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Crow Creek #1
Ash & Oak
Ash MacBryde thinks he knows what he wants. When his sister offers him the chance to return to his roots and take over running the ranch, he jumps at the chance. Ranching has always been his first love but it doesn’t fill the long lonely nights.
Oak Richards’ career is skyrocketing, earning him national recognition in his sport of endurance racing. But after an unfortunate riding accident, when his mentor and lover decides Oak is no longer flavor of the month, he’s cast adrift.
Will a little luck, a healthy dose of fate, and a matchmaking sister conspire to bring together two damaged men living two thousand miles apart?
For the shy, reclusive Oak and the domineering, territorial Ash there’s more than distance separating them. When they finally meet, sparks fly; but it will take more than just a powerful attraction to bridge the gap between them.
Oak Richards’ career is skyrocketing, earning him national recognition in his sport of endurance racing. But after an unfortunate riding accident, when his mentor and lover decides Oak is no longer flavor of the month, he’s cast adrift.
Will a little luck, a healthy dose of fate, and a matchmaking sister conspire to bring together two damaged men living two thousand miles apart?
For the shy, reclusive Oak and the domineering, territorial Ash there’s more than distance separating them. When they finally meet, sparks fly; but it will take more than just a powerful attraction to bridge the gap between them.
106 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2013
5 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Nya Rawlyns
54 books42 followersNya Rawlyns cut her teeth on sports-themed romantic comedies and historical romances. She found her true calling writing about the wilderness areas she has visited but calls home—in that place that counts the most, the heart.
She has lived in the country and on a sailboat on the Chesapeake Bay, earned more than 1000 miles in competitive trail and endurance racing, taught Political Science to unwilling freshmen, and found an avocation in materials science.
When she isn’t tending to her garden or the horses, the cats, or three pervert parakeets, she can be found day dreaming and listening to the voices in her head.
She has lived in the country and on a sailboat on the Chesapeake Bay, earned more than 1000 miles in competitive trail and endurance racing, taught Political Science to unwilling freshmen, and found an avocation in materials science.
When she isn’t tending to her garden or the horses, the cats, or three pervert parakeets, she can be found day dreaming and listening to the voices in her head.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 21, 2014
Kind of perplexing? It felt like a draft, like there were passages marked "fill this in later" that never got filled in.
Essentially, this is a mail-order bride story, which is a classic for a reason, but it didn't work here. On the one hand, these guys are partners immediately, and in love five minutes after that, and on the other hand, they are incapable of talking to each other and wracked with misunderstandings and self-doubt.
Annoying, because the potential for a good book is in there somewhere.
Essentially, this is a mail-order bride story, which is a classic for a reason, but it didn't work here. On the one hand, these guys are partners immediately, and in love five minutes after that, and on the other hand, they are incapable of talking to each other and wracked with misunderstandings and self-doubt.
Annoying, because the potential for a good book is in there somewhere.
February 25, 2014
Somehow, I won all three books in this series as a random(?) giveaway when I was purchasing a different book on ARe but I've only read Ash & Oak.
It's got Insta-love. Serious insta-love. The two MCs fall from each other without having met. They each see a picture of each other and just… know.
The emotional thru line for the characters is choppy. Less believable behavior and more there to serve the plot. It felt emotionally false.
I don't think I'll end up reading the next two books in the series.
It's got Insta-love. Serious insta-love. The two MCs fall from each other without having met. They each see a picture of each other and just… know.
The emotional thru line for the characters is choppy. Less believable behavior and more there to serve the plot. It felt emotionally false.
I don't think I'll end up reading the next two books in the series.
December 22, 2014
While yes, this is insta-love as other reviewers have mentioned, it's still a great short romance story.
I only had two things that I would've preferred that the author not do. First off the word phallus was used way to often and I'm sorry but that's not my preferred choice of word to read over and over again during a love scene. Secondly, don't keep recapping the story for me. Though I do have a bad memory it's not so bad that I need things recapped several times during a 100 page book.
