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Lucky Jeff Ranch #1
Two Sides of the Same Coin by Jake Mactire
Leaving his boyfriend behind in San Francisco, cowboy and struggling artist Jeff Connelly returns to the family ranch after his father’s death and meets the man who will become a large part of his ranch hand Mike Guidry. Mike starts out cynical, bitter, and very unfriendly, but he warms to Jeff when he realizes Jeff just might be the friend he needs.Life on the ranch is as hard as Jeff he has to deal with cattle rustling and the stress of hoping the business will break even while he weathers changes in attitude from the locals, harassment, prejudice, and betrayal. Jeff and Mike will embark on a plan to secure the ranch’s future, try to find a way to live and love together, and discover that they’re more alike than they’d ever have dreamed.
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 26, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 3, 2011
This was a waste of $$ and to top it off I couldn't finish this book...
10 reasons why I disliked this so much...(keep in mind I came up with this list after stopping reading at 25%...)
1. Long-winded descriptions of everything and anything
2. Inane dialogue (lots and lots of it)
3. Irrelevant scenes that did nothing to advance the story
4. I think the author was hungry when they wrote this, there are some very detailed food descriptions that are completely unnecessary
5. If I had to read one more time about the skin tight long handles & how they were so revealing I was going to barf
6. Stupid MC nicknames - Jeffy and Buddy (I mean REALLY??? How old are we?)
7. One of the MCs is supposed to be deep in the closet - he goes from anonymous rest stop sex to being all over the MC in about 5 min flat, e.g. twirling Jeffy's sweaty red jock in front of Jeffy on his finger & asking him to model it...
8. The cattle rustling part of the plot was dumb...we also had to endure two pages of the MC doing math calculations to reveal the true extent of the value of the theft
9. I hated Jeffy & Buddy
10. Life is too short so I threw in the towel...I was not even interested enough to read until the 1st sex scene - I just didn't care...
10 reasons why I disliked this so much...(keep in mind I came up with this list after stopping reading at 25%...)
1. Long-winded descriptions of everything and anything
2. Inane dialogue (lots and lots of it)
3. Irrelevant scenes that did nothing to advance the story
4. I think the author was hungry when they wrote this, there are some very detailed food descriptions that are completely unnecessary
5. If I had to read one more time about the skin tight long handles & how they were so revealing I was going to barf
6. Stupid MC nicknames - Jeffy and Buddy (I mean REALLY??? How old are we?)
7. One of the MCs is supposed to be deep in the closet - he goes from anonymous rest stop sex to being all over the MC in about 5 min flat, e.g. twirling Jeffy's sweaty red jock in front of Jeffy on his finger & asking him to model it...
8. The cattle rustling part of the plot was dumb...we also had to endure two pages of the MC doing math calculations to reveal the true extent of the value of the theft
9. I hated Jeffy & Buddy
10. Life is too short so I threw in the towel...I was not even interested enough to read until the 1st sex scene - I just didn't care...
December 10, 2011
Jeff Connelly has run into a bit of a bad streak. His father died in a car accident - hit by a drunk driver. He has to leave his life in San Francisco to come back to the family ranch in Washington state to handle the funeral arrangements. See how things stand on the ranch. And Robert, his boyfriend, has no interest in helping. In fact, he is trying to change Jeff, wanting him to leave his cowboying and rodeo ways behind and use his accounting degree. Become "civilized".
Mike Guidry is a cast off, thrown out by an uncaring family when he was 16. Dropped off at the bus station in Nebraska by his fundamentalist preacher dad with a ticket to San Francisco and $200, told to go live with other perverts and abominations. He learned early not to trust anyone - keep other people at arm's length and they can't hurt you first. He has worked his way up in the world, finding his way through working on ranches, and has been working on the Lucky Jeff Ranch. For Jeff's dad.
When Jeff starts working the ranch and meets Mike, he is attracted. But he is with Robert, and doesn't know if Mike is gay. After deciding to stay on the ranch, breaking up with Robert, and getting closer to Mike, both of their walls start to come down. And they wonder if maybe Jeff's dad set them up a little.
