Jackass Flats

Riding Cowboy Flats #1

by Julia Talbot

Tate feels like the best part of life has probably passed him by, which is why the thirty-something cowboy hits the bar every night. When he meets Dave, a young soldier from a nearby Army base, though, Tate figures things might be looking up. He and Dave get off to a rocky start, but Tate soon finds that he and the kid have enough in common to make things interesting.


Dave isn't really into the whole don't ask, don't tell thing, and he doesn't bother to hide his relationship with Tate from his friends. Once he realizes he should have, it may be too late, but Dave is willing to fight for Tate, even if it means taking on the military. Can a traveling military man and a set in his ways cowboy find a way to make things work?


Look for the second Jackass Flats novella in early 2009.

Genres: M M Romance, Westerns, Contemporary, Romance, Gay, Military Fiction, LGBT

ebook

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

Julia Talbot lives in the great Southwest, where there is hot and cold running rodeo, cowboys, and everything from meat and potatoes to the best Tex-Mex. A full time author, Julia is a hybrid author, and has been published by many presses as well as self publishing. She believes that everyone deserves a happy ending, so she writes about love without limits, where boys love boys, girls love girls, and boys and girls get together to get wild, especially when her crazy paranormal characters are involved. Julia also writes as Minerva Howe. Find Julia at @juliatalbot on Twitter, or at www.juliatalbot.com

Reviews

[CrabbyPatty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tate is a hard drinkin' New Mexico cowboy living in a small house in Jackass Flats, which all the fancy folks in subdivisions call Tortilla Flats. One night he meets Dave Lopes, a young Army stud with big muscles and broad shoulders who works with guidance systems at the White Sands Missile Range. They hit it off and end up doing some low-key dating as in trips to Tate's private hot springs and evenings on the couch watching old westerns with beer and popcorn.

The relationship between the two men moves at a leisurely pace, and while the novella has a few sex scenes there is no steamy sizzle of sexual chemistry. Tate is about 35 years old yet throughout the book Tate refers to himself as old, as in broken-down, tired, weary, worn-out, and he suspects people think he looks like Dave's father.

I dunno, maybe it's me, but I can't imagine many 35-year-old men explaining (as Tate does):

“I’m an old fart, honey. You hitch your wagon to me, you’d best know that now. I’m happy to jerk you or blow you, if you need some more lovin’, but I ain’t up for fucking.”

There was also some inconsistency with a major plot point... Dave's crisis with his military career is first described as perhaps having something to do with a disgruntled friend and an overheard conversation, then DADT (the book is set in 2008 before the repeal of DADT), or maybe because Dave's former commander disliked him ... that left me scratching my head.

While the ending neatly ties up Dave and Tate's low-key love story, "Jackass Flats" just did not grab my interest. My rating is 2.75 stars (rounded up to 3 stars).

I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.

Visit my new blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well damn that Tate is honest straight forward it is so opposite to Dave.
Full mouthing what he was thinking.
Tate a cowboy and Dave an army man.
They meet at a lot on a cold snowstorm night. Tate a little drunk gets a ride home by Dave.
After they meet again they stuck around. Just going easy with each other. Eating, watching tv a lot of kissing and hand jobs nothing more.
The language in this story was full local and for me I could almost hear the language as in a movie. Somethings difficult to understand but that didn't make the story lesser.
They were sweet, easygoing and lead back. Their feelings getting stronger and stronger.
After a bad beating from his work where the policy is dadt Dave has to make up his mind about his future. Tate is the perfect boyfriend defending his boyfriends honor also getting bruised.

A sweet angst free story about two man who are growing to each other. They are honest and speak out their mind. Not to much drama. They are getting hotter and hotter for each other and that was a very good addition in this story which had a smooth convincing flow.

[The Reading's Love Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

RECENSIONE QUI: https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/...


"Jackass Flats" è una novella che racconta di come un cowboy e un militare dopo il primo incontro iniziano una storia di conoscenza che diventa giorno dopo giorno qualcosa di più. È una storia semplice fatta di persone semplici. Tate è un cowboy asociale e quando lo conosciamo passa le sue serate al bar ad ubriacarsi, si sente e si definisce vecchio di continuo e per tutta la storia. Ho cercato per tutto il libro di capire l'età ma non ci è dato sapere, Dave all'inizio suppone trentacinque anni ma se così fosse la cosa è ancora più irritante, perché: "sono vecchio" o "muoviti vecchio", "non ce la faccio per la mia età" e altre considerazioni appesantiscono senza avere motivazioni valide e ai miei occhi Tate è una persona anziana per tutta la lettura. Nel proseguo della storia credevo ci fosse una spiegazione sui comportamenti di Dave ma tutto resta non detto, sospeso senza approfondimenti. Dave è giovane, un militare che viene spostato di base in base, un ragazzo normale. I personaggi sono caratterizzati pochissimo. Hanno questa relazione di amicizia con poco sentimento e poco sesso, sempre perché Tate ha i suoi blocchi di cui resteremo all'oscuro. È un susseguirsi di eventi ma senza approfondimenti né personali né sentimentali. È una storia carina? Certamente piacevole e senza impegno ma manca davvero qualcosa se non tutto. Che sia l'approfondimento dei caratteri e la loro mancanza di evoluzione oppure alcuni eventi lasciati in sospeso che si risolvono e basta. Insomma per tutto il libro aspettavo che qualcosa venisse detto o fatto per rendere completa la storia ma questo non è avvenuto, sono andata anche a cercare se i libri successivi hanno gli stessi protagonisti, in quel caso questa storia si sarebbe potuta considerare come un prologo per approfondimenti futuri ma purtroppo così non è...

CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/

[Stella ╰☆╮╰☆╮ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Julia Talbot is one of my comfort authors, some of her shorts are among my fave stories to read when my mind needs time off from RL. That’s one of the reasons why I was enthusiastic to have Jackass Flats in my hands. Plus the match between a cowboy and a military man intrigued me very much.

That said as soon as I started it, I knew it wasn’t going to be a success to me. I struggled a lot with the reading, I spent days on it (unusual to me) and I often forced myself to reread some parts I missed simple cause the story didn’t caught my attention. I’ll be honest and say if it wasn’t for the blog, I wouldn’t have finished it at all.

I didn’t give it a lower rating just cause I liked the characters, Dave and Tate were sweet, the relationship flew easily and at slow pace, they took their times and enjoyed real life moments together.

Problem is I found everything so shallow it was annoying. The dialogues, their thoughts, were frustating at hell. And the plot, what was going on with Dave military carrer, left me a little dubious. Then there is one more thing I couldn’t understand, how old is Tate? There is no mention of his age but the author told me he is old a neverending times. And this was another particular that annoyed me. Is he old? Is he feeling old? Can’t I just know it clearly?

It seems I have two words to describe Jackass Flats, annoying and frustating.

The cover art by Bree Archer is the only thing I liked and from it, it seems Tate isn’t so old at the end.

[Elyxyz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-
Senza infamia e senza lode.
Forse avevo un’aspettativa troppo alta per questa storia dopo aver letto la sinossi, ma onestamente non sono riuscita ad appassionarmi del tutto ai protagonisti e alle loro vicende, a cui darei come voto 3 stelline stiracchiate, anche se sono simpatici.
La base era buona e l’idea c’è, ma secondo me manca un po’ di approfondimento in certi punti e alcuni passaggi mi sono parsi slegati, senza un’evoluzione continuata. Ci sono cose e comportamenti che magari meritavano una spiegazione migliore, come il fatto che Tate sembra avere un’età indefinita fra i 35 e i 50 anni, com’è detto nel testo, sembrando in alcune frasi giovane e in altre mezzo decrepito, al di là del giocare sulla battuta del ‘vecchietto’.
Anche se la trama si legge in fretta, ho faticato un po’ a digerire tutti i ‘caro’ e ‘tesoro’, che probabilmente in lingua originale suonavano meglio, ma hanno un loro perché secondo i pensieri del protagonista e la resa italiana, rimasta fedele al testo, è oggettivamente curata.
Ci sono anche parti che ho amato, come la caratterizzazione di Dave e le sue scelte.
Nel complesso è una storia non brutta ma senza troppo slancio, una lettura breve e discreta per qualche ora di intrattenimento disimpegnato, tra un cowboy solitario e un giovane soldato, entrambi in cerca di felicità.

