Before Sundown

by Lisa Worrall

Samuel Somerfield is used to the oppressive heat of the Texas plains, and in the year 1892 things get even hotter when ranch hand Eli Watkins walks onto the job. Every stolen glance, every searing touch from Eli tilts Samuel’s world on its axis. He wants only to spend the rest of his life in Eli’s arms. But Samuel’s cruel and domineering father has other plans for him. Samuel must marry Eleanor Johnston and give his father the social standing he craves.

Eli knew falling in love with Samuel would cause problems, yet even he never dreamed Mr. Somerfield would go to such lengths to keep his son and him apart. After Somerfield orders a beating that leaves Eli disfigured and embarrassed, Eli takes a job on another ranch far from Samuel.

News of Samuel’s impending wedding eventually reaches Eli, and he realizes he must return to the man he loves, despite what might await him, and try to save Samuel from a life he was not meant to live.

Genres: M M Romance, Historical, Westerns, Romance, Abuse

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 4, 2016

About the author

I live in Leigh on Sea, a small seaside town just outside London on the coast of Essex, about ten minutes from Southend, which boasts the longest pier in the world. I live with my husband and two ever-growing children, who I let think are the boss of me; along with two dogs who actually are.

As the wonderful Beatrix Potter said, “There is something delicious about writing the first words of a new story. You never quite know where they’ll take you.” I know exactly what she means.

Reviews

[Dutchgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!

This book kept me on the edge of my seat although it is not overly angsty but i just had to see what was going to happen. Both Samuel and Eli are very loveable and it was nice to read their story and their journey towards each other. The father had me screaming and wishing all sorts of bad things to happen to him. I adored Isaac and Jackson, such a great team who (especially Isaac) look after both boy's .

Highly recommend!!

[CrabbyPatty · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting story, but ..... the villain is just SO over the top that it was difficult to read, and harder to finish.

Visit my new blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews

[SheReadsALot · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Hearts On Fire Review

THREE HEARTS--

"I knew the first time I saw you I was in trouble, Eli Watkins."

*cue 'I Knew You Were Trouble' to play in the background*

This is my first time reading Lisa Worrall. I'm unfamiliar with her writing style but let me tell you I was entertained. Probably for the wrong reasons, but entertained nonetheless. Trigger Warning: animal cruelty, physical and verbal abuse, attempted and off page sexual assault

Set in 1892 Texas, Before Sundown is about gay horseman & country boy Eli Watkins. He joins the Somerfield Ranch. He's there looking for more cash to send home to his family in Kansas but doesn't expect a cruel boss or his beautiful son to be as nice as his father is mean. Samuel Somerfield is the long time abused son of the owner, who is straight and is being forced into a courtship with a wealthy ranch owner's daughter he does not want. When he claps eyes on Eli, the two get off on the wrong foot, but there is an undeniable connection.

This story had a strong start. There was a frenemy vibe going on between the protagonists but the ranch owner was downright mean. And he made his presence known from the beginning. Please look at those triggers. Because the villains of the story take their villainy to extremes that really brought the story down in to OTT-ville population: them.

I'm not a fan of cowboys. Wait! Contemporary cowboys don't do it for me. I like looking at the pictures (duh) but the romances aren't really my go to. Historical cowboy romances I find I respond in a more positive light. Something about cowboys having to fend for themselves against real dangers and riding horses like the elements or starvation that I enjoy. This book read modern which was another minus for me. Though it had soap opera like antics and feels and the characters came off just as modern too, I couldn't stop reading to see what next crazy thing they'd do. This story could have easily been told in today's time just switch the horses for cars.

The men fall in love very quickly, declarations are made too soon. There is the plot line of Samuel's coming out and realizing he can fall for a man that just wasn't fleshed out enough. Add to that by 40% the men who didn't have a pot to piss in or any fighting skills, just took all kinds of silly risks that didn't jibe with the historical setting. I felt Eli was way too open. The gay secondary characters (a coincidence?) , the rapey second villain who somehow became a mind reader in the last third of the story...over the top. At points, the story felt like it was trying outdo itself with what crazy new plot device it could pile on top next instead of focusing on the romantic aspect of two damaged men finding love in 1892.