Despite those two complaints I really enjoyed getting to know Ash & Oak and look forward to reading more books in this series.
I only had two things that I would've preferred that the author not do. First off the word phallus was used way to often and I'm sorry but that's not my preferred choice of word to read over and over again during a love scene. Secondly, don't keep recapping the story for me. Though I do have a bad memory it's not so bad that I need things recapped several times during a 100 page book.
Despite those two complaints I really enjoyed getting to know Ash & Oak and look forward to reading more books in this series.
July 17, 2013
I have always been a firm believer that there is someone for everyone, and if there is distance between them the Universe will bring them together. In this case, it was a very loving and insightful older sister who was the cosmos’ helper. This is a love story and with all love stories there is conflict, acclimation and triumph. This story has all of that and more. It has HORSES! I enjoyed this story but then again, I enjoy all of Nya’s works. No two stories are ever the same. I can always expect to be entertained and I always am. Once again, I must say, Bravo, good job!
August 4, 2013
Oooh, so beautiful and angsty and worth it. I dislike Insta-love but this book made it work and work wonderfully. It FIT and I loved it. Those two belong together and while the story was short (but not too short) it was perfectly paced and I'm still wondering how the author managed that. Genius! Not much happened when it comes to developments and yet the book was riveting and powerful. Sad elements were in there that made that perfect ending even sweeter. Sigh.
January 29, 2021
Work With Me
The main characters in this book are sympathetic, flawed and loveable. You'll find yourself cheering for them even as they stumble around trying to figure out how to make their relationship work!
The main characters in this book are sympathetic, flawed and loveable. You'll find yourself cheering for them even as they stumble around trying to figure out how to make their relationship work!
August 8, 2013
Nya Rawlyns has done it again! This isn’t a surprise, considering her talent. What’s she done? She’s created a couple of characters who are immediately engaging. Ashley MacBryde and Oakley Richards aren’t, as is often the case in M/M stories, polar opposites. In fact, their difficulties stem from the fact that they are too much alike. Both are strong, determined men. And both have gaping wounds to their souls.
Both have been cast out by their families for being gay. Both know the gut-wrench of abandonment and betrayal by lovers. Both build fortresses around their emotions, keeping their feelings not only to themselves, but often from themselves as well. If what each man wanted was simply a good time, that wouldn’t matter, but that’s not what either man wants or needs.
The book opens with these complex men nearly on opposite sides of the country from one another. Ash is in the hinterland of Wyoming; Oak is in a hamlet in Vermont. What brings them together? Aside from Ash’s sister Amy’s matchmaking, the answer is horses. On the strength of his sister’s recommendation and the desire that each man feels for the other, Ash offers the out-of-work Oak a working partnership in Crow Creek Ranch and Oak accepts eagerly and flies out to begin a new life. When they meet, despite the sparks that have flown since they first saw pictures of each other, awkwardness reigns. Neither knows even as much about small talk as the average eighth-grader at a new school in the middle of year. Will it be possible for them to break down the walls in themselves and each other?
Nya Rawlyns’ storytelling ability shines in this work. She transforms what could have been a simple love story into a rich, colorful journey of discovery with her flawless portrayal of two men in the grips of pain and passion. Neither man is weak, despite being flawed; each of them speaks with the voice of a man from the heart of a man, and Nya understands the male mind to an astonishing degree. The action moves quickly; the intimacy is explicit without being crude.
Her extensive knowledge of the world of horse people is apparent, as is her own love of horses. Her descriptions of both Wyoming and Vermont are deeply textured; she reveals both worlds with exquisite details that bring both settings to life for the reader. Her secondary characters are far more than two-dimensional foils for Ash and Oak; Amy is just as engaging as her brother, and the homophobic ranch hand Jack grounds us in the reality of life for gay men. Her subtle use of symbols in having both men bear the names of very different kinds of trees adds yet another layer to the depth of this excellent book.