Then some cattle go missing from the ranch. And then one of the ranch hands is murdered, shot in the back. Jeff and Mike do some digging, and discover that the rustling is widespread, covering quite a few ranches spread out over several counties in the area.
Between investigating the rustlings, running the ranch, starting a relationship with Mike and working on his art, Jeff is one busy man. And when his and Mike's lives are put in danger, and he is in the line of fire, will they stay safe, or will his new found happiness be taken away?
Jake Mactire has written a sprawling, involved, detailed and very entertaining book here. His characters are earthy, real, fun, and ultimately oh so human and fallible. Jeff is a cocky guy, but truly a good man at heart - supported by his dad early on, he grew up strong and sure of himself. Mike, on the other hand, grew up beaten down mentally and physically, and is so unsure of himself, but is, like Jeff, such a good man at his core. Jeff is Mike, without the abuse, Mike, Jeff with the advantages. As the title says, two sides of the same coin.
There is a huge level of detail in this book - I have read some reviews critical of this. I find it true to the characters and story. This book is about salt of the earth people, and the everyday is what is important. From meals to work to loving and sex, these are the things that make their hearts sing and their days full. To cowboys, ranchers, farmers, food and fun and a good man or woman fill the days and the nights with love. Mr. Mactire honors them and us by showing us what matters to them.
These are the men and women I grew up with. Honest, warm, loving, real. Nothing special, but oh-so-solid and good. People that hold you up when you need it and surprise you when you least expect it. Kind of like this book.
I enjoyed sitting and visiting with these folks in this book, and having a cup of coffee while I shared their days and nights with them. Jeff and Mike touched me, and I hope they will you too.
Give this book a chance - it may surprise you.
Tom
Mike Guidry is a cast off, thrown out by an uncaring family when he was 16. Dropped off at the bus station in Nebraska by his fundamentalist preacher dad with a ticket to San Francisco and $200, told to go live with other perverts and abominations. He learned early not to trust anyone - keep other people at arm's length and they can't hurt you first. He has worked his way up in the world, finding his way through working on ranches, and has been working on the Lucky Jeff Ranch. For Jeff's dad.
When Jeff starts working the ranch and meets Mike, he is attracted. But he is with Robert, and doesn't know if Mike is gay. After deciding to stay on the ranch, breaking up with Robert, and getting closer to Mike, both of their walls start to come down. And they wonder if maybe Jeff's dad set them up a little.
Then some cattle go missing from the ranch. And then one of the ranch hands is murdered, shot in the back. Jeff and Mike do some digging, and discover that the rustling is widespread, covering quite a few ranches spread out over several counties in the area.
Between investigating the rustlings, running the ranch, starting a relationship with Mike and working on his art, Jeff is one busy man. And when his and Mike's lives are put in danger, and he is in the line of fire, will they stay safe, or will his new found happiness be taken away?
Jake Mactire has written a sprawling, involved, detailed and very entertaining book here. His characters are earthy, real, fun, and ultimately oh so human and fallible. Jeff is a cocky guy, but truly a good man at heart - supported by his dad early on, he grew up strong and sure of himself. Mike, on the other hand, grew up beaten down mentally and physically, and is so unsure of himself, but is, like Jeff, such a good man at his core. Jeff is Mike, without the abuse, Mike, Jeff with the advantages. As the title says, two sides of the same coin.
There is a huge level of detail in this book - I have read some reviews critical of this. I find it true to the characters and story. This book is about salt of the earth people, and the everyday is what is important. From meals to work to loving and sex, these are the things that make their hearts sing and their days full. To cowboys, ranchers, farmers, food and fun and a good man or woman fill the days and the nights with love. Mr. Mactire honors them and us by showing us what matters to them.
These are the men and women I grew up with. Honest, warm, loving, real. Nothing special, but oh-so-solid and good. People that hold you up when you need it and surprise you when you least expect it. Kind of like this book.
I enjoyed sitting and visiting with these folks in this book, and having a cup of coffee while I shared their days and nights with them. Jeff and Mike touched me, and I hope they will you too.
Give this book a chance - it may surprise you.