I'm on the fence with authors writing the dialect for their characters. Some authors can make it work if they don't over do it, some can't. In Before Sundown, be prepared for a heavy handed "yer", "y'all" and other heavy drawls spelled out. I felt like I was reading was reading a D rated cowboy movie at times the weird way Eli and other ranch workers spoke.

The story had good romantic scenes in the middle of the issues. I couldn't help rooting for the couple. Reading a player falling in love with that one special person is always fun to read especially when they're opposites: Eli's openly gay player who has been around the block a few times against Samuel's straitlaced hetero abused man who is realizing how to accept love, was good. Plus, double butt virgins. I wasn't mad at that, even if one sex scene got a little wonky in sticking to the characteristics of the main players.

The issues were heavy parts of why I can't rate this story higher. The cartoonish dialect, the time jumps and plot holes where characters knew what the other characters thought and planned and the horrible villains - too much.

And the way the story ended? I was shaking my head at how silly it all seemed. The entire scene at the Somerfield ranch before the grand finale...that was so unnecessary. I highly doubt the ending would have been so easy. The plot could have been more direct or maybe that plot twist could have been dropped. The final ending was rushed and after that big climax before the final score...underwhelming.

Again, I'm unsure if this is the author's style or just a one time thing.

Would I read more from this author? *squints* Maybe I'd probably try contemporary.

I think readers who like cowboys closer to the dramatic side and don't mind modern historical cowboys and the triggers might enjoy this most.

I was entertained...and needed a drink afterward.
(Fine...and during.)

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. review coming soon.

[Fay MMBookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.. Triggers Included
Set in 1892 Eli was looking forward to a new job of breaking in new horses along with the pay increase.
A great beginning to the book as Eli meets Samuel for the first time and Eli may have gotten of on the wrong foot. Eli is attracted to Sam right from the first sight.
Horrible dramas and sadness with a controlling father, Samuel was lost. yah scene not pretty and maybe a trigger for animal lovers.
Teasing and humor included with some of mother's nature's help they get close. Violent attack scenes ant pretty as Sam's father hurls abuse and threats to kill him. Attempted rape scene is also in this.
The story progresses and I wondered how this book would come to a finish as it has a great lead up to something happening.
hmm okay a different ending for this book but they have their HEA.
A good book with some big triggers.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed

[The Novel Approach · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars I’ve read books by this author before and have always enjoyed her stories. The same can be said for Before Sundown; though, while I liked the story, I felt it lacked some of the substance incorporated in her other work, as well as the ambiance of a true historical.

The story begins when Eli starts working on a ranch and meets the owner’s son, Samuel. It was love/lust at first sight. I would have liked a little more character building here. Eli and Samuel were together almost from page one. They were never a separate entity, they just were. As a result, I felt I never got a chance to really know them enough to be invested, beyond thinking they were both adorable and likable.

As the story unfolds, we learn Samuel is to be married. The marriage is pre-arranged and he feels there’s no way out. At the center of all this is Samuel’s father, a despicable character who abuses his authority over his son in the most heinous ways. In some of the reviews I’ve read, there were questions as to why Samuel didn’t just leave. For me, I got a sense of obligation from Samuel. Even though his father was physically and psychologically abusive towards him, there was an underlying sense of duty. This was his lot in life, and he went along with it to keep the peace and maybe finally get his father’s approval and love. He really saw no way out until Eli came along. I really felt bad for Samuel. I didn’t see him as weak, just conflicted. On one hand, he knew who he was and what he wanted, on the other, his need to obey his father took precedence over anything he may have wanted for himself. Although we didn’t really know, this point was clear. And maybe that’s all we needed to know about him.

I mentioned before I didn’t feel as though this was a true historical. Let me explain. When I read a story set in a 1892, I want to feel as though I’m there. The sights and sounds, the dialogue, the cultural attitudes and understandings of the day—I want to be completely immersed in that world. With Before Sundown, I felt it could have taken place in modern day, about any wealthy family in the 21st century. Except for the horse drawn wagons, there was nothing significant tying the story to the late 1800s

The storyline, while not unique, was enjoyable to read. I feel the author did a wonderful job throwing a wrench into the mix, which I didn’t expect. Very pleasant surprise. At times I was on the edge of my seat, wondering if we were getting a happily-ever-after, or a kick to the gut. Of course, I kind of guessed how it would end, but there was still that little something in the back of my head that made me feel like this could really go either way. Kudos to the author for that.

I loved Eli and Samuel’s love for each other. It happened quickly, and I’m okay with that. It was raw, passionate, and exciting. The author definitely made it real for us. And also, an honorable mention going out to two characters, Isaac and Jackson. I was not expecting their story at all. And even though we really don’t know too much about them, they played a big part in the story and I loved them for it.

Overall, I enjoyed this story and would definitely recommend it.

Reviewed by Lynn for The Novel Approach
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...

[Susan65 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Blogger Girls review

Hold your horse, cowboy! You mean to tell me I’ve just read a historical and liked it? Blasphemy! It can’t be, but it is. For some reason, I really liked this story, yet I put off reading it because of the era. Trust me when I say I struggle with historical romance stories.

I knew from the blurb that our guys were going to have it rough. Not only was homosexuality illegal, it also stated quite clearly in the blurb that one of our protagonists would be forever scarred. So, with that little reminder in the back of mind, I spent the entire book on the edge of my seat just waiting for the smack down to occur. I almost wish I hadn’t known it was going to take place because it happens very late in the story and really wasn’t too instrumental in the grand scheme of things.

This is a story of two cowboys, one rich and one poor, who fall head over heels in love. It’s also the story of one the most horrific examples of fatherhood that I’ve ever read. Sam’s dad was pure evil. That man was the epitome of how not to be a decent human being. I just wish that Sam would have stood up for himself or at least someone else on the ranch back him up. It really was truly awful to read those scenes.

Eli was just too adorable for words. He was sassy and fun. Life is viewed differently when you come from a loving family, and falling in love is just the icing on the cake. Too bad that cake turns out to be a wedding cake for Samuel and his father’s cash cow, and not with Eli. There is a lot going on here and most of it is horrible or sad, but it ends well. Eli and Samuel do get their happy ever after, but it was not easy and Sam’s father does not suffer nearly enough.

I recommend this book to those who love cowboys, historical, and angst. All three are prevalent throughout, and if that’s what you love then give this story a try.

[Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samuel Somerfield's life hasn't been the greatest. Although he's the heir to his father's ranch, there's a part of him that would give anything to get away. Since Samuel's mother died, his father has been nothing but cruel to him, making it clear that he's a disappointment whose only purpose is to do what his father tells him to do. And that involves marrying Eleanor Johnston to bring the two families together. It's a fate to which Samuel is resigned.

When Eli Watkins takes a job at a new ranch, he doesn't expect anything extraordinary. He'll work with the horses--as he's used to doing--and take on whatever jobs or tasks he's asked. And he'll keep his attraction to other men a secret. Which proves harder than he hoped once he meets the boss's son, Samuel. There's something about him that makes Eli enjoy getting under his skin, and Eli can't help wondering if maybe there might just be a spark waiting to fire back at him. But the expectations for Samuel are written in stone by his father, and the man will stop at nothing to make sure his son lives up to them...

Giving a book a five-star rating is a rarity for me, but there was just something about this book that spoke to me in many ways. There's a raw realness to it, and it's a story that just keeps delivering at every turn. I found the characters relatable, and the world in which the story takes place is laid out perfectly. In short, it's easy to get lost in this book and feel like you're right there with Samuel, Eli, and company. Although the book wraps up nicely, I certainly would be interested in seeing more from these characters and how their lives progress after the events of the story unfold.

[Content warnings: violence, animal cruelty, discussions of sexual assault]

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

2.5 stars

Before Sundown was a curious mix of the enjoyable and the absurd. The book had a lot of issues, but they didn’t prevent it from being inviting and even charming at times. The plot is straightforward and pretty predictable, but it’s written with enough character to help it stand out a bit. Though it’s set in 1892, the novel does have something of a timeless quality to it and, save for a few historical tidbits, it could really be set in modern day. While I normally don’t like that in a piece that calls itself a historical, it worked for Before Sundown.

Eli Watkins is a fairly likable character and it’s easy to enjoy his irascible humor and obvious affection for Sam. He reads as an all or nothing sort of man and having given his heart to Sam, he’s willing to risk everything to keep him safe. Both Eli and Sam are a little flat as characters. They are not without dimension, but they don’t have enough fleshing out to be truly strong. Normally I try to champion victims of abuse, but Sam struck me as excessively spineless. I never understood why he doesn’t just leave and start a new life elsewhere. He’s of age and intelligent enough to make his own way in the world so the fact that he allowed himself to be his father’s perpetual whipping boy just didn’t make sense. Am I being too hard on Sam? Probably, and I’m willing to concede that, but his character was difficult to connect with on several levels.

Read Susan’s review in its entirety here.

[Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Conquers Brutality

This one takes a rude turn on the road to young romance in the late 19th century in Texas. That rudeness is embodied in Robert Somerfield, the vicious and ambitious owner of a ranch who has tormented and physically abused his son, Samuel, for years--and keeps getting away with that and every other nasty thing he does because he is enough of a maniac to kill you if you tell.

That reality is the setting for a remarkably sweet, and eventually heartbreaking, love story in which a new hired hand, Eli Watkins, takes a deeply smitten shine to the extremely confused, totally submissive, and apparently straight Samuel and leads him down the path to all-consuming love.

This premise is what keeps you reading--but it also will stop you at the end of some chapters because you know, you just know, that Robert Somerfield is going to do something in the next chapter which will turn your stomach and make you want to scream.

This is the kind of book you love or you throw against the wall. Mine is in my Kindle, so the latter was never an option.

But there was never any doubt in my mind, through the sometimes cheesy and sometimes surprising and sometimes shocking twists and turns of this all-too-likely tale where I was going to end up--standing in an ovation.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!! I can not put into words how much I loved this book...


Eli is a ranch hand at Samuel's fathers ranch. Samuel's dad is so mean and horrible to him and wants him to marry the neighbor girl. But Samuel is attracted to Eli and they both have to hide how they feel... Will these two men be able to be together in a time where their love for each other is not accepted.

I thought these two men were so sweet together! You get angst with this book along with steam which I thought was so hot!

I felt so bad for Samuel having to grow up with a father who treats him so badly. Then there was the way Eli was so caring and protective when it comes to him. You could also feel how much Samuel really cared about Eli too.

You will meet so many different characters in this book! Some you will love and some not so much "like Samuel's dad". I have to say I loved the way this author wrote this story and these characters! The way this book grabs you from the start and you can really feel what these characters are going through was just amazing!

So I will leave this review with.... I really loved this book!
I would recommend this book!

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.

[BevS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yeehaw!! An historical cowboy story from Lisa, set in Texas...home of the cowboy, and fathers who can be complete and utter b******s. 4 stars from me.

Samuel Somerfield's mother died giving birth to him, and of course that was his fault...well, at least it was as far as Sam's father Richard is concerned. Richard is only concerned about his status and standing in the Texan landowners community, and wants Samuel to marry the daughter of a local rancher...if he doesn't, Sam will be the victim of even more of his father's violence. Although he likes Eleanor well enough, Sam is apathetic about marrying, especially so when he catches the eye of 'horse whisperer' Eli Watkins, who is employed on the ranch by his father.

There is an element of insta-love in this one, but Sam and Eli do have friends on the ranch who are prepared to help them...until something goes wrong of course. I'll leave this one here, enjoy!! Thanks Lisa.

[Frau Sorge (Yuki) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a nice read, even if with a hint of absurdity here and there.
I mean I had a real issue with the Samuel. Seriously?

3 stars.

[Marinieves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book and story .