Hold Tight

Willow Springs Ranch #2

by L.E. Harner, Laura Harner

Sheriff Holden Titus had organized his fresh start down to the last detail. Except for the part about the bomb that blew his plans all to hell. Now he's running out of time, without a job, without a home, and struggling to get back on his feet. Literally.

Despite the impolite rejection, Drew knows he didn't have the wrong impression months ago when he asked the sheriff to dance, but he never expected to have Holden's life in his hands. Literally.

Thanks to some meddlesome matchmaking, the two men are now temporary housemates at the Willow Springs Ranch and Drew is determined to help Holden heal, both physically and emotionally. Even if it means he has to drag the other man kicking and screaming to physical therapy...and out of the closet. In fact, that might be kind of fun.

The problem is, Holden doesn't consider himself in the closet...but not all secrets are created equal.

Also available in the Willow Springs Ranch
Hold Tight, WSR #2
Taking Chance, WSR #3
and coming soon Hanging Chad, WSR #4

Genres: M M Romance, Westerns, Romance, Contemporary, Disability, Erotica, Military Fiction

140 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Alternate name for Laura Harner.


Raised in California, Laura likes it hot, which explains why she ended up in Arizona via such diverse places as Japan, Maine, and Florida, and many more places in between. After retiring from the US Navy, she found a niche working for land management agencies, including the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management. Though she has held many jobs around the world, her favorite was working and living in Grand Canyon National Park. Working (and eating) in New Orleans was a close second. You will find many of her books are set against the rich backdrops provided by coastal Louisiana and northern Arizona.

When asked how she started writing, Laura tells of waking on Boxing Day a few years ago, with a woman named Elena MacFarland yammering in her dreams, demanding her story be told. Despite never attempting to write fiction before that morning, Laura ignored all of the holiday visitors and the Highland Destiny series was born. She doesn’t believe it was a coincidence that the great grandmother who died when Laura was just a baby was named Elena MacFarland. Destiny does play a hand.

Laura became a full-time writer in 2012, and now she spends her time writing, watching her Arizona Diamondbacks, and working on her very own version of the Willow Springs Ranch in northwestern Arizona.

Reviews

[Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

We met Holden and Drew in the previous book, Ty Hard. Holden was the Black sheriff who got injured when Cass' house exploded at the end of the book. Drew was the veterinarian who saved him. The book is about how Holden gets better and Drew is there to help him. Along the line, they fall for each other.

The story is a standard broken guy who needs help but too stubborn to accept it. Holden was once in the Navy but until recently he was the town sheriff. When he got injured, Cass and Ty invited him to live with them in one of the houses in the ranch. In the meantime, Drew, the local vet, also needs a place to stay for a while. Knowing that Drew and Holden had an unfinished business before, Cass and Ty played cupids. Would that be wise, though, given that Holden hadn't told everyone the reason he moved to the town a couple years ago?

I like reading this book. The MCs from previous book, Ty and Cass, play important role here. The story and writing got 3.5 stars, but there are two things that make me giving higher ratings.

1. The way the author deals with Holden and Drew's problem is nice and something we seldom see in M/M romance. Too often, when a character is in the closet, the author--and by extension, us, the readers--take side with the out love interest and happily blame the closet case. Forgetting the oft-quoted saying that each person needs to find their own time. Not here. When Drew left Holden believing that Holden didn't want to come out, the author didn't make him a hero. Instead, Drew realized that people's lives didn't revolve around him and they had different priorities.

2. The author is from Arizona, so she incorporates the most hot button issue of the day: illegal immigrants. Yet, unlike other authors that use their story to push for their agenda (and make us paid for it), I didn't get that feeling at all.

While it's not a must to read the previous book since the author made many references to the people and events, but it's nice to do so. Last time I checked, it's only 99c in Amazon.

[AngelFire · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 62%

I refused to read the first book of this series because reviews indicated it was terrible but the reviews for this one praised it as being pretty good and much better than the first one, so I decided to give it a shot. Unfortunately, it ended up still being pretty bad. It's not atrocious and I've definitely read worse but you can tell that the author has a certain approach to MM romance and that approach isn't one I'm keen on.

