love Unspoken, will be in Star of Wonder: A Historical Romance Collection #1. She’s currently writing Rescued by the Lyon for The Lyon’s Den, releasing in February 2022. Watch for her new series featuring the fabulous O’Malleys from The Lords of Vice Series!
If you love Historical Western Romance, venture back to the Old West with her bestselling Irish Western Series. Perhaps you’d rather read her Medieval Trilogy: Mo Ghra, Mo Chroi, Go Deo (translation: My Love, My Heart, Forever,) set in 11th Century England.
Is Contemporary Romance more to your taste? Stop by the Circle G Ranch in Pleasure, Texas; the Claddagh Ranch in Emerson, Colorado; or Small Town USA ~ Apple Grove, Ohio ~ to see what the descendants from her historical romances are up to. While you’re at the Apple Grove Diner, be sure to try a slice of Peggy McCormack’s Buttermilk Pie…it snagged injured U.S. Marshal Ben Justiss’ attention and his heart in A Second Chance For Justiss!
C.H. loves to hear from readers! Stop by her website https://www.chadmirand.com and click on the icon to your favorite social media platform to see what she’s up to.
This award-winning multi-published author’s books are available in paperback, hardcover, trade paperback, magazine, e-book, large print, and audio book.
Happy Reading!
C.H. Admirand
Her characters rarely follow the synopsis she outlines for them…but C.H. has learned to listen to her characters! Her heroes will always have a few of her husband’s best qualities: his honesty, his integrity, his compassion for those in need, and his killer broad shoulders. C.H. writes about the things she loves most: Family, her Irish and English Ancestry, Baking, and Gardening.
C.H. is currently spending time in Regency England, writing for Dragonblade Publishing. Book four in her new series, The Lords of Vice, is in her editor’s hands. Pre-Order is live for Dragonblade’s 2021 holiday collections. Her novella, A Promise Kept…A Love Unspoken, will be in Star of Wonder: A Historical Romance Collection #1. She’s currently writing Rescued by the Lyon for The Lyon’s Den, releasing in February 2022. Watch for her new series featuring the fabulous O’Malleys from The Lords of Vice Series!
If you love Historical Western Romance, venture back to the Old West with her bestselling Irish Western Series. Perhaps you’d rather read her Medieval Trilogy: Mo Ghra, Mo Chroi, Go Deo (translation: My Love, My Heart, Forever,) set in 11th Century England.
Is Contemporary Romance more to your taste? Stop by the Circle G Ranch in Pleasure, Texas; the Claddagh Ranch in Emerson, Colorado; or Small Town USA ~ Apple Grove, Ohio ~ to see what the descendants from her historical romances are up to. While you’re at the Apple Grove Diner, be sure to try a slice of Peggy McCormack’s Buttermilk Pie…it snagged injured U.S. Marshal Ben Justiss’ attention and his heart in A Second Chance For Justiss!
C.H. loves to hear from readers! Stop by her website https://www.chadmirand.com and click on the icon to your favorite social media platform to see what she’s up to.
This award-winning multi-published author’s books are available in paperback, hardcover, trade paperback, magazine, e-book, large print, and audio book.
Happy Reading!
C.H. Admirand
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
March 9, 2012
The fact that it took me almost two weeks to finish this book is not a good sign. True, I did put it down for a day or two to read Taking a Shot, but still it shouldn't take me that long to finish a book. I don't know what went wrong for me with this one, because there were some positives with this story.
The number one positive was the sweet adorability of the handsome, hard working cowboy hero, Tyler. I love a hero who blushes! He was just flat out wonderful in all respects. The way he took a second job that he abhorred to save his family's ranch, the way he swept the redheaded heroine Emily off her feet, the way he looked after his brothers...yeah, Tyler was the best thing about this book.
I also liked the heroine, club owner Emily, and her relationship with Tyler. I like how they didn't have any big conflicts that kept them apart, no crazy misunderstandings or anything like that. I liked how they talked out any potential problems, and liked how they didn't play games with each other. I believed their quick romance, and felt that they would make it as a couple.
So no, it wasn't the characters that made this story seemed like it was stuck in second gear. I think it was the development of the plot. It never was quite as steamy as the potential (Tyler worked as a stripper in Emily's club, yet I never felt much heat about that). And a lot of the time nothing much exciting happened. When Tyler and Emily were together it was fine, but when they weren't...it wasn't all that interesting to me.
Will I give up on this author? Absolutely not. I have the follow-up to this book, Dylan, and if Dylan's half as adorable as his brother Tyler, and if the plot is a little more fast-paced...maybe it will click for me? 3 1/2 stars
The number one positive was the sweet adorability of the handsome, hard working cowboy hero, Tyler. I love a hero who blushes! He was just flat out wonderful in all respects. The way he took a second job that he abhorred to save his family's ranch, the way he swept the redheaded heroine Emily off her feet, the way he looked after his brothers...yeah, Tyler was the best thing about this book.
I also liked the heroine, club owner Emily, and her relationship with Tyler. I like how they didn't have any big conflicts that kept them apart, no crazy misunderstandings or anything like that. I liked how they talked out any potential problems, and liked how they didn't play games with each other. I believed their quick romance, and felt that they would make it as a couple.
So no, it wasn't the characters that made this story seemed like it was stuck in second gear. I think it was the development of the plot. It never was quite as steamy as the potential (Tyler worked as a stripper in Emily's club, yet I never felt much heat about that). And a lot of the time nothing much exciting happened. When Tyler and Emily were together it was fine, but when they weren't...it wasn't all that interesting to me.
Will I give up on this author? Absolutely not. I have the follow-up to this book, Dylan, and if Dylan's half as adorable as his brother Tyler, and if the plot is a little more fast-paced...maybe it will click for me? 3 1/2 stars
July 1, 2011
I’m a sucker for a good cowboy story. From the old west to present day, cowboys have this innate gentleness and kindness, thanks to their mamas, as well as being alpha to bring a lady to her knees. So when I had the chance to read a new author who’s writing contemporary westerns, I definitely jumped at it. While this is a good story, it does have some issues keeping it from moving up the scale to one of those “Wow!” stories.
What drew me out of this book more often than anything is the repetitiveness when describing certain things. I don’t know how many times Tyler is described in variations of a dark-eyed cowboy, then a dark-haired cowboy, then a tall, dark and handsome cowboy, then a broad-chested cowboy - over and over, each of those, again and again. Tyler and Emily grabbed each other on the backside every chance they got, which is fine in and of itself, but I wanted a different word, like ass or butt - anything else! - every now and again. It’s not until page 289 that glutes show up. Too late. Irritation at being pulled out of the story much too often had taken over by then. Emily’s cream skin, beautiful and bountiful breasts, as well as the chocolate smear between them in the beginning, and a few other descriptive phrases all get their fair share of being seen too much.
Another thing that didn’t quite work for me as an element in the story is the fact that Emily is as hot for Tyler as he is for her, she goes for it and has sex with him fairly quickly after they meet, but after all the sheet burnin’, she draws a line at having oral sex. She wants Tyler to wait, not sure she can do something more intimate so soon. Huh? I’d say they were pretty darned intimate at that point and, for me, refusing to go that next logical step further just doesn’t sit well. I realize it’s a trust issue for Emily, seeing how far Tyler is willing to go, willing to wait and all that. I just feel this isn’t the way to do it. Why not hold off on the whole kit and kaboodle all the way around instead of splitting hairs? Makes more sense to me anyway. There’s other ways to instill trust than using sex to do so.
The dialogue at times is also an issue for me. It’s stilted too much throughout the book, isn’t as fluid as it should be. There’s several times where it reads like an info dump instead of conversation between two people. However, the cowboy-speak is pretty good when it comes to Ty and his brothers. Not as good as, say, Lorelei James, who is a master at the cowboy, but good enough to get the charm and gentlemanliness across to the reader.
Something that does work for me is the concept of doing what you have to do to survive, and this hits Ty hard. But he swallows his pride, for both the job he takes on and the consequences that go with it, and does his best despite the fact he’d rather be anywhere but up on a stage baring a good part of himself for bored and horny women to ogle. Ms Admirand handles this idea very well. Tyler even goes so far as to keep his night job from his brothers, not wanting them to worry and also not wanting them to razz him about it. They’re brothers, they razz every chance they get, and being boldly touched and leered at is enough for Ty for the time being. I also like the brothers element in the book works well, though there are a few times their anger with each other goes a tad too far for me. I do like, however, that they react the opposite way Ty thinks they will when he finally gets the gumption to tell them the truth.
