Stars & Stripes

Cut & Run #6

by Abigail Roux

Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett have managed the impossible: a few months of peace and quiet. After nearly a year of personal and professional turmoil, they're living together conflict-free, work is going smoothly, and they're both happy, healthy, and home every night before dark. But anyone who knows them knows that can’t possibly last.

When an emergency call from home upsets the balance of their carefully arranged world, Ty and Zane must juggle family drama with a perplexing crime to save a helpless victim before time runs out.

From the mountains of West Virginia to a remote Texas horse ranch harboring more than just livestock and childhood memories, Ty and Zane must face their fears—and their families—to overcome an unlikely enemy and bring peace back into their newly shared world.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Mystery, Crime, LGBT, Suspense

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 13, 2012

About the author

Abigail Roux was born and raised in North Carolina. A past volleyball star who specializes in sarcasm and painful historical accuracy, she currently spends her time coaching high school volleyball and investigating the mysteries of single motherhood. Any spare time is spent living and dying with every Atlanta Braves and Carolina Panthers game of the year. Abigail has a daughter, Little Roux, who is the light of her life, a boxer, four rescued cats who play an ongoing live-action variation of 'Call of Duty' throughout the house, a certifiable extended family down the road, and a cast of thousands in her head.

Reviews

[Dd · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH.MY.GOD.

HEART-HOGGERS!!!

That's what they are.
(Or will be if a word like that exists!)

How?? How do they do it everytime??

Everytime I think that they can't possibly take anymore space in my heart,they keep on taking more and more and more!!

I am KRAZZY about these two men.

And now.....

YEE HAW,Readers!!!


This time..... Welcome to Texas!!!


Are you ready for some wild rides????

------------------------------------------------------

Ty and Zane are living together now and enjoying some peace (finally)!!At least as much peace as they can muster with Julian's two cats from hell trying to kill Zane (I kid you not)!!

But as is the usual case with these two,trouble always manages to somehow reach them.

Well this time it is in the form of an emergency call from Zane's family.

And voilà ,the fun begins.....

A for Apple.

B for Ball.

C for ????

C for Cats,Readers!!

Small cats,big cats.Nice cats,evil cats.Tame cats,wild cats.....


'He reached for the corner of the map to begin folding it back up.

“You kids go on, then,” Harrison said. “Check out that place.”

“Oh, hell no,” Ty blurted. “I mean, no, sir. Hell no, sir.”

Zane chuckled. “Come on, Ty.”

“What? No. Not me.”

“Chicken,” Zane whispered.

“Yeah, that’s what they think I taste like.”

Zane laughed harder.

“I don’t do big cats, Zane.”

Annie held up a hand. “I’m sorry, why aren’t you going to the sanctuary?”

“He has an unnatural aversion to large felines,” Zane told her.

“It’s not unnatural, Zane. It would be unnatural if I weren’t afraid of something that tried to eat me.” '


And now let me introduce you to the itty bitty kitty,who can give Zane a run for Ty's affections....

....Barnum.

Isn't that cute???

And of course we also have H for Horses,Readers.

It will be unfair not to mention them.


'Ty pointed his good hand at the doors to the barn, where Harrison stood. “I’m not going back in there with that horse.”

Zane flopped the rope against his thigh. “Ty, the horses are not conspiring against you.”

Ty crossed his arms and shook his head. “He looks at me. And he talks to me! And he knows I don’t know what he’s saying!”'


Poor Ty!!

And what about R for Romance??

"The first pop of pre-emptive Fourth of July fireworks over the Alamo made them both jump, and Zane turned so they could watch the fire rain down from the sky through the branches of their oak tree. Another shot soared into the air, bursting into flickering flames of red, white, and blue. People began to hoot and holler. No one was paying them any attention.

Zane looked down at Ty, and Ty grinned. This was nothing special for Ty. In his world, every time Zane’s lips touched his, something somewhere caught fire."


Oh sweet heaven!!!


"Ty’s fingers were on his skin, sliding his boxers to his thighs, and it warmed every inch of Zane’s body as he gazed into Ty’s eyes.

“I was just musing over how perfect you are for me.”


Beautiful!!!Aren't they???

And don't forget S for Steamy!!!

“You okay to mount?” he asked Ty.

“Next time you ask me that, you better be naked.”


Oh yeah!!!


“I missed you.” Zane felt solid against his fingers, and after a week of closing his eyes and imagining it was Zane’s touch in place of his own, Zane’s weight felt incredible against him.
“I’m not going to fuck you here,” Zane said through gritted teeth, though he appeared to be trying to convince himself and not Ty.....



Want more???Go read this book.

But most importantly, we have T for Trouble.

Lots and lots and lots of it.

So,what kinds of troubles do you think these two TROUBLE-MAGNETS attract this time???

Any guesses???

Well,nothing much.

Just men with guns.And getting shot.And some broken bones.And stopping illegal trades outside their jurisdiction.And cats,big ones.Saving them,all the while trying not to get eaten.Getting shot with animal tranquilizers and nearly dying.Dangerous situations.Coming out of closet or being hurled out,however you might look at it......

.....As I said,nothing much.Just the usual.
(Usual for Ty and Zane,that is!)


I know you are wondering how did they manage to get in such deep shit this time,with just a phone call.


So,you need to read this NOW!!!

-------------------------------------------------------------

April 8th!!!APRIL 8th!!!

Have to wait till then for......



Well okay!!No problem!!

**Bangs head**

Anyway,it's time for me to take leave Readers.

Ta-Ta and enjoy this one!!

[Baba · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW COMPLETED AUGUST 12, 2012

"Want to go to West Virginia and risk life and limb with me?"
Zane smirked and gave a single nod. "Sounds like fun."




From the blurb
From the mountains of West Virginia to a remote Texas horse ranch harboring more than just livestock and childhood memories, Ty and Zane must face their fears--and their families--to overcome an unlikely enemy and bring peace back into their newly shared world.

"Had a gay bull I had to sell last year. That was a damn nuisance. Gay son? That don't cost me nothing." --Zane's father

There are many paths in life. Some we choose, and some are chosen for us. I like Ty and Zane's path, and I really appreciate it to witness their maturing process. The more I read about them, the more I love them. And I am inclined to think that if you didn't like Armed & Dangerous, it's quite possible that you won't like Stars & Stripes either. Yes, there is some action that includes guns and knives and of course there are the big and scary cats as well, but the crime aspect of the story is only a subplot. Ty and Zane are living together conflict-free. As it was, the conflicts were brought up by other family members. Ty and Zane don't bitch at each other. Sure, the banter and the sharp wit are there, and they like to tease each other pretty regularly, however, it's first and foremost about their evolving relationship. It was romantic. It was sweet and tender. But a good sweet--never sugary sweet. Then again, it was very hawt and passionate too. Having said that, I was so pleased to see their bond of love deepen; Ty and Zane's love is absolutely palpable and it makes me one happy camper, that's for sure.

"You told me if I ever came to Texas you'd teach me how to ride," Ty drawled. The low gravel of his seductive voice never failed to hit all of Zane's happy places.
"I did."

I'd say pun intended. <3 <3 <3

Oh, and let's not forget something substantial: it was loads of fun. Again. If you need to smile and laugh then Ty and Zane deliver in spades. The finger thingie was so hilarious I just had to laugh out loud. Ty's granddad, Chester, is one seriously witty old guy. When Ty was not quite sure how to voice his coming out, Chester simply gave him a leg up. I felt a tingling sensation and his short and smart speech warmed my heart immensely. Yeah, talk about anticipation, huh?

I liked Zane's sister too.

"Well, that explains your disappearance," Annie said. Her lips compressed like she was trying not to laugh. "Is this what they mean when they talk about coming out of the closet?"
Zane glared at her, and she gave up and laughed.
"God, she's as bad with the puns as you are," Ty said from behind the door.

One other aspect of Stars & Stripes is killing me at the moment: I want them to talk about Ty's captivity in Afghanistan. Many people feared Ty during his time in the Marine Corps. Even now he can be scary and a bit crazy. Then again, Ty is just a big marshmallow under all the gruff sarcasm and badassery. He's kind, funny and loyal. On top of that, he's got a deep sense of honor and righteousness.

One of my very favorite scenes involved Ty and Sadie--absolute super sweetness in perfection. Oh my, Baba was in a puddle at Ty's feet. *le sigh* I *think* Ty would be a wonderful dad. I just loved to see him messing around with Sadie.

Stars & Stripes features many, many endearing secondary characters too. The little Sadie (Zane's niece) is such a cutie-pie. And we all know and love Ty's family already, and Zane's relatives are not half bad either. I will admit that Ty's father surprised me in a very positive way. Well, and then there are a few exceptions though. Zane's mother is a 'shiny' example. Beverly is a miserable, snobbish, and prejudiced woman. As a matter of fact, that's getting me down to see Beverly begrudge her son's happiness.