The first problem is that this is set up as an enemies to lovers romance but Drew never holds any animosity towards Holden and Holden gets over his irritation with Drew pretty much the moment they move in together.

The second problem is that the book suffers from the same High-School-YA vibe that so many of these small town/ranch romance series have. Nearly every character is gay and all of them are way too involved in each other's romantic lives. They spend way too much time sitting around, gossiping about their romance issues and having long, emotional discussions about their feelings. Despite the characters often claiming that no, no, this isn't high school and no, no, they're not teenage girls, their behavior contradicted this. These guys are living on a busy ranch and they all have lots of responsibilities, yet they seem to have plenty of time to discuss every detail of their romantic issues with each other at all times. This is a setup that many romance readers love but it's not my thing.

The third problem is that Holden's mobility issues (he was badly injured in an explosion and is struggling to regain the full use of his legs) were my main interest in the story but the author's approach to this plotline didn't meet my expectations. At the beginning, I was thrilled with how things were going because Holden wasn't doing his PT exercises at all and thus, his leg muscles had begun to atrophy and he was constantly struggling to get around and he was in pain. This led to lots of hurt-comfort scenarios between him and Drew which would have been the perfect vehicle to make them grow closer. Except the two of them act like they're an established couple from the moment Holden first allows Drew to help him use the bathroom so we had sped through a progression that I was hoping would take up most of the book. In addition, while Holden's mobility issues and his progression were well researched, the author conveniently pushed these things aside when it would have made a scene harder to write. So we have Holden constantly falling over and needing Drew's help, except when they're having sex or cooking together and then Holden seem to have jumped months ahead in his recovery.

I also rolled my eyes at the ranch having a fully equipped gym, complete with tons of exercise machines and even a whirlpool so Holden can do his PT at the ranch. This wasn't supposed to be a luxury ranch and the idea that hard-working ranchers would bother paying for expensive exercise equipment that works the same muscles that they work during their daily lives was absurd. I don't know if the author doesn't know enough about ranching or didn't care but I couldn't get over how stupid that was.

The fourth problem is that the story suffered from a serious case of instalust as well as instalove. The instalust came from both MCs, who couldn't stop obsessing over how much they wanted to bone the other person. And after they've lived together for only a few days and had sex a handful of times, Drew claims he's 'in love' with Holden, which made me roll my eyes so hard that they nearly fell out of my head.

The fifth problem wasn't something that would have made me DNF because the book was written in 2012 so I make allowances for books that reflect the state of the genre at the time they were written, but the numerous food metaphors used to describe Holden (who is black, versus Drew who is white) were distracting. I also didn't care for Holden's scent being described as 'exotic' because that's ridiculous.

The sixth problem also wouldn't have made me DNF but the smut scenes are way too long, to the point where the book feels like it's erotica rather than romance. I'm not a fan of books in that subgenre.

Overall, the execution of the premise wasn't what I was hoping for and the author's generic, low effort approach to the romance and the plot in general wasn't my cup of tea.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite Series. I love it. 3.5 Stars for Holden and Drew.

After the explosion Holden Titus hd plans which are now ruined as he currently is in therapy and trying to piece his life back together again. Cass and Ty invite him out to the ranch to help him heal. Holden always talks about plans that he has made but never exactly what they are.

Drew is a vet and has gained his own practice in the area. It's easier to live on the ranch so he moves in with Holden which isn't planned and Holden is a grumpy sod (Ty the sneaky git was playing matchmaker) Holden and Drew have history, Drew asked Holden to dance and then he was told to eff off!!

They get off to a rocky start that is until there are several humorous moments that bring them together. Holden has always been attracted to Drew but due to a certain complication it couldn't be done. Holden's Mum pays a visit which doesn't go down well and Drew is shocked to find out the truth. I loved this book and once again it wasn't the whole shebang of I'm not gay but being open about sexuality and so sweet.

I'm already on the next book.

