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Rough in the Saddle #1
Rough in the Saddle
Dear Author,
These two guys were childhood friends. They tried to hide their relationship in the rodeo but they got caught, so they ran away. That is when they found the gay rodeo.
Photo Description:
Two men in ball hats, plaid shirts, jeans, and boots sprawl in their seats in a rodeo grandstand. Their heads rest together and their shoulders touch, and the man on the right has his hand around the other man’s thigh. They are clearly friends, probably lovers. At the rail in front of and below them, three cowboys watch the action in the arena.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
These two guys were childhood friends. They tried to hide their relationship in the rodeo but they got caught, so they ran away. That is when they found the gay rodeo.
Photo Description:
Two men in ball hats, plaid shirts, jeans, and boots sprawl in their seats in a rodeo grandstand. Their heads rest together and their shoulders touch, and the man on the right has his hand around the other man’s thigh. They are clearly friends, probably lovers. At the rail in front of and below them, three cowboys watch the action in the arena.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
76 pages, ebook
First published June 5, 2013
53 people are currently reading
411 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
July 25, 2013
Wade and Macon grew up connected at the hip, the very best of friends before they could even run in their boots.
Before long they were connected at the hip in an entirely different manor, and it was not something easily accepted in the small hick-town they lived in.
A stolen kiss was caught on camera and their ‘outing’ was received poorly, especially from Wade’s father.
Struggling to find a way to live with the love of his life and erase the disgust he can’t seem to shake from his father’s eyes, Wade is torn and miserable. All he really wants is to be happy; happy with Macon, happy in the saddle, just happy.
Can Wade find a way to accept himself, proudly declare who he loves regardless of approval from his family, or will he cave to the pressures and demands of others?
….a couple of phrases made me choke on laughter, but for the most part I truly enjoyed the writing and the story was simply beautiful.
Ohhh, and the photo was intertwined brilliantly.
*4.5 ride-‘em-rough-roping-good stars*
Before long they were connected at the hip in an entirely different manor, and it was not something easily accepted in the small hick-town they lived in.
A stolen kiss was caught on camera and their ‘outing’ was received poorly, especially from Wade’s father.
Struggling to find a way to live with the love of his life and erase the disgust he can’t seem to shake from his father’s eyes, Wade is torn and miserable. All he really wants is to be happy; happy with Macon, happy in the saddle, just happy.
Can Wade find a way to accept himself, proudly declare who he loves regardless of approval from his family, or will he cave to the pressures and demands of others?
….a couple of phrases made me choke on laughter, but for the most part I truly enjoyed the writing and the story was simply beautiful.
Ohhh, and the photo was intertwined brilliantly.
*4.5 ride-‘em-rough-roping-good stars*
December 12, 2015
Wade and Macon grew up together in a small town in Kansas and are friends since ages. When puberty comes, they fool around with each other and soon become lovers. They are hiding their relationship for as long as they can, but at the end the truth about them comes out and they are facing discrimination by most of the narrow minded inhabitants of the small town. Being excluded from rodeo is hitting Wade and Macon very hard. When they get an invitation from a cowboy called Zander to the XYZ ranch in order to participate in a gay rodeo, their life is about to change. I liked the setting and the sex scenes were very hot. I will definitely look into the second part of the series. 4 stars!
June 7, 2013
3.75*
This is a cute free short from the LHNB collection.
Macon and Wade have been friends forever and lovers since they turned 18, an unfortunate moment at a rodeo they were competing in, thrusts them and their relationship into the spotlight.
Friends turn their backs and family isn't supportive.
Wade loves Macon, it's really clear, but he isn't comfortable living together or showing their relationship in the open.
When the pressure and hiding gets to be almost too much for Macon they get an offer they can't refuse.
It's a bit of a fairy tale, they get to live in an awesome environment and do what they love while being with the man he loves.
Sweet, and sexy.
On a side note, I would love to see Zander and his two guys relationship...yes, yes I would.
This is a cute free short from the LHNB collection.
Macon and Wade have been friends forever and lovers since they turned 18, an unfortunate moment at a rodeo they were competing in, thrusts them and their relationship into the spotlight.
