Lace & Lassos

Rough and Ready #2

by Cheyenne McCray

Eight years ago Wayne Cameron hit rock bottom, when Kaitlyn Barrett walked out of his life after she had done everything she could for him. She’d had to do what he couldn’t—walk away from his addictions.Now a decorated soldier, Wayne was Special Forces in Afghanistan but returned to ranching life after an injury taken under fire.Kaitlyn comes home to Southern Arizona to take over her father’s ranch as she runs away from her demons…and she runs right into Wayne, her first and only real love. Now that Kaitlyn is back, Wayne is determined to show her that he’s a changed man and that he’s there for her as she faces the darkness that once threatened to consume her.Forces are working against Kaitlyn, trying to keep her from finding her new start. But that same element shows her that she really does need Wayne’s love, help, and support. Together they work to save her ranch and restore a love meant to last for eternity.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Westerns, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Amazon, Novella

170 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 27, 2012

About the author

Cheyenne McCray fell in love with reading and writing early, deciding in kindergarten that one day she would become an author. Today, she is an award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling fiction author who’s sold millions of books worldwide. Having published more than 100 novels and novellas in contemporary and paranormal romance, urban fantasy and romantic suspense, she is now also writing cozy mysteries as Deb Ries.

Chey grew up on a ranch in southeastern Arizona and delights in creating stories of suspense, love, and redemption with characters and worlds her readers can get lost in. Chey and her equally geeky husband live with their two dogs, six ducks (the neighborhood celebrities), and a small flock of chickens in a small Arizona town where she enjoys gardening, crazy quilting and, of course, writing.

Find out more about Chey, how to contact her, and her books at https://cheyennemccray.com.

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another good sexy Cowboy book from Cheyenne McCray. I really liked both the H&h's in this book. I loved how the family pulled together and gave their support. The loves scene were steamy and the romance believable for me.

I wish these stories would be longer but overall I did really enjoy them and I look forwards to the next book.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, but preferred #1. Like reading about the family of cowboys and their relationship with their partners/wives. Nice characters. 3☆

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kaitlyn returns home to Arizona after 8 years for her father's funeral. She has decided she is going to stay and make of go of restoring the Rocking B Ranch back to a working ranch. Kaitlyn left 8 years ago after putting her childhood sweetheart Wayne Cameron into a program for alcoholism. During those 8 year she went to school and got married but she was married to a verbal abuser who caused her already fragile psyche to lead her into a deep depression.

Eight years ago Wayne Cameron hit rock bottom when Kaitlyn walked out of his life. He realized he needed to beat his addiction and become and man she could be proud of and after treatment joined the Army and then Special Forces. On his last mission he knee was blown out and he decided to come home and return to ranching.

It doesnt take Wayne and Kaitlyn long to reconnect and start up where they left off all those years ago - even with both of them having there own set of demons from there past.

Kaitlyn's cousin decides to throw a monkey wrench in her short lived happiness by claiming that the Rocking B isnt her ranch and she has 5 days to get off it.. Seems her father never filed the paper work on the Quit Claim Deep when he and he brother split up the land when there father died.

[Chalice · Rating 3 out of 5]

The couple: Wayne and Caitlyn

Romance trope: second chance
Series: Rough and Ready
Length: 170 pages

Plot: Caitlyn hadn't planned on coming back to her hometown, but with a terrible breakup behind her and her father's death, she needs to take care of both his estate and herself. Of course one of the first people she runs into is the one person she doesn't want to see: Wayne, the boy who broke her heart. But he's determined to win her back, once and for all.

Commentary: Caitlyn left because Wayne was an alcoholic and he wouldn't get help. She felt so guilty after all that time, even though he assured her that that was the best thing because it finally woke him up to his problem and made him get help. I believe him - I think he was sincere. She did the best she could. That young, she wasn't equipped to stick around and be his savior. They sure didn't waste any time, though, did they? That was such a quick reunion, all the way to the end!

Previous book in the series: Silk & Spurs
Next book in the series: Champagne & Chaps

[JigsawGirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second Chance

I liked Wayne and Kait. This was a second chance romance. There was a bit of mystery and suspense to add to the romance.

Lace and Lassos was a very quick read. I would have appreciated the story behind Kait's cousin and his hatred of her. Was it just greed? I was surprised that there wasn't more reaction after the tables were turned. I kept waiting for something that never happened, but, that is on me.

Overall, a quick, sexy, and enjoyable second chance romance.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an engaging, quick read. When Kait returns home after 8 years of being away, the old attraction between her and Wayne is instant and strong. He tells her right up front that he never stopped loving her. It takes her a little longer to accept that she still feels the same way. MCCray shows that they are both different people; life has changed them, but that they are essentially the same good, loving people they always were. And when Kait's livelihood is threatened, Wayne steps up to help protect her and her property.

[MooseGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and it was well-written. I do like the Cameron family and I'm looking forward to reading more. My one gripe is that in this book things moved a little fast at times. For someone who was supposed to have problems, Kaitlyn had a pretty fast turnaround. The end seemed a little rushed and then in the epilogue, we just jump forward in time. Still, it wasn't a bad enough problem to put me off, so we'll see what the next book is like.

[Christine Jalili · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I actually have the first three in a boxed set and I’m loving it so far. Loved how Wayne had a wake up call when his love Kaitlyn (Kait) left him. She’s now back, but she’s been through so much. He’s never letting her go again. I felt for her as her cousin seems to want to take away her inheritance. Loved staying on edge and loved their happy ever after. I highly recommend this book.

