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Tidewater #3
Baited
Zach left small town Edenburg twenty years ago. He got out, went to school, started a business, and never forgot his first love, Mason Gilbert. When he hears Mason's mother has died of a stroke, he drops everything to help his best friend get through it. But Zach left Edenburg for a reason.
Since Zach left, Mason has managed to make a small space for himself in Edenburg. He hides his past and, in return, no one brings it up. It's a system that works just fine until his past comes charging back in an off-white Bronco to save the day. Mason doesn't need saving and Zach's persistence is unraveling the life he made.
Zach doesn't know the Mason he's found in Edenburg. Mason's loosing hunting clients and credibility all around town. People are choosing sides. Zach thought he was coming back for happily ever after, but he's starting to feel like the big bad wolf.
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.
Since Zach left, Mason has managed to make a small space for himself in Edenburg. He hides his past and, in return, no one brings it up. It's a system that works just fine until his past comes charging back in an off-white Bronco to save the day. Mason doesn't need saving and Zach's persistence is unraveling the life he made.
Zach doesn't know the Mason he's found in Edenburg. Mason's loosing hunting clients and credibility all around town. People are choosing sides. Zach thought he was coming back for happily ever after, but he's starting to feel like the big bad wolf.
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.
72 pages, ebook
First published July 9, 2013
7 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Tami Veldura
137 books145 followersTami Veldura is an enby/aro/ace author of queer fiction. Their pronouns are they/them/Mx. They love romance, fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal stories that push genre limits. Their work has been nominated for the M/M Goodreads Reader Choice Awards and they have been nominated and placed in the Rainbow Awards.
Website: Failure To Communicate
Twitter handle: tamiveldura
Email: tamiveldura@gmail.com
Website: Failure To Communicate
Twitter handle: tamiveldura
Email: tamiveldura@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
dnf
February 6, 2023DNF @ 24%
Guy waltzes back into small bigoted town after 20 years wanting to get back together with his high school love. I was rolling my eyes are that 20 year timeline. But this guy had zero contact with anyone from his old home, even his other best friend. But he decides to just sell his house and move back to town (even though he owns a business that isn't exactly movable) and hope his one-time love is unattached and equally as pathetic as him to still be hung up on 20-year old crush.
I'm not a fan of long time gaps like this for second-chance romance. The writing was underwhelming too. I was already hoping they wouldn't end up living together in this backward, podunk town, but other reviews said they do.
Guy waltzes back into small bigoted town after 20 years wanting to get back together with his high school love. I was rolling my eyes are that 20 year timeline. But this guy had zero contact with anyone from his old home, even his other best friend. But he decides to just sell his house and move back to town (even though he owns a business that isn't exactly movable) and hope his one-time love is unattached and equally as pathetic as him to still be hung up on 20-year old crush.
I'm not a fan of long time gaps like this for second-chance romance. The writing was underwhelming too. I was already hoping they wouldn't end up living together in this backward, podunk town, but other reviews said they do.
March 27, 2014
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group's Love Has No Boundaries Anthology: Volume 11. Thank you too all the amazing authors who participated!
So initially, I really liked this. I wish there were a smaller time gap instead of twenty years to make it more believable, but I appreciate the thought. But where things turned for me was the first sex scene, I wasn't really feeling an emotional connection from Mason
And while I get that homophobic assholes exist and therefor sometimes appear in my stories, this was a little over the top. Not only that, but I just didn't want these guys to stay in that effen town. It's terrible! And none of that was resolved. Just the attitude of "oh well, this is what we'll have to deal with." There are other rural places they can move to where people aren't complete dicks.
Lastly, the reading of the will was stupid , and their history was never completely explained , I thought Ms. Amelia's action were totes uncool , and where the hell is Zack's family?!?
July 16, 2013
I didn't enjoy this one too much. The setting was just too ridiculous as this story takes place in a town full of idiots. The over the top homophobia was just ridiculous. Zach returns to a town after 20 years and people are still holding a grudge against him for being gay? One guy overcharges Zach for groceries because he's gay which seems like an incredibly stupid thing to do unless you're looking to get sued. Zach's best friends wife says hateful things to Zach & Zach is supposed to feel bad that he was impolite in her house. I didn't get any of the characters including Zach who's been away for 20 years and thinks that he & Mason can just take up where they left off. None of this was believable. In addition there was way too much talk about hunting & killing different animals. Not for me.
August 17, 2013
1,5*
I think there where so many things that did nor kind of "fit together" that I can't even really say why I did not like this story. Maybe a few points.