Friends turn their backs and family isn't supportive.
Wade loves Macon, it's really clear, but he isn't comfortable living together or showing their relationship in the open.
When the pressure and hiding gets to be almost too much for Macon they get an offer they can't refuse.
It's a bit of a fairy tale, they get to live in an awesome environment and do what they love while being with the man he loves.
Sweet, and sexy.
On a side note, I would love to see Zander and his two guys relationship...yes, yes I would.
June 6, 2013
Great cowboy story with two men, best friends from youth whose love is tainted by life around them until they get a chance at something new. Nice rodeo story with hot, sweet loving.
Favorite quotes:
“Do what you love and love who you want."
Favorite quotes:
“Do what you love and love who you want."
November 10, 2013
*grin* Well I really enjoyed these two. I’m always a bit biased towards liking cowboy stories since I grew up on a ranch, and this one was no exception. Even though it was a minor aspect of the story (in that actual rodeo doesn’t get much time) I really liked the team roping choice. It’s always been one of my favorite parts of the rodeo even if it’s not one of the most glamorous.
Wade and Macon grew up as best friends doing everything together. It was always understood that Wade was going to be a header and Macon his heeler. They’d played at it as kids and now are one of the top teams on the circuit. There romantic relationship may have developed later as teens, but now five years later they’re hopelessly in love and have successfully hid it from everyone. That is until a reporter manages to catch a photo of them kissing after a big win at an event last year. Now they’ve been forced into the open and it isn’t all sunshine and roses in their small bigoted home town or with their families.
Alright, so the gathering of all the top gay cowboys in one place is a little far fetched, but I’m willing to buy it in this case. I guess it’s because I know this world to be dramatically homophobic so I’m ok with the “all together now” mentality. Strength in numbers and all that. Plus I like the message Zander and his boys are going for (would love to know more about these three…hint, hint). Besides sometimes the best stories have to stretch the believable anyway.
As for Macon and Wade themselves, I liked them both a lot. They’re solid cowboy types and despite being the more comfortable of the two, I liked that Macon wasn’t too “twinkish.” He’s still a cowboy after all. This story works because this is an established relationship of long standing. They’re at a crossroads that could make or break their relationship. Can they weather the storm of being outed? I really respected Wade in this situation. He clearly loves Macon and is really struggling to come to grips with everything, to live up to the expectations he’s placed on himself and that his father forces on him. He really has to reevaluate his ideas about life and his place in it due to these circumstances. Macon has less at stake and it’s an easier decision for him. While Wade loves Macon and wants to be able to be with him and open about their relationship he hasn’t come to grips with what that will ultimately mean yet. His realizations at the rodeo were perfectly timed and so sweet.
There were a lot of great things in this story. Hot sex never hurts either. ;) I’d really enjoy reading more within this world.
Wade and Macon grew up as best friends doing everything together. It was always understood that Wade was going to be a header and Macon his heeler. They’d played at it as kids and now are one of the top teams on the circuit. There romantic relationship may have developed later as teens, but now five years later they’re hopelessly in love and have successfully hid it from everyone. That is until a reporter manages to catch a photo of them kissing after a big win at an event last year. Now they’ve been forced into the open and it isn’t all sunshine and roses in their small bigoted home town or with their families.
Alright, so the gathering of all the top gay cowboys in one place is a little far fetched, but I’m willing to buy it in this case. I guess it’s because I know this world to be dramatically homophobic so I’m ok with the “all together now” mentality. Strength in numbers and all that. Plus I like the message Zander and his boys are going for (would love to know more about these three…hint, hint). Besides sometimes the best stories have to stretch the believable anyway.
As for Macon and Wade themselves, I liked them both a lot. They’re solid cowboy types and despite being the more comfortable of the two, I liked that Macon wasn’t too “twinkish.” He’s still a cowboy after all. This story works because this is an established relationship of long standing. They’re at a crossroads that could make or break their relationship. Can they weather the storm of being outed? I really respected Wade in this situation. He clearly loves Macon and is really struggling to come to grips with everything, to live up to the expectations he’s placed on himself and that his father forces on him. He really has to reevaluate his ideas about life and his place in it due to these circumstances. Macon has less at stake and it’s an easier decision for him. While Wade loves Macon and wants to be able to be with him and open about their relationship he hasn’t come to grips with what that will ultimately mean yet. His realizations at the rodeo were perfectly timed and so sweet.
There were a lot of great things in this story. Hot sex never hurts either. ;) I’d really enjoy reading more within this world.
September 7, 2013
I love stories about cowboys! Macon and Wade in this story hit all my buttons: they're best friends since they were kids, have been lovers for five years, and all they want is to live their lives and love each other. Not possible in the Kansas small town they were born in, and the only way for them to be happy, and not be sneered at constantly by the bigots surrounding them, is for them to leave. This, however, is easier said than done, and the conflict and internal turmoil of trying to do the right thing is tearing them apart. Not until they hear about the Gay Rodeo do they even have any specific ideas of what to do.
Wade is in a tough spot. He loves Macon, and wants to be with him. But he also wants his father to accept him, even though, deep down, he knows that will never happen. Well, not in the next ten or fifteen years, from the sound of it. Then there is his mother, who is a little more accepting, and I guess the hope his father could get there too clouds Wade's judgment. He needs to make a decision. And as easy as it is for me or anyone who has never been in that situation to say "Just leave", it isn’t easy for Wade. He is loyal, feels responsible for his father's ranch, and is part-owner of the cattle. He has some growing up to do, and seeing Zander's ranch and all the gay cowboys is an eye-opener for him.
Macon has made his peace with the situation. He knows his parents will never accept him, he wants something more for Wade and him, and he's ready to move away. But he also knows Wade isn’t there yet. As hard as it is for him to stay around, he loves Wade too much to consider leaving on his own. Not without knowing what’s out there, at least. But once he knows about Zander's farm, that may change.
This story does a great job at portraying the conflict Wade faces: stay in the closet and be relatively safe by not ruffling feathers any more than they already are, or come out fully, face the music, and live his lives the way they has a right to. It also shows how tough it can be to make that choice since, despite everything, he loves his parents and is looking for their approval. If you like stories with realistic internal conflicts, if you enjoy reading about men who carve out their own destiny with like-minded men, and if you're looking for a sweet read about hot cowboys and the Gay Rodeo, then you will probably like this free short story.
Wade is in a tough spot. He loves Macon, and wants to be with him. But he also wants his father to accept him, even though, deep down, he knows that will never happen. Well, not in the next ten or fifteen years, from the sound of it. Then there is his mother, who is a little more accepting, and I guess the hope his father could get there too clouds Wade's judgment. He needs to make a decision. And as easy as it is for me or anyone who has never been in that situation to say "Just leave", it isn’t easy for Wade. He is loyal, feels responsible for his father's ranch, and is part-owner of the cattle. He has some growing up to do, and seeing Zander's ranch and all the gay cowboys is an eye-opener for him.
Macon has made his peace with the situation. He knows his parents will never accept him, he wants something more for Wade and him, and he's ready to move away. But he also knows Wade isn’t there yet. As hard as it is for him to stay around, he loves Wade too much to consider leaving on his own. Not without knowing what’s out there, at least. But once he knows about Zander's farm, that may change.
This story does a great job at portraying the conflict Wade faces: stay in the closet and be relatively safe by not ruffling feathers any more than they already are, or come out fully, face the music, and live his lives the way they has a right to. It also shows how tough it can be to make that choice since, despite everything, he loves his parents and is looking for their approval. If you like stories with realistic internal conflicts, if you enjoy reading about men who carve out their own destiny with like-minded men, and if you're looking for a sweet read about hot cowboys and the Gay Rodeo, then you will probably like this free short story.
July 6, 2013
Great story. I have heard of the Gay Rodeo before, but I don't know much about it. I wonder how much of the Gay Rodeo background depicted in the story is actual fact?
