Rugged Texas Cowboy written by Lora Leigh are two previously published but revised and expanded bundle into one complete book. Is a Western Romance that both books even though are like a semi-series, but can be read as a standalone.
In the first story Cowboy and the Captive, to me, it was like reading a western romance of Cain and Able, just with a happier ending. You know one sibling jealous of the other. Well in this book, you have the parents condoning what one twin does and uses the other to take the punishment. Until one mistaken identity may have saved Melina Caterina life.
Cowboy and the Thief I just couldn’t get into this book. The story just didn’t click for me like the first. Whereas the first had a plot I can get behind. You know a dysfunctional family, mistaken identity, and betrayal.
Rugged Texas Cowboy was okay, it wasn’t bad. Some may like this bundle but the one story wasn’t for me.

Luc was consumed with vengeance after being burned by a femme fatale. Several years have passed since he encountered the one person who changed his life forever. Taking the woman he thought whose family was determined to ruin his life he quickly questioned his actions. Melina was always under her families thumb and sacrificed everything to feel the love she had always been denied. Will they finally let go of the past to embrace the future.

I really did not like this book. I usually enjoy Leigh's writing but this book felt very choppy and not all put together.

Thanks Lora I really enjoyed reading both stories. You are a master when it comes to steamy scenes! Both stories were fast paced and had a great characters. Writing, as always, was pretty good, no complaints there.

Cowboy and the Captive
Melina has always covered for her twin sister. But when trusting her family resulted in Melina being in jail and severely injured, she said no more. But when Maria faces prison will Melina stick to her guns? Cowboy and the Captive is a re-release by Lora Leigh. Luc nearly died the last time he crossed paths with this family. But when a friend asks a favor, Luc figures he can use it to get a bit of vengeance. I love that Melina refuses to cater to Luc. Even if she doesn’t have the upper hand she finds her back bone and bows to no one. Ms. Leigh gave Melina a tough journey. Seen as something less than by her parents, she refuses to allow them to ruin her life. I love that Ms. Leigh gives her a man struggling to see the woman he has. Luc’s rage finds a quick death under Melina’s honor. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was a great quick read.
Cowboy and the Thief
Angel’s family has been blessed by the torque for several generations. But when her lack of belief and sharp tongue led to Jack buying it, she will do whatever is necessary to get it back…even steal.
Cowboy and the Thief by Lora Leigh is another re-release. I enjoyed Jack. He hid much of himself behind a charming façade. I love that Ms. Leigh gave him an Irish spitfire in Angel. She was fire banked in ice until Jack entered her world. Together Jack and Angel lit each other up. They were not able to hide from each other and I enjoyed seeing their true colors. This story by Ms. Leigh was well written, steamy and well worth your time.

I received a copy of this e-book and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

This book is comprised of 2 stories. The first, Cowboy and the Captive, is Luc's story. The second, Cowboy and the thief, is Jack's story. These men happen to be business partners.

Luc has kidnapped Maria, a spoiled drug addicted woman. His plan is to get her clean from the drugs. Because of her drug running, she almost got Luc and his partner killed and when he confronted her, her parents went out of their way to try and ruin his business. The woman is not Maria though, she is Melina, the twin sister. She tries to tell him but since many people don't really know about her (which I thought was strange) Luc doesn't believe her.

He does see things that he doesn't think Maria would ever do and he is extremely bothered by the attraction he feels toward her. He is actually starting to believe her when he learns Melina is in danger, from her own sister....can he protect her?

I really enjoyed this story the most. I was totally appalled by the actions of Melina's family toward her, and what they expected of her when it came to sister Maria!

The second story is Jack's story. He travels a lot for business, is cocky and confident. He is in Ireland meeting up with a friend. His friend has a daughter Angel and she has no use for Jack because of his attitude, although she is attracted to him. Her father then sells Jack a family treasure, a torque, and Angel is highly upset. She cannot sway her father's decision and when Jack leaves to go back to America, she follows him.

This torque is passed down from female to female and is said to help find the true soul mate of the current owner. Is Jack her soul mate?

While I did like this story, I enjoyed the first one more. I have read many books by this author and like her writing style as she knows how to draw the writer in.

I didn't read this one because I found the beginning to be so distasteful.

Rugged Texas Cowboy by Lora Leigh is an erotic romance read that combines books one and two of the Cowboys and Captives series under one title. Each story within is novella length and features completely different characters and story line.

In book one, Cowboy and the Captive, Melina is a twin who is pressured into impersonating her sister to help get her out of legal trouble. The problem is that this isn’t the first time Melina’s sister and parents wanted her to take Maria’s place and the first time landed her in jail where she was almost killed. But when Melina refuses and returns home she then finds herself taken hostage by the man whom Maria had dealt with in the past.

In the second story of the series, Cowboy and the Thief, Angel Manning finds that her father has sold a precious family heirloom that Angel had counted on owning one day. Angel’s mother had told her that the legendary Irish torque would lead her to the man of her dreams one day and she refuses to let her father get away with selling it especially when she finds it went to the notorious Jack Riley so she plans to take back what is rightly hers.

Well the first thing I’d say about these two stories is I really just didn’t get them at all and perhaps was not the right person to be reading and reviewing them. Starting off with the first story it really had some great ideas that just didn’t shake out to where I thought it should. The idea of a twin standing in for another in legal trouble certainly had my interest but then the story took the turn of the kidnapping which might have worked if both parties had realized the mistaken idea and then fell in love but instead it just make me think of stockholm syndrome the entire read.

Now as for the second book in the series the writing in this one just didn’t seem to gel as well as the first book had. My one positive when finishing book one was that the author had talent but I just hadn’t any interest in the story but the second book almost seemed to be by someone else. The story also seemed way off of what the first book was and really neither made me think of sexy cowboys which was the draw to picking this one up to begin with. In the end it became obvious this series is just not for me at all leaving me to rate it at 1.5 stars.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

I really liked this book. It was really well written, as Lora Leigh's books usually are. At times it could be a bit repetitive, but not so much as to ruin the experience. This is definitely worth a read.

Rugged Texas Cowboy comprises of two standalone stories.

Cowboy and the Captive

Luc and his partner and best friend Jack are ranchers who run an international import export business on their aeroplane.

They are duped in one of their transactions and are badly injured. Maria is the culprit and Luc sets out to seek justice. He gets what he wants, but unfortunately it's Melina, Maria's twin who gets the rough end of the stick. Their parents protect Maria and Melina is forever taking responsibility for her twin's wrongdoings. When she decides that enough is enough, she finds herself being kidnapped. Luc believes that it's Maria and intends to teach her a lesson. He despises Maria and even when he notices the difference in personality, he goes in denial. The attraction between them is hard to resist and when they give in, sparks fly. He becomes aware that Melina's life is in danger and his protective instinct kicks in.

It's an intense and sensual story where drugs and family issues play a big part. It's short, easy to read and has a nice flow. It would appeal to 18+ fans of steamy romance with mystery and danger.

Cowboy and the Thief

This is Jack's story. It revolves around the legend behind a torque which has been passed from mother to daughter for centuries. Angel is the current owner of the torque, but she doesn't quite believe in the legend. Jack is invited to visit the castle where Angel and her father reside in Ireland. Although, Angel is attracted to him, his reputation has preceeded him and she sees him as nothing more than a womaniser. When Jack buys the torque, Angel is determined to get it back. Even if it means stealing! What she didn't expect is the effect that Jack has on her.

This is an erotic romance with a lighter note. It's funny and intense at the same time. It's a nice complement to the first story.

I was kindly issued with an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley and the views expressed are my personal opinion.

I'm not able to provide a review for this book at this time.

ARC received from NetGalley for an honest review.