Well, when I remember right it was in the promp but hey, please tell me the secret of this guy in the picture who is supposed to be around 40 years old...
Who the hell leaves everything behind to expect his first love will, whom he ddn't have contact too all the time, would just take him back after 20 years? He might even have a partner.
Never knew what was actually the attraction between the both of them.
Maybe I jumped over some pages but there is this scene where they are first intimate again. Before that it's all, no way from Mason, then suddenly f*** me, then he insults Zack for being a whore and right after offers him to sleep on his couch which Zach does and even directly moves in the next day. This scene is kind of how I felt all through the story, big questionmark about what's going on.
I think there where so many things that did nor kind of "fit together" that I can't even really say why I did not like this story. Maybe a few points.
Well, when I remember right it was in the promp but hey, please tell me the secret of this guy in the picture who is supposed to be around 40 years old...
Who the hell leaves everything behind to expect his first love will, whom he ddn't have contact too all the time, would just take him back after 20 years? He might even have a partner.
Never knew what was actually the attraction between the both of them.
Maybe I jumped over some pages but there is this scene where they are first intimate again. Before that it's all, no way from Mason, then suddenly f*** me, then he insults Zack for being a whore and right after offers him to sleep on his couch which Zach does and even directly moves in the next day. This scene is kind of how I felt all through the story, big questionmark about what's going on.
September 30, 2014
3.5 Stars
Good story and good characters. I did find there were, to me, some obvious gaps...
Good story and good characters. I did find there were, to me, some obvious gaps...
March 12, 2020
Excellent story! I'll have to look up more by this author for sure.
March 13, 2016
The story didn't make any sense to me. This review is spoilerish so be warned:
1. Zack goes back to his home town after 20 years. There's no family he goes back to. No relatives. Just a town full of homophobic asswipes who are holding a grunge against him after 20 years??
2. He left Mason 20 years ago and is still in love with him. He wants a future with him but they didn't have any kind of contact for 20 years?
3. He is rudely insulted be the wife of his best friend and sees the need to apologise because she was at her home???
4. Mason gives him money after their first sex and calls him a whore. Still Zack stays there over night on the couch feeling assaulted. But the next day it's forgotten???
5. The public outing of them, done by a supporter is just wrong. You don't out people. never. But they just accept it and don't call her out???
6. I have no words for the hearing other than ridiculous. Why?
7. But what I didn't understand at all is that they still want to stay in that town. With all the homophobic hate...
Nope, that all didn't make any sense. I'm sorry for the author but this was just odd.
1. Zack goes back to his home town after 20 years. There's no family he goes back to. No relatives. Just a town full of homophobic asswipes who are holding a grunge against him after 20 years??
2. He left Mason 20 years ago and is still in love with him. He wants a future with him but they didn't have any kind of contact for 20 years?
3. He is rudely insulted be the wife of his best friend and sees the need to apologise because she was at her home???
4. Mason gives him money after their first sex and calls him a whore. Still Zack stays there over night on the couch feeling assaulted. But the next day it's forgotten???
5. The public outing of them, done by a supporter is just wrong. You don't out people. never. But they just accept it and don't call her out???
6. I have no words for the hearing other than ridiculous. Why?
7. But what I didn't understand at all is that they still want to stay in that town. With all the homophobic hate...
Nope, that all didn't make any sense. I'm sorry for the author but this was just odd.
March 21, 2021
I'm voluntarily reviewing a free advance reader copy I received from the author.
I received this book as Rough Recall, but it appears to be Baited with a different title. I am not sure what has changed between the two books (I didn't read Baited previously), so I'm not sure if there is more information added to this to make it a different book.
That said, I had a hard time really grasping the deep connection between the MC's, and didn't quite get what made Zach and Mason get together. Zach had strong feelings about Mason when they were younger, and after leaving and missing him for years, decides he needs to come back and get his man. Mason has been very much in the closet and avoiding any relationships. He lives in a homophobic area, and tries to stay out of the way. Zach comes back after Mason's mom passes away, and all of a sudden decides to go home and try to woo Mason back. He was like a bull in a china shop, and I am very surprised his tactics worked against Mason. The story was overall good, but the characters didn't draw me in.
I received this book as Rough Recall, but it appears to be Baited with a different title. I am not sure what has changed between the two books (I didn't read Baited previously), so I'm not sure if there is more information added to this to make it a different book.