[Risa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jackass Flats war mein erstes Buch, das ich von der Autorin gelesen habe. Leider konnte mich die Story nicht überzeugen.

Zur Handlung. Tate ist schwul, Ende 30 und lebt allein auf seiner Ranch, von der er einen Großteil verpachtet hat, um über die Runden zu kommen. Als er sich eines Abends mal wieder in einer Bar betrunken hat, begegnet ihm Dave, der ihn nach Hause fährt.
Dave ist Soldat in der Army und ganz in der Nähe von Tates Ranch stationiert. Er ist ungeoutet, da niemand seiner Kameraden etwas von seiner sexuellen Orientierung wissen darf. Nur sein bester Freund Ram ist eingeweiht. Dave ist sofort an dem fast doppelt so alten Tate interessiert und so kommen sich die beiden langsam näher.

Der Klappentext klang interessant und ich war sehr gespannt auf die Geschichte. Gerade das Frage-nichts-sage-nichts-Thema in der Army versprach so einiges an Spannung. Leider blieb der Handlungsverlauf dann doch weit hinter meinen Erwartungen zurück. Ich kam mit dem Erzählstil der Autorin gar nicht zurecht, anstatt spannend fand ich die Story oft zähflüssig und langatmig. Auch mit dem Paar Dave und Tate konnte ich nichts anfangen. Die beginnende Beziehung wirkte auf mich zu emotionslos und unterkühlt. Als sie es dann endlich mal ins Bett geschafft hatten, kam der Stimmungskiller schlechthin. Weil statt liebevoller, zärtlicher Gefühle der Gedanke geschildert wurde, dass man ja nach dem Sex unbedingt wieder duschen muss. Geküsst wurde natürlich auch erst nach dem Zähneputzen. Manchmal habe ich nur noch mit dem Kopf geschüttelt. Bei den geschilderten, doch recht ruppigen und wenig gefühlvollen Sexszenen, fehlten mir eindeutig die Romantik und das liebevolle Miteinander.

Genervt hat mich auch schnell die ständige Verwendung von Kosenamen wie Junge, Süßer und Babe. Außerdem frage ich mich ernsthaft, wieso die Autorin den knapp 40-jährigen Tate wie einen uralten Mann schildert, der nur noch einmal am Tag Sex haben kann, ganz zu schweigen von seiner angeblichen Unbeweglichkeit im Bett. Manchmal hatte ich wirklich den Eindruck, der Charakter wäre schon im Rentenalter.

Auch von der Vorgeschichte der beiden Männer erfährt man so gut wie nichts. Was mich besonders enttäuscht hat, war dann aber letztendlich Daves Zwangsouting bei der Army, verursacht ausgerechnet von seinem Freund Ram. Von der anschließenden Schlägerei und der offiziellen Untersuchung des Vorfalls liest man nur wage am Rande. Schade, denn gerade dieser Handlungsstrang wäre dazu geeignet gewesen, wenigstens ein bisschen Spannung zu erzeugen. Die Idee war gut, aber an der Ausführung hapert es.

Die Story erhält von mir 3 Sterne, allerdings ohne Leseempfehlung.

Mein Dank geht an Dreamspinner Press für das erhaltene Rezensionsexemplar.

[Serena Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in times of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, ‘Jackass Flats’ is a romance with obstacles between a cowboy and his newest Army friend-with-increasing-benefits. The location is New Mexico, and there are lots of local details and the kind of warmth I like when reading about cowboys and their woes. Between Tate’s worries about his ranch, the taxes he owes, and the fact that he is feeling too old for his own good and Dave having issues in the Army due to an idiot he thought was his friend, there is a significant level of tension and suspense in this story. There is also a significant amount of heat – despite the slow pace Tate insists on. Between the two this makes for an entertaining read with a slightly historical-feeling southwestern charm I enjoyed.


Please find my full review of the third edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Dutchgirl · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really didn't like this one, the story didn't really flow and i got a hard time getting into it. But what was really putting me off was that Tate kept telling and reminding himself and others that he was an old fart. Because the author kept telling us that Tate was an old fart i started to think of him that way i was visualising that Tate was 70-80 years and that Dave was in his early twenties now that really was putting me off. Not romantic at all!!!

