Date Published: June 2009
ISBN: 978-1-934531-55-6
Anthology, GLBT
Paperback
Reviewed by Miss April
STUDS AND SPURS Anthology is filled with stories for those of us who love cowboys. There are four wonderful stories in this novel and each is a great addition and brings a different viewpoint to the anthology. You have modern day cowboys and those from the old west. You get stubborn, sweet and everything in between.
The first story is about a man who has run away from his family. The Convenient Husband by JL Langley. Tucker tries to deny his attraction to Micah, the boy his family took in. But when Micah grows up and tries to show Tucker how he feels, Tucker runs. It takes Micah coming to him, hat in hand, to beg for help before Tucker faces his desire. Thanks to his grandfather’s will, Tucker must marry to inherit the ranch and save it.
This was a wonderful story of two stubborn men coming together. Micah is a blend of innocence and toughness. Tucker is a cowboy who has tried to do what he thinks is the right thing. Watching these two men try and work together to save the ranch was fun. And the solution that Tucker comes up with is novel. There was one scene that was especially fun and I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
The second story is quite honestly my favorite. Seeing You by Dakota Flint. This is a story of two men trying to deal with the grief of losing someone close to both. Dylan lost his brother and Wade lost his partner. Dylan runs from it all and is called back home by his sister to help Wade. Dylan is consumed with so much guilt and Wade with despair.
This story was so touching. It made me ache for these two men. Dylan was so strong even in his grief. It actually hurt to read about Wade and his grief. The emotions were so real and made you want so badly to help these two. Watching the two of them come together was like watching a dance. Every step meant something and the completion made you want to stand and clap!
The third story was a delightful one set in the old west. Judas Steer by Kiernan Kelly. This is a story of a cowboy who is trying to figure out what is going wrong on a cattle drive and is suspicious of everyone. When Granger tries to find out why the new cowhand Billy is acting so odd, instead of an enemy, he finds a companion. But trouble is ahead. Granger has an enemy and so does Billy. When the two enemies team up, Granger and Billy have to fight for their lives and each other.
Wow, in this story you find everything. You get cowboys, rustlers, an old lover, and a jealous brother. Throw in some cattle and horses and you have a ride of your life! Granger and Billy are so right for one another. To see Granger try to hold back and to have Billy push him was a delight. Billy started out seeming so fragile but quickly proved to be a strong willed man. Granger seemed so tough but there is a tender side to him that was fun to read.
The last story is Forgotten Flavor by Angela Fiddler. In this one we have a man with regrets who realizes his mistake after a terrible accident. Mark takes a fall from his horse and shatters not only bones but his father’s dreams. The one person who cares enough to come see him in the hospital is the one Mark walked away from. Jake has waited for Mark for years and Mark is ready to come home. But it isn’t so simple. There is a land developer who wants some land from Jake and doesn’t seem to care who or what get hurts along the way.
This is a lovely story of second chances. Mark is a character who must struggle with himself. It was his decision that drove Jake away. Now he has to come to terms with that and the fact that the dreams he always strove for aren’t his dreams. Jake is a stunningly forgiving person. So much so that thinking about it afterwards, I wonder if I could have forgiven so easily. But in this story it works. The love that these two men have has endured the worst and come out the better for it. A very enjoyable read.
All four stories in this anthology were great. Truly a must have for cowboy fans everywhere.
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