I do like Emily, but she had me on the fence a couple of times. Maybe it’s because I never got a sense why these two are attracted to each other, other than smoldering looks and wanting to run their hands all over the other’s body. Because we get more of Tyler due to his being on stage and he does stand by Emily when things go wrong, I feel more for him than I do Emily. While her no-oral-sex request bothers me, she doesn’t judge Ty when he tells her why he’s doing the stripping and she gets on my good side for that. I like also that she doesn’t cotton to her cousin’s, Jolene, attitude when it comes to the bar; she’s not as hard and unrelenting as Jolene. Saying that, though, I did have fun with Jolene and Jake’s relationship as a side story and wouldn’t mind seeing a book about them after Dylan and Jesse get their turn.
While I may not be that enamored of this first book in this series, I’m still looking forward to Dylan’s book. He and Jesse piqued my interest enough to give them and Ms. Admirand a second chance.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
What drew me out of this book more often than anything is the repetitiveness when describing certain things. I don’t know how many times Tyler is described in variations of a dark-eyed cowboy, then a dark-haired cowboy, then a tall, dark and handsome cowboy, then a broad-chested cowboy - over and over, each of those, again and again. Tyler and Emily grabbed each other on the backside every chance they got, which is fine in and of itself, but I wanted a different word, like ass or butt - anything else! - every now and again. It’s not until page 289 that glutes show up. Too late. Irritation at being pulled out of the story much too often had taken over by then. Emily’s cream skin, beautiful and bountiful breasts, as well as the chocolate smear between them in the beginning, and a few other descriptive phrases all get their fair share of being seen too much.
Another thing that didn’t quite work for me as an element in the story is the fact that Emily is as hot for Tyler as he is for her, she goes for it and has sex with him fairly quickly after they meet, but after all the sheet burnin’, she draws a line at having oral sex. She wants Tyler to wait, not sure she can do something more intimate so soon. Huh? I’d say they were pretty darned intimate at that point and, for me, refusing to go that next logical step further just doesn’t sit well. I realize it’s a trust issue for Emily, seeing how far Tyler is willing to go, willing to wait and all that. I just feel this isn’t the way to do it. Why not hold off on the whole kit and kaboodle all the way around instead of splitting hairs? Makes more sense to me anyway. There’s other ways to instill trust than using sex to do so.
The dialogue at times is also an issue for me. It’s stilted too much throughout the book, isn’t as fluid as it should be. There’s several times where it reads like an info dump instead of conversation between two people. However, the cowboy-speak is pretty good when it comes to Ty and his brothers. Not as good as, say, Lorelei James, who is a master at the cowboy, but good enough to get the charm and gentlemanliness across to the reader.
Something that does work for me is the concept of doing what you have to do to survive, and this hits Ty hard. But he swallows his pride, for both the job he takes on and the consequences that go with it, and does his best despite the fact he’d rather be anywhere but up on a stage baring a good part of himself for bored and horny women to ogle. Ms Admirand handles this idea very well. Tyler even goes so far as to keep his night job from his brothers, not wanting them to worry and also not wanting them to razz him about it. They’re brothers, they razz every chance they get, and being boldly touched and leered at is enough for Ty for the time being. I also like the brothers element in the book works well, though there are a few times their anger with each other goes a tad too far for me. I do like, however, that they react the opposite way Ty thinks they will when he finally gets the gumption to tell them the truth.
I do like Emily, but she had me on the fence a couple of times. Maybe it’s because I never got a sense why these two are attracted to each other, other than smoldering looks and wanting to run their hands all over the other’s body. Because we get more of Tyler due to his being on stage and he does stand by Emily when things go wrong, I feel more for him than I do Emily. While her no-oral-sex request bothers me, she doesn’t judge Ty when he tells her why he’s doing the stripping and she gets on my good side for that. I like also that she doesn’t cotton to her cousin’s, Jolene, attitude when it comes to the bar; she’s not as hard and unrelenting as Jolene. Saying that, though, I did have fun with Jolene and Jake’s relationship as a side story and wouldn’t mind seeing a book about them after Dylan and Jesse get their turn.
While I may not be that enamored of this first book in this series, I’m still looking forward to Dylan’s book. He and Jesse piqued my interest enough to give them and Ms. Admirand a second chance.
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
December 20, 2018
Review copy provided by publisher
DNF at page 66
Why I Read this Book: I hadn’t read a cowboy romance before and I’ve been itching to give one a try. When I saw this book, I thought this would be a good start. And at a quick glance, the guy on the cover reminds me of Josh Harnett ;) Sadly, Tyler was a DNF for me.
What I Liked: The premise was interesting and sounded kind of funny. Tyler seems like a good guy who’s found himself in a tough financial situation. Desperate times call for desperate measures so he finds himself resorting to performing as a male stripper to pay off some debt. This seemingly ‘normal’ guy trying his hand at stripping is something I find hilarious. There’s going to be some awkward moments and I was game for this.
The author writes distinct and descriptive characters. Jolene and Emily, the club owners, are overly aggressive. Then you’ve got Tyler who is very timid and passive. Tyler’s got manners and respect. He’s a good guy and I wanted things to work out for him. When I was reading this book, I could easily visualize it as a movie playing out in my head.
What I Didn’t Like: The beginning part where Tyler is applying for the job is a bit drawn out. The writing is heavily descriptive. At times it felt like I was reading a movie script. Literally. I like descriptive characters but I don’t want my reading experience to feel as though I’m reading a screenplay. It was very descriptive with mundane things.
It’s too much information. I don’t need that much detail in regards to a character’s nightly ritual.
Another thing I had a problem with was Tyler and Emily swooning over each other too soon. I get instant attraction but I like relationships to build up over time. I’m not too fond of love at first sight romances, especially when it comes on too strong. I just wasn’t feeling the instant connection between Tyler and Emily.
Overall Impression: This book was a DNF for me. I got to page 66 of Tyler before realizing this book wasn’t the one for me. The book had a very interesting premise but I couldn’t connect with Tyler’s and Emily’s strong initial attraction. This author’s forte is love at first sight romance novels. So if reading love at first sight romance stories are your cup of fiction, and you enjoy reading cowboy romances, I recommend you give this one a go.
Review originally posted on The Book Vixen.
DNF at page 66
Why I Read this Book: I hadn’t read a cowboy romance before and I’ve been itching to give one a try. When I saw this book, I thought this would be a good start. And at a quick glance, the guy on the cover reminds me of Josh Harnett ;) Sadly, Tyler was a DNF for me.
What I Liked: The premise was interesting and sounded kind of funny. Tyler seems like a good guy who’s found himself in a tough financial situation. Desperate times call for desperate measures so he finds himself resorting to performing as a male stripper to pay off some debt. This seemingly ‘normal’ guy trying his hand at stripping is something I find hilarious. There’s going to be some awkward moments and I was game for this.
The author writes distinct and descriptive characters. Jolene and Emily, the club owners, are overly aggressive. Then you’ve got Tyler who is very timid and passive. Tyler’s got manners and respect. He’s a good guy and I wanted things to work out for him. When I was reading this book, I could easily visualize it as a movie playing out in my head.
What I Didn’t Like: The beginning part where Tyler is applying for the job is a bit drawn out. The writing is heavily descriptive. At times it felt like I was reading a movie script. Literally. I like descriptive characters but I don’t want my reading experience to feel as though I’m reading a screenplay. It was very descriptive with mundane things.
Emily reached for her toothbrush and tube of toothpaste. Squeezing out a thin line along the bristles, she brushed her teeth while wondering if she was jumping the gun where Tyler was concerned. […]
---
She ran her hands under the warm water and splashed her face before reaching for the apricot scrub, squeezing some onto her fingertips. Working the cleanser into her pores, she weighed the pros and cons of beginning a relationship that might only be short-term.
It’s too much information. I don’t need that much detail in regards to a character’s nightly ritual.
Another thing I had a problem with was Tyler and Emily swooning over each other too soon. I get instant attraction but I like relationships to build up over time. I’m not too fond of love at first sight romances, especially when it comes on too strong. I just wasn’t feeling the instant connection between Tyler and Emily.
Overall Impression: This book was a DNF for me. I got to page 66 of Tyler before realizing this book wasn’t the one for me. The book had a very interesting premise but I couldn’t connect with Tyler’s and Emily’s strong initial attraction. This author’s forte is love at first sight romance novels. So if reading love at first sight romance stories are your cup of fiction, and you enjoy reading cowboy romances, I recommend you give this one a go.
Review originally posted on The Book Vixen.
October 9, 2011
I just finished the ARC copy of Dylan and didn't realize it wasn’t the first book - But Tyler’s story is a whole different book :)
I am falling in love with the Cowboy's from Pleasure, Texas! I can't even explain it :)
Tyler and Emily's story starts off with Tyler reading the ad for the Lucky Star interview -
"Hardworking Man wanted. Must have a strong back and even temperament. Apply in person.."