[Feel The Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recensione a cura di Raksha per Feel the Book

Tate è un cowboy vecchio stile, uno di quelli con le corna appese in salotto, con quell’aria bruciata dal sole che lo rende una creatura senza tempo una volta raggiunta una certa età. È un uomo temprato dal lavoro, sulla via della disperazione a causa della solitudine e delle difficoltà economiche. Spesso Tate affoga i suoi dispiaceri nei bar ed è proprio in uno di questi che, una sera, incontra Dave.
Dave è un soldato; non sappiamo molto di lui, delle sue capacità, delle sue esperienze, della sua vita alla base, sappiamo solo che ha un amico davvero pessimo, pronto a tirargli uno sgambetto che gli causerà non pochi problemi.
Tra Dave e Tate è amore a prima vista. I due uomini hanno fin da subito una profonda affinità e iniziano una relazione che avanza, tappa dopo tappa, fino a farli innamorare. Ho poco apprezzato i vezzeggiativi con cui, fin da subito, sostituiscono i loro nomi. Caro, tesoro e altri nomignoli simili, sono usati a mio avviso con troppa leggerezza e danno poca credibilità ai personaggi.
Nonostante la stretta vicinanza, Tate fatica a lasciarsi andare per paura di essere troppo vecchio e non riuscire a sopportare il ritmo di Dave.
Non ho capito queste titubanze. Per buona parte del romanzo Tate si tira indietro, lasciandosi coinvolgere solo da semplici lavoretti di mano per paura di non riuscire a sopportare un rapporto completo, poi verso la fine tutti questi dubbi spariscono improvvisamente e gli uomini vivono liberamente una relazione fisica oltre che sentimentale. In realtà l’età di Tate non si capisce: viene chiamato vecchio diverse volte, ma Dave dice di non dargli più di 30/35 anni. Questo aspetto mi ha confuso perché non sono riuscita a dare un volto chiaro, nella mia mente, a uno dei protagonisti.
I due uomini sono chiamati a superare alcuni piccoli ostacoli, tutto ruota attorno ai loro incontri e a qualche dubbio che li assilla. Speravo in una storia più ricca, in una narrazione più corposa.
I personaggi sono abbastanza descritti, ma non perfettamente chiari. L’ambientazione è solo accennata e quel che gira attorno ai protagonisti è un gioco di luci e ombre che lasciano con più domande che risposte.
Una storia carina che però non mi ha convinto fino in fondo.

Editing della recensione a cura di Lilith per Feel the Book

[Serena Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in times of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, ‘Jackass Flats’ is a romance with obstacles between a cowboy and his newest Army friend-with-increasing-benefits. The location is New Mexico, and there are lots of local details and the kind of warmth I like when reading about cowboys and their woes. Between Tate’s worries about his ranch, the taxes he owes, and the fact that he is feeling too old for his own good and Dave having issues in the Army due to an idiot he thought was his friend, there is a significant level of tension and suspense in this story. There is also a significant amount of heat – despite the slow pace Tate insists on. Between the two this makes for an entertaining read with a slightly historical-feeling southwestern charm I enjoyed.


Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

data la trama e la casa editrice mi aspettavo molto di più,quasi una delusione.
personaggi abbastanza stereotipati e vocabolario molto datato (tutti quei caro e tesoro sono irritanti)
testo curato come sempre e ottima cover

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Voto - 3.5
.
Ho un debole per i MM western, dove un protagonista è descritto come cowboy ruvido e con la pelle bruciata dal sole, dove ci sono cavalli e dove si fanno lunghe cavalcate nella prateria brulla per poi arrivare a un’oasi di pace e di verde (la cui ubicazione è conosciuta solo al personaggio principale) con tanto di pozza d’acqua fresca e una cascata tra le rocce in cui, per anche solo un pomeriggio, i due innamorati possono trascorrere momenti di privacy e tenerezza. Se il secondo personaggio della coppia romantica è un militare, ecco che il gioco è fatto. Il romanzo mi ha conquistato. Definitivamente.

Jackass Flats, di Julia Talbot non mi ha deluso in questo e l’ambientazione ideale affinché fosse un western MM di tutto rispetto c’è. Purtroppo però, alcuni aspetti nella trama mi hanno lasciato un po’ perplessa, sebbene, nel complesso, la storia sia carina, e adatta a chi stia cercando un romanzo senza pretese, con una buona dose di tenerezza e senza particolare angst di trama.