Tom
August 16, 2011
“Buddy, We done used up this day…” Those must have been the most frequently used words in this somewhat unpolished but still enjoyable book. I bought the paperback version of this book on an impulse while browsing my local independent bookstore and generally, I’ve not regretted it.
A couple of qualifications are in order: This book needs some editing, not a great amount, but some editing that would round out out some of the rough passages in the prose and heighten its colour and sparkle. The author takes great pains to describe scenery, clothing, cooking, baking, and in that manner, the writing can get a little bogged down. A startling facet where this tendency of the author to over-describe is when one of the protagonists, Jeff, feels the need to explain and verbally analyze to his love interest why he feels the way he feels. His ardent declarations then sounds almost pedantic and there’s no greater mood killing, cockblocker in a love scene than when our romantic hero begins to suffer from the paralysis of analysis.
The book reads a little like a storybook written for avid readers among the pre-juvenile set and as such, can read a little dry. Perhaps a more apt description of the writing style is straightforward, thorough. The prose doesn’t so much sing or gallop or soar as much as mark time with metronomic efficiency and maybe the author adopted this style on purpose with the thought that cowboys would generally be men of few words, unaccustomed to articulating their deepest thoughts and feelings but finding the most direct and honest words to express them anyway, no matter how unimaginative and laboured.
That style of storytelling would work for a lot of people, but not quite completely so for me. The prose really didn’t draw me in even as the story was being narrated in the first person. I always felt a little removed from Jeff and Mike, like I was observing their life from outside peering into one of the windows of their home. Instead of being completely lost in their world, living their life and breathing their world, I felt like an outsider, welcome but not necessarily intimately included.
The plot itself had a lot of potential and I really did manage to remain absorbed in the events that unfolded in Jeff and Mike’s life. I think what I would would find a little wanting in Two Sides of the Same Coin is a little more juice, a little more willingness on the author’s part to open up his prose so that I, his reader, could enter the space he opens up with his words and get into the hearts and minds of all his characters. The stories I find I most enjoy are the ones where the author has adopted a confiding tone, almost like encouraging his readers to get in on a secret shared among good, close friends.
One of the many strengths of this story is the author’s knowledge and facility in writing about many subjects; the Pacific Northwest east of the Cascades, ranching, cattle driving, metallurgy, country music and dancing and get this, wicca and the Tarot! The inclusion of all these many and varied other subjects added to my overall enjoyment of the book.
Now, to find a skillful editor to clean up some of the bumpiness in the prose and to just a little more zest and zing to the generally solid but stolid quality of the writing.
A couple of qualifications are in order: This book needs some editing, not a great amount, but some editing that would round out out some of the rough passages in the prose and heighten its colour and sparkle. The author takes great pains to describe scenery, clothing, cooking, baking, and in that manner, the writing can get a little bogged down. A startling facet where this tendency of the author to over-describe is when one of the protagonists, Jeff, feels the need to explain and verbally analyze to his love interest why he feels the way he feels. His ardent declarations then sounds almost pedantic and there’s no greater mood killing, cockblocker in a love scene than when our romantic hero begins to suffer from the paralysis of analysis.
The book reads a little like a storybook written for avid readers among the pre-juvenile set and as such, can read a little dry. Perhaps a more apt description of the writing style is straightforward, thorough. The prose doesn’t so much sing or gallop or soar as much as mark time with metronomic efficiency and maybe the author adopted this style on purpose with the thought that cowboys would generally be men of few words, unaccustomed to articulating their deepest thoughts and feelings but finding the most direct and honest words to express them anyway, no matter how unimaginative and laboured.
That style of storytelling would work for a lot of people, but not quite completely so for me. The prose really didn’t draw me in even as the story was being narrated in the first person. I always felt a little removed from Jeff and Mike, like I was observing their life from outside peering into one of the windows of their home. Instead of being completely lost in their world, living their life and breathing their world, I felt like an outsider, welcome but not necessarily intimately included.
The plot itself had a lot of potential and I really did manage to remain absorbed in the events that unfolded in Jeff and Mike’s life. I think what I would would find a little wanting in Two Sides of the Same Coin is a little more juice, a little more willingness on the author’s part to open up his prose so that I, his reader, could enter the space he opens up with his words and get into the hearts and minds of all his characters. The stories I find I most enjoy are the ones where the author has adopted a confiding tone, almost like encouraging his readers to get in on a secret shared among good, close friends.
One of the many strengths of this story is the author’s knowledge and facility in writing about many subjects; the Pacific Northwest east of the Cascades, ranching, cattle driving, metallurgy, country music and dancing and get this, wicca and the Tarot! The inclusion of all these many and varied other subjects added to my overall enjoyment of the book.
Now, to find a skillful editor to clean up some of the bumpiness in the prose and to just a little more zest and zing to the generally solid but stolid quality of the writing.
May 27, 2011
There’s just no getting past it; first and foremost, this is a love story! One that will linger and replay on your mind, when you least expect it…
I love that I related to Jeff and Mike. These two hot cowboys and the problems they faced were realistic. Those problems require solutions, there are compromises that have to be made, conflicts to face, plans that may need changing and on top of all that, a ranch to run. Their personal attitudes and ideals, past experiences and how it influences their present and any future they make together, is tested. As the title suggests, they are in many ways, two sides of the same coin but from vastly different backgrounds and experiences. For Mike, confronting those demons and accepting his sexual preference and the man he’s become, is huge!
I really liked that the attraction and their eventual coming together is a gradual thing. Jeff is still in a relationship in the beginning and though it’s been going sour for some time, he’s not into jumping into bed with the first guy that gives him the eye. It’s so satisfying ‘watching’ as these two feel the power of their attraction for one another. How it builds and builds continually until they can no longer deny how they feel and making love is the ultimate expression. They’re men. More, they’re cowboys, rough and tough, strong and capable, so it’s even more thrilling to watch a love tender, new and a little scary, bring these boys to their knees. It makes the characters all the more real because of it. You can’t help but identify with them and hope that they have what it takes to make a future together.
There’s friendship, camaraderie, danger, murder and mayhem, especially when cattle rustlers threaten the very viability of the ranch and the lives of those living there. It’s about ‘sticking together,’ helping each other through the tough; building solid foundations and strengthening the bonds of friendship. It’s about courage. Courage to grab and hold onto something real and precious, even when there’s fear you might be wrong, yet finding the courage and strength to do it anyway. It’s about intolerance and injustice; prejudice resulting from fear and hatred, how those challenges define and direct the characters and the choices they make. Last but not least, it’s a story that reminds us, that life is a journey. A journey, that if we’re really lucky and want it bad enough, we might just get to share it with someone who makes us complete.
Jake Mactire brings this story to life with an affinity you can’t help but empathize and relate to. He draws you in with a subtlety that will make you grin -when you realize you’re half way through it and wondering where the time went! It’s simple in it’s message yet well told and sincere. As my first gay romance, I had no idea how I’d feel about the explicit sex. I found it sensual, erotic enough to burn down the house and convincing. It was love and that’s always beautiful in my book! Don’t miss this gem!
originally posted at http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
I love that I related to Jeff and Mike. These two hot cowboys and the problems they faced were realistic. Those problems require solutions, there are compromises that have to be made, conflicts to face, plans that may need changing and on top of all that, a ranch to run. Their personal attitudes and ideals, past experiences and how it influences their present and any future they make together, is tested. As the title suggests, they are in many ways, two sides of the same coin but from vastly different backgrounds and experiences. For Mike, confronting those demons and accepting his sexual preference and the man he’s become, is huge!
I really liked that the attraction and their eventual coming together is a gradual thing. Jeff is still in a relationship in the beginning and though it’s been going sour for some time, he’s not into jumping into bed with the first guy that gives him the eye. It’s so satisfying ‘watching’ as these two feel the power of their attraction for one another. How it builds and builds continually until they can no longer deny how they feel and making love is the ultimate expression. They’re men. More, they’re cowboys, rough and tough, strong and capable, so it’s even more thrilling to watch a love tender, new and a little scary, bring these boys to their knees. It makes the characters all the more real because of it. You can’t help but identify with them and hope that they have what it takes to make a future together.
There’s friendship, camaraderie, danger, murder and mayhem, especially when cattle rustlers threaten the very viability of the ranch and the lives of those living there. It’s about ‘sticking together,’ helping each other through the tough; building solid foundations and strengthening the bonds of friendship. It’s about courage. Courage to grab and hold onto something real and precious, even when there’s fear you might be wrong, yet finding the courage and strength to do it anyway. It’s about intolerance and injustice; prejudice resulting from fear and hatred, how those challenges define and direct the characters and the choices they make. Last but not least, it’s a story that reminds us, that life is a journey. A journey, that if we’re really lucky and want it bad enough, we might just get to share it with someone who makes us complete.
Jake Mactire brings this story to life with an affinity you can’t help but empathize and relate to. He draws you in with a subtlety that will make you grin -when you realize you’re half way through it and wondering where the time went! It’s simple in it’s message yet well told and sincere. As my first gay romance, I had no idea how I’d feel about the explicit sex. I found it sensual, erotic enough to burn down the house and convincing. It was love and that’s always beautiful in my book! Don’t miss this gem!
originally posted at http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
November 9, 2012
Oh this book was amazing, it took me a while to read and I regret it now. I loved the characters, the story and the overall feel from the book. Mike and Jeff were such a cute couple and I loved how they interacted even before they got together. It was nice to see the contrast of Jeff the openly gay, and proud character, to Mike the closeted character. One thing I really admired about Mike was he came out because he loved Jeff and really wanted to be with him. I also loved that they were not only lovers, but best friend too, that made this book perfect to me.
Individually the characters were similar, but came from different backgrounds and had different gay experiences. Jeff was such a witty character and it was fun to read that, I loved the way Mike kind of molded to Jeff. The other characters were amazing too, I loved the way it was like reading about a family. Even the characters I hated were well written, the reverend added a lot of humor to the book even though he was a homophobic bigot.
The crime and mystery was nicely done, although I wish the killer had been someone else. It took up half the plot, which made this book more than just a simple romance. The cowboy theme was great, I really have a thing for cowboys which was why I marked this book as to read. Overall this was an amazing book and I really admire Jake Mactire's work. The fact that the characters are real people as well is amazing :)
Individually the characters were similar, but came from different backgrounds and had different gay experiences. Jeff was such a witty character and it was fun to read that, I loved the way Mike kind of molded to Jeff. The other characters were amazing too, I loved the way it was like reading about a family. Even the characters I hated were well written, the reverend added a lot of humor to the book even though he was a homophobic bigot.
The crime and mystery was nicely done, although I wish the killer had been someone else. It took up half the plot, which made this book more than just a simple romance. The cowboy theme was great, I really have a thing for cowboys which was why I marked this book as to read. Overall this was an amazing book and I really admire Jake Mactire's work. The fact that the characters are real people as well is amazing :)
February 15, 2011
The story if this book is truly enjoyable. The romance between Jeff and Mike starts slow and builds steady into something real and strong, simple LOVE. So from this point of view the story is really awesome.
But the plot even if I can say it's developed and action's with a lot of people interacting, you can see who is the bed guy. I don't know what that sheriff was doing but not his job in this story. Anyway the story is good and romantic with warmth and positive message.
In my opinion this story is to full of activity of whole small city, a bit to much.
But the plot even if I can say it's developed and action's with a lot of people interacting, you can see who is the bed guy. I don't know what that sheriff was doing but not his job in this story. Anyway the story is good and romantic with warmth and positive message.
In my opinion this story is to full of activity of whole small city, a bit to much.
February 24, 2015
This well written cowboy story was a fun read. Mike and Jeff were perfect together and the large cast of characters brought the story home. Mr. Mactire went into explicit detail which at first annoyed me but as I read on I saw that it was necessary. The love and affection between the group of friends is the central theme of the story along with the fact that a gay or lesbian can do anything a straight can. The mystery behind the cattle rustlers is easily solved early on but it's a good side story. All told, this is a good, worth while read.
February 24, 2013
2.5 stars.
This needed to be much more tightly written and edited. Too much stuff that didn't advance the plot or add to characterisation and WAAAAY too much sex (and every sex scene read the same as the last). I almost gave it up several times but I wanted to see what the villain's motivation was (not who the villain was because that was clear within the first quarter or so of the story).
This needed to be much more tightly written and edited. Too much stuff that didn't advance the plot or add to characterisation and WAAAAY too much sex (and every sex scene read the same as the last). I almost gave it up several times but I wanted to see what the villain's motivation was (not who the villain was because that was clear within the first quarter or so of the story).
January 12, 2015
I really enjoyed all the characters in this book and I'm going to read the sequel. The reason I only gave it three stars is because I feel the whole book really needed a good editor to make it outstanding. The bones are there, but the book needs trimming and shaping.
September 26, 2012
I couldn't finish this. I was so bored while reading it. There was no sense of urgency trying to solve the crimes being committed on the Ranch. AND if I had to read "Buddy" one more time, I'd scream. The nickname came up at least 3 times a page.
December 27, 2012
1.5 stars
Jeff was a gay man lived in San Francisco with a boyfriend. He had to go back to his ranch in WA when his father died of car accident. There he met Mike, one of the helps. They were attracted to each other, which made Jeff wonder if his place was in the ranch where he grew up.
This has strong opening, but it goes a bit too long unnecessarily. I liked the portrayal of their everyday life, but at one point that and the sex become boring. Everything is descriptive, and rather flat. When there's emotion involved, it goes over the top.
To me, this is a religious tract, not just an M/M story. Oh, not for Christianity, like usually people would assume, but for Wicca. The message of acceptance, love, etc., sounds hollow to me. The characters keep talking about not stereotyping, but that's exactly what the author does. There is no single 'good' Christian in the book. They're all portrayed as not only anti-gay, but are always ready to kill the gays.
It bothers me because I enjoy equal opportunity, and I don't really enjoy overtly religious theme in my m/m romance. I surely don't like hypocrite who says something and behaves another. The way the story goes, the Reverend is not the only one.
Jeff was a gay man lived in San Francisco with a boyfriend. He had to go back to his ranch in WA when his father died of car accident. There he met Mike, one of the helps. They were attracted to each other, which made Jeff wonder if his place was in the ranch where he grew up.
This has strong opening, but it goes a bit too long unnecessarily. I liked the portrayal of their everyday life, but at one point that and the sex become boring. Everything is descriptive, and rather flat. When there's emotion involved, it goes over the top.
To me, this is a religious tract, not just an M/M story. Oh, not for Christianity, like usually people would assume, but for Wicca. The message of acceptance, love, etc., sounds hollow to me. The characters keep talking about not stereotyping, but that's exactly what the author does. There is no single 'good' Christian in the book. They're all portrayed as not only anti-gay, but are always ready to kill the gays.
It bothers me because I enjoy equal opportunity, and I don't really enjoy overtly religious theme in my m/m romance. I surely don't like hypocrite who says something and behaves another. The way the story goes, the Reverend is not the only one.
July 15, 2016
Could Have Been Amazing, But...
Let's get this out of the way first: Jeff and Mike are two of the best developed, deeply entwined, and masculine gay cowboys you will ever meet. The basic plotlines here--love story and the action--are very well handled and extremely authentic.
The love scenes are absolutely amazing, absolutely riveting and creative. The first-person narration by Jeff is brilliantly played in what I can only expect is an authentic representation of Northeastern Washington State ranch territory.
You will fall in love with Jeff and Mike and all the attendant characters, and be able to figure out who the vermin is who is killing, and trying to kill--but won't find out why until the very end. Terrific, no?
Noooooooooooooo! I guess this is just the first of author Mactire's books (it seems he has only written this one and the sequel), but I can tell you that he needs a copy editor--ex-post facto! Virtually every single breath is recorded here in every scene, homilies and memories are constantly repeated, and "we done used up this day" is nice once in a while, but not at the end of each day.
