Her Renegade Cowboy is a steamy, intense, thrilling, emotional, suspenseful romance if you have the patience to stick with it. Up until the last quarter of the novel, you might feel it’s more of an erotic romance by how much time the hero and heroine spend engaged in steamy love scenes. The only suspense for over half the novel is waiting for the hero/heroine to stop keeping secrets and tell the truth and for the villain to come for her. Not that the wait isn’t entertaining. Leigh’s description is vivid, and her romantic leads share intense chemistry, snarky and humorous banter, and a profound emotional connection. She also deftly builds up the suspense about what happened to Lily and the wait for the showdown between Lily, her attacker/Levi’s fugitive, and Levi. Surprisingly enough, it’s worth the wait. When the suspense kicks in, Her Renegade Cowboy becomes a different novel. It’s dark, disturbing, fast-paced, and captivating. I couldn’t stop reading till the satisfying pulse-pounding conclusion.

Schoolteacher Lily Donovan suffered a traumatic experience in school that left her emotionally scarred, suffering nightmares and anxiety, and determined never to let her guard down and trust a man again. She returns to her hometown and family, ready to put the past behind her and keep her attack secret. So, her family never finds out. She’s not the least bit interested in any man or tempted to let down her guard until Levi Roberts comes along. An ex-Ranger, Levi, is an undercover operative assigned to find a dangerous fugitive who may come after Lilly. To keep an eye on her and watch for the escaped suspect, he takes a job working as a ranch cowboy for Lily’s cousin Jacob. From catching first sight of her, Levi knows he’s in trouble and should stay away from Lily. But he can’t. He’s drawn to her fiery spirit and loves that he can affect her calm, proper façade. Neither can resist their connection and attraction and give in to it. But, before they can share their secrets, they’re revealed, coming between them. When Lily’s attacker/Levi’s fugitive gets his hands on her, there’s nothing Levi won’t do to find her and bring her home safe and hope she’ll forgive him and give him a second chance.

Beautiful, proper, prickly, wounded, and haunted—Lily is all attitude. She needs to be strong and protect her family from the person who tried to break her. Levi is mysterious, stubborn, and gorgeous. One of the best fugitive recovery agents and an expert undercover operative, he’s guarded, protective, and will keep Lily safe at any cost. I love Levi and Lily’s interactions when they are circling each other. They each fill deep needs in the other. Levi reawakens Lily’s passions and makes her feel safe, and Lily brings Levi’s heart and soul back to life. Their love scenes are steamy and sexy. However, the balance between suspense and steam tilts over toward the steamy. It's all good, though, because she expertly amps up the tension and action in the latter part of the novel.

Readers who love steamy, romantic, sexy, emotional, romantic suspense novels and can appreciate more steam at the front and excellently written suspense and action toward the end will love Her Renegade Cowboy.

“He was determined to melt that cold exterior of hers, even if it meant feeling the icy burn in the process.”

As my first book by this author, I can say that it won’t be my last! Even thought I haven’t read the rest of the books in this series, I had no trouble diving into Levi and Lily’s story and I look forward to checking out the previous books in the series. This story had me hooked from beginning to end! I loved the chemistry and moments between Levi and Lily. Their journey wasn’t an easy one but I loved seeing their relationship and trust for one another grow. To me, this book had a little bit of everything. It was heartwarming, steamy and suspenseful. And I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

Lora Leigh is always a good read, but there were a few parts of this I didn't love. The heroine of this novel wasn't my favorite, and made some decisions that made me cuh-razy. Levi was strong and sexy and slightly unprofessional, but still made for quite the hero.

Her Renegade Cowboy by Lora Leigh
Subgenre: western romance
Release date: 28 Sep 2021
Publisher: St Martin’s Paperbacks
Format: ebook and print
Length: 334 pages
RRP: $8.33 (ebook); $22.80 (print)

Ms Leigh gives the reader heat, lust and suspense in this story about Lily and Levi.

Lily Donovan has returned home mainly to hide in the open and to have familiarity around her. She has been through a very harrowing experience and has kept this information from her friends. Lily is intrigued by the new cowboy on her friend’s ranch but is reluctant to pursue anything with him. But then he starts turning up in all the places she goes.

Levi Roberts is a US Marshal. He is currently undercover as a way to protect Lily, as her tormentor has escaped from jail. He is immediately enthralled by Lily but wonders if it is the job or her. As he tries to protect her from her tormentor, he really struggles with this. Then they end up in bed. And in lust.

Very soon the threat becomes very real when Lily’s tormentor arrives in town and kidnaps her sister. Then the showdown begins, both with the tormentor and between Lily and Levi when his secret is revealed.

When looking for a story with lots of heat or lust at first sight, one by Ms Leigh should be at the top of your list. The suspense in this story also kept me turning the pages as it was very intense as to how the situation might be resolved.

(Trigger warning: sexual assault)

reviewed by Heather

A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

Lily Donovan is back in her hometown of Deer Haven near her family and teaching at the elementary school. To everyone things might seem normal, but they are far from it. Lily has a huge secret that is about to blow wide open.

Former psychology professor, Graham Brisbee, has been serving time after his last victim blew the whistle on him. He had been using his students, manipulating, raping, and torturing them. He had even escalated to murder. And, Jane Doe barely escaped with her life. Her entire testimony was done anonymously. Few know that Lily is Jane Doe, not even her overprotective cousin, Jacob. But now Graham has escaped prison and Lily won’t be able to rest easy until he is back behind bars.

The U.S. Marshals offered to put Lily into witness protection, but she didn’t want Graham controlling her life, so she refused. So, the Marshals did what they felt was in her best interest and hid one of their operatives close to her, he even got a job on her cousin’s ranch, unbeknownst to Jacob what or who he was.

Levi was in Deer Haven to complete a job and to put a scumbag back in prison, where he belonged. He was there to keep Lily safe, but he couldn’t help but fall for the fiery vixen. However, working undercover, he can’t reveal what he really does for a living. When it comes to keeping the woman he loves safe, Levi will stop at nothing, even if it puts his job or his life in jeopardy. But will Lily be able to forgive him once the truth comes out?

I’ve really enjoyed this series so far. Lora Leigh has a way of weaving a story that can keep you interested even when you *think* you know what’s going to happen. And, this book was no exception. Her characters where on point as usual and she kept the story interesting.

Graham was pretty twisted and Leigh fleshed him out pretty well, considering how little there was of him in the story.

I really enjoyed Lily and Levi. I liked Lily’s take-no-prisoners attitude, although I think she was a little too quick, at times, to jump to anger and indignation. However, she also seemed to forgive a bit too easy too. I found Levi to be a bit too good and perfect at times … I need to see a few warts for him to be believable. But overall, both characters were done well.

As much as Lily hated it, I loved seeing Levi and Jacob’s protective sides come out!

I also enjoyed seeing the usual characters of Deer Haven. Jacob, Shay, and all the Culpeppers kept things interesting. And, I’m really hoping we get a book on Justice soon! Although it sounds like Shay may be next …

Overall this was an entertaining read, although the usual grammatical errors in Leah’s books are still present. It wasn’t enough to make me dislike the book, but I’m honestly used to this issue by now.

Lora Leigh is an author I've read before and I enjoy the suspense romance genre. In terms of the genre, the book was high on romance in the beginning and the suspense was somewhat evident throughout but took a prominent place near the end.

Levi is a total alpha male and his take charge attitude was perfect. He is sent to protect Lily who helped put her deranged college professor and mentor away after he attacked her. No one knows her trauma except her cousin's wife and sister. This secret plays a big part in the relationship between Levi and Lily. But Levi has a secret of his own - he was sent to protect Lily since she refused Witness Protection when her mentor escapes.

Lily was pretty passive/aggressive and I wasn't a huge fan of hers....though I did like her feistiness when she lets it show. Their interactions were steamy but the secrets, at times, got frustrating and I wanted them to just tell each other already.

Overall it was an enjoyable book and while this is the 3rd book in the Moving Violations series, I find it can be read as a stand-alone. I haven't read the prior books in the series and was able to follow along with the characters and become vested in the story without any issue.

I received this arc for an honest review.

I really wanted to like this book from when I read the intro about it. Once I got into the story just certain parts did not work for me especially Lilly’s character after her sexual assault and wanting to do the things that he wanted to do. I could be wrong but it just didn’t feel right with me. From there I just lost my interest in the rest of the story, sorry I really wanted to like the book.

This book was not what I was expecting, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I found the romance between Lily and Levi to be too insta-lovey for me, but the overall story was engaging and kept me reading throughout. I did enjoy the way the author went about bringing the conflict to the page and its resolution. Sadly, I didn't like Lily a whole lot, but could understand where she was coming from. I just wish she would have made a better first impression in the beginning. As for Levi, strangely enough he didn't inspired a whole lot more than lusty thoughts. I questioned his professionalism and pursue of Lily, so I decided to remain focused on the surrounding conflict. That doesn't mean that I skimmed through the steamy scenes, because why would I? Lora Leigh knows how to bring the heat and that first encounter alone earned her a couple of stars from me!

Anyhow, although this is the third book in the Moving Violations series, it does read as a stand alone thanks to the author's focus remaining on Levi, Lily and the circumstances that brought them together in the first place. I am definitely looking forward to Justice's story (hopefully!). That man made an impression, just saying!

All in all, an intriguing and engaging read with plenty of steam.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Her Renegade Cowboy by Lora Leigh is the third book to the Moving Violation series. A contemporary novel with some elements of suspense involving a school teacher and an undercover U.S. Marshall.

Lily Donovan is a school teacher who has no trust in men outside of her family. Due to a traumatic assault that occurred the year past, she has been secretly struggling to get past it. Unfortunately, the person who assaulted her has escaped and is coming for her. While it was suggested that she goes into the witness protection program, she adamantly refuses.

Levy Roberts is an undercover U.S. Marshall posing as a cowboy as he is on the lookout for the fugitive responsible for Lily’s nightmares. It is not an easy task to look after Lily and keep his secret.

The longer Lily and Levy spend together, the harder it is for them to keep the secrets they are withholding from each other.

Although it was the third novel in the series, I feel like it was not needed to read the other books prior to this particular one. It was an enjoyable read but might leave some readers frustrated with the main female character’s stubbornness of refusing help when needed.

4 star

The story has laughs, pain, secrets, suspense. and heartbreak.

If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books(s) first
One Tough Cowboy (Moving Violations #1)
Strong, Silent Cowboy (Moving Violations #2)


This is Lily and Levi’s story. Lily knows better than to trust a man. She has been down that road and is not willing to trust again. But while spending time around him secrets are revealed that bring danger to them. When she ends up right in the middle of that danger, he knows he has to save and protect her. But will she trust him to save her with the issues from her past with trusting the wrong men? Can he save her? Can he prove that he is not like those untrustworthy men from her past? Can he heal her broken heart and build a future?

I recommend this book.

The finale of Moving Violations is yay!

Levi is a hot cowboy. He has a mission and he should not fail, but he could not resist the school teacher whose charms had no effect.

Lily would do her best to avoid attractive temptations like Levi.

These two are very much alike, and in a way that when they try to stay away from each other, situations make them closer.

I am very grateful to Miss Kate Bateman for creating this series, to St. Martin's Press for giving me a chance to read the three stories for free, and to Netgalley for the ARC!

Her Renegade Cowboy by Lora Leigh is an engaging story of a woman who probably belonged in witness protection and an arrogant cowboy who acts on his attraction for her. Lily Donovan had finished her last year of college online and done her student teaching here in her hometown. She had nearly been raped and killed by a serial rapist and potential serial killer, who had been her professor. She testified against him, but she did it anonymously and only a couple of people knew about it. She had told her sister, Tara, and her cousin's wife, Sallie, who had recognized the sighs. She first sees Levi Roberts in a bar on a girls' night out and then the next day at her cousin Jacob's ranch, when they stopped by to get Sallie for a shopping trip. By then she had received the call from the marshals that Graham Brisbee had escaped, along with two others and they were worried about her. She was confident that he had no idea where she was and that she could take care of herself so she declined his help.

Levi, of course, is more than he seems and it is not long before Lily recognizes that and get involved. Neither of them reveal their secrets and so are dealing independently, but blind, with the threat of Graham Brisbee. Lily is far too independent and Levi takes longer than necessary to realize he is in love with this woman. It is a good build as their relationship grows, with a strong physical relationship taking precedence. They both figure out what they should have done when it is almost too late. A terrific read and a good romantic thriller. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Her Renegade Cowboy by St. Martin's Paperbacks, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #stmartins #herrenegadecowboy

this book was definitely too rough/sad/out of my comfort zone for me. I did not like the attacker/trauma she went through and skipped over quite a bit of parts. Unfortunately this was a no go for me.

Her Renegade Cowboy is the third book in Lora Leigh’s Moving Violations series. Second grade teacher Lily Donovan had a traumatic event occur in college, which is only alluded to in the first quarter of the book. This annoyed me as I did not know if it had occurred in Book 2, which I did not read or the author was purposely being elusive. I think it would have been better to have it occur in a Prelude. Her family doesn't know what happened, but that she had changed when she was away and came back a shell of herself.

The book starts off with her assailant escaping from prison, but she refuses protective custody. Enter handsome Levi Roberts, retired Army Ranger, current U.S. Marshall, sent to Deer Haven to keep an eye on Lily. His undercover job is as a ranch worker on her cousin Jacob’s ranch. He falls for her right away, a definite no-no, and she is very attracted to him but is now wary of all men. Soon sparks fly, but will Levi be able to do his job? Both are keeping secrets from the other, too scared to mess up their blooming relationship. What will happen when they wait too long and the secrets are revealed at the worse time?

It got a bit tedious with Lily's indecisiveness and her temper forcing her to make poor decisions. She is surrounded by "alphas", but is afraid to put them in danger, so puts herself in danger instead? Also, no matter how gorgeous and likable Levi is, still recovering from an assault, why would she be so quick to jump into bed with him? I really like the cover, but Levi is neither a renegade or a cowboy..


I read an ARC from NetGalley.com and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Her Renegade Cowboy is the Lora Leigh writing that I love.

Now I am saying that, but one of the reasons I became a fan of Leigh’s was her more risque writing (chuckle). This is not that kind of book.

Her Renegade Cowboy is a romantic suspense book where love must rise above deception. I think I really like these tropes, especially if Leigh writes them. The steam, lust, and the drive of the hero to protect and never mind having the heroine is definitely a panty wetter. (hmmmm…I’m already wondering how in the heck am I editing this for community sensors on public forums. Smh chuckle)

The trope may be familiar, but it is the creation of the characters that makes you want to care. Leigh writes heroines who are feisty and capable and Lily is no different. Just because there is “evil” after her doesn’t mean that she cannot protect herself. She may be self-contained about things, but she protects her family and friends at all costs. Some may see this as detrimental (her family), but I see this as a great characteristic to have.

My favorite hero is the protector and luster combined. Who doesn’t want to be desired to the point of making one’s panties wet just looking at the lust being shown (in of course a completely healthy way). There are currently three authors who write this type of hero who are must haves for me and Lora Leigh is one of them. Leigh is an automatic, “yes please.”

Her Renegade Cowboy also has another fave Leigh staple of mine: a fabulous support system of friends and family. These members will go to the wall for a friend. No questions asked except for where do we need to bury the bodies? Need to run, when are we leaving? Want to fight, let me grab my gun and make a few calls. Oh and we’ll protect you and stand by you whether you like it or not.

This book was the infusion I needed while going through some tough times. I don’t have this in my life and knowing that I can pretend for just a little while that people have this…Her Renegade Cowboy is the perfect escape.

I had a difficult time getting into this one. She had a troubling past where she survived some sexual abuse. Her abuser, a serial rapist and murderer, has escaped from prison and she knows that there’s a chance that he’s going to come after her. Levi is an undercover US Marshal who is a little bit too domineering and I think he takes the wrong approach with her. There were times when he didn’t seem sensitive enough to her past. There was definitely passion and it was explicit but at times it was also a bit vulgar and I didn’t think it fit her character profile. I’m all for passion and detailed descriptions of what’s going on, but I also think it should fit the characters that the author is creating, so at times I felt uncomfortable for her and had a difficult time coming back to the book. Overall, I liked the plot, I liked the bad guy, there was emotional turmoil when the truth comes out as to who the male lead truly is, and I liked that she wanted to fight her own battles. In general, it was an OK book, I just forgot the authors style of writing when I went into it and I just didn’t think it quite fit the the character dynamic of the female lead.

A good solid sexy cowboy story except Levi Roberts is undercover watching over Lily Donovan. Lily’s past is about to catch up with her but she still has time for pain in the ass Levi. Sparks fly when the truth is revealed. A fast exciting read with characters you can’t wait to follow in future books.
I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Lori Leigh is one of my favourite authors!
This book is another hit!!
Romance … cowboys … danger … I’M IN!!!!
The chemistry is off the charts.
Just fantastic!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for my honest review.

Is it a romance or a suspense? To me it was both. Lily refused witness protection and the bad guy has escaped from jail. Enter Levi, the undercover marshal sent to protect her. He tells no one who he really is. Then he does the unspeakable and starts a relationship with her. Oh the steamy bits in the book. He has some moves. The story was entertaining.

A steamy, quick read with great suspense towards the end of the book.
I did enjoy the book overall but I felt that the actual story was more slow burn than the erotic parts which were full steam ahead.