When I reached the end, I was very glad to note that this book is the first in a series. There are many tales yet to be told centered around these two men and the people around them. I’ll be eagerly awaiting the release of the next book!
Both have been cast out by their families for being gay. Both know the gut-wrench of abandonment and betrayal by lovers. Both build fortresses around their emotions, keeping their feelings not only to themselves, but often from themselves as well. If what each man wanted was simply a good time, that wouldn’t matter, but that’s not what either man wants or needs.
The book opens with these complex men nearly on opposite sides of the country from one another. Ash is in the hinterland of Wyoming; Oak is in a hamlet in Vermont. What brings them together? Aside from Ash’s sister Amy’s matchmaking, the answer is horses. On the strength of his sister’s recommendation and the desire that each man feels for the other, Ash offers the out-of-work Oak a working partnership in Crow Creek Ranch and Oak accepts eagerly and flies out to begin a new life. When they meet, despite the sparks that have flown since they first saw pictures of each other, awkwardness reigns. Neither knows even as much about small talk as the average eighth-grader at a new school in the middle of year. Will it be possible for them to break down the walls in themselves and each other?
Nya Rawlyns’ storytelling ability shines in this work. She transforms what could have been a simple love story into a rich, colorful journey of discovery with her flawless portrayal of two men in the grips of pain and passion. Neither man is weak, despite being flawed; each of them speaks with the voice of a man from the heart of a man, and Nya understands the male mind to an astonishing degree. The action moves quickly; the intimacy is explicit without being crude.
Her extensive knowledge of the world of horse people is apparent, as is her own love of horses. Her descriptions of both Wyoming and Vermont are deeply textured; she reveals both worlds with exquisite details that bring both settings to life for the reader. Her secondary characters are far more than two-dimensional foils for Ash and Oak; Amy is just as engaging as her brother, and the homophobic ranch hand Jack grounds us in the reality of life for gay men. Her subtle use of symbols in having both men bear the names of very different kinds of trees adds yet another layer to the depth of this excellent book.
When I reached the end, I was very glad to note that this book is the first in a series. There are many tales yet to be told centered around these two men and the people around them. I’ll be eagerly awaiting the release of the next book!
July 24, 2013
Published July 14th 2013 by PubRight
Amazon
My Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Ash and Oak is a simple love story written in a light manner that leaves the readers feeling the romance between two men: a cowboy and an endurance horse racer/trainer. Both men have their personal tragedies and angsts to live with but when they meet each other, there was an immediate connection. It does not matter they meet each other without actually eyeballing one another. Ash sees a picture of Oak from the internet and proceeds to make it his own personal wallpaper while Oak sees Ash's picture from an album Ash's older sister keeps while creating a blog for the farm.
The story is in all actuality a blind-date gone really well thanks to the intervention of an older sister whose own personal angsts are ignored and energy focused on making sure her little brother and friend find each other and fall in love.
Well, it worked out well but as all novels of this type, readers have to go through the formula of angsts and resolution with the eventual happily ever after ending.
This was a very light read and there were times when the writing would jump all over the place. Fortunately, the jumping would settle down and the readers will never lack for connecting with these two men.
This is the first time I have read Nya Rawlyns and I found myself relaxed when reading this. It surely made up for the SNAFUs I had to contend with these past few days or hours so I am glad to have read this.
Ash & Oak is a good, light, romantic read that anyone can bring to bed with them to sleep with a smile on.
Amazon
My Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Ash MacBryde thinks he knows what he wants. When his sister offers him the chance to return to his roots and take over running the ranch, he jumps at the chance. Ranching has always been his first love but it doesn’t fill the long lonely nights.
Oak Richards’ career is skyrocketing, earning him national recognition in his sport of endurance racing. But after an unfortunate riding accident, when his mentor and lover decides Oak is no longer flavor of the month, he’s cast adrift.
Will a little luck, a healthy dose of fate, and a matchmaking sister conspire to bring together two damaged men living two thousand miles apart?
For the shy, reclusive Oak and the domineering, territorial Ash there’s more than distance separating them. When they finally meet, sparks fly; but it will take more than just a powerful attraction to bridge the gap between them.
Ash and Oak is a simple love story written in a light manner that leaves the readers feeling the romance between two men: a cowboy and an endurance horse racer/trainer. Both men have their personal tragedies and angsts to live with but when they meet each other, there was an immediate connection. It does not matter they meet each other without actually eyeballing one another. Ash sees a picture of Oak from the internet and proceeds to make it his own personal wallpaper while Oak sees Ash's picture from an album Ash's older sister keeps while creating a blog for the farm.
The story is in all actuality a blind-date gone really well thanks to the intervention of an older sister whose own personal angsts are ignored and energy focused on making sure her little brother and friend find each other and fall in love.
Well, it worked out well but as all novels of this type, readers have to go through the formula of angsts and resolution with the eventual happily ever after ending.
This was a very light read and there were times when the writing would jump all over the place. Fortunately, the jumping would settle down and the readers will never lack for connecting with these two men.
This is the first time I have read Nya Rawlyns and I found myself relaxed when reading this. It surely made up for the SNAFUs I had to contend with these past few days or hours so I am glad to have read this.
Ash & Oak is a good, light, romantic read that anyone can bring to bed with them to sleep with a smile on.
July 12, 2015
Without meaning to repeat the sentiment expressed by other reviewers, Nya Rawlyns’ use of insta-love frustrated me. This is mainly because Ash and Oak are two great characters, with volatile personalities and heart-breaking histories, which I feel could have been explored in more detail if they had been allowed to develop as individuals, rather than a couple. Within days of meeting is our third-person narrator observes that,
“ He was selfish enough to want Oak forever, under any circumstances. He also realized that he loved him enough to let him go, if that’s what it took.”
Because the couple are swept away by perhaps the most dangerous of Ash’s “3 Ls”; lust; there is a huge amount of emphasis on their sexual partnership, yet even this seems inadequately examined. There are hints that Oak in particular, has far from vanilla sexual cravings and though this is talked about by the couple, it is with humour rather than genuine suggestion. It is definitely something I would like to have seen Nya Rawlyns elaborate upon.
The author uses Ash and Oak as a platform to comment upon homophobia. Although we empathize with the two main characters and the prejudice they have faced from their respective families, Nya Rawlyns allows both men to grow from their experiences and reestablish themselves.
In contrast to Ash and Oak, we meet the compassionate and generous Amy, Ash’s sister. She is the catalyst for the two men meeting and despite her own misfortune she is willing to do anything for them both.
Ash and Oak is a satisfying beginning to the Crow Creek series. Though there are aspects of the story which I felt were sketchy, I think the book will be enjoyed by fans of M/M romance and I would like to continue Ash and Oak’s journey.
This review originall appeared on GGR-Review http://www.ggr-review.com/review-ash-...
“ He was selfish enough to want Oak forever, under any circumstances. He also realized that he loved him enough to let him go, if that’s what it took.”
Because the couple are swept away by perhaps the most dangerous of Ash’s “3 Ls”; lust; there is a huge amount of emphasis on their sexual partnership, yet even this seems inadequately examined. There are hints that Oak in particular, has far from vanilla sexual cravings and though this is talked about by the couple, it is with humour rather than genuine suggestion. It is definitely something I would like to have seen Nya Rawlyns elaborate upon.
The author uses Ash and Oak as a platform to comment upon homophobia. Although we empathize with the two main characters and the prejudice they have faced from their respective families, Nya Rawlyns allows both men to grow from their experiences and reestablish themselves.
In contrast to Ash and Oak, we meet the compassionate and generous Amy, Ash’s sister. She is the catalyst for the two men meeting and despite her own misfortune she is willing to do anything for them both.