This one took me a while to get through when I should have been able to complete it in two days. I would strongly recommend it to cowboy lovers and "cowboy lover" lovers, but I would also strongly recommend that it be issued in a new edition without all the superfluous words.
Let's get this out of the way first: Jeff and Mike are two of the best developed, deeply entwined, and masculine gay cowboys you will ever meet. The basic plotlines here--love story and the action--are very well handled and extremely authentic.
The love scenes are absolutely amazing, absolutely riveting and creative. The first-person narration by Jeff is brilliantly played in what I can only expect is an authentic representation of Northeastern Washington State ranch territory.
You will fall in love with Jeff and Mike and all the attendant characters, and be able to figure out who the vermin is who is killing, and trying to kill--but won't find out why until the very end. Terrific, no?
Noooooooooooooo! I guess this is just the first of author Mactire's books (it seems he has only written this one and the sequel), but I can tell you that he needs a copy editor--ex-post facto! Virtually every single breath is recorded here in every scene, homilies and memories are constantly repeated, and "we done used up this day" is nice once in a while, but not at the end of each day.
This one took me a while to get through when I should have been able to complete it in two days. I would strongly recommend it to cowboy lovers and "cowboy lover" lovers, but I would also strongly recommend that it be issued in a new edition without all the superfluous words.
June 8, 2011
Two Sides of the Same Coin is one of those books that I have a hard time shoehorning into a rating scale. There is so much that I liked about the book; how the characters stayed true to their personalities, in voice and deed, how everything that was said, done, or implied feed into the plot. There were no extraneous characters or unnecessary subplots that would take away from the story. The tone and voice of the narration was consistent and fit very well with a cowboy story. There's just a lot to like in this book.
However, there are a few things that I didn't like. The plot is quite transparent and the who-done-it is fairly easy to guess--early on. At times the story feels a bit pedestrian and moralistic, but luckily those times are few. The first two thirds of the book was spent in exploring man-on-man sex, very vanilla, but for the remaining part of the book the sex quickly turned to BDSM. Nothing heavy mind you, but I'm sure that's only because the page count was too high to continue down that slope.
Because the positives of this book far out weigh the negatives I give Two Sides of the Same Coin four stars. I look forward to reading more of Mr. Mactire's books. He has a very unique way of telling a story.
August 17, 2011
I enjoyed this story of two cowboys involved in a mystery and a romance. Mike and Jeff are both dealing with some difficult times - losing a parent, getting out of a relationship, dealing with past abuse and lack of self-esteem, etc. However they find a friend and more with each other. While I'm not a huge fan of insta-love (which this is pretty darn fast), I can certainly see how someone like Mike who had been abused and thrown out of his house for being gay would definitely bond very quickly with someone who showed him respect and concern and attraction. The information about the ranch and the rodeo and the cowboy details were new to me and I always like to learn something when I read a story about a different cultural subgroup. I am looking forward to reading the sequel.
September 8, 2011
I really liked this book. The main characters were easy to like and the supporting characters only enriched the story. I did know from early on who the "bad" guy was but that didn't detract from the story.
The only reason this isn't a five star is the nicknames. Something about two guys having sex and one calling the other Jeffy and Jeffy calling his lover buddy was something I didn't like.
It hasn't stopped me from buying the sequel as I did love the characters... just the nicknames got old and hopefully the sequel will be good enough to overlook just how annoying I find the nickname thing to be.
The only reason this isn't a five star is the nicknames. Something about two guys having sex and one calling the other Jeffy and Jeffy calling his lover buddy was something I didn't like.
It hasn't stopped me from buying the sequel as I did love the characters... just the nicknames got old and hopefully the sequel will be good enough to overlook just how annoying I find the nickname thing to be.
October 29, 2013
At 196 page I'm unable finish this book. It's not very bad but boring too tears. I never though I'm gonna tell this but J&B are so sweetishly in love and behaving like teenage girls most of the time I barely could stand it. I have hard time to believe it's a man who wrote it - nothing wrong with sweet/long/predictable/touchy - just not for me, especially in one book.
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April 17, 2011to-read
March 23, 2012
It was painful trying to finish it.
September 27, 2012
Great Book.
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