[Feliz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a honest-to-god, tacky, find-your-one-true-love, dime-novelesque romance. It had everything: hurt/ comfort, meddlesome friends, hunky cowboys, a sweet (and not at all meddlesome) little boy, a (thankfully pretty low-scale) Big Misunderstanding, the in-denial vs out-and-proud characters, even a little bit of action in the form of freeing kidnapped persons thrown in.

But I liked it. A lot, in fact.
I felt thoroughly entertained, liked the characters and enjoyed the erotic scenes.
This is pure entertainment, and for that, I'd warmly recommend it.

[Valérie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un second tome encore meilleur.

Ce que j’apprécie particulièrement dans la romance MM et que je ne trouve que rarement voire quasiment jamais dans la romance hétérosexuelle, c’est que les auteurs de ce genre osent aborder tous les sujets sans aucun interdit et Laura Harner en est un parfait exemple. Cette auteure, sous couvert de romance entre deux cowboys, distille quelques vérités bien senties sur les préjugés, que ce soit comme dans son premier tome sur les chocs post-traumatiques des anciens soldats ou dans celui-ci avec une relation entre deux hommes de couleur de peau différente. Et même si ce ne sont que quelques descriptions très sensuelles à propos de la beauté de la couleur sombre qu’elle met dans la bouche de Drew lorsqu’il pense à son compagnon, c’est un fait à noter et qui prouve que cette auteure ne cherche pas la facilité.

Le shérif Holden Titus a été blessé lors de l’explosion causée par l’employé de Cass dans le tome précédent, handicapé provisoirement et ayant du coup perdu son travail, il va venir vivre au Ranch le temps de sa guérison. Cet homme fier a beaucoup de difficultés à accepter l’aide généreuse de Cass et Ty, il ne veut pas être pris en pitié tout en sachant que c’est la seule solution. Quand Drew le vétérinaire par un coup bizarre du destin vient lui aussi vivre au ranch, c’est la panique pour notre ex-shérif déjà perturbé et anxieux pour son futur.

Les deux hommes se connaissent puisque nous les avons vu s’affronter et nous découvrons ici dans quelle circonstance, nous avons senti leur attirance mais aussi qu’un certain antagonisme régnait entre eux. Lorsqu’ils deviennent colocataires temporaires cela fait des étincelles, Holden se braque, Drew le pousse à faire ses exercices, les dialogues sont vifs, la tension sexuelle intense mais aucun des deux n’osent faire le pas décisif. Non pas qu’ils cachent leur désir commun, mais Holden semble bloqué par des évènements de son passé alors que Drew hésite pensant que celui-ci en est encore à dissimuler son homosexualité. Lorsqu’enfin ils finissent par cèdera à leur désir, Laura Harner ne choisit pas la facilité en ajoutant un rebondissement inattendu du passé d’Holden qui fait exploser cette relation débutante.

Même si j’avais apprécié le tome précédent, je reconnais que j’ai une nette préférence pour le couple Holden/Drew, le récit est moins sombre mais il faut dire aussi que la personnalité des deux hommes est complètement différente aux précédentes. Même si Holden est plus fermé, l’humour et le coté pétillant de Drew font un parfait contrepoids, c’est un couple très attachant.

[Mandy Beyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sheriff Holden Titus is trying to put his life together when a bomb nearly kills him. While recovering at the ranch where he almost died, he finds that he has to face who and what he really is and put his priorities in the best possible order. He and the local veterinarian find themselves mis-communicating more than you would think possible, but once all the secrets are laid bare, they can finally start their life as a family.

This story had lots of surly, growly, grumpy moments, but also an adorable boy missing his dad and a ranch where being gay is fine and being a bigot is not! I liked how Ty laid things out for Drew when he misunderstood what Holden needed from him, and how the four men used what they had in common to help each one make life better.

[Will Parkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! Laura Harner has done it again with this installation of the Willow Springs series. While I loved Andrew and Holden my heart still belongs to Ty. :)

[Janie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved that Drew was so sure of how he felt about Holden. The sex scenes were really hot and very well written. And I absolutely loved Alex! He was such a great character.

[Lumina · Rating 4 out of 5]

#Former cop, Private investigator
#Veterinary

[RoloPoloBookBlog]

Hold Tight by Laura Harner
Book #2: Willow Springs Ranch Series
Source: Purchase
My Rating: 4½/5 stars
My Review:

Holden Titus finally had his life on track when his world came crashing down around him. In the blink of an eye, Holden’s life was threatened and his ability to perform the only job he had ever known and loved became an impossibility.

In the wake of his accident – and I use that word loosely – Holden is taken in by Ty and Cass, his friends from Willow Springs Ranch. Holden isn’t looking for charity but even he has to admit, his situation demands he rethink his life and Ty and Cass are offering him the opportunity to take his time and really think about what he wants for his future. While he’s thinking, Cass (and ranchers in several other states) have need of Holden’s investigative skills. Additionally, the small two-bedroom house on the Willow Springs Ranch is his for as long as he needs it. The only catch, the second bedroom is going to be occupied by the local vet, Drew Van.

Drew Van is not now nor has he ever been in the closet. Oh, make no mistake, he doesn’t flaunt his sexuality but he is open and honest about his preferences. Since the moment he met the hot cop at a gay bar, Drew has carried a torch for Holden Titus. With the recent change in his veterinary practice, Drew now works exclusively in the vicinity of the Willow Springs Ranch so bunking on-site is far easier than schlepping back into town. The added bonus? Drew gets to shack up with Holden and with any luck, press his case for a relationship.

Drew’s plan is solid but he doesn’t quite count on the stubbornness of Holden Titus. Holden is trying to settle into his new reality and cranky as hell about just about everything. He doesn’t want to do his physical therapy, he doesn’t want to be indebted to anyone, and he certainly doesn’t want to admit his feelings for Drew. Holden isn’t so much in the closet as he is trying to sort out a lot of issues no one in his immediate knows anything about. Drew is patient and the close proximity to Holden certainly helps but he is no way prepared for exactly how much he cares for Holden and how blown away he is when Holden’s secrets quite literally come walking into their lives.

The Bottom Line: Whew!!! Holden Titus is some kind of sexy and he is made all the more so by his actions throughout this read. Holden had so much to deal with prior to his “accident” and he was on the road to a happy life when it all went to hell in a handbasket. Though he is reluctant to admit it, at first, Holden needs Drew in his life and it isn’t until he loses Drew that Holden realizes how much he needs the man. Drew is kind, caring, intelligent, and just as stubborn as Holden but in the moment when Holden needs him most, Drew freaks out and leaves. At the heart of this story is the formation of a family. Drew and Holden are so good together but extenuating circumstances in Holden’s life make the road to an HEA extremely difficult. Those extenuating circumstances make Hold Tight an even more interesting and dramatic read which makes the eventual HEA all the more satisfying. In fact, I found Hold Tight even more enjoyable than Ty Hard and have high hopes for the rest of the books in the series.

[Valérie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ce que j’apprécie particulièrement dans la romance MM et que je ne trouve que rarement voire quasiment jamais dans la romance hétérosexuelle, c’est que les auteurs de ce genre osent aborder tous les sujets sans aucun interdit et Laura Harner en est un parfait exemple. Cette auteure, sous couvert de romance entre deux cowboys, distille quelques vérités bien senties sur les préjugés, que ce soit comme dans son premier tome sur les chocs post-traumatiques des anciens soldats ou dans celui-ci avec une relation entre deux hommes de couleur de peau différente. Et même si ce ne sont que quelques descriptions très sensuelles à propos de la beauté de la couleur sombre qu’elle met dans la bouche de Drew lorsqu’il pense à son compagnon, c’est un fait à noter et qui prouve que cette auteure ne cherche pas la facilité.

Le shérif Holden Titus a été blessé lors de l’explosion causée par l’employé de Cass dans le tome précédent, handicapé provisoirement et ayant du coup perdu son travail, il va venir vivre au Ranch le temps de sa guérison. Cet homme fier a beaucoup de difficultés à accepter l’aide généreuse de Cass et Ty, il ne veut pas être pris en pitié tout en sachant que c’est la seule solution. Quand Drew le vétérinaire par un coup bizarre du destin vient lui aussi vivre au ranch, c’est la panique pour notre ex-shérif déjà perturbé et anxieux pour son futur.

Les deux hommes se connaissent puisque nous les avons vu s’affronter et nous découvrons ici dans quelle circonstance, nous avons senti leur attirance mais aussi qu’un certain antagonisme régnait entre eux. Lorsqu’ils deviennent colocataires temporaires cela fait des étincelles, Holden se braque, Drew le pousse à faire ses exercices, les dialogues sont vifs, la tension sexuelle intense mais aucun des deux n’osent faire le pas décisif. Non pas qu’ils cachent leur désir commun, mais Holden semble bloqué par des évènements de son passé alors que Drew hésite pensant que celui-ci en est encore à dissimuler son homosexualité. Lorsqu’enfin ils finissent par cèdera à leur désir, Laura Harner ne choisit pas la facilité en ajoutant un rebondissement inattendu du passé d’Holden qui fait exploser cette relation débutante.

Même si j’avais apprécié le tome précédent, je reconnais que j’ai une nette préférence pour le couple Holden/Drew, le récit est moins sombre mais il faut dire aussi que la personnalité des deux hommes est complètement différente aux précédentes. Même si Holden est plus fermé, l’humour et le coté pétillant de Drew font un parfait contrepoids, c’est un couple très attachant.

[Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a lot better than “Ty Hard”, L.E. Harner’s first installment of this series. Well, I assume is turning into a series with the introduction to two new characters, both gay.

Hold Tight was a lot more fleshed out and the characters seemed much more like real people. Holden and Drew seemed to actually have some depth to them.

However, I thought it took too long to get to Holden’s secret. I won’t spoil it for people who haven’t read it, but with Harner hinting at it, you could kind of see where it was eventually going. Then we end up with another monologue explaining everything. I think there has to be a better way to space out all that information so it doesn’t feel like it’s being dumped on us all at once. And the huge monologue pretty much takes place at the end so you think Holden is this huge asshole until then. So then you’re like, “Oh, so he has a reason for being this way.” You finally understand him. Some dramatic irony would’ve been useful there.

Even though the last 50ish pages were crammed with action and info-dumping, once everything was done and over with, it was kind of womp-womp. The ending wasn’t horrible, it was actually really sweet and cute and a HEA, but there was a build-up and the actual climax didn’t really deliver.

I would have loved to see the scene where Drew and Holden first met. It didn’t end well, but I think it could have added more to their personality and the novel in general.

Drew was okay. Sometimes he came off as fetishizing the Holden for being a “big, strong, black man” just in certain phrases and descriptions. It could be seen as love-lusting, but no person of color wants to be seen as an edible commodity in an interracial relationship with a white person.

The sex scenes were pretty good. Harner doesn’t go into too much graphic detail, but gets the point across quite well.

Giving this 3 stars.

[Elisa Rolle]

Nice multicultural romance. Actually, if not for the cover, and some comment made by both main characters on their different skin color, there wasn't much at the beginning to give to this novel the usual multicultural connotation. That arrives later, when Holden, the Afro-american character, highlights how he didn't consider himself gay even if he did have sex with men in college, but they were "brothers" and he said it was common and not for that you were gay.

If I have to give an advice, it's probably to read this story in the series order, this is the second novel and both characters, Holden and Drew are introduced in the previous book. More, some essential events to their story happen in that book, and without reading that one I'm not able to say how much important is for the reader to maintain the order.

I like how the author deals with Holden's temporary disability: forced to use crutches during his recovery, Holden is not some sort of superhero who bites back his pain and faces everything with stoicism. On the contrary he is upset, and he wants to cry to the world for the injustice, and sincerily he is not in the mood to behave like a good boy and doing his "homeworks".

I think Holden is more similar to your real man than some romance hero. Nice also Drew's character, a little spoiled man who, I think, had everything a little easy until now, and conquering Holden is his real first quest and the outcome is not sure. Here maybe the author played with the old rule of multicultural romances, the clashes of cultures which is also a clash of social status; it was not preminent, but it was there.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1937252272/?...