Overall Stars & Stripes was a very entertaining read. I love Abigail's writing and her sense of humor. It's no wonder that I am so there to read the sequel.


"Stars and stripes, Zane."
"What?"
"It's the Fourth of July. I saw stars, and then I saw stripes."



As a side note
Abigail will be donating 10 % of her earnings from all 2012 sales of Stars & Stripes to the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Boyd, Texas, in honor of Ty and Zane, her loyal readers, and Barnum the Bengal tiger and all his brothers and sisters.

[Blacky *Romance Addict* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zane slid his fingertips across Ty’s lips. With a blink, his expression changed, and he was gazing at Ty with such longing and love that he might as well have screamed it at the top of his lungs. “I wouldn’t change it,” he rasped. “Any of it.”




This book made me go through a rainbow of emotions. Anticipation, anxiety, shock, sorrow, happiness, fear, hate, love, swooning (is swoon an emotion? anyway, I did it constantly), I cried happy tears, I cried sad tears, and then when I reached the end of the book it was a mix of both


The story in Stars & Stripes starts with Ty having to go home help his parents, and he brings Zane with him :) They're both happy and at ease with themselves, talking about their pasts and planning a future. But it isn't all peachy, especially when Chester declares to the whole family that Ty and Zane are together That was a shocker. And the reaction from Ty's family was as well. The way his father reacted I mean, I get it, but still don't approve. All the others were nice, and I was glad that they both had support from atleast Ty's part of the family. Then came THE CALL Zane had a family emergency and had to go to Texas, without Ty unfortunately. Someone shot his father and the ranch had problems with tresspassers. Lucky for Zane ( ) Ty somehow made it to Texas and joined him in the investigation :) Won't go any further in the story because it's something that should be read and enjoyed, without too much spoilers :)



Ty and Zane were just wonderful. It's so great to see them totally in love, and not affraid to admit it They talked about a lot of stuff here, and their relationship progressed further. There was talk about a life together, marriage and childern. Enough to say that I was in a constant swoon mode
They had to deal with a lot of things, the most important - being outed to their families. I just have to say one thing - Zane's dad is EPIC!!! (Ty's words :) ) The man is just brilliant and I love the way he reacted about them being together XD You could see he loves Zane very much and wants him to be happy
Earl, that I didn't expect, but I kinda understand his reaction considering everything we know about him as a character. Still, not my favorite person.
Chester ROCKS
Who else is there? Deuce, Annie and Mara were great too, want to see them more in the upcoming books :)
Beverly is a B*TCH! She really pushed all the wrong buttons for me. I felt really really bad for Zane.
Other than that, it was a joy to read about those two in Texas Ty and his nerves around animals , and Zane with his sexy drawl


Here are some of my favorite scenes :)
- Ty and Zane in bed when the cats came
- Earl talking about his finger being cut off
- Chester announcing to everyone that Ty and Zane are a couple
- T&Z in his room after that whole incident
- the phone sex :D
- when Ty came to Texas and surprised Zane (one of the best scenes EVER, I was misty-eyed after that one)
- Harrison giving a present to Ty (did I mention how much I love that guy???)
- Zane giving Ty his hat, and the scene in the bar (BEFORE the sh*t)
- the rodeo sex but it was DAMN HOT!!!!
- meeting the tigers <3
- Zane finding Ty with the tiger (I cried a bit at that one too, very emotional and sad)
- Zane and Ty in the hospital
- Ty comforting Zane after his talk with his mother (did I mention I hate her???)
- Ty and Sadie sleeping
- T&Z talking about having a family
- Harrison giving Zane the papers (LOVE the man, LOVE, LOVE!)
- the ending



And here are 2 quotes I simply loved <3

Ty lay down with him, curling around him and settling his head on Zane’s shoulder. He’d grown comfortable with the opportunities he had to do this, to lean on Zane both physically and emotionally. It had taken him a long time to come to terms with the fact that it didn’t make him weak. When Zane wrapped his arms around him, it felt right.




For the first time, they were actually discussing their future in concrete terms. They’d both known, on some level, that they intended to spend the rest of their lives together. It felt like a solid force now, though, something as real as the hands that pressed into his back or the lips that met his over and over as they made love.





I'll be waiting for the new book, and I have a feeling I'll do my re-reads of this pretty soon



TY & ZANE FOREVER!!!!

[Elise ✘ a.k.a Ryder's Pet ✘ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second re-read: 13.09.2021
I cannot believe I haven't read this book since 2017!? Oh how I've missed Ty! He's such a great character, perfect actually. I love him to death and my loyalty will always be to him. I adore how close Ty and Zane are in this book, I love Barnum the tiger and I really like Zane's father's POVs; of how he sees Ty and Zane together. I think this book is the highest peek this series has, and if I remember correctly it goes downhill from here. We'll see if I re-read past this one. That said, Ty would be worth it either way. Oh and ‘For the first time, he had a home he actually wanted to call home. The thought made him both ecstatic and melancholy.’ <--- does that mean that Zane didn't feel like his how with his wife was a home? Overall I enjoyed this re-read.

Zane rested his head on Ty’s shoulder and Ty rubbed a hand down his back. “Let’s go get ready.”
Zane held on tight. “Not letting go,” he whispered.
“Okay.” Ty drew out the word with a frown. “But that’s going to make dinner awkward.”

⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*TY IS EVERYTHING*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱

Re-read: 22.05.2017
I can not believe I actually re-read this one, I mean, I just read it. But how can I really be shocked? Ty... Ty does something to you. He grabs you, steals your heart and never let you go. There's just something about him. I don't think I've ever loved a character as much as I love Ty. I don't love (mostly like them) the story of the books in this series, but damn...Ty... I can't let him go. He literally owns my heart. And the story/plot in this book is so damn cute as you get to see Ty and Zane in a different light. I think, that in this book I like Zane the most than the rest of the series. I love Ty endlessly in every book. Specially Ty with Barnum. A d o r a b l e.
New Rating - 3.5 stars.

First read review:
This was adorable. A bit boring at times, but so damn adorable. This is, I think, the first time I really felt like Ty Grady and Zane Garrett were a real couple. It was amazing to see and I have to be honest and say that I caught myself smiling multiple times. Ty and Zane's story has been quite interesting, and it's an awesome journey to see how far they've come. And it really makes me determent to finish this series.

They waited a few minutes to see if either cat was going to attack, and when it seemed they were safe, Ty rested his hand on Zane’s chest again and closed his eyes. Zane turned his head with infinite care and kissed Ty’s forehead.
Wesson gave him a warning growl.
“Mine,” Zane told the cat.

And God, I loved seeing Ty and Zane through Harrison's eyes. L O V E D it. It was perfect and adorable and so cuuuuute! Probably my favorite... scene/POV in the book. Also, Ty, my dear Ty, he feel so much! He's almost like a kid emotionally, yet still a strong man. I just want to hug and protect him. Just like Barnum, the tiger did.

Harrison chuckled. When he looked again, Ty had Zane by the hand and was dragging him toward the old Mustang. Zane only managed to stop Ty’s excited ramblings by grabbing his face and kissing him. Harrison had never seen Zane happier or more at home than he was with Ty’s arms wrapped around him. Even when he’d been with Becky, he’d never lit up quite like he did now. Harrison nodded and turned away. That was enough for his peace of mind.

Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Contemporary Romance (M/M)
Series: - Series, Book Six
Love triangle? - No.
Cheating? - No.
HEA? - Open ending?.
Favorite character? - Ty Grady.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Sure.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Sure.
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - 2.5/3 stars.

[* A Reader Obsessed * · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars! - Reread 7/14/2024

A top favorite, this installment made me very very happy, seeing these two so open, so in love, realizing certain truths and learning more about each other, all of which made me cackle with glee.

I, and certainly Ty and Zane, will have to remember that in anticipation of what’s to come with the next book. Trials are ahead but they come out stronger!

——————————————
*Update - Reread 2/18/15*

Oh Zane, how much you've changed. You carried the weight of your tragic past and subsequent downward spiral for many years - a weight that almost killed you and has left you forever affected by your choices. I realize now more than ever that you were just going through the motions of living until a whirlwind of craziness was dumped on your lap and things were never the same after that. You dared not to expect or dream of feeling so much, let alone love again, and it's been wonderful watching you do so.

And Ty, you too have not gone unscathed. You were equally bowled over by this stoic man, seeing the potential he had. You're a bit off kilter and you continue to amuse and entertain with your charm. Your sense of loyalty is off the charts and I marvel continuously how you put Zane first. He grounded you and in return, you brought him back to life.

This for many readers is a fan favorite. It satisfied every romantic bone in my body regarding these two because the love is on full force (as well as the smex). It was definitely a comfort read looking back, cataloging every single thing these two have gone through to get to this point - and we're going to need those warm fuzzies for what's to come...


