Road Runner

Enchantment #1

by Rain Carrington

In the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico, lives a man who has secrets. Levi Kape watches people at a bar nightly, writing things in his notebook and trying to blend in with the locals. His secrets keep him from getting close to anyone until Bobby Dawes comes off the road after a long haul in his 18-wheeler. After getting to know Bobby, he realizes he’d never been close to anyone. That was about to change.
Levi can’t settle down and not because he doesn’t want to, but because it could endanger his life. Bobby is a gentle, loving and strong man who doesn’t do commitment. He’s also a man that Levi wants more than anything, including his own safety.
Danger causes Levi to leave but he can’t forget the truck driver that drove into his life, changing everything. When Levi leaves, Bobby goes back onto the road, trying to forget the “Golden God” he’d fallen for, but with some help from friends with connections to dark people and places, Bobby finds his man and swears never to let him go again.
Can they save each other not only from the men who want Levi dead but from years of never seeking or finding the love they found in one another? Will the ultimate betrayal cost them the trust they need to make it work between them? Can Bobby save him, or be lost in a dark world alone…

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 20, 2014

About the author

I love writing, it's been my dream for many years, and in October of 2013, when my first book went live on Amazon, that dream came true.

Writing love stories that are centered on flawed but lovable characters is my passion. Finding love between people isn't easy, nor should it be. Even in a book, there have to be obstacles for the story to feel real.

I am a mother of three amazing people, and three adorable fur babies. I live in Colorado but love many other places besides my home. One state in particular is New Mexico, the state where I was born has always held a place in my heart.

People and places make my stories what they are. Each character I've written is a part of me in some way. Each place I write is as well. Adventures come in many ways, and each of my stories has taken me on an adventure that I treasure.

Come with me on my adventures and fall in love with my characters, as I have. I promise, you will love the ride.

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Reviews

[JustJen "Miss Conduct" · Rating 4 out of 5]

A review by The Blogger Girls.

This story has a little bit of everything in it. It’s sweet, suspensful, exciting and quite sexy and steamy at times. There’s also quite a bit of action, both in the bedroom and out.

Bobby is a studly muffin – big, bearded and just all around sexy. He is on his own, and due to his career choice as an owner/operator truck driver, has chosen to stay single. He is on the road too much for an actual relationship to be healthy and finds the nameless one-nighters just make things easier. When he finally makes it home after a long stretch, he meets a new guy in town, Levi, and his thoughts begin to change.

Levi is a sexy little thing, but he’s a bit mysterious. The pieces of his puzzle all fall into place fairly quickly though. His situation doesn’t allow for a relationship either, so he thinks Bobby is perfect for him. Fortunately, or unfortunately, these guys have a major spark. Because of this, Bobby remains adament that actually having sex would be a really bad idea. Thankfully, he doesn’t hold out for long though, and the sparks definitely fly.

What these guys tried to prevent comes to fruition, and they are forced to part ways. Their feelings are strong enough to bring them back together, but it’s a bit of a long road. Obstacles and betrayals get in their way more than once. And, just when you think they’re ready to ride off into the proverbial sunset, it happens again. This action gets quite suspensful and really kept things moving at a fast pace. Levi is betrayed first by his boyfriend, then even worse by the few people he considered friends, right down to those who vowed to protect him, taking us on one heck of a roller coaster ride.

There are some really interesting side characters here as well. Bobby’s friends, Hunter and Ethan, are super sexy, and I found I was really interested in seeing more of them. Ethan’s a little spitfire, and I loved how he manipulated Hunter in ways to help Hunter reach conclusions. Hunter is a big, sexy cattle rancher who is extremely protective of Ethan and his friends. There wasn’t much NOT to love about these two.

Levi was a successful debut author when things went bad. He had to give that all up when he went into hiding for fear of being recognized by his writing if he chose to continue. He ended up taking a slightly different path by breaking into the m/m romance genre. I loved all the details surrounding this, some of which even made me chuckle a time or two.

It takes a while, but these guys finally realize what’s important, who they can truly rely on, and what they really mean to each other. I like that things weren’t always easy or cut and dry, but that they did eventually get their HEA in the end.

This is my first book by Ms. Carrington, though I’m not sure how I managed to miss all of her other stories. There are quite a few characters here – Hunter/Ethan, Carter, etc. – whose stories I now am itching to to back and read. I enjoyed the no-nonsense feel to Ms. Carrington’s writing style and felt it throughtout the story. I definitely recommend you check Ms. Carrington out.

[Heidi Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all Rain Carrington books. The characters are so alive, so human. Their struggles in life endear them to you and you cannot help falling in love with them. This book is no different. Even though this is a new series, we get to revisit our favorite guys from the Honky Tonk series. Ethan and Hunter, Carter, Gene, Antonio Carillo, they are all in this book. It is an incredible journey of love and loss, good and bad, and the twists and turns it takes to get to the finish line. Rain's incredible vision comes to life on the pages, and I was enthralled.
Bobby Dawes is a good 'ol boy from New Mexico. He is a long haul trucker who fears relationships because he spends a lot of time on the road. Now as he is approaching 40, things do not seem to be changing for him, although he is saddened by the fact that he has missed many life events of his friends. He has a little brother who is married to the man of his dreams, a few great friends, and no lover to call his own.
Levi/ Matthew Behar was a successful author who was touring the country promoting his book and in a relationship with a man who he never saw, who had developed a taste for rent boys and spending his money. When he tries to understand his boyfriend and pick up one last hooker for him, Matthew is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Thrown into WITSEC, his boyfriend bails. This leaves him stuck in no where New Mexico with an agent and nothing resembling a life.
After a long stretch on the road, Bobby heads to Honky Tonk to hang out. One night of talking to the new stranger turns his life on its head, breaking open the cage that had formed around his heart. But Hunter thinks something is amiss and starts digging. Too many unanswered questions to Levi leaves a bad taste in his mouth and he will protect his friends even from themselves. When Hunter learns the truth, Levi's world is shaken and he has to relocate. Seems Hunter's past is destroying Bobby's life. With Levi seemingly gone, Bobby finds it hard to go on. Levi has gotten through the trial, but that was just the beginning. Gone from Bobby's life, he tries to start over. But things rarely go as planned. And the guys in New Mexico cannot let their buddy down as well. More ups and downs transpire in this book, and that is no where near the end. Bobby and Matthew have to go through so much more. And their love may not survive the journey. Not to mention the hell that is roaring up on them. Even if they can find each other, nothing will prepare you for the fear and suspense that comes. None of them may survive this story.
This book takes you on such a roller coaster of a ride, you may want to take some anti-nausea meds first. Just when I thought I was near the end- wham! Not even close. This is a heart breaking story, so real in its gut wrenching tale that a happily ever after is not guaranteed. It is an incredible read that should not be missed, and I promise you won't see the end coming.

[Cathy Brockman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in this series and way to go! I was so happy to get to see some of my favorite characters from the Honkey Tonk Series. I loved to get to see more of Hunter, Ethan, and Carter. Don’t worry if you haven’t read Honky Tonk because this stands alone perfectly. I do have to say I loved how Rain Carrington brought back a few of my favorites, but they didn’t upstage the new characters at all.
Road runner is about Bobby and Levi. Bobby is an over the road truck-driver and grew up with most of the men in this town. Bobby goes to the Honky Tonk to see Carter Ethan and Hunter when he comes into town. He sees a cute guy that is new and Ethan goes into matchmaker mode.
Levi is new in town. He has a bit of crush on Hunter but knew he didn’t stand a chance with Ethan and Carter is straight. The minute he sees Bobby he is in lust. He likes the big brutish looking men. Levi has many secrets that could put Bobby and the town in danger.

I looooved this book. I never thought I’d like a character as much as Ethan, Rebel or Binks (the last two are from Rain’s other series Apishpa Creek) but I fell in love with Levi right off the bat. He may be subbish but he sure is a spitfire. I thought I liked big brutish guys too but I find myself drawn to smaller, subbish, yet bossy and smart characters. Levi is all of that and more.
I actually loved Bobby too. He is everyone’s dream. Big, strong, handsome and a protector with a gentle heart.

I have to say the setting is a big part of this story and the way the author described things I could just envision all the environments, sights, sounds, and smells. I want to go to New Mexico now just to see if it’s this beautiful!

The story is intriguing as the characters. I thought I had it figured out pretty quick, but was I off the mark by a long shot. There was so many twists and turns. The ending shocked me a couple times too but I was satisfied with the outcome. There lots of mystery and intrigue. The sex is also very hot. I rate it explicit since there is a lot of sex, but it’s not overly raunchy or anything like that. It’s very hot, and very sensual. There is a little light BDSM, but no whipping or Masochism or anything like that and the D’s thing isn’t predominant. The relationship and sex between Levi and Bobby is absolutely steamy and sensual.

If you like big, strong brutish me with a gentle side, Knights in shining armour, brains winning over brawn, truck drivers, writers, interracial relationships, mystery and intrigue and some smoking hot mansex this is for you. I also recommend you check out the Honky Tonk Series as well. You won’t be sorry! I can’t wait for the next one!
* Review originally written for MMgoodbookreviews http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this book delivers in spades.
There is romance, mystery, friendship, tension, tears, laughter and hot loving!!!
There isn't much more that you could want from a book.
Also we have the Honky Tonk boys throughout this book. It was fantastic seeing them again.
The journey through this book has many twists and turns and its not predictable at all the end is a mystery!!
Just need the next book now!!!!!!!

[Dakota Storm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nanee's Review:

Wow! Rain This books rocks.

I love how the author brings in past characters such as my all time favorites Ethan and Hunter and of course Carter, and we get some Ethan and Hunter sex too YUMMY!. This book is about a big, muscled, sexy truck driver who loves to be on the road. Although he has a home and he does miss it at times he also feels less alone on the road, he has some one night stands and doesn't have to feel anything. Levi oh Levi he is a sexy, sweet, and has a major secret that keeps him from getting to close to people. I loved the first time these two met, I love how Bobby feels comfortable with Levi and Levi wants more. I love their friendship and their both wanting more but understanding with their lives the way they are they don't have the luxury of settling down. This book has action, sexy as hell sex scenes (as only Rain can write) and some tough love. Love the who done it feel in the middle and the what the hell just happened moments too. This book keeps you on the edge of lust and wanted to slap someone or worse. Loved every minute of it. Love the characters; their bond to each other, their protectiveness (especially Hunter) and their love for each other. WOW! Loved these characters and the wild ride Rain took me on.

I can't get enough of Rain's writing, She truly is a gifted writer, her worlds she creates stay with you. 5 huge stars

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say this is one of Rain's best book! There is so much action! So much emotion! You will fall in love with Levi and Bobby! You will be mad at them, cheer them on and be afraid for them! Rain is the best at making you feel and tearing your heart out and putting it back together!!! Her character development is off the charts!!! She doesn't throw everything at you all at once. You get to know these characters little by little and you fall in love with them!

If you have never read this author you need to!

[Sarabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings on this one. The bottom line is it's very sweet and romantic on top of a lot of action. So if that's your thing, give it a whirl.

[♣️ Lynda ♣️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a problem getting into this book at first but it really finished strong! Nice romance and action mixed in with hot sex!!

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I'll return to this set aside title, but for now it didn't hold my interest. So a bookmarkish comment, rather than a review.

[Bookjunkie12 · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a lot of action with your romance with a little BDSM thrown in the mix...then this is the book for you.

I really loved how some of our favorite characters from Honky Tonk were apart of this story.

Looking forward to the next installment

[Joanna Kasperzick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

This is the first book I have read of Rain Carrington. I have to say it is very good. There was a surprise at every turn. I really enjoyed it and will recommend it to my friends. You did an excellent job. Can't wait to read the next one.

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

There are some really bad sentences here that needed an editor or some better punctuation like:

The fenced area held his gazebo and tiny patch of grass that he prided himself in keeping emerald green long after most let theirs go to yellow and led to the backdoor of his home.

The lack of proper editing was apparent elsewhere, too. When describing his home, he said he still owed $150,000 on his truck:

He owned his own truck, a 2009 dark red Peterbilt he'd lovingly named Vince for the lead singer of his favorite band. Vince sang the song as all eighteen wheels made it into the town where he grew up and where his house sat abandoned most of the time. This time it was because he was taking any load of cargo he could to hurry along paying off the hundred and fifty thousand he still owed to the bank on Vince.

Once he star A few pages later he said:

Now that his truck was paid off he could be home more but he didn't plan to have it parked all the time, either.

This is in the present day, not a flashback, with consecutive actions.

Lots of verb tense issues like "Knowing xxx was not going to help him....But then again maybe they will." (Notice change from singular to plural as well.) "Bobby had an arm around his waist or he may fall..." Those may/might situations were particularly challenging apparently.

You can retire and still be vital. The people that waste away are the ones that don't get out and do things, the ones who didn't have much of a life outside of work and family. They're the ones who have nothing to do once they are no longer working and the kids have left home.

I feel like this is a spin off from another series. Oh. It is. Well that one is BDSM full time I think and this is BDSM light I heard so I don't know if I would have liked the other or not. Feels weird though.

Writing is the one area you could get away with in WITSEC because you can do it all electronically. He could write in a different genre and have a deposit account, etc. I have never met any of my editors in person, I sign everything electronically, and I'm paid via PayPal. His agent or publisher would gladly take him under a pen name rather than lose him entirely. Even if he had to pretend to be someone else, he could work it.

The BDSM scene with the strangers started out with a safe word without him even asking for it. At the end, the Dom held them while they came down, making sure they were okay That's a good Dom and I don't mind reading about those. I was even okay with the menage aspect.

Maybe it's just me, but I think a month of sitting and talking together every day and then falling in love is reasonable.

They way they interact is really cute:

"You got it, baby. Besides, my life only began a few minutes ago, when you came back into it."
Bobby grinned wide. "Fucking writers and your pretty words."
"That was good right? I gotta remember that one."

I think the whole BDSM thing detracts from the story. There's good suspense in that I keep thinking something is going to happen when someone knocks on the door or whatever, but nothing ever does. Instead we get yet another sex scene. Way too much sex now. Some of them were important to the plot but now they aren't.

Their tour of New Mexico is really cool. I don't know if those specific places exist but it felt as if they did.

Oh, them's fightin' words. Nothing that made him fight for Seattle in any way?? Oh, okay. Later he sees that Seattle is so fresh, so alive.

Penny slots and 99 cent dinners? Oooo big time casino.

The stupid bad guys are of course Latino. It's not only incredibly racist but such a cliche.

Oh please. That break up was so stupid and just a ridiculous angst thing. But it ruined their so called perfect love for me. Now I'm not even sure they'll make it if they broke up over something easily worked out.

If I ever write a story that isn't supposed to be funny that involves a leader of a criminal enterprise who's stupid, you have permission to shoot me. Also, if I ever write a halfway intelligent character who thinks it's safe to get in league with a mafioso/drug lord you can punch me in the face. Or shoot me. I was trying to be creative.

Men do not have tits.

Twice "luridly" was used to describe how one was rubbing against the other. That's really quite kinky and not really in a good way. Perhaps she meant lasciviously, lecherously, libidinously, torridly?

Good action, danger, peril, but no injuries or hospital scenes or anything. How can you have a thriller without having at least one bandage? Their love was sweet but the whole knowing Bobby would never stop loving him was odd. He let him get away even after he said he wouldn't. And all the details. And constant talk of needing and loving and not letting him go just got to be too much, and I'm an unrepentant sap!

If it were shorter and tighter without the whole BDSM newbie distraction and with some well placed gaping chest wounds and if it got to the action part faster... Okay that's a lot of change to make it really good. What I'm saying is that I liked the characters and plot and the action was good. Pacing not so much.

[Nudlez · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5* I liked the story, but there are a lot of jumps in the storyline.

[John Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story, I loved the characters and the story plot. Would recommend highly.

[Annette Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good writing. Interesting story. A bit of steam. Overall I enjoyed reading it.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars--It isn't often that I'm this far off the average in my rating, but this book just did nothing for me. There was way too much going on and too little of it was pertinent. It was torturously long. I much prefer a good, strong storyline to copious steam--and in this case, for me, it wasn't even steam but just sex. By the 65% mark, I was skimming just desperate to get to the end. Obviously I don't appreciate Carrington's writing and will keep this in mind when picking out future reads.

[Jessica Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesomeness

Very well written. Touching plot line. With loveable and believable characters. Story told so well. You feel like your there. And could taste the air,water,food around them.

[Susan Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5* rounded up :)