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The Roughnecks #1
Rough Ride
The Roughnecks Series (Erotic Romance)
You do for family, no matter what. Lane Iverson knows that better than anyone. Harboring a secret about his mother’s death, Lane is counting the days until he finishes helping his brothers with some work and can head back to his hiding hole hours away. As long as he doesn’t have to face his three brothers every day, the guilt is easier to carry.
There is only one thing that can risk his plan. All of five foot tall, with these deep eyes and a voice that shudders through him. The completely addicting, Gretchen Jones. She’s been watching him the entire time he’s been in town. With courage from her friends behind her, she confronts what she wants. To her surprise, that’s the easy part. Keeping her heart protected when she knows he’ll be leaving? Not so easy, but her only choice.
You do for family, no matter what. Lane Iverson knows that better than anyone. Harboring a secret about his mother’s death, Lane is counting the days until he finishes helping his brothers with some work and can head back to his hiding hole hours away. As long as he doesn’t have to face his three brothers every day, the guilt is easier to carry.
There is only one thing that can risk his plan. All of five foot tall, with these deep eyes and a voice that shudders through him. The completely addicting, Gretchen Jones. She’s been watching him the entire time he’s been in town. With courage from her friends behind her, she confronts what she wants. To her surprise, that’s the easy part. Keeping her heart protected when she knows he’ll be leaving? Not so easy, but her only choice.
145 pages, ebook
First published May 1, 2012
About the author
Keri Ford
27 books175 followersKeri Ford brings sexy contemporary romance to the American South. With a sprinkling of men in suits and women in high heels, you’ll most likely find four-wheeler riding, ball cap wearing fellas trying to sweet-talk sundress wearing ladies in Keri’s books. Glass of sweet tea at your elbow while you read is not required, but strongly recommended.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
May 7, 2012
LOVED IT!! Seriously, i expected hot and sexy but not laugh out loud funny!!!! Ms. Ford, you seriously hit on a GOLDMINE when you decided to write a trilogy based on triplet brothers who happen to be oil field ROUGHNECKS!!! Rough Ride brought together a nice mix of dirty, hot, smexing and a really sweet story! Your writing rocks Ms. Ford, and i cannot wait to read about Jacob and Flora in the next book!
May 7, 2012
For the past seven months, Lane has been in the small town of Apple Trail, Arkansas helping his two brothers renovate a manor house, in which one of his brothers and girlfriend will eventually move into. Due to his mother’s death and keeping a dark secret from his brothers for many years, Lane feels guilt over the whole matter, and tries to be part of the family. But he feels edgy and can’t wait to get back to his own house, hours away from Arkansas. But the one distraction he has comes in the form of a very petite, gorgeous woman named Gretchen. Gretchen owns the trailer park that he is temporarily staying in. Her husband died six years ago, and she took over the park at that time. Gretchen has two best friends, Tonya and Flora and together the three of them work and live in Apple Trail.
Lane and Gretchen have been having eyes for each other for some time. But they both know Lane is only in Apple Trail temporarily, so they are both hesitant to start something. But Tonya and Flora urge Gretchen to throw caution to the wind and have a fling with Lane, even if it is only for a month or two. Lane tries to resist, but when Gretchen not only woos him with her body but with homemade cooking, he can’t stay away.
I really enjoy Keri Ford’s voice. She has a previous set of novellas set in this same town that are very light, funny, and just downright sexy. Rough Ride is a full length book, and I think her best one to date. First of all, hooray that these characters aren’t filthy rich. Now, they are filthy sexy (of course!) but they live in a trailer park. I kind of like that. I’m weak for cranky heroes, and I just gobbled Lane up. He is sexually frustrated because he is so attracted to Gretchen yet scared to start something up with her. And he has a lot of stress because he has kept a secret from his brothers for so long, he is afraid if they ever found out, he would lose them as family. We’ll get to the secret business in a minute. First let’s dive more into the lovely, and playful sexual tension between Gretchen and Lane.
“Do you cook for all your renters?”
Her lips curled up as she moved across the bedroom and returned to his side. “Only the ones who stare at my ass when my back is turned.”
His mouth opened, words waiting, but he shut it. Best to keep his trap shut before he stuck his foot in it.
She walked close to him. “Thank you.”
He swallowed. “For what?”
“For not denying it. I wasn’t positive, but I thought so.”
Hell. “Gretchen.”
“Lane.” She walked in close and put her hands on his chest. Her fingers were short and slim, dwarfed against the width of his chest. Her pink painted fingernails were neatly trimmed and a stark, girl contrast to his filthy, dirt and oil streaked shirt. “I want to hear you say it.”
He was forced to clear his throat. “Hear me say what?”
“That you look at my ass.”
“Christ.”
There were so many cute scenes in this book where Lane and Gretchen have great flirty banter. Keri Ford also gives us some very hot romance scenes once these two decide to have some fun with each other.
Now back to this mysterious secret. I think this is the weakest part of the book. I just didn’t feel the suspense of Lane possibly getting kicked out of his family because he held onto this secret. When the brothers find out – it just didn’t seem to hold its steam. I did like how it affects Gretchen and their relationship though.
What I also really liked is the end. In a lot of romance books, there is always that conflict at the end – the big blow-up that happens in the last few pages, before the hero and heroine make-up and decide to live happily ever after. Same goes for this book – Lane and Gretchen get in a big fight. But what I liked about it is that Keri Ford doesn’t rush their happy reunion. Their disagreement is really examined and she gives it enough page time to make their eventual – I love you – seem very realistic.
