Silver-Tongued Devil

Lorelei James

Rough Riders Series, Origin Novel

Published June 9, 2020

Their love story sparked a brushfire that grew into the legacy of Lorelei James’s Rough Riders series. This standalone historical romance is a prequel to the McKay family saga.

The West doesn’t get much wilder than Silas McKay. He’s earned his cowboy reputation not just as a rancher, but as a brawling card sharp who’s short on cash but long on charm. And just as soon as he claps eyes on the pretty new schoolteacher? Well, Dinah Thompson is about to discover what courtin’s like McKay-style—sweet, hot and passionate.

Luckily, Dinah’s got the sass and sense to stand up to Silas’s shenanigans. She relocated to rural Wyoming to teach and become a self-reliant woman, not to spend her nights dreaming about that blue-eyed rogue and his ranchwork honed-body. But Silas McKay’s powerful appeal and tempting promises convince Dinah to recklessly go all in with him.

When Silas’s long-standing rivalry with Zeke West puts Dinah, Silas and his twin brother Jonas in danger, each one is forced to make difficult decisions about taking a chance to build their legacy . . . and a love that transcends time.

5 Stars

Silas McKay was living the single cowboy life to the fullest. He’s a charmer with the ladies, knows his way around the ranch with his eyes closed and the luck of the draw seems to always be on his side. Silas is a smart man and is trying to build something lasting. Being on his ranch was his favorite place to be until he sets his eye on the new teacher,  Ms. Dinah Thompson. I loved how this big strong rancher became putty anytime he was near her.

Dinah Thompson it’s a woman ahead of her time. Moving to rural Wyoming was a step for her to become independent and self-reliant. She didn’t need anyone to take care of her, she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself.  As a teacher and a nurse, her doors are opened and the possibilities endless. That is until a silver tongued cowboy makes his intentions known.

Oh how I loved Dinah and Silas together. Their relationship was hard but that didn’t stop them. The distance that separated them made the time they spent together treasured and special. Silas is a true romantic and I loved how he asked Dinah to read to him. Dinah has this sassy streak that allows her to put Silas right in his place. I also love that she wasn’t afraid to get down and dirty and do what needed to be done whether it be on the ranch, with a patient or for one of her students. 

And wait,  we are not done yet. 

Jonas McKay is the town Deputy and twin brother to Silas. A man whom everyone believes is married to his job. The reality is the job keeps him close to his brother and the one his heart wants most. Ruby Redmond is the madam of the Miss Ruby Red’s Boarding House.  Knowing what people think of her, and loving Jonas as she does, Rudy stands the higher ground to avoid any harm her reputation could do to Jonas.  So so loved the pairing of the law and the harlot. Jonas and Rudy were intense and their chemistry was explosive. Maybe not a conventional pairing but one that will stand the test of time. 

Ms. James has given readers something truly special in the pages Silver-Tongued Devil. We get not just one but two beautiful and intense love stories. We see a family legacy at its infancy stage. We get unlikely friendships and what it truly means to be family. To see what the truth of brotherhood means. I laughed and cried. Felt the happiness and loss right along with our couples. Silver-Tongued Devil is a beautiful written historical romance that will make you feel like you have been transported to another time. Well done Ms. James, well done. 

Reviewer’s note: 

A few years back a dear friend introduce me to Ms. James’ Rough Rider series. I was not a fan of cowboy romance. I was told I would not be disappointed. I would also like to note that I’m not a fan of historical romance at all.  So with that being said, Ms. James not only got me to like her brand of Cowboy romance, she got me to love a historical as well.