Country singer Willie Meadows is a fake. He's never ridden a horse, and his "Western" gear comes from a boutique shop in LA. No wonder Wilson Edwards, the real man in those fake boots, is suffering creative block. Determined to connect with the music, Wilson buys a ranch in Wyoming to learn the country way of life, even if he has no intention of running the business. Then Steve Peterson shows up desperate, destitute, and hungry, having just escaped a gay deprogramming hospital run by his father's cult.
Steve was supposed to train horses for the ranch's former owner, but the job is gone along with his would-be employer. Luckily Wilson has a temporary solution: Steve can ranch-sit while Wilson does business in LA. But when he comes back, Wilson barely recognizes the place. There are trained horses in the paddock, and the ranch is in great shape. Suddenly he finds himself inspired not by the cowboy lifestyle but by Steve himself.
But the cult is still after Steve, and Wilson's fear of scandal means he's still in the closet. Coming out could kill Willie's career-but denying his feelings for Steve could kill the only part of him that's real.
Auch der vierte Band der Serie ist wieder ein typischer Andrew-Grey-Roman mit Herzschmerz, Drama und Happy-End-Garantie.
Zur Handlung. Wilson Edwards, alias Willie Meadows, Countrysänger mit Schreibblockade, hat genug von seinem Starleben in L.A. Deshalb kauft er sich eine kleine Ranch in Wyoming, in der Hoffnung endlich mal so etwas wie ein Privatleben zu haben. Denn in seinem Job ist er ungeoutet, aus Angst, es würde seiner Karriere schaden, wenn bekannt würde, dass er schwul ist. Sein Freund und Manager Howard ist davon nicht begeistert und versucht ihm die Idee auszureden. Steve Peterson ist auf der Flucht vor seinem homophoben Vater und dessen Sektenanhängern. Halb verhungert und ohne einen Cent in der Tasche taucht er auf Wilsons Ranch auf. Die Vorbesitzerin hatte ihm einen Job versprochen. Da Wilson dringend Hilfe braucht und niemand hat, der sich in seiner Abwesenheit um die Ranch kümmert, bekommt er trotzdem die erhoffte Stelle. Zwischen den beiden funkt es sofort, doch aus unterschiedlichen Gründen schweigen sie anfangs zu den aufkommenden Gefühlen.
Auch dieser Teil hat mir wieder gefallen, neben der erwarteten Liebesgeschichte gibt es auch ein Wiedersehen mit den sympathischen Paaren der vorherigen Folgen. Besonders mochte ich auch Haushälterin Maria, die locker selbst mit Wilsons Manager fertig wird. Das Ende hätte gerne noch etwas ausführlicher sein können, aber vermutlich taucht das Paar auch wieder im nächsten Band auf. Auch Steves Entführung durch seinen Vater wurde für meinen Geschmack zu schnell und reibungslos behandelt. Da hätte etwas mehr Spannung gut getan.
Die Story erhält von mir 4 Sterne und eine Leseempfehlung.
Mein Dank geht an Dreamspinner Press für das erhaltene Rezensionsexemplar.
This was absolutely what I was in the mood for. It was typical Andrew Grey and that’s meant in a positive way. It was a feel-good story with a nice, fitting happy ending.
»Fremde Weiten« ist ein typischer Andrew Grey Roman. Ruhig, schön, einfach zum Genießen und perfekt für einen gemütlichen Lesenachmittag geeignet. Und ich habe auch genau das bekommen, was ich mit Wilsons und Steves Geschichte erwartet hatte.
Da wäre einmal ein frustrierter Sänger, der seine Muse verloren hat, und ein junger Mann, dem die Flucht vor einer Sekte und der Umerziehung, weil er schwul ist, gelungen ist – zusammen treffen beide auf Wilsons neuer Farm, denn Steve sollte eigentlich bei der Vorbesitzerin einen neuen Job antreten. Dazu kommt es nicht mehr und weil Steve völlig abgebrannt ist und nicht weiß, wo er hin soll, richtet er sich in seiner Not einfach ein Schlaflager in Wilsons Stall ein und wird dort von dem erwischt. Doch statt rausgeworfen zu werfen, hilft ihm Wilson und bietet ihm schlussendlich sogar einen Job an.
Steve ist solche Freundlichkeit nicht gewohnt und entsprechend misstrauisch und auch Wilson fragt sich anfangs, was er da eigentlich treibt. Aber er weiß, dass er sein Leben ändern muss, wenn er weiter gute Musik machen will, und dabei kann er die Hilfe von Steve dringend brauchen, denn Wilson hat nicht die geringste Ahnung vom Leben auf einer Farm.
Es hat wirklich Spaß gemacht, die beiden auf ihrem Weg zu einem Happy End zu begleiten und meiner Meinung nach hätte die kurze Szene mit der Entführung durch Steves Vater nicht sein müssen. Das wurde so dazwischen gequetscht und dann in ein paar Sätzen abgehandelt, dass ich es eher unpassend und überflüssig fand.
Der Rest der Geschichte verdient allerdings zufriedene 4* und eine Leseempfehlung. Zusätzlich geht ein Dankeschön an den Dreamspinner Verlag für das Rezensionsexemplar.
A Foreign Range is the latest in the Range series by Andrew Grey. The Range series is one of my favourites, as I’m sure everyone knows, lol, and I am pleased to have added this one to my book list!
A Foreign Range takes us back to Wyoming where our ‘new’ cowboy, Wilson, meets Kota, Wally, Haven Phillip and the rest of the gang we’ve all come to know and love. As the blurb explains, Wilson just wants a real life, not the fake psudo-life he’s had living in L.A.
Then you have Steve, a horse trainer trying to make a new life for himself away from the terrifying reprogramming camp his father shipped him off to . . . and that’s not even the worst of his old life.
As the story progresses, you travel along with Wilson and Steve as they learn to work together, Wilson fights to find his muse again, and the possible scandal about his sexuality threaten the attraction and possible love between these two delightfully sexy men.
A Foreign Range is a wonderful story, one I was curious to see how he would manage to make the characters fit with a singer vs. a beloved powerhouse like Kota … The first 3 are such strong connection of souls, not just men. This one was a great addition to the Range series.
Beautifully written continuation of a powerfully delivered series that once again shows the endurance of love and dedication that Andrew gives to each of his beloved characters. I look forward to more from Andrew, and thank him for letting me get my hands on a ARC copy of a truly wonderful M/M story that touched my heart as it made me want to reach for a fan, lol.
A really sweet romance. I wasn't sure about the age gap, but Steve is mature, and older than his years especially after all he has endured. Wilson also never takes advantage of Steve or tries to manuipulate, or control him. I like how their feelings took time to develop, and while there was an inital attraction neither one feel deeply in love at first sight. Their love grew out of their mutual respect, and attraction. I like how well they work together, and how it isn't a story about one taking care of the other, but of mutual support. It makes the story feel much more real to me. Overall a good read, especially if your in the mood for a fluffy romance.
Another home run by Andrew Grey. I loved A FOREIGN RANGE for its plot, characters, very realistic situations to resolve, and the relationship between two men, whose personalities evolve as the book progresses. When I started A FOREIGN RANGE it appeared that Wilson was the strong alpha man and Steve was very nearly a twink. However, initial appearances covered true strengths and weaknesses of these men. One thing about Andrew Grey, he doesn't hide the flaws of his characters by making them larger than life. I loved this book and consider it one of Andrew Grey's best.
This fourth book in the ‘Stories from the Range’ series is like the first three books in that it is also about two men who learn to stand up for themselves, be honest about who they are, and deal with the consequences. But it is also a little different, since Steve has to fight for his physical safety as well as his ability to be openly gay, in contrast to Wilson, who has it made financially - as a Country & Western Star - but is hiding the fact he prefers men so his fans will continue to like him. When Steve and Wilson first meet, it seems as if they are worlds apart, but as they get to know each other, it becomes clear that despite their external differences, they are each the perfect man to help the other become who they want to be.
Wilson, who goes by the name of Willie when he performs, is beginning to feel like a fake. He is portraying the image of being a cowboy, but he really doesn’t know the first thing about ranching or horses. His solution of buying a ranch in Wyoming to find out (not to mention getting some peace and quiet) maybe effective, but it was pretty funny in the beginning. The simplicity of life is exactly what Wilson wants, but his manager is horrified. When Steve shows up, clearly in need of some help, Wilson ends up helping him, setting in motion events that are scary for both of them, but ultimately force them to make decisions that improve both their lives.
Steve has barely escaped the nightmare of his father’s cult and his attempt to “deprogram” him, and cannot believe his luck at finding Wilson happy to help. Since Steve knows about horses, and Wilson needs help with his new ranch that is uniquely suited for horses, Steve ends up staying. Initially he is afraid of everything and everyone, including the men he knows have followed him so they can drag him back to the cult. But as time passes, trust and more develops between him and Wilson, and Steve begins to see how he has to learn to fight for his independence if he wants to be free.
I loved this book as much as the first three, and it was a real treat getting back into their world. Dakota and Wally, as well as Phillip and Haven, are back for a few scenes, and as always are there to support and help “the new guys”. If you like sweet stories about men who have to fight so they can be themselves, if you are intrigued by the idea of a country singer learning about life on a ranch after years of writing songs about it, and if you’re looking for a read about real struggles that is as sweet as it is emotionally touching, then you will probably like this novel as much as I did. A great addition to this series and a definite winner in my opinion!
