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Stealing #2
Stealing West
Leon Stroud is wanted for robbery and a murder he didn't commit. On the run to California with his partner-in-crime, Kenneth, he spots the relentless bounty hunter, Thomas Grady, on the train. The only way to protect Kenneth is to create a distraction, and that's what Leon does when he flees the train at the top of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. He forces Thomas to chase him, but nothing can prepare him for what it means to be caught. Thomas Grady always gets his man, and Leon Stroud is no exception to that rule. But almost from the moment Thomas touches Leon, he wants the outlaw for something besides his bounty. Driven by desire he doesn't understand, Thomas repeatedly claims Leon's body on the long journey from Soda Springs to San Francisco--and Leon only begs for more. An even bigger threat, with a larger bounty, could be the very thing they need to drive them together...or tear them apart. Gay / Historical / The Old West / BDSM / Series
100 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
3 people are currently reading
447 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Craig
113 books173 followersJamie Craig is actually a pen name for the collaboration of authors
Vivien Dean http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/... and
Pepper Espinoza http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
ABOUT JAMIE CRAIG
Vivien Dean and Pepper Espinoza have been writing and publishing together as Jamie Craig since 2006. They have published with Juno Books, Samhain Publishing, Liquid Silver Books, and multiple titles with Amber Quill Press.
Pepper Espinoza has been writing and publishing erotic romance since 2005. She grew up in Utah and lives there now, where the landscape and history provide a great deal of inspiration for her work. Besides writing, she enjoys playing video games, watching movies, and going to concerts.
Vivien Dean returned to writing in 2005, and has published with Liquid Silver Books, Samhain Publishing, and Amber Quill Press. She currently resides in northern California with her husband and two children.
Vivien Dean http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/... and
Pepper Espinoza http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
ABOUT JAMIE CRAIG
Vivien Dean and Pepper Espinoza have been writing and publishing together as Jamie Craig since 2006. They have published with Juno Books, Samhain Publishing, Liquid Silver Books, and multiple titles with Amber Quill Press.
Pepper Espinoza has been writing and publishing erotic romance since 2005. She grew up in Utah and lives there now, where the landscape and history provide a great deal of inspiration for her work. Besides writing, she enjoys playing video games, watching movies, and going to concerts.
Vivien Dean returned to writing in 2005, and has published with Liquid Silver Books, Samhain Publishing, and Amber Quill Press. She currently resides in northern California with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
February 23, 2016
Fuck, this book was the BEST kind of nasty! It had some seriously kinky sex, but all in the absolutely best possible way. This was really unlike anything I have read or thought I would enjoy reading. I have a new GR friend named Ann and I was stalking her favorites list and this one stood out and I decided to give it a try. Boy, am I glad I did! No hearts, no flowers and it is historical! *gasp* (Check out the long list of books on my historical shelf to see what a huge fan I am of the genre!) But this book doesn't need any of those things to be romantic because, by the end, you will melt into a big puddle of goo at the glorious HEA our heroes receive.
If you like down and dirty, ridiculously hot and nasty sex between men from the old west, you gotta give this one a try! Recommended!
If you like down and dirty, ridiculously hot and nasty sex between men from the old west, you gotta give this one a try! Recommended!
February 26, 2016
Can I get a
Well wasn't that just a kinky, smutty good time?!?
An outlaw on the run...
A bounty hunter....
Throw in some horses, a saloon, a train....
What do you get?
Oh wait......wrong gif.
There, yes it was kind of like that.
Or maybe even this...
But hey, that's okay too. I can't get down with some young Clint Eastwood.
I guess this one is considered "historical"....a historical western? I mean they did travel by horse. But it didn't really feel historical.
And despite the short length and extra smutty good time the story was pretty good too.
Recommend.
Well wasn't that just a kinky, smutty good time?!?
An outlaw on the run...
A bounty hunter....
Throw in some horses, a saloon, a train....
What do you get?
Oh wait......wrong gif.
There, yes it was kind of like that.
Or maybe even this...
But hey, that's okay too. I can't get down with some young Clint Eastwood.
I guess this one is considered "historical"....a historical western? I mean they did travel by horse. But it didn't really feel historical.
And despite the short length and extra smutty good time the story was pretty good too.
Recommend.
June 22, 2009
Wow, what a sleeper hit. For some reason (maybe the cover or maybe because the first book, Stealing Northe is a ménage) I have skimmed past this book when looking for my next read for quite awhile. I finally stopped to really read the blurb and decided to give this story a go. I usually love Jamie Craig (Pepper Espinoza and Vivien Dean writing together – you can’t really go wrong) and I am glad I did. Although this is the second book in what I guess is just a two part series, it is a stand alone. You do not need to read the first book to follow this story at all. I did not expect the strong BDSM theme, but it fell right in line with the position the two heroes find themselves in and was very erotically well written.
Thomas is a bounty hunter and Leon is a wanted man. When Thomas catches up to Leon, the dominance and submission begins, much to the surprise of both men. Leon had always been in charge of his past partnership, he is stunned to find how much he enjoys the role reversal he finds himself in. Thomas has never been so attracted to his "catch" before but finds himself in a position of power that he is a surprised he enjoys as much as Leon.
The sex in this book is very, very hot. Scorchin' even. I really wanted to see more of the two as their D/s partnership progressed and new wonders were discovered. I did not want the book to end.
If you haven’t read this one yet and like the BDSM theme, I think you will like this one. It is unique in its setting and how they both stumble upon their need for each other.
Potential “ick” factor summary: no ménage, no publicly displayed sex, no humiliation and no blood play. Although there is a particularly violent scene with blood, it is part of the story, not part of the sexual interaction and does occur to further the story along.
Thomas is a bounty hunter and Leon is a wanted man. When Thomas catches up to Leon, the dominance and submission begins, much to the surprise of both men. Leon had always been in charge of his past partnership, he is stunned to find how much he enjoys the role reversal he finds himself in. Thomas has never been so attracted to his "catch" before but finds himself in a position of power that he is a surprised he enjoys as much as Leon.
The sex in this book is very, very hot. Scorchin' even. I really wanted to see more of the two as their D/s partnership progressed and new wonders were discovered. I did not want the book to end.
If you haven’t read this one yet and like the BDSM theme, I think you will like this one. It is unique in its setting and how they both stumble upon their need for each other.
Potential “ick” factor summary: no ménage, no publicly displayed sex, no humiliation and no blood play. Although there is a particularly violent scene with blood, it is part of the story, not part of the sexual interaction and does occur to further the story along.
November 25, 2014
4.5 dirty, filthy stars!
Jet was right. I loved it.
My CANDYLAND THUNDERDOME review:
Why do I think Jet picked Stealing West for me? That's easy. Because cowboys, duh! Also because of the dirty, filthy sexy times and she knew I would need the 'aww' factor and this one is so very 'aww' worthy. Of course, she knew the ending would get me reeeaall good too.
Now, I love me some cowboys and I've been meaning to read this book since Jet first told me about ages ago but for some reason I just never got around to it. Thank the gods for CANDYLAND THUNDERDOME 'cause I could kick myself for not reading this delicious filth sooner!
Let me just tell you. This book is dirty y'all. Like down-in-the-actual-dirt, screaming-obscenities-while-being-pile-driven, got-scratches-from-tree-bark-on-my-dick dirty. It. Was. Awesome!
We first meet Leon on the train with his partner in crime Kenneth and Kenneth's new family. Leon's feeling a bit out of sorts and like a fifth wheel ever since Kenneth married the love of his life and decided to settle down. He decides to take a walk down the length of the train to try and calm his mind. Unfortunately, (or fortunately, however you want to look at it it) he spies the last person he wants to see, the best bounty hunter in the West, Thomas Grady. So, doing what outlaws do best, Leon makes his getaway the moment the train stops.
And the adventure begins...
I honestly didn't expect to love this book as much as I did. Now, I like me some dirty, raunchy sex as much as the next person but for me to really enjoy a book it needs to have an actual story. For some reason I had it in my head that this was nothing more than PWP with some cowboys thrown in. So imagine my surprise and delight when I discovered this not only had a plot but was a well written, sweet story. And it had feels. Oh, did it have some feels!
The cat and mouse game these two men (and they were men - not boys) played made me squirm. The sexual tension was delectable and the sex! The sex was absolutely divine. All the manhandling, the tying up, the holding down... guh! And that bathtub scene! If you read this for nothing else, read it for that bathtub scene. Gives me the good shivers.
Throw all that in with a plot and loads of emotions and I was hooked. The only reason it doesn't get a full five hearts is 'cause it's too damned short! I could have read a 100 more pages of this story. I fell in love with both of these men but Leon especially. Leon now has a pocket reserved just for him. He was so adorably snarky I could just eat him up.
So thank you Jet for making me read this. You really do know how to pick 'em.
February 1, 2017
This is exactly how you want your old school westerns to be, just a million times better because of the absolutely off the charts heat between Leon and Thomas, the two MC’s in Stealing West. This book has it all, good guys doing bad things and bad guys doing good things, the morality line is a little more skewed by the need to survive in the old west while being on the run from the law.
This is actually a sequel to Stealing Northe, the story of Leon and his partner Kenneth and how Leon came to be on his own. Stealing West can be read as a standalone. There is enough background given, you won’t be lost for not having read the first installment of the Stealing series.
Stealing West starts out with Leon, Kenneth, Kenneth’s new wife Amy and her son Woody on a train bound for Salinas. There is a bounty on Leon and Kenneth and Kenneth’s only goals are to keep Amy and Woody safe and to start on a new life living the straight and narrow. Leon and Kenneth had been partners for years, in many ways and Kenneth looked to Leon for direction and comfort throughout all their adventures. Now that Kenneth has a family of his own, Leon can’t help but feel like an outsider and it’s heartbreaking to see the brave face that Leon puts on in front of his friend.
Leon decides to go for a walk through the train to clear his head and stretch his wounded ankle when he locks eyes with Thomas Grady, a bounty hunter who always gets his man. Leon can only hope Thomas didn’t see him, but knows that is probably wishful thinking. Leon makes his way back to Kenneth to warn him, and it’s time for them to separate, hopefully not for good, but there are no guarantees and the two say goodbye. The plan is for Leon to create a diversion, drawing Thomas off the train at the next stop and off Kenneth’s trail.
Leon creates quite the distraction when the train arrives and it rivals the great escape stunts you see in the best of westerns. Thomas isn’t easy to shake though and Leon is ill prepared for the ride and the weather. He’s also still nursing a broken ankle, so the chips are stacked against him. After a few days chase through the mountains Thomas does finally catch his man and this is where the real fun begins. Leon is absolutely full of snark and I liked him a lot. Thomas is the perfect stoic straight man to Leon and their banter ratchets up the tension between them that is so fun to read. For instance when Leon says to Thomas after Thomas accuses him of being too stubborn:
“Stubborn? Me? I’m the picture of good manners. I didn’t knock your hat off your head when I shot at you now did I?”
And, of course, there is an undeniable something between them that starts to show itself when Thomas ties Leon up for the first time. The banter increases, the tension increases and damn if pants don’t come off. One thing that Leon has never admitted, not even to Kenneth, was that his preference was undoubtedly for men. Leon and Kenneth had always stuck with the “we’re doing this just to relieve some tension” dance, but the encounters always meant way more to Leon and what happens between Leon and Thomas is the ultimate release for Leon.
If you don’t think you are into reading BDSM books don’t let that keep you from reading this one. While the story does have some of the elements, the relationship and balance that develops between Leon and Thomas really makes sense and is easy to understand. I think what makes it so believable is that the development is a real revelation for both of them and takes them both by surprise. Neither of them really understands what is happening between them, and it’s a completely fun and filthy journey reading about how they figure it all out. It’s the balance that they strike that is so appealing and you never mistake Leon for being a stereotypical sub. Reading from his point of view gives you the sense of power and release he feels, even when he’s on his knees.
As the two make their way to town so that Thomas can turn Leon in to the authorities and collect his bounty, both find they aren’t really ready to let go. When they reach town they hear word that there is an even bigger bounty to be had for catching Phoenix, the outlaw to end all outlaws. Add the fact that Leon has some information on Phoenix that he may be able to use as a bargaining chip to win his release, we have hope for Leon and quite possibly and even more importantly, for Leon and Thomas.
So, on to San Francisco where more western adventures are to be had by our two MC’s. I’ll leave all those adventures for you to read, because this is where these two really start to get their kink on. Give these boys a hotel room, a hot bath and a little rope and dammit if that isn’t the hottest bath scene I have ever read. The. Hottest. I. Have. Ever. Read. And I may have read it repeatedly.
For all the wonderfully deliciously filthy bits in this book, what may end up surprising you is how incredibly romantic it can be too. How the authors managed to fit that in is really well done and is completely believable for these two characters. This story has everything in it that you don’t normally put together with true romance, BDSM, ridiculous amounts of rope and a distinct lack of lube, yet, with all of that, it is one of the more truly romantic books I have read.
This is actually a sequel to Stealing Northe, the story of Leon and his partner Kenneth and how Leon came to be on his own. Stealing West can be read as a standalone. There is enough background given, you won’t be lost for not having read the first installment of the Stealing series.
Stealing West starts out with Leon, Kenneth, Kenneth’s new wife Amy and her son Woody on a train bound for Salinas. There is a bounty on Leon and Kenneth and Kenneth’s only goals are to keep Amy and Woody safe and to start on a new life living the straight and narrow. Leon and Kenneth had been partners for years, in many ways and Kenneth looked to Leon for direction and comfort throughout all their adventures. Now that Kenneth has a family of his own, Leon can’t help but feel like an outsider and it’s heartbreaking to see the brave face that Leon puts on in front of his friend.
Leon decides to go for a walk through the train to clear his head and stretch his wounded ankle when he locks eyes with Thomas Grady, a bounty hunter who always gets his man. Leon can only hope Thomas didn’t see him, but knows that is probably wishful thinking. Leon makes his way back to Kenneth to warn him, and it’s time for them to separate, hopefully not for good, but there are no guarantees and the two say goodbye. The plan is for Leon to create a diversion, drawing Thomas off the train at the next stop and off Kenneth’s trail.
Leon creates quite the distraction when the train arrives and it rivals the great escape stunts you see in the best of westerns. Thomas isn’t easy to shake though and Leon is ill prepared for the ride and the weather. He’s also still nursing a broken ankle, so the chips are stacked against him. After a few days chase through the mountains Thomas does finally catch his man and this is where the real fun begins. Leon is absolutely full of snark and I liked him a lot. Thomas is the perfect stoic straight man to Leon and their banter ratchets up the tension between them that is so fun to read. For instance when Leon says to Thomas after Thomas accuses him of being too stubborn:
“Stubborn? Me? I’m the picture of good manners. I didn’t knock your hat off your head when I shot at you now did I?”
And, of course, there is an undeniable something between them that starts to show itself when Thomas ties Leon up for the first time. The banter increases, the tension increases and damn if pants don’t come off. One thing that Leon has never admitted, not even to Kenneth, was that his preference was undoubtedly for men. Leon and Kenneth had always stuck with the “we’re doing this just to relieve some tension” dance, but the encounters always meant way more to Leon and what happens between Leon and Thomas is the ultimate release for Leon.