Tyler had to find a job - NOW - the mortgage to the ranch was so far behind, he's worried they're going to take it from them.
So Tyler walks into the bar - lifting kegs and hauling things around will be hard works so hard during the day at the ranch, but they need the money, so he's going t have to lose some sleep until they can catch up a little bit.
Walking into the bar, the first thing he notices are the mirrors down the long hallway, followed by the red velvet benches along the wall - wow! "A guy doesn't want to see himself walk into a bar. He wants to see the bar, check out what's on tap, and maybe if his luck is running high, flirt with his choice of curvaceous sweet things perched on a barstool"
At the end of the hallway, he saw the bar, lined with barstools covered in red velvet "His mother had a favorite lady's chair in her bedroom. A Red Velvet lady's chair" So he knew all about velvet "Shit, I can't see myself working in this place"
But Jolene had a different idea - she DEFINATLY could see him working in her bar - The LUcky Star wasn't a regular bar - it was a bar for ladies to come and enjoy themselves, with a little entertainment up on the stage.
Tyler was a little slow at understanding what/who the entertainment was, but once he got a look at the cute little redheaded thing with a smear of chocolate on her shirt, right between her breasts, he couldn't think of a single reason NOT to take the job, whatever it was they wanted him to do, if it means seeing her again, he'd do it...
Luckily he felt that way. Jolene, the owner of The Lucky star had a few tests to give Tyler. A couple of advance touches and a few easy questions got Tyler's gut in a twist, and once she told him to "take off his shirt" Tyler started to think the job wasn't what he was looking for.
Until Jolene opened her mouth and said "Position pays $30 an hour plus tips" Wow! who would have thought! Lol And Tyler needed that kind of fast money, and he didn't want to say no.
FINALLY Tyler asks the right question "What do I have to do?" A few more tests of screaming girls jumping up on him was all it took to tell Tyler, this was a job that was going to be tougher than hauling Kegs around.
AWESOME stuff being strutted in this book! Loved every second Tyler was uncomfortable on that stage :) To be Jennifer or Natalie and actually teaching him those seductive moves! AHHH !
When Emily sits back and watches this cowboy on his first night, she can see the steam coming out of his ears. She can tell his really not happy to be up there. but she is enjoying the show anyways.
Tyler and Emily have an instant attraction that seems to strike up a spark with every eye contact or touch. It took a lot of effort to control themselves, and even their first attentive kiss - awe - it was so light and slow, and so special, made my heart pound harder just reading about it. That expression "always leave them wanting more" OH yeah! That fit right there :)
Tyler had trouble adjusting to the house of his new job, plus the hours he put in at the Ranch. Working until 3 am, up at 5 am (luckily Dylan and Jesse took over a few of his morning chores so he could get a few hours of sleep in) but it was a struggle. And thoughts of Emily weren't helping either.
Emily is Jolene's cousin, also part owner of the Lucky Star. and there is trouble going on in town. The town council is trying to get them to change the ways of Lucky Star, but Jolene and Emily are strong women and have their own way of doing things. Though Money is tight for them as well, at least now with Tyler as their headline attraction, they're starting to see things a little differently.
The romance in this book is HOT! I love the attraction that Tyler and Emily have. Their attraction is so comfortable, when Emily goes out to the Circle G Ranch and meets Tyler's brother's, she fits right in with their teasing and playing.
But then we meet a few snags on the way - Tyler's ex girlfriend wants him back, there is a shooting at the Lucky star.
Lots of fun reading. I'm in love with these cowboys and their friends. The fun easy teasing. They may be men of a few words, but their hearts and thoughts say a lot :)
Defiantly one to recommend to those looking for a great read :)
I am falling in love with the Cowboy's from Pleasure, Texas! I can't even explain it :)
Tyler and Emily's story starts off with Tyler reading the ad for the Lucky Star interview -
"Hardworking Man wanted. Must have a strong back and even temperament. Apply in person.."
Tyler had to find a job - NOW - the mortgage to the ranch was so far behind, he's worried they're going to take it from them.
So Tyler walks into the bar - lifting kegs and hauling things around will be hard works so hard during the day at the ranch, but they need the money, so he's going t have to lose some sleep until they can catch up a little bit.
Walking into the bar, the first thing he notices are the mirrors down the long hallway, followed by the red velvet benches along the wall - wow! "A guy doesn't want to see himself walk into a bar. He wants to see the bar, check out what's on tap, and maybe if his luck is running high, flirt with his choice of curvaceous sweet things perched on a barstool"
At the end of the hallway, he saw the bar, lined with barstools covered in red velvet "His mother had a favorite lady's chair in her bedroom. A Red Velvet lady's chair" So he knew all about velvet "Shit, I can't see myself working in this place"
But Jolene had a different idea - she DEFINATLY could see him working in her bar - The LUcky Star wasn't a regular bar - it was a bar for ladies to come and enjoy themselves, with a little entertainment up on the stage.
Tyler was a little slow at understanding what/who the entertainment was, but once he got a look at the cute little redheaded thing with a smear of chocolate on her shirt, right between her breasts, he couldn't think of a single reason NOT to take the job, whatever it was they wanted him to do, if it means seeing her again, he'd do it...
Luckily he felt that way. Jolene, the owner of The Lucky star had a few tests to give Tyler. A couple of advance touches and a few easy questions got Tyler's gut in a twist, and once she told him to "take off his shirt" Tyler started to think the job wasn't what he was looking for.
Until Jolene opened her mouth and said "Position pays $30 an hour plus tips" Wow! who would have thought! Lol And Tyler needed that kind of fast money, and he didn't want to say no.
FINALLY Tyler asks the right question "What do I have to do?" A few more tests of screaming girls jumping up on him was all it took to tell Tyler, this was a job that was going to be tougher than hauling Kegs around.
AWESOME stuff being strutted in this book! Loved every second Tyler was uncomfortable on that stage :) To be Jennifer or Natalie and actually teaching him those seductive moves! AHHH !
When Emily sits back and watches this cowboy on his first night, she can see the steam coming out of his ears. She can tell his really not happy to be up there. but she is enjoying the show anyways.
Tyler and Emily have an instant attraction that seems to strike up a spark with every eye contact or touch. It took a lot of effort to control themselves, and even their first attentive kiss - awe - it was so light and slow, and so special, made my heart pound harder just reading about it. That expression "always leave them wanting more" OH yeah! That fit right there :)
Tyler had trouble adjusting to the house of his new job, plus the hours he put in at the Ranch. Working until 3 am, up at 5 am (luckily Dylan and Jesse took over a few of his morning chores so he could get a few hours of sleep in) but it was a struggle. And thoughts of Emily weren't helping either.
Emily is Jolene's cousin, also part owner of the Lucky Star. and there is trouble going on in town. The town council is trying to get them to change the ways of Lucky Star, but Jolene and Emily are strong women and have their own way of doing things. Though Money is tight for them as well, at least now with Tyler as their headline attraction, they're starting to see things a little differently.
The romance in this book is HOT! I love the attraction that Tyler and Emily have. Their attraction is so comfortable, when Emily goes out to the Circle G Ranch and meets Tyler's brother's, she fits right in with their teasing and playing.
But then we meet a few snags on the way - Tyler's ex girlfriend wants him back, there is a shooting at the Lucky star.
Lots of fun reading. I'm in love with these cowboys and their friends. The fun easy teasing. They may be men of a few words, but their hearts and thoughts say a lot :)
Defiantly one to recommend to those looking for a great read :)
February 19, 2017
I discovered author C.H.Admirand through Goodreads First-Reads and read her Apple Grove series. I enjoyed these stories so much I was excited when I saw she had The Secret Life of Cowboys series. So I have read the first book: Tyler. Although this is a series each book in both series can be read as a standalone.
Tyler's story grabbed me right from the start. He is one of the Garahan brothers. They own the Circle G ranch and have come upon hard times. The ranch means everything to Tyler. He lives and breaths it and wouldn't want it any other way. But the bank is breathing down their neck for money as is the grain store. Tyler takes it upon himself to help out and get a second job. He will work with his brothers on the ranch during the day and the other job at night.
He goes for a job at the Lucky Star. When he walked in it was unlike any other bar he had been in. As he was interviewing with the owners, Jolene and Emily, he was a little taken back by some of the questions they asked. He was really confused when they asked him to remove his shirt. He was astounded at their response when he did so. They said he would do nicely and the job was his if he wanted it. Thirty dollars and hour plus tips. Then the bombshell......he would be a male stripper. Believe me he really had to think about this but he knew how bad they needed the money. He decided to accept the job and keep it secret. He certainly did not want his brothers to know what he was doing. They would tease and taunt him mercilessly.
I think I have given you enough to peak your interest. This is a story full of love and laughs and a little heat that will keep you turning the pages. If you haven't read anything by C.H.Admirand, 'Tyler' is a great place to start.
Tyler's story grabbed me right from the start. He is one of the Garahan brothers. They own the Circle G ranch and have come upon hard times. The ranch means everything to Tyler. He lives and breaths it and wouldn't want it any other way. But the bank is breathing down their neck for money as is the grain store. Tyler takes it upon himself to help out and get a second job. He will work with his brothers on the ranch during the day and the other job at night.
He goes for a job at the Lucky Star. When he walked in it was unlike any other bar he had been in. As he was interviewing with the owners, Jolene and Emily, he was a little taken back by some of the questions they asked. He was really confused when they asked him to remove his shirt. He was astounded at their response when he did so. They said he would do nicely and the job was his if he wanted it. Thirty dollars and hour plus tips. Then the bombshell......he would be a male stripper. Believe me he really had to think about this but he knew how bad they needed the money. He decided to accept the job and keep it secret. He certainly did not want his brothers to know what he was doing. They would tease and taunt him mercilessly.
I think I have given you enough to peak your interest. This is a story full of love and laughs and a little heat that will keep you turning the pages. If you haven't read anything by C.H.Admirand, 'Tyler' is a great place to start.
April 13, 2011
A new series about cowboys - real cowboys, not guys who wear flashy cowboy boots but wouldn't know a steer from a milking cow. Unfortunately for cowboy Tyler Garahan, he has to find work off the ranch so he and his brothers don't loose their ranch. Much of the action takes place at The Lucky Star, where Tyler must shed his clothes along with some of his pride.
Tyler is the eldest of three brothers who inherited the family ranch and run it together. As the eldest, Tyler felt it was up to him to find work to get the ranch out of the red. As it is they are barely hanging on but the money Tyler makes from stripper will go a long way in paying off the bills. He's embarrassed and doesn't tell his brothers what he really does at his night job. It's cute because he knows they will tease him to no end. Tyler is not a complicated man. He's a rancher and that's all he's ever wanted to do. I liked how he stayed steady throughout the book. He didn't suddenly become this smooth talking ladies man because of all the attention from the women he stripped for. He was still uncomfortable with his new job and happy to get off that stage when the show was over.
Emily Langley and her cousin Jolene are as close as sisters. They've come to Pleasure, Texas to run a strip club for women. Things haven't been easy for the cousins and some of the townsfolk are trying to make the women to get rid of the strippers. Em and Jolene are not about to give up. Jolene is the manager and Em is the bookkeeper plus doing anything else that needs doing. Em is a strong, independent woman who isn't afraid to go after what she wants. I was a little surprised that she was so possessive so quickly with Tyler. It was a bit over the top with how she reacted to the women wanting the hot cowboy stripping for them. I don't know what else she could have expected - Tyler was hot, all the women thought so.
Lust at first sight. That's what happens when Tyler and Em first meet. They couldn't keep their eyes off each other. It doesn't take long for them to act on that lust and for that lust to turn to something more. They fell so fast that at first it came across as unbelievable because neither seemed the one-night-stand/casual sex type. When they were out of bed the author does show Em and Tyler getting to know each other, developing more than just a physical relationship. It just felt like it was backwards with them knowing very little about each other before jumping into bed. In bed, things get hot very quickly with both Em and Tyler showing a great deal of enthusiasms for making the time they have together count!
There are outside forces at work against Em and Tyler and the club. Tyler's ex makes an appearance and stirs up trouble. It was surprising the number of barroom brawls that occurred, both with the men and women! Those Texas women do not like sharing their men! The problems with the Preservation Society also continue with attempts at shutting down any business they don't approve of, including The Lucky Star. Em and Jolene didn't take the threats very seriously, I didn't understand how they could be almost casual about threats to their business. They had sunk all of their money into the club and were barely getting by. They do band together with other business women in the town, agreeing not to back down from the threats to their livelihoods.
Tyler turned out to be a playful, sexy story about modern day cowboys and the women who are strong enough and stubborn enough to tame them. Tyler's brothers Dylan and Jesse both look like they will be heroes in upcoming releases. I didn't get much of a feel for either brother enough to know what to expect from them. It should be entertaining to see what kind of trouble they get into.
Tyler is the eldest of three brothers who inherited the family ranch and run it together. As the eldest, Tyler felt it was up to him to find work to get the ranch out of the red. As it is they are barely hanging on but the money Tyler makes from stripper will go a long way in paying off the bills. He's embarrassed and doesn't tell his brothers what he really does at his night job. It's cute because he knows they will tease him to no end. Tyler is not a complicated man. He's a rancher and that's all he's ever wanted to do. I liked how he stayed steady throughout the book. He didn't suddenly become this smooth talking ladies man because of all the attention from the women he stripped for. He was still uncomfortable with his new job and happy to get off that stage when the show was over.
Emily Langley and her cousin Jolene are as close as sisters. They've come to Pleasure, Texas to run a strip club for women. Things haven't been easy for the cousins and some of the townsfolk are trying to make the women to get rid of the strippers. Em and Jolene are not about to give up. Jolene is the manager and Em is the bookkeeper plus doing anything else that needs doing. Em is a strong, independent woman who isn't afraid to go after what she wants. I was a little surprised that she was so possessive so quickly with Tyler. It was a bit over the top with how she reacted to the women wanting the hot cowboy stripping for them. I don't know what else she could have expected - Tyler was hot, all the women thought so.
Lust at first sight. That's what happens when Tyler and Em first meet. They couldn't keep their eyes off each other. It doesn't take long for them to act on that lust and for that lust to turn to something more. They fell so fast that at first it came across as unbelievable because neither seemed the one-night-stand/casual sex type. When they were out of bed the author does show Em and Tyler getting to know each other, developing more than just a physical relationship. It just felt like it was backwards with them knowing very little about each other before jumping into bed. In bed, things get hot very quickly with both Em and Tyler showing a great deal of enthusiasms for making the time they have together count!
There are outside forces at work against Em and Tyler and the club. Tyler's ex makes an appearance and stirs up trouble. It was surprising the number of barroom brawls that occurred, both with the men and women! Those Texas women do not like sharing their men! The problems with the Preservation Society also continue with attempts at shutting down any business they don't approve of, including The Lucky Star. Em and Jolene didn't take the threats very seriously, I didn't understand how they could be almost casual about threats to their business. They had sunk all of their money into the club and were barely getting by. They do band together with other business women in the town, agreeing not to back down from the threats to their livelihoods.
Tyler turned out to be a playful, sexy story about modern day cowboys and the women who are strong enough and stubborn enough to tame them. Tyler's brothers Dylan and Jesse both look like they will be heroes in upcoming releases. I didn't get much of a feel for either brother enough to know what to expect from them. It should be entertaining to see what kind of trouble they get into.
February 28, 2011
Western romance novels can be a hard thing at times for me to read. Sometimes authors go over the top in the country western talk and make it cliched. Authors have to walk a fine line with this subject in my opinion.
When I started reading this book, I was having a hard time getting into it. Yes there is the typical cowboy talk and such, but I also had a hard time getting into the characters. At first, they just didn't spark my interest. It starts out with Tyler looking for a job at a night club. He needs the extra money in hopes of saving the family ranch. For the pay that he will make doing it, Tyler takes a job at being a male stripper. Emily is part owner of the night club. Of course Tyler and Emily fall for each other because it wouldn't be a romance novel without it.
The book was okay and the writing was the same, but I just couldn't bring myself to really care what happened with either one of them. To me it was missing some sparks. Tyler was sexy, strong and what you expect in a cowboy. He stands up for Emily when the town tries to shut down her club. Instant hero for the heroine.
If you are a fan of western romance, you might enjoy this book more than I did. I can't see myself re reading this book in the future, but maybe it is just because I have found myself not to be a fan of the whole western scene. If you like your rugged cowboys and women who fall in love with it, then give this book a go! You might find yourself falling for the hot cowboy!
When I started reading this book, I was having a hard time getting into it. Yes there is the typical cowboy talk and such, but I also had a hard time getting into the characters. At first, they just didn't spark my interest. It starts out with Tyler looking for a job at a night club. He needs the extra money in hopes of saving the family ranch. For the pay that he will make doing it, Tyler takes a job at being a male stripper. Emily is part owner of the night club. Of course Tyler and Emily fall for each other because it wouldn't be a romance novel without it.