Tate è un uomo in là con gli anni e si sente ormai arrivato, senza più speranze di vivere una relazione sentimentale completa. Incontra Dave in una notte di tormenta, totalmente ubriaco e incapace di guidare fino a casa con il suo pick-up. Dave si offre di riaccompagnarlo e poi, quando tutto ha l’aria di concludersi in quel semplice episodio, qualche mese dopo i due si rincontrano e finalmente palesano la reciproca attrazione. Ecco qui la mia prima perplessità: Tate si definisce spesso durante il romanzo e a più riprese “vecchio”, ma in realtà Dave, che ha vent’anni, presume (senza esserne però certo), che abbia tra i trenta e i trentacinque anni. In realtà nel romanzo non verrà mai esplicitata la vera età di Tate, che per certi versi potrebbe averne persino cinquanta, viste certe sue timidezze comportamentali e atteggiamenti antiquati.

Tate, e la sorella Darla non perde occasione per ripeterglielo, deve avere un particolare problema con i militari, per cui anche se si lascia sedurre da Dave, mantiene un atteggiamento distaccato, di disillusione, sapendo bene come sia la vita di un militare, velocemente dislocato presso altre basi da un giorno alla notte e quindi senza possibilità di una storia duratura tra loro. E qui si palesa un altro dei problemi che ho riscontrato in questo romanzo: la storia passata di Tate, che avrebbe permesso di rendere tridimensionale il personaggio non è raccontata. Vengono solo accennate, da mezze affermazioni in qualche dialogo tra Tate e sua sorella, alcune delusioni pregresse del cowboy, ma niente di più. E neppure Dave viene descritto e reso più corposo; entrambi i personaggi restano un po’ piatti sullo sfondo di una storia che, come dicevo in apertura, è abbastanza semplice e senza pretese.

L’inevitabile crisi e conflitto che porterà poi allo sviluppo finale di tutta la storia appare anch’esso leggermente forzato e poco incisivo, anche se tutto sommato, credibile e adatto al clima lieve di tutta la trama.

Un altro appunto: Tate si mostra come una sorta di educanda timida e ritrosa, restio com’è ad avere rapporti completi con Dave al primo appuntamento, ma anche al secondo e al terzo mostra di avere particolari problemi a lasciarsi andare, e se in parte ciò può essere comprensibile, viste le esperienze passate che non vengono però raccontate, alla lunga possono in qualche modo spiazzare un po’ il lettore. Soprattutto se poi, da un capitolo all’altro, salta fuori che alla fine “lo hanno fatto” ma non viene mostrato al lettore non dico l’atto in sé stesso, ma la situazione che ha portato poi il protagonista a capitolare e ad abbandonarsi al suo amante. Viene semplicemente buttato lì, en passant, come un fatto qualunque, mentre per tre quarti del romanzo viene invece esasperato proprio questo rifiuto a concedersi all’altro. Forse un po’ più di approfondimento e analisi psicologica non avrebbe guastato in questo romanzo che conta solo 100 pagine o poco più.
.
Ipanema - per RFS

[The Novel Approach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tate feels like he’s just too old. He owes taxes, and drinking seems to be his focus to forget his troubles. His sister is concerned about him. Not only does she worry about his finances and the ranch, but she wants to protect Tate from being hurt. One thing Tate isn’t ready to do is give up his ranch in New Mexico. He stumbles out of Lulu’s one night, and stumbles into Dave Lopes, a soldier in the Army. Dave gets the “old-timer”, Tate, safely home, but not without a lot of fussing at each other.

Dave goes to dinner one night and as he’s thinking about Tate, he’s surprised to hear a familiar voice. Tate invites Dave to have dinner with him, and they hit it off pretty good. Dave finds he has an interest in Tate, and he really wants to get to know him, but Tate’s not ready to have a physical relationship—especially not with a military man who’s sure to leave—but they agree to start by dating.

Ram, who is supposed to be Dave’s friend, starts trouble for Dave out of jealousy. In fact, he confronts Tate one evening when he’s out having dinner with his friend Herschel, and the two old-timers find themselves in a brawl with the Army.

Jackass Flats is my first time reading Julia Talbot’s work, and I have to say I was thoroughly entertained by this short story. She writes cowboys in a style that is similar to another author that I like. This is a nicely written love story, with a little drama and a cowboy fist fight. It does have a somewhat serious side too, addressing the issues and repercussions of “don’t-ask-don’t-tell”. I really like Dave and Tate; they’re great characters and they made a really fun and sweet couple. For me this was a light read that I didn’t have to think too hard about. And, Herschel is getting his own story, Just A Cowboy, which I’m looking forward to, and more from this author.

Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach Reviews

[Amneris Cesare · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know, I still am wondering why I read this book until the end. Or maybe the reason why I am well aware of: the style with whom this book is written was unique and unusual. But the plot? The story? That disappointed me much. Because there's not. An "Army boy", a soldier rescues a drunk cowboy a night of snow, and takes him home. Then after two or three weeks the two get together again and... they jump to each other. Like that. No clues if they both are gay, no enquiring, questioning. That's it. But the cowboy - who says himself "old", but I truly did not understand how much old he is... thirty? forty? fifty? no clues either - is like a skittish virgin, does not want to go further in the love making, it's too soon. And then it becomes not, but you only learn that they had intercourse because one of them says so. What happened? And most of all, why? I thought maybe Tate had some issues about intercourse, - had been abused? bad experiences? - but there's no explanation. And the "Army boy" gets mugged by his army mates. And the reason why might be plausible unless the Army gets him under enquiry and not the muggers. And forces him to leave the Army punishing the victim and not the abusers. But everything ends well, all too well.
Well.
I did not like this book. Too trivial. Too simple. And not worth the reading. I give 3 stars only for the writing style that is outstanding.

[~SexyBookWorm~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Serious editing issues. Made it difficult to read. not acceptable. Good story otherwise. Only one real sex scene. Much too quick and rushed. needed more heat.

[Lillian Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't sure about this to start with but once I got used to the speech pattern of the MCs I really enjoyed it.
We never really found out why Tate was so cautious about sex but was an explanation necessary? No, I don't think so, some people just are.
I enjoyed watching Dave worm his way in to Tate's heart despite Tate's inner belief (not helped by his sister) that no would stay, especially not an Army Boy.
You'll like this if you like:
Age gap (not sure exactly but I'd guess at 10-15 years
MC with issues (confidence & libido)
Real sense of place (disclaimer: I've never been to New Mexico but this has a sense of not being 'insert generic US city/town here'.

This review is for the Torquere version of the book. According to GR the DSP version has 10 more pages.

[Gavin Stephenson-Jackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right time, right place, well at least for Tate. He's imbibed a little much and is heading back to his truck when Dave catches him and takes him home. Tate is running the family ranch in New Mexico alone. Dave is stationed at a local military base. DADT is still in force so Dave has to be careful at work but he finds he likes the cowboy and his advances are returned. Even though he's never said anything at work others know the truth and use it against him. Tate stands by his side through this getting a little of his own on the guy who's responsible for the difficulty Dave is in. These two come together pretty quickly despite Tate's concern about their age difference making this a very sweet romance.

[Alessandra Alexsub · Rating 4 out of 5]

Piacevoli sviluppi
Cowboy e soldati, davvero una bella accoppiata per un libro che si è rivelato dolce. La prima volta che ho letto questa storia, devo ammettere, non l’ho apprezzata molto, amo i cowboy ma sono stata distratta dai modi di esprimersi dei personaggi. Forse non era il momento giusto, rileggendola ne ho colto meglio gli aspetti positivi, mi piace come fra i due, il rapporto si sviluppi piano, apprezzo come Dave rispetti Tate, è dolce come si prendano il loro tempo per conoscersi. Al di la delle impressioni iniziali, è davvero un buon libro e sono felice di avergli dato un'altra possibilità.

[Hilcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the slow romance. The main characters are likable. Except, well, Tate’s character, a man in his 30’s, reads like an old man — acts like it, talks like it, thinks like it. Who says a man in his 30’s is ancient for goodness sakes? Annoying. Additionally, Tate keeps implying that’s there’s a specific reason he doesn’t have sex with Dave. What’s the reason? We never find out. Same with the whole “military man” MO mentioned infinite times. What’s behind that? A bad experience? Don’t know.
Anyway, an okay read.

[Alexis Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cowboy meets Army

There's something about the slowed down pace to one of Ms. Talbot's contemporary books that makes me very happy. Here, a mid thirties cowboy named Tate falls for a younger man, an Army man named Dave. There's some trials and some stuck in their ways moments that really resonate.

KU, contemporary, book in series, standalone, cowboys, military men, age gap, opposites attract, HEA

[Wax · Rating 3 out of 5]

It pains me to write this because there really wasn't anything that I hated about this book, but it just felt so slow and honestly kinda boring. I just didn't enjoy it, though the characters were perfectly fine. Rounding up from 2.5 stars because I have a feeling that it's a me thing and not the book. I'm just not a big western fan.

[Cleo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. The writing made the main characters seem childlike (and not intentionally), the plot was thin and there wasn’t enough chemistry between the h/h to make me overlook the weak writing.

[Steven Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, fun read. Tate and Dave are great together and their relationship developed really nicely. The slow-burn was a change. It felt a little dated to me, especially regarding the army sub-plot, but then again 2008 was a very different time.

[Kassa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dave Lopes is a young, handsome, outgoing, charismatic man that is stationed out in the desert for voicing his opinions a little too broadly in his previous assignment. He’s careful to stay within the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell guidelines of the military but he’s not interested in quick gropes in the shower while hurrying not to get caught. He’s wandering a bit, still trying to find his niche, both in the military and his life.

Tate is a sexy, settled, and charming good old boy who has the look and feel of an old time cowboy. He’s living and working a piece of land, which has been in his family, trying to stay above the pressures of taxes, family, and loneliness. Sometimes it’s too much and he drowns his sorrows in liquor, feeling ancient despite his relative youth.

Dave and Tate first meet with Tate having drunk too much and Dave being a good neighbor and driving the drunk cowboy home, even way out to nowhere in Jackass Flats. The meeting, however ill fated, leaves a lasting impression upon both men and they are intrigued to renew the acquaintance after a chance meeting at a local restaurant.

Both men are somewhat loners, Tate by nature and Dave by circumstance, which leads to the start of a friendship and ultimately more. Tate is very tentative and old school, refusing to do more than kiss on a first, or even second date. Surprisingly, Dave is not overly frustrated or put off by Tate’s slower nature and a solid relationship is formed based on the deep friendship developed first.

Talbot weaves a charming, delightful story of these two men who slowly build their relationship and friendship day by day, with a slow burn of passion always simmering just below the surface. The chemistry is far from dormant, instead Tate simply lets the flames fan slowly and surely, building and building until the passion overwhelms them both. This insecurity of Tate’s (wandering youngster versus an older rancher) is handled deftly with a sensitivity and honesty that is refreshing to see with regards to sexy, settled cowboys.

Don’t let the slower pace fool you, all is not easy between Tate and Dave and they must handle military problems, past lovers, inherent differences and sexual frustration during the course of their coming together. Though these problems are largely hinted at and resolved, Dave is very good at reminding Tate all the reasons why he’s not as old as even he feels he is, injecting youth and vigor back into Tate’s daily life.

The pacing and evolving of the story and relationship suited Tate and Dave, lending a warmth and candor to the characters. Now that we’ve met and seen how they finally got together, I can’t wait for the next installment of these two characters. I have a feeling Dave will be keeping Tate young for a long time to come.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the author/publisher for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*

Tate is a cowboy who is set in his ways and enjoys his time alone. One night when he's had too much to drink at a local bar he meets Dave, a soldier at the nearby Army base. Dave offers to drive him home to save him from spending a cold night sleeping in his truck. Neither expect to see each other again, until a chance encounter in the local Mexican restaurant happens. The men start talking and soon their interest turns to more. Tate doesn't expect much from his time with Dave, he knows that he's a soldier and that doesn't equal long-term.

Though Dave and Tate spent a lot of time together, it was not spent in bed. They both moved slowly in establishing their relationship and exploring the possibilities between them. Dave was young and finding himself in the world; Tate was settled in his ways. Tate's description throughout the book was of an ancient, old man, but he was in his thirties.

This was an interesting story, but I just felt a disconnect throughout it. I don't feel like I understood either character. I didn't get the whole relationship between Tate and his sister. I was annoyed by hearing how ancient Tate was. But, this book is about a cowboy and a soldier and a quick read, so you should check it out for yourself!

[Natosha Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent read. Who does not love military men and cowboys? Put them together and it is always a good time.

I really felt sorry for Dave. He is in the military at at time when don't ask and don't tell was still in full swing and even though there was others in his unit that swung his way, he did not mix the two up. But that did not stop one of his friends from turning in him after Dave turned him down and led everyone to believe that it was Dave that hit on him instead. This opened up a whole can of worms for Dave and ultimately lead to the end of his military career.

The one good thing that came out of all of it was meeting Tate. Tate is set in his ways and plans to not do anything other then be himself. When he meets Dave even though he tries to not let him in his heart, it is a futile battle that he cannot win because no matter how many walls Tate tried to put up Dave demolished them as soon as they was erected.

Tate knew with Dave being in the military that he took a chance of this being nothing more between them then fun while it lasted. So when Dave chose to stay and make a life with Tate, he was beyond relieved and happy.

These two men had a rough go at it with everything that was happening with Dave in the military and everything that was going on in Tate's head but they was able to overcome it and start a life together. This was a good quick read. The one thing I did not like about it was it was really annoying the way Tate's character was categorized as old and basically a hick because he is in his mid thirties and a cowboy. That was kind of Annoying because there is a difference in feeling old and in actually being old but as far as his character was portrayed you would have thought he was in his nineties. And it was stereotyping the way he talked and acted as far as a cowboy, as if he was not all that bright because of this. So that I did not like at all. As far as the story itself I enjoyed it. It was a great love story that was quick and sweet.

Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review

[Cee Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

**)
.•.•*) .•*)Sometimes life worked out just like it was supposed to.
(.• (.•`*

Five Sheets to the wind, Tate was rescued by a big, young military man. Being alone was starting to wear thin, but the small town of Jackass Flats was just not the place to find love or even a relationship for a gay, quiet man. Besides that, Tate had too much on his plate and not enough to offer anyone. No matter how drunk, there was attraction in their path. Meeting days later solidified that attraction.

Both decided to make a go at dating. But when soldier Dave expressed his interest in the cowboy to his best friend, things go from good to bad. Soon Dave finds himself fighting for his life and his job. Even with his honesty, Dave never thought he would become a victim. But Tate was there for him and together they made the most of life together.

A good story, one that I enjoyed. The author told a story of opposites attract. Never revealing Tate's age, but hinting at him being much older than Dave, the two proved that regardless, they were good for each other.

I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from Dreamspinner Press.
Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club

[Bo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly Mellow

This one surprised me in that I didn't feel rushed into accepting a relationship between an older cowboy (Tate) and a young army solider (Dave). That's because author Talbot is careful to respect the demons and fears of both characters without making a big deal of any of them.

If that sounds superficial, it's not meant to be. I found the way she developed each character was critical to liking them and hoping they would eventually get together. I did find that Talbot handled Tate more discreetly than Dave, which worked some times but not in others.

For example, I cannot for the life of me recall whether or not Tate's age is every mentioned. He refers to himself as an old man, but there is clearly every indication that he is talking about the difference in his age from that of 23-year-old Dave. So, I satisfied my curiosity by thinking he was about 40 years old.

There is one very big plot hole in this book, and all I will say is that it involves what could be described as a missing chapter about a hotel plan. Other than that, I will probably get the second in the series about Tate's longtime pal Herschel, who plays a critical role in this one. Nice job.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rather enjoyed this little book - the story about Dave and his cowboy Tate. As with BA Tortuga I love Ms. Talbot's Texas dialogue (I'm an easterner so I find it both exotic and homey - who wouldn't love to hear men drawling "honey" to those near and dear?) Although, Tate was making me feel REALLY old (and he was only in his 30's!) with all his "old man" this and "old man" that. Hopefully Dave finally set him straight, so to speak, in that respect. The guys were hot and a lot of fun to get to know.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s an OK Story

Just a rather simple Army meets Cowboy story with some character development and enough history to keep it together. There were some story threads which were unexplained and left open but this book ends on a positive HFN.