[✿-Anna-✿ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book from the Willow Springs Ranch series wasn't a great as the first book, but wasn't worse.

We first meet Holden the town law enforcer and Drew the town animal doctor... One who's openly gay and the other who's kind of sort of in the closet.

When we first met them in book one of WSR series, we find out that their very angry with each but its not until their story comes out that we find out why... and the reason is a big one, when you think about it.

Holden isn't really in the closet about his sexuality, he's just not really out there about it, and that's because of secret from his pass, that really isn't a secret.... its just something that Holden hasn't really shared with anyone... but when Drew doesn't learn about it he acts like a typical diva, feels betrayed and walks out on Holden. That part kind of sucked, especially when he does it without really giving Holden a chance to explain.

Anyway, Holden's secret was a good one and an amazing surprise to the men at WSR... it also turns out to be a great secret that gave Drew something he's always wanted on top of the love of his life.

I enjoyed how all the information came out the way it did, it really added a O-M-G element to the story... I also enjoyed the way Ty and Cass had a hand in helping Holden and Drew hook up.

I did think Holden was being a little annoying when it came to how he felt about Drew in the beginning and Ty seemed a little to into everyone's business, I can't remember him being all into everyone's business in the first book... I thought he was kind of quiet and shy. guess I'll have to read that one again. *giggles*

[Cathy Brockman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the willow creek Ranch series. It does stand-alone pretty well, but you will get a better grasp of why Holden is injured and of Ty and Cass if you read book one first.
Holden is just getting out of the hospital from a nearly fatal injury. He is without a job, home and is hiding a few secrets. Ty and Cass offer him a job and place to stay on the ranch. Holden takes it temporarily so he can sort out his health and figure out what to do about the secret he is hiding.

Drew has had a thing for Holden but was shot down when they first met. He is out and proud and has no desire to get involved with a man so deep in the closet as Holden, no matter how much he wants him.

I absolutely loved this book. Heck, I love the entire series so far. I liked that this wasn’t an insta love and that both men fought had to fight for what they wanted. I also liked the subtle drops of a couple other characters that we may see in the future. At least I hope so! Another thing that sets this story ahead of others for me is the fact that though Ty and Cass are involved quite a book they stay in the background. The story is centered and focused on Holden and Drew. I love how Ty does try to play matchmaker though. There is also some action and drama along with the bittersweet story of broken men and some super-hot sex.
I highly recommend this book if you like modern day westerns, broken men, angst, secrets, love worth fighting for, a little suspense, cute kids, cowboys and some really hot man-sex.
* I received a copy of this book free-of-charge from MMgoodbookreviews http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/ in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own*

[Lena Polskaia · Rating 4 out of 5]

C'est un grand plaisir de retrouver le ranch de Willow Spring. L'auteur s'attache cette fois à l'histoire d'amour entre Holden, l'ex shérif, gravement blessé dans l'explosion du ranch à la fin du premier tome, et Drew, le vétérinaire. Les deux hommes se connaissent déja, et ne s'entendent pas trés bien, on avait déja eu un petit aperçu de leur antagonisme dans une scène du tome 1. Plus exactement, Andrew a eu un gros crush pour le beau shérif dés qu'il l'a vu pour la première fois dans une boite gay, et il s'est pris un monumental rateau, ce qui le pousse à la circonspection, teintée d'une légère amertume, tandis que Holden réprime sévèrement ses penchants. Ces deux hommes sont tout en contrastes, et tout ou presque pourrait les opposer. L'un est blanc, l'autre est noir (et au Texas, ça a son importance), l'un est ouvertement gay, l'autre bien caché au fond de son placard, l'un est avenant, ouvert et va volontier vers les autres, quand l'autre à l'inverse est secret, renfermé, et plutôt taciturne. Mais, contraints de cohabiter par le hasard et un bon coup de pouce de Ty et Cass, leur attirance mutuelle va faire des étincelles, et dynamiter leur réserve et leurs barrières,pour notre plus grand plaisir. Jusqu'à ce que surgissent les secrets que Holden gardait soigneusement caché avec lui dans son placard, qui pourraient bien faire voler en éclats leur couple naissant. Une belle romance, toujours rapide mais moins précipitée que dans le tome 1, un couple attachant, de l'émotion et des scènes trés chaudes, que demander de plus ?? Rien. Enfin, si : le prochain tome !

[Jerreb · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 *

I didn't like this book as much as I did the first one, but I think that had more to do with my ability to care about the characters. Basically I just wanted to tie both Holden & Drew to a chair and make them actually finish a conversation versus starting one, one of them getting upset and walking away. There were enough issues and problems for them to work through without having to constantly be leaving each other. And as much as I enjoyed the sex scenes, I'm a little concerned that they never really got to the talking and listening point, instead just relying on the sex to put them back into a happy place. With the development at the end, that scares me a little for their future.

I'm not sure if Laura Harner's other work is in the same vein or not, but I'm loving the Willow Springs Ranch series. It is very good light reading - reminds me of the Harlequin Romance books my Mom read when I was younger. Nice, warm romances where things aren't easy, but through love people work through the problems. When I want to close out the problems from the world and know that things will be ok, these are my new go to books.

[JR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second in the WRS series, this time we meet Holden a cop and Drew a vet. It's love at first sight for these two, well, yes and no. At first, the are like to cactus, prickly in their relationship, but after the explosion that severely injures Holden, the prickliness turns to desire and love, with Drew being the first to fall. Holden is offered a job at the ranch and living quarters. Ty decides to be matchmaker, putting Drew and Holden together in the same house. Sparks fly, hot sex and many misunderstandings later, they become a couple. This is a very touching story, with a bombshell that is dropped about 2/3 the way through.

If you love cowboys and cops,and I do, this is for you. Very sweet, romantic story. I give it a corral worth of stars.

"I thought I knew what love was but I didn't have a clue
I never found anything that makes me feel like I do about you"

More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/c/ch...

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Willow Springs Ranch series, Hold Tight, did NOT disappoint. I enjoyed Holden and Drew's characters as they were strong men who didn't want to show any vulnerabilities.
Sheriff Holden Titus was injured in the sabotage at the ranch house in Ty Hard leaving him wheelchair bound while trying to recover injuries to his back and legs. Because of these injuries he can not continue as Sheriff so Ty and Cass offer him a guest house at the ranch and work doing investigative background checks etc. for WSR and other surrounding ranches. He ends up with Dr. Drew, the veterinarian, as his roommate in a weird quirk of fate.
These two are hot and sexy cause they argue and bicker and generate a lot of heat! Watching them work through their emotions while dealing with other negative factors is fun and enlightening.
A most enjoyable read. Although Ty is still my favorite!

[Amber Fueston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming and sexy

Invited to stay at the ranch by Ty after nearly dying in the ranch Holden struggles to get his life in order all while trying to deny the feelings he has for Drew the sexy sweet veterinarian.

This story was a complex story that touched on many topics. Not only do you have the interracial aspect, it also challenges the labels that society tries to place on people. It shows that you don't have to call yourself gay, straight, or even bi. You are who you are and the label doesn't really change anything. Watching Holden not only struggle with his feelings for Drew but struggles that come with his injuries and figuring out what he is now that he is no longer sheriff is heartbreaking. It makes you want to cuddle and protect him.

Once again we are given a twist at the end of the story that I for one totally did not see coming! I mean wow!

[Sadonna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this story which is a bit of a continuation of Ty Hard. This story is slightly longer and addresses some different issues and some additional secrets. I liked Drew and Holden and found Ty's "interference" endearing. We get to see Cass and Ty now that they've been together for several months as this story takes place over a longer time period. I hope that we get to see what unfolds with Chad in the next book. There is another book, right???

One note on editing. I noticed quite a few editing mistakes in the one which I did not see in the first book. One of my pet peeves is seeing the work prostrate instead of prostate. Can't understand how this still happens.

[Sunne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this one as a gift from the review site "A Bear On Books".

Well - I love gift books ;) And since I had read the first one of the series already I was glad to get the second one.

What can I say? I liked it. It's nothing really new, cowboys, overcoming severe injury, a bigot parent, misunderstandings and informations held back, overreactions etc. etc. But it was written in such and entertaining way that I didn't mind. It's that kind of "You know what you get"-book that we need from time to time. It won't shake or rattle you but it'll leave you with a satisfied feeling that there is still love and good in the world.

So - for those who want to find an uncomplicated "feel-good"-book, this is one.

[a_fret_argent · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, Hold Tight is better than Ty Hard. The pacing is better, and the book as a whole is less ridiculous. The insta-love is even less instant (sort of).

Thank god they are short, though.

Ty Hard was amusing for its sheer silliness, and it was over fast enough that it didn't start to hurt too much. Going straight into Hold Tight was a mistake for me, though. If I had taken a break between installments, I might have enjoyed Hold Tight more. I bought this as a bundle that includes the third book, but as it is, I have to take a break or I might swear off reading forever. Not sure if I will revisit to read the third or not. Not a bad read, just not for me right now, and maybe not ever again.

[Jewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I enjoyed Hold Tight more than I did Ty Hard. Though also novella length, the timeline was more than a few days and Drew and Holden knew each other before the start of the story. Also, the story seemed to flow a bit better and feel more natural. Neither Drew nor Holden are without issues. Drew can be a bit impulsive and Holden plays things a bit close to the vest and doesn't like, or at least isn't used to, talking about his feelings. Ya know, normal people stuff. As more characters are introduced, I find myself looking forward to reading more stories in this universe.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of the Willow Springs Ranch Box Set: Volume 1 collection. Another sweet read, this is Titus Holden and Drew's story, continuing where Ty Hard left off. The cast of characters overlap.
Holden was the sheriff until a horrible accident leaves him temporarily disabled. Drew is the veterinarian that takes care of the animals at Willow Springs Ranch. These 2 have a bit of a history, but Holden has secrets he's scared to reveal. Drew is sure of his feelings for Holden, but it takes a but for Holden to see the light.
Cass, the owner of WSR, takes in all the strays!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okej, I liked it, maybe really liked it but I'm not sure yet. I like the world Harner has created at the ranch, I liked both Holden and Drew but seriously how hard is it to tell the people around you about your life. I get that Holden didn't plan to stay but a few words maybe. Drew's a bit spoiled but he is nice to Holden and he does what he can to help him. I read this straight after Ty Hardand I did enjoy it but I think I'll read something else in between this and the next book in the series...but I'll read the next one too.

[Sierra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harner is great at writing emotional fiction and scorching hot sex. I read this on the strength of the first in the series, since I don't usually read interracial stories. I'm so glad I did. I had guessed the twist but not the full story, and it was interesting to see how the author handled the situation. It was great to see more of Ty and Cass and funny to see what a doting caregiver Ty turned out to be. I appreciated that this story was quite different from the first one--so many authors write the same story over and over with different leads. I am now addicted to this series and have already bought the next one.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the first book in the series was good, but this one surpassed it for me by a long shot. The tension between Drew and Holden, the barriers in their relationship, and the return of Ty and Cass from the first series made for a fab reading experience. Holden's situation nearly broke my heart when the truth came out and I loved the way the story unfolded for him and Drew. Looking forward with even more anticipation for the next story.

Oh and this one falls right after the events of the first book so it should definitely be read in order.

[Barb ~rede-2-read~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this sequel to Ty Hard. The story picks up where Ty Hard left off and we get to see Holden as he heals from the wounds he suffered in the explosion. And, the best part, we get to see the relationship develop between Holden and Drew with a surprise thrown in toward the end of the story. Love these stories that give me that warm and fuzzy feeling.

[Greg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually bought this in a boxed set so I have the first three in the series. The second book was very similar to the first. A lot more of the insta with the descriptive sex scenes. Everything was rushed to finish in a short amount of time. There was one line that I had to laugh at (I'm sorry),"Their coming together had all the force and barely restrained violence of a stallion covering his mate". If you like that style of writing then you will like this book.