Meet the McKays, a family with their roots set deep in Wyoming land. They’re ranchers, cowboys and trouble makers,  including the women in the family, and it takes someone just as strong willed and smart to lasso their hearts. So, saddle up and prepare as this scorching hot western family saga reels you in and has looking for a cowboy (or girl) of your own.

When I think my favourite western romance, or my favourite erotic romances or my favourite contemporary romance…I always think of the Rough Riders series. It was one of the first series that opened my eyes to the fact the just because a series is erotic, doesn’t mean it can’t pack an emotional punch. So yes, you will get back plenty of sexy scenes to drool over but you will also experience the complex, and not always positive feelings, family can provoke. As well as subjects such as alcoholism, addiction and infertility. So, strap in and enjoy these Wyoming cowboys, it’s gonna be a rough ride!

I need to say a huge thank you to Michelle, who’s help was vital for this guide. Without her this guide wouldn’t exist, I bow down to her devotion and superior knowledge of this series. You were smashing, thanks Michelle!

Book 1: Long Hard Ride
Main couple: Channing Kinkaid & Colby McKay
UTC Review

Book 2: Rode Hard, Put Up Wet
Main couple: Cash Big Crow & Gemma Jansen
Secondary Couple: Carter McKay & Macie Honeycutt
UTC Review

Book 3: Cowgirl Up and Ride
Main couple: AJ Foster & Cord McKay
UTC Review

Book 4: Tied Up, Tied Down
Main couple: Kade McKay & Skylar Ellison
UTC Review

Book 5: Rough, Raw and Ready
Main couple: Chassie West Glanzer, Trevor Glanzer & Edgard Mancuso
UTC Review

Book 6: Branded as Trouble
Main couple: India Ellison & Colt McKay
UTC Review

Book 6.5: Strong Silent Type
Main couple: Libby McKay & Quinn McKay
In Anthology: Wild Ride but can also be found as a singular novella
Amazon | Goodreads

Book 7: Shoulda Been a Cowboy
Main couple: Domini Katzinski & Cameron McKay
UTC Review

Book 8: All Jacked Up
Main couple: Keely McKay & Jack Donohue
UTC Review

Book 9: Raising Kane
Main couple: Kane McKay & Ginger Paulson
UTC Review

Book 9.5: Slow Ride
Main couple: Keely McKay & Jack Donohue
Amazon | Goodreads

Book 10: Cowgirls Don’t Cry
Main couple: Jessie McKay & Brandt McKay
UTC Review

Book 11: Chasin’ Eight
Main couple: Chase McKay & Ava Cooper
UTC Review

Book 12: Cowboy Casanova
Main couple: Ben McKay & Ainsley Hamilton
UTC Review

Book 13: Kissin’ Tell
Main couple: Tell McKay & Georgia Hotchkiss
UTC Review

Book 14: Gone Country
Main couple: Gavin Daniels & Rielle Wetzler
UTC Review

Book 14.5: Short Rides
Main couple: N/A Slices of Life
Amazon | Goodreads

Book 15: Redneck Romeo
Main couple: Dalton McKay & Aurora Wetzler
UTC Review

Book 16: Cowboy Take Me Away
Main couple: Carolyn West & Carson McKay
UTC Review

Book 16.5: Long Time Gone
Main couple: Calvin McKay & Kimi West
UTC Review

[foogallery id=”57161″]

Don’t forget to check out the spin off series, Rough Riders Legacy:

[foogallery id=”68189″]

  • Full name is Channing Kinkaid
  • First appears and has her romance in Long Hard Ride (Rough Riders #1)
  • Partner of Colby McKay
  • She’s from Massachusetts and part of high society and has trained as a school teacher
  • Her family expect her to move home and get married to some one of their choosing and teach but she isn’t sure that’s what she wants.
  • Kids: Gib, Braxton, Miles, Austin, Talia, Duncan
  • Fantasy cast: Jaimie Alexander

  • Full name is Colby McKay
  • First appears in and has romance in Long Hard Ride (Rough Riders #1)
  • His partner is Channing Kinkaid
  • He is a Wyoming cowboy and bull rider with a large family.
  • His sister is Keely McKay and brothers are Cord McKay, Cameron McKay, Colt McKay and Carter McKay. His parents are Carolyn McKay and Carson McKay
  • Kids: Gib, Braxton, Miles, Austin, Talia, Duncan
  • Fantasy cast: John Corbett

  • His name is Cash Big Crow
  • He first appears in Long Hard Ride (Rough Riders #1) and his romance is in Rode Hard, Put Up Wet (Rough Riders #2)
  • His partner is Gemma Jansen
  • He is a former rodeo cowboy who has been hired at Gemma’s ranch Bar 9 as a foreman.
  • He has a daughter called Macie Honeycutt who he is trying to reconnect with.
  • Fantasy cast: Danny Trejo

  • Full name is Carter McKay
  • First see in and has romance in Rode Hard, Put Up Wet (Rough Riders #2)
  • Partner is Macie Honeycutt
  • He has graduated college and is now an artist, when he sees Macie he realises she is his muse. Feels different from the rest of his family as he prefers art to ranching.
  • His sister is Keely McKay and brothers are Cord McKay, Cameron McKay, Colt McKay and Colby McKay. His parents are Carolyn McKay and Carson McKay.
  • Kids: Thane, Parker, Spencer, Poppy
  • Fantasy cast: Derek Haugh

  • Full name is Macie Honeycutt
  • First see in and has romance in Rode Hard, Put Up Wet (Rough Riders #2)
  • Her partner is Carter McKay
  • Recently reconnected with her father Cash Big Crow and trying to grow their relationship.
  • Working in the Last Chance Diner
  • Kids: Thane, Parker, Spencer, Poppy
  • Fantasy cast: Minka Kelly

  • Full name Amy Jo “AJ” Foster
  • First appears in Long Hard Ride (Rough Riders #1) but romance is in Cowgirl Up and Ride (Rough Riders #3)
  • Partner is Cord McKay her best friend Keely McKay’s oldest brother
  • She has been in love with Cord McKay since she was a child but he is only seen as the good girl from next door.
  • Been looking after her family’s ailing ranch since she was a teenager and her father had a heart attack.
  • Kids: Foster, Beau, Avery, Vaughn.  Stepmother of Kyler (Cord’s son from previous marriage)
  • Fantasy cast: Laura Vandervalt

  • Full name is Cord McKay
  • First appears in Rode Hard, Put Up Wet (Rough Riders #2) but romance is in Cowgirl Up and Ride (Rough Riders #3)
  • His partner is AJ Foster
  • His sister is Keely McKay and brothers are Carter McKay, Cameron McKay, Colt McKay and Colby McKay. His parents are Carolyn McKay and Carson McKay.
  • He has a young son named Kyler who is his whole world from a previous marriage.
  • Kids with AJ: Foster, Beau, Avery, Vaughn.
  • Fantasy cast: Patrick Dempsey

  • Full name is Kade McKay
  • First appears in Cowgirl Up and Ride (Rough Riders #3) and romance is in Tied Up, Tied Down (Rough Riders #4)
  • His partner is Skylar Ellison who he fell in love with whilst she thought he was his twin Kane
  • His identical twin brother is Kane McKay. His parents are Kimi McKay and Calvin McKay
  • Has a baby girl called Eliza Belle, who he doesn’t find out about until she is a few months old.
  • Kids: Eliza, Shannie, Peyton
  • Fantasy cast: Tom Hardy

  • Full name is Skylar Ellison
  • First appears in Cowgirl Up and Ride (Rough Riders #3) and romance is in Tied Up, Tied Down (Rough Riders #4)
  • Her partner is Kade McKay however, when they first met, she thought he was Kane, his twin brother, an assumption he didn’t correct.
  • She is a smart and savvy business woman and owns a store Sky Blue
  • Her sister is named India Ellison and is a tattoo artist
  • Kids: Eliza, Shannie, Peyton
  • Fantasy cast: Sophia Bush

  • Full name is Chassie West Glanzer
  • First appears in  Tied Up, Tied Down (Rough Riders #4)  romance is in Rough, Raw and Ready (Rough Riders #5)
  • Her partners are Trevor Glanzer and Edgard Mancuso. She is newly wed to Trevor, but their relationship changes when Ed comes along. 
  • Her brother Dag has recently died in a ranching accident that had a lot to with the amount of alcohol he had consumed. He was depressed as he felt he had to hide his homosexuality, something that Chassie feels a massive amount of guilt over.
  • Fantasy cast: Colbie Smulders

  • Full name is Trevor Glanzer
  • First appears in Long Hard Ride (Rough Riders #1) and romance is in Rough, Raw and Ready (Rough Riders #5)
  • His partners are Chassie West Glanzer and Edgard Mancuso. He is newly wed to Chassie, but their relationship changes when his old friend and ex-lover Ed comes along. 
  • He has had a wild sexual past, especially when it comes to having menages, but he always ends up as the third wheel. He desperately loves Chassie…but he has always had more than just a sexual connection to Ed.
  • Fantasy cast: Ryan Kwanten

  • Full name is Edgard “Ed” Mancuso
  • First appears in Long Hard Ride (Rough Riders #1) and romance is in Rough, Raw and Ready (Rough Riders #5)
  • His partners are Chassie West Glanzer and Trevor Glanzer
  • He’s a Brazilian cowboy and former roping partner of Trevor’s. Whilst they worked and travelled together they had a relationship that was deeper than sexual and Ed is willing to accept it and try and win Trevor over. Until he realises he’s married…to a woman.
  • Fantasy cast: Adam Rodriguez

  • Full name is India Ellison
  • First appears in Cowgirl Up and Ride (Rough Riders #3)  romance is in  Branded as Trouble (Rough Riders #6)
  • Her partner is Colt McKay, before they fell in love, she not only his best friends for years but also his AA sponsor.
  • Her sister is Skylay Ellison who she lovers very much.
  • She is a tattoo artist and has her own shop and has bright hair and tattoos, she doesn’t exactly fit in a small Wyoming town.
  • Kids: Hudson, Ellison, McKenna
  • Fantasy cast: Kat Von D

  • His full name is Colton “Colt” McKay
  • First appears in Rode Hard, Put Up Wet (Rough Riders #2) romance is in Branded as Trouble (Rough Riders #6)
  • His partner is India Ellison, before they got together she was his best friend, although he had been in love with her for years, but she also off limits as she was his AA sponsor.
  • His sister is Keely McKay and brothers are Carter McKay, Cameron McKay, Cord McKay and Colby McKay. His parents are Carolyn McKay and Carson McKay.
  • He has a long history of alcohol and drug abuse, as well as a long history of tawdry hook ups. He has now been clean and sober for years. However, his family still see him as a screw up troublemaker.
  • Kids: Hudson, Ellison, McKenna
  • Fantasy cast: Unknown

  • Full name is Libby McKay
  • First appears in  Tied Up, Tied Down (Rough Riders #4)  romance is in Strong Silent Type (Rough Riders #6.5)
  • Her partner is Quinn McKay
  • They have been together since high school and are still in love. However, she feels massive pressure from Quinn’s family to conceive, especially as women in his family who have not been together as long as they have are starting to have children.
  • Fantasy cast: Katie Holmes

  • Full name is Quinn McKay
  • First appears in  Tied Up, Tied Down (Rough Riders #4)  romance is in Strong Silent Type (Rough Riders #6.5)
  • His partner is Libby McKay
  • His brothers are Brandt McKay, Gavin Daniels, Bennett McKay and Chase McKay
  • His still loves her as much as he did when he was in high school, although he feels it intensely, he never expresses it.
  • Fantasy cast: Jeffrey Dean Morgan

  • Her full name is Domini Katzinski
  • First appears in
  •  Rough, Raw and Ready (Rough Riders #5) and romance is in Shoulda Been a Cowboy (Rough Riders #7)
  • Her partner is Cameron McKay, who she was crushing on from first sight.
  • Originally from the Ukraine, she was orphaned as a teenager and came to the U.S. with a travelling church group. However, she has been left physically and mentally scarred by her experiences.
  • Kids: Anton, Liesl, Dimitri, Oxsana, Markus, Sasha
  • Fantasy cast: Malin Akerman

  • Full name is Cameron “Cam” McKay
  • First appears in Tied Up, Tied Down (Rough Riders #4) romance is in  Shoulda Been a Cowboy (Rough Riders #7)
  • His partner is Domini Katzinski
  • His sister is Keely McKay and brothers are Carter McKay, Colt McKay, Cord McKay and Colby McKay. His parents are Carolyn McKay and Carson McKay.
  • He is a war veteran who has had an honourable discharge and is now deputy sheriff.
  • He has a prosthetic leg and feels very sensitive that people may pity him for it, especially his family.
  • Kids: Anton, Liesl, Dimitri, Oxsana, Markus, Sasha
  • Fantasy cast: Bailey Chase

  • Her full name is Keely McKay
  • First appears in Long Hard Ride (Rough Riders #1) romance is in All Jacked Up (Rough Riders #8) and Slow Ride (Rough Riders #9.5)
  • Her partner is Jack Donohue
  • Her brothers are Carter McKay, Colt McKay, Cord McKay, Cameron McKay and Colby McKay. Her parents are Carolyn McKay and Carson McKay.
  • She has been best friends since she was a child with AJ Foster
  • Wants to open up a physical therapy clinic
  • Kids: Piper, Katie, Jack, Liam
  • Fantasy cast: Megan Fox

  • His full name is Kane McKay 
  • First appears in Cowgirl Up and Ride (Rough Riders #3) and romance is in Raising Kane (Rough Riders #9)
  • His partner is Ginger Paulson
  • His identical twin brother is Kade McKay. His parents are Kimi McKay and Calvin McKay
  • He has been part of the Little Buddies system for the last two years and has stopped his raising hell ways, even if he still has that reputation.
  • Kids: Hayden, Paulson, Madelyn
  • Fantasy cast: Tom Hardy

  • Her full name is Ginger Paulson
  • First appears in and romance is in Raising Kane (Rough Riders #9)
  • Her partner is Kane McKay
  • She’s work as an attorney as well as being a single mum and looking after her father.
  • Her son Hayden is part of the Little Buddies programme.
  • Kids: Hayden, Paulson, Madelyn
  • Fantasy cast: Jessica Chastain

  • Full name is Jessie McKay 
  • First appears in Shoulda Been a Cowboy (Rough Riders #7) romance is in Cowgirls Don’t Cry (Rough Riders #10)
  • Her partner is Brandt McKay, she was originally married to his brother Luke McKay before he died, however, their marriage was rocky. 
  • After having such a terrible marriage she is shy of loving anyone again, especially an alpha male and especially a McKay.
  • Fantasy cast: Scarlett Johansson

  • His name is Brandt McKay
  • First appears in Shoulda Been a Cowboy (Rough Riders #7) romance is in Cowgirls Don’t Cry (Rough Riders #10)
  • His partner is Jessie McKay, his brother Luke’s widow. He has always liked her as more than just a sister in law, he even noticed her before his brother. However, Luke was always more charming and confident so he manages to get the girl.
  • He has a big heart and takes in Luke’s illegitimate child to take care of.
  • His brothers are Tell McKay, Dalton McKay and Luke McKay
  • Fantasy cast: Jordan Patrick Smith

  • Full name is Chase McKay 
  • His romance is in Chasin’ Eight (Rough Riders #11)
  • His partner is famous actress Ava Cooper
  • He is a professional bull rider with a play boy reputation, however, recently he has been doing very poorly on the circuit.
  • His brothers are Brandt McKay, Gavin Daniels, Bennett McKay and Quinn McKay
  • Fantasy cast: Timothy Olyphant

  • Full name is Ava Cooper
  • First appears in and romance is in Chasin’ Eight (Rough Riders #11)
  • Her partner is Chase McKay who she initially becomes friends with
  • She is an up and coming actress, but recently had a huge and public break up with her boyfriend.
  • Heiress to a hotel chain
  • Friends with Ginger Paulson
  • Fantasy cast: Adriana Lima

  • Full name is Bennett “Ben” McKay
  • Romance is in Cowboy Casanova (Rough Riders #12)
  • His partner is Ainsley Hamilton
  • He is a Dom and lets that side of him out when he goes to the Rawhide Club.
  • His brothers are Brandt McKay, Chase McKay, Gavin Daniels and Quinn McKay
  • Fantasy cast: Michael Fassbender

  • Full name is Ainsley Hamilton
  • Her romance is in Cowboy Casanova (Rough Riders #12)
  • Her partner is Ben McKay
  • She is the head of a new bank branch
  • She goes to a BDSM club as Angel pretending to be a Domme
  • Fantasy cast: Jessica Love-Hewitt

  • Full name is Tell McKay 
  • Romance is in Kissin’ Tell (Rough Riders #13)
  • His partner is Georgia Hotchkiss used to have a massive crush on he
  • r when he was in high school.
  • His brothers are Tell McKay, Dalton McKay and Luke McKay
  • Fantasy cast: Casey Affleck

  • Full name is Georgia Hotchkiss
  • Romance is in Kissin’ Tell (Rough Riders #13)
  • Her partner is Tell McKay
  • Used to live in Sundance Wyoming and swore she wouldn’t come back, however, her job in PR brings her back to her home town.
  • Had the name Hotlips Hotchkiss in highschool
  • Fantasy Cast: Marie Avgeropoulos

  • Full name is Gavin Daniels 
  • Romance is in Gone Country (Rough Riders #14)
  • His partner is Rielle Wetzler
  • His brothers are Brandt McKay, Chase McKay, Bennett McKay and Quinn McKay. He is the oldest of his brothers, however, their parents gave him up for adoption when he was a baby so they didn’t know he existed until recently
  • He has a teenage daughter named Sierra who has moved in with him as he’s been awarded sole custody for a year.
  • Fantasy cast: Jon Hamm

  • Full name is Rielle Wetzler
  • Romance is in Gone Country (Rough Riders #14)
  • Her partner is Gavin Daniels
  • Her daughter is Rory Wetzler, who she got pregnant with when she was just 16.
  • Known as having a hippy lifestyle, however, she is also a savvy business woman
  • Fantasy cast: Jennifer Aniston

  • Full name is Dalton McKay 
  • Romance is in Redneck Romeo (Rough Riders #15)
  • His partner is Rory Wetzler
  • His brothers are Tell McKay, Dalton McKay and Luke McKay
  • After jilting his fiancee at the altar he leaves for years and doesn’t coming back until he is told his father is dying.
  • Fantasy cast: Chris Evans

 

  • Full name is Aurora “Rory” Wetzler
  • Romance is in Redneck Romeo (Rough Riders #15)
  • Her partner is Dalton McKay
  • Rielle Wetzler is her mother
  • Has known Dalton since they were children and they have had a love-hate relationship ever since. But she does not entirely trust him due to the way he has treated her
  • Fantasy Cast: Hayden Panettiere

  • Full name is Carson McKay
  • First appears in Long Hard Ride (Rough Riders #1)  romance is in Cowboy Take Me Away (Rough Riders #16)
  • Partner is Carolyn West
  • His children are Keely McKay, Cord McKay, Cameron McKay, Colby McKay, Colt McKay and Carter McKay
  • He is a quiet but deep feeling man and was as wild living as his sons when he was younger
  • His twin brother is Calvin McKay and has another brother Casper McKay
  • Fantasy cast: Clint Eastwood

  • Full name is Calvin “Cal” McKay
  • Romance is in Long Time Gone (Rough Riders #16.5)
  • His partner is Kimi West who he meets at his brother’s wedding.
  • Has twin sons Kane McKay and Kade McKay. He is the twin brother of Carson McKay and has another brother Casper McKay
  • Fantasy cast: Clint Eastwood

  • Full name is Kimberley “Kimi” West
  • First meet in Tied Up, Tied Down (Rough Riders #4) romance is in Long Time Gone (Rough Riders #16.5)
  • Her partner is Calvin McKay, this prequel novella shows how Kimi and Calvin met and fell in love.
  • She is Carolyn West/McKay’s younger sister. Kimi and Cal meet at Carolyn and Carson’s wedding
  • She has twin sons Kane McKay and Kade McKay
  • Fantasy cast: Ursula Andress

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