Blurb:Red. He’s happy enough at first to be having sex with a man – Heaven knows, it’s better than what he’s running away from! – but it isn’t too long before Red’s sexual extravagances are driving the two of them apart. It’s only when Henry’s trying to manage on his own again that he at last begins to achieve a little perspective – on inversion in general, on himself in particular, and even on his relationship with Red. That’s when he starts to wonder if maybe there isn’t a way back for them after all, but this time it will definitely have to be on his terms …
Review:Henry was running away from his old life when a group of gangsters attacked and left him for dead. Red is surprised to find a naked man almost dead in his gulley.
Henry survives and they become friends though Henry liked things about Red and the ranch there was a lot he didn’t like.
This story is very complicated but in a good way. None of these characters are your average character and this is far from a sweet storybook romance, but I found it fabulous. I couldn’t put it down once I started.
There are so many twists and turns, some good, some bad; that it really made you wonder especially about Red. I adored the relationship between the two men with their ups and downs and misunderstandings, and how both loved the other in his own way after both were so different.
I sure didn’t see the turnaround coming in Henry, but loved it, as much as the change in Red, though it wasn’t the expected. I think this what I loved so much was it was unexpected, it has harsh sometimes brutal moments though none cruel. I also liked the ending and found it pretty satisfying, yet surprising. I highly recommend this if you like stories based in the old west, gay ranchers, rough sex, unexpected twists, characters that change and grow, lots of hot mansex, good BDSM and a satisfactory happy for now ending.
Series: Love Has No Boundaries (Goodreads) Author: Hennessee Andrews Genre: Rodeo/Cowboys/Coming Out
Length: Novella (76 pages)
Publisher: Goodreads (June 5th, 2013)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Blurb: Dear Author, These two guys were childhood friends. They tried to hide their relationship in the rodeo but they got caught, so they ran away. That is when they found the gay rodeo.
Photo Description:
Two men in ball hats, plaid shirts, jeans, and boots sprawl in their seats in a rodeo grandstand. Their heads rest together and their shoulders touch, and the man on the right has his hand around the other man’s thigh. They are clearly friends, probably lovers. At the rail in front of and below them, three cowboys watch the action in the arena.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group’s “Love Has No Boundaries” event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
Review:What’s hotter than cowboys? Two hot rodeo cowboys in love. Even more that they’re team ropers. Left to hide their relationship and live separately after coming out in their small town. When another rodeo cowboy approached them with an amazing offer to work with their gay rodeo team and live on their ranch to train to take nationals, will they be brave enough to leave what’s familiar for what’s true to their souls? To be able to live and love each other in the open doing what they love, rodeo, is it too good to be true? You’ll just have to read and find out how this short, very hot, and sexy romance turns out! Great story.
Blurb: Horse shifter, Tristan Hayes, doesn’t believe in relationships. He believes in hot, sweaty one-night stands that leave him aching for days.
Private investigator, Wesley James, is looking for someone to settle down with, but it’s never occurred to him that someone could be a man.
Tristan loves a good game, so he flirts with Wes, never thinking anything serious will come of his attraction. Wes fends him off, but after three months of cat and mouse, both men are worn out from fighting what they feel.
When a young woman from Tristan’s herd goes missing, he asks for Wes’s help. Tristan keeps up his flirtatious façade until Wes calls his bluff, taking him out for dinner and dancing. As they search for the missing shifter, Tristan struggles to believe Wes could care for the man Tristan hides beneath his abrasive exterior.
Review:This book is part of a series and is best read in order. After being hurt in the past, Tristan no longer believes in relationships. He believes in hot hook-ups and one-night stands to keep him satisfied and he can’t resist flirting with Wes and tempting the straight man. Wesley is looking for something serious. He never thought it would be with a man. A man he has tried to ignore for the last few months. When a member of Tristan’s herd goes missing, he calls Wes to investigate. Tristan keeps up his flirting nature until Wes calls his bluff. As they search for the missing woman, Tristan struggles with his feelings and Wes has to show Tristan he sees beneath the abrasive façade.
This is a great addition to the Wild R Farm series, bringing Tristan’s story to us and showing us the insecure man beneath the confident, flirtatious exterior. Tristan has been trying to tempt Wes with his constant flirting for months, but when Wes calls his bluff he doesn’t know what he wants to do because Wes just isn’t one-night stand material. Wes has never been tempted by a man before. He has always been attracted to women, but Tristan just pushes his buttons. Now, he just needs to convince Tristan of Tristan’s own worth.
I really enjoyed this story because of the turmoil that Tristan goes through as he tries to make sense of what he truly feels. Tristan was hurt deeply by his first love and it has molded how Tristan now acts towards men. When Wes calls his bluff he is left reeling. Wes can see the true Tristan and he wants that man. Convincing Tristan is hard though, especially when Tristan keeps running. The investigation that they both work on takes a harsh turn when they think they have found the location of the missing woman and they need the help of their friends to get back out alive.
This is a really well written story that combines danger and love really well. We see depths to Tristan that scares him and we see Wes accept his love for Tristan. I really liked how their relationship developed in this story and Tristan’s reaction to his newly discovered feelings for Wes. With Wes you see that he may have struggled at first with how he felt for Tristan, but he embraces it when he can no longer deny it to himself. They are brilliant together and Wes has to be patient as Tristan struggles with how he feels. Because of that painful struggle, you, at times, want to beat the crap out of the person who shattered Tristan so much.
I recommend this to those who love cowboys, private investigators, danger, discovering your own worth, accepting love, hot sex, difficult times and a very happy ending.
Blurb: Simon Westfield is the owner of a stud farm in Wyoming. He’s recently lost his brother in the army, and has become the guardian of two young children, Dale and Allie. After a while, it’s clear he needs help.
Enter Tristan Markham, a professional live-in male nanny, or manny.
Though great with kids, Tristan is as strong-willed as Simon, and their points of view on everything are polar opposites. Where Simon is closeted, reserved, and introverted, Tristan is an out and proud liberal pacifist.
Clashes are inevitable.
But they can’t deny their growing attraction, so a deal is struck. Casual sex only. But when things start to go wrong—Simon’s mother dying of cancer, the kids’ grandparents suing for custody, and Simon being thrust out of the closet—it’s time for them to work together, or lose everything they have.
Because despite their differences, they are a family. And families stick together—no matter what.
Review:This story is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone. Simon has recently become guardian to his brother’s children, Dale and Allie. But, juggling the children’s needs with his work on his horse ranch is becoming harder to cope with and his friend, May, recommends a nanny. Tristan is a manny and he loves his job. dealing with the Westford family should be just routine, but he clashes with Simon quite often with their opposing views. Their attraction won’t be denied and a deal is struck. But, they start to become close as they face what life throws at them. Simon’s mother is dying and Dale and Allie’s maternal grandparents threaten to sue for custody. Tristan and Simon must pull together as a family to keep their family together.
This story is a great sexy rancher novella with cute kids and a sexy manny. Simon needs help with his brother’s children. It’s bad enough that his brother died, but the children’s mother has become unstable and unable to look after the kids. Enter Tristan the manny, who realizes it isn’t only the children who need help. As Tristan and Simon become close and enjoying their secret relationship, Tristan becomes a rock that Simon didn’t know he needed. They become a family that they have to fight for and coming out of the closet isn’t the hardest thing to do.
I really enjoyed this story and its development. The relationship between Simon and Tristan doesn’t happen overnight and when it does start it’s hot and explosive. They keep it on the quiet and then everything happens all at once. Simon’s mother doesn’t have long to live and then there’s the custody threat. Tristan is a brilliant character and he clashes with Simon at times, but only when Tristan thinks he is right. Simon is more ridged in his thinking and Tristan smoothes down his rough edges. They make a very interesting couple and make great parents and you root for them to vanquish the threats against them.
I will recommend this to those who love cowboys, mannys, family stories, compromise, finding love, hot sex and a very happy ending.
Blurb: For Josh Brooks, it’s a summer of wishes come true. First he gets his dream horse from a rival trainer. Then his brother’s Army Ranger buddy, Dane Keller, comes to work on the ranch and Josh meets his dream lover too. Dane is hot, competent, and fresh out of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Everything would be perfect—except nobody knows Josh and Dane are gay.
All Dane wants is a quiet life in a less claustrophobic closet and a ranch job where he can earn a living. But when his best friend’s little brother, the one who wrote the letters that kept their spirits up in Afghanistan, turns out to have grown up in all the right ways, Dane can’t help wanting more despite his fear of commitment.
While Dane and Josh are busy trying—and failing—to keep their hands to themselves, someone else is watching, biding his time. Then he strikes, first at Josh and then at the prized horse. When all of their secrets and fears are exposed, Dane is determined to protect Josh, even if it means leaving him behind.
Review: Josh Brooks is the dedicated horse whisperer on the ranch he’s called home for over half his life. He and his brother, Jesse, live with their aunt and uncle, having lost their parents when they were children. He hides his sexuality from everyone except his best friend for fear of their reaction.
Dane is Jesse’s best friend. The guys met while in the military, serving in Afghanistan. Having separated himself from “don’t ask, don’t tell”, all Dane wants is to live his life a little more open than the military allowed. He travels to Montana, per invitation from Jesse, and begins working with the brothers on the ranch. The attraction between Dane and Josh is electric and downright explosive. Can two closeted gay men maintain a relationship when they can’t even be honest with their friends and family about who they are? Hell, they can’t even be honest with themselves! Their only saving grace might just be the fact that they can actually be honest with each other.
Someone is watching. Someone has targeted Josh and his precious horses. After Josh is outed very publically and painfully, he withdraws from everyone and everything. Except his horses. Owens has managed to blend several highly debated topics within an engrossing storyline and keep it in good taste. Homophobia, hatred, ignorance and PTSD coupled with love, compassion and family values. But after Josh is hurt not once, but twice, Dane leaves feeling like he’s failed and he can’t protect him. Can Josh convince the man he loves that he’s worth coming home to?
I will warn you, if you aren’t a fan of dominant/submissive relationships, this may not be the book for you. It is in no way, shape or form a bad thing in this storyline. Dane is the alpha male, the dominant in the relationship. Josh is submissive and he loves it. He wants Dane to take control and I assure you, he’s never forced into anything. I loved the way they found common ground and their relationship became stronger. The sex is HOT and these boys like variety. They don’t care if it’s the bed, the wall, the barn, the open range or the kitchen table! If you haven’t read this one yet, you really must!!
Blurb: When mega movie star and two-time Academy Award winner, Austin Grainger voluntarily gave up his dazzling film career, his adoring fan base thought he’d lost his mind. For Austin, the seclusion of fifteen hundred acres in the middle of Texas sounds like paradise. No more cameras, paparazzi, or overzealous media to hound him every day and night. Little did the sexiest man alive know when one door closes, another usually opens. And Austin’s opened by way of a sexy, hot ranch owner right next door.
Kitt Kelly wasn’t your average rancher. He’s young, well-educated and has hidden his sexuality for most of his life. When his long time wet dream materializes as his a new neighbor it threatens everything he holds dear. No way the ranching community would ever accept him if he came out. With every part of his life riding on the edge, can Kitt risk it all for a chance at love or will responsibility to his family heritage cost him his one chance at happiness?
Review: Austin has had enough of living his life in the limelight as a movie star and is retiring. He has bought land in Texas, in his hometown and is planning on a quiet life away from the media and cameras and hopefully to find some happiness with a man to love him. But, Austin is still hot property and the paparazzi don’t want to let him go. With his pseudo-girlfriend spiraling out of control and his new relationship about to be blown out into the open Austin has some tough decisions to make. Kitt has worked hard to build his farm back up after his father’s death. If anyone ever found out his secret, he could lose everything. Discovering his new neighbor is hot movie star Austin, the man he has fantasized about since high school, shakes him down to his roots and starting anything with the man is risky but falling in love is hard to avoid.
This is a great story of a movie star and a cowboy, falling in love and facing prejudice, ramifications of the past and hounding of the press. Austin has come to the stage in his life where he wants to be honest about himself, but being in the limelight there is no way he can be. Retiring to his new farm, he discovers a happiness he never thought he would really have with Kitt, his hot cowboy neighbor. But, Kitt is firmly in the closet; with no way of coming out if he wants to continue supporting his stepmom and sisters. Austin might be everything he wants, but the risk is nearly too much. Kitt faces losing everything, but is love enough for him to stick by his man?
I thought this story was brilliant. Kitt and Austin are great characters. Both of them are men’s men through and through. both of them have hidden in the closet for their own reasons and when they meet the attraction is instant. The storyline is great and is kept on an even keel with just a few sparks of excitement along the way. The relationship between Kitt and Austin was well paced, even though they jump in bed after only a few days they aren’t declaring their love for each other right away, which made it more believable. The sex is mega hot, but there isn’t too much of it. It is nicely spaced out so you can enjoy the rest of the relationship with its longing, doubts and tests.
I have to recommend this to those who love cowboys and movie stars, closeted men being thrust out the door, hot sex, a tested love, finding support in unexpected places, a hidden secret and a very happy ending.
Blurb: The last thing Liam Southard expects when he flees his abusive father is to be taken in by a couple of gay ranchers. Soon he has a new job and a new perspective on his sexuality, and his life starts to turn around. Then someone pulls a gun on him.
In Troy Gardener’s defense, the gun thing was a mistake. Between his marriage falling apart and living in his uncle’s isolated hunting cabin, he’s been a little edgy. He wants to make it up to Liam, and once he discovers how much they have in common, he wants even more. But with Liam’s father popping in unexpectedly and a mining company threatening the ranch’s water supply, the only guarantee is that life is never going to be boring.
Review: Troy Gardner has fled his former life after coming out to his family. Leaving his wife, young daughter and brother behind; he takes solace at his uncle’s cabin wallowing in a self-imposed sentence of isolation.
Liam Southard has suffered extreme abuse from his father. Sent away to a facility to “fix” his sexuality, he escapes and is quickly welcomed to the Holden ranch with open arms and acceptance.
Thrown together by life, coincidence and circumstance; this unlikely pair turn out to be just what each of them need to heal the physical and mental scars each one carries. Liam’s past is not quite so easily washed away though, and a selfish land developer is causing trouble for the Ranch, trouble that only Troy can help solve.
I was instantly captivated by Liam’s character, the struggles he’s had to face and the abuse he’s endured broke my heart. To see him loved and nurtured by Kota, Wally, Phillip and Haven, accepted as is no questions asked was endearing. Troy was a hard sell at the start. He obviously blames himself for the collapse of his marriage and, in his opinion, letting down his family. But his self loathing wore me thin quick. Grey seemed to know exactly when to turn the switch on him though, just at the right moment it all clicked as he and Liam succumbed to their mutual attraction. The steamy scenes weren’t quite as steamy as previous books in this series, but the passion between these two is evident and jumps off the pages!
If you are a fan of the Assassin/Shifter series by Sandrine Gasq-Dion, you will LOVE this series. Grey, as well, has a knack for concentrating on a particular coupling in each book, but keeping a running monologue of your favorite characters in the background. I absolutely love this series and this author. I would probably read a book just because he wrote it, without even knowing what it was about.
Blurb: After a year in medical school, Dakota Holden returned home to take care of the family business full-time and help his father cope with multiple sclerosis. Devoted to his family, Dakota allows himself just one week of vacation a year, which he spends in some exotic location having all the fun he can stand. On his last vacation, a cruise, Dakota struck up a friendship with Phillip Reardon, and it fills an important role in Dakota’s life. So when Phillip decides to take Dakota up on his invitation to visit the ranch, Dakota is happy to see him and meet his veterinarian friend, Wally Schumacher. Despite Wally’s inclination to help the wolves Dakota’s men shoot to protect the cattle, he and Dakota find they have a lot in common, including a fierce attraction. But they’ll have to decide if the Wyoming range is big enough for Dakota’s cattle, Wally’s wolves, and their love
Review: Save a horse, ride a cowboy!! Dakota Holden is a devoted family man and a promising MD. His father’s illness forces him to leave medical school and come home to not only take care of his ailing father, but his family’s beloved ranch as well. He hides his sexuality from everyone close to him, allowing himself an annual vacation to just be himself. It’s during his most recent vaca that he met Phillip. Fast friends and convenient lovers, Phillip decides to take Dakota up on an offer to visit him at the Ranch.
Wally Schumacher is a vibrant, openly gay, spitfire of a man. The recently graduated Vet, and Phillips best friend, decides to join him on his trip to the Ranch. He’s intensely attracted to Dakota pretty much from their first meeting, but Dakota is still hiding his sexuality, and therefore fights his mutual attraction to Wally.
As the story progresses so does the relationship between Dakota and Wally. Dakota’s devotion to his father, friends and the ranch are evident. His internal struggle with his growing feelings for Wally and how his father and friends will perceive him is conveyed so well by Grey, it’s almost heartbreaking. Both men are driven by a need to do the right thing, but what happens when what one considers right, conflicts with the other man’s version? Is the open range enough space for Wally and Dakota to share a life, openly be together and still stay true to their individuality?
Shared Range is a love story at heart with lots of action and content to keep any reader interested. The backdrop of Wyoming is perfectly depicted by Grey, as well as the struggles each character goes through to get where they are by the end. The dangerously descriptive sex scenes were oh so juicey and Grey managed to make it not just about the sex, but about the love Dakota and Wally share as well.
Blurb: Since mustering out of the Marines, Gordon Fisher has been off the grid and out of money, so when a group of ecoterrorists promises him big bucks to set some mistreated animals free, Gordon agrees. Unfortunately, the animals are Wally Schumacher’s large cats, and one of them decides to take a chunk out of Gordon.
Still hurting from a breakup, Mario Laria finds Gordon and escorts him back to Dakota’s ranch at gunpoint, only to have his heartstrings tugged on when he discovers Gordon is living out of his truck.
With Dakota doctoring, Wally wanting Gordon gone for good, and Mario falling in love, Gordon hangs on for the ride. But what looms on his horizon threatens to tear apart what little hope he’s found. No one knows Gordon’s past keeps him up at night, and the military wants answers he just can’t give.
A Volatile Range is book 6 in the Stories from the Range series by Andrew Grey, yet it stands very well alone. You can get into the concept and follow it without the need to read the previous books. It follows the foreman of the Range, Mario and a new character, Gordon, with the plot being somehow full. What do I mean?
Gordon Fisher is an ex-Marine. He is a veteran of both Iraqi and Afghanistan war. The proud Marine he once were no longer exist as an ambush that took down his patrol and killed his two best friends has left him with serious post-traumatic stress. Not only has the loss of his best friends has him mourning, but there is tremendous guilt caused by the fact that he has no memory of the incident and which makes him think and believe that he must have done something wrong. Driven by his ugly feelings and shame, Gordon runs away from everything and everybody becoming vulnerable to the hands of fanatics. Some very passionate ecoterrorists approach him and convince him to infiltrate a range where the owners supposedly abuse their animals. Money being scarce, he decides to take that job and tries to get them animals free. Little did he know of the change his life would take from that one mistake.
Mario Laria is in limbo. After his lover and the man he thought would spend his life with abandons him, Mario keep wallowing in the lost relationship, keeping his hopes up that David will see how they belong together and will in the end come back to him. Day in, day out he mechanically lives and works waiting. What comes though in the middle of the night is not his ex-lover, but an ex-Marine who tries and fails freeing the wild cats from their cages. The handsome man is found wounded from one of their tigers and although they have every right in them to charge him for trespassing the man’s puppy eyes tug in Mario’s soul. Not understanding precisely why Mario offers Gordon a place to work and sleep.
Now Gordon has to face with the addition guilt of nearly putting lives and animals in danger too. He owns up to what he did and vows to himself to make it right. In between facing his past’s demons and his present’s mistake Gordon has a new challenge too, love for the wonderful foreman. And Mario, while trying to move on from his pinning over what’s lost has to stand by Gordon’s side and help him through his demons while making him see that feelings are not a bad thing once you own up to them. But, things change on all sides when David, the ex-lover, shows up, the eco-terrorists keep infiltrating more and more and Gordon’s past finally comes rushing from the hidden chambers of his memory.
This story has many fronts to deal with. You get your perfect cowboy character, nice, charming and strong, with deep feelings and a manly attitude. And, you get the Marine character, silently strong, faithful and ready to jump through heaven and hell for what’s his. Always adorable and incredibly sexy, both Mario and Gordon are two characters that will charm you and make you love them. Each one’s stories are enticing and blend with the one they try to create for them both. However, I did find this quite a short book for so many stories. The rush of information, the quick pace they took to happen and the even faster pace it took to overcome some incidents was a bit too much and it didn’t help creating a bond between characters and reader.
Another fact that somehow displeased me was that every single soul in the Range was gay. Instantly it lost the realistic illusion for me and became a mere fantasy. As much fun as it was seeing all those pairs around and interacting with each other, it was way off reality and so the story lost that edge and became more of a tale.
Bottom end though I liked the story, it was fun and enticing. The pair’s lovemaking was sexy and the heat went up a lot when Gordon took over. Caveman, as Marion called him often, indeed. And as a treat for me was one of the last scenes where there was shooting and wounding and blood and bullets involved. That was the highlight of the story action-wise for me, with Gordon’s jealousy display coming right after.
So if love western stories, Cowboys and Marines, wild cats and noble causes you will love this book. Recommended.
Publisher: JMS Books LLC (January 1, 2012; first published by Lethe Press, February, 2009)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥3Hearts
Blurb: Two years after his father’s death, Brandon is still grieving, running his father’s store, watching his sister grow more depressed. Until Ramon saunters into his life bringing sunshine, blue skies, and an injured hawk. But Ramon has issues of his own to deal with, an abusive lover who won’t take no for an answer.