That said, I had a hard time really grasping the deep connection between the MC's, and didn't quite get what made Zach and Mason get together. Zach had strong feelings about Mason when they were younger, and after leaving and missing him for years, decides he needs to come back and get his man. Mason has been very much in the closet and avoiding any relationships. He lives in a homophobic area, and tries to stay out of the way. Zach comes back after Mason's mom passes away, and all of a sudden decides to go home and try to woo Mason back. He was like a bull in a china shop, and I am very surprised his tactics worked against Mason. The story was overall good, but the characters didn't draw me in.
September 15, 2013
Awesome, awesome, awesome. This was so good. It made me cry but that was ok. Excellent writing.
October 7, 2017
I really liked this book, the pace was slow but it works for the storyline. Zach and Mason were best friends from sense they were kids. In high school their friendship more. Zach went off to college and left Mason behind, ten years later Zach moves back home to try and rekindle the friendship and to become lovers again. Mason has changed, he lives in the closet trying to stay under everyone's radar. Achieving back to town brings the ugly bigotry into light. The two men try to relearn about each other while dealing with Mason's mom's death, old hurts and small minded people. While this book doesn't end in a traditional HEA it does in a HFN
October 15, 2017
I read this years ago in the Love Has No Boundaries set and loved it. Reading it again and I'm still blown away by the depth of emotions. Love Amelia btw. She really gave life to the story. Same with Kelly. All the characters really brought the town to life. And we can't forget Bailey. Seriously a great read and I found out there are more books. Yay!! I was given the privilege and opportunity to receive an advanced reader copy and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
November 16, 2014
Review originally published on Nautical Star Books . A copy of this book was provided at no charge in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Zach has just returned to Edenburg after having fled the small town 20 years previously. When he left, he also left his first love Mason behind as well and no amount of sleeping around or focusing on his career will let him forget his first love. He leaves everything behind in a desperate attempt to reconnect with the man who holds his heart hostage even after all these years.
Mason has learned to deal with the bigotry of small town America by staying very firmly in the closet. He never forgot Zach but holds a great deal of hostility towards him for running away when he, himself, had to stay to care for his mother. Zach’s reappearance rekindles those feeling he thought he had buried so long ago. But along with the passion also comes quite a bit of anger. He and Zach have an uphill battle if they are ever going to develop a relationship that is deep enough to blossom into a new life together.
Baited by Tami Veldura had a lot of promise and there were things I enjoyed about it and areas where I think the author should have been a bit clearer. The young love re-blossoming later in life is one of my favorite themes but Zach sold his condo and left his best friend and his business to go back to Mason…who he had not spoken one word to for 20 years. That seemed a bit too far fetched and I would have rather seen him just visiting his home town for a few weeks instead. I also think there were a few areas in the book where the transition from one scene to another was a bit abrupt although the story itself was clear and I followed along quite easily.
Small town America is definitely not a fan of ‘the gay’ and Mason’s town is no exception. The author did a good job of showing the reader how difficult it was for him to stay hidden from his bigoted neighbors. I think it is a bit odd that he wanted to stay in such a horrid town given their hatred of him but his hawks, hunting dogs, and his very profession require a rural area, unlike Zach’s citified existence for the last 20 year. I would have liked to see them find their happily ever after in a happier town!
Overall, Baited is a good story about relearning to love someone after being apart for so very long. It isn’t easy to fall back in love but it can happen and I’m happy that Zach and Mason figured it out in the end.
Zach has just returned to Edenburg after having fled the small town 20 years previously. When he left, he also left his first love Mason behind as well and no amount of sleeping around or focusing on his career will let him forget his first love. He leaves everything behind in a desperate attempt to reconnect with the man who holds his heart hostage even after all these years.
Mason has learned to deal with the bigotry of small town America by staying very firmly in the closet. He never forgot Zach but holds a great deal of hostility towards him for running away when he, himself, had to stay to care for his mother. Zach’s reappearance rekindles those feeling he thought he had buried so long ago. But along with the passion also comes quite a bit of anger. He and Zach have an uphill battle if they are ever going to develop a relationship that is deep enough to blossom into a new life together.
Baited by Tami Veldura had a lot of promise and there were things I enjoyed about it and areas where I think the author should have been a bit clearer. The young love re-blossoming later in life is one of my favorite themes but Zach sold his condo and left his best friend and his business to go back to Mason…who he had not spoken one word to for 20 years. That seemed a bit too far fetched and I would have rather seen him just visiting his home town for a few weeks instead. I also think there were a few areas in the book where the transition from one scene to another was a bit abrupt although the story itself was clear and I followed along quite easily.
Small town America is definitely not a fan of ‘the gay’ and Mason’s town is no exception. The author did a good job of showing the reader how difficult it was for him to stay hidden from his bigoted neighbors. I think it is a bit odd that he wanted to stay in such a horrid town given their hatred of him but his hawks, hunting dogs, and his very profession require a rural area, unlike Zach’s citified existence for the last 20 year. I would have liked to see them find their happily ever after in a happier town!
Overall, Baited is a good story about relearning to love someone after being apart for so very long. It isn’t easy to fall back in love but it can happen and I’m happy that Zach and Mason figured it out in the end.
August 4, 2014
Zach and Mason were childhood lovers, but Mason wouldn't come out of the closet. Nor would he leave their small town to follow Zach to college. Twenty years have passed and Zach has returned home, to be a comfort to Mason whose mother just passed away. See, Zach was sure Mason never "came out" because he didn't want to upset his mom--and Zach is hopeful that Mason will want to be a couple now.
Thing is, you can't go back home. And the small town where they live has some seriously homophobic issues. Zach is known as an out gay man, and his association with Mason, even platonically, is costing Mason friendships and business. The good thing is, there are supportive people around both men. And, an HEA is in store. This was a solid M/M romance with good characters and a believable plot.
I really enjoyed Zach's steadfastness. He could have walked away at any time, but he was fixed on Mason and wouldn't leave him, even if Mason rejected him as a lover. Again. Mason is practical, yet romantic. They make a good couple, and I'm even happier with Mason's mom--from beyond the grave she gave her neighbors what-for. Good for her, and good for Mason, too!
Thing is, you can't go back home. And the small town where they live has some seriously homophobic issues. Zach is known as an out gay man, and his association with Mason, even platonically, is costing Mason friendships and business. The good thing is, there are supportive people around both men. And, an HEA is in store. This was a solid M/M romance with good characters and a believable plot.
I really enjoyed Zach's steadfastness. He could have walked away at any time, but he was fixed on Mason and wouldn't leave him, even if Mason rejected him as a lover. Again. Mason is practical, yet romantic. They make a good couple, and I'm even happier with Mason's mom--from beyond the grave she gave her neighbors what-for. Good for her, and good for Mason, too!
December 9, 2014
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
I am starting to become a real fan of Veldura’s novellas. The two I have read had some good, unique twists and elements and the tension and angst are well done. I immediately took to Mason’s character and liked Zach’s, but had a hard time reconciling the “sell it all and hope for the best” course of action he took.
The secondary characters are polar opposites, not really demonstrating much depth, but serving a larger purpose in the story and so the hatred and acceptance are more overt, like a parody with a broad-sweeping purpose.
The cover was simple and completely suitable and although some elements were a bit extreme, this was an enjoyable read from beginning to end. Veldura is proving to be a master at twists and manipulation and I can easily recommend Baited for a quick, fun story that may just leave you guessing at times.
Read Jason’s review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
I am starting to become a real fan of Veldura’s novellas. The two I have read had some good, unique twists and elements and the tension and angst are well done. I immediately took to Mason’s character and liked Zach’s, but had a hard time reconciling the “sell it all and hope for the best” course of action he took.
The secondary characters are polar opposites, not really demonstrating much depth, but serving a larger purpose in the story and so the hatred and acceptance are more overt, like a parody with a broad-sweeping purpose.
The cover was simple and completely suitable and although some elements were a bit extreme, this was an enjoyable read from beginning to end. Veldura is proving to be a master at twists and manipulation and I can easily recommend Baited for a quick, fun story that may just leave you guessing at times.
Read Jason’s review in its entirety here.
July 12, 2013
LHNB Story released 9.7.13
This is a very nice reunited lovers story set in a small prejudiced town. After he hears about the death of Mason's mother, Zach returns to the small town where he grew up some 20 years after he left. His sole objective to win Mason back. There is a great supportive cast in this story, but my favourites have to be Amelia and Jasper the cat - particularly the tuna sandwich scenes they have together. There's no big drama in this between the two MCs, save for Mason's reluctance to let Zach back in his life, it's the small town prejudices that cause much of the conflict instead.
This is a very nice reunited lovers story set in a small prejudiced town. After he hears about the death of Mason's mother, Zach returns to the small town where he grew up some 20 years after he left. His sole objective to win Mason back. There is a great supportive cast in this story, but my favourites have to be Amelia and Jasper the cat - particularly the tuna sandwich scenes they have together. There's no big drama in this between the two MCs, save for Mason's reluctance to let Zach back in his life, it's the small town prejudices that cause much of the conflict instead.
May 29, 2014
Can an adult go back to their small town home after never looking back for almost 20 years?
I seriously doubt it. People would be too made about being forgotten without a Holiday card for so many years so when Mason reacts badly to Zach's return, the only one surprised is Zach and perhaps his loyal cat Jasper.
The small town bigotry in Edenburg wasn't surprising either, but I loved the wild bird portions of this short story. It was fascinating and made this original because childhood friends change in ten, twenty years even if their love for you hasn't.
50ish pages short story and freebie
2 stars
I seriously doubt it. People would be too made about being forgotten without a Holiday card for so many years so when Mason reacts badly to Zach's return, the only one surprised is Zach and perhaps his loyal cat Jasper.
The small town bigotry in Edenburg wasn't surprising either, but I loved the wild bird portions of this short story. It was fascinating and made this original because childhood friends change in ten, twenty years even if their love for you hasn't.
50ish pages short story and freebie
2 stars
August 22, 2013
This was a lovely little story about Zach, who returns to his home town and lost-love after twenty years when he learns that love's mother has died. He's given up his home and his job to come back and he's thrown when he's not welcomed back with open arms. Mason isn't exactly pleased to see the guy who walked out on him 20 years ago, but gradually the two re-connect and find what they lost despite the best efforts of a town full of homophobic idiots.
The story is funny and serious and well written and I'd love to know more about Zach and Mason and see if they really can make it together.
The story is funny and serious and well written and I'd love to know more about Zach and Mason and see if they really can make it together.
November 7, 2013
I had a tough time getting through all this and I think I have to attribute it to the discrepancy between the inspiration picture and how old I felt the main characters actually were.
There was a lot of back and forth, accusations and pushing. If the hurt felt real, the resolution felt forced.
I definitely appreciate the author's gift of the story.
[NOTE: I rate most writing event stories (free reads) 4 or 5 stars because of my appreciation of the author's participation.]
There was a lot of back and forth, accusations and pushing. If the hurt felt real, the resolution felt forced.
I definitely appreciate the author's gift of the story.
[NOTE: I rate most writing event stories (free reads) 4 or 5 stars because of my appreciation of the author's participation.]
June 12, 2016
I liked this better than I expected due to the relatively low overall rating. I can be pretty critical when it's deserved, but I can't find too much fault with this. Good character development (both primary and secondary). Good plotline with satisfying emotional content as well as the closure of conflict & resolution. Great sexual content between 2 beautiful men. What's not to like?
July 9, 2013
Wow! I didn't know whether or not to be pissed off with Zach for leaving Mason and then daring to come back after so many years away. I loved the reading of the will. Masons mom must have been one smart and witty woman.
July 10, 2013
I just loved this! So many great things in this story...great characters, I just loved Amelia, and I liked the pace of it as Zach got to re-know Mason. His mother's will was the best thing ever. Thank you for a beautiful story, I really enjoyed this one!
July 21, 2016
LHNB-19,639
3 read for me.
I liked it, but I didn't love it.
I think the 20 year break was what killed it for me. 20 years without a single phone call, but he comes back and Mason is suppose to be just waiting.
I wasn't feeling the characters connection.
3 read for me.
I liked it, but I didn't love it.
I think the 20 year break was what killed it for me. 20 years without a single phone call, but he comes back and Mason is suppose to be just waiting.
I wasn't feeling the characters connection.
September 1, 2013
3.5 stars but upped to 4 'cos I did like Zach!
OK, 20 years should have made a difference, but I can understand why, in some places, it does not.
A sweet story, with reluctant MCs, but I appreciated the likely HEA!!!
OK, 20 years should have made a difference, but I can understand why, in some places, it does not.
A sweet story, with reluctant MCs, but I appreciated the likely HEA!!!
April 18, 2015
3.5 - I really enjoyed this story and the characters. Nice interpretation of the photo and the story letter. Thank you Tami Veldura for donating your story, your time and your talent.
July 10, 2013
So sweet ;;D
Mason's mother is so cool xD
But i wonder how their life will be in the town...
There will e full of hardships...
Anyways, Thank you!
Mason's mother is so cool xD
But i wonder how their life will be in the town...
There will e full of hardships...
Anyways, Thank you!
July 10, 2013
3.75 stars
July 16, 2013
A really good, fast paced romance with an emotional HEA. dI wish, we got a sequel to this story, because I liked it to much. Hope we will get more from Tami Veldura!
August 3, 2013
Zach has come back to help a friend and hopefully rekindle an old flame. But there seems to be a lot to overcome. And accepting each other is really just the start.
Read
August 19, 2016DNF from 2013
July 31, 2013
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews