Tough. Taciturn. And a fool for letting her go...

Wyoming rancher Quinn McKay thought he'd only have to bide time until his levelheaded wife came to her senses and called a halt to this "trial separation". He never believed the marital rough patch would drag on for a coon's age.

Libby McKay knew when she married the gruff, laid-back cowboy that he wasn't prone to blathering about his feelings. But three months have passed and her stubborn-as-a-mule husband is still living by himself in the horse trailer. It seems he'd rather hold onto his pride than hold onto her.

Quinn realizes Libby is determined to move on if he doesn't loosen his tongue and he'll lose the only woman he's ever loved. In a last-ditch effort to keep her in his life, he offers her one weekend of uninterrupted sexual decadence.

Reigniting the passion is easy. The hard part comes after the sheets have cooled and they find out if what remains is strong enough to survive past mistakes.

Warning: Old-fashioned groveling leads to smokin' hot sexual encounters---steamin' up the truck windows, rockin' the horse trailer---proving even an old married dog can learn naughty new tricks.

Quinn and Libby McKay's marriage is stuck in a bad place and they have been separated for 3 months. Libby kicked Quinn out. The trouble starts with their fruitless attempts to have a baby. After that it goes downhill until Quinn decides to fight for his wife and their love. Quinn wants her back and his brother advises him to woo her. It's funny how the things Libby wants from Quinn: to stake his claim on her, fight for her, reconciliation, are exactly what Quinn wants too, but they fell into a comfortable rut in their marriage. The main reason of Quinn and Libby's marital problems kinda hit home for me for personal reasons and gave this short story an extra dimension for which I will hold it as one of my faves in this series.

I've had this novella on my computer since it came out in May 2009 because, as you should know by now, Lorelei James is one of my auto-buy on release day authors. However, I didn't read it until late in 2009 and it was the kick-start for a Lorelei James reading binge. Because after reading it I just had to read SHOULDA BEEN A COWBOY and ALL JACKED UP.

What can I tell you about STRONG, SILENT TYPE? It's a novella and that is actually my only real complaint...it’s just is too damn short. On the other hand the size of it does serve well to tell Quinn and Libby's story because they are not a couple whom just met and have to get to know each other. They have know each other like forever and have been married for years and are going through a rough spot. Frankly I think Lorelei James did an excellent job of telling the story of how they got back on track, in the span of the roughly 90 pages this novella adds up to.

STRONG, SILENT TYPE proves that within a relationship communication is the key! Once Quinn and Libby started talking, really talking, about their issues, is when both realized their own role in their troubled marriage and made a true start at fixing their problems. Libby realizes she's been a bit selfish and focused on her own needs only. And Quinn realizes he must open up and talk about his feelings and make his needs clear to Libby. The fact that their sex life gets an extra hot boost in the progress is just another added bonus! Quinn transforms from gruff and quiet to talkative, commanding and seductive. If I ever want a sensual massage I'm getting Quinn McKay!!! I really melted at that scene. It was so incredibly hot.

As with the full-length books, the story of Quinn and Libby is both emotional and steamy. No forget steamy...it's scorching hot. Emotionally it worked for me too and as always Lorelei made me bring out the tissues in the end. This novella was no different. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Lorelei James knows how to write tantalizing, extremely sensual, spine-tingling love scenes, no matter the couple, no matter the size of the book, no matter if it's just a kiss or a full-blown sex session, they are always on the mark and never fail to get me all hot and bothered.

STRONG SILENT TYPE was a nice in-between for the full-lengths in the Rough Rider series and I enjoyed reading it. Yes, it was short. No, there wasn't much room for a plot or to thoroughly deepen out the characters but to be honest Lorelei James' writing doesn't need elaborate plots because even in this short story she managed add to the feeling of completeness of this series and again she touched and aroused me like few other authors can. If you like 'em hot and sweet, get yourself a taste of Lorelei James' Rough Riders. She has yet to write something that disappoints me.

Quotes:
Quinn:
“I’m gonna f*ckin’ kill him. See how goddamn happy his hands are after I break ’em off at the wrists.”

Libby and Quinn:
“Is that why you behaved like that last night at Ziggy’s?”
“Like what?”
“You know how you behaved.” Quinn chewed slowly and swallowed. “You lookin’ for an apology?”
“Maybe.”
“Okay. I’m sorry that sonuvabitch who had his paws all over you didn’t spend all goddamn night pickin’ his teeth up off the floor after I knocked ’em clean outta his mouth.”
“So you’re not apologizing?” Quinn flashed his teeth. “For actin’ like a man and for protecting what’s mine? Hell no.” He leaned closer. “Does that shock you?”
“A little. Lord, Quinn, that was completely out of character for you, cussing, threatening a guy and causing a public scene.”
He shrugged. “That’s because I keep that side of myself to myself.”
“Why?”
Should he answer? Could he? Yes. No more hiding. Balls to the wall. “Quinn?” “Because it’d scare you worse than it does me.”
“I’m not exactly a delicate flower,” she retorted. “And I’ve known you all my life.”
“Yeah? Then did ya think I’d go with my original impulse of draggin’ you back home by the hair and provin’ to you just who has the right to put his hands all over you?”

Quinn and Libby:
“I want you right now.”
“Where?”"
"“Table.” He untied the belt on her robe, pushed it to the floor and groaned satisfaction she was still naked.
“But the dishes—”
“F*ck the dishes.” Quinn turned, jerked the corners of the tablecloth until all the plates and silverware crashed together and rolled to the opposite end of the table. “Problem solved.”

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

My other reviews in the Rough Rider series:
1. Long Hard Ride
2. Rode Hard, Put Up Wet
3. Cowgirl Up and Ride
4. Tied Up, Tied Down
5. Rough, Raw and Ready
6. Branded as Trouble

Click HERE to visit Lorelei’s website