Title: Moon and Stars
Series: The Wranglers/Clouds and Rain 04
Author: Zahra Owens
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (260pgs)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (23rd September 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3½ Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: After an affair with a married DA led to scandal and disbarment, Cooper Nelson left his legal career in shambles, and found solace working as a hand at the Blue River Ranch. Eight years later, during a rare visit into town, Cooper bumps into Kelly Freed, a man he left behind fifteen years earlier when he started out as an attorney. Unfortunately, Kelly is running for sheriff and his wife is terminally ill, so Kelly can’t even consider rekindling their relationship. Cooper knows from sad experience that hiding the truth leads to lives being ruined, so for his part, he refuses to be anybody’s dirty secret.
In the meantime, circumstances at neighboring Blackwater Ranch have taken a desperate turn. Gable’s friend Calley has breast cancer, and when Gable and Flynn take in Calley’s kids, they need help from their friends. Cooper and Kelly’s combined talents are put to work to ensure Gable can make a bid to become the legal father of his children, and that Calley’s affairs are in order if worse comes to worst. For Cooper, staying away from Kelly was never easy, and now with a common cause, Cooper finds he can’t stop himself from seeking the man out.
Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4204
Review: After a scandal ruins his career Cooper found solace at the Blue River Ranch as a ranch hand, preferring to keep to himself with very few close friends. When he bumps into Kelly for the first time in fifteen years, his attraction to the younger man flares to life and he finds it very hard to keep his emotions on track. Kelly came to Fremont County for two reasons; for the opportunity to become sheriff and because his ex-lover lives there, but things are far from easy as Kelly’s wife is terminally ill and Cooper refuses to be a dirty secret again. Cooper finds it difficult to resist the attraction between the two of them as they are thrown together in a bid to aid Gable.
You know this is one of those series that really pulls you in all directions, some characters I love, and some I despise and this time the main characters were in the middle of the spectrum with a fine balancing act. Cooper lost everything when he and his closeted married lover were outed, his lover killed himself and Cooper was disbarred and disgraced, now eight years later he keeps his head down and keeps to himself but with the appearance of his college lover his foundations are rocked. Kelly has had a lifelong dream of becoming sheriff and the goal is now within his grasp, but after bumping into Cooper, he finds it hard to wait to see if he can rekindle the love they once shared. Kelly’s wife, Nina, encourages Kelly and Cooper to reunite and become lovers, but Kelly has much to lose if he is found out and Cooper can’t face being a dirty secret.
This story is really well written, with characters who juggle their lives and loves with difficulty. While Cooper is a great character, who once had his life ripped apart, Kelly is a character who confused me with his actions. Kelly had a yearlong relationship with Cooper but when Cooper left, he married their mutual friend Nina, now he says one of the reasons they moved to Fremont County was because of Cooper but never tried to speak to him until Cooper bumped into him after he had lived there for nearly a year. Their relationship is far from easy as Cooper tries his best to resist Kelly because the man is married, but his love for Kelly never really died. Kelly wants to stay in the closet keeping everything about Cooper hidden but circumstance force him to take a stand.
While Cooper’s and Kelly’s relationship is playing out we see previous characters trying to make plans for the future when Calley falls ill, Gable and Flynn ask both Cooper and Kelly for help as they try to secure the future for Gable’s children. This part of the storyline was blown out of proportion with Bill (Calley’s ex-husband) being thrown into the role of the baddie for no reason, Calley should have just asked instead of making a big deal out of it. I have noticed that throughout this series that Calley has been treated like the victim with all the gay men rallying round the poor helpless female when in actual fact she has only ever reaped what she sowed, poor Bill is still treated like the bad guy.
I recommend this to those who love cowboys and deputies getting it on, difficult decisions, rekindling love, hot sex, an interesting storyline, and a very happy conclusion for two hot men.
Thank you for a lovely layered review!