Rough Ride is the start to what looks like will be a fun and sexy series.
Rating: B
Lane and Gretchen have been having eyes for each other for some time. But they both know Lane is only in Apple Trail temporarily, so they are both hesitant to start something. But Tonya and Flora urge Gretchen to throw caution to the wind and have a fling with Lane, even if it is only for a month or two. Lane tries to resist, but when Gretchen not only woos him with her body but with homemade cooking, he can’t stay away.
I really enjoy Keri Ford’s voice. She has a previous set of novellas set in this same town that are very light, funny, and just downright sexy. Rough Ride is a full length book, and I think her best one to date. First of all, hooray that these characters aren’t filthy rich. Now, they are filthy sexy (of course!) but they live in a trailer park. I kind of like that. I’m weak for cranky heroes, and I just gobbled Lane up. He is sexually frustrated because he is so attracted to Gretchen yet scared to start something up with her. And he has a lot of stress because he has kept a secret from his brothers for so long, he is afraid if they ever found out, he would lose them as family. We’ll get to the secret business in a minute. First let’s dive more into the lovely, and playful sexual tension between Gretchen and Lane.
“Do you cook for all your renters?”
Her lips curled up as she moved across the bedroom and returned to his side. “Only the ones who stare at my ass when my back is turned.”
His mouth opened, words waiting, but he shut it. Best to keep his trap shut before he stuck his foot in it.
She walked close to him. “Thank you.”
He swallowed. “For what?”
“For not denying it. I wasn’t positive, but I thought so.”
Hell. “Gretchen.”
“Lane.” She walked in close and put her hands on his chest. Her fingers were short and slim, dwarfed against the width of his chest. Her pink painted fingernails were neatly trimmed and a stark, girl contrast to his filthy, dirt and oil streaked shirt. “I want to hear you say it.”
He was forced to clear his throat. “Hear me say what?”
“That you look at my ass.”
“Christ.”
There were so many cute scenes in this book where Lane and Gretchen have great flirty banter. Keri Ford also gives us some very hot romance scenes once these two decide to have some fun with each other.
Now back to this mysterious secret. I think this is the weakest part of the book. I just didn’t feel the suspense of Lane possibly getting kicked out of his family because he held onto this secret. When the brothers find out – it just didn’t seem to hold its steam. I did like how it affects Gretchen and their relationship though.
What I also really liked is the end. In a lot of romance books, there is always that conflict at the end – the big blow-up that happens in the last few pages, before the hero and heroine make-up and decide to live happily ever after. Same goes for this book – Lane and Gretchen get in a big fight. But what I liked about it is that Keri Ford doesn’t rush their happy reunion. Their disagreement is really examined and she gives it enough page time to make their eventual – I love you – seem very realistic.
Rough Ride is the start to what looks like will be a fun and sexy series.
Rating: B
May 21, 2012
I enjoyed the story but two factors kept me from loving it and giving it 5 stars:
(1) Lane seemed to wallow in unnecesary guilt. I understand respecting his mother's wishes but he didn't have to hold onto her secret after her death. Sure, his brothers would have been mad but he could have spared himself a whole lot of inner turmoil if he had just told them sooner.I loved the family dynamic and the closeness of the brothers and Gretchen and her friends. Loved the "pocket sized" reference.
(2) Lane and Gretchen never professed to love each other. The ending to the story just seemed like they feel into the comfortable of "wanting" each other. It would have been fantastic if the the HEA was more solid with a profession of love...but the story was a nice one.
September 26, 2012
I love finding a new great author! Her style is similar to Kristen Ashley's, but different. I love the small town feel and I think she fleshes out her characters well, just wish they were longer... On to Jacob...
May 11, 2012
Lane is in Apple Trail, Arkansas working with his brothers. Lane works hard; from sun up to sun down so that he can avoid being too close to his brothers and revealing a secret that he's been holding onto since their mother's death. When he's not working, Lane is silently lusting after the trailer park manager, Gretchen. She is not his type - she's petite, blond, cute and happy. But there is something about Gretchen that Lane is drawn to. He's determined not to give into the attraction but what he doesn't know is that Gretchen is equally attracted to him. Lane has a hard time keeping his distance as Gretchen uses the old adage "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach" to get Lane into bed.
When I saw that I won an eARC on Goodreads, I was excited. I've heard so many great things about Keri Ford's books but haven't read any of them. After I finished Rough Ride, I knew that I would be adding Keri Ford to my auto-buy list.
What I loved most about Rough Ride was how awkward and cute Lane was around Gretchen. He wasn't suave, with the smooth moves. He is attracted to Gretchen but doesn't want to shit where he sleeps. Also, his main goal is to finish the restoration project with his brothers so that he can hightail back home. Getting involved with Gretchen will create an attachment that he is trying to avoid. But Gretchen doesn't give up too easily and with the help of her friends, sets out to seduce Lane and get him into her bed.
I love that the characters are realistic and lead simple lives. No one is super rich. They are normal, hard-working folks. The main characters live in a trailer park! I don't think I've ever read a romance novel where it was centered around a blue-collar community.
I loved the writing and once I started reading Rough Ride, I could not put it down. I loved the characters, especially Gretchen's girlfriends who provided some humorous moments along with Lane's brothers. I could imagine myself sitting down and eating pie with these folks. Along with the wonderful characters, there is sizzling, hot chemistry. I found the attraction and romance between Lane and Gretchen believable. The lead up to them finally have sex was 7 months in the making. And boy when they finally give in, it is explosive.
