Lily's Cowboys

Heaven Sent #1

by S.E. Smith

Sometimes life begins after you die. A least it has for Lily O’Donnell. Lily O’Donnell had always wanted to find a love as beautiful as her parents had. When her father suspiciously dies in an accident and her mother is brutally raped and murdered Lily has to fight for her life. When she is trapped by the man who murdered both her parents and threatens to do to her what he did to her mother Lily feels she has only one choice to avoid a fate worse than death.

Reborn to help others, Lily reappears time after time to help families in need only to die again once the families no longer need her. Things change when Maggie Cunnings finally has enough of her three nephews’ attitudes. Wanting to go home to sunny Florida and leave the frigid winters of Wyoming behind, Maggie prays for a little help in teaching the Cunnings’ brothers how to live and love again. The Cunnings’ men aren’t the easiest to get along with. They’ve gone through six housekeepers in as many months. When Maggie hires Lily to be their new housekeeper sparks fly as the brothers and Lily learn that living and loving sometimes comes with no guarantees.

When a madman targets Lily believing she has the knowledge to make him an immortal the men have to come together as a family to help save the woman they love. Will they be able to save her and make her theirs or will she once again be taken away?

(Warning: This is a ménage romance between one determined angel and the three cowboys who love her).

Genres: Menage, Romance, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Westerns, Erotica, Fantasy

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 9, 2010

About the author

S.E. Smith is an internationally acclaimed, New York Times and USA TODAY Bestselling author of science fiction, romance, fantasy, paranormal, and contemporary works for adults, young adults, and children. She enjoys writing a wide variety of genres that pull her readers into worlds that take them away.

Readers can check out her website at https://sesmithfl.com and chat with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/se.smith.5

Reviews

[Cheesecake · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lily the possible angel and three generic cowboys with big schlongs.
I usually like this author, but this was just so predictable it was boring.
DNF at 67%
Set in a strange little town where multiple marriages are common. The story is of Lily who died over a hundred years ago and now walks the Earth to help save families. Kwai Chang Caine, she is not. Instead she uses her skills as a housekeeper to accomplish her heavenly duties.
I liked the first part of the book but once the insta love/lust starts, it rapidly becomes more about sex than story, and the story deflates to utter predictability.
Just didn't see any point in finishing it.

[Rebbecca Jill Odom · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting story. As my first ménage novel, I wasn't sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was actually a really good story. Well, to be honest, it felt like two very DIFFERNT stories that got crammed together.

The premise behind the story: a girl who comes back time and again to help those in need, is fresh and fascinating.

Smith develops a well-told story with intriguing characters that are well-rounded and genuinely interesting. It's when she decides to add a sex scene that the story goes whompy.

The ménage aspect might've worked later in the story, but starting off with three men who profess to love and care about the virginal Lily, but then "dominate" her right off the bat... it didn't mesh. Who gangbangs an inexperienced virgin they "love" and then thinks it's okay to hit her?

It almost felt like Smith was writing this amazing story and then every so often remembered that people are digging "Fifty shades..." right now, and decided to throw some of that in for the hell of it.

If the sex scenes were nixed, it would be a great story that I would love to read more about.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable book. Most mènage I read don't have much of a story plot and have sex scenes in almost every chapter. Though this doesn't have much sex scenes they are In details ;) I really liked this book and I loved that they didn't have sex right off the back. She had them developed a bond first before anything happen. I cried she when she died :( I seriously thought that was how it was going to end. That the guys would suffer and try to move on while she goes wherever she goes. Heaven? In between? And just watch over them. I'm glad that she meet their parents and god? Finally let her come back to be with them and finally be loved :) Also the book warns to be 18+ though there isn't much sex scenes but like I said they are in some details and can get steamy lol Oh and cussing :) Also there might be some grammar issues so be prepare for those but it's not so bad that you don't know what she is saying.

[Mari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lily died in the early 1900's when she was nearly 18. She comes back to life periodically to be a housekeeper for a person or family she can help. When her job is complete she dies again. This time she comes back to help three brothers who own a large ranch. Over the years the once tight knit family has grown apart. Lily becomes their house keeper and starts bringing the brothers together.

The book was OK.........not great, not bad either. Totally predictable. It was fairly short as well.

[Elena Kincaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. A very unique Menage story. Also, I prefer there to be no head hopping in menage stories, but in this case, the author managed to pull it off and it didn't distract from the story. Very well done.

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had a large cup of innocent instalove but I very much enjoyed the read. Lilly was very endearing and the brothers were just alpha enough to peak my interest.

[Thieryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

3 brothers. 1 girl. Way too many rooms, and way more possibilities. The absolute threesome, and the perfect happy ever after. Gimme gimme gimme.

After drowning herself to avoid the worst, Lily appears at random times to help those who most need am angel in their lives. The 3 ridiculously handsome yet highly dysfunctional Cunnings brothers have been replacing housekeepers faster than they have toilet paper, yet treating them just as shitty. One by one though they fall under her charm, until all together make her fall under their covers. Sure, there's a madman who thinks she holds the key to immortal life, but that won't stop them from savouring every inch of her juicy jail-bait body.

I really wanted to remove one start for the sheer speed each of the brothers falls for Lily, and the complete lack of a transition period between "who the hell is this girl living in my house" to "why the hell am I not inside this girl already". I would have loved to see their defences slowly chiselled down day by day, especially because of the glimpse we got about Lily's witty ways in the way she handled Allan. Ethan and Caleb felt way too fast (though in Caleb's case, I admit, I am a sucker for stew and brownies too).

But I won't. I give my full-hearted 5-Star rating to this book, because after I read their first four-way interaction in bed, I didn't care. After it happened again, I didn't even care to remember my name. Have no doubt, the sex in this book is HAWT! And the very distinct signs of Lily's submission and the brothers' dominance (we love you, Ethan!) got me even more excited. A 3-way clamp chain? Really, you kinky bastards.

This is the first plot of this kind I've come across, and I loved the premise. I had no issue with the writing either - it was easy to follow and very nicely laid out. No confusion, no drama, no fuss. Perfect.
Gimme gimme gimme.

[ValerieC · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 stars

I had to take 1/2 star off for all the errors, mostly mistakes in word tenses. With this new Kindle Fire it's easy to highlight all of these, so I have a lot of them... maybe 50+

This is a lovely story about three cowboy brothers and an Angel that had me laughing and crying. I will certainly read it again sometime. I have a lot of books from this author, but this is my favorite. I hope she writes more and I will buy them. A series about this cute town would be really great!!!!!!!!! ;-)

Lily was a sweet h... has issues aside from (or maybe just from) being a ghost-angel, but recognized them. Ethan, Caleb, and Allen were hot Hs. That aspect could have used a little bit more development and time spent 'alone' with each of them, not just Allen (even though he was the neediest guy).

Smex scenes were fine... I just skim over them for dialogue these days, but they fit the 'requirement' for this type of book.

One thing that didn't make sense to me was how Lili's journal and canvas bag kept coming and going along with her. And how could she have written in it from 'wherever' she was? Also, if the last time she 'died' she saw all of these people (her parents, the guys' parents) why didn't she see them before?

I have had this sitting on my Kindle for a while, and I don't know why I haven't read it before now... poor DNA, I guess.

[Heather Kuebler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Lily's Cowboys, by SE Smith

I love anything romance. And while I prefer my romance to have a major dose of paranormal or fantasy, I will read anything that will touch my heart (and other places!). I freely admit to being a fan of SE Smith. I will read anything she write knowing that I will not be disappointed. Lily's Cowboys was no different.

Normally I do not write about what happens in a book. You, as the reader, can find any number of them here. What I prefer to do is tell you how I felt when I read a book. I truly enjoyed this one. While I know the story line is not exactly based on reality, I don't feel like what happened couldn't not happen. I wanted it to be real. I wanted Lily and her men to have that happily ever after! I didn't feel like it was all bull and the men so perfect that they could not exist. I wanted them to be real because they were real, if that makes sense. Like most of SE Smith's female leads, Lily is sweet, but not annoyingly so. She stands up for what she believes in, and while being rather innocent and naive in some ways, she has a definite backbone and will speak her mind.

So, to sum up, I definitely recommend this one. The sex is smoking hot, the characters are likable, and the story is just the right amount of "fantasy" without being too unrealistic!

[Stormy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book really wasn't for me. I read it based on a good review from a fellow GR friend. I read the whole thing because it was...different. Not just the unconventional relationship (and town, for that matter), but the story line was not...the usual suspect. I was curious to see what would happen - not with the relationship as much as with the story line in general.

The whole style of the book, for me, seemed out of date. Like it was a book written back in the days of the bodice rippers, maybe. Completely unrealistic dialogue, lengthy descriptions of story information - lots of telling instead of showing. Everyone seemed like caricatures, more than other books I've read recently and reactions seemed staged or insincere. And I hated the references to their mom and "the dads".

And, really, the whole brothers sharing a woman thing does not appeal to me, though I know it does have a somewhat strong following, based on a large number of permanent menage books I've seen (and avoided reading).

I don't know. I groaned a lot and rolled my eyes a lot, but I finished it...so that's something.

I don't think I would read this author again.

[SandyL · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book really had potential. I used to love the TV series Touched By an Angel - add in some naughtiness in the form of 3 hunky guys who all like the same girl and it sounds like an insta-hit! Well, there are a lot of insta's in this book, but not so much of a hit for me. Lily O'Donnell shows up in a small diner and finds insta-employment. Maggie has been cleaning house for her nephews in between the housekeepers they keep running off, but she's reached the end of her rope. She prays for help and in walks Lily. So Maggie insta-hires her, insta-drops her off at the house with no introduction to the men, insta-moves back to Florida. Brother #3, Allen is suffering from guilt, depression and PTSD after a mission gone bad. After meeting Lily he is insta-cured and now is in insta-love. Brothers #1 and #2, Ethan and Caleb, come home and meet Lily and also fall insta-in love. Then it's insta-menage with this virgin angel. The characters are likable, despite not much time to get to know them and its a cute story - 2.5 stars for me.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of this book is quite unique. This is a short, sweet read that will definitely get your panties wet. I listened to the audiobook and I really like this narrator. She is able to do male and female quite smoothly and believably. This story made me cry but very quickly made my heart warm which also brought tears to my eyes. Nice light read without much angst. Highly recommended.