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
“Migliaia di persone urlano durante ogni concerto, chiamando una persona che non esiste, ma per me è più importante sentirti dire il mio vero nome, anche solo una volta”
Ormai per me con Andrew Grey vado sul sicuro! anche in questo quarto libro della serie Range ritroviamo quel misto di dolcezza e realismo che sono il suo marchio di fabbrica! protagonista stavolta non è un cowboy, ma un famoso cantante, Wilson, in cerca di pace e tranquillità. Wilson compra un ranch (pur non sapendo neanche cavalcare XD),vende il suo appartamento di lusso, fa amicizia con il "gruppo Wally"...e incontra un ragazzo sperduto. Steve è in fuga dal padre omofobo, capo di una setta, e da tempo ormai non riceve più gentilezza e comprensione da nessuno. Quando Wilson gli offre un posto dove stare e un lavoro senza chiedergli nulla in cambio, il ragazzo non riesce a crederci e ben presto si innamora del suo salvatore. Come sempre il cammino per la felicità dei due non sarà facile, dovranno trovare il coraggio di affrontare le loro paure (fare coming out per Wilson e il padre per Steve) e conciliare due stili di vita apparentemente opposti..ma con l'amore tutto è possibile! <3 Stavolta gli altri personaggi sono un po' più "defilati", del resto non ci sono problemi legati alla prateria come nei volumi precedenti, e credo che nei prossimi della serie ci saranno nuovi personaggi sempre meno legati al "gruppo Wally" XD
This was my favorite book in the series without a doubt. Willie Meadows is a successful singer but he has lived his life as a fake, singing about being a cowboy when he was born and raised in Osh Kosh. He finally decides to escape his hated lifestyle in LA and buys a ranch. Steve Peterson is running from his past and finds refuge at Wilson's ranch. I really enjoyed the growing relationship between these two men. Unlike in book #4, An Unsettled Range, I felt the relationship developed realistically with a true connection.
Again, I liked seeing Phillip, Haven, Wally, and Dakota in this book but was surprised that there was no appearance from Liam and Troy.
I enjoyed the overall premise and storyline and was rooting for the MCs' HEA.
I wasn’t sure I was going to like this title as much as the others in the series, so I requested it from lendle. It was pretty good, not the worst installment of the series, in my opinion, though nowhere near as good as the first two, and Volatile. There was an age gap in this one as well, but it didn’t bother me due to the fact that the younger man in this has been through hell and it has aged him drastically. He knows what he wants, and he goes for it, there is not manipulation or force involved. So if you are looking for the warm fuzzies this series is full of them!
Just Enough: Andrew Grey kicked the hay out of the paddy on this one. I would have rated it 5 stars, except the song lyrics were kind of hokey, but the story line was flawless. There was just enough stardom, music, suspense, connection to Range Series, love, pain, honesty and sex. All the characters from Maria to Steve and Willie were outgoing, perceptive and kind enough. The story seemed real enough, to me. I got to a point, I couldn't put the book down. I laughed, cried, hated and loved it all, just enough. It honestly makes me want to find my own home on the range. Kudos!
Wilson needs a break. He needs to find the real him and what he truly wants. But, he can’t do that in L.A. because he feels a fake, so he buys a ranch in Wyoming. Steve is in a desperate situation, he has turned up at a ranch for a job only to find the ranch has been sold, and the new owner doesn’t know what they are going to do with it. But, lucky for him, Wilson is a kind hearted man and takes him on as a caretaker. They become close, but Wilson is a star and Steve is hiding from his past. Can these two men sort through their problems before it is too late?
This is a wonderful written novel from Andrew Grey that has made me want to re-read all the series again. Wilson is fed up in L.A. he is sick of the parties and the hangers-on and he is also getting fed up with his best friend and manager, Howard. He just needs to be somewhere that will give him inspiration for his song writing and if he happens to find something more from his surroundings, then that’s his business. Steve is looking for some security. Somewhere he can work and feel safe, but that falls through and now he is desperate and he falls hard for his rescuer. But, they both have to face their own demons, Steve, his father and Wilson, his coming out.
Wilson and Steve are great characters. Wilson is fighting to find his music again, but finds so much more. And Steve is fighting to keep his freedom and who he is and when they come together they find what they really need in each other. Neither is perfect and they both struggle with their choices, especially Wilson, as he thinks he has so much to lose, but he has started to break the chains that have held him for so long. There is some angst, some danger and a lot of love. A romance of breaking through boundaries, even when they are your own, and grabbing love when it is shown to you and not letting it slip through your fingers, because it might be a difficult choice. But, also facing up to the past and facing demons and accepting that sometimes you do need help.
So, I will recommend this to those who love cowboys, hot men, soul-searching, accepting the truth, a touch of angst, a slight touch of danger, a visit from previous characters and a happy ever after.
The first for me in this series by Andrew Grey, I think I got lucky; the story was good, a little cinderfella, a little star-system, it never went over the top and mostly remained with a small-town/good neighbors feeling.
Wilson is almost at the point of burning out; a country singer who is not even able to ride, all his persona is a fluke. But Wilson is aware of that and it wasn’t what he dreamed; he wants a simple life, doing music, sharing it with the audience, but not selling his life to them. So he decides to leave it all and to buy an horse ranch in Wyoming… only that the ranch hasn’t horses and it’s completely empty, aside for a young man, Steve, who was supposed to be an horse trainer for the previous owner, and arrived too late.
The runaway/starving kid is a common theme in Grey’s books, especially in the Love Means… series, another series with a country setting; I’m not really able to explain, but it does fit right with the story, western romance gives you that idea of comfort and quiet life, something you associate with a warm home and a full belly, so feeding the starving boy rings true for this type of romance. And once the runaway kid is well-fed, he proves to be an asset to the ranch, way more than Wilson that aside for the necessary money to buy it, hasn’t really any idea of what a ranch life implies.
Book after book Andrew Grey is starting to become more and more the Gay Romance equivalent of the Big Ladies of the serial Romance like Diana Palmer, the stories maybe don’t differ much, but when you pick one of these books, you are sure to be on for a good read.
Another nice story in the range series. I didn't enjoy it as much as the first ones because, although Wally and Dakota made an appearance, this book was set outside of their own ranch. And, these characters, while nice, weren't as endearing to me.
Willie has been a country western singer for ten years when he finally decides to chuck the LA lifestyle and focus on himself by buying a ranch in Wyoming (next to Wally and Dakota). There he meets Steve, a young man who shows up to take a job with the previous owner and is left destitute when he finds out that he's no longer needed. Through a series of coincidences, Willie realizes this and offers him an opportunity to "ranch sit" while he goes back to LA to get his belongings.
On his return, he's surprised to find that Steve has started training horses for Wally and Dakota and is excited about the possibility of staying on and doing more of that. Willie is very attracted to him and the two eventually develop a relationship. Steve's mysterious background is finally revealed, Willie is outted, and the guys end up with an HEA. That's a very simplified version of a story that's much more intricate. This is a nice story for a beach read or for a cold winter night when you want to curl up with some sweet guys.
I'll be reading more of this series, because I always enjoy this author's style and I love Wally and Dakota and hope to see more of them.
This was a nice break in the formula for this series. Wilson was a character that you wanted to like & see get a satisfying HEA. It was a little bit WTF-ery in places (especially when he wasn't recognised at times) but as I said, it wasn't as formulaic as some of the previous books in the series. I must admit that reading 4 of these books back-to-back in 5 days is begging for burn-out but a good author can write a series without boring the reader to tears. For example, I can read all of Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch books (all 18 of them!) back to back & the only 'sameness' that occurs is the character's personality & the setting...everything else is fresh & makes for a compelling read...Andrew Grey doesn't quite manage this in his series'...he finds a winning formula, adds a minor twist to a favourite gay theme & then churns out a series...thankfully, this book was slightly outside the parameters of the formula which stopped me (just) from developing narcolepsy.
Since I couldn't give this a 4.5 or so I gave it a 4. I love Andrew's books, ALL of them. This one for me was a good as the others in the series but for some reason left me feeling a little let down. One thing that caught me in this book, I had to double check and Mario's boyfriend's name changed from David to Dan. Now I don't know if that is a typo OR maybe we have another book coming. Whatever it is, this book was still a great read.
Book 4 in this series. I've truly enjoyed each book in this series watching how the MCs develop. This book blended two of my fave themes, music and cowboys :) Basically this is a famous singer tired of the rat race and buys a ranch to get away. Along come young, sexy and down on his luck guy and the sparks begin. Definitely worth reading and continuing on with the series.
I enjoyed this one more than I did the previous book in the series. I liked Wilson and Steve and the story kept my attention. A bit too predictable and you could see what happened with Steve's father coming a mile away. Nice to see a little more of Wally and Dakota. Still debating the next book in the series.
I cannot tell you enough but if I read about another cowboy with writer's block, stuck in the closet, I'll do myself a mischief! Not in a fun way either. This book was just incredibly slow-going for me but I still pushed through to the end. (Where's my prize, dammit?!)
Loved the new book in the range series! :D its even featured Shahrazad! Horses, cowboys with long long legs, country music and barbecues: how can one NOT love the book? Cheers!
This was one of my favourites in the series. I loved Willie and Steve and thought they made a great couple. The drama in this was nice and the musician element helped.