[Karen J Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lace and Lassos

Wayne's problem forced Kaitlyn to walk away years ago. Now the passing of her father has brought her back home. Unfortunately, the greed of a family member may keep her from staying on the ranch where she grew up. Will Wayne be able to help her heal from past hurts and convince Kait that he never stopped loving her?

[Debbie Loader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star crossed young lovers. She left so he would save himself, and move on. For Kaitlin it meant letting go of a dream. Abused and battered she returns home to take over her fathers ranch only to have her worst fears re emerge

[Linda Jerome · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lace and lassos

This was a sweet, romantic, cowboy story. I think it was quick reading, light along with heavy parts dealing with life. I think people who enjoy a sexy cowboy story will like this one.

[Jill Miclean · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't hate this, but I also didn't love it. Was just too uneventful which, given that the plot had a mystery and a villain in it, is strange. The confrontations were so bland, and it all worked out so neat and tidy. Read too much like a Hallmark movie.

[Glenda Bettin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one better than the first

[Sofia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Better than the first but not by much.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book. Wonderful story.

[Cindy Boesl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too sad; hard to get into. Skimmed to HEA.

[Elaine Swinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written story with great characters. I really think you will enjoy this one I know I did. For me this was a quick easy read. I encourage everyone to get this one it is worth your time.

[Patty Sayles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story

Great sweet romance. Love the western a military theme of the book. Loved that the story touch on depression and drinking issues.

[Debra Johnson]

Purchased February 26, 2025

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novella that is third in this "Rough and Ready" series and published in January 2012. Highlighting another of the Cameron brothers, this story brings together a woman who has fled because of tension and stress and the overpowering disappointment of having a lover who loves the booze better than the woman in his life. Now she has returned and finds that Wayne Cameron, her lover of eight years past, has seen the error of his ways, but can she trust that his apparent re-hab and new lifestyle are genuine and lasting. There is nothing like the disappointment of love to put someone off their game, and so it was with these two. But even as the heroine prepares to settle down and rebuild her dad's ranch, she finds that there is trouble right in her own family, a cousin who would rip it all out from under her. In the middle of all this, she and Wayne re-discover one another and the power of love to sustain and fill one's heart and life with the kind of joy and contentment that can withstand serious difficulty. A really good read.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another really good book by Cheyenne McCray.
It is a story of two people with a past that find their way back together. They rekindle what they had ten years before and become stronger as a result.
Wayne and Kaitlynn have sexual chemistry that is off the charts. Wayne is out to prove to Kaitlyn that even though the sex is great, there is more to them than what is between the sheets!This book wasn't just about the sex and the couple together but also Kaitlyn and her own family issues. Her cousin tries to take her family house, so there is conflict throughout the story with that as well. It keeps the book interesting and I found it hard to put down as I was wanting to know what happened right away.
I am really enjoying the "Rough and Ready" series and look forward to reading the next installment.
It is also nice to see the other family members in the book as well and get an update on them!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book...it didn't seem as rushed as the others because the character had known eachother since they were little.
I also liked how the author brought to light the discussion of depression, as someone who has seen first hand how depression can be a downward spiral for a person and I will say that the writing for the part was done extremely well. Both Hero and heroine had their demons in this book and both had issues they still needed to work through. This was more of a second chance love story but it was an easy read none the less.

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series to see where things go for the rest of the Cameron clan, and I am hoping that Danica's book is with Dan Cooper. I like him especially after seeing him what little we saw of him in this book. :)

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every man that Kaitlyn ever loved has hurt her, including her first love Wayne. Wayne, one of the twins, became a drunk and it took Kaitlyn leaving him for him to hit rock bottom. After eight years apart Kaitlyn is back to run her fathers ranch after he dies.
I really liked this story and it was a great continuation from the last book. The only reason I didn't give a full five stars is because of the ending. It felt like the story jumped in time but forgot to tell you. It took about a page before I realized there was a time jump, but I had no idea how much time had past. Another good book by Cheyenne McCray. I cannot wait to start the next book in the series.

[Sunny☼ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kait returns home after a failed marriage and the death of her father. She had left the home of her youth under sad circumstances and tried to move on with her life.
Wayne had always loved her but had thrown it away in a bottle. With her father's death the homestead becomes hers. She must face all of the past pains and heal so that she could move on. Her ownership of the ranch is challenged and nightmare after nightmare follow.
This third book in the Rough and Ready Series is a good fun read that holds interest and moves along quickly.

[Patsy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is so frustrating when reading a book and you end a chapter, begin the next and it like you are reading another book. The gap in the story line between chapters 15 and 16 is just one the problems with this book, granted it is the biggest and near the end of the book but it just ruins the rest of the book. I am hoping the rest of the series gets better but not getting my hopes up.

[Hope Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

True story of young love lost, then found again. I really loved watching Wayne help Kaitlyn through her "issues" an in the mean time prove that he is worthy of her. The only thing better than a cowboy is a decorated military cowboy. With this story, you get them both!!

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It's a quick, easy read. The only issue I had with it, is that the ending follows on like another chapter, but it reads like an epilogue. And given the fact that it came at 76% on my Kindle, I thought there was more to go, so a bit disappointing.

[Lori Meehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good story and I really liked Wayne and Kaitlyn's characters. I thought they had a sexy hot chemistry and as in the other books a very good dose of suspense. I would highly recommend this series if your like hot and sexy cowboys.

[Tia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a bit better but nothing really grabbed me. I was glad the ending was a whole lot better than the others thus far but the story as a whole was boring for me.

[Denise Koopman · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say...Anither great book in this series.I hope she does more awesome series in the future!!!!