I really enjoyed reading Rough Ride and can't wait to read the next book in the series. It was a fun, sexy read that I could not put down. I will definitely more of Keri Ford in the future.
When I saw that I won an eARC on Goodreads, I was excited. I've heard so many great things about Keri Ford's books but haven't read any of them. After I finished Rough Ride, I knew that I would be adding Keri Ford to my auto-buy list.
What I loved most about Rough Ride was how awkward and cute Lane was around Gretchen. He wasn't suave, with the smooth moves. He is attracted to Gretchen but doesn't want to shit where he sleeps. Also, his main goal is to finish the restoration project with his brothers so that he can hightail back home. Getting involved with Gretchen will create an attachment that he is trying to avoid. But Gretchen doesn't give up too easily and with the help of her friends, sets out to seduce Lane and get him into her bed.
I love that the characters are realistic and lead simple lives. No one is super rich. They are normal, hard-working folks. The main characters live in a trailer park! I don't think I've ever read a romance novel where it was centered around a blue-collar community.
I loved the writing and once I started reading Rough Ride, I could not put it down. I loved the characters, especially Gretchen's girlfriends who provided some humorous moments along with Lane's brothers. I could imagine myself sitting down and eating pie with these folks. Along with the wonderful characters, there is sizzling, hot chemistry. I found the attraction and romance between Lane and Gretchen believable. The lead up to them finally have sex was 7 months in the making. And boy when they finally give in, it is explosive.
I really enjoyed reading Rough Ride and can't wait to read the next book in the series. It was a fun, sexy read that I could not put down. I will definitely more of Keri Ford in the future.
May 7, 2012
Slick's review posted on Guilty Pleasures
Rough Ride is the first book in Keri Ford’s new The Roughnecks series. We first met the Iverson triplets (yes, TRIPLETS) and their baby brother, Grant, in Satisfying Her Tastes. Grant came to town to reclaim his family’s homestead and plans on bringing his brothers in to help him with the property. The four have been scattered across the United States and its Grant’s wish to get them all in one place they will hopefully love and want to stay.
Lane Iverson is the youngest of the Iverson triplets. He arrives in Apple Trail at his younger brother’s request and has been working for months waiting until he can go back to Louisiana where he’s been living. He works with his brothers (Jacob, Trent, and Grant) but doesn’t spend off hours with them. He’s hiding something from them all and he’s afraid that once his secret is out, he’ll loose what’s left of his family. He knows that Grant wants them all to settle here, but he has no intentions of settling down period.
Gretchen Jones owns and manages the mobile home park Lane is living in. She’s been half infatuated with Grant since he moved into town but doesn’t think he even knows she’s alive. He’s been pleasant and even helpful at times but he’s kept his distance. Gretchen finally works up her nerve to confront Lane and he kisses her, stops, and sends her on her way. Confused she confides in her best friends, Flora and Tonya. Gretchen has never had a short time affair, but the girls convince her that’s the best way to approach Lane and she reluctantly agrees.
Lane and Gretchen dance around each other quite a bit in this story. It’s fun and flirty and at times infuriating because you can tell how much they want to give in and be together. They do finally find their way but it takes Gretchen making a big move for it to happen. While I did enjoy this book, at times I wanted to shake both of them and say “enough already.” Both characters were stubborn and they really didn’t communicate very well, although the “sexting” scene in the hospital was priceless. I really enjoyed the interactions between Gretchen and her friends and Lane and his brothers. The dialog is smart and engaging and the sex scenes gratifying. It’s my hope that as this series continues we’ll see how Gretchen and Lane’s relationship is progressing. The next book is out in August, how many months is that?
Rough Ride is the first book in Keri Ford’s new The Roughnecks series. We first met the Iverson triplets (yes, TRIPLETS) and their baby brother, Grant, in Satisfying Her Tastes. Grant came to town to reclaim his family’s homestead and plans on bringing his brothers in to help him with the property. The four have been scattered across the United States and its Grant’s wish to get them all in one place they will hopefully love and want to stay.
Lane Iverson is the youngest of the Iverson triplets. He arrives in Apple Trail at his younger brother’s request and has been working for months waiting until he can go back to Louisiana where he’s been living. He works with his brothers (Jacob, Trent, and Grant) but doesn’t spend off hours with them. He’s hiding something from them all and he’s afraid that once his secret is out, he’ll loose what’s left of his family. He knows that Grant wants them all to settle here, but he has no intentions of settling down period.
Gretchen Jones owns and manages the mobile home park Lane is living in. She’s been half infatuated with Grant since he moved into town but doesn’t think he even knows she’s alive. He’s been pleasant and even helpful at times but he’s kept his distance. Gretchen finally works up her nerve to confront Lane and he kisses her, stops, and sends her on her way. Confused she confides in her best friends, Flora and Tonya. Gretchen has never had a short time affair, but the girls convince her that’s the best way to approach Lane and she reluctantly agrees.
Lane and Gretchen dance around each other quite a bit in this story. It’s fun and flirty and at times infuriating because you can tell how much they want to give in and be together. They do finally find their way but it takes Gretchen making a big move for it to happen. While I did enjoy this book, at times I wanted to shake both of them and say “enough already.” Both characters were stubborn and they really didn’t communicate very well, although the “sexting” scene in the hospital was priceless. I really enjoyed the interactions between Gretchen and her friends and Lane and his brothers. The dialog is smart and engaging and the sex scenes gratifying. It’s my hope that as this series continues we’ll see how Gretchen and Lane’s relationship is progressing. The next book is out in August, how many months is that?
May 13, 2012
I really like this author and I'm looking forward to reading more of her books. Looks like most of what she has written so far is shorter stuff. I really enjoyed all of the characters in this one. The brothers are fantastic and so are Gretchen's friends...very well done.
OH!!! and the sexting in the hospital is one of the best scenes I've ever read....
OH!!! and the sexting in the hospital is one of the best scenes I've ever read....
June 4, 2012
Loved this read! Love that the guys are tripletts. Too cool! The writing is good the characters (the guys) are to die for and the girl is just what he needs. Great read!
May 6, 2017
I liked Lane & Gretchen's story. It was a cute, funny story with brief sadness. I didn't like that Grant's name kept being put instead if Lane's. That throws off the flow of the story
I liked Land & Gretchen's story. It was cute, funny and a little sexy with brief sadness. Editing could have been better. Grant's name kept being put in place of Lane's. It throws off the flow of the story. I didn't read the other books in this series but I probably will because I like the characters.
I liked Land & Gretchen's story. It was cute, funny and a little sexy with brief sadness. Editing could have been better. Grant's name kept being put in place of Lane's. It throws off the flow of the story. I didn't read the other books in this series but I probably will because I like the characters.
May 16, 2012
Lane knows Apple Trail isn’t home. It can’t be. The secret that he carries weighs to heavily on him to be around his family for long. Get in, do the job and leave. That’s all Lane wants to do. Except he can’t seem to shake the girl who owns the park where he is staying while he’s helping his brother drill for oil. Gretchen is always around, always there and Lane can’t help but notice the small beauty and her larger than life personality.
Trying to move on from the death of her husband, Gretchen sets her sights on a fling with Lane. Sex only is the way to go although convincing herself to go through with it is hard. It doesn’t take long for Gretchen to feel something else for Lane that she isn’t sure she wants to name. Can she convince Lane that being a flight risk isn’t nearly as much fun as being in love?
When Keri Ford told me that she was ending her Apple Trail series I felt depressed. It was like losing a friend I had grown to count on to cheer me up. It was awful. I counted on Keri Ford’s writing to pull me out of reading slumps I tend to get into. But no fear. She may have ended one series but technically it’s still going. Keri is releasing her Roughnecks series this spring/summer starting with Rough Ride and guess where they are set? APPLE TRAIL!! YAY!!
Back in Apple Trail #5 (Satisfying Her Tastes) we met Grant who came to town to take over his families property on the outskirts of town. He wanted to drill for oil there with the underlying result of getting his triplet brothers to come to town to do it. That is the starting point in Rough Ride. The Iverson triplets have descended upon Apple Trail with their smoking hot looks and rock hard bodies. Triple the fun ladies…. *fans self*
Lane Iverson has been living in the local trailer park in the temporary housing owned by Gretchen Jones. She’s a tiny spitfire of a woman who definitely packs a punch to his libido! She seems to have no idea of the reaction Lane has to constantly seeing her prance around in barely there clothing and he tries his best to ignore it not wanting to stay in the little town any longer then he has to. He has a secret he has been trying to keep from his brothers and being around them makes it that much harder to keep it. Lane’s mother, who has previously died of cancer, had confided him in that she was losing the war with the disease but made Lane promise to keep it from the rest of the brothers. He knows how hurt they will be upon finding out of his deception and he thinks keeping his distance will make it easier to keep the secret. He’s closed off and separate from the rest of the family and though they seem to sense his distance they don’t corner him.
I adored Gretchen and her quirky sense of self. Once she set her sights on Lane the boy was a goner. It was only a matter of time really. She is this tiny wisp of a girl who packs a wallop that even the giant-ness of Lane couldn’t handle. You know that old saying “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach?” Well Gretchen uses this to a tee. Baking Lane all kinds of yummy goodness that slowly starts to crack the wall of guilt he had erected around himself. Though he makes it clear to Gretchen that a sexual relationship is all he can give her, he begins to feel more for her quite fast and it scares them both. Gretchen had been holding onto her husbands memory for years after his death and the idea of moving on was a bit foreign to her. Both Gretchen and Lane did a whole lot of growing in this short novella.
As typical with a Keri Ford novella, the heat level jumps off the page right into your face. You can cut the tension with a knife….or the comical conversations Keri weaves into the story. I absolutely adore Keri’s writing. Fresh, funny and endearing is what I look for in each and every thing she writes. She knows what I expect of her and she delivers with everything she releases! I can’t wait to see how the next Iverson triplet deals with the lure of love!
I give Rough Ride by Keri Ford 5 stars!
Trying to move on from the death of her husband, Gretchen sets her sights on a fling with Lane. Sex only is the way to go although convincing herself to go through with it is hard. It doesn’t take long for Gretchen to feel something else for Lane that she isn’t sure she wants to name. Can she convince Lane that being a flight risk isn’t nearly as much fun as being in love?
When Keri Ford told me that she was ending her Apple Trail series I felt depressed. It was like losing a friend I had grown to count on to cheer me up. It was awful. I counted on Keri Ford’s writing to pull me out of reading slumps I tend to get into. But no fear. She may have ended one series but technically it’s still going. Keri is releasing her Roughnecks series this spring/summer starting with Rough Ride and guess where they are set? APPLE TRAIL!! YAY!!
Back in Apple Trail #5 (Satisfying Her Tastes) we met Grant who came to town to take over his families property on the outskirts of town. He wanted to drill for oil there with the underlying result of getting his triplet brothers to come to town to do it. That is the starting point in Rough Ride. The Iverson triplets have descended upon Apple Trail with their smoking hot looks and rock hard bodies. Triple the fun ladies…. *fans self*
Lane Iverson has been living in the local trailer park in the temporary housing owned by Gretchen Jones. She’s a tiny spitfire of a woman who definitely packs a punch to his libido! She seems to have no idea of the reaction Lane has to constantly seeing her prance around in barely there clothing and he tries his best to ignore it not wanting to stay in the little town any longer then he has to. He has a secret he has been trying to keep from his brothers and being around them makes it that much harder to keep it. Lane’s mother, who has previously died of cancer, had confided him in that she was losing the war with the disease but made Lane promise to keep it from the rest of the brothers. He knows how hurt they will be upon finding out of his deception and he thinks keeping his distance will make it easier to keep the secret. He’s closed off and separate from the rest of the family and though they seem to sense his distance they don’t corner him.
I adored Gretchen and her quirky sense of self. Once she set her sights on Lane the boy was a goner. It was only a matter of time really. She is this tiny wisp of a girl who packs a wallop that even the giant-ness of Lane couldn’t handle. You know that old saying “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach?” Well Gretchen uses this to a tee. Baking Lane all kinds of yummy goodness that slowly starts to crack the wall of guilt he had erected around himself. Though he makes it clear to Gretchen that a sexual relationship is all he can give her, he begins to feel more for her quite fast and it scares them both. Gretchen had been holding onto her husbands memory for years after his death and the idea of moving on was a bit foreign to her. Both Gretchen and Lane did a whole lot of growing in this short novella.
As typical with a Keri Ford novella, the heat level jumps off the page right into your face. You can cut the tension with a knife….or the comical conversations Keri weaves into the story. I absolutely adore Keri’s writing. Fresh, funny and endearing is what I look for in each and every thing she writes. She knows what I expect of her and she delivers with everything she releases! I can’t wait to see how the next Iverson triplet deals with the lure of love!
I give Rough Ride by Keri Ford 5 stars!
July 15, 2012
Originally posted at: http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
Lane makes Gretchen crazy, but in an entirely unexpected and good way. In a way she hasn’t felt for another man in a long time. His good looks and quiet manner have her all tied up in knots and wanting to get to know him better. In order to get what she wants, Gretchen will have to make an aggressive first move and put herself out there for the first time in a while. With a little help from her friends, Gretchen finally makes a move and decides food is the best way to get this man’s attention – too bad that's all he's willing to take from her. With him living in her trailer park though, Gretchen has the advantage and she isn't afraid to exploit it.
Gretchen makes Lane crazy, but in an entirely unexpected and not good way. She’s looking for something he can’t give her. No matter how much they might be physically attracted to one other, Lane chooses to deny it knowing that she deserves better. His secret could destroy the relationship he has with his brothers and he can’t afford to stick around for fear they might find out. Gretchen is the complication he didn’t want, but can’t seem to deny. The solution is to give in only temporarily with all the cards on the table, so there are no hard feelings when it ends. It's an arrangement that's doomed to fail when he lets her in on his secret.
I couldn't wait to meet the rest of the Iverson brothers after Grant came to set-up home in Apple Trail. This spin-off series brought not only the rest of the brothers to town, but allowed fans of Apple Trail to meet other new characters already living there. And let me just say that there are some serious characters of the female variety in this story. Gretchen's friends are absolutely hilarious and I couldn't help but adore them for their efforts in her love life and the down-to-earth feel they brought to the story. I see lots more laughs and hot guys in store for future installments of the series.
It was extremely easy to fall into the story and keep reading until its end. The characters, the town, and the affair between Lane and Gretchen that starts out simple and grows complicated is all believable and well developed. The sparks between those two really fly and I was eager for them to make it happen, but I enjoyed more how both Lane and Gretchen had to work for it. Their HEA is well earned and deserved. If you're looking for small town drama with wonderful sexual tension between hard working men and women then you should absolutely check out this author's Apple Trail stories.
Lane makes Gretchen crazy, but in an entirely unexpected and good way. In a way she hasn’t felt for another man in a long time. His good looks and quiet manner have her all tied up in knots and wanting to get to know him better. In order to get what she wants, Gretchen will have to make an aggressive first move and put herself out there for the first time in a while. With a little help from her friends, Gretchen finally makes a move and decides food is the best way to get this man’s attention – too bad that's all he's willing to take from her. With him living in her trailer park though, Gretchen has the advantage and she isn't afraid to exploit it.
Gretchen makes Lane crazy, but in an entirely unexpected and not good way. She’s looking for something he can’t give her. No matter how much they might be physically attracted to one other, Lane chooses to deny it knowing that she deserves better. His secret could destroy the relationship he has with his brothers and he can’t afford to stick around for fear they might find out. Gretchen is the complication he didn’t want, but can’t seem to deny. The solution is to give in only temporarily with all the cards on the table, so there are no hard feelings when it ends. It's an arrangement that's doomed to fail when he lets her in on his secret.
I couldn't wait to meet the rest of the Iverson brothers after Grant came to set-up home in Apple Trail. This spin-off series brought not only the rest of the brothers to town, but allowed fans of Apple Trail to meet other new characters already living there. And let me just say that there are some serious characters of the female variety in this story. Gretchen's friends are absolutely hilarious and I couldn't help but adore them for their efforts in her love life and the down-to-earth feel they brought to the story. I see lots more laughs and hot guys in store for future installments of the series.
