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 make decisions that improve both their lives.

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 opinion!


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )

The first for me in this series by Andrew Grey, I think I got lucky; the story was good, a little cinderfella, a little star-system, it never went over the top and mostly remained with a small-town/good neighbors feeling.

Wilson is almost at the point of burning out; a country singer who is not even able to ride, all his persona is a fluke. But Wilson is aware of that and it wasn’t what he dreamed; he wants a simple life, doing music, sharing it with the audience, but not selling his life to them. So he decides to leave it all and to buy an horse ranch in Wyoming… only that the ranch hasn’t horses and it’s completely empty, aside for a young man, Steve, who was supposed to be an horse trainer for the previous owner, and arrived too late.

The runaway/starving kid is a common theme in Grey’s books, especially in the Love Means… series, another series with a country setting; I’m not really able to explain, but it does fit right with the story, western romance gives you that idea of comfort and quiet life, something you associate with a warm home and a full belly, so feeding the starving boy rings true for this type of romance. And once the runaway kid is well-fed, he proves to be an asset to the ranch, way more than Wilson that aside for the necessary money to buy it, hasn’t really any idea of what a ranch life implies.

Book after book Andrew Grey is starting to become more and more the Gay Romance equivalent of the Big Ladies of the serial Romance like Diana Palmer, the stories maybe don’t differ much, but when you pick one of these books, you are sure to be on for a good read.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1613725507/?tag=elimyrevandra-20