When a rodeo clown, a small town veterinarian and his assistant form a complicated trio, they find it's their choices that determine who finds love.
When rodeo clown Brandt Collins is forced into retirement by an injury in the arena, he heads to long-time friend Kaden Slater's hometown to settle down. As far as he's concerned if that old flame ignites into a wildfire, then all the better.
Kaden is glad to see Brandt, but a little complication in the form of Kaden's new assistant, Mike, throws a wrench in all their plans. Sexy, smart and young, Mike wants Kaden more than he wants his next breath.
Soon, misunderstandings and the past conspire to tear the trio apart before they've even begun. And now it's their choices that will determine who finds love - and who doesn't.
All about little ol' me? Hmm. Okay, the normal stuff first. I currently live in the Midwest near Detroit, Michigan with my husband and two sons who are ten and seven years old. All three keep me on my toes. I work in the automotive industry making sure all the parts inside the car look pretty along with handling all the paperwork that goes along with that (you'd be amazed at how much there is!).
Not so normal stuff now. I am an eclectic soul, having lived in three out of the four corners of the United States. I can count as personal friends people from many walks of life (dare I say, some are family too?). I think this is what allows me to see past the things that make us different to the things that make us alike. Hence, I am a person who will accept anyone for what they are, almost to a fault sometimes.
I love angst (as you very well know if you've read one of my stories). I adore digging into an issue, touching on it and those people it effects, and then giving it a happily-ever-after. Research is probably one of my favorite parts of writing. Finding out new facts, meeting new people while I do that…asking them questions they would never expect.
2.5 stars A short fast read, that didn't do much for me! The menage relationship never felt right but that was all due to the shortness of the story, I think. There was angst that got resolved so fast I blinked and it was gone. I didn't feel a connection with the MC's but calling the younger Mike "kitten" was sort of cute. The reference to the lollipop had me cringing, not exactly sexy. Not my type of romance although other readers will probably enjoy it much more than I did.
The choices that Brandt and Kaden made years ago still impact their lives today. Both men knew that their lives were headed in different directions. Kaden followed the path to veterinary school while Brandt continually followed the road that lead out of town and on to the next rodeo. An injury has left Brandt little choice on the next stage in his career. He’s just not as spry as he once was and rodeo clowns need to be fast and nimble. Going home is a fairly easy decision especially knowing that he’ll find Kaden there. Kaden is still there but after watching Brandt leave a few too many times he’s let his eyes and heart wander to his very young and sexy vet tech. Now the men that could never make a couple have to work on building a relationship of out a trio.
Short, sexy, and to the point. This sexy novella packs a whole lot of steaminess into its pages. It does however leave out some of the relationship development and sexual tension one would find in a lengthier story. Em Woods does manage to convey all that’s needed for these men to get together without it feeling too rushed. Would I have enjoyed more pages, sure but I can assure you I would have enjoyed more page time with these men had I had two hundred pages of them. That’s just me and my love of books.
Brandt and Kaden made choices years ago to each follow their chosen career paths instead of staying and becoming a couple. Now Brandt is back to stay but in the mean time Mike has entered Kaden's life. I have a soft spot for m/m/m stories and although this was wasn't heavy on the sex like they usually are, but it was just too short to really get into and the whole thing with Amos wasn't needed and actually confused the story for me, those pages could have been used to develope the relationship between the men. It's a quick easy read, but nothing really memorable.
Kaden and Brandt have been in love with each other for a long time but they made the choice to follow their career dreams and see if their love was strong enough to pull them back together. Kaden headed off to college to get his veterinary degree and open his own clinic. Brandt chose another direction completely and joined the rodeo circuit to became a rodeo clown. The men would get together in the winter but once Spring came Brandt would join the circuit. This last trip home, Brandt was surprised to find Mike working at Brandt's clinic. Angry words flew between Brandt and Kaden but like it or not Kaden was now in love with both men. A menage is difficult to maintain under the best of conditions so can Kaden be the glue that binds? Ms Woods did an excellent job of developing the three men within the confines of the short story. I got to know and understand both Brandt and Kaden and their dynamic first. I liked both men and respected their decision to follow their dreams instead of losing their love to resentment over lost career opportunities. Mike was the newbie and so there was not as much to learn about him other than the fact that he's the youngest of the three. I think that Mike really is the one who drew the menage together and will eventually become the peacekeeper. I found it very refreshing to read a menage story that went light on the sex and relied upon each man's individual strengths and weaknesses to carry the story. The story line was a little choppy in places. I honestly don't know if the whole part of the book with Amos in it was necessary to the plot. I liked the way that Ms Woods used the different conversations at the pot luck dinner to expand on the characters personalities. I highly recommend this well written short story to anyone looking for a menage with a twist.
We have all regretted some of the choices we've made, and this story is about the consequences of putting your career above personal happiness. Brandt, an injured rodeo clown, and Kaden, a vet, are old pros at this; their history is one of love and longing, and of Brandt running back to the rodeo every year. Mike is Kaden's assistant and the new element in the equation. Like with any truly equal threesome, there has to be some need for a third partner, and in this story, Mike is the one who provides something Brandt and Kaden’s relationship has been missing.
I liked the way this story is set up. I got to meet Kaden and Brandt first and got to see some of their history as well as the more or less hidden flaws, secrets, and the obstacles that mean they never managed to make their relationship work. Then, gradually, Mike is added into the mix, and it becomes clear what his unique contribution is going to be. If they can make it work. And that is a big if. That realism, the showing of all the issues inherent in a three-sided relationship, is what makes this short story quite interesting.
If you like stories about ménages that are more than some hot fun in bed, if you enjoy reading about real relationship issues like jealousy, fear of abandonment, and bad choices from the past messing up the present, and if you’re looking for a read about three men finding their way in a loving relationship while struggling with reality, then you might like this short story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Pride Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
We have all regretted some of the choices we've made, and this story is about the consequences of putting your career above personal happiness. Brandt, an injured rodeo clown, and Kaden, a vet, are old pros at this; their history is one of love and longing, and of Brandt running back to the rodeo every year. Mike is Kaden's assistant and the new element in the equation. Like with any truly equal threesome, there has to be a reason for a third partner, and in this story, Mike is it.
I really liked the way this story is set up. We get to know Kaden and Brandt, and find out about their history as well as the more or less hidden flaws, secrets, and the obstacles that mean they never made their relationship work. Then, gradually, Mike is added into the mix, and it becomes clear what his unique contribution is going to be. If they can make it work. And that is a big if. That realism, the showing of all the issues inherent in a three-sided relationship is what makes this short story quite interesting.
If you like stories about ménages that are more than some hot fun in bed, if you enjoy reading about real relationship issues like jealousy, fear of abandonment, and bad choices from the past messing up the present, and if three men finding their way toward love while struggling with reality are your thing, then you will probably like this book.
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This short, but intense story is just enough to get your excitement levels raised. Giving the reader a taste of what the future may hold for these men, Ms Woods sets up a potentially explosive situation. And by removing an ongoing danger, makes them more resolved than ever to take what they want.
Mixing up a long time, but unfulfilled love with a new but promising one, is unexpectedly effective. My choice would be to say - more, more, more!
I did not understand why the two on-off lovers decided to include the new guy. "they discussed it" but you aren't party to that. One moment he leaves realizing the young guy is hot for the vet and that night they have him in a cowboy/vet sandwich. From competition to trio with no real explanation. *shrug*
From the very start of this fast-paced novella, Choices, by Em Woods, we are very aware that we have been landed smack in the middle of an ongoing story—and a long standing love that has been left hanging for far too many years.
The distance between Kaden, the local veterinarian and Brandt, a professional rodeo clown is much larger than just the years that have passed. In fact, time and Bryant’s persistence in chasing down one more rodeo, has left their fragile relationship fractured and uncertain. And into that fissure has stepped Mike, a young vet’s assistant and a burgeoning love interest for Kaden, just at the exact same time that Brandt has decided to settle down and put down roots.
A classic love triangle. But, fear not, for Ms. Woods uses her considerable writing skill to draw us into this trio of lovers and has us waiting with baited breath to see if there will or even can be a happy ever after for these men.
So, what worked in this interesting little tale and what left me confused and unsettled? Well, I am happy to say that much of this story not only held my interest but had me chomping at the bit for the next step forward in these men’s lives.
I can tell you that the emotional depths Ms. Woods manages to plumb in so few pages really shines and focuses the story in a way as to leave this reader wanting more—more back story on Brandt and Kaden’s meeting and the years they spent apart, more of Mike and how he coped for two years as he hopelessly fell in love with his Boss and watched with a breaking heart as that same man pined for another man, and definitely more of where this trio would end up—how they would make this love triangle work.
Perhaps the only element that did not work for me was this shadowy assailant who beat up on Brandt and attempted to do so with Mike as well. There seemed to be a reason lurking in the background as to why this man hated gays and delighted in bashing them but it was murky at best and never resolved. While I could be led to believe that this particular plot point would possibly be getting its own story, I was not convinced that would happen and consequently, it was left hanging and that nagged at me for the rest of this otherwise delightful novella.
First published in 2012, this short story hasn’t changed from the original. Brandt wanted to be a part of the rodeo after high school, Kaden was vet school bound, both were too stubborn to compromise and too young to see a future. Young lovers torn apart by their dreams, but they have never forgotten each other, fast forward to today and Mike is Kaden’s assistant at his veterinary practice and has been in love with Kaden forever, patiently waiting on the sidelines for Kaden to get over Brandt and turn to him.
It’s New Year’s Eve, and Brandt comes home from the circuit, injured by a bull, his rodeo days are done, but all it takes is one look and he and Kaden are as connected as ever. Mike is still on the sidelines, unable to deny the connection he feels to Kaden and the chemistry he sees between Kaden and Brandt.
Like I said, sooooo much promise. It’s a great storyline, the characters are well written, and the pacing good for a short story. But that’s just it. It’s short. Forty-three pages short. So there is quite a bit of storyline that gets skimmed over or just plain not developed. It needed some umph. I liked the story and it definitely satisfies on a romantic short level, but it is so good that if it was even twice as long, it would have satisfied twice as much. This story is like a really good double crust cherry pie—it looks good and it smells good and will taste amazing, but when you cut into it there are only three cherries inside; disappointing but still really good for what it is.
If you are looking for a short trio novella that delivers on romance and eroticism, then this is the book for you.
Brant Collins has returned to his small hometown after an injury in the arena has forced into retirement. Brandt put everything on hold to follow his dream of being a rodeo clown but now that he’s back in town he’s determined to get his man, veterinarian Kaden Slater. Kaden and Brandt were best friends in school and when they realised they were heading in vastly different directions they decided to put their feelings aside and persue their respective careers. When Brandt turns up to Kaden’s sister’s New Years Eve party he’s confronted by a determined Kaden. Kaden has had enough of the distance between them and decides to confront Brandt about their mutual feelings but when things go awry there is quite a bit of confusion when Kaden’s assistant Mike enters into the story. Mike has been in love with Kaden for years even though he knows Kaden has been in love with Brandt forever. Mike is just as confused as Kaden and Brandt about what is going on with the three of them, one minute he thinks he might have a chance with Kaden then Brandt comes back to town and he realised he has no chance. Mike wants to hate Brandt but he’s just too good-looking and far too nice for any animosity to last. Being a short story has cost this book a lot in my opinion. On the one hand I really liked the story-line but there were secondary plots and characters that were introduced, then went no-where. The book was far too short for any character or story development; you go from zero to three heroes in the blink of an eye! I don’t know why but I feel like I was cheated out of most of the story.
Choices is a quick read that takes off running from the start as you are dropped into the non-relationship between Kaden and Brandt who both made a decision years ago to concentrate on their career dreams rather than their personal ones of being together.
These two men have a set pattern where their behaviour is concerned and given that every time Brandt left town Kaden got lost in a bottle it wasn’t always a healthy one, however it was one that has been repeated many times. Brandt is back in town and they fall into their respective roles much too easily but something is different this time – Kaden is more sure than ever that he wants the man and Brandt is back for good but he’s the only one that realises that so far.
There is only one small problem with their plans and his name is Mike. Mike is Kaden’s assistant and is crushing pretty hard on Kaden. He’s the one that is left to pick up the pieces when Brandt leaves, he’s tired of watching Kaden hurt but unsure of what to do about it.
The resolution comes quickly, it had to in such a short story, but it was made believable and wasn’t all about the sex, in fact the first time they try to get together is a bit of a non-event but it is the thing that makes them open their eyes to what they could have. I’m a greedy reader and would have loved more of their story, it was great to get a resolution but I would have liked to see more of how they made it work and how their characters developed as a threesome.
This was a good, quick read. The name really is good for this book considering these three men have a big choice to make.
Brandt and Kaden have put off persuing a relationship with one another for a very long time. They both thought that their careers was more important even though they hurt not being together. In that time apart Kaden hired Mike to work in the vet offices as his assistant and knows that Mike has a crush on him and the feeling is mutual but he has never acted on it because of Brandt. These tree men finally come together and have a choice to make. Kaden can walk away from one or both men or the three of them can try and make a go of it together as a threesome.
I think this was a good read but there could have been so much more to it. For instance it left everything that was happening or did happen with Amos up in the air. EM Woods never elaborated on what the situation was with this man and how he was involved with Brandt or Mike either one and EM never elaborated on what happened with Amos after the the near fight at Sissy's house. So it is kind of there in the air. I also wish that EM Woods would have elaborated more on who these three men decided to come together and what led to the decision. It was a good story but I feel like it could have been a great story with more details.
Was given this book for free from inked rainbow reads for an honest review
The book synopsis sounded great, I love a good ménage story but the execution fell a little flat for me.
Brandt has just returned to town a retired rodeo clown after an injury sidelines his career. Kaden is a small town veterinarian who has loved Brandt for years. The two decided years ago to put the love aside and follow their careers.
Now that Brandt's career is over he is back to claim his man. The only obstacle in his was is Mike, Kaden's cute vet tech. Kaden and Brandt will have their work cut out for them in convincing Mike they both want him.
I was often confused as to who was speaking, or who owned what action. There weren't enough descriptive words used to make that clear. There was only one sex scene in the story and it felt rushed with very little description. Was it good for all of them? I can't tell you, I know Mike enjoyed it. There was very little from Kaden and Brandt, it was almost like they weren't there.
I knew going into it that it was a short story, so any angst or crisis was going to be wrapped up pretty quickly. The story itself is a good foundation, it just needs to be beefed up with all the extraneous details that make a story great.
I wasn't really convinced that this should have been a threesome!
This short story revolves around Kaden and Brandt, long term friends and lovers who have been kept apart by choices they made in their lives. Brandt is now retired from the rodeo and coming home to get his man, the local vet Kaden.
Kaden is in love with his assistant - who have comforted him every time his true love Brandt left town - although they have never been romantically or sexually involved.
I just wasn't convinced of Mikes place in this relationship though, so the HEA didn't really work for me. Also I really didn't see the reasoning behind the angsty / gay bashing incidents at the start of the story? Maybe there is a sequel concerning the Amos character involved in that? I don't know...
I think many of the issues with this book could have been solved if the author had written af full length novel instead of this short story. There just wasn't time to delve into the characters or the relationship between the guys.
This quick little read gives us a slice of life for these three men.
Brandt has several issues going on, a forced retirement, healing from injuries received in and out of the ring, and an ex who let him walk away.
Kaden, knows that Bradnt is back, and will do anything to make sure he stays, problem is, he also has eyes and feeling for Mike.
Mike is Kaden assistant, and has been in love with him since day one.
We started the tale on New Years Eve, Kaden and Brandt almost start something but then find themselves on a roller coaster ride of emotions, and truths.
All three men have unique skills, love and support that they bring into this relationship. But we can tale from the beginning that it is Kaden that is the anchor for both Brandt and Mike. I wish I could say that I really got a strong connection for these men, but in truth, the story was just too short. We got a nice taste and we can tell that they will mold well together in the long run.
For me a longer telling of this story would have made a big difference. It is fairly short and I felt kind of dropped in, there being no background on any of the characters. i also thought big logic jumps were made, even going back and made sure I hadnt missed a page, which while fine in real life left me a bit on catch up when reading. I thought the idea goodbut was just missing something for me