Ash and Oak is a satisfying beginning to the Crow Creek series. Though there are aspects of the story which I felt were sketchy, I think the book will be enjoyed by fans of M/M romance and I would like to continue Ash and Oak’s journey.
This review originall appeared on GGR-Review http://www.ggr-review.com/review-ash-...
October 10, 2013
Contemporary Western horse-filled M/M romance about two lonely men passionate about working with horses but have been hurt in their past by trusting people that didn't deserve it (all humans at some point are stupid in love it comes with hunger, sleepiness and lust!)
So 32 year old Ash MacBryde has a chance with the life that he always wanted but couldn't have because his father had thrown him out on to the street when he found out that he was gay. But Ash is smart at found a new life by joining the army and then taking caring of himself until his parents die and his sister finds him to give him their family ranch so that he can make a go at ranching but he needs help because it is just too much to do as a single guy. Amy (Ash's sister living in Vermont) sends along a 26 year old 'kid' that she really likes, Oak Richards to partner up with the raising of the horses in her old Wyoming hometown and her beloved younger brother. Oak is a specialist in the sport of endurance horse racing (I have never heard of this sport, but then again I'm still surprised by tons of Olympic sports that I've never heard of like curling). So from the first internet photo, the two guys fall in lust with each other, but the trusting and working together comes with time.
The fights as the new couple set limits and find understanding was really well described and almost reminds me of my younger days. Bravo to the author because she was writing about real people.
106 pages (felt like 200 pages) and ebook bought on AllRomance
3 stars
So 32 year old Ash MacBryde has a chance with the life that he always wanted but couldn't have because his father had thrown him out on to the street when he found out that he was gay. But Ash is smart at found a new life by joining the army and then taking caring of himself until his parents die and his sister finds him to give him their family ranch so that he can make a go at ranching but he needs help because it is just too much to do as a single guy. Amy (Ash's sister living in Vermont) sends along a 26 year old 'kid' that she really likes, Oak Richards to partner up with the raising of the horses in her old Wyoming hometown and her beloved younger brother. Oak is a specialist in the sport of endurance horse racing (I have never heard of this sport, but then again I'm still surprised by tons of Olympic sports that I've never heard of like curling). So from the first internet photo, the two guys fall in lust with each other, but the trusting and working together comes with time.
The fights as the new couple set limits and find understanding was really well described and almost reminds me of my younger days. Bravo to the author because she was writing about real people.
106 pages (felt like 200 pages) and ebook bought on AllRomance
3 stars
June 14, 2015
I've read a fair amount by Nya Rawlyns in the past, but this story hooked me - AND I DID NOT THINK IT WOULD. When I read the first couple chapters, concerning the ranch life Ash lives, and the events in Oakley Richards' part, I did not think it would captivate me. Because ranch living, horse racing - heck, ANYTHING about horses at all - is not my thing.
But the story was unbelievably well crafted - I was sucked into the growing tension between two men who had never met before I even realised I was hooked. Ash's dominance paired very well with Oak's shyer nature - until they met. Then, the sparks which had been already flying turned into a blazing firestorm that caught me up and carried me away. I have a new appreciation for a life about which I knew nothing before this novel - the ins and outs of running a ranch - AND a new love for two very different - and yet stunningly similar - characters. Both locked their hearts away for reasons that were much the same, and yet were still beautifully, discordantly different at the same time ... And the sex? Yeah, wowza, find me an iceberg, because a cold shower or six is NOT gonna be enough!
I can't wait to swing back into the saddle and ride on to the next adventure in this series - at least, that's what the title suggests, anyway, and I hope I'm right.
BUY THIS ONE, folks. You will NOT regret it. I have never regretted a purchase of Nya Rawlyns' work, and her latest shows me why, again and again.
But the story was unbelievably well crafted - I was sucked into the growing tension between two men who had never met before I even realised I was hooked. Ash's dominance paired very well with Oak's shyer nature - until they met. Then, the sparks which had been already flying turned into a blazing firestorm that caught me up and carried me away. I have a new appreciation for a life about which I knew nothing before this novel - the ins and outs of running a ranch - AND a new love for two very different - and yet stunningly similar - characters. Both locked their hearts away for reasons that were much the same, and yet were still beautifully, discordantly different at the same time ... And the sex? Yeah, wowza, find me an iceberg, because a cold shower or six is NOT gonna be enough!
I can't wait to swing back into the saddle and ride on to the next adventure in this series - at least, that's what the title suggests, anyway, and I hope I'm right.
BUY THIS ONE, folks. You will NOT regret it. I have never regretted a purchase of Nya Rawlyns' work, and her latest shows me why, again and again.
March 7, 2014
I enjoyed reading the love story between the pages of this novel. It's a LOVE story, not a slew of sex scenes stapled together calling itself a book.
Ash and Oak's coming together was wonderfully written. I'll have to admit that I've never been interested in cowboys or horses in general, but she's made a lover out of me, to be sure. The amount of detail included for each character's background is astounding. I love reading about what I've never encountered before, and Ms. Rawlyns delivers the information well. The dialogue is fresh, the secondary characters are amusing (or maddening, depending on the situation), and the locale is breathtaking.
The two main characters are flawed, broody, moody, and delicious. The love scenes between the two men are HOT. I'd recommend keeping some ice water handy.
All in all, if you're a fan of well written gay romance, this is the book for you.
I'm looking forward to catching up on Nya Rawlyns' backlist and upcoming releases, to be sure.
Ash and Oak's coming together was wonderfully written. I'll have to admit that I've never been interested in cowboys or horses in general, but she's made a lover out of me, to be sure. The amount of detail included for each character's background is astounding. I love reading about what I've never encountered before, and Ms. Rawlyns delivers the information well. The dialogue is fresh, the secondary characters are amusing (or maddening, depending on the situation), and the locale is breathtaking.
The two main characters are flawed, broody, moody, and delicious. The love scenes between the two men are HOT. I'd recommend keeping some ice water handy.
All in all, if you're a fan of well written gay romance, this is the book for you.
I'm looking forward to catching up on Nya Rawlyns' backlist and upcoming releases, to be sure.
August 3, 2013
So many things I rolled my eyes at. First off, both having names of trees? Ugh....just bad. I hate romance books where they're instantly in love but these two guys barely say two words to each other and the day after they meet, one tells the other one "I love you.". Right. Another eye roll here.
Ash was a total ass treating Oak like a piece of meat through most of the book. He acted like he owned the poor guy. And the dialog was pretty much non existent throughout the book. Nothing to recommend this book, in my eyes. If I could get my money back I would.
Ash was a total ass treating Oak like a piece of meat through most of the book. He acted like he owned the poor guy. And the dialog was pretty much non existent throughout the book. Nothing to recommend this book, in my eyes. If I could get my money back I would.
March 24, 2015
Nice story
I really enjoyed this book. First in the series, you could feel all the emotion Ash and Oak had on this relationship building journey. Both strong men, not used to speaking their minds, feeling their way through each of their past tragedies and hurts to come out on the other side stronger and together. Well written! I am looking forward to the others in the series!
I really enjoyed this book. First in the series, you could feel all the emotion Ash and Oak had on this relationship building journey. Both strong men, not used to speaking their minds, feeling their way through each of their past tragedies and hurts to come out on the other side stronger and together. Well written! I am looking forward to the others in the series!
dnf-not-4-me
October 11, 2014Was waiting for reviews, and they came back poor. Decided to self it in favor of all the other books.
January 19, 2015
Not a bad book, it just really missed the mark for me. The insta-love was outrageously ridiculous and totally not believable. The characters were okay but just don't really stand out.
June 24, 2015
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews