Down Low (Down Home #1) by Parker St. John

 

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His broken bones could finally mend their broken bond…

Bull riding was the only thing that calmed the thrill-seeking, self-destructive beast inside of Calvin Craig. It allowed him to escape a small-minded town and the pain of his troubled youth, fleeing to bright lights and big city fame without looking back.

One trip on the horns of the wrong bull changed everything.

Cal is forced to come crawling back home for the first time in ten years, his body broken and riding days behind him. But not everyone is happy for the return of their local celebrity.

Eli Jackson was once the tall, dark, and sinful preacher’s son who had Cal wrapped around his little finger. Now the steely-eyed sheriff of Sweetwater, Eli is hell bent on running him right back out of town. He’s never forgiven Cal for the spectacular implosion of their relationship. Even though the lingering tension soon has them burning up the sheets, he refuses to be tamed.

Cal is surprised to find himself rising to a new challenge: breaking the bull that is Eli Jackson.

He might have run out of luck, but he’s not out of miracles… yet.

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Down Low, the first book in the Down Home series, is a fun second chance romance by Parker St John. I love a good cowboy romance, and this one just grabbed me early on, with a mesmerizing tone, as well as the beautiful cover. 

Calvin and Eli were once together, but now, after years of no communication, Calvin is back home after an injury. Their reunion is one with regrets and bitterness. 

This is a story with plenty of emotional moments, as Calvin has some relationships to mend. His road to forgiveness from Eli is a long one, as there's lots of resentment to overcome. Calvin also has to deal with the mess that happened with his sister when he left town. In addition, I love the moments with Eli's father. The angst is all well done, drawing me in hook, line, and sinker. 

Calvin and Eli make for a fantastic couple. Their love was strong when they were young. With many glimpses into the past, their past fully comes alive. 

The style worked well for me, keeping me invested throughout. The characters. The storyline. Everything comes together wonderfully to make a great read. 

Down Low is a fabulous romance. Parker St John entertains throughout this enemies to lovers tale. I was riveted throughout as the men worked to put their past behind themselves.

Kinky Cowboys series, by Anitra Lynn McLeod

Broncos and Bondage

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Blurb

Closeted cowboy Kurtis Tam never stayed anywhere for long. A temporary job in Climax, Colorado sounds perfect, if only he can find a man for some after-hours fun. When bronco rider Will Thayer shares his lust for bondage, Kurtis has second thoughts about leaving, but kinky sex is one thing and tearing down the walls another. Will Kurtis open his heart and the closet door or will he move on alone?

This contemporary western M/M romance contains light, consensual bondage, sex toys, a colorful cast of characters, and a fluffy HEA. 22,250 words or 89 pages.

Review 

My Rating - 3.5 Stars!

Broncos and Bondage is a fun, light BDSM romance between two men who meet at a rodeo. A short read, it's cute and sweet, as Kurtis and Will fall for each other instantly. Their story includes being closeted, and a short time together. It's nothing surprising, but it's good when you're in the mood for something easy and entertaining.

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Spurs and Spankings

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Blurb

Ten years ago, Bo Dean Ivy had an erotic encounter with Miquel D’Angelo involving a stolen picture and a spanking. Running into him again in the small town of Climax, Colorado awakens long-buried desires, made only more intense by Miquel’s mysterious reason for being in town. With a week to prove they belong together, Bo pulls out all the stops, but can he convince Miquel to trust him?

This contemporary western M/M second-chance romance contains light consensual spanking, inappropriate use of cherry syrup, and a gooey sweet HEA. 26,500 words or 106 pages.

Review 

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Spurs and Spankings is a fun second chance romance, between two men who's kiss was interrupted years ago. It's hot with some light humor, and a lot of trust issues, as Miguel's been burnt in the past. It's a super sweet short read and is my favorite of the series.

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Chaps & Chastity

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Blurb

Dutton Fisher had always been able to connect and hookup with ease until he’s forced to ride fences with Kip Chisholm. Rumors about the quiet man put Dutton off but when a violent storm forces them together, Dutton not only learns Kip’s shocking secret but finds himself irresistibly intrigued. Opposites attract but how can a pansexual extrovert and a chaste introvert ever make a relationship work?

This contemporary western M/M romance contains light consensual D/s, sex toys, orgasm denial, and a sweet HEA. 25,000 words or 100 pages. 

Review 

My Rating - 3.5 Stars!

Chaps and Chastity is an entertaining combo of an extrovert and an introvert. It's an enjoyable idea and is well carried out. On a trip out to fix the fences, Kip and Dutton discover how well they work together. Kip's into chastity and Dutton is more than willing to explore his kink with him. Their ability to have kinky sex in the outdoors is great. It's definitely a fun read and is good when you're looking for a quick, BDSM light read.

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Buckles and Blindfolds

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Blurb

Even though ex-cop Rick Browder is desperate for a job, being the bodyguard to a trick rider with a trust fund might be more than he can handle, especially when they’ve hooked up before. Keeping his hands off his sexy young client proves impossible, but the bigger question is can Rick put his ego aside to embrace a life with Quentin Tenney or will his pride ruin their chance at happiness?

This contemporary western M/M romance contains a powerful bear with a soft heart, a trick rider with a fascination for blindfolds, a May-December romance, hot hookups, and a deeply satisfying HEA. 31,000 words or 124 pages. 

Review 

My Rating - 3.5 Stars!

Buckles and Blindfolds is a fun little age gap romance. Rick and Quentin are definitely fun together sexually, with a little bit of light kink thrown in. Adding to the fun, the author does a great job combining this sweet romance with an intriguing mystery.

Soft Place to Fall by B.A. Tortuga

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Blurb

Stetson Major and Curtis Traynor are about as opposite as two cowboys can get. Stetson is a rancher, tied to the land he loves in Taos, New Mexico, while Curtis is a rodeo cowboy whose wanderlust never could be tamed. But now Stetson’s momma is dying of Alzheimer’s, and she can't remember that Curtis hasn't been Stetson's boyfriend for a long time. Curtis's absence makes her cry, so Stetson swallows his pride and calls his ex-lover. To Curtis, Stetson is the one who got away, the love of his life. And Momma is his friend, so he’s happy to help out. Yet returning to the ranch stirs up all sorts of feelings that, while buried, never really went away. Still, the rodeo nationals are coming up, and Curtis can’t stay—even if he’s starting to want to, especially to support Stetson when he needs it most. Stetson and Curtis want to find a place where they both fit, to be there to catch each other when they fall. But family, money problems, and the call of the rodeo circuit might end their second-chance romance before it even gets started.

Review 

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Soft Place to Fall is a wonderful romance by BA Tortuga. It took me a while to get into this one. The writing style didn't allow me to connect to the men right away. But I am thrilled to have kept reading. At it's heart, it's a beautiful second chance romance.

Stetson's mother's sick and keeps asking to see Stetson's ex boyfriend, Curtis, setting the stage for a reunion and their second chance.

Stetson's family issues are heart-breaking. As anyone who's witnessed the tragedy of Alzheimer's in a family member knows, watching a love one struggle to remember anything, while also dying, is as tough as it gets.

If that wasn't bad enough, then he also has to face money problems, which is just an extra stress he doesn't deserve. The reunion of Stetson and Curtis is wonderful. They're just so damn sweet together. Watching them get another chance is fantastic.

Soft Place to Fall is a wonderful story of finding a way to make a relationship work. BA Tortuga excels with the exploration of realizing a couple changes and they're now ready to make the sacrifices.