Devil's Paw

by Dale Chase

Lloyd Lasky is a seasoned operative for the Whitlock Detective Agency in Denver that often infiltrates outlaw gangs in order to thwart stagecoach robberies. When he’s assigned to infiltrate the Bonner Gang based in Devil’s Paw, Arizona Territory, he’s unprepared for the personal ambush his heart suffers over gang member Frank Metty. Taking up sex with Frank, Lloyd convinces himself that doing so is part of his job in solidifying his place in the gang and learning of their plans. But as time passes, Lloyd not only starts to care for the younger man, but jealousy also rears its ugly head when it becomes clear the gang leader, Merle Bonner, also has a sexual claim on Frank. When the line between self-indulgence and detective work blurs to the point where Lloyd considers not only breaking agency rules but breaking the law, will he be able to ignore his ever-growing sexual desires and successfully complete his dangerous mission?

Genres: M M Romance, Historical

67 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 4, 2016

About the author

Dale Chase has been writing gay male erotica for sixteen years with over 150 stories published in magazines and anthologies, including translation into Italian and German. Her second novel "TAKEDOWN: Taming John Wesley Hardin" will be published by Lethe Press in November 2013. Her first novel "WYATT: Doc Holliday"s Account of an Intimate Friendship" was published in 2012. Two e-collections followed in 2013: "Crack Shot: Western Erotica: and "A Private Business: Victorian Erotica," all from Bold Strokes Books. Dale's novellas "Lonely as God" and "The Man I Know" have recently been published by Wilde City Press. Dale continues to write old western erotica.

Reviews

[Bookbee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Lena Grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last thing Lloyd Lasky, of 'Devil's Paw' by Dale Chase, expects in his latest assignment is falling for one of the men he's trying to capture for bank robbing. But as soon as he sees Frank Metty, he knows he's in trouble. Lloyd knows that mixing business with pleasure usually ends in disaster, but by the time he stops to think about it, he is in too deep.

Lloyd's job as a detective for Whitlock Detective Agency puts him in all kinds of undercover situations where he pretends to be an outlaw just to be able to catch outlaws and he's good at it. He doesn't expect the subject of his latest assignment, that of trying to infiltrate the Bonner Gang, to come riding right into the town he's just arrived, but that's exactly what happens. It certainly makes his job a lot easier. Lloyd introduces himself to a handsome young man named Frank as Walt and they hit it off right away. Frank's readiness for sex is obvious, so Lloyd has him in bed in no time. Lloyd figures the best way to earn a man’s trust is to have sex with him. Their compatibility in bed is mind-blowing and frequent and Lloyd begins to feel a closeness to Frank he's not felt in a long time. Lloyd convinces Frank to ask Merle if he can join their gang. Merle is reluctant at first, but finally decides that if Lloyd is okay with Frank that's good enough for him.

When the gang gets back to their hideout, Lloyd’s plans of being with Frank are squashed. It seems Frank and Merle have a relationship going on that Lloyd was unaware of. Lloyd is disappointed, but, surprisingly enough, he's jealous too. It shouldn't bother him, but it does, especially since he guesses that Merle has probably bullied Frank into it. They set a date and time for the next ambush and Lloyd feigns a toothache as an excuse to get back to town in order to warn law enforcement officers of the robbers' plans. At this point Lloyd’s feelings for Frank cause him to regret his part in thwarting the robbery. He knows that there's a good chance Frank will be shot and possibly killed, and if not he will spend the rest of his life in prison. Lloyd searches frantically for a way to protect Frank, but there's no way to do that without breaking the law that Lloyd has sworn to uphold.

This is a very erotic Western, written in the dialect and reasoning of someone back in the Wild West. Lloyd, like many people, finds himself in an impossible position, having to make a choice that he does not want to make. Deciding upon the lesser of two evils is gut-wrenching, but once the decision is made, Lloyd follows through and goes on with his life the best he can. If you like Westerns, horny outlaws, stagecoach robberies, randy detectives, and a lot of mixing business with pleasure, you may enjoy this story. Thanks, Dale, for a Western that is a bit different from most.

NOTE: This book was provided by JMS Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[The Novel Approach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dale Chase spins a gritty, erotic, 19th century western in Devil’s Paw that will have you looking at cowboys in a whole new light. The author brings the Old West to life with her description of the small towns and the rough terrain. This is a short story, so even though we don’t get an in-depth look at the characters, they are still pretty solid and the storyline has drama, suspense and action, which made it a page turner for me.

I have to say I did like Lloyd Lasky’s character. He’s a detective who’s undercover to try and stop the Bonner gang from robbing stagecoaches. He finds himself distracted by Frank Metty and needless to say, they have a hot and heavy affair. But Lloyd needs to keep his head in the game and catch the Bonner gang in the act.

One thing I always thought was that in the Old West, a man’s horse was the most important thing. In this case, though, it turned out to be Lloyd’s profession. I was really surprised by how this one ended.

If you’re so inclined, give Devil’s Paw a shot. Kick back, relax and enjoy!

Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach Reviews

[Bo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dirty Little Romp

I have become a big fan of Dale Chase and this one about the wild west is right up there among her best. It's about a lawman named Lloyd who infiltrates a trio of bank robbers and falls in lust and eventually love with Frankie, the 20-year-old in the group. Not unlike any of her books, this one alternates real life episodes -- like eating dinner and playing cards -- with detailed, dirty and very long sex scenes. This works, and it even works after Lloyd discovers that Frankie is also carrying on with his boss.

The cool thing about this one is the ending. Surprising but completely understandable and real.