It was extremely easy to fall into the story and keep reading until its end. The characters, the town, and the affair between Lane and Gretchen that starts out simple and grows complicated is all believable and well developed. The sparks between those two really fly and I was eager for them to make it happen, but I enjoyed more how both Lane and Gretchen had to work for it. Their HEA is well earned and deserved. If you're looking for small town drama with wonderful sexual tension between hard working men and women then you should absolutely check out this author's Apple Trail stories.
May 8, 2012
4.0 stars! *** Warning Spoilers Contained ***
What a great start to a new series.
It consists of three triplet brothers, Lane, Jacob & Trent and one younger brother Grant. Now the younger brother's story is in another series by this author. Grant, with a baby on the way, brings his siblings together to renovate an old family home after the death of their mom. They decide to make a go of it and go into business together and all liver near by as a family.
Lane, who is quiet and withdrawn is planning on leaving as soon as the work is done and returning to his solitary life in Louisiana. He has a secret that if his brothers knew they would push him out of their life for ever. He sees what Grant and Rebecca have and wants that life style, the family, kids, home....and closeness with his siblings. But knows it is just not possible for him.
Gretchen is a widow who owns the trailer park where he and his brother's rent and she is fun, kind, sweet and sexy. She flirts with Lane and he fights her off telling her that he is planning on leaving and tries to stay away but can't stop watching her. They eventually give in and allow their relationship to grow. But one night in a hospital holding his new born niece he is so overwhelmed by his feelings he runs to the trailer to pack his things and leaves town.
You'll just have to read to find out how Lane and Gretchen get what they both want. I loved a scene between these two (the whole gang actually) in the hospital while they waited for the baby to be born where they are "sextexting" and get caught! It was so funny, sweet, sexy and fantastic!
Gretchen has two side kick best friends, Flora the plumber and Tonya the diner owner. They are supportive and funny and wonderful. And anyone who has brothers knows that when they all get together it is nothing but fun. I liked this short novel and connected with the characters in it. I can't wait to read book two....Flora and Jacob's story. Nice Read!
What a great start to a new series.
It consists of three triplet brothers, Lane, Jacob & Trent and one younger brother Grant. Now the younger brother's story is in another series by this author. Grant, with a baby on the way, brings his siblings together to renovate an old family home after the death of their mom. They decide to make a go of it and go into business together and all liver near by as a family.
Lane, who is quiet and withdrawn is planning on leaving as soon as the work is done and returning to his solitary life in Louisiana. He has a secret that if his brothers knew they would push him out of their life for ever. He sees what Grant and Rebecca have and wants that life style, the family, kids, home....and closeness with his siblings. But knows it is just not possible for him.
Gretchen is a widow who owns the trailer park where he and his brother's rent and she is fun, kind, sweet and sexy. She flirts with Lane and he fights her off telling her that he is planning on leaving and tries to stay away but can't stop watching her. They eventually give in and allow their relationship to grow. But one night in a hospital holding his new born niece he is so overwhelmed by his feelings he runs to the trailer to pack his things and leaves town.
You'll just have to read to find out how Lane and Gretchen get what they both want. I loved a scene between these two (the whole gang actually) in the hospital while they waited for the baby to be born where they are "sextexting" and get caught! It was so funny, sweet, sexy and fantastic!
Gretchen has two side kick best friends, Flora the plumber and Tonya the diner owner. They are supportive and funny and wonderful. And anyone who has brothers knows that when they all get together it is nothing but fun. I liked this short novel and connected with the characters in it. I can't wait to read book two....Flora and Jacob's story. Nice Read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2012
Rough Ride is book 1 in Keri Ford’s new series The Roughnecks and takes us back to the quiet little town of Apple Trail. The Roughneck series is a spin off of Keri’s Apple Trail series which I LOVED!!! If you haven’t read the Apple Trail series find more about it here http://keriford.com/books/uninhibited.... Okay back to Lane...
Lane is one tough cookie. He loves his brothers more than anything, but being so close to them is tough. Lane has been keep a secret from his brothers. A secret that may just tear his family apart once and for all. Lane wants to help his family, but the minute they are done he is going to cut and run. The one thing he didn’t factor in was Gretchen. Gretchen, may be the very best thing he will never deserve.
Gretchen knows that Lane is only here temporarily. And she is not a temporary type of girl. She is a forever girl. But her forever was taken from her. With the encouragement of her best friends, Gretchen takes a leap of faith that maybe, just maybe she can have just a fling with Lane. But what will she do when it is time for him to leave?
I loved this book. Lane is tough, complicated, full of guilt, and a stubborn pain in the ass. But in the end he has to learn that sometimes you have to fall before you can get up and live. Gretchen is very strong, even when the chips are down she is a trooper. But she never will let a man walk all over her. Lane & Gretchen are a great couple to read about. I look forward to seeing them in the next couple of books in the Roughneck series.
Thank you Keri, for the opportunity to read your new book
Lane is one tough cookie. He loves his brothers more than anything, but being so close to them is tough. Lane has been keep a secret from his brothers. A secret that may just tear his family apart once and for all. Lane wants to help his family, but the minute they are done he is going to cut and run. The one thing he didn’t factor in was Gretchen. Gretchen, may be the very best thing he will never deserve.
Gretchen knows that Lane is only here temporarily. And she is not a temporary type of girl. She is a forever girl. But her forever was taken from her. With the encouragement of her best friends, Gretchen takes a leap of faith that maybe, just maybe she can have just a fling with Lane. But what will she do when it is time for him to leave?