The book was okay and the writing was the same, but I just couldn't bring myself to really care what happened with either one of them. To me it was missing some sparks. Tyler was sexy, strong and what you expect in a cowboy. He stands up for Emily when the town tries to shut down her club. Instant hero for the heroine.
If you are a fan of western romance, you might enjoy this book more than I did. I can't see myself re reading this book in the future, but maybe it is just because I have found myself not to be a fan of the whole western scene. If you like your rugged cowboys and women who fall in love with it, then give this book a go! You might find yourself falling for the hot cowboy!
March 7, 2011
Tyler Garahan is in desperate need of money and fast. If he does not raise enough money soon, than he and his brothers will lose the Circle G ranch. When Tyler sees an ad in the newspaper “Wanted, Hardworking Man, Must have a strong back.” Tyler knows he is the right man for the job.
Right from the first moment, Emily Langley meets Tyler; she can tell that he is too nice for the job. The job…a male stripper. Emily feels for Tyler and does hire him but though Tyler may seem nice, she has her guard up around him. Can Tyler save the family ranch and show Emily that he will never break her heart?
Tyler: The Secret Life of Cowboys is the first book in a brand new series from author, C.H. Admirand. I have read a few of Mrs. Admirand’s books from her Irish Western series and enjoyed every book that I have read of her’s. This latest series is no exception. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for cowboys. I usually can not resist checking out a cowboy story, especially one that has a good looking cowboy on the front cover.
Tyler is 100%, genuine cowboy and all man. Plus, Tyler has manners. Instantly, I fell for Tyler. Emily started out a little boring and on the timid side but as the story progressed, she really blossomed. I believed the romance between Tyler and Emily. I like that Tyler took things slowly with Emily, knowing her past. I can not wait to rope myself up the next book, Dylan.
Right from the first moment, Emily Langley meets Tyler; she can tell that he is too nice for the job. The job…a male stripper. Emily feels for Tyler and does hire him but though Tyler may seem nice, she has her guard up around him. Can Tyler save the family ranch and show Emily that he will never break her heart?
Tyler: The Secret Life of Cowboys is the first book in a brand new series from author, C.H. Admirand. I have read a few of Mrs. Admirand’s books from her Irish Western series and enjoyed every book that I have read of her’s. This latest series is no exception. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for cowboys. I usually can not resist checking out a cowboy story, especially one that has a good looking cowboy on the front cover.
Tyler is 100%, genuine cowboy and all man. Plus, Tyler has manners. Instantly, I fell for Tyler. Emily started out a little boring and on the timid side but as the story progressed, she really blossomed. I believed the romance between Tyler and Emily. I like that Tyler took things slowly with Emily, knowing her past. I can not wait to rope myself up the next book, Dylan.
June 29, 2012
Daniella's review posted on Guilty Pleasures
Hmmm….the three Garahan Boys of Pleasure, Texas - always gentlemen…willing to help out women in distress…..gotta love it!
Tyler is a surefire winner from CH Admirand. Gotta love those Garahan boys!!!! When they agree to do something and shake on it, they do not go back on their word even if the "something" is not exactly what they presumed it to be. After applying for a second job, to help keep the Garahan Ranch from foreclosure, Tyler falls for Emily Langley, the co-owner of The Lucky Star, the new Ladies Club in town. He will do anything to be near that redhead, even if it's learning to dance to be the main attraction/stripper for the club and trying to keep the second job a secret from his brothers.
All that was going through my mind while reading this was a take-off (pun intended) of Luke Bryan's song "Country Girl (Shake it)" and I was humming "Country Boy, shake it for me" with a big smile while enjoying how their budding relationship played out.
After jumping in and becoming "one of the guys", Tyler goes after exactly who he wants. No matter what Emily just has to realize that she wants him, he wants her and…there ya have it - you would think it would be that simple, but nothing is ever simple with stubborn mule-headed people!
Hmmm….the three Garahan Boys of Pleasure, Texas - always gentlemen…willing to help out women in distress…..gotta love it!
Tyler is a surefire winner from CH Admirand. Gotta love those Garahan boys!!!! When they agree to do something and shake on it, they do not go back on their word even if the "something" is not exactly what they presumed it to be. After applying for a second job, to help keep the Garahan Ranch from foreclosure, Tyler falls for Emily Langley, the co-owner of The Lucky Star, the new Ladies Club in town. He will do anything to be near that redhead, even if it's learning to dance to be the main attraction/stripper for the club and trying to keep the second job a secret from his brothers.
All that was going through my mind while reading this was a take-off (pun intended) of Luke Bryan's song "Country Girl (Shake it)" and I was humming "Country Boy, shake it for me" with a big smile while enjoying how their budding relationship played out.
After jumping in and becoming "one of the guys", Tyler goes after exactly who he wants. No matter what Emily just has to realize that she wants him, he wants her and…there ya have it - you would think it would be that simple, but nothing is ever simple with stubborn mule-headed people!
March 4, 2011
Tyler needs cash and he needs it fast. So he answers an ad in the local newspaper for a job at a nightclub, The Lucky Star, he’s expecting to be carrying kegs or even being a bouncer. What he didn’t expect was to be the entertainment at a ladies club.
Emily is part owner of the Lucky Star and is instantly enamored with Tyler when he comes in for an interview. And the feeling is mutual.
The two of them go at it pretty hot and heavy in the beginning, but they cool off a bit after their initial encounter. They are a little unsure of the other, because they don’t truly know each other even though they have been to bed together.
The side story of Emily’s cousin Jolene and Jake, I really enjoyed. Although their relationship wasn’t prominently featured, the bits we were exposed to was still sweet and entertaining to watch.
Admirand does offer some mystery in the fact there were a few townspeople against the opening of the strip club, and were going to great lengths to close it down. Overall Tyler offers a nice start for this trilogy.
Emily is part owner of the Lucky Star and is instantly enamored with Tyler when he comes in for an interview. And the feeling is mutual.
The two of them go at it pretty hot and heavy in the beginning, but they cool off a bit after their initial encounter. They are a little unsure of the other, because they don’t truly know each other even though they have been to bed together.
The side story of Emily’s cousin Jolene and Jake, I really enjoyed. Although their relationship wasn’t prominently featured, the bits we were exposed to was still sweet and entertaining to watch.
Admirand does offer some mystery in the fact there were a few townspeople against the opening of the strip club, and were going to great lengths to close it down. Overall Tyler offers a nice start for this trilogy.
Read
August 5, 2012I'm DNFing Tyler for now. I just... can't read it anymore. I'm not connecting to this book and it's getting harder and harder to go on.
While I like the premise of Tyler doing what he can to save his family ranch, his relationship with Emily is a big ? for me. At first I thought he and Jolene would be the main couple, and then Emily showed up. She didn't do anything for me. I found her boring and flat. There's a lot of main points that I can't help but see as cliches.
I read half of this book and stopped when I didn't notice they were having sex! I think is enough of a book when I don't care to pay attention to when slot A is going into slot B.
While I like the premise of Tyler doing what he can to save his family ranch, his relationship with Emily is a big ? for me. At first I thought he and Jolene would be the main couple, and then Emily showed up. She didn't do anything for me. I found her boring and flat. There's a lot of main points that I can't help but see as cliches.
I read half of this book and stopped when I didn't notice they were having sex! I think is enough of a book when I don't care to pay attention to when slot A is going into slot B.
Read
June 28, 2011DNF 40 pages in. Too cheesy for me to continue even with a hot blushing cowboy hero.
January 7, 2024
I tried so hard to get into this book. The premise sounded so interesting. The execution was terrible. Bland. Boring. Uninspiring. I was so bored through most of the book. I'm not even sure why I didn't DNF it. I should have, but I trudged through for some unknown reason. I guess I thought maybe it could get better because there was a trilogy, and I wanted to see what the other brothers were like. I cannot put myself through another one of these books, though. That's enough for me.
September 13, 2025
This is a new to me author. I liked the story. I liked the characters and the side characters. But the writing was choppy and didn't flow well. One paragraph she is standing with the group she looks over her shoulder and the next second she is walking over to the group? Does she magically teleport? Lot's spicy scenes but the spice is bland. I skimmed over most of it. I'm going to finish the trilogy. Hoping the others are better.
August 5, 2021
This book is so bad. It was an absolute struggle to make it as far as I did and I still quit on page 12. I loved the book description and would still like to read this story but only if someone else wrote it. Do not recommend at all.
September 4, 2020
I loved this book. I couldn’t put it down it was great. And I couldn’t wait to read the other two. The three brothers was what every country girl wants.
June 12, 2012
Despite being a born and bred Easterner, I’ll happily admit to enjoying a good Western romance. The small town atmosphere that usually accompanies these books is always a pleasure and a real cowboy, one with a sense of honor and a direct approach to getting his woman, fits my romantic ideal to a “T”. That’s T for Texas, folks, that hot and steamy home of cowboys who can knock your boots off if they kiss you right.
They are like Scotsman but with boots instead of kilts.
I actually read the third book of the series first as a NetGalley review and was so utterly charmed by it that I had to read the first two. I’m so glad I did! The Garahan family is comprised of a hardworking trio of cowboys who are desperate to save the ranch that has been in their family for generations in the middle of Pleasure, Texas. The Circle-G with its feed bill and mortgage payment needs money like a steer needs fresh pasture and the Garahan brothers – Tyler, Dylan and Jesse – can barely make ends meet working dawn until way after dusk.
In the first book, Tyler, when the oldest Garahan brother sees a job listing at the new bar that’s opened up in town, he figures he can make some extra money lugging kegs. He’s startled when the lush figured, no-nonsense redheaded owner, Jolene Langley, asks him to strip. He didn’t realize that this was a strip club and that a real live sexy cowboy is great for business. He begins to think the money isn’t worth it until the second sexy redhead walks out to join to her cousin.
Emily Langley might be covered in chocolate after losing a battle with her mixer and some brownie batter, but all Tyler can think is that he wants to lick it off her considerable chest. Those whiskey-colored eyes hold a sweetness that make this bookkeeper warm something deep inside him that none of his ex-girlfriends have touched before. When he realizes that someone is out to stop the Lucky Strike club from succeeding, all his protective instincts are aroused (a long with some other parts of him).
Emily and Jolene are hilarious spitfires who give feisty a capital “F” and the crew at the Lucky Strike are a nice mix of minor characters. The heat between Tyler and Emily is off the charts, with both their scarred hearts taking a chance on one another. The snootypants prisses from the town (who want to change the town’s name from Pleasure to Emerson since it’s less risque) provide a good foil and there is a ton of small town atmosphere, always a hit with romance lovers. We get a good sense of taciturn Dylan and talkative Jesse, and the fact that all three brothers have regular fistfights to blow off steam is an adorable indication of the machismo factor at the ranch.
They are like Scotsman but with boots instead of kilts.
I actually read the third book of the series first as a NetGalley review and was so utterly charmed by it that I had to read the first two. I’m so glad I did! The Garahan family is comprised of a hardworking trio of cowboys who are desperate to save the ranch that has been in their family for generations in the middle of Pleasure, Texas. The Circle-G with its feed bill and mortgage payment needs money like a steer needs fresh pasture and the Garahan brothers – Tyler, Dylan and Jesse – can barely make ends meet working dawn until way after dusk.
In the first book, Tyler, when the oldest Garahan brother sees a job listing at the new bar that’s opened up in town, he figures he can make some extra money lugging kegs. He’s startled when the lush figured, no-nonsense redheaded owner, Jolene Langley, asks him to strip. He didn’t realize that this was a strip club and that a real live sexy cowboy is great for business. He begins to think the money isn’t worth it until the second sexy redhead walks out to join to her cousin.
Emily Langley might be covered in chocolate after losing a battle with her mixer and some brownie batter, but all Tyler can think is that he wants to lick it off her considerable chest. Those whiskey-colored eyes hold a sweetness that make this bookkeeper warm something deep inside him that none of his ex-girlfriends have touched before. When he realizes that someone is out to stop the Lucky Strike club from succeeding, all his protective instincts are aroused (a long with some other parts of him).
Emily and Jolene are hilarious spitfires who give feisty a capital “F” and the crew at the Lucky Strike are a nice mix of minor characters. The heat between Tyler and Emily is off the charts, with both their scarred hearts taking a chance on one another. The snootypants prisses from the town (who want to change the town’s name from Pleasure to Emerson since it’s less risque) provide a good foil and there is a ton of small town atmosphere, always a hit with romance lovers. We get a good sense of taciturn Dylan and talkative Jesse, and the fact that all three brothers have regular fistfights to blow off steam is an adorable indication of the machismo factor at the ranch.
March 27, 2011
Reviewed for www.bookchickcity.com
I wholeheartedly admit to having a bit of a soft spot for cowboys. Never having been to the West, it's easy for me to romanticise about life on a wild ranch, with a hunky, brave and honourable cowboy at my every beck and call ;-)
This book very much has a light-hearted tone and lots of humour. Tyler is desperately trying to make ends meet. But, he's behind on the mortgage and with large outstanding bills he needs to find an extra job or he and his brothers may end up losing the ranch that has been in their family for years.
Rolling up to The Lucky Star bar, he has no idea what he's letting himself in for, but he knows the money is good. Cue the moment of horror when he realises he's not only going to have to strip to earn his money, but dance too.
The bar is jointly owned by book keeper Emily and her super feisty cousin Jolene, and is staffed by a bunch of independent women with a determination to prove their business acumen. Unfortunately there are certain members of the town who are less than pleased with having a strip club open up in it. This throws some vandalism and an interesting mystery into the story, and who better than hunky cowboy Tyler to help them get to the bottom of it?
The chemistry between Emily and Tyler oscillates between sweet and crackling. There is also a really nice sub story between Emily's cousin Jolene and love interest Jake, which I actually would have liked to have seen more of.
I enjoyed the relationship that Tyler shared with his brothers, Tyler is one of these fabulous honourable men that will always do the right thing for the people he cares about.
One element I did struggle with is the dismissive approach to Tyler having to strip to earn himself extra cash. If Tyler had been a woman, I feel the book would have been filled with outrage rather than humour. Yes ,it was funny and it did make the book entertaining, but at same time it did make me feel a little uncomfortable. Tyler hated stripping and dancing for entertainment and was often treated like a piece of meat. It felt that this was ok, because we was tough and brawn and should be able to 'man up' and take it.
VERDICT:
My annoyance with the way Tyler is treated aside, this is a fun and lighthearted romance. Great if you fancy a happy ending and a bit of escapism, as well as filling your imagination with visions of hunky cowboys!
I wholeheartedly admit to having a bit of a soft spot for cowboys. Never having been to the West, it's easy for me to romanticise about life on a wild ranch, with a hunky, brave and honourable cowboy at my every beck and call ;-)
This book very much has a light-hearted tone and lots of humour. Tyler is desperately trying to make ends meet. But, he's behind on the mortgage and with large outstanding bills he needs to find an extra job or he and his brothers may end up losing the ranch that has been in their family for years.
Rolling up to The Lucky Star bar, he has no idea what he's letting himself in for, but he knows the money is good. Cue the moment of horror when he realises he's not only going to have to strip to earn his money, but dance too.
The bar is jointly owned by book keeper Emily and her super feisty cousin Jolene, and is staffed by a bunch of independent women with a determination to prove their business acumen. Unfortunately there are certain members of the town who are less than pleased with having a strip club open up in it. This throws some vandalism and an interesting mystery into the story, and who better than hunky cowboy Tyler to help them get to the bottom of it?
The chemistry between Emily and Tyler oscillates between sweet and crackling. There is also a really nice sub story between Emily's cousin Jolene and love interest Jake, which I actually would have liked to have seen more of.
I enjoyed the relationship that Tyler shared with his brothers, Tyler is one of these fabulous honourable men that will always do the right thing for the people he cares about.
One element I did struggle with is the dismissive approach to Tyler having to strip to earn himself extra cash. If Tyler had been a woman, I feel the book would have been filled with outrage rather than humour. Yes ,it was funny and it did make the book entertaining, but at same time it did make me feel a little uncomfortable. Tyler hated stripping and dancing for entertainment and was often treated like a piece of meat. It felt that this was ok, because we was tough and brawn and should be able to 'man up' and take it.
VERDICT:
My annoyance with the way Tyler is treated aside, this is a fun and lighthearted romance. Great if you fancy a happy ending and a bit of escapism, as well as filling your imagination with visions of hunky cowboys!
March 15, 2011
Tyler is the first book in The Secret Life of Cowboys series. I've recently discovered cowboy romance and was looking forward to reading Tyler:
Tyler Garahan owns a ranch with his two brothers, Dylan and Jesse. Their mortgage is behind and they need to come up with money, quickly, or they'll lose the ranch. As the book opens, Tyler is answering a newspaper add for a hardworking man with a strong back. He thinks he's applying for a job stocking bar supplies, so he's surprised when the owner asks him to take off his shirt. Once he realizes he's applying to be a male stripper, he begins to back away...until they tell him how much money he'll be earning.
Emily Langley and her cousin, Jolene, run The Lucky Star ladies' club. These ladies are red-headed and tough (and we are constantly reminded of both these facts throughout the book). They are fighting to keep the club running - the local preservation society doesn't want a ladies' club, they want an old-time saloon.