ETA: changed my rating from 4 stars to 5, for the simple reason to off-set someone else's one star rating. Nothing pisses me off more than a self-important reviewer who is certainly not skilled enough to produce their own story, but delights in rating a good story badly. These are FREE, SHORT stories, written in a small time period under a strict deadline and obviously cannot be the masterpiece that reviewer seems to think it should be. By their nature, these stories will not be as fully fleshed out as the authors would like and it is unfair for reviewers to expect it. Perhaps these reviewers should volunteer their time to be editors or beta readers, and help out the writers by giving constructive advice beforehand. In the meantime, try saying "thank you for the gift of your story" instead of slamming the writers with a bad rating.
ETA: changed my rating from 4 stars to 5, for the simple reason to off-set someone else's one star rating. Nothing pisses me off more than a self-important reviewer who is certainly not skilled enough to produce their own story, but delights in rating a good story badly. These are FREE, SHORT stories, written in a small time period under a strict deadline and obviously cannot be the masterpiece that reviewer seems to think it should be. By their nature, these stories will not be as fully fleshed out as the authors would like and it is unfair for reviewers to expect it. Perhaps these reviewers should volunteer their time to be editors or beta readers, and help out the writers by giving constructive advice beforehand. In the meantime, try saying "thank you for the gift of your story" instead of slamming the writers with a bad rating.
March 13, 2015
This story was hot! It also was sweet and touching. Macon and Wade had so much love for each other and they needed a place where they could really be themselves as lovers and as ropers.
This is the first of the series and it really has me wanting the other cowboy' s stories.
Even though the title is Macon' s story, this novella is told with both Macon and Wade's perspectives. I was glad for that, but really the title is misleading, it's Macon & Wade' s Story all the way.
This is the first of the series and it really has me wanting the other cowboy' s stories.
Even though the title is Macon' s story, this novella is told with both Macon and Wade's perspectives. I was glad for that, but really the title is misleading, it's Macon & Wade' s Story all the way.
nope-not-for-me-not-interested
December 11, 2018DNF 17%
Not a fan of the writing.
Not a fan of the writing.
April 28, 2014
3.5-4 stars
This was a pretty good story. I really liked Wade and Macon and couldn’t help rooting for them to get their HEA. This is the first story I’ve read by this author and I liked it well enough that I may try more of her work in the future.
Wade and Macon have been best friends since they were kids. They both grew up in a small town in Kansas and trained for rodeo roping as they grew up. One night when they were 18 years old and out camping, their relationship started up and they became lovers. They realized they were in love with each other but kept their relationship a secret because they didn’t’ think anyone would understand. They started traveling the rodeo circuit as a roping team and did well but when a reporter caught a picture of them kissing after a competition and printed it as front page news; it caused a load of trouble for both Wade and Macon. When they got home, the people they grew up with gave them bad looks and showed their disapproval and worse, their families (especially their fathers) weren’t very accepting of their relationship. Because of this, Wade and Macon still hid their love but since everyone knows, the secrecy seems pointless to Macon and he doesn’t understand why Wade insists on hiding what everyone knows.
Things are getting tough for Macon and Wade in their home town and they’re starting to feel the strain in their relationship when an invitation comes their way. They are invited to a “gay rodeo” where the gay cowboys are welcome and even encouraged to come. They decide to go and find that the setup is a nice (and large) ranch with a rodeo rink set up on the ranch. They spend some time there and Zander (the owner and leader of the place) offers them a proposition. We don’t get the details but basically he wants Wade and Zander to join his rodeo team (all gay members) to compete in the rodeos and try to win nationals and also the chance to be partners in his ranch. Since the ranch is a haven for men like them and they can be together with no worries it seems too good to be true. Wade and Macon take some time to think about it while preparing for the rodeo. Things aren’t all perfect though and there are some difficulties they have to deal with. The main issue is Wade’s inability to get past the disapproval instilled in him by his father. Even at the ranch where it’s safe for Macon and Wade to indulge in public displays of affection, Wade doesn’t. He’s still to freaked out by the thought of being labeled “gay” and he risks his relationship with Macon because he won’t embrace their relationship completely. Fortunately, Wade comes to his senses before things go too badly and he embraces his relationship with Macon (and the deal with Zander) so they can go boldly in to their HEA together.