I loved this book. Lane is tough, complicated, full of guilt, and a stubborn pain in the ass. But in the end he has to learn that sometimes you have to fall before you can get up and live. Gretchen is very strong, even when the chips are down she is a trooper. But she never will let a man walk all over her. Lane & Gretchen are a great couple to read about. I look forward to seeing them in the next couple of books in the Roughneck series.
Thank you Keri, for the opportunity to read your new book
July 13, 2012
I found Rough Ride a little confusing despite the very non-complex story line. Lane and his two triplet brothers are working with their younger brother Grant helping him as he sets up home with his pregnant girlfriend. Lane is desperate to finish and move away as he has a family secret that he believes will destroy their close knit family unit.
Gretchen a young widow, is the owner of the trailer park Lane is staying at. Lane and Gretchen have been lusting after one another for a while but lane refuses to make a move as he knows he won’t be staying around. Talking into making a move by her two BFF’s Gretchen and Lane finally get together- it’s a pretty hot romance and they have serious chemistry together but Lane’s guilty family secret is weighing heavily on him.
This is the point of the story where I got a bit huh??? Lane leaves because he doesn’t have the guts to tell his brothers the family secret, and then comes back after his triplet siblings track him down but Gretchen has decided their relationship has ended. He wants her back, they get back together again but then she gets mad because he hasn’t told his youngest brother the family secret and ends the relationship again. He tells his youngest brother, she confronts him he says he’s not good enough for her, she agrees and then I think they got back together again but to be honest I’d kind of lost track/ interest by then. Waaaaaay too much she ends it/he ends it, for what was at times pretty bizarre reasons for my liking, especially since it was pretty obvious they were perfect for each other. Confusing and too exhausting to keep up with.
Gretchen a young widow, is the owner of the trailer park Lane is staying at. Lane and Gretchen have been lusting after one another for a while but lane refuses to make a move as he knows he won’t be staying around. Talking into making a move by her two BFF’s Gretchen and Lane finally get together- it’s a pretty hot romance and they have serious chemistry together but Lane’s guilty family secret is weighing heavily on him.
This is the point of the story where I got a bit huh??? Lane leaves because he doesn’t have the guts to tell his brothers the family secret, and then comes back after his triplet siblings track him down but Gretchen has decided their relationship has ended. He wants her back, they get back together again but then she gets mad because he hasn’t told his youngest brother the family secret and ends the relationship again. He tells his youngest brother, she confronts him he says he’s not good enough for her, she agrees and then I think they got back together again but to be honest I’d kind of lost track/ interest by then. Waaaaaay too much she ends it/he ends it, for what was at times pretty bizarre reasons for my liking, especially since it was pretty obvious they were perfect for each other. Confusing and too exhausting to keep up with.
May 14, 2012
Rough Ride is the first book in The Roughnecks series and is the story of Gretchen Jones who owns a trailer park and is the landlady to Lane Iverson who is in town to help his brothers renovate and prepare his family's land for finding oil.
Lane has always felt guilty over never telling his brother's the truth about when his mother died years previously and that guilt is now keeping him from being with his family and making a home for himself.
For the last several months that he has been in town, Lane and Gretchen have been hot for each other but never acted on it. The temptation is too much to bare and Lane knows the sexy five foot nothing landlady will want more than what he can give her, even though deep down he wants to give her the world.
This is a quick read that instantly draws the reader in to the Iverson family with their fun loving ways. Lane is a male who is so wrapped up in guilt that he is prepared to loose everything by running away rather than dealing with the truth, whilst Gretchen has her own painful past and she has friends surrounding her that will protect her and also push her to move on. The banter between the girlfriends is great and makes this book a thoroughly enjoyable read. With triplet brothers to boot this is a hot sexy read that will bring a smile to the reader's lips and look forward to the second instalment.
Lane has always felt guilty over never telling his brother's the truth about when his mother died years previously and that guilt is now keeping him from being with his family and making a home for himself.
For the last several months that he has been in town, Lane and Gretchen have been hot for each other but never acted on it. The temptation is too much to bare and Lane knows the sexy five foot nothing landlady will want more than what he can give her, even though deep down he wants to give her the world.
This is a quick read that instantly draws the reader in to the Iverson family with their fun loving ways. Lane is a male who is so wrapped up in guilt that he is prepared to loose everything by running away rather than dealing with the truth, whilst Gretchen has her own painful past and she has friends surrounding her that will protect her and also push her to move on. The banter between the girlfriends is great and makes this book a thoroughly enjoyable read. With triplet brothers to boot this is a hot sexy read that will bring a smile to the reader's lips and look forward to the second instalment.
July 2, 2014
Roughnecks, book 1
Lane and Gretchen's story.
Lane is the youngest triplet and also has a younger brother, who has moved back to their hometown to renovate the manor with the help of his brothers so he and his pregnant girlfriend can start their family. He has withheld information from his brothers for years & the guilt has pushed him further away than he's ever wanted to be.
Gretchen owns and manages the trailer park that Lane is temporarily residing in. She's had a crush on him since the day he rolled into town to help his brother Garrett with the manor.
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The story is a little short, but not terribly so. The characters were not quite as strong as they could have been. Lane's overwhelming guilt seemed a little dramatic to me and Gretchen came off too naive. For a self-supported businesswoman, she acted like she could not have an independent thought outside of work without her friends helping her wade through it.
I did not connect with the lead characters as much as I'd wanted to. I found much more enjoyment over the tidbits of Flora and Jacob's flirtations than Lane and Gretchen.
