The Mystery of Ruby Lode by Scotty Cade (2nd edition)

Title: The Mystery of Ruby Lode

Author: Scotty Cade

Genre: Mystery, Ghost, Historical (1914), Contemporary

Length: Novel (214pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (15^th April 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: After six months of research, adventure seekers Bowen McAlister, Cyrus Curran, Duff Gentry, and Lockhart Dawson make their way to Boulder, Colorado, to explore the abandoned gold mine Ruby Lode. But when they arrive, Duff, a born psychic, senses something isn’t quite right—and the closer they get, the more his unease grows.

Something long-buried in the deep shafts and drifts of Ruby Lode makes its presence known by exposing dark, guarded secrets. Preying on the adventurers’ weaknesses and insecurities, Ruby Lode’s own destructive secret threatens their sanity, friendship, and ultimately their lives. Bo, Cy, Duff, and Lockey must work together to unravel the century-old mystery before they become another footnote in the mine’s history.

First Edition published by Silver Publishing, June 2012

Warning: Some scenes may upset readers – Near rape and a flash back to child abuse.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3765

Review: Frink, Counter, Hepp and Shull buy a mine together in 1914, but something happens to destroy all their dreams and they mysteriously disappear. In 2011, four friends, Bowen, Cyrus, Duff and Lockhart love to explore abandoned gold mines. But, even before they set off for Ruby Lode Mine, Duff, a psychic, has a sense of foreboding about the trip. Arriving at Rudy Lode, his disquiet deepens as insecurities, fears and hidden secrets are dragged out in the four friends. Something doesn’t want them at the Ruby Lode and is trying to drive them away. Duff, Bo, Cy and Lockey must band together to discover the mystery of Ruby Lode and lay the past to rest.

Scotty Cade delivers a wonderful, slightly spooky story that has a wonderful mix of past and present. The story starts in 1914 with Frink and Counter biding on Rudy Lode. When they are successful in their bid they are approached by the other bidders, Hepp and Shull, and agree to buy into the mine together as Hepp and Shull have the equipment needed. But, things go drastically wrong. Flash forwards to 2011 and we have Cy, Bo, Duff and Lockey about to embark on exploring the Ruby Lode gold mine. But, something in the Ruby Lode doesn’t want them there and it delves into each man, dragging out secrets and fears. The men have a choice: confront their pasts or be driven from the mine by a spirit that doesn’t want his secret found.

Well, this is the second edition of this story and the original was reviewed by ‘da boss’ Portia. I never even got a sniff in the first time round but now is my chance ;-). The storyline and plot are brilliant, past and present collide when four friends explore Ruby Lode, but that isn’t all this story is about. Each friend also has to face their own pasts and are basically psychologically tortured by a nasty spirit who doesn’t want its own past revealed. Friendship comes in many forms and depths and before their journey is over, each friend discovers that no matter how close they thought they were or how much they thought they dealt with the past, the truth is harder to bear.

There are several relationships in this story, each beautiful in its own way… well, except one where all the trouble stems from. Long-term relationships still going strong and their love unbreakable, still beautiful and passionate. Discovering new love that has been right in front of you, digging beneath the surface and finally laying to rest an old fantasy. All the love scenes are just that love-making, sweet, passionate and loving… well; nearly all of them are anyway. I will give a warning that there is near rape scene as well.

The characters are very well written and each deals with their past with regret, anger, shock and fear. There are tears shed, as they come to terms with what their friends share and there is great support and love. The flashbacks throughout the story are nicely done, but be prepared to be horrified as we have kidnapping, child abuse, bullying and abandonment. Bo, Cy, Duff and Lockey are great friends, but at times I got annoyed with how they seemed to interact, un-needed and unmindful comments and flippancy at friends requests. And they all seemed to do it at one time of another.

I will recommend this to those who love history and the present meeting, a spirit who has a secret to hide, four friends becoming strong, a new-found love, a long-lasting love, hot sex and a very happy ending.

An Unconventional Union by Scotty Cade

Title: An Unconventional Union

Series: Unconventional 02

Author: Scotty Cade

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (220pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (18^th February 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Kincaid International Corporation’s CEO, Webber Kincaid, and his executive assistant, Tristan Moreau, have just returned from a Caribbean business trip gone horribly right. After years of hiding their love for each other, they finally came clean—and discovered KIC’s chief financial officer has been up to some shady business transactions. Now that they’re back, Tristan and Webber must expose the CFO’s indiscretions—and save Webber’s reputation, since he’s ultimately responsible for his CFO’s actions. With Tristan by his side, Webber faces KIC’s board of directors and a looming investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Justice.

With all the uncertainty surrounding them, Webber and Tristan rely on the strength of their connection. Together, they plan an intimate wedding on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. But despite their love for one another, Webber and Tristan quickly realize they have some hurdles to cross before they can start their unexpected new life.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3583

Review: This story is part of a series and best read in order. Webber and Tristan are now a couple. after realizing their love for one another, they are facing the fallout from their business trip in the Caribbean. Webber is accused of misappropriation of business property and facing an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Justice after discovering shading business dealings by his CFO Nathan Bridges. Webber and Tristan plan their new life together and begin with their wedding, but they still have hurdles to cross and they turn to each other for support.

This story continues on from where An Unconventional Courtship ended, but this story recounts the pertinent facts from the previous book so if you haven’t yet read it (raises eyebrow and shakes head), then this book is still easy to follow. Webber and Tristan face uncertainty and worry even though they know they have done no wrong, the support they get from their friend’s bolsters them and they begin to make decisions for their future together. The problem with Nathan is far from over and they will face heartbreak and loss even as they should be celebrating their new life together.

Scotty Cade has written another beautiful story of love, this time with added tension, new hope and devastating loss. Webber and Tristan are a committed couple now and Tristan supports Webber’s decision to begin a new life when the investigation is over. Even though they know Webber is innocent, Webber still has fears that something will go wrong. Both these men are great characters and their love for each other shines through. As they plan their wedding with the help of Deanne, she becomes very close friends with Tristan and they are there for her during her pregnancy. Deanne is a larger than life character and we quickly take her into our hearts in this story, which is then callously ripped out and stomped on by the author (you made me cry *sulk*). Nathan lurks in the background trying to discredit Webber and Tristan reunites with his younger brother. We find out more about Tristan’s past and it is quite surprising, and for the life of me I couldn’t work out why Tristan kept trying to reach out to his parents and older brother. It puzzled me that after everything that happened he still wanted to have contact with them.

I have to recommend this story to everyone who loves bumps in the road, some unexpected danger, a beautiful wedding and an ending that will twist you up inside for its devastation and happiness, so keep some tissues handy.

An Unconventional Courtship by Scotty Cade

Title: An Unconventional Courtship

Author: Scotty Cade

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (230pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (12^th October 2012)

Heat Level: Sensual

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4½Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Tristan Moreau loves his job as chief administrative officer and personal assistant to Webber Kincaid, President, Chairman, and CEO of Kincaid International. It would be the perfect job… if only he hadn’t fallen in love with his boss as well as the work. After two years, he’s still doing everything in his power to keep his feelings hidden—mostly because he wants to protect the reputation of his famous boss but also because he wants to keep his job.

Webber Kincaid has stayed in the closet, using his best friend and confidante as his beard. Everything in his life was working out just fine until he met Tristan Moreau. Within months, Tristan stole his heart and became his lifeline. But Webber knows the rules of the workplace better than anyone, so he’s kept his distance.

But two years is too long to wonder “what if?”—especially when business takes them to a private Caribbean island. When Tristan and Webber succumb to the tropical heat, their professionalism starts to backslide. It’s a seemingly impossible relationship, making a go at it under the paparazzi’s microscope. It may be the best—or the worst—business decision they ever made.

Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3274

Review: Tristan has the perfect job working for Webber Kincaid and it would be his dream job if only he hadn’t fallen for the man. For two years he has controlled his feelings around his boss, but he is dreading the coming weeks where he will be on a secluded Caribbean island nearly alone with his Webber. Just how is he going to control his reactions being in such close contact with the man he can only love from afar? Webber has a secret that he has kept quiet for the good of the company, but now he has an opportunity to go after his heart and he has some confessions to make before he can act. Just how will Webber convince Tristan of the truth when Tristan believes he’s straight and has a girlfriend?

This is a very sweet story that has love, angst, misunderstandings and a surprising work-related twist. Tristan is a man who is very cautious about where he lays his heart after being burned badly in the past, but he stood no chance of saving his heart when he met Webber. For two years he has secretly loved his boss and now he will have to spend three weeks on a secluded island with the man. Tristan never expects the turn of events that sweep him off his feet. Webber loves Tristan, working with the man for two years has made him long for something permanent with the man, but first he has to fess up about his so-called girlfriend. After opening his heart and claiming his man they have a plan of action, but work interferes when they uncover double-dealing.

Well, this is a very sweet touching love story that digs into every person’s deepest fantasies; where we get swept off out feet by our very own prince charming, where the person we have longed for finally admits they feel the same and where we are romanced, wined and dined to within an inch of our lives before being loved with the heart as much as the body. Tristan and Webber are a couple made in heaven, both men denying their feelings before finally coming clean with each other. It isn’t easy sailing though, as Tristan believed Webber to be in a relationship. There are some tears and confusion until it’s cleared up and then bliss until Tristan spots some irregularities in a file they are looking over.

This is a true love story for those of us who are true romantics, but it is also a slight mystery with a bit of betrayal and attempted blackmail. I loved this story for the sweet relationship and the fact that although they knew each other for two years Webber and Tristan still have a lot to learn about each other. To my mind their Unconventional Courtship was nearly two years of office/work related side glances and cheese Danishes. I am looking forward to the next book An Unconventional Union where hopefully we discover what actions the board and authorities will take and find out more about Deanna.

I will recommend this to those who love romance, sensual sex, ups and downs, romantic gestures, a touch of mystery and attempted blackmail, confusion and a very happy ending.

The Mystery of Ruby Lode by Scotty Cade

Title: The Mystery of Ruby Lode

Series: N/A

Author: Scotty Cade

Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Gay, Historical, Paranormal/Alternate World, Romance, Thriller, Western

Length: Novel

Publisher: Silver Publishing (May 26, 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5Hearts

Blurb: Something left behind in the abandoned Ruby Lode gold mine attacks four friends, exploiting their weaknesses and insecurities, threatening their sanity, friendship, and ultimately their lives. Can they solve the mystery of Ruby Lode in time to save each other?

After six long months of research, adventure seekers Bowen McAlister, Cyrus Curran, Duff Gentry, and Lockhart Dawson are on their way to Boulder, Colorado to explore Ruby Lode, an abandoned gold mine. Duff, a born psychic, senses something isn’t quite right, and the closer they get, the more his unease grows.

Something left behind long ago in the deep shafts and drifts of Ruby Lode makes its presence known by exposing dark, heavily guarded secrets. Preying on each of their weaknesses and insecurities, Ruby Lode’s own destructive secret threatens their sanity, friendship, and ultimately their lives.

CONTENT ADVISORY: This story contains elements of rape/near rape.

Product Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/new-release-c-1/products_id/849/?zenid=5b689a0780bf14b69461002bfeb4fb57

Reviewer: Portia

Review: Normally, I begin a review with a bit of a blurb. But, I have to preface that with a bit of a confession. I am always nervous when an author jumps genre. I know, that sounds petty, but oh well. Sue me. I like when my favorite writers are predictable and consistent. But, every now and then, one of them surprises me. Scotty Cade shocked the hell out of me…in the nicest possible way.

Now as a writer, I can tell you flashbacks can be hard to pull off. If you put them in the wrong place, or cover the wrong time frame, you can lose your reader. Scotty Cade pulled wove flashbacks into this entire story brilliantly. The Mystery of Ruby Lode begins at the beginning, in the spring of 1914. Frink and his best friend Counter are two young prospectors trying to strike it rich. Realizing that they lack both experience and equipment, they hook up with two other miners to better their odds of actually striking gold. Before they can pull a single piece of ore out of the ground disaster strikes.

Then, we jump to present day. The four friends have been on this type of adventure before. But, this time is different. This time not only their lives are in danger, but their very sanity.

This is a fabulous romantic suspense. I can’t say that enough times. Absolutely brilliant. The pacing was just right. The flashbacks that are woven into the main story let us stay just a head of the four friends. And the touch of paranormal is so well done, that it if you don’t believe if ghosts, you might.

For those of you who are wondering, there is some really hot sex, but it is always tempered with the intimacy of lovers…at least in the present day. 😉 And in true Cade fashion, these are grown ass men, who don’t play head games with their lovers. Each has a secret that must be revealed in order to solve The Mystery of Ruby Lode, all trusting that their secrets will be safe, with their closest friends.

I am recommending this one for, of course, all the Scotty Cade fans…trust me, he delivers. And anyone who loves a good cold case mystery with a touch of paranormal thrown in. Highly recommend.

Foundation of Love by Scotty Cade

Title: Foundation of Love

Series: Love series 04

Author: Scotty Cade and Z. B. Marshall

Genre: Interracial, Contemporary

Length: Novel

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb: Years ago, Wes Stanhope fled his hometown of Charleston to escape the constraints of society and his controlling father, Colonel Robert Lee Stanhope IV. After completing medical school and building a successful practice in pediatric oncology in Seattle, Wes is called home for his mother’s funeral and presented with an opportunity to build and run a children’s hospital-his mother’s legacy-a choice he ultimately makes despite his misgivings about his father’s role as chairman of the hospital’s board of directors. When Wes begins to build his team, he is introduced to a young, handsome black architect named Tyler Williams. Sparks begin to fly between the two men, and although Wes doesn’t identify as gay, denying his attraction to Ty becomes impossible. But Ty won’t be a dirty secret: if Wes wants to build a relationship, he’ll have to come out, brave his father’s racism and homophobia, and risk his chance to continue as the hospital’s CEO and realize his mother’s dream.

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2662

Reviewer: Portia

Review: It probably seems like I sneak my little pet peeves into my reviews…*smile* cuz, I do. One of my pet peeves are interracial romances, gay or straight, that show little or no respect for the cultural differences of the characters or resort to using cultural clichés. Newsflash: Not all black folk are on welfare and not all white folk are bigots. Neither do I believed that the average person chooses a lover only based on their race.

Foundation of Love doesn’t fall into either of those literary traps and I loved it. For the most part, race is not even an issue, and in this day and age, I find that much more believable than the alternative.

Rant over…back to the review. Wes spends most of this book torn. He wants to honor his late mother’s legacy, but really doesn’t want to deal with the issues he has with his father. (A man who, by the way, I think Cade crafted very well. He’s not all bad, but he’s stuck in the time warp. Allowing the norms of his own history to interfere with the relationship he desperately wants to foster with his adult son.) I loved how Wes looked on his friends, mentor and lover for guidance and support. Any yes, a few of the guys for the other Love series books to make guest appearances in Foundation of Love. The affection and respect among the men is evident on every levels

The romance between Wes and Ty is very sweet. Neither man was looking for anything long-term, but neither are they running from the possibilities. I felt like I was watching a romance unfold between grown-ass men. And by that I mean, they were past the age where they felt the need to play head games. They brought a level of maturity that is refreshing to see in a genre that too often churns out angst filled stories that seem contrived in their plot structure. Secondary rant: Every character does not have to be emotionally crippled. Some people actually like the idea of being in a stable monogamous relationship. End of secondary rant.

I would recommend Foundation of Love to anyone who is interested in an interracial romance that doesn’t dwell on race; main characters that actually communicate, rather than rely on guess-work and a happy ever after that involves letting go and moving on. Highly recommended.

Bounty of Love by Scotty Cade

Title: Bounty of Love

Series: Love Series

Author: Scotty Cade

Genre: GLBT Contemporary

Length: Novel

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (August 21, 2011)

ISBN: 978-1613720950

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Reviewer: Artemis

From the Publisher: The night before his wedding, Zander Walsh, his parents, and his husband-to-be are all shot when they return home and interrupt a mysterious robbery in progress. After three weeks in a coma, Zander wakes up to find out he is the only survivor, and his perfect life falls apart in an instant.

Hunky FBI Agent Jake Elliot is investigating the case, and he eventually apprehends the killer—who soon escapes. Following six months of searching, Zander and Jake realize they’re being stonewalled by the FBI… and that they have slowly formed an unbreakable bond that is beginning to turn into much more.

Once they embark on a journey to apprehend the killer for the second time, they’ll discover that one terrible night was much more than just an interrupted robbery. Can big business and politics cover up the truth, or will Zander and Jake’s quest to unravel the mystery be the end of their newfound love and their lives?

About the Author: Scotty Cade left Corporate America and twenty-five years of marketing and public relations behind to buy an inn & restaurant on the island of Martha’s Vineyard with his partner of fourteen years.

He started writing stories as soon as he could read, but only recently for publication. When not at the inn, you can find him on the bow of his boat writing male/male romance novels with his Shetland sheepdog Mavis at his side. Being from the South and a lover of commitment and fidelity, most of his characters find their way to long, healthy relationships, however long it takes them to get there. He believes that in the end, the boy should always get the boy.

Scotty and his partner are avid boaters and live aboard their boat, spending the summers on Martha’s Vineyard and winters in Charleston, SC, and Savannah, GA.

My Review: I knew, just from the publisher’s brief summary of the story, that Zander’s fiancé and parents were going to die…I just didn’t realize that I would come to love them so much in the first chapter before that fatal event. Honestly, by page 20 I was crying and wanted to throttle the author for introducing such wonderful characters only to have them die so early in the story! However, all was eventually forgiven once Jake was introduced and I started getting into the actual story!

FBI Agent Jake Elliot is in charge of investigating the murders of Zander’s fiancé and parents. At the beginning, he just does what his superiors tell him to do but certain things start to raise some internal alarm bells and he joins forces with Zander to uncover the REAL truth. That truth involves politics, cover ups and betrayal! Eventually, the mystery will send to the Alaskan wilderness in search of their prime suspect.

Now, there is certainly a lot of plot in this story but not too much actual mystery. Not to give away any spoilers here but you sort of know who the bad guy(s) are the whole time (or at least suspect….). The real story is following along as Jake and Zander figure it out for themselves.

The author did a really good job of allowing Zander to grieve his fiancé’s death before introducing Jake as a romantic interest. The development of their relationship was very realistic, very romantic, and at the end very hot. Most of the time the writing was very smooth and overall all the conversations and interactions seems fairly natural. There are a couple of ‘otherworldly’ events involving ghosts and omens and such that I could have done without but I am not a fan of paranormal romances so maybe that is just my own personal prejudice!

Bounty of Love is part of a series by this author. The other 2 books (Wings of Love and Treasure of Love) take place AFTER this one. While a few of the characters are the same, they are all stand alone books.

Overall, a pretty good book…pros would be that it really touches the emotions and the characters are well-developed. Cons for me are probably the fact that the bad guys are not kept a mystery to the reader and the bits of paranormal sequences in the story line. Great romance, steamy and well placed sex scenes, and a pretty nice read!

Tag: Scotty Cade

The Mystery of Ruby Lode by Scotty Cade (2nd edition)

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