Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Country singer Willie Meadows is a fake. He’s never ridden a horse, and his “Western” gear comes from a boutique shop in LA. No wonder Wilson Edwards, the real man in those fake boots, is suffering creative block. Determined to connect with the music, Wilson buys a ranch in Wyoming to learn the country way of life, even if he has no intention of running the business. Then Steve Peterson shows up desperate, destitute, and hungry, having just escaped a gay deprogramming hospital run by his father’s cult.

Steve was supposed to train horses for the ranch’s former owner, but the job is gone along with his would-be employer. Luckily Wilson has a temporary solution: Steve can ranch-sit while Wilson does business in LA. But when he comes back, Wilson barely recognizes the place. There are trained horses in the paddock, and the ranch is in great shape. Suddenly he finds himself inspired not by the cowboy lifestyle but by Steve himself.

But the cult is still after Steve, and Wilson’s fear of scandal means he’s still in the closet. Coming out could kill Willie’s career—but denying his feelings for Steve could kill the only part of him that’s real.

 

Book Review

This fourth book in the ‘Stories from the Range’ series is like the first three books in that it is also about two men who learn to stand up for themselves, be honest about who they are, and deal with the consequences. But it is also a little different, since Steve has to fight for his physical safety as well as his ability to be openly gay, in contrast to Wilson, who has it made financially - as a Country & Western Star - but is hiding the fact he prefers men so his fans will continue to like him. When Steve and Wilson first meet, it seems as if they are worlds apart, but as they get to know each other, it becomes clear that despite their external differences, they are each the perfect man to help the other become who they want to be.

Wilson, who goes by the name of Willie when he performs, is beginning to feel like a fake. He is portraying the image of being a cowboy, but he really doesn’t know the first thing about ranching or horses. His solution of buying a ranch in Wyoming to find out (not to mention getting some peace and quiet) maybe effective, but it was pretty funny in the beginning. The simplicity of life is exactly what Wilson wants, but his manager is horrified. When Steve shows up, clearly in need of some help, Wilson ends up helping him, setting in motion events that are scary for both of them, but ultimately force them to take decisions that make both their lives better.

Steve has barely escaped the nightmare of his father’s cult and his attempt to “deprogram” him, and cannot believe his luck at finding Wilson happy to help. Since Steve knows about horses, and Wilson needs help with his new ranch that is uniquely suited for horses, Steve ends up staying. Initially he is afraid of everything and everyone, including the men he knows have followed him so they can drag him back to the cult. But as time passes, trust and more develops between him and Wilson, and Steve begins to see how he has to learn to fight for his independence if he wants to be free.
 
I loved this book as much as the first three, and it was a real treat getting back into their world. Dakota and Wally, as well as Phillip and Haven, are back for a few scenes, and as always are there to support and help “the new guys”. If you like sweet stories about men who have to fight so they can be themselves, if you are intrigued by the idea of a country singer learning about life on a ranch after years of writing songs about it, and if you’re looking for a read about real struggles that is as sweet as it is emotionally touching, then you will probably like this novel as much as I did. A great addition to this series and a definite winner in my book!

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook, print and audio
Length	Novel, 200 pages/60849 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	15-June-2012
Price	$6.99 ebook, $14.99 paperback, $14.99 bundle, $19.99 audiobook
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/a-foreign-range-by-andrew-grey-5430-b