Second Chances

Cattle Valley #28

by Carol Lynne

With the new dormitory on the Second Chance Ranch nearing completion, Drake Smith butts heads once again with ranch owner, Robert "Oggie" Ogden.

After a shotgun blast ends his career, ex-Chicago Police Officer, Robert "Oggie" Ogden, cashed in and headed for a new life in Cattle Valley. In search of a second chance, the last thing he wanted was pity, especially when it stared back at him through whisky-coloured eyes.

Drake Smith learned at an early age to carry a bigger stick than the bullies who tormented him, and although he's grown into a highly skilled fighter, he still guards himself against those with the potential to hurt him. Compassion doesn't come easily to Drake, so when he reaches out to help Oggie, he finds his surprising efforts rebuffed, making him angry at himself and the object of his unwanted affections.

When a showdown between them turns into a heated sexual encounter, Drake wonders if he'll ever feel safe again.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Disability, Westerns, Novella, LGBT

142 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 9, 2012

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

erotic & gay romances

Reviews

[Melanie~~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would have been 5 stars if it were longer. I love Cattle Valley but hate CL's trend toward shorter books.

Actually, now that I've had a bit more time to think about it, this is probably more of a 3.5 star read as CL introduces an element but never comes back to it. I think that it is quite a disservice to anyone with this particular issue. Drake admits in the narrative that he used to, and did at one point in the present of the story, mutilate himself as a coping mechanism. Drake does this somewhat early in the story, but the story never returns to it or even touches it again. I find myself wondering why bring it up if it is just to be forgotten?

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read this series from the beginning and I know that the author puts a lot a effort in her writing and I like the previous characters. That's why I find it so painful to admit I only found this release in the Cattle Valley series only as okay. I love the concept of using Oggie's ranch as a safe place for kids in need but I have problems with both him and Drake. They both have deep seeded problems which weren't dealt with, their relationship happened too swiftly for two guys who didn't like each other at the beginning and there were to many dangling threads left at the end or glossed over, to even try mentioning.

The high point for me is new characters Cullen, who I can't wait to learn more about, and Joseph. I really want these two to have a book of their own in the near future. I have a feeling there's lots to discover about them both. I can see how they would make great addition to the Cattle Valley community.

[Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay read. It made up for the last book.

My major problem was that there were a lot of heavy issues like Drake cutting himself that were mentions once but never brought up again. And they're was a lot of repetitiveness and I feel the MCs spent more time apart than together save for the span of weeks that we're told had passed.

Also, what is DX12 again? I know it was mentioned in a previous book, but there's so many, there could've been a bit of a reminder. Unless I completely missed it. If I did, I'll apologize.

I love Cattle Valley and all it's characters (especially my Nate, Ryan, and RIo), but I'm beginning to wonder if this series is losing steam. I miss the time when these books managed to tell a full, complete, action-packed story with well-rounded characters in less than 100 pages.

3 stars.

[Ang -PNR Book Lover Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gah I wanted more.... Like an ending or what happens next.... When's the next book out??

[Moomba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical Carol Lynne - when a new book is released you can be sure she will deliver...and she did it again!

Hope to read more about Cullen & Joseph in the next one to come :D

[Navyvet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Number 28 is the story of Oggie and Drake. This was basically an enemies to lovers short novella. Both MCs had rough pasts and issues, some of which were glossed over. The relationship didn't seem authentic as they did not get along well and there was a lot of verbal sparring. Then all of a sudden they were in love. The sub plots with the runaway teen shelter/ranch dormitory and the security breach at Asa's company were both interesting and kept the action moving along. The HEA ending was wrapped in a neat bow. Overall, an enjoyable read, just not strong enough for 4 stars.

[andrea moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cattle Valley

Awww Oggy and Drake made the best surrogate dads to the bunch of teens that end up on their ranch

[Oley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series! 💖

[Lena Grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly.” — Sam Keen

Oggie Ogden and Drake Smith, from 'Second Chances' by Carol Lynne, are two men with troubled pasts. Both have developed coping mechanisms which are counterproductive. They do more harm than good, not only to themselves, but to each other and the people around them. Learning to understand this and realizing that they can't assume what the other is thinking or feeling seems like a monumental task, but it's an essential part of them learning to work together.

Oggie is damaged both physically and emotionally. He is physically impaired from an accident he had but his outside damage is far less than that on his inside. He doesn't know the difference between someone helping him for the sake of pitching in, or helping him because they feel he's not competent enough to do it himself. He wants to be independent, but part of doing so is admitting that with only one arm, there are simply things he can't do any longer. He has to learn to accept help as it is given and realize that it's not done out of pity. He needs to put emphasis on the things he can do, like organizing and running the Second Chance ranch, giving LGBT kids another opportunity to make something of their lives.

Drake Smith is one of those people who believe in not being serious about things, especially people. From past experience, he knows how cruel people can be so he hurts others before they get a chance to hurt him. When he clashes with Oggie, it seems to be hate at first sight, but on some level he also realizes that he's attracted to Oggie in a way that he's not comfortable with admitting. In his mind, sex is one thing, but feeling more is out of the question. This conflict between the two men cause them to play pull me/push me with each other, neither one wanting to admit that they have feelings for the other but both being exactly what the other needs. Watching them come to terms with this was actually painful to experience.

It was good to see Joseph again and to meet Cullen. I'm looking forward to seeing how they work things out between them and how Nate deals with his old flame, Joseph being in Cattle Valley. As always, Carol delivers an emotional, angst ridden love story, with passion and love Cattle Valley style. Her current fans will love it as will new readers to the Valley series. Thanks, Carol, for another visit to Cattle Valley. I can't wait until the next one.


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

[Roxy · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay.. so I've been giving most of the books in this series 3 stars. And there is only one thing that is preventing an increase in star rating... a good portion of these books feel as though something is being left out and kept back from the reader. For example, there are 2 previous books where there is a clear indication that the character is into the dom/sub lifestyle or has a particular turn on like spanking or leather restraints, but then when things heat up with that character it is all very vanilla with no kink or continuation of this theme. In this book there is a tiny moment where Drake is shown to have an issue with cutting/self mutilation when things get emotional but then when his character starts going though the emotional stuff there is no longer any mention of this issue or indication that his partner Oggie notices the scars on his feet. If you write a scene with an issue like that or indicate that a character is into kinky stuff I would expect that to follow through the rest of the novel and see it progress accordingly. So even though I love Cattle Valley and its people, and the books are emotional and sweet on occasion I am struggling to go above 3 stars for this reason. Also I think they are getting a little expensive seeing as they are only around 80 pages in length. More a short story than a novel/novella.

[Shelby P · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only thing that saved this book from getting 1 star is the plot with the troubled teens. I was more interested in that aspect of the story than the pairing of Drake and Oggie. I didn't use the word romance because there wasn't any here. This is my second least favorite book in the series after Bent - Not Broken. I can't recall where the chemistry was off the charts between the couple in this series. Just because Oggie has a stump of an arm and Drake's mom lost her limbs due to diabetes does not make them an ideal couple. I applaud Carol Lynne for the diversity in this series but maybe we should stop adding new couples and focus on the existing ones?

[Christy Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book. Second Chances Ranch took in 11 or 12 teenagers other one of them may not be an actual teenager cuz they're more than likely lying about their age because they're in love with Joseph but hopefully they will get their own book and we will find out more later.

Oogie and Drake got off wrong foot twice. Thankfully that got cleared up after couple goes at it and ending in head buttings. Oogie isn't wanting help, but finally accepts it before books over the fact that Drake loves him helps.

Oogie is housing the youth from DC because Cullan a not so teenager who was beaten came there and his pimp burned down the Rainbow housing for LGBTq youth where Jay came from along with others. A girl named Mandy is there also the two are kind of becoming like daughter and son to Drake and Oogie.

So happy with way this ended I wanted more for sure. Sex was excellent too.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drake and Oggie made me love them. From the moment Oggie mistakes Drake's act of kindness as pity and they get off on the wrong foot, to the undeniable sexual tension sparking between them, to the super hot sexual encounter that happens and all the other things they do to make their relationship work.

I can't really explain it but I really loved how well they ended up working together for the kids at the Second Chance Ranch and the way Oggie made Drake want to change the way he lived, it was just very heartwarming... I'm kind of hoping the next book will be about Cullen and Joseph :) I'd like to see them end up together, they both deserve some happy right now!

[Ale Rivero · Rating 4 out of 5]

La historia de Drake y Oggie creo que está bastante lograda, más que nada por la forma en que la autora logra que sobrepasen sus barreras mutuas. Sin embargo, lo que más me ha gustado del libro es el proyecto para el cual los protagonistas están trabajando, el refugio para niños Segundas Oportunidades creo que da para mucho, especialmente con el indicio de pareja que nos deja la autora en esta entrega.
Como siempre, esta saga de Carol Lynne merece mucho la pena, está llena de romance, erotismo, drama, pero sobre todo está plagada de sentimientos. Muy recomendable.

[Traci · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not have a great connection with Oggie, in this book. I liked Drake. This was a good book, but not my favorite of the series. It was nice to see Joseph and the kids from DC/ I am sure there is another couple of books in there from this one...

[Amber "Epp" · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the ending of this book he just stops everything and goes and throws all his stuff in garbage bags comes back puts up the picture of his mom and has non-soup thanksgiving dinner it was awesome .. :) I love this series .. :)

[Paisley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical "Cattle Valley" soap opera. I liked the characters - didn't love them. Not my favorite CV book but not the worst one either. If you are a fan of the series then I recommend it.

[Anvesha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Andri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to read more about Cullen and Joseph. Loved, loved, loved them(especially Cullen).
Can we have their book next,please?

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the whole concept of Second chances

[Elishia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Janie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oooohhhh Oggie and Drake were beautiful together. I absolutely loved the ending.