Cut & Run Series
1. Cut & Run - 5 Stars
2. Sticks & Stones - 5 Stars
3. Fish & Chips - 5 Stars
4. Divide & Conquer - 5 Stars
Warrior’s Cross - 4.5 Stars
5. Armed & Dangerous - 5 Stars
6. Stars & Stripes 5 Stars
7. Touch & Geaux - 5 Stars
Shock & Awe (Sidewinder #1) - 5 Stars
8. Ball & Chain - 5 Stars
Cross & Crown (Sidewinder #2) - 4.5 Stars
9. Crash & Burn - 5 Stars
Part & Parcel (Sidewinder #3) - 5 Stars

[Meags · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

Stars & Stripes is a dual love story.

Expectantly, all the Ty and Zane relationship moments were passionate and exciting and sweeter than ever (with their newest level of intimacy and commitment well underway at this point in the series, much to my manic delight). But the relationship that really snuck up on me, and hit me square in the solar plexus, was the love shared between man and tiger—more specifically, the bond formed between Ty and Barnum the Bengal tiger.

I was also extremely gone over all the Stetson action that transpired in this Texas heavy story. I rank many of Ty and Zane’s sex scenes among the crème de la crème of M/M sex scenes in book history, and their first sex scene in this instalment?! With the hat and all the reverse cowboy action?! It was NEXT LEVEL sexy!!

Big cats and sexy men in Stetson’s aside, I really appreciated the way all the important coming out moments were handled in this instalment, between Ty and Zane and their potentially contentious respective families. These scenes were both emotionally charged and highly amusing, delivering on deeply vulnerable feelings and reactions in a way that felt so right and so timely for these men in their personal journeys.

Ty and Zane’s love story is an epic one (always) and the place they are during this story feels like the perfect calm before the storm, in the best ways possible. Knowing these two, they’ll only go from strength to strength, so I have no fears, only giddy anticipation and desperate eagerness to read on.

*************************************

Read #2: July 2024

I’m at the point in my re-read where I remember very little going forward, having read books 1-5 multiple times and 6-9 only the once, a decade ago! But this has been working in my favour, because I WHIPPED through this instalment, desperate for every scene to unfold, because it all felt so new and exciting, with the finer details having faded over time (in truth, only truly remembering the tiger and the Stetson—the fucking Stetson, people! LOL).

On reflection, I feel this was, perhaps, the least suspenseful book of the series to date, with the mystery/whodunnit plot playing more of a side role to all the focal family and relationship centred plot that played out here. For me, the overall tone in this book was a nice reprieve from the intense romantic-suspense action and relationship drama that came before and most certainly comes again, when things inevitably come to a head in book seven (Touch & Geaux).

Final thoughts: Ty and Zane are still the best of the best in M/M coupledom and I’ll happily keep reading and re-reading their stories until I'm dead and gone—and even then, I’ll probably be dreaming about them in my version of book-nerd heaven.


Cut & Run universe READING ORDER

Cut & Run 1 - Cut & Run (4 Stars)
Cut & Run 2 - Sticks & Stones (4.5 Stars)
Cut & Run 3 - Fish & Chips (5 Stars)
Cut & Run 4 - Divide & Conquer (5 Stars)
Julian Cross - Warrior's Cross (5 Stars)
Cut & Run 5 - Armed & Dangerous (5 Stars)
Cut & Run 6 - Stars & Stripes (5 Stars)
Cut & Run 7 - Touch & Geaux (4.5 Stars)
Sidewinder 1 - Shock & Awe (5 Stars)
Cut & Run 8 - Ball & Chain (4.5 Stars)
Sidewinder 2 - Cross & Crown (4.5 Stars)
Cut & Run 9 - Crash & Burn (5 Stars)
Sidewinder 3 - Part & Parcel (5 Stars)

[Optimist ♰King's Wench♰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hand to god, I never thought I would love another in this series as much as Fish & Chips.

I was wrong. This is my new favorite of the series.



Ty and Zane were flufftastic with each other, maintained the banter that I've come to love and are still hot like burning between the sheets. Or in the supply closet. Or at the Alamo.

Bless 'em.

I also loved Harrison and Sadie was adorably precocious. Hells bells, even ole crotchety Earl Grady earned a brownie point with his acceptance of them as a couple.

Just the one, though. He's still on my shit list and if he lays a hand on my boy again... someone's feelings are going to get hurt.

But my favorite part was Ty with Barnum... 💞💞💞💞💞



D'awwwww!!! Little kitteh haz a crush.

The mystery didn't really hold my interest all that much but I enjoyed just listening to Ty and Zane have such a good time together in Texas on the ranch and doing all the Texan things all while falling a little harder for each other that I didn't mind.

Zane's mother I could've done without but she did have her moments. Not many but a couple so I'm hoping she'll de-pill as the series evolves.

J.F. Harding was SUPERB! Superlatives fail me for his performance. It was that good.

If you need a feel good read/listen, this is a good choice.

[*J* Too Many Books Too Little Time · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, this one is my new favorite!

Loved everything about this one! Especially loved the boys going to Texas, learning more about Zane and his family and his past.

Very action packed, that last 20% or so was pretty intense.

Things are so good for Ty and Zane I'm scared to keep reading....I just know shit is going to hit the fan.

Also found it pretty cool that the author visited an exotic animal sanctuary 20 miles from where I grew up....I should go say hi to Barnum!



Or not! :)

[Lucie V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

✅ 2 POVs
✅ Ty and Zane
✅ Characters
✅ Romance and smut
✅ Supportive families (mostly)
✅ Intrigue
✅ Pace
✅ Sass and banter
✅ New characters and setting
❗️❗️ Trigger warnings: shootings, buildings burning, stabbing, some derogatory/homophobic comments, deaths... The usual with Ty and Zane... 😅

_______________________

Second read: Poor Ty fell in love with too many kitties and had to say goodbye to them all. 😅
I am still loving rereading this series, and I can’t wait to jump into the next book because I remember it being very angsty!

_______________________


When Zane gets a phone call from his sister telling him that their dad got shot on their land after a few suspicious trespassing activities had been noticed, Zane knows he has no choice but to go back to Texas to help his family figure out what is happening. Ty ends up joining him because they can’t be apart for long, and together, they need to find out who is trespassing on the Garett-Carter Ranch’s lands and what they are doing that would push them to shoot Harrison Garret when he stumbled upon them.

Zane climbed to his feet with an annoyed grunt and stalked over to the bathroom, where he jerked the Strider out of the door. “And I’ll be holding onto this for safekeeping.”
“No, no, no!” Ty scrambled to his feet. “I need to be armed, Zane. What if the horses revolt?”
“You can put that sharp wit of yours to use.”
“Clever use of wordplay, I approve. Penalty points subtracted.”


“Mark thinks you’re crazy and dangerous.”
“Oh,” Ty said evenly, though his eyes gleamed with amusement. “He tell you about the time we killed one of our teammates by shoving him off a cliff?”
Zane blinked and nodded. Ty laughed as he slid his sunglasses back on. “Yeah, good times.”

This one had some truly heartwarming moments, and hilarious banter too. The dynamic between Zane and Ty felt different in this book. Their bond felt stronger, and they allowed themselves to show more affection, yet I think that there was also more sass and sarcasm, and I loved every page of it.

While there was still a mystery to solve, I feel that the romance took up more space in this book. Ty and Zane are now living together, but their colleagues think it’s only to help pay the mortgage, and they are simply sharing the house as two friends. While they keep it a secret at work, they’ve decided not to hide their relationship from their families. They can openly be together when they are far away from Baltimore, and it makes them realize how important their love is, and how it’s becoming the most important thing they have. Even more important than their job.

They both finally came out to their family, and seeing how supportive most of them were felt heartwarming, and it was so sweet to see how relieved they felt when they realized that their family didn’t care about their sexual orientation, only about their happiness, and they loved them still, no matter what.

He looked down at Zane and shook his head. “I want you to put ‘He didn’t want to ride the damn horse’ on my tombstone.”

The new setting was refreshing. After meeting Ty’s family in the second book, we now travel to Texas with our two favorite special agents to meet Zane’s family. While his dad and sister are pretty cool, and his niece is adorable, Zane’s mom can rot in hell. That’s all I have to say about her. Seeing Ty try to adapt to Texan and ranch life was pretty funny, and seeing Zane be with his family and feel relaxed and loved felt good too.

I enjoyed the intrigue in this book, but as was the case in many books of this series, I am left with the feeling that things are not entirely resolved or explained. In the first book, I wanted a better explanation for the killer’s action, in the second one, I was hoping for an explanation for the crazy dudes attacking hikers and killing them, and I was wondering about the villain’s motivation in the fourth book as well. Now, I am wondering how and why the people involved in the illegal activities at Garrett’s ranch ended up in this situation. It’s never anything huge or essential to the plot, but it always leaves me with a few questions, and hoping there will be one extra chapter with the missing details. That being said, it didn’t prevent me from giving this book 5 stars, because I love Ty, Zane, and most of their families so freaking much.


1. Cut & Run ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. Sticks & Stones ⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. Fish & Chips ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
4. Divide & Conquer ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
⭕️ The Warrior’s Cross ⭐⭐⭐ (standalone)
5. Armed & Dangerous ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
5.5 Dine & Dash ⭐⭐⭐



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[Jilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this sucks. Ty, the love of my book-life at the moment, hates Texas. I mean, sure, Texas wasn't all that nice to him, but still, this means our love can never be. I mean, other than the facts that he's gay and in love with another man, I'm almost 20 years older than him, and he's fictional. Oh yeah, and I'm married. Keep forgetting about that little snag. But still, if he liked Texas there may have been a chance for us.


We kinda do.

Fine. I'll keep my husband. He likes Texas. You know, like a SANE person.

So, in this book Ty and Zane end up visiting both of their families and coming out to them as a gay couple. When they go to Zane's family in Texas there is a mystery going on. First, his father was shot by trespassers, and second, there are missing tigers from a sanctuary on the land adjacent to theirs. So, like cattle rustlers, but with tigers instead? I admit, that's unusual for around here. Not completely unheard of though. During Hurricane Ike, we had a tiger and a lion get loose in Galveston. So, you know, not our first rodeo with tiger stuff. Really, no rodeo could be our first one. We invented that shit.


Best part of the rodeo is when we shove our 5 year old's on sheep and turn them loose. It's called "mutton bustin'". If you survive to adulthood in Texas you are a strong MFer. I don't think this kid is gonna make it. Sorry kid. Again, how can anyone hate Texas?

The thing about Ty and Zane so far in the series is how completely messed up they are in the head. They are both walking psych cases because of the amount of trauma in their pasts. (Plus, Zane's alcohol and drug addiction past.) But slowly we have watched them start to heal a little bit. This book is a major healing point because there is a lot of bandaid ripping going on. They are having those old wounds reopened, whether they want to or not. I like the people they are becoming because of it.

Also, Ty has gotten funnier.

Zane: "How is it that you can love cats so much and hate all other forms of animal?"

Ty frowned. "I don't hate all other animals."

Zane: "Horses. Dogs. Chipmunks."

Ty: "They're twitchy, Zane. And chipmunks have shifty eyes."

Zane: "Moths?"

Ty: "They have erratic flight patterns!"

Oh yeah, that was another strike against our love: he's a cat person. *sigh*


I'm with Ron on this one.

[Wendys Wycked Words · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is seriously the best series ever (this and Rock chick ofcourse). Loved it !!! Will continue reading on. I am getting a bit nervous because of the reviews on the next 3 books in the series...but I need Ty and Zane so I'm gonna be brave and jump right in there.

[Fabi NEEDS Email Notifications · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was THE best book of the series so far. Warm and fuzzy and sweet and funny. I can finally join the multitudes in saying "I love Ty and Zane."

[Shile (Hazard's Version) on-hiatus · Rating 5 out of 5]

5++++++++++ stars for Ty and Zane.

Loved it even more.
“I love you," Ty said out of the blue, his voice almost sing-song. Zane laughed. "You're drunk." "I loved you before I was drunk.”



Zane's dad is epic

“Had a gay bull I had to sell last year. That was a damn nuisance. Gay son? That don't cost me nothing.”


March 2017

Im done listening to the audio book .. This was sooo good highly recommended for everyone.. fell hard for Ty and Zane again.



So far this is my favourite book. I love the growth in Ty & Zane's relationship. Chester is my hero, i like that we got to see Zane's family. Ty and Zane are just so sweet

[moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars ☆

i loved Zane’s family—minus his mom. i know she lowkey had a change of heart by the end but not enough for me to completely love her. i gotta say though, Ty and Zane have literally been through hell and back within these first six books and i’m just shook with how they were able to survive after everything they had to endure with so many near death experiences. i can’t think of a book atm where the mcs have been through this much. 😳 but anyways, i love these two dorks so much. ♡

fav quotes/scenes:

Ty took his arm and continued to walk. Zane watched him out of the corner of his eye, amused and warmed all over.
“I love you,” Ty said out of the blue, his voice almost sing-song.
Zane laughed. “You’re drunk.”
“I loved you before I was drunk.”
Zane stopped walking and pulled Ty around to face him. The evening was full of the noises of summer night revelry, but the sidewalk was empty. He smiled and leaned in to kiss Ty. “I can’t remember a time that I was happier than I am right now.”

Zane nodded, looking drawn and worried. Ty slid his fingers down his lover’s face. He knew where the stress was coming from.
Zane rested his head on Ty’s shoulder and Ty rubbed a hand down his back. “Let’s go get ready.”
Zane held on tight. “Not letting go,” he whispered.

“Well.” Deuce smiled as he moved into the room. Ty stood when he got closer. “I’m proud of you. Both of you. Even if it wasn’t your doing to begin with, you did it nonetheless.”
Ty nodded jerkily, surprised by his reaction to his brother’s words. Emotions welled in him that he didn’t think he was ready for.
Deuce wrapped him up in a hug, his eyes squeezed shut, and when he spoke to Ty in a low whisper, his voice wavered. “You’ll always be my hero, Beaumont.”

Zane had snapped the picture with his phone without Ty knowing, leaving the phone near his hip and capturing Ty from below. Ty had never caught on that Zane was watching him instead of the storm, so wrapped up in whatever it was about storms out on the ocean that seemed to fascinate Ty like they did.
When the rain had hit the beach and Zane had turned to retreat to their room, Ty grabbed him instead and started a waltz in the downpour. When they finished the dance, people applauded from their balconies. It had been the first taste of what life with Ty might be like when they came out.

“Ty and I...we’ve been dating for about a year now.”
Ty’s head shot up, and Annie glanced between them, eyebrows climbing so high her bangs hid them.
“Dating?” Harrison echoed.
Zane met and held Ty’s gaze. “Ty isn’t just my partner at work. He’s my boyfriend. I love him.”
“Oh.” Harrison sounded thoughtful. “Well, that explains it.” He went back to cutting the churro on Sadie’s plate, and Zane and Ty both stared at him, incredulous.
“That’s it?” Ty blurted.
Harrison shrugged and chewed a piece of the sweet bread Sadie had stuffed into his mouth. “Had a gay bull I had to sell last year. That was a damn nuisance. Gay son? That don’t cost me nothing.”

“Are you saying you might want kids one day?”
“I don’t know. Tonight was literally the first time I truly thought I might.”
Ty gaped, at a loss for words. Was this what Zane had been thinking about all night?
Zane remained quiet, watching him for several breaths before echoing. “Tell me what you’re thinking Ty.”
“Uh...I’m thinking...I love you. And I’m glad things didn’t go to plan when we were both younger.”
Zane slid his fingertips across Ty’s lips. With a blink, his expression changed, and he was gazing at Ty with such longing and love that he might as well have screamed it at the top of his lungs. “I wouldn’t change it,” he rasped. “Any of it.”

[Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

8th re-read March 2025

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!! Without a doubt, this book is my favorite so far. I loved seeing Ty and Z acting more as a couple as well as them interacting with their families. Lots of action and family drama.

I still can’t decide if I am team Ty or team Zane. I think it’s a tie.

Can’t wait until I read the next one. Although, I did read a few reviews, and I am a little nervous.

[Shurrn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's official: I have a new favorite book in the Cut & Run Series!

“I love you,” Ty said out of the blue, his voice almost sing-song.
Zane laughed. “You’re drunk.”
"I loved you before I was drunk."

I've had a rough time trying to figure out how to write this review... Truth is - I fucking LOVED this book... Problem is - all of the things which made this particular installment of the Cut & Run Series so successful are massive spoilers, so I'll have to break my review down in a new way:

First off, the majority of this book took place in Texas. Complete with countless Texas / Cowboy jokes and all that... You know who is a proud Texas native? This Chick!

Summer evenings in Texas were apparently blazing hot right up until the sun went down, when they became merely uncomfortably warm.

I was entertained by all the Texas love going on. I enjoyed Ty's hatred of horses, and Zane's Cowboy alter-ego leaking out... Plus all the saucy "ride 'em cowboy" references and sexy stetsons... It all came together to make Texas a character in her own right... I especially loved the scene of Ty and Zane at the Alamo on the Fourth of July. That was a trifecta of love for me. My birthday is July 4th, and I've spent most of my birthdays beneath the Texas stars watching fireworks with the people I love...

It is not spoilery to tell you that there is a tiger involved (there's a tiger on the cover after all) and I wanted to offer the highest of fives to Abigail Roux for something I've noticed and appreciated about her books, but never taken the time to point out... DETAILS. Awesome ones... I'm not talking about descriptions - though, those are pretty badass as well - I'm talking about attention to detail which borders on Easter Egg level.

For instance: A chunk of the story line in this book was spent searching for a Tiger. Now, remember in the beginning of the book when Ty & the rest of the FBI team was chasing the streaker in downtown Baltimore? Remember what detail (besides testicles) was prominent on that streaker? A huge TIGER TATTOO on his chest. That's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to these details... That's merely the first non-spoiler one I could comment on...



AND NOW FOR THE SPOLIERS!
Click at your own risk...

The Big News:
Ty & Zane came out to their families!!!!!

Chester Grady already had my heart from Sticks & Stones with his quirky old man ways & his beloved shovel... But his behavior in this book solidified my love for him.

"All's I'm saying is love's a blessing, no matter all the same." [...] "What?" he asked. "Y'all didn't know they was sweethearts?"

So he kind of forced the issue, but it was precious all the same. I'm still trying to wrap my head around how I feel about Earl Grady's immediate violent reaction, so I'm glad Chester was there to make me smile. By the end of the book all the Gradys were welcoming Zane to the family, and Zane was finally settling into the loving family he'd never really experienced before...

Zane's Father, Harrison Garrett:

Harrison shrugged and chewed a piece of the sweet bread Sadie had stuffed into his mouth. “Had a gay bull I had to sell last year. That was a damn nuisance. Gay son? That don’t cost me nothing.”

Yeah, I can't help but picture the paterfamilias of the Garrett family as Sam Elliot... His reaction to his son's relationship was fantastic, and he took the time to thank Ty for saving his son.

Zane's Sister Annie:

“Zane,” Annie said with a hand on his shoulder. “Go find a state that allows it, and marry that man.”

Annie already knew that Zane was in a relationship with Ty, but it was still sweet to see how much she enjoyed seeing her brother so happy. I'll even forgive her for giving me a heart attack for the "He's gone." comment when Ty was attacked.

Sure the boys had a run-in with a few roughnecks in Texas who attempted to give them shit, but Ty and Zane certainly got the last laugh with that bunch... Can't be homophobic when you're dead... And as for the rest of them: have fun being a hateful bastard while you're in prison!

Also, allow me to profess my undying hatred of Zane's mother...
Beverly:



On Big Cats:
Meow-Mix finally makes a friend.

“He’s goddamn petting the tiger.”

Poor Ty had some bad luck with big cats who want to eat him, so it was nice to see him make friends with the tigers at the animal sanctuary. That damn tiger saved his life more than once! And while I was sad to see Smith and Wesson gone when Ty & Zane returned to Baltimore, it was more than adorable to hear that Zane had "adopted" the tigers so they could continue being happy and healthy.


In Other News:
Ty & Zane are precious in this book.

They're tender with each other, and verbal about the depth of their love. Coming out was a circular thing for their relationship - they came out to their families because they wanted their partner to be recognized as an important part of their lives... But coming out also brought them closer together. They took the risk and it paid off.

Now we're talking about marriage and kids and all the things that warm my uterus to think about...

For the first time, they were actually discussing their future in concrete terms. They’d both known, on some level, that they intended to spend the rest of their lives together. It felt like a solid force now, though, something as real as the hands that pressed into his back or the lips that met his over and over as they made love.

I want the best for Ty and Zane... I'm hopelessly enthralled with watching their story unfold. I can't wait for more!


Some of My Favorite Moments:

“I love you,” Ty said out of the blue, his voice almost sing-song.
Zane laughed. “You’re drunk.”
"I loved you before I was drunk."

“Mara, you cut my finger off.’ And your mother said to me, ‘Well, Earl, who’s stupid now”

“Thank you for thinking I’m worth it.”

“All of you shitheads need Jesus so far as I’m concerned”

“Could be drugs, could be sex trade, could be horses.”
“If the next option is sex with horses, I need you to stop right there.”
“We’re not in that part of Texas.”
“I bet you look hot in the hat though.”
“Stop trying to distract me!”

“ball prints on my hood!” the man cried as he gripped his steering wheel and shook it.

He scrolled through the photo roll, surprised at the homesickness that came over him as he looked at picture after picture of him and Ty. Most of them were taken from arm’s length, with Ty in his aviators and Zane smiling like someone who hadn’t been broken by life.

“As good as that was, I prefer it in person,” Zane said.
Ty chuckled, the sound dark and familiar. “Now go clean yourself off. Look at you, you should be ashamed.”
“Ditto, you pervert,” Zane grunted, smiling.”

“I was just wondering if anyone else would be stopping by to look through those big-ass windows or if I could ride you down here on the couch,” Ty said, forcing his voice to sound nonchalant. Zane’s breath caught on a sharp exhale, and Ty plucked at one of the buttons of Zane’s shirt. “Too bad I don’t have a hat, though. Can’t ride without a hat.”

Summer evenings in Texas were apparently blazing hot right up until the sun went down, when they became merely uncomfortably warm.

“That’s it?” Ty blurted.
Harrison shrugged and chewed a piece of the sweet bread Sadie had stuffed into his mouth. “Had a gay bull I had to sell last year. That was a damn nuisance. Gay son? That don’t cost me nothing.”

They were good for each other in so many ways, even if foreplay did sometimes include a Strider and a sucker punch to the midsection.

“I’m going to come in you so hard you’ll be tasting it.”

“Ty,” Zane yelled, “don’t shoot the tiger!”
“He started it”

Ty grunted. “Guy with a gun, I’m your man. Big white tiger with teeth, it’s every steak for himself”

“It’s the hat, isn’t it? Just can’t help yourself.”
“The hat just makes it worse,”

“Zane,” Annie said with a hand on his shoulder. “Go find a state that allows it, and marry that man.”

“How is it that you can love cats so much and hate all other forms of animal?”
Ty frowned. “I don’t hate all other animals.”
“Horses. Dogs. Chipmunks.”
“They’re twitchy, Zane. And chipmunks have shifty eyes.”
“Moths?”
“They have erratic flight patterns!”

“I will knock you off that glue stick.”

“He’s goddamn petting the tiger.”

“Obviously, he hates Texas!” Zane snapped. “Why shouldn’t he? It keeps trying to kill him!”

For the first time, they were actually discussing their future in concrete terms. They’d both known, on some level, that they intended to spend the rest of their lives together. It felt like a solid force now, though, something as real as the hands that pressed into his back or the lips that met his over and over as they made love.

This was nothing special for Ty. In his world, every time Zane’s lips touched his, something somewhere caught fire.


My Other Reviews in the Cut & Run Series:

Cut & Run - My Review
Sticks & Stones - My Review
Fish & Chips - My Review
Divide & Conquer - My Review
Armed & Dangerous - My Review
Dine & Dash - My Review
Stars & Stripes - You're Reading it
Touch & Geaux - My Review
Ball & Chain - My Review
Crash & Burn - My Review

My Reviews in the Cut & Run Universe:
I will update the list as more books are published.
Warrior's Cross - My Review
Shock & Awe - My Review
Cross & Crown - My Review

[Simone - on indefinite hiatus - · Rating 5 out of 5]

***5 stars for the audiobook version***

Hmm, should I take it as a sign that my first review in 2017 would be for an audiobook? Maybe I should. And probably you, too, because I plan on listening to more audiobooks this year. ;-)

Don't worry, though. I won't bore the pants off you with my reviews for this series, but since the narrator for this book changed again, I just wanted to say how much I loved it. I won't say that J. F. Harding is the best narrator for this series (I loved Sawyer Allerde and Sean Crisden's narration, too), but he is the one I understood best, not to say every single word. This is not a given for me as a non-native English speaker, so I was quite impressed.

Although he didn't gave Zane the swoon-worthy deep voice like Sean Crisden did, I loved how he conveyed all the emotions in this story and he made me laugh out loud with Ty's antics, made me want to hug Deuce after Ty and Zane's outing and made me want to kick Zane's mother in the ass for her behavior. So I can say with a clear conscience that I enjoyed the audiobook version very much. :)

It always comes in handy when the rating for the story tallies with the rating for the audiobook, because - like I said before - this series is, was and always will be a solid five-star-read for me. Each and every single book!

[Vishous · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely, at least to me, the best one in the series!

THE BEST!

I don't remember when was the last time I laughed so hard while reading a book. I always loved the humor between Ty and Zane but in this one I was laughing from the first page and I don't think I even stopped til the end! I loved every f***ing page! And I didn't want it to end, no no! But as I was reaching to the end, as much as I was dreading to finish it, because that meant no more Ty and Zane til april and no more laughing, I couldn't wait to see how will it end! And the end!
OMG SO F***ING ADORABLE!
HAPPY TEARS ALERT!

Soooo about the story....

We have coming out of closet in both their families! And we have coming out of closet literally.... oh yes that was one seriously hot scene! Actually I think I re-read every hot scene at least two times! At least! If you read this book please make arrangement for you to NOT TO BE DISTURBED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!

