What do you think?
Rate this book
Spruce Texas #1-3
Spruce Texas: Books 1-3
Cute country boys? Small-town sass? More steam than you can handle?
Welcome to Spruce, Texas where love is always brewin'!
This exclusive box set collection contains the first 3 books in the Amazon #1 Gay Romance Bestselling "Spruce Texas" series!
BOOK 1: FOOTBALL SUNDAE
It's not every day your football-star crush asks to taste your big sundae special.
All I want to do is go to culinary school, become a dessert chef, and let go of this small, dusty Texas town - if only it would let go of me. My dad's health hindered my leaving after high school - bless his hardworking heart - but now I've got money saved up and an associate's degree under my belt, and I am more determined than ever.
That all changes the day Tanner Strong, hunky football star and walking wet dream from my teen years, struts into my diner and orders my dessert special.
I know I can be headstrong at times, but I don't care if he's changed. I won't let that cocky athlete's charm distract me. Once the end of summer hits, I'm out of here.
And my heart sure ain't on the menu.
BOOK 2: BORN AGAIN SINNER
Cody Davis is gonna make a sinner out of me.
Yes, I know exactly who he is: the wounded soldier at the end of Willow Street. Intimidating. Devastatingly handsome. Muscular body chiseled from stone. Deep dark eyes that dare you to come near. Attitude for days.
And I just became his caregiver.
Everyone warned me to stay away from him - including my father, the respected minister of our small town of Spruce. But clearly I'm too stubborn to heed good advice, especially when Cody Davis is as frustratingly attractive - and persistent - as they come.
As the preacher's son, I have strict morals I must live by. But each day spent with that aggravating hunk makes me question them. My safe and fragile world is turning upside-down, and I'm not sure I have the strength to stop it.
And even worse: I'm not sure I want to.
Temptation this bad never looked so good.
This soldier is gonna make a sinner out of me.
BOOK 3: HETEROFLEXIBLE
Jimmy Strong is one devastating son of a gun.
He's gorgeous, stubborn, a dancer, fiercely protective of his loved ones (to a fault), and intense.
He can steal your heart with his infectious laughter ... and break it with a single glance of his stunning, rich brown eyes.
I ought to know. He breaks mine every day.
Being his gay best friend and college roomie is, to say the least, frustrating.
Especially when you've seen just about every inch of that corn-fed beauty, he's worked his way into every fantasy you can remember having, and he's as straight as they make them.
We're heading back to Spruce for the summer.
He just broke things off with his latest lady-squeeze, which means I have Jimmy all to myself for three long months of relaxation, bro-time, and kicking back.
Until one night alone with Jimmy - and a reckless, unthinkable move - that changes everything.
Welcome to Spruce, Texas where love is always brewin'!
This exclusive box set collection contains the first 3 books in the Amazon #1 Gay Romance Bestselling "Spruce Texas" series!
BOOK 1: FOOTBALL SUNDAE
It's not every day your football-star crush asks to taste your big sundae special.
All I want to do is go to culinary school, become a dessert chef, and let go of this small, dusty Texas town - if only it would let go of me. My dad's health hindered my leaving after high school - bless his hardworking heart - but now I've got money saved up and an associate's degree under my belt, and I am more determined than ever.
That all changes the day Tanner Strong, hunky football star and walking wet dream from my teen years, struts into my diner and orders my dessert special.
I know I can be headstrong at times, but I don't care if he's changed. I won't let that cocky athlete's charm distract me. Once the end of summer hits, I'm out of here.
And my heart sure ain't on the menu.
BOOK 2: BORN AGAIN SINNER
Cody Davis is gonna make a sinner out of me.
Yes, I know exactly who he is: the wounded soldier at the end of Willow Street. Intimidating. Devastatingly handsome. Muscular body chiseled from stone. Deep dark eyes that dare you to come near. Attitude for days.
And I just became his caregiver.
Everyone warned me to stay away from him - including my father, the respected minister of our small town of Spruce. But clearly I'm too stubborn to heed good advice, especially when Cody Davis is as frustratingly attractive - and persistent - as they come.