[Tam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is an easy read and for anyone who has read prior SE Smith books the grammar / spelling issues are greatly improved. There might have been a couple of things but nowhere near what other books have had.

The problem I had with this book was that the two themes didn't mesh for me. On the one hand we have our "touched by an angel / Nanny Mcphee" character of Lily who is "sent" to those who need her and stays as long as they need her. On the other hand it's a menage book.

For me this book would have worked better if Lily introduced two more women to her cowboys and had one to herself. Or if instead of being repeatedly "sent" to those in need she was just sent to the cowboys and they found her washed up in the river (never mind the time difference). Either of those would have worked for me.

But the book as it stands just left me with a feeling that it wasn't right.

[Maranda Prigmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met SE Smith at the IRC conference in Lebanon, TN. I loved all her book covers & when I chose Lily's Cowboys... I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. I never really looked at the series title. I usually don't read books about angels. It's just not my thing. However, I fell in love w/this book & w/all the characters. One of my favorite lines was "Sometimes you have to face death before you can appreciate what it means to live." That just struck a cord w/me. Lily coming up w/the cursing jar had me absolutely laughing. If I lived in that house like Ethan, Allen, & Caleb the jar would be full within the day! I curse way too much. It was such a touching story. I also cried my eyeballs out. The thought & imagination the SE Smith put into the story will definitely have me reading more of her books. :D It's a great read & if you like menage & love stories then please read this author.

[namericanwordcat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book did something subtle that was very nice. At first because of the reincarnation aspect of the book and no time being set, I thought perhaps the heroine's story reopened in the future where poly marriages were more common. It turned out not to be the case but it to be more common in this community and somehow this worked for me in terms of suspending disbelief and not having to endure the moral torture present in so many contemporary menge books.

This was a basically a sweet woman on her last piece of luck and rancher that needs a housekeeper story with the twist of menge and reincarnation thrown in. These were good fun twists! I look forward to seeing what happens in the rest of the series.

[☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It made me cry with the memories from past and what was going on in the present and of course who wouldn't want to be loved my 3 glorious men. I also like the description of the character. They each had a different personality that made them different but the same in some. Really enjoyable book.

[SuzyHD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding 5+*

Fabulous! Well written with just the right amount of sex, intrigue, mystery, and character development. I definitely could not put this book down. The storyline was very different which created more and more interest with each chapter. Highly recommend reading this book.

[C.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another classic from S.E. Smith! What a brilliant concept, I like to think that this was Lily's last lifetime although this wasn't said specifically. Great secondary characters and just adored the brothers. Would recommend ++++

[Jessica Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a emotional, intriging read

It was interesting how lily dealt with each brother and the different interactions between them all and how they dealt with each other and there prolems. Lily's background was also very interesting. A few typo's but didn't take away from the story for me

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily travels through time to help those in need. Time travel- reincarnation. Lily dies when her mission is complete but returns as herself when she gets a new mission. Will she get a HEA or will this be her last mission?

[Peg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this author!!!

Lily, Allen, Caleb, and Ethan were made for each other; even if it took Lily several lifetimes to catch up to the 3 brothers. Do I recommend this book? Heck yeah! I couldn't put it down. I have enjoyed all of S. E. Smith's books so far.

[Penny Stephens · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not her best

Miss
guess I'm old fashioned, just felt wrong, anal sex yuck. It took me awhile to get through it skipping parts.
Liked her other books much better. She is a great writer, thank goodness only three brothers, good luck.

[Diana Woodward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angel for 3

Angel saving grace, for the ones not due to die and lives spear. Like Angels walk around us and step in when needed vs guardian angel. Not sure where it's ok to have 3 guys before and with married too. Mormons? Good story anyhow.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read but had everything you needed to know in it. I liked the ending as well. Good story line.

[Megan Fall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different from her other books, this book was still really good. I enjoyed the story, and of course the three hot cowboys!!

[Marina · Rating 3 out of 5]

short,sweet read!

[Vixen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Really sweet, liked all the characters. They went well together and the chemistry was smoking! Love this author's books! Enjoyed it thoroughly!

[Hana · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok, quite good sex scenes, good chemistry between the protagonists but the idea that Lily was some sort of angel was really ridiculous.

[Angela Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice read


Nice book to read. Very romantic and a good a read for the first time. I would continue to read this series

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

Even if you're not into the foursome thing! This book has a unique story line and a Beautiful ending..... Thank you