There is no way I could say which scene was my favorite in the book because this whole book is screaming:
SERIOUSLY THE BEST OF THE BEST FROM THE START TO THE END! YOU WILL BE HAPPY AND YOU WILL BE SAD! YOU WILL BE FANNING YOURSELF THE WHOLE TIME! YOU WILL BE AROUSED AND YOU WILL WANT TO CRAWL IN THAT BOOK AND POSITIONED YOURSELF BETWEEN THOSE TWO DELICIOUS MALE SPECIMENS (if you know what I mean :D)!

I loooooooved what Texas did to Zane as much as Ty did! I mean, please! How can a writer be so cruel and make someone such as Zane is?!?!?!!?!?!? Seriously where is justice in that to only read about someone like Zane?! I am damaged for all other book-alpha-males! I wanted to hold him when his mother was such a bitch! How can you be so cruel and cold to your son?! Especially after everything he has gone through and not to see that Ty is the reason your son is not ok now, but HAPPY SO MUCH HE COULD BURST! Isn't that enough?
Thank god for Harrison! How he accepted Ty from the very beginning simply because his son is finally laughing again.... isn't that so adorable?!

Ok the way Tys dad reacted... seriously not cool but at least it was not because of who Ty loves, it was because of not telling the truth years ago and running away... And Chester! what to say you simply gotta love that character!

I won't even try to comment how kitties any size love Ty, that is too funny to read...



Now when it comes to some scenes (read: phone sex, rubbing in car, closet sex, "stetson" sex...) .... mmmmmm yep you would want to be in Tys shoes.... really... *taking deep breaths to calm myself*

And OMG I almost forgot! The talk about their future.... and the scene when Zane gives Ty his 'Stetson' hat and tells him that back in high school if you give your girlfriend your stetson you want her for the rest of your life.... *SERIOUSLY MELTING*

What else to say... I wanna give my 'stetson' hat to Zane :)





And I just have to say that I am not happy that there wasn't described scene when Zane licked Ty...... Whoa! Why don't we have that scene?! Seriously why did even Zane have to mention that he did it?!?!!? *very frustrated*
"...a six-pack he had once licked whipped cream from...."

[Gerbera_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

05/28/2024 reread

Reread February 2020

I forgot how much I enjoyed Ty and Zane in Texas. It was every bit as exciting as the first time. Special mention: Bailey and Barnum, the bengal tigers, who won special place in Ty's heart. I loved the family dynamics in both Grady's household and Garrett's. It brought to the forefront the stark difference in both Ty and Zane's upbringing and what shaped them. I am so glad that Ty was able to pull Zane out of that one, because, Beverly the mother from Hell, was just bad. Spent wonderful time with my guys Ty and Zane, suspiciously behaving horses and fierce kitties.

**********************

This book was absolutely clawsome! I loved it! It was the purrfect mix of love, adventure, intimacy and family drama! Ty and Zane are so funny and sweet! Awww. With every book more and more pieces are added to create a very fine picture of these two men: who they were, who they are now and where they are going. Ty and Zane are finally ready to be out with their families. It takes courage, Chester Grady and Harrison Garrett's nudge to finally take the plunge, and the moments are filled with happiness, trepidation and humor - very beautiful.

This time around Ty and Zane travel to the wilds of Texas to help out Zane's family. As always it turns into a nightmare for everyone. Thefts, missing animals and greedy people nearly destroy the family with Ty and Zane right in the middle of the madness. Some moments were truly spectacular, some were hilarious. I loved every page. This series is shaping up to be an all time favorite! I highly recommend it!

[Mandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite Quote: “Oh Jesus Ty. Are you okay?”

Ty closed his eyes again. He tried to speak, lips barely moving.

“What?” Zane asked as he leaned closer.

“I hate Texas.”

If I had to write a one sentence review of this book, I’d probably say, “Ty wears a Stetson while doing dirty deeds to Zane.” Is there really anything else you need to know? Seriously, some hot cowboy sex takes place in this book.

I think we are in such a great place in this series. Ty and Zane are in love, and I can’t get enough of it. In this installment, we head to Texas, as Zane’s father has been shot on his ranch. Zane has a rocky relationship with his mother in particular, but feels like he is needed down there to investigate what is happening on the extensive ranch his family owns. After a few days, Ty can’t stand being away from Zane and so he pulls a few strings and finds himself in Texas as well. They soon learn Zane’s dad didn’t get shot randomly. Exotic tigers are missing from the neighboring wild life sanctuary, and the mystery unfolds from there. Let me just say, Ty plus escaped tigers will bring on many, many laughs. For such a tough dude,Ty has many animal issues:

“How is it that you can love cats so much and hate all other forms of animals?”
Ty Frowned. I don’t hate all other animals.”
“Horses. Dogs. Chipmunks.”
“They’re twitchy, Zane. And chipmunks have shifty eyes,”
“Moths?”
“They have erratic flight patterns!”

Besides the mystery, we get a lot of really good one on one Ty and Zane time. Before they go to Texas, they make a quick stop in West Virginia to visit Ty’s parents and although they are only there a short time, their visit makes a very big impact. I’ll let you uncover why yourself. But I have to say, Mara Grady made me laugh and laugh with this conversation:

“We wouldn’t need your help normally, but this morning I cut your daddy’s finger off, and he says he can’t hold a hammer.”
Ty shot his head up. “You what?”
“Cut his finger off,” Mara said again, as if she hadn’t realized the news would be shocking.

And once they get up there, her abrasive humor still made me laugh:

“Whatever it takes,” Mara said. She stood and went to the refrigerator. “All of you shitheads need Jesus so far as I’m concerned.”
Zane almost chocked on his tea.

And while she might be crazy, she loves her boy and became one of my favorite supporting characters.

Down in Texas, Zane isn’t quite as lucky. His mother does not approve of her son, before she even knows he is gay. They have a very cold relationship, one that wears heavily on him. Ty is there to lighten the mood, but there are still a lot of issues Zane must work out.

Best of all being in Texas make Zane and Ty mighty horny! Not that it takes a lot. But Zane’s southern accent comes into play, as well as Ty walking around in a cowboy hat. Now that Zane and Ty are in love, we start the process of telling their friends and family and of them thinking of the future. I seriously can’t get enough of these two when they are alone and they talk to each other from their hearts. Abigail Roux does such a great job at giving us tons of mushy time between them, but with enough erotic sex and funny one-liners that it isn’t corny.Their love is so overpowering, sexy and sweet. I can’t help but grin during the entire book. I’m not sure of another romance couple out there that affects me the way these two do. I try to savor every book because I know one day Roux will say, no more. But until then, enjoy this series everyone. It’s special.

Rating: B+

[Cristina T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, this one. This one is the one. My absolute FAVORITE in the series, no doubt about it!!!

I'm having a hard time figuring out how to write a coherent review for Stars & Stripes, because I just finished it, my emotions are all over the place and I'm still grinning like a damn fool... *heavy sigh* Okay... here goes nothing...

Warning: This review may contain unmarked spoilers, so read at your own risk!

Ty & Zane have been enjoying a few months of peace and quiet, falling into a pleasant routine. They've been living together for a while and they're blissfully happy. To Zane's horror, Ty is taking care of Julian Cross' (Warrior's Cross) cats, Smith and Wesson, which Ty adores, but Zane swears they're evil and trying to kill him.

"Good kitty."
"Why do you encourage them?"
"They're good kitties."
"They're your minions."
"Everyone needs a minion or two."
"You won't be so pleased when you find me ground up in their food bowl one day."

All that's interrupted soon enough when they both get calls from their families, asking for help. First they head to West Virginia to visit the Gradys, whom need help installing a new roof. God, I missed these people a great deal, they're just awesome! One time after dinner, Chester, that hilarious old fart, just outs Ty & Zane to the rest of the family without blinking an eye.

"All's I'm saying is love's a blessing, no matter all the same." [...]
"What?" he asked. "Y'all didn't know they was sweethearts?"

After a little bit of shock and some lashing out because this was Ty's reason for joining the Marines, the Gradys just accept the news and welcome Zane into the family. A few days pass and Zane gets a phone call, after which he rushes to go home to Texas in order to see what's going on with his family. He goes alone, but Ty senses his lover needs him, so he joins him soon enough.

We finally get to meet Zane's family. Harrison Garrett, his father, is one hell of a man. I really liked him and the support he showed Zane throughout the whole book. Also, the way he just accepted the nature of Ty & Zane's relationship, when Zane told his family about them, was amazing!

"Had a gay bull I had to sell last year. That was a damn nuisance. Gay son? That don’t cost me nothing."

Annie, Zane's sister, was very sweet, along with her cute daughter, Sadie. Just like Harrison, she can see how much of a good influence Ty has had on her brother, that he's brought Zane back to life. That's why she wholeheartedly agrees with their relationship.

"Zane," Annie said with a hand on his shoulder. "Go find a state that allows it, and marry that man."

But damn, Beverly, Zane's mother was, and I shall quote Ty for good measure, a frigid bitch. I hated that despicable raging bitch with a passion! UGH!

So... Ty & Zane are following a trail of the trespassers who've previously shot Harrison, doing their best to shed some light on the whole situation. Meanwhile, they visit an animal sanctuary for big cats, where Ty falls head over heels in love with Barnum, a Bengal tiger. I was smitten with the tiger, too, especially since he saved Ty's life more than once. Ah, who am I kidding, I'm a sucker for big cats anyway...

The horses, though... Ty was just hilarious with them! The guy plays with 600 pound tigers, but horses (and chipmunks, dogs, even moths) make him nervous... So precious!

"I want you to put 'He didn't want to ride the damn horse' on my tombstone."
"Noted," Zane said with a grin. "You did okay."

Ty & Zane are wonderful in this book! They're very tender and more than ever, they talk, they're honest and they discuss their future and things they didn't dare talk about before. Coming out to their families and acting like a couple in public has been a big step for them and has obviously done them a lot of good. The faith they have in each other is incredible and they're happy, very much so. Zane trusts his partner, no matter what bullshit people are talking about him.

He had no doubt that he knew who Ty was now, inside and out. He knew every one of Ty's quirks and weak spots and favorite things. He knew what Ty found funny and what annoyed him. He knew what would break his heart. He knew how to touch him to drive him wild, and when to back off when Ty was having a bad day. He knew that Ty was kind and loyal and funny, that he had a deep sense of honor and righteousness. He knew that Ty would die to save a stranger, and kill to save a friend. That was the type of man he was.

For the first time, they were actually discussing their future in concrete terms. They’d both known, on some level, that they intended to spend the rest of their lives together. It felt like a solid force now, though, something as real as the hands that pressed into his back or the lips that met his over and over as they made love.

Let's not forget the sex, though, which was INCREDIBLE! From phone sex to making out and coming in their pants in a truck, to Zane fucking Ty in a supply closet at a pub... Oh, and Ty riding Zane, wearing nothing but the rose compass, a Stetson and a grin... DAMN! *hyperventilates*

The ending was so beautiful. I felt sorry for Ty when he got home and found the note from Cross, in which the man had thanked him for taking care of Smith and Wesson, and had basically taken his cats back. But I also found it amazing that Zane adopted the two tigers, just to make Ty happy. Aww! *sigh*

Alright... I think I should stop now, even though I could go on and on... Just read this book and see for yourself how BRILLIANT it is!

* * * * *

First read: May, 2014
Re-read: April, 2016

* * * * *


My other reviews in the Cut & Run series:
will be updated as soon as new books are published
Cut & Run (Cut & Run, #1) - my review
Sticks & Stones (Cut & Run, #2) - my review
Fish & Chips (Cut & Run, #3) - my review
Divide & Conquer (Cut & Run, #4) - my review
Armed & Dangerous (Cut & Run, #5) - my review
Dine & Dash (Cut & Run, #5.5) - my review
Stars & Stripes (Cut & Run, #6) - you're reading it
Touch & Geaux (Cut & Run, #7) - my review
Ball & Chain (Cut & Run, #8) - my review
Crash & Burn (Cut & Run, #9) - my review

My reviews in the Cut & Run spinoffs:
will be updated as soon as new books are published
Warrior's Cross - my review
Shock & Awe (Sidewinder, #1) - my review
Cross & Crown (Sidewinder, #2) - my review

Important note: I highly recommend the books to be read in the following order...
will be updated as soon as new books are published
Cut & Run; Sticks & Stones; Fish & Chips; Divide & Conquer; Warrior's Cross; Armed & Dangerous; Dine & Dash; Stars & Stripes; Touch & Geaux; Shock & Awe; Ball & Chain; Cross & Crown; Crash & Burn ...

[Lisazj1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

*3rd read 2020*

Just as damn amazing as before. *sigh* SO romantic. 🥰🥰

And Beverly Garrett can still kiss my ass. Twice.

*Re-read 2018*

God, do I love them! So freaking good, I want to turn around and read it again, right now! *swoon*

Also, Zane's mom can still kiss my ass.

*1st read 2013*

*sigh* And now I'm going to be sad, because there's no more Ty & Zane to read until Touch & Geaux is released in April. Even though the blurb and teasers for that book are making me think I'm going to be a total wuss and not read til I know it won't hurt me.

This book was much different from the others, in that this one was most definitely a romance. Ty & Zane have let go of being afraid of loving each other, and they've now said almost everything to each other that you can say to the one you love. The thing now is that being together has just about become the most important thing, and not just being together, but being together openly. This is a problem, because the FBI has a strict fraternization policy and Ty & Zane are now living with each other. Since they can't be open in Baltimore, they end up coming out to their families.

There were still lots of moments that made my heart squeeze, but at least this was the kind that feels good. I won't ever get tired of Ty & Zane together. Best of all, these guys (and their wackadoo families) make me LAUGH. So much funny here. For all that the dynamic has shifted, some things (thank goodness) still remain the same.

Of course, nothing is ever entirely easy for the guys. While they are in West Virginia, Zane gets a call from his sister in Texas and has to go home because his dad has been shot. Ty ends up joining him, and they have to figure out who's trespassing on the Garrett ranch and why they would shoot Harrison Garrett.

Ty & Zane get a lot of different reactions to coming out, both in West Virginia *LOVED Chester and what he said to them <3* and Texas. They are quickly becoming used to being publicly affectionate with each other. In fact, I'm wondering if they'll be able to hide it once they go back to Baltimore. Guess I'll have to wait and see, but I'm still scared of the next one.

Despite the lack of excitement (better known as no one trying to kill either Ty or Zane at every turn), there was plenty of drama, at least in Texas. I was engaged and entertained, the story flowed well. The new characters introduced (primarily Zane's family) were mostly enjoyable and one in particular was a very well done, cold-hearted witch. I'm still fuming over the things she said & did.

Great, enjoyable read and so damn sweet to see them happy together.

[Sun · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Finally. All that was good about Ty & Zane, that had been trapped in decent, but sometimes confusing, overwritten, or outlandish stories to date, finally made it's way to one AWESOME book.

"Stars & Stripes" is my favorite of the Cut & Run series and I feel it rewards the faithful readers and was like a BIG HUG to Ty & Zane fans everywhere. FINALLY the series lived up to its potential!

Forget tigers. Forget Texas. Forget bitchy moms. Forget crazy grandfathers. Forget everything else. And allow yourself to really, really enjoy the relationship that took 5 books to finally evolve to this perfect place. Ty & Zane are SO IN LOVE in this book and it's BEAUTIFUL and AMAZING and HYSTERICAL and SWEET and, and, and... Less angst and more LOVE! :)

And as an added treat, we finally get to meet Zane's family and get to know more about HIM!!! Harrison Garrett, Zane's dad...what a hero! Love that guy!

Thank goodness the writing has gotten better in this book as well! There are some really classic one-liners that were fantastically funny!

"Quit your bitching and go buy me a Stetson"
"Ball prints on my hood!"
"Don't be grabby. It's rude"
"Can I rent Chester, do you think?"
"Have we had the 'I hate you' conversation lately? I'd like have that one again. Real soon."

Loved it. Love them.

WE WANT MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was originally going to give this 5 stars but then I read the next in the series and it was just so amazing and a total 5 star for me that I had to drop my rating for this one to 4 stars .... logical - maybe not?? I really should do my reviews straight away after reading a book but I was traveling and just had not time.



Ty is just too cute. I love him. Love Zane too.


Like Zane's dad. Not too keen on the Mom.




Onwards and upwards to read the next book ...

[LenaRibka · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,7 SWEET SWEET SWEET SWEET SWEET TIGER STARS!!!

Stars & Stripes was the sweetest sequel of the whole series for me until now. Everything here, absolutely EVERYTHING was sticky like honey!

My number one - Barnum, a Bengal tiger with a floppy ear from Exotic Animal Sanctuary, Texas. Is it possible not to fall hard for this sweetie?!



It is why Ty did! Lucky Ty, it was mutually!



What do we have here?

♥ Texas! The reason why Zane had to come back home was not very pleasant, but- I can't help myself!-TEXAS WAS SWEEEEEET!!!
Alone for the reason to see Ty in cowboy hut!!



♥ Horses!. Ty think they are horrible, but it is the reason why they are sweeeeet!!



♥ Families!. We know Ty's family, and here we are introduced to Zane's family. They are all- except his mother- very nice people!
I ask myself why for god sake he had no contact to them all this years?!
Okay, this problem was fixed here! And the problem with his inheritance was solved also with the best results for Zane! And they outed themselves to their families!!!
Is it not sweeeeeet?


♥ The tiger!!! Sorry, I'm repeating myself, but Barnum is the most sweeeeetest sweetie I have ever known as tiger! Barnum has a perfect feeling for timing. It was always at the right time on the right place!
I'd like to adopt it, but Ty was unfortunately quicker!


♥ ZANE!! Zane was like a big sweet lollipop. Do you know what they are good for?!


♥ EVEN THE ACTION SCENES WERE EXTREMELY SWEET!!!

You won't believe me until you read it yourself. Doesn't matter that they were supposed to be dangerous, I have not noticed it!


♥ SEX! SEX was sticky sweeeet! AND HOT!!! There are 3 great sex scenes. I was about to pack my suitcase and book a one way ticket to Texas!

"You're so getting laid tonight."
"Lucky me."

My last thoughts:
Normally I should got a sugar shock at least around a half of the book because of so much sweetness!
Normally I start to roll my eyes if there are too much sugar in my books. I am allergic to it.
Normally it is a point for me to start to be a sarcastic bitch. I can't help myself, I am not that sweet as you could think. Sometimes.

Though I have to disappoint all of you who hoped to read a sarcastic review here!!!! No No No!!!
In spite of the fact that at the end of the book I was lying buried under multiple layers of chocolate, cream and sugar icing near to collapse because of too much SWEETness, I am still badly in love with this two guys!!!!


This tiger adventure in Texas was FUN PURE!!!
I was smiling reading it, I was smiling turning the last page and I think I still have a stupid smile on my face.
AND I WANT MORE!!!!

"...There are so many paths in life. Some we choose, and some are chosen for us. We walk our paths without looking down and that's the life we lead. The only things you'll get from guessing where another path would have gone are questions you can't answer and heartache you can't ever soothe."
Zane met Ty's eyes, gazing at him as a sense of calm seeped into his bones. He smiled. "You're like a damn walking fortune cookie, you know that?"

I know it.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Posted on Under the Covers

Just when I thought I couldn’t love this series any more than I already do, Roux gives us a fantastic, heartfelt, yet adventure-filled ride with STARS & STRIPES! This book blew my mind from beginning to end. Just 30 pages into this book, Roux had me laughing out loud and also crying with the amount of heartbreak. If there is one M/M couple out there who has my heart, it’s Ty and Zane. The trials and tribulations they have experienced by being together are finally brought up in STARS & STRIPES. Readers who have been following this series will finally get what they have been praying for: Ty and Zane come out to their parents. But the reveal isn’t an easy one.

Their parents are just now finding out that their children are gay and they don’t always take it well. Some are more accepting than others and that just warms my heart, but at the same time, there are a few who simply can’t stand the fact that their son is gay and it just breaks my heart to read about this happening to my two favorite guys.

Added to that stress is the fact that Zane’s father has been shot in Texas. So Zane takes a trip back home where he hasn’t been in a while to try and figure out what has happened. It turns out that more is going on because dangerous animal predators, the Benal tigers are going missing from their shelters. Panic arises in Texas as these tigers continue to be taken.

In comes Ty, providing a helping hand (even though one hand is broken), yet nothing can separate Ty from Zane. They are in it together and when Zane is feeling the wrath from his mother, Ty is there to remind him that he is not alone.

STARS & STRIPES was a thrill to read from the very first page. Roux seems to have taken this series in stride and doesn’t seem like she has any intentions of slowly down anytime soon. It was perfect, the ideal blend of the wickedly entertaining hysterics and so much passion and love. So much.

Worthy of note is the Roux’s ability to write sex scenes. I’ve read so many sex scenes both of the M/M genre and not, but none of them can truly compare to the ones we’ve seen in this series and particularly this book. Roux fuses rough, dirty rutting with passionate embraces and lingering kisses. It’s as if Roux possesses a secret ingredient that she adds into these scenes to make them more delicious. Whatever it is, I hope she had a hoard of it in her keeping. It’s gold!

STARS & STRIPES is easily one of my favorite reads of 2012 and Ty and Zane are my favorite M/M couple ever. Roux just writes on a higher calibre and I think STARS & STRIPES tops even that!

Favorite Quote #1:

“Is that a mirror in your pocket, baby?” he said to Clancy with a goofy leer. “’Cause I can sure see myself in your pants.”


Favorite Quote #2:

“How is it that you love cats so much and hate all other forms of animal?”
Ty frowned. “I don’t hate all other animals.”
“Horses. Dogs. Chipmunks.”
“They’re twitchy, Zane. And chipmunks have shifty eyes.”
“Moths?”
“They have erratic flight patterns!”

*ARC provided by publisher

P.S. I am stoked about a character named Annie in this. Just. Because.

Want more? Check out my interview with Abigail Roux on Under the Covers

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stars & Stripes by Abigail Roux is the sixth in a gay romance series. In my review of the fifth book, Armed & Dangerous, I talk a little more about why I was hesitant to pick these books up but did anyway. I also talked about my Abigail-Roux-probably-ought-to-be-scared-of-me-because-I’m-such-a-rabid-fan-level of obsession. Seriously, y’all. There are no words for how much I LOVE THIS SERIES, OMG.

So, Abigail Roux had a co-writer for the first four books, but I am definitely a huge fan of her solo writing endeavors. The writing is much more polished, and I’m pretty sure she did basically all of the real plotting from the beginning anyway. In this installment, Ty and Zane, our two favorite FBI agents and lovers, hit the road. First, they spend a little time in West Virginia with Ty’s family. The bulk of the book, however, is spent in Texas getting to see Zane’s family for the first time. Chaos ensues, as it inevitably does around our boys. (Also: Ty with a new unlikely finger injury? Check!)

I love Ty’s family. Seriously. Even Earl when he acts like a jackass. But Ty’s grandpa Chester? I have never wanted to hug someone so bad in my life. You guys – he steals the show in Stars & Stripes. No lie. If you’ve read the book, I am 100% sure you agree with me. The only downfall of seeing them in this book was how brief it was.

Zane’s parents are a mixed bag. His mom is TERRIBLE. Luckily, his dad almost makes up for it. In fact, he is up there with Chester as one of my favorite parts of the book. (Best line in the whole thing too…gay bulls. *snort*)

The mystery is throwaway for me in this one, it didn’t really do anything for me at all. Do I care? No. There was so much quality Ty & Zane time that Stars & Stripes is one of my favorite books in the series anyway. Every single time they are able to express their feelings to each other, I melt into a puddle of fangirly goo. It took them a long time – and several books – to get here, and I am enjoying every second of it. (Especially since I’ve got a feeling things won’t be so smooth in the next book, Touch & Geaux.)

To Sum it Up:

-If the thought of two tough, rugged FBI agents falling in love with each other intrigues you, this series is for you.

-If the thought of two tough, rugged FBI agents constantly butting heads with each other intrigues you, this series is for you.

-If the thought of two tough, rugged FBI agents getting it on at every available opportunity doesn’t intrigue you – you can skip those parts, this series is for you.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read 25th April - 28th April 2018

Another fabulous read I really can’t get enough of these two.

Ty’s T.shirts don’t feature as strongly now (I assume that must have been one of Madeleines things) but we have.

Gravity –It’s the Law

The more I read about Ty the more I fall in love with him, he’s a loveable enigma.

Ty frowned. “I don’t hate all other animals.”
“Horses. Dogs. Chipmunks.”
“They’re twitchy, Zane. And chipmunks have shifty eyes.”
“Moths?”
“They have erratic flight patterns!”

“Come on, Elmer. Let’s go find a glue factory,” Ty said to his horse, who tossed its head and snorted as if in argument.
“Uh-huh, you know why? Opposable thumbs, bitch!”
“Man’s crazy,” Zane’s uncle said to Harrison. Zane grinned. Harrison nodded and they watched Ty argue with the horse. “Seems to work for him.”
“That’s why I’m up here, and you’re the one wearing the saddle,” Ty told his horse as they headed off.

Original review.
This time it's the turn of Zane's family, another interesting bunch. As always the writing is fabulous we've come so far with these two and hopefully there's a lot longer to go it will be a very sad day when this series ends. I read this book again the other night and I'd forgotten just how funny it is, it was a mistake reading it in bed as I was shaking with laughter and tears were rolling down my face, just love these guys.

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say... I still adore Ty and Zane and will continue to read each new book in the series but I think this book stretched the boundaries of reality. I mean, come on, a gay couple coming out in Texas and West Virginia receiving immediate acceptance from most people. That just wouldn't happen. I live in the liberal north east and even still, two guys holding hands in a local bar would turn more than a few heads. This isn't the Village. Don't get me wrong, I think it should be totally commonplace and totally accepted and a non-issue but that isn't reality. Also, why are they so freaking good at everything. Amazing painter, world-class singer... come on. Still, I adore Ty and Zane so I'm willing to suspend reality but it didn't read true to me in many ways. Hoping for a marriage proposal in the next book though!