If Ramon can wriggle free of the ex, can Brandon take a chance on loving again?
Review: Brandon is grieving from both the loss of his father, and his lover, Paul. He goes out and has sex, but wants more; he longs for a man of his own to share his life with.
Ramon shows up one day and they find a baby hawk that has been injured. Ramon used to work for a nature reserve and takes the bird in. He keeps showing up and asking Brandon out, but then pulling back with no explanation.
The story is a very sweet romance of two men finding love, but having to deal with difficult problems of their own. The characters are well-developed, described, and interesting. The story, however, has a few flaws.
The book starts with all of Brandon’s problems, and then Raymond shows up and is immediately stricken with lust. Raymond comes on a Saturday to take him to lunch, they go for a ride, and all of a sudden they are making out on the back of a horse. Not so sure the horse would stand still for what all they are doing on her back. Then there’s Raymond secret: he has had an abusive, live-in boyfriend, though his ex, Paul, isn’t much mentioned between him and Raymond. Having said that, I did enjoy the story a lot. I also liked the fact it wasn’t an “instant love and moving in that day” type thing. The pace and problems of the relationship are interesting.
I recommend this to anyone that likes UPS men, ranchers, horses, hot mansex, and a sweet love story.
Blurb: Three months ago, Cade Lawson was left standing at the altar in front of a packed church of friends and family. His bride admitted to a love affair with his own best man. That scene not only injured him, but propelled him forward to find his happiness on his terms. Cade uses money set aside for a dream home for his bride to chase the dream of owning a ranch. Little does he know cowboy
Jed McMasters will give him more than he bargained for. The ranch has its perks, one of which changes Cade’s outlook and sexuality. Jed stirs new emotion and desire Cade had in previous years dismissed as merely curiosity. Cade tries to ignore his attraction, fearful of ruining their business deal. What he doesn’t realize is that Jed is gay and has his sights set on luring him into his bed. Will he succumb to the passion that Jed creates inside him? Or deny the inevitable?
Review: I loved every aspect of this story except one. The characters are wonderful and the story was wonderful. I like the fact that a guy did not just come out then jump into a relationship. Most guys in situations like this freak out and run or at least take time go and think. Thank you for making that real. The only part I did not like about this story was the dirty talk. It seemed stilted and unreal, like the author doesn’t know how to use dirty talk during sexual encounters. This is the only reason I gave the heart rating a 4 instead of a 5. It kind of cooled the libido a little when they were trying to talk dirty and be Dominant. Neither one of them is a Dominant or an Alpha, much less a submissive. Now, however, giving over to each other control is a different matter and they handled that beautifully. I hope a sequel is planned for this book with the same characters, because I will read it!
Blurb: Lost Cow Ranch foreman Simon Bryan is worried about Luke, his boss and possessive partner of twelve years. Reeling from the flood that took his horse, Luke has postponed surgery on his knee, and his nightmares have been escalating. Worse, he is pulling away from Simon emotionally. Desperate to help his lover cope, Simon plans a special Christmas gift, but it is Luke’s present that changes their relationship forever.
Review: The fourth book in the MorningReport series finds Luke and Simon, partners for a decade, in a very bad emotional state. Luke is taking his injury and death of his beloved horse Lulu very badly. His fears and nightmares are holding him back and that is taking a toll not only at his health, but at his relationship as well. He’s slowly withdrawing from everyone and Simon is trying every trick he knows to bring the man he loves back from his inner darkness. With the approaching Christmas and the love and support of their friends and family Simon achieves to crack through the armor Luke has built around his mind and one step at the time get him through the healing process. But, love goes both ways and Luke shows his with a most unexpected act. After all when there is love you can survive it all and the pair recognizes how blessed they’ve been to be surrounded by that wonderful feeling.
This story is both sweet and hot. There are cowboys, there are horses, there is the classic Texan Momma (loved her), there are troubles and there is love. All very important components for a fine story. I did find it a bit rushed though, the pace felt like a sprint and there was no time left to absorb the bittersweet scenes or the hot sexual ones. Unfortunately I did not connect with the characters and failed to “feel” what they were feeling. It’s one of the rare times where I wish a story was a bit more developed and detailed on the sensory part.
Nevertheless I liked it and if you’ve followed the series you should definitely read this and catch up with Simon and Luke.
Blurb: At an early age, Jess Jenkins learned to take care of his family and friends and put their needs before his own. He dreamed of finding the same simple happiness his parents had and followed their example. Then Lorcan James broke his heart and an automobile accident broke his independent spirit. Now that’s all Jess is: a broken shadow of the man he used to be, still confined to a wheelchair after six months.
Jess is finally forced to put himself first and accept the help he needs on his journey toward recovery. Though pain, frustration, and depression leave him bitter and eager to push people away, his friends refuse to allow him to wallow in self-pity. Jack has only glimpsed the man beneath Jess’s angry shell, but he takes it upon himself to prove Jess isn’t broken. And Collin is determined to bring back the sweet man he once knew. The simple, happy life Jess has always wanted is there for the taking—all he has to do is open his eyes and see it.
Review: This story is part of a series and best read in order. Jess is recovering from crashing his truck six months earlier; he is still in a wheelchair and just being released from the rehab clinic. If he wants to walk again, he has a long painful time ahead of him. Luckily, he has the support of two men Jack, his physical therapist and Collin, his childhood best friend’s younger brother. Jack has caught glimpses of the sweet big-hearted man Jess was before his accident and he wants to know him better. It isn’t long before he wants Jess all to himself, but Collin has a huge crush on Jess and Jess finally begins to see a future for himself, if he can just let go of the pain and anger.
Well, S.J.D. has given us a story that is tinged with pain and anger, hope and happiness, doubts and despair along with forgiveness and love. Jess is still facing an incredible amount of pain in his rehabilitation and he has bouts of anger and frustration which can be directed at the people closest to him. it’s not what he wants to do but sometimes it just all gets too much to bear. Jack is a man who has slowly fallen in love with one of his patients, and as he gets closer to Jess he is made to wonder if his actions are the best thing for Jess. Jess also knows that he has to talk to Collin, because although he loves the man like a little brother, he will never love him like Collin wants.
This is a wonderfully written story that takes us alongside Jess on his journey of not only love, but of finding a new path to forge as he realizes his new life. S.J.D. drags us into Jess’s life with her hands around our throats; forcing us to see and feel Jess’s frustration and anger, his hopelessness at times as he looks at the obstacles he faces just to walk again, the unimaginable pain he endures on a daily basis and finally to the hope and love he has when he begins to see Jack as more than just a friend. She makes us see Jack’s dilemma and the choices he has to make and then finally she gives us Collin’s devastation as he realizes he will never have Jess’s heart the way he wants.
This story is not for those who want an easy read or huge conflicts being brought to bear, this story is about a man struggling with the painful changes in his life, of lingering guilt, of self-doubts and of finding love when he never thought he would. It’s about letting go of the past and looking to the future and of course it’s about the hot sexy men 😉 dealing with what life has thrown them and finding love and happiness. Jess and Jack are two men that you want to have their perfect happy ever after, they are wonderful together and when they make love, you know it is truly making love.
I must admit to loving this book, but I was slightly disappointed when Jess was made to face that he wasn’t the only one who has ever been injured. I felt that Jess should have erupted a little bit more before he broke down, raged a bit more at fate because in situations when you are made to confront the truth you are not quite rational. Other than that S.J.D. has given us yet another emotional draining story that leaves you wanting more… maybe Collin or Jack’s friend, Troy?
So I have to recommend this to those who love damaged cowboys finding their way back to living ranch life, physical therapists finding love with their cowboy patients, hot sex and a very happy ending.
Blurb:Riley and Jack Campbell-Hayes are doing well, and Hayley is a happy nine-year-old. Then twenty models arrive for a cowboy-themed photo shoot, the oil establishment interferes with Riley’s plans, and the scene is set for one very hot Texas Summer!
Riley and Jack Campbell-Hayes are doing well. Jack is expanding the Double D, Riley is close to his first ethical based contract, and Hayley is nearly ten and happy as all get out.
Jack hires Robbie, who is recovering from a loss, as his right-hand man. Riley’s photographer friend, Eli, decides the Double D is perfect for a cowboy-themed model shoot and falls in lust with Robbie. Everyone except Robbie sees how perfect Eli is for him.
Against the backdrop of twenty half-naked male models on Double D land, Texas Heat is the story of one hot summer with a Gay Rodeo, a bar fight at the Rusty Nail, and a love between two men that grows stronger every day.
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Review: Riley and Jack have a great life. Jack is going into horse training, Riley’s business, CH, is getting off the ground and everything is going great in their relationship. Robbie comes to work for Jack and Eli convinces Jack to let him use the Double D for a photo shoot and becomes smitten with Robbie. Can Eli convince Robbie that they can have something special? And how do Riley and Jack handle the problems thrown at them?
This is a wonderful story, where we can see the continuation of Jack and Riley’s relationship and see a new one developing on the Double D Ranch. Riley and Jack have their own individual worries in this book, with Riley having to deal with an underhanded investor, and Jack worries about the horse training expansion. We see them both leaning on each other and being there for each other, as well as dealing with ghosts from the past, but above all else we see their abiding love for each other.
The addition of Eli and Robbie is brilliant. The development of their relationship is awkward, but Eli refuses to give up over his mistake. Both Eli and Robbie have had tragedies in the past and while Eli embraces life and welcomes love, Robbie is more gun-shy over loving again. Both these characters fit in seamlessly with Riley and Jack, complementing the other couple while being an individual couple in their own right. don’t make the mistake of thinking they are just background filler because they aren’t, they are a couple with their own story that gets told.
The writing is smooth and so is the storyline, it does jump forward in time by a few months, but it is smoothly done so it doesn’t throw you. Riley and Jack are still as passionate about each other as ever, and Eli and Robbie scorch the pages as well.
I will recommend this to those who love sexy cowboys, hunky businessmen, horny photographers, cute kids, supportive family and a happy ending.
Blurb:Coleman Wilder, a half-breed werewolf, struggles to control his instincts. Horse shifter, Jonah Marks, lets his stallion run free but fears his family’s judgment. They will each have to face their fears to have the love they’ve always wanted.
Coleman Wilder is a half-breed werewolf. Some days the tension between his human side and his werewolf instincts threaten to tear him apart. But the challenge of running a horse farm as a gay man in a conservative Tennessee town keeps him focused until he meets horse shifter, Jonah Marks.
Jonah’s family insists that shifting is sinful, but Jonah longs to let his stallion run free. Desperate to escape his family’s judgment, he asks Cole, his secret crush, for a job. Cole turns him down, scared his desire for Jonah will make him lose control. When Jonah’s brother threatens his life, Cole struggles to save him and give them both a second chance at the life they’ve always wanted.
Review: Cole is a half-breed werewolf and a cowboy who owns a horse farm. When horse shifter Jonah approaches him for a job he declines, his wolf instincts driving him hard. Jonah is desperate to get away from his brother, Nathan, who thinks shifting, is a sin and Jonah being gay pushes him over the edge. Cole and Jonah have to find the strength to fight Nathan in the human world.
This is a very good shifter story, showing us how these people deal with their shifter instincts and their love, while fighting a bigot who is against shifting and gays. Cole struggles with his wolf instincts and urges, fighting for dominance over the wolf. But, when Jonah comes into his life, it’s a fight he seems to be barely winning. Jonah is a young man who has been treated badly by his brother and stepfather. When Cole rescues him, he doesn’t know how to be strong enough to fight his brother, but, with Cole’s help he finds a reserve of hidden strength he didn’t know he had.
I loved these characters of Jonah and Cole; both of them have their own troubles; Jonah, his family, and Cole, his wolf instincts. Cole’s situation is an intriguing one, as a half-breed he isn’t expected to shift, but, his wolf instincts are strong and it is tearing him apart, as his wolf and human side struggle for dominance. Jonah is in another unique situation, his family are horse shifters but they are so religious that they think shifting is a sin, add in the fact that Jonah is gay and you have a brother who would commit murder to cleanse him. The way the shifters and humans seem to grudgingly live side by side is interesting, the shifters aren’t hunted down but they aren’t fully accepted either… some people accept them, others ignore them and some sneer and snarl at them… it spookily reminded me of how gays are treated.
The relationship between Cole and Jonah is not an easy one at first, as Cole and Jonah have to fight their animal instincts of predator and prey, the urges to chase and flee. Jonah has an easier time of his control as he accepted him stallion many years before, but Cole has never truly accepted his wolf because of his inability to shift. Their sex life is passionate and intense with a few ups and downs as Cole fights his instincts to bite and tear (it’s very hot, very hot). There are also times when they conflict because of their protective natures, each trying to protect the other and do the right thing.
I will recommend this to those who love shifters, hot sex, conflict, danger, two men who are struggling to be themselves, a wonderful love and a happy ending.
Title: Montana Red
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