Lane and Gretchen's story.
Lane is the youngest triplet and also has a younger brother, who has moved back to their hometown to renovate the manor with the help of his brothers so he and his pregnant girlfriend can start their family. He has withheld information from his brothers for years & the guilt has pushed him further away than he's ever wanted to be.
Gretchen owns and manages the trailer park that Lane is temporarily residing in. She's had a crush on him since the day he rolled into town to help his brother Garrett with the manor.
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The story is a little short, but not terribly so. The characters were not quite as strong as they could have been. Lane's overwhelming guilt seemed a little dramatic to me and Gretchen came off too naive. For a self-supported businesswoman, she acted like she could not have an independent thought outside of work without her friends helping her wade through it.
I did not connect with the lead characters as much as I'd wanted to. I found much more enjoyment over the tidbits of Flora and Jacob's flirtations than Lane and Gretchen.
May 12, 2012
I really enjoyed this short story. Lane and Gretchen have great chemistry and watching Lane fight his feelings as Gretchen kinda throws herself into his path was very entertaining. I also enjoyed the strong familial thread between Lane and his brothers. Gretchen's close relationship to her gal pals Flora and Tonya provided much humor as well.
I thought the "secret" that Lane was harboring which caused him so much guilt and grief was really weak and a bit unbelievable in many ways because the author had already shown a strong family unit in spite of the fact that these four boys were brought up by a single mom. I also got a bit confused near the end when Gretchen and Lane endure there break up than make up than break up....
We do get our HEA and I do look forward to the next book because Flora is kick ass and funny and I look forward to seeing more of her.
I thought the "secret" that Lane was harboring which caused him so much guilt and grief was really weak and a bit unbelievable in many ways because the author had already shown a strong family unit in spite of the fact that these four boys were brought up by a single mom. I also got a bit confused near the end when Gretchen and Lane endure there break up than make up than break up....
We do get our HEA and I do look forward to the next book because Flora is kick ass and funny and I look forward to seeing more of her.
August 13, 2012
This cover is so freaking hot! The book matches! Wowser. This book has been on my to buy list since it came out and I finally got it. Let’s just say, the next two will not take that long for me to grab. Lane has been in Apple Trail helping his brothers renovate a manor and clear it out for drilling. He is consumed by guilt from keeping a secret from his brothers. He isn’t staying, can’t live with the guilt. Then, he finally gives in to his attraction to Gretchen and everything changes, but will he be strong enough to put his fears aside and tell his brothers everything, risking him losing them?
Rough Ride is full of hilarious sexual teasing, tension and banter. Lane and Gretchen are made for each other. I can’t wait for Jacob and Flora’s book!
Rough Ride is full of hilarious sexual teasing, tension and banter. Lane and Gretchen are made for each other. I can’t wait for Jacob and Flora’s book!
May 9, 2012
Keri Ford's Rough Rider is a cute small town erotic romance. Laughter and steamy, though short, smexy scenes make for an engaging read as we watch our hero and heroine attempt to find solid footing in their relationship. While I did enjoy the story, I did find the secret our hero Lane was hiding to be weak and the revealing even weaker. The secondary characters-mainly our heroines girlfriends, to be the be the high point of the book. Even one needs bffs like this and I look forward to reading about their HEAs.
C+
C+
January 24, 2013
I like this one because of the characters and the fact that they're living what seem to be very ordinary lives punctuated with the drama of simply being loyal, having family all up in your business and working too many hours. It isn't fancy dudes who own penthouses and rescue fair maidens from their :yawn: boring lives, but rather hot dude helping out his family while trying to figure out his next step and renting a trailer from a lady who is cute and stubborn and just lost in a big way and together it's hot stuff. But it's not HEY, LOOK AT US. WE'RE SO REGULAR. It's a good story.
February 9, 2013
The last few chapters were weak for me, but the rest of the book made up for it. It reminds me a bit of the Neighbor From Hell series, it's just a little bit over the top, but enjoyable. I liked the characters. I got tired of the drama, but the sex was hot and the friendship between Gretchen and her friends was very entertaining.
May 30, 2012
Yikes...the flip flopping back and forth was giving me a complex...and I would have liked a bit more lovin in between the arguments. But, good short read and I believe Flora and Jacobs book will be good...she is a hoot!
January 31, 2013
So this big secret that was driving Lane away was nonsense and not very interesting. Gretchen and her friends were the best part of the book. I wanted Lane to fight harder for her. The ending seemed rushed and just okay. The whole book was just okay.
March 21, 2014
I enjoyed this book but kind myself confused from time to time when the main character "lane" was referred to as "grant" ( which is his brother. I started to wonder if Gretchen was messing with both brothers
June 1, 2016
Great book.
I book was good and I liked that you could see more books based on the town and its people. I love a good series and this book kicked off the start of a good one. I plan to read more of this series. I highly recommend this book as a good read. SQ
I book was good and I liked that you could see more books based on the town and its people. I love a good series and this book kicked off the start of a good one. I plan to read more of this series. I highly recommend this book as a good read. SQ
May 8, 2012
I have loved every book by Keri, and this is no different!!
April 29, 2012
4,5 stars - Review coming shortly
May 13, 2012
3.5 - 4 stars. Loved the female characters!
May 9, 2012
Rare 5 for me but it was a sweet story! :-)
Thanks Nikki for bringing this to my attn!
Thanks Nikki for bringing this to my attn!
June 10, 2012
Lane just need to make a decision. He was so wishey washey it drove me crazy
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