This is 2 stories in 1. The first is The Cowboy and the Captive. The 2nd is Cowboy and the Thief. Both stories are ok. I have always been a fan of Lora Leigh and this did not disappoint in the steaminess factor. It was fast paced and was a quick read. I wouldn’t really classify this as a “western romance” since the only part of it that was Western is that it took place in Texas. Honestly though, based on the actual content of the stories, they couldn’t have taken place in any setting. I never got a true “cowboy” vibe from either of the main heroes.

Overall I get this 3/5 Stars.

I wish this book wasn't actually two different books, because my rating would be much different.

Cowboy and the Captive:
Absolutely loved this story! The pain, heartache and torture that Melina experienced at the hands of her own parents and sister was disgusting. The author did an amazing job at developing all of the characters so you felt what they were going through. You felt for Jardin who was screwed by Maria and demands revenge. You felt for Melina's brother Joe and his intense desire to save her from their parents. You felt for everyone but her parents and Maria; those characters you hated which is exactly what the author wanted.

Cowboy and the Thief:
DNF 10%. This felt like it was written by someone else; it didn't flow like the first book did. I didn't feel that immediate connection to the characters that I felt in the first book.

Cowboy And The Captive was such a great book. Luc and Melina are such a great couple. At times heart wrenching and other times very humorous. This book has all the feels!

Cowboy and the Thief
This story is much more erotic than Cowboy And The Captive. Angel and Jack were incendiary.

Received an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review by NetGalley.

Rugged Texas Cowboy⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cowboy and the Captive I love Texas and I loved reading Cowboy novels but this didn’t do it for me. I found it very difficult to believe Luc could not identify the difference in the twin sisters. One a hard core drug addict and sexual predator and the other an innocent showing no signs of drug use. She was healthy, kind and far from depraved. If you wanted to read scene after scene of erotic sex this book filled the bill. I found the story a bit far fetched and shallow.

Cowboy and the Thief is was a short book. I believe because of its length the author failed to develop her characters. Again if you enjoy seduction and sex this is for you as the story is quit lacking. A Book Obsessed Chicks Review Team Selection

3.5 enjoyable read stars

There are two stories in this book, I've only read the first about Melina and Luc.

Luc has kidnapped a rich, spoilt brat that needs teaching a lesson, problem is he has the wrong sister!

I enjoy a cowboy romance and this flowed well, made me smile and luc's words warmed me too! He did frustrate me too, he couldn't see the truth in front of him. Melina is tough but soon softens to her kidnapper.

enjoyable, sexy romance

I loved reading the amazing and intriguing romance stories. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of the novel through NetGalley. Because of Melina's treachery, Jardin's revenge is to kidnap Melina, but unknown to Jardin, he kidnaps Melina's twin sister, Maria. Even though Maria tells Jardin who she really is, he doesn't believe her. As the two of them spend more time together, Jardin and Maria's feelings toward each other increase and attraction combusts.
A second story is included, a mystical, and spellbinding story. As Angel searches for her ancestors' legendary Irish torque, which legend says it will lead her to her true love, she learns it has been sold to a man with a reputation, Jack Riley.
Read the highly recommended and wonderfully written love stories full of romance, mystery, and intrigue.

This book is about sexy cowboys and what make then both sexy and hot. The carrying alpha is back in Ms Leigh novel.

This book doesn't really match the description, the description is way better. The story is just not that interesting to keep you wanting to turn the pages. I skimmed a lot after the first chapter, I was not connecting to the characters in any way. This was just not the book for me.

With two completely different tales combined in one book you’d think you’d hit the jackpot.

While both stories are good in their own right they both have annoyances.

Cowboy and the Captive is about Luc seeking revenge on Maria only to have kidnapped the wrong girl. With hints to show that his isn’t who he should have grabbed, he should have realized.
The way she was treated by family then and now was just ridiculous.

Cowboy and the thief was more enjoyable just because the drama is more believable. I like to relate in some way, even if tiny, to a story. I didn’t like the instalove part though. I like things to be built from the ground up.