Know When to Hold 'em

Last Chance Ranch #1

by Madeleine Urban

Cowboys, outlaws, and gamblers all possess a touch of allure, a hint of danger, and a whisper of adventure. Follow your heart to the Wild West, where the weather can change your life, the mountains shelter you from harm, and horses lead you home. Ride over the African plains under the endless sky. And sail the rivers of the South playing games of chance and sipping a stiff drink. "Know When to Hold 'em "is about more than cardsharps and roundups it's about how the gamble of a lifetime can change you for the better forever.

Stories included

"Serengeti "by Madeleine Urban
"Poker Face "by Dar Mavison
"Rendezvous "by Catt Ford
"Fancy Pants "by Connie Bailey
"The River Flows South "by John Simpson
"Back in the Saddle "by D. G. Parker

Genres: M M Romance, Anthologies, Westerns, Historical, Romance, Erotic Romance, Historical Romance

220 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2008

About the author

Madeleine Urban is a down-home Kentucky girl who’s been writing since she could hold a crayon. Although she has written and published on her own, she truly excels when writing with co-authors. She lives with her husband, who is very supportive of her work, and two canine kids who only allow her to hug them when she has food. She wants to live at Disney World, the home of fairy dust, because she believes that with hard work, a little luck, and beloved family and friends, dreams really can come true.

Visit Madeleine's blog at http://madeleineurban.livejournal.com/. You can contact her at mrs.madeleine.urban@gmail.com.
Listen to Madeleine interviewed by Peter Godbold on the Strictly Confidential Radio Show

MADELEINE URBAN RETIRED
Nov. 17, 2011 - I have made the personal decision to stop writing, for reasons that are important to me, including focusing on my family and my health. Writing and publishing comes with a whole set of expectations and pressures, and I find that it's just too much. While I am sad that this will upset and/or even anger readers, this is the right decision for me.

Abigail Roux will be continuing the Ty and Zane series, and I know she'll do a great job.

Reviews

[Erica Pike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hard to rate since some stories were better than others, but all in all I'm very glad that I read this.

The stories that stood out for me were 'Back in the Saddle' and 'Rendezvous'. 'Fancy Pants' was very amusing and fun to read. I didn't really get 'Poker Face' - someone's going to have to explain the ending to me, but the writing was good and the scenes hot. 'The River Flows South' is very nicely written with excellent details, but it's a bit slow paced for my liking.

Edited: Jeez, I forgot 'Serengeti'. I did enjoy that story, though I would have like to see some milestone scenes between the narrator and his lover (first kiss, first sexual touches, first penetration scene).

I'm looking forward to read more stories by all of these authors :)

[Marlobo ♥ epilogues · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 stars

"Serengeti "by Madeleine Urban - 4 stars
"Poker Face "by Dar Mavison - 1,5 " uh?" stars (wth was that ending?)
"Rendezvous "by Catt Ford - 2,5 stars
"Fancy Pants "by Connie Bailey  - 1.5 stars
"The River Flows South "by John Simpson - DNF
"Back in the Saddle" by D. G. Parker - DNF

[Aidee Ladnier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love anthologies, especially good anthologies. I think of them as a taste of an author to help me decide if I want to invest in future novel reading. That said, I really liked Serengeti with its exotic setting and painfully faithful love story. Poker Face was not my favorite as the character of Frank seemed to be so wrapped in his guilt he was unable to grow. Rendezvous was wonderful with the boisterous Wolf who with his wife Nizhoni looks after Jack despite himself, pointing him to Stony who Jack can't help but fall in love with. Fancy Pants was an interesting story about a gambler willing to bet a little more than most cowboys are comfortable with - luckily Dash is a perfectly suited to him. The River Flows South puts the gamblers in their traditional setting of a paddle wheel riverboat. Back in the Saddle was a great little story about finding what you need when you least expect it - Obie wanders onto a ranch looking for temporary work and finds a home. Overall, this anthology was well worth the read.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars for Back in the Saddle by D. G. Parker

I read this after reading The Last Chance Ranch. I really enjoyed getting more of the backstory on the ranch and the men who live there. I don't think I would have enjoyed this as much if I'd read it first but I can't say for sure.

*I bought this anthology a long time ago, when I was on a cowboy kick, but never got around to reading it. After reading "The Last Chance Ranch", then "Back in the Saddle" from this collection, I wanted to gift a copy of this anthology to a friend. Unfortunately I could only find the paperback available to purchase. It appears the ebook has been pulled. I would still highly recommend The Last Chance Ranch. It can definitely be read and enjoyed as a standalone.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Serengeti by Madeleine Urban - Really enjoyed this one. Told by a narrator so we don't get inside their head but it still worked somehow. 4

Poker Face by Dar Mavison - The ending of this one confused me but the rest was good. 2

Rendezvous by Catt Ford - Sweet romance, loner mountain man finds a man to spend his life with. Entertaining. 3

Fancy Pants by Connie Bailey - Funnier than the others. Enjoyable enough. 3

The River Flows South by John Simpson - A little slow moving but a nice story. 2

Back in the Saddle by D. G. Parker - My favorite story. Even made me tear up a bit. 4

[Shelby P · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this anthology for the story Back in the Saddle and it's the only one I read. I really don't like anthologies. Anyway, I'm glad I read The Last Chance Ranch first because if not, then this story would have been only 2 stars. Since I had a vested interest in finding out the back story of a few characters, it'll get 3 stars.

[BTina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Serengeti - Madeleine Urban - 3.5 stars
Poker Face - Dar Mavison - 3 stars
Rendezvous - Catt Ford - 3.5 stars
Fancy Pants - Connie Bailey - 3.5 stars
The River Flows South - John Simpson - 1.9 stars
Back in the Saddle - D. G. Parker - 3.3 stars

[Collette · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of the stories were really good. I could have used a bit more sex in some but that is just me. ;)

[Indigo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite average.

[Vanyel Kane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of fun. Enjoy.

[Gaa-chan]

Back in the Saddle - 2.5 stars

[Kristy Maitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took the time to read just DG Parker story - The Last Chance Ranch - and I have to say I love it.

[Shirley (Secret Squirrel) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable stories, but they felt rushed. Rendezvous was my favorite. I would have chosen Poker Face, but the ending made no sense to me at all.