Wild Ones Series by Rachel Ember

A complicated history divides them, but when they find themselves in close quarters while the snow falls, the heat between them builds slowly, and burns hot.It’s been a long, cold winter at Riverside Ranch, where Robbie has lived alone since his brothers moved away. Alone, that is, except for his three devious cats, four saddle horses, and the forty-eight mustangs that roam the ranch... moreA complicated history divides them, but when they find themselves in close quarters while the snow falls, the heat between them builds slowly, and burns hot.It’s been a long, cold winter at Riverside Ranch, where Robbie has lived alone since his brothers moved away. Alone, that is, except for his three devious cats, four saddle horses, and the forty-eight mustangs that roam the ranch. Robbie is preparing for yet another snowfall when he gets the last call he expected—a plea to pick up Lance Taylor from the county jail.Lance wasn’t just his little brother’s best friend, he was a part of the family. Then, one night, after Lance asked Robbie for something Robbie couldn’t give, he ran away and never came back. Lance was sixteen and heartbroken when he left his middle-of-nowhere hometown. Six years later, he’s at rock bottom with nowhere else to go, and no one to turn to but Robbie, the man Lance has been inconveniently in love with for most of his life.When Robbie offers Lance a place to stay, Lance expects a guest bedroom and awkward silences. Instead, he finds himself sharing Robbie’s one-room hayloft apartment and its single bed, while realizing that the old flame he carries for Robbie might not be so hopeless, after all.Long Winter is the first book in the Wild Ones series and has a happy-for-now ending. Robbie and Lance’s story continues in Signs of Spring. less

Their unlikely connection grows stronger every day, but to stay together they have to believe not only in each other, but also in themselves. Lance never believed the stars could align for him to have a real chance with Robbie, and even though they’ve spent every day—and night—together for weeks, a part of him still isn’t convinced it’s all real. But until the inevitable moment he loses Robbie, Lance intends to savor what they share... moreTheir unlikely connection grows stronger every day, but to stay together they have to believe not only in each other, but also in themselves. Lance never believed the stars could align for him to have a real chance with Robbie, and even though they’ve spent every day—and night—together for weeks, a part of him still isn’t convinced it’s all real. But until the inevitable moment he loses Robbie, Lance intends to savor what they share. When Lance is dragged back to Chicago, he’s both relieved and terrified when Robbie offers to come with him.Robbie loves his family’s Nebraska ranch, but he’s also been solely responsible for keeping it afloat since he was eighteen. He’s always wanted to experience life outside his rural hometown. His glimpse into Lance’s friends and work in Chicago is bittersweet. On the one hand, it’s all too easy to picture a future in Lance’s city and at Lance’s side. On the other hand, it seems impossible given Robbie’s responsibilities to the ranch, and he doesn’t want to hold Lance back from the life and career he’s made.Signs of Spring is the conclusion to Robbie and Lance’s love story, which began in Long Winter. The books include complicated family relationships, animal characters, an age gap, a best friend’s little brother, pining, hurt/comfort, and lace. The books must be read in order. less

The year is 1972. Dylan Chase is nineteen, and most days he’s lucky enough to ride a tough bronc, have a beer with his friends, and maybe even sleep under the stars on his family’s third-generation cattle ranch. Dylan’s life would be perfect if it weren’t for his forbidden itch. An itch he’s only scratched once… with Bo, a hitchhiker he never thought he’d see again. When Bo shows up as the new hire at a neighboring ranch, Dylan is sure his almost-perfect life is about to implode... moreThe year is 1972. Dylan Chase is nineteen, and most days he’s lucky enough to ride a tough bronc, have a beer with his friends, and maybe even sleep under the stars on his family’s third-generation cattle ranch. Dylan’s life would be perfect if it weren’t for his forbidden itch. An itch he’s only scratched once… with Bo, a hitchhiker he never thought he’d see again. When Bo shows up as the new hire at a neighboring ranch, Dylan is sure his almost-perfect life is about to implode. After the calves are driven out to the spring pastures, Bo will move on to California. Dylan just has to hold it together until then… if he can. But Bo can soothe a restless horse with a touch and keeps a battered book of poems in his saddle bag. And the more Dylan learns about him, the more he wants Bo—and the less he wants Bo to go, damn the risk. less

Reed McMillan, Hollywood's golden boy, only has a few days to overcome his fear of horses in order to salvage an important role. He shows up at the home of Bo Bailey, an infamous horse guru, and finds Luke Shaughnessy instead.Luke can’t bring himself to turn Reed away without at least offering to help. How could he, when he's had a crush on the world-famous actor for decades?The men don't resist their red-hot connection, but neither of them expects more than a brief affair... moreReed McMillan, Hollywood's golden boy, only has a few days to overcome his fear of horses in order to salvage an important role. He shows up at the home of Bo Bailey, an infamous horse guru, and finds Luke Shaughnessy instead.Luke can’t bring himself to turn Reed away without at least offering to help. How could he, when he's had a crush on the world-famous actor for decades?The men don't resist their red-hot connection, but neither of them expects more than a brief affair. What they find instead is a chemistry and connection too perfect to ignore.With Reed’s celebrity life calling him back to Hollywood, and Luke’s aversion to the limelight, can their bond survive the glare of the spotlight?Three Lessons is a standalone novella set in the world of Rachel Ember's Wild Ones novels, but can be enjoyed without reading any of the other books in the series. less

Cam has always had a soft spot for dangerous guys. Not that he gets much action, dangerous or otherwise. He never managed to outgrow his baby fat, and the most interesting thing about him is his 4.0 GPA.When Jake shows up, tall, brooding, and in leather, he seems to have stepped straight out of Cam’s fantasies. Except he’s not here to ask Cam out—he’s a bodyguard sent by Cam’s crime-boss aunt... moreCam has always had a soft spot for dangerous guys. Not that he gets much action, dangerous or otherwise. He never managed to outgrow his baby fat, and the most interesting thing about him is his 4.0 GPA.When Jake shows up, tall, brooding, and in leather, he seems to have stepped straight out of Cam’s fantasies. Except he’s not here to ask Cam out—he’s a bodyguard sent by Cam’s crime-boss aunt. Her enemies don’t care that Cam has no interest in the family business, so Cam reluctantly agrees to go into hiding, not realizing Jake’s safe house is a thousand miles away on a remote Nebraska farm, where Jake sheds his leather jacket and handgun for a cowboy hat and a horse.Maybe Cam has no choice but to trust Jake with his safety. But as the summer wears on in this strange land of wild mustangs, old grudges, and thunderstorms, he doesn’t dare trust Jake with his heart.When the River Rises is the fifth book in the Wild Ones series. Though the story can be read as a stand alone, the series is best enjoyed when read in order. less