New Mexico is the state at the center of this installment of the ‘States of Love’ series, a collection of romantic stories that spans every corner of the United States. The two main characters meet at one of the big local festivals, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Rusty, an ad executive from Santa Fe, has never been before, but he needs pictures for one of his clients and has convinced his best friend, Tyler, who is a photographer, to go with him. Chad owns a hot-air balloon in rainbow colors and loves piloting it. Rusty and Tyler are drawn to the balloon design and since Tyler knows Chad and his crew from previous encounters, they manage to snag a ride with Chad. New Mexico being the “Land of Enchantment”, what follows is a very romantic beginning to a relationship.

Rusty is new to ballooning, but the experience is memorable. So is Chad, and Rusty soon figures out a way to stay in touch and help Chad’s Santa Fe-based, struggling business at the same time. There is a definite attraction from the start, but the men also connect on an intellectual level. In fact, a traumatic event causes them to be emotionally very close much faster than either of them expected. When Chad opens up about his reasons for becoming a balloon pilot and how important his business of ferrying around tourists is to him, Rusty only becomes more determined to help out.

Over the next few weeks, Rusty and Chad get to know each other, spend as much time together as possible, and develop a deep affection for each other. Theirs is not a hot flash of an affair, but rather a slow-burning one that deepens very quickly nonetheless. Both of them are older and experienced enough to realize that what they have has long-term potential, and I liked how careful and nurturing they are with each other.

If you like romances with lots of heart and emotion, if two men who bond intellectually as much as physically are your thing, and if you’re looking for a gentle love story in a beautiful New Mexico setting, then you might like this novella.


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