Title: The Lone Rancher
Author: Andrew Grey
Series: Standalone
Genre: M/M, Contemporary Romance, Western
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: Feb 15 2016
Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print
Rating: 4.0 Stars
Disclosure of
Material Connection: I received this book
for review from RBTL World of Books Blog Tours and the author. I was not compensated nor was I required to
write a positive review. The opinions I
have expressed are my own. I am posting
this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of
Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising".
Blurb/Synopsis:
Aubrey Klein is in real trouble—he needs some fast money to save the family ranch. His solution? A weekend job as a stripper at a club in Dallas. For two shows each Saturday, he is the star as The Lone Rancher.
It leads to at least one unexpected revelation: after a show, Garrett Lamston, an old friend from school, approaches the still-masked Aubrey to see about some extra fun… and Aubrey had no idea Garrett was gay. As the two men dodge their mothers’ attempts to set them up with girls, their friendship deepens, and one thing leads to another.
Aubrey know his life stretching between the ranch and the club is a house of cards. He just hopes he can keep it standing long enough to save the ranch and launch the life—and the love—he really hopes he can have.
Book Links
My Thoughts:
Aubrey Klein is doing the best he can to hold on to what he
has. He shows what a child is willing to
do in order to help the parents. Garrett
Lamston is a friend of Aubrey’s. They both
have a secret that they are not disclosing.
They both show how hard it is to be outside the “norm” and still try to
fit in.
Even though the government is finally recognizing that we are
allowed to live our own lives and not be shunned for being different. But there are still those who will still live
in the dark because they are afraid of repercussions. And isn’t that just sad. Especially when you think that they blame
themselves – maybe it’s me.
If you think about it, this author has actually written a sad
story but with a happy ending. Think
about the man who has to hide who he is because he doesn’t want to disappoint
and just wants his parent’s love. We’re
brought up to believe that love is unconditional but is it really? I think the author is very realistic in how
he portrays Aubrey’s parents. Why aren’t
we all allowed to be happy?
Now, I do understand that there are some people that are
uncomfortable reading this “type” of book.
But my question is; have you actually ever read the book or your just
uncomfortable with the subject. Maybe
you just haven’t found the right author.
So you may want to see what this author has to offer. Also, this is a story about a hot cowboy so
it’s something that may pique your interest.
By the time you get to the end, you won’t believe that what you read is
a novella.
Excerpt:
In the tiniest of thongs that left nothing to the imagination, he stepped down off the stage and out into the crowd. A sea of bills popped into the air, and he collected them slowly, one at a time, tucking them into his pouch. He got a few grabs and gropes—that came with the territory, along with the money—and when the music finally died as the last bills were stuffed home, the Lone Rancher, wearing only a thong, a mask, and a smile, climbed back to the stage, turned, and gave them a farewell hip thrust.
That’s when Aubrey saw him, second row off to the right. Garrett stood right there, eyes glued to him. Aubrey was covered in sweat, but he was instantly cold, a bone-deep chill so ferocious he wondered if he’d ever get warm again. He gave a final wave and hurried off the stage, stumbling down the steps in order to get away.
“Fuck,” he groaned when he made it back to the changing area and began pulling the bills from everywhere they’d been stuffed. Part of the trick was to do it carefully so he didn’t end up with paper cuts anywhere important.
A bottle of water was placed on the table in front of him by one of the stage guys as he hurried by. Aubrey didn’t see who it was; he was too preoccupied with the fact that Garrett had been out front. Well, that answered one question, but it raised a hell of a lot more. Did Garrett know who he was? God, he sure as hell hoped not. His heart raced and he grabbed the bottle, gulping down the water as one of the other guys brought him the clothes he’d stripped off.
“You looked really good,” Hank the Hunk told him, handing him the stack with a flip of his long blond mane. “They always go for you.”
“It’s the mask,” Aubrey answered. He only took it off in the club when he was alone in the bathroom and needed to wipe his face. Otherwise, none of the guys knew what he looked like, and for the most part they all respected his privacy. They all had things about their lives they didn’t want spread around.
“Are you doing the next show?” Hank asked as he stepped into a pair of fireman’s pants and then pulled on a fire coat before slapping a fire helmet on his head.
“Yes. I only get here on Saturdays, so I try to do both shows.” Aubrey was feeling much more normal. The sweat that had built up while he was on stage had evaporated, and he was hydrated once again. He began dressing in his costume for his second appearance in the show, where all the guys would dance together. When he was ready, he went to stand in the wings. Usually he watched the other guys to see if there was anything new he could learn, but this time his gaze was drawn to the audience, where he could see Garrett. He seemed to be watching the show only part of the time and craning his head around the rest of the time.
Aubrey was getting ready to go back on when he saw Garrett weave his way back through the crowd, and he breathed a small sigh of relief. Maybe Garrett was getting ready to leave for the night? He sure as hell hoped so.
“Gentlemen, letches, and perverts everywhere, it’s time for the finale, so let’s bring out all the boys!” The club plunged into darkness, and they all took their places. Then the lights strobed on, and they went into their routine. Shirts and pants came off in unison, working the crowd into a frenzy. The music built and the taller guys bent over so the smaller guys could roll over their backs, legs in the air for three beats, and then they were all on their feet, hips gyrating in unison, chests pumping, playing up all their “assets.” The music reached a crescendo and then the lights went dark. When the music stopped, the walls shook as the men applauded, pounding their feet on the floor. Aubrey and the others hurried off stage as the master of ceremonies thanked everyone for coming.
They all got a rest while the crowd filed out and the club was cleaned up so it could get ready for the second, longer, and more expensive show of the night. Aubrey dressed and left the club so he could get some fresh air.
He stepped out of the back door into a night that felt as though he were breathing soup. Aubrey looked up at the sky and hoped the rain he was smelling on the air was going north through home.
“You’re the Lone Rancher, right?”
Aubrey knew that voice and turned around slowly. “Yeah,” he said, lowering his voice slightly and hoping it didn’t sound too fake. Garrett would know his voice in an instant.
Giveaway:
Author Information:
Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Author Links:
Facebook Group All the Way with Andrew Grey
For Other Works by Andrew Grey
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Thank You for Reading and Reviewing The Lone Rancher by Andrew Grey
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