This was a pretty enjoyable story. I’ll admit, I don’t read a lot of M/M stories (I always like a woman in there so I can imagine myself in the mix) but I liked this one and was sucked in by the relationship between the men and the good writing. If you’re in to M/M and cowboys I’d recommend this. :D
This was a pretty good story. I really liked Wade and Macon and couldn’t help rooting for them to get their HEA. This is the first story I’ve read by this author and I liked it well enough that I may try more of her work in the future.
Wade and Macon have been best friends since they were kids. They both grew up in a small town in Kansas and trained for rodeo roping as they grew up. One night when they were 18 years old and out camping, their relationship started up and they became lovers. They realized they were in love with each other but kept their relationship a secret because they didn’t’ think anyone would understand. They started traveling the rodeo circuit as a roping team and did well but when a reporter caught a picture of them kissing after a competition and printed it as front page news; it caused a load of trouble for both Wade and Macon. When they got home, the people they grew up with gave them bad looks and showed their disapproval and worse, their families (especially their fathers) weren’t very accepting of their relationship. Because of this, Wade and Macon still hid their love but since everyone knows, the secrecy seems pointless to Macon and he doesn’t understand why Wade insists on hiding what everyone knows.
Things are getting tough for Macon and Wade in their home town and they’re starting to feel the strain in their relationship when an invitation comes their way. They are invited to a “gay rodeo” where the gay cowboys are welcome and even encouraged to come. They decide to go and find that the setup is a nice (and large) ranch with a rodeo rink set up on the ranch. They spend some time there and Zander (the owner and leader of the place) offers them a proposition. We don’t get the details but basically he wants Wade and Zander to join his rodeo team (all gay members) to compete in the rodeos and try to win nationals and also the chance to be partners in his ranch. Since the ranch is a haven for men like them and they can be together with no worries it seems too good to be true. Wade and Macon take some time to think about it while preparing for the rodeo. Things aren’t all perfect though and there are some difficulties they have to deal with. The main issue is Wade’s inability to get past the disapproval instilled in him by his father. Even at the ranch where it’s safe for Macon and Wade to indulge in public displays of affection, Wade doesn’t. He’s still to freaked out by the thought of being labeled “gay” and he risks his relationship with Macon because he won’t embrace their relationship completely. Fortunately, Wade comes to his senses before things go too badly and he embraces his relationship with Macon (and the deal with Zander) so they can go boldly in to their HEA together.
This was a pretty enjoyable story. I’ll admit, I don’t read a lot of M/M stories (I always like a woman in there so I can imagine myself in the mix) but I liked this one and was sucked in by the relationship between the men and the good writing. If you’re in to M/M and cowboys I’d recommend this. :D
June 5, 2013
Story available here: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1... from the Love Has No Boundaries collection in the MM Romance group.
This was a good, quick read about two cowboys who went from best friends to lover. Wade had a bit more to deal with from his father's side than Macon, but with the wise words of a new friend, he finds the courage to go after what makes him happy.
Oh, and awesome boysecksing too. I'll have to check out more by this author.
This was a good, quick read about two cowboys who went from best friends to lover. Wade had a bit more to deal with from his father's side than Macon, but with the wise words of a new friend, he finds the courage to go after what makes him happy.
Oh, and awesome boysecksing too. I'll have to check out more by this author.
September 1, 2013
Best friends to lovers. A pair of team ropers struggle to overcome being outed by a photographer at a rodeo. They are given a business proposition by a man assembling a group of gay cowboys in each event - team ropers, bronc riders, bull riders, et cetera. The decision to take the offer also means leaving their disapproving families and a hateful small town full of homophobes.
This is a sweet read with two cowboy characters that take your heart. Warming little story.
This is a sweet read with two cowboy characters that take your heart. Warming little story.
August 11, 2016
Yes! Cowboys!! gay rodeo?? Yes!!
I loved Wade and Macon together.
Mostly I loved watching Wade come to terms with his love.
The only thing this could of had was a showing of them trying the circuit after, instead of a quick telling of how they cut and ran.
Def going to look into Zander's book!!
I loved Wade and Macon together.
Mostly I loved watching Wade come to terms with his love.
The only thing this could of had was a showing of them trying the circuit after, instead of a quick telling of how they cut and ran.
Def going to look into Zander's book!!
March 2, 2014
More like 2.5 stars... I just didn't love the story. I think the idea was great, but it just didn't work for me.
May 30, 2016
Sweet little story that made me smile.
July 20, 2013
I liked the cover, the plot, the characters and of course, hot cowboys. Very well done!
October 29, 2019
Hard to believe
Both the characters and the situations here fall in the realm of fantasy (someone else's, not mine.) This brief novella was apparently written as a response to a writing prompt. It has some cute moments, but needs a lot more fleshing out in order to make the events work.
Both the characters and the situations here fall in the realm of fantasy (someone else's, not mine.) This brief novella was apparently written as a response to a writing prompt. It has some cute moments, but needs a lot more fleshing out in order to make the events work.
June 16, 2017
Not a bad story about the struggles of a couple of country boys who go from friends to lovers and have to suffer the fallout in their small town. They get invited to a gay rodeo, where they discover others who are like them and who choose to live openly.
November 8, 2019
Really kind of boring. It was ok, just didn’t do anything for me . Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it.
February 25, 2017
I really enjoyed this. My second ever book on gay rodeo. I find it fascinating. Great read!
Want to read
August 14, 2016
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group's Love Has No Boundaries Anthology: Volume 1. Thank you too all the amazing authors who participated!
July 4, 2013
I skimmed over a lot of this story. Some turns of phrase struck me poorly and it wasn't very good for me. I thought the political aspects were interesting, although I'm not a huge fan of reluctant gays. The sexual descriptions weren't bad, but nothing really caught my attention. It didn't feel like a professional work to me when many of the others from the Love Has No Boundaries collection have been great. It wasn't horrible, but it never caught and held my attention.
June 26, 2013
LHNB story!
We have a winner! This one was perfect. I love a good cowboy story as much as the next guy but this one seemed to hit on my pleasure buttons! I liked that they were an established couple but we got to peek at how/when their relationship changed. The photo was worked perfectly into the story...great job! (I'd enjoy a story about Zander, Dean & John! maybe...huh,huh,huh!!)
We have a winner! This one was perfect. I love a good cowboy story as much as the next guy but this one seemed to hit on my pleasure buttons! I liked that they were an established couple but we got to peek at how/when their relationship changed. The photo was worked perfectly into the story...great job! (I'd enjoy a story about Zander, Dean & John! maybe...huh,huh,huh!!)
July 6, 2013
A beautiful written story of two friends who love each other in a small town and on the rodeo circuit. A poignant story that speaks of the cruelty of small minds who think they have the right to judge others. The picture inspiring this story was my favorite, not the hottest but the most heart felt. Two human beings, comfortable in their closeness, just relaxing and being at ease.
July 11, 2013
I really, really loved this! I just loved Wade and Macon and the scenes with them as kids mixed in with the present. I also really liked Wade's conflict of being radical and making a statement versus not wanting to be a part of that. So happy to see that you'll be writing more! I also would love to know more about Zander. Smokin' hot story, love me some cowboys! Thanks for a great story!
June 5, 2013
LHNB story 5.6.13
3.5 stars rounded up
A nice (and hot) story about an established couple, outed by a photographer and ostracised by former friends and family, finding their way together at a gay rodeo.
3.5 stars rounded up
A nice (and hot) story about an established couple, outed by a photographer and ostracised by former friends and family, finding their way together at a gay rodeo.
May 31, 2015
A quick read but Wade annoyed me because he was hurting Macon. He wasn't doing it intentionally but still annoyed me that he didn't see what was right in front of him. I enjoyed the ending though and I'm curious about Zander's story so I will continue so I can find out :)
June 6, 2013
3.5 rounded up
This was equal parts yummy and sweet. I certainly enjoyed it, and of course, you can't go wrong with two delicious cowboys who just want to rope, right? Right.
This was equal parts yummy and sweet. I certainly enjoyed it, and of course, you can't go wrong with two delicious cowboys who just want to rope, right? Right.
June 5, 2013
Cute little story.
April 18, 2015
3.5 - Hot and sweet. Nice interpretation of the photo and the story letter. Thank you Hennessee Andrews for donating your story, your time and your talent.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews