Back in the Saddle on Monday on Sunday

Okay, they weren't ALL cowboy books but two out of three with a horse involved equals an excuse or a hot cowboy pic which I stole from Janna when she did her cowboy post.

I freaking give up on blogger sometimes. It won't let me schedule posts. Grrrr. So I'm too lazy to delete and repost. It's Monday in Europe, that will have to do.

Duncan's World by TA Chase (120 pages)

Kyle is nearly 21 and follows his bull riding father and older brother on the circuit. He is basically their slave and his Dad beats him regularly. When he meets his father's number one competitor and enemy Duncan who is 17 years older they immediately hook up. After an amazing night with Duncan he stands up to is Dad and prepares to go home to his Mom on the ranch he is attacked and Duncan drives him home to try and get some answers from Kyle's mother. I do like TA's cowboys and these are pretty typical. I understood why Kyle's mother never left her husband (there is a good reason) but she had to know he was beating both her sons and yet she allowed that although it kind of sounds like he didn't do that until recently. Lots of reference made to the age difference which I think was realistic and while they admitted their strong attraction very quickly it wasn't insta-love in the usual sense so I didn't mind. If you like cowboys and the rodeo setting this is a nice read.

Only For Him by Shawn Lane (90 pages)

This is a continuation of the stories that started with Only In His Dreams (not a horse in sight). This is Barnaby the flamingly out secretary at the law firm and dorky law partner Nathan. Barnaby's been crushing on Nathan but figures he doesn't know he's alive. Of course Nathan thinks Barnaby's too popular to notice him. When Nathan is ill Barnaby takes some files over and stays with him. They sort of start a half-assed relationship but the first morning after they sleep together Nathan says it's a mistake and then changes is mind 5 min. later. This is a theme that repeats for Nathan who runs hot and cold. Finally after an incident at a club Nathan breaks it off and then of course changes his mind. Sigh. I loved Barnaby, he wears lip gloss and nail polish and guyliner, but Nathan really needed a kick in the ass, either date him or don't but stop with the push/pull thing. This brings into the mix Barnaby's older very conservative Dr. brother who finds guys like Barnaby too much and mentions that Nathan has a step-brother who's a nurse at the same hospital so I see something coming down the line for them. It's a cute series of inter-related stories so I'll keep an eye out for the next one.

Midnight Dalliance by S.J. Frost (49 pages)

Okay, this is an English riding cowboy story. :-) Dalton is a young British man new to the show jumping circuit in America. He's breaking up with his boyfriend who had abused the horse Dalton bought from him when Kelvin, the star of the tour steps in. He has just retired his horse and offers to ride Dalton's the next day. Dalton has been crushing on Kelvin since he was a teen and takes him up on the offer with a suitable "reward" if Kelvin can win the competition. Dalton doesn't have much money and Kelvin offers for him to bring his horse to his stable and train him there, with benefits. Dalton's not sure since that's how he got mixed up with his ex. I found Dalton went from struck silent by being in the presence of his idol, to offering him sex very blatantly not 20 min. after breaking up with his ex. It just seemed a bit off for me that he'd be so aggressive under the circumstances. The horsey parts were good though.