As the preacher's son, I have strict morals I must live by. But each day spent with that aggravating hunk makes me question them. My safe and fragile world is turning upside-down, and I'm not sure I have the strength to stop it.
And even worse: I'm not sure I want to.
Temptation this bad never looked so good.
This soldier is gonna make a sinner out of me.
BOOK 3: HETEROFLEXIBLE
Jimmy Strong is one devastating son of a gun.
He's gorgeous, stubborn, a dancer, fiercely protective of his loved ones (to a fault), and intense.
He can steal your heart with his infectious laughter ... and break it with a single glance of his stunning, rich brown eyes.
I ought to know. He breaks mine every day.
Being his gay best friend and college roomie is, to say the least, frustrating.
Especially when you've seen just about every inch of that corn-fed beauty, he's worked his way into every fantasy you can remember having, and he's as straight as they make them.
We're heading back to Spruce for the summer.
He just broke things off with his latest lady-squeeze, which means I have Jimmy all to myself for three long months of relaxation, bro-time, and kicking back.
Until one night alone with Jimmy - and a reckless, unthinkable move - that changes everything.
990 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 17, 2019
102 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Daryl Banner
96 books1,992 followersDaryl Banner is a USA Today Bestselling author, composer, and performer. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Houston Honors College with a degree in Theatre and Psychology. He is happily married to his piano. Theory suggests this is why he writes romance.
During Daryl Banner's time in college, he wrote, composed, and produced a musical under Tony Award-winning musical and Theatre producer Stuart Ostrow, as well as two original plays produced under the mentorship of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lanford Wilson, who also mentored Daryl through the writing of his very first novel. In addition to new adult and M/M romance, Daryl also writes post-apocalyptic fantasy as well as dystopian.
Join his mailing list here to be the first to hear about his new releases! He awards an Amazon gift card every newsletter:
https://www.darylbanner.com/subscribe...
Follow him on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/author/darylba...
Like him on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/DarylBannerW...
Connect with fellow readers in Daryl's Doorway:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Daryl...
Fun facts about Daryl Banner:
- He is an obsessive self-taught pianist.
- He is a huge video game enthusiast.
- He left his day job of 10 years to tour with a 2-woman-1-man original musical.
- He's been remixing video game music for over 20 years. One of his remixes is featured in the major motion picture "The Spy Who Dumped Me". Check out his work here: http://www.youtube.com/DarylBanner
- He composes original soundtracks that accompany his books and series, including The Beautiful Dead and OUTLIER. He is also the award-winning composer of the audio drama Janus Descending, as well as several films, games, podcasts, and other media. You can enjoy his music here: http://darylbanner.bandcamp.com
During Daryl Banner's time in college, he wrote, composed, and produced a musical under Tony Award-winning musical and Theatre producer Stuart Ostrow, as well as two original plays produced under the mentorship of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lanford Wilson, who also mentored Daryl through the writing of his very first novel. In addition to new adult and M/M romance, Daryl also writes post-apocalyptic fantasy as well as dystopian.
Join his mailing list here to be the first to hear about his new releases! He awards an Amazon gift card every newsletter:
https://www.darylbanner.com/subscribe...
Follow him on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/author/darylba...
Like him on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/DarylBannerW...
Connect with fellow readers in Daryl's Doorway:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Daryl...
Fun facts about Daryl Banner:
- He is an obsessive self-taught pianist.
- He is a huge video game enthusiast.
- He left his day job of 10 years to tour with a 2-woman-1-man original musical.
- He's been remixing video game music for over 20 years. One of his remixes is featured in the major motion picture "The Spy Who Dumped Me". Check out his work here: http://www.youtube.com/DarylBanner
- He composes original soundtracks that accompany his books and series, including The Beautiful Dead and OUTLIER. He is also the award-winning composer of the audio drama Janus Descending, as well as several films, games, podcasts, and other media. You can enjoy his music here: http://darylbanner.bandcamp.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 16, 2021
Football Sundae
Daryl Banner's Football Sundae is everything you want in a GREAT M/M story...actually everything you want in a GREAT love story as well. He takes everything you think you might know about small town football, gossips, life and preconceptions and turns it on its ear. Football star and Spruce's own golden boy, Tanner Strong, has secrets. He is struggling and has no idea what to do with all his thoughts and feelings...that is until he sees Billy Tucker again. Billy is struggling as well, but in a much different way. He has been held back and although most might think he is gay, it is not something he ever blatantly throws out there. When Tanner shows an interest in him, Billy is not sure if it is all real or if Tanner is just bored and experimenting. These two go though what almost any couple goes through, doubts about he relationship, self - doubts, concern over how others might see them. This truly ends up being a wonderful love story with enough steam to satisfy any lover of the m/m genre. (and heck I am truly craving Billy's wonderful desserts right now too!!)
Born Again Sinner
This story takes place in the same world as Football Sundae took place with some interaction with those characters including Tanner's Mom who is one of my very favorite characters ever. How do you reconcile who you are with your faith? How does it feel when your parent who is okay with others who are gay but seems to have a hard time with their son being gay? How does an angry young man who finally found his calling, his family and then loses that begin to live a happy normal life? None of these questions are answered easily, but Daryl does this story with the same sensitivity he does with his other stories. There is humor of course but there is also pain and indecision and growth and healing.
Heteroflexible
I do believe that Heteroflexible is one of my very favorite Daryl Banner stories yet. There is just something so completely endearing about both Bobby and Jimmy. They are country boys at heart, living the simple, country life that only those in their youth in a small town can live. They love each other like brothers. They would do just about anything for each other and protect each other in any way they can. A fact that is brought forward again and again in Jimmy's actions in the past and present. This isn't just your super steamy screw fest...although I will clearly say that I fanned myself several times during the reading of this story (if you consider fanning as a euphemism for something else....I'm actually okay with you thinking that lol). This story, to me, is about acceptance. It is not necessarily only about gay or straight but about accepting who you are, with all your faults, failures, strengths and successes. It is about not needing to put a label on who you are, what your relationship is, what others think of you or don't think of you. It is about the strength of family and allowing others to put you first even if you feel you don't deserve it.
Daryl Banner's Football Sundae is everything you want in a GREAT M/M story...actually everything you want in a GREAT love story as well. He takes everything you think you might know about small town football, gossips, life and preconceptions and turns it on its ear. Football star and Spruce's own golden boy, Tanner Strong, has secrets. He is struggling and has no idea what to do with all his thoughts and feelings...that is until he sees Billy Tucker again. Billy is struggling as well, but in a much different way. He has been held back and although most might think he is gay, it is not something he ever blatantly throws out there. When Tanner shows an interest in him, Billy is not sure if it is all real or if Tanner is just bored and experimenting. These two go though what almost any couple goes through, doubts about he relationship, self - doubts, concern over how others might see them. This truly ends up being a wonderful love story with enough steam to satisfy any lover of the m/m genre. (and heck I am truly craving Billy's wonderful desserts right now too!!)
Born Again Sinner
This story takes place in the same world as Football Sundae took place with some interaction with those characters including Tanner's Mom who is one of my very favorite characters ever. How do you reconcile who you are with your faith? How does it feel when your parent who is okay with others who are gay but seems to have a hard time with their son being gay? How does an angry young man who finally found his calling, his family and then loses that begin to live a happy normal life? None of these questions are answered easily, but Daryl does this story with the same sensitivity he does with his other stories. There is humor of course but there is also pain and indecision and growth and healing.
Heteroflexible
I do believe that Heteroflexible is one of my very favorite Daryl Banner stories yet. There is just something so completely endearing about both Bobby and Jimmy. They are country boys at heart, living the simple, country life that only those in their youth in a small town can live. They love each other like brothers. They would do just about anything for each other and protect each other in any way they can. A fact that is brought forward again and again in Jimmy's actions in the past and present. This isn't just your super steamy screw fest...although I will clearly say that I fanned myself several times during the reading of this story (if you consider fanning as a euphemism for something else....I'm actually okay with you thinking that lol). This story, to me, is about acceptance. It is not necessarily only about gay or straight but about accepting who you are, with all your faults, failures, strengths and successes. It is about not needing to put a label on who you are, what your relationship is, what others think of you or don't think of you. It is about the strength of family and allowing others to put you first even if you feel you don't deserve it.
December 6, 2021
Full Up with Queer Southern Charm
These book are uplifting & heartwarming as can be. And a bit salacious too. Think Robert Rodi, but with hotter sex. Some implausible situations worthy of Threes Company or I Love Lucy, that will keep you chuckling and guessing what Banner has coming next. A little formulaic, and light as cotton candy, just what you need to escape from your IRL troubles.
These book are uplifting & heartwarming as can be. And a bit salacious too. Think Robert Rodi, but with hotter sex. Some implausible situations worthy of Threes Company or I Love Lucy, that will keep you chuckling and guessing what Banner has coming next. A little formulaic, and light as cotton candy, just what you need to escape from your IRL troubles.
August 28, 2023
Loved these books. Nice stories, albeit a little too USA for someone not from "them there parts" and I am sure after listening to these three audio books in a row I came away with a slight Texan drawl in my speech. (ARGH - I think).
But they were likeable characters, nice to meet them over and over throughout the series.
I do want to get the next books in this series as soon as my voice comes out properly again. LOL
I do recommend the books. Heartwarming and hot!
But they were likeable characters, nice to meet them over and over throughout the series.
I do want to get the next books in this series as soon as my voice comes out properly again. LOL
I do recommend the books. Heartwarming and hot!
October 24, 2021
Mixed feelings
I have mixed feelings about these stories. First and last book were boring at first. Second book moved a little better and had drama. Third book I really never felt chemistry between these two .. The fact Bobby never explained what Billy had said about their dance . It was just ok
I have mixed feelings about these stories. First and last book were boring at first. Second book moved a little better and had drama. Third book I really never felt chemistry between these two .. The fact Bobby never explained what Billy had said about their dance . It was just ok
February 4, 2023
Great Reads
I loved these book. I purchased the audio version too and the narrators did a great job. These books caused and array of emotions. Book 3 had me laughing my a$$ off.
Daryl does a great job of bringing the characters to life and making you love them. I’ve already started book 4. 😊
I loved these book. I purchased the audio version too and the narrators did a great job. These books caused and array of emotions. Book 3 had me laughing my a$$ off.
Daryl does a great job of bringing the characters to life and making you love them. I’ve already started book 4. 😊
February 10, 2023
Spr8 Texas....where are the trees, lol
These three heart-warming love stories come close to blowing up a couple of times, but everyone gets their HEA in the end. The characters are believable, the stories of their lives totally relatable overall, a great page turner, and it gives you the warm fuzziness a great love story needs. Hats off to you, Daryl Banner
These three heart-warming love stories come close to blowing up a couple of times, but everyone gets their HEA in the end. The characters are believable, the stories of their lives totally relatable overall, a great page turner, and it gives you the warm fuzziness a great love story needs. Hats off to you, Daryl Banner
October 3, 2021
Lots of loving
Spruce, Texas, is a great place to live -- except that everyone pretty much knows everyone else's business. This box set has a gay-awakening book and a straight best friend to lovers book, in addition to a traditional story.
Spruce, Texas, is a great place to live -- except that everyone pretty much knows everyone else's business. This box set has a gay-awakening book and a straight best friend to lovers book, in addition to a traditional story.
May 19, 2022
Spruce TX should be real
I love Daryl books. They are feel good, sweet romance. I laugh and swoon. I can’t wait to keep going with the rest of the series. So good!
I love Daryl books. They are feel good, sweet romance. I laugh and swoon. I can’t wait to keep going with the rest of the series. So good!
March 3, 2023
great trio of books
Very touching, but book is different than the others. They definitely keep you on you toes. Get ready for fun.
Very touching, but book is different than the others. They definitely keep you on you toes. Get ready for fun.
April 11, 2023
Loved all these books am currently rereading them for the second time thru so I can continue in the spicy world that the author is building in little ol' Spruce.
March 30, 2025
counting all three books as one because i don’t remember when i started it. 3.5 overall stars
1st book- 3
2nd book- 3.5
3rd book- 4
1st book- 3
2nd book- 3.5
3rd book- 4
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews