Book Reviews

Book Blurb

It's 1895 when Luke Straily returns to Gunnison, Colorado, after a twelve-year absence and reluctantly heads to the cattle ranch owned by Jack Hinch, the only man he’s ever loved. Looking to make amends for an intolerable act, Luke hires on at the ranch, but Jack makes it perfectly clear he's unable to forgive or forget just yet.

It'll take everything in Luke's power to set things right with the man he wronged and placed in jeopardy before he ran away, but he aims to earn back Jack's trust no matter the personal cost. Complicating matters, though, is ranch foreman Tim Dutcher, who’s been enjoying a sexual relationship with the handsome rancher during the intervening years and thoroughly resents Luke's intrusion.

As Luke and Jack gradually rebuild their severed friendship and renew their former passion, jealousy flares, leading to a volatile confrontation. Can the men settle matters without any shots being fired?

Book Review

“I'm not through with loving you, it's just that you're gone. Nothing I can say or do can undo what's done. You took my heart along when you went away... I'll get it back some day. In the river of time I'll forgive and forget...and let them memories all go down the river of time...” ~ Michael Martin Murphey (The River of Time)

Luke Straily made a huge mistake twelve years ago when jealousy caused him to lose Jack, the man to whom he had sworn love. Luke has decided now is the time to face Jack and, if possible, set things right. Luke is going to beg for Jack's forgiveness and, if possible, win him back, but no matter how sincere you are or how hard you may try to fix things, some hurts are too deep to be forgiven.

Hoping for the best and trying to prepare for the worst, Luke rides up the Jack's ranch. None of the ranch hands know him, which is a plus, but Jack certainly does. Luke asks for work and Jack hires him. Despite the cold reception, Luke is encouraged but it doesn't last long. Apparently, the new foreman and Jack have some kind of “arrangement”. It drives Luke crazy to think they are together so, instead of letting it go and trying to ignore it, Luke is determined to see for himself even if it hurts more to know.

This is a different kind of love story between two “manly men” who have more stubbornness and machismo than compassion. The sex in this story is more carnal and courser than other books I've read, but, given their environment, where people lived for today because tomorrow might not come, it's understandable. I don't know that I could have forgiven Luke for what he did and I'm certain I would never have had the nerve to go back and face Jack; but, I'm not a cowboy who has lived the rough, sometimes brutal life they have. I can't possibly put myself in their place. Thanks, Dale, for finding out a way to work things out for Luke and Jack.  

 

 

 

 

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

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 16518 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	18-March-2017
Price	$2.99 ebook
Buy Link	http://www.jms-books.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=29_94&products_id=2035