It's instant attraction between Tyler and Emily, and when they get together the sexual sparks fly.
My thoughts: I had a difficult time getting into Tyler (<---that sounds dirtier than it is). The characters were so angry and snippy that it was hard for me to have any empathy for them, and I need that to enjoy a story. We really didn't get much background for either Tyler or Emily, and they jumped into the sexy stuff pretty quickly. Honestly, I skimmed a lot of the sexy bits - I would have preferred less sex and more character development. The plot complications of trust, Tyler's ex-girlfriend, and the Preservation Society made the story more interesting, but in the end couldn't hold my interest. Tyler was full of folksy cowboy phrases and sexy scenes between the hero/heroine, but in the end it wasn't enough to pull off the lackluster characters and slow story.
Tyler Garahan owns a ranch with his two brothers, Dylan and Jesse. Their mortgage is behind and they need to come up with money, quickly, or they'll lose the ranch. As the book opens, Tyler is answering a newspaper add for a hardworking man with a strong back. He thinks he's applying for a job stocking bar supplies, so he's surprised when the owner asks him to take off his shirt. Once he realizes he's applying to be a male stripper, he begins to back away...until they tell him how much money he'll be earning.
Emily Langley and her cousin, Jolene, run The Lucky Star ladies' club. These ladies are red-headed and tough (and we are constantly reminded of both these facts throughout the book). They are fighting to keep the club running - the local preservation society doesn't want a ladies' club, they want an old-time saloon.
It's instant attraction between Tyler and Emily, and when they get together the sexual sparks fly.
My thoughts: I had a difficult time getting into Tyler (<---that sounds dirtier than it is). The characters were so angry and snippy that it was hard for me to have any empathy for them, and I need that to enjoy a story. We really didn't get much background for either Tyler or Emily, and they jumped into the sexy stuff pretty quickly. Honestly, I skimmed a lot of the sexy bits - I would have preferred less sex and more character development. The plot complications of trust, Tyler's ex-girlfriend, and the Preservation Society made the story more interesting, but in the end couldn't hold my interest. Tyler was full of folksy cowboy phrases and sexy scenes between the hero/heroine, but in the end it wasn't enough to pull off the lackluster characters and slow story.
August 26, 2016
This book started off real slow for me and took me a bit to get into, but once I finally got into the story I enjoyed it. Tyler and Emily were great together. They both were a bit afraid of starting a relationship and had some trust issues, but I liked the fact that they both were not afraid to speak what they were feeling and cleared up any issues rather quickly. Emily was fierce – one of my favorite scenes was when she decided to stake her claim and ended up socking Tyler’s ex-girlfriend in the nose! I also loved when she and Jolene decided to get cozy with some Jose Cuervo which led to some scenes right out of Coyote Ugly minus some clothes! Too funny!
The mystery surrounding the Preservation Society and vandalism around town gave the story some extra depth. The secondary characters were great. I loved Jolene and Jake, Natalie and Jennifer were great, and I really enjoyed Gwen – I hope we get to learn more about her in the next books! Tyler’s brothers, Dylan and Jesse, were just as hunky as Tyler, and I loved how they were there for their brother, especially at the end – and I can’t wait to read Dylan’s book next to find out what happens!
I did feel like the book dragged a bit at times, I’m not sure if it had something to do with the dialogue and the repetitive nature of some of the scenes which at times seemed like filler and didn’t really add a lot of value to the story, but the book was a slow read for me. I’m looking forward to the next book and hope the pace picks up a bit – these brothers have me intrigued!
The mystery surrounding the Preservation Society and vandalism around town gave the story some extra depth. The secondary characters were great. I loved Jolene and Jake, Natalie and Jennifer were great, and I really enjoyed Gwen – I hope we get to learn more about her in the next books! Tyler’s brothers, Dylan and Jesse, were just as hunky as Tyler, and I loved how they were there for their brother, especially at the end – and I can’t wait to read Dylan’s book next to find out what happens!
I did feel like the book dragged a bit at times, I’m not sure if it had something to do with the dialogue and the repetitive nature of some of the scenes which at times seemed like filler and didn’t really add a lot of value to the story, but the book was a slow read for me. I’m looking forward to the next book and hope the pace picks up a bit – these brothers have me intrigued!
March 15, 2011
Tyler Garahan is having a tough time making ends meet at the ranch left to him and his brothers by their grandfather. He looks for a night job and answers an ad for a man wanted with a strong back. He discovers that the job is to work as a stripper at a local ladies’ club in Pleasure, Texas. He reluctantly takes on the job and falls in love with one of the fiery red head owners, Emily Langley. With a conniving ex-girlfriend trying to ruin their new relationship, and a puritan city board trying to shut down the club, will Tyler and Emily be able to find true happiness?
Tyler does follow several clichés as part of the plot line, such as the poor out of luck person trying to make an honest living by taking it all off or “oh no – Emily has run out of her room and only has a sexy negligee on!” I thought it was all in good fun and liked the interesting twist of having it be a man instead of a woman who has to strip for living. I also thought it was interesting how he was treated like a “piece of meat” in the beginning by the ladies. It was really sexist and actually pretty thought provoking on how men and women are treated are treated as objects of lust rather than as real people.
Overall Tyler is everything I look for in a romance novel - great lead characters, a fun plot, and lots of steamy romance scenes. I read romance novels to get away from the stress of life and this was a perfect escapism read.
Tyler does follow several clichés as part of the plot line, such as the poor out of luck person trying to make an honest living by taking it all off or “oh no – Emily has run out of her room and only has a sexy negligee on!” I thought it was all in good fun and liked the interesting twist of having it be a man instead of a woman who has to strip for living. I also thought it was interesting how he was treated like a “piece of meat” in the beginning by the ladies. It was really sexist and actually pretty thought provoking on how men and women are treated are treated as objects of lust rather than as real people.
Overall Tyler is everything I look for in a romance novel - great lead characters, a fun plot, and lots of steamy romance scenes. I read romance novels to get away from the stress of life and this was a perfect escapism read.
March 22, 2011
Don’t look. Don’t feel. Just dance. It’s what needs to be done to save the ranch.
When I read the blurb for Tyler, I was smitten. The guy seems to have a heart of gold and he’s willing to put it on the line as well as lose his clothes to save his home. Gotta be a winner? Right? It is.
C.H. Admirand writes with such a fluid style, I couldn’t help but be sucked into this book from page one. I felt like I was right there, suffering Tyler’s joys, sadness, and fears. The cast of characters, both primary and secondary made me laugh and want to know all the stories.
Tyler is a genuinely nice guy who has a ranch. He needs to save said ranch. Solution? Strip. Now, I cocked my head when I read that in the blurb. I mean, that’s how he’s going to fix things? Let me tell you, it was hot. I wish the farm hands around here had the urge to dance like Tyler. They’d be billionaires.
Although there are a few hiccups and moments I wasn’t sure things would work out, this is a great book. Sure, there are moments it verges on predictable, but C.H. Admirand keeps things fresh. Emily gives Tyler a run for his money and she’s a riot to boot. The secondary characters, from the pesky ex to the committee to clean up Pleasure had me in stitches.
If you want a book that’s guaranteed to sizzle in your hands, then you need to read Tyler. I give it four enthusiastic books.
Originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
When I read the blurb for Tyler, I was smitten. The guy seems to have a heart of gold and he’s willing to put it on the line as well as lose his clothes to save his home. Gotta be a winner? Right? It is.
C.H. Admirand writes with such a fluid style, I couldn’t help but be sucked into this book from page one. I felt like I was right there, suffering Tyler’s joys, sadness, and fears. The cast of characters, both primary and secondary made me laugh and want to know all the stories.
Tyler is a genuinely nice guy who has a ranch. He needs to save said ranch. Solution? Strip. Now, I cocked my head when I read that in the blurb. I mean, that’s how he’s going to fix things? Let me tell you, it was hot. I wish the farm hands around here had the urge to dance like Tyler. They’d be billionaires.
Although there are a few hiccups and moments I wasn’t sure things would work out, this is a great book. Sure, there are moments it verges on predictable, but C.H. Admirand keeps things fresh. Emily gives Tyler a run for his money and she’s a riot to boot. The secondary characters, from the pesky ex to the committee to clean up Pleasure had me in stitches.
If you want a book that’s guaranteed to sizzle in your hands, then you need to read Tyler. I give it four enthusiastic books.
Originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
August 19, 2012
I wish I could give 3 1/2 stars. I actually really liked this book, and fully intend to read Dylan when the second book comes out. There was a cast of thousands, which I love, and I loved the concept of Pleasure, Texas. Two things made it a not four star book for me, and they're both totally personal. There's a tendency toward too many dialogue tags, and to me they're the really distracting kind. Everyone is rasping and gasping, and I can't help but find it a little overblown when combined with the italicized thoughts and hyper use of exclamation points, etc. Less is more for me, there. The other tiny problem (and it is tiny, I just nitpick) is that to a 24/7 Texan, there are some inconsistencies. I don't know a cowboy on earth who will take both is grandma's quilt and his girl to lie out by the pond. There are cows. Snakes. Feral pigs. Lizards! And lots and lots of cow poop. The tetanus issue alone makes me shudder...
Now for the good. Tyler is hot. Engaging. His brothers are hilarious. Jake the fire marshal makes me want one of my own. Emily, the heroine, is spunky, not afraid of her sexuality, and determined to make her own way in the world. The subplot with Emily and her cousin Jolene is a hoot. The best character of all is the older lady who visits the Lucky Star regularly with the sex toys purveyor. They *are* Texans, and they make me think of my other half's stepmother. All in all, Tyler is well worth a read, and I give it 3 and a half or 3 3/4 stars.
Now for the good. Tyler is hot. Engaging. His brothers are hilarious. Jake the fire marshal makes me want one of my own. Emily, the heroine, is spunky, not afraid of her sexuality, and determined to make her own way in the world. The subplot with Emily and her cousin Jolene is a hoot. The best character of all is the older lady who visits the Lucky Star regularly with the sex toys purveyor. They *are* Texans, and they make me think of my other half's stepmother. All in all, Tyler is well worth a read, and I give it 3 and a half or 3 3/4 stars.
March 12, 2011
TYLER by C.H. Admirand is a delightful Cotemporary Western set in present day Pleasure, Texas. It is the start of a new series,"The Secret life of Cowboys".It is the story of three brothers,Tyler,Clint and Jesse who are struggling to keep their grandfather's legacy the Circle G ranch going. Tyler,the oldest takes a job in town at the Lucky Star ladies club as a stripper. He hates the stripping but enjoys one of the owners. He is also trying to keep his stripping from his brothers.He needs this job to keep the ranch from going under. Sparks fly by between Tyler and the lovely Emily.Emily is running from an abusive ex-husband, her ugly divorce, and isn't looking for romance.The storyline is full of witty banter,romance, cowboys,and sweet sensuality. The characters are engaging,and believable.This story will melt your heart and keep you turning the pages from the beginning to the last page.A delight to read.A keeper.If you enjoy a great present day western story full of handsome,witty,sexy, hardworking cowboys,beautiful,witty,smart,sexy,hardworking women,and a passion for the work,life,and love than you will enjoy this story.This book was received for the purpose of review from the publisher and can be found at Sourcebooks Casalanca,a division of Sourcebooks and My Book Addiction and More.
March 19, 2011
This book is full of heat and you will need a fan to keep yourself cool. Tyler is one hot cowboy who has taken up helping his family business by stripping at The Lucky Star. Yes, that's right, he's a stripped and a hot one at that. The author does a great job drawing the reader into this story and will leave you not wanting to put this book down. When the book is no longer in your hands, you are wishing it was. This is a fast read. There is a slight mystery in it. It has a lot of comic parts. The chemistry between Emily and Tyler leaps off the pages and you love reading about the two of them as they fall deep in love. One thing I really liked about this story was there was no struggle between the two as far as falling in love. No one was resisting it. They both wanted it and enjoyed taking the plunge together. As a reader, you will enjoy taking the journey with them. This is one of those books, when it ends, you wish you had another in your hand by this author. Her writing is amazing. Even if western romance is not your typical romance genre, I think this is one that you will actually enjoy. The dialect in this book is very easy to follow and read and is not over the top with southern slang.
June 2, 2013
It's no secret. I love a cowboy who can fill out a nice pair of jeans......chaps.....or take it off. There's just something about a good ole boy.
Tyler, the first book in a new trilogy by C.H. Admirand, caught my attention right off of the bat. Tyler Garahan needs to help his brothers save the family ranch. He needs money fast. So he answers an ad asking for a man with a good strong back. He figures he is just the man for the job.
Imagine his surprise when he realizes that the bar is not only owned by four women, but it also caters to women. The job is for a male stripper and Tyler sets his pride aside and takes the job.
Tyler immediately takes a shine to his spitfire boss, Emily Langley. But when someone has a mind to shut down the women owned businesses in town, Tyler steps up and help Emily save her business? Can he get Emily to lower her guard long enough to give him a shot?
Sexy, sizzling hot and slightly predictable, Tyler is an entertaining read. The characters are vibrant and the pages race by. If you love cowboy romances, you won't want to miss this one!
Tyler, the first book in a new trilogy by C.H. Admirand, caught my attention right off of the bat. Tyler Garahan needs to help his brothers save the family ranch. He needs money fast. So he answers an ad asking for a man with a good strong back. He figures he is just the man for the job.
Imagine his surprise when he realizes that the bar is not only owned by four women, but it also caters to women. The job is for a male stripper and Tyler sets his pride aside and takes the job.
Tyler immediately takes a shine to his spitfire boss, Emily Langley. But when someone has a mind to shut down the women owned businesses in town, Tyler steps up and help Emily save her business? Can he get Emily to lower her guard long enough to give him a shot?
Sexy, sizzling hot and slightly predictable, Tyler is an entertaining read. The characters are vibrant and the pages race by. If you love cowboy romances, you won't want to miss this one!
March 14, 2011
Tyler by C.H Admirand is a sweet change of pace from your stereotypical, “girl falls down on her luck—takes “demeaning” job—gets rescued by heroic, knight in shining armor” story of modern romance. In this case, it’s homespun sweet cowboy Tyler Garahan, who in order to save the ranch that has been in his family for generations, reluctantly takes a job as a male stripper to earn some fast cash. Then in comes, Emily Langley, the club owner’s endearingly chocolate batter covered sister and suddenly the situation is not as unattractive as he first thought. She’s not exactly in the best place herself to play hero, but together they are able to find away to rescue each other and find the kind of love that lasts a lifetime.
Tyler and Emily’s story is wonderfully written with loads of humor, spicy romance and good old fashion charm that makes it a pleasure to read and impossible to put down until the last page is turned.
Tyler and Emily’s story is wonderfully written with loads of humor, spicy romance and good old fashion charm that makes it a pleasure to read and impossible to put down until the last page is turned.
February 23, 2012
I really liked this book. I loved the way that Tyler went in thinking it was just a job hauling beer kegs and such, then found out what it was really for. The interview process was a hoot! I liked the way that Tyler and Emily were immediately attracted to each other. Their chemistry was pretty darn hot! I also enjoyed the way that Tyler went into protector mode when someone shot at the building, and how he and Jake stayed at the club whether the ladies wanted them to or not. I also thought that Emily's confrontations with Linda Lee were hysterical -- I could see it in my mind as it was happening. Tyler's determination to keep his job secret from him brothers was fun to see, especially when he finally decided to tell them. I also enjoyed Emily's initial determination not to fall for Tyler, before she realized what a nice guy he was and ended up falling anyway. I'm really looking forward to the next two books.
April 5, 2011
Tender and loving goes head to head with hot and frisky every time Tyler and Emily are in the same vicinity. Their dialogue is down home country, and downright sexy, and every touch drives you to want more, page after page. The darker moments are few, but the tension is there just waiting to snare their happiness. In my opinion this book is a whole series in the making, each of the characters have such rich personalities and are so much fun, I hope to be reading much, much more from C.H. Admirand.
Lototy
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review: http://coffeetimeromance.com/BookRevi...
Lototy
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review: http://coffeetimeromance.com/BookRevi...
May 23, 2011
3.5 stars...
Tyler Garahan needs money to save his family's ranch. Emily Langley needs a stripper for her bar.
The premise has lots of potential. Even the storyline worked. What didn't was that if they weren't actually having sex, they were thinking about having it. It got tiresome--and irritating. I'm all for attraction and wanting to act on it, but this time it made my eyes glass over until I found the next piece of the story I could sink my teeth into.
The minor characters were a total hit! I may just have to pick up the next book in the series to see what's next for some of my new favorite cowboys.
Tyler Garahan needs money to save his family's ranch. Emily Langley needs a stripper for her bar.
The premise has lots of potential. Even the storyline worked. What didn't was that if they weren't actually having sex, they were thinking about having it. It got tiresome--and irritating. I'm all for attraction and wanting to act on it, but this time it made my eyes glass over until I found the next piece of the story I could sink my teeth into.
The minor characters were a total hit! I may just have to pick up the next book in the series to see what's next for some of my new favorite cowboys.
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