If you don’t think you are into reading BDSM books don’t let that keep you from reading this one. While the story does have some of the elements, the relationship and balance that develops between Leon and Thomas really makes sense and is easy to understand. I think what makes it so believable is that the development is a real revelation for both of them and takes them both by surprise. Neither of them really understands what is happening between them, and it’s a completely fun and filthy journey reading about how they figure it all out. It’s the balance that they strike that is so appealing and you never mistake Leon for being a stereotypical sub. Reading from his point of view gives you the sense of power and release he feels, even when he’s on his knees.
As the two make their way to town so that Thomas can turn Leon in to the authorities and collect his bounty, both find they aren’t really ready to let go. When they reach town they hear word that there is an even bigger bounty to be had for catching Phoenix, the outlaw to end all outlaws. Add the fact that Leon has some information on Phoenix that he may be able to use as a bargaining chip to win his release, we have hope for Leon and quite possibly and even more importantly, for Leon and Thomas.
So, on to San Francisco where more western adventures are to be had by our two MC’s. I’ll leave all those adventures for you to read, because this is where these two really start to get their kink on. Give these boys a hotel room, a hot bath and a little rope and dammit if that isn’t the hottest bath scene I have ever read. The. Hottest. I. Have. Ever. Read. And I may have read it repeatedly.
For all the wonderfully deliciously filthy bits in this book, what may end up surprising you is how incredibly romantic it can be too. How the authors managed to fit that in is really well done and is completely believable for these two characters. This story has everything in it that you don’t normally put together with true romance, BDSM, ridiculous amounts of rope and a distinct lack of lube, yet, with all of that, it is one of the more truly romantic books I have read.
September 21, 2020
3.5 stars
Barely there plot and a relationship development that was just sex with feelings coming out of nowhere. And yet, against all expectations, I really enjoyed reading this, so much so that I’m tempted to round up to 4 stars. It was probably just the right book at the right time, but sometimes that's all I need.
Barely there plot and a relationship development that was just sex with feelings coming out of nowhere. And yet, against all expectations, I really enjoyed reading this, so much so that I’m tempted to round up to 4 stars. It was probably just the right book at the right time, but sometimes that's all I need.
February 12, 2018
So apparently I had nothing better to do today and somehow stumbled on this. Not gonna lie. I'd marked it as Want to Read a while ago, mostly for the cover and it turned out to be a nice surprise.
Leon and Thomas meet cute or really Thomas is a bounty hunter and Leon is on the run. Leon gets caught. On the way to Sacramento and as a way to shut Leon's smart mouth Thomas does the only logical thing, which is f*#k Leon's mouth while he has him tied up. It works. It works on a couple of levels. Blow job given or really mouth used, Thomas gets off and Leon starts to get an inkling that he likes being at Thomas' mercy, which is not always kind. Turns out that this roughness is also new to Thomas, tying-up Leon, using him, biting him, choking him and our boy Leon loves all of it. Sexual compatibility or admitting they like dick is not a problem for Thomas & Leon and damn was I grateful for that. Their big hurdle is trusting one another and I really liked how they worked it out. Historically accurate? Probably not 100% but I enjoyed it.
Leon and Thomas meet cute or really Thomas is a bounty hunter and Leon is on the run. Leon gets caught. On the way to Sacramento and as a way to shut Leon's smart mouth Thomas does the only logical thing, which is f*#k Leon's mouth while he has him tied up. It works. It works on a couple of levels. Blow job given or really mouth used, Thomas gets off and Leon starts to get an inkling that he likes being at Thomas' mercy, which is not always kind. Turns out that this roughness is also new to Thomas, tying-up Leon, using him, biting him, choking him and our boy Leon loves all of it. Sexual compatibility or admitting they like dick is not a problem for Thomas & Leon and damn was I grateful for that. Their big hurdle is trusting one another and I really liked how they worked it out. Historically accurate? Probably not 100% but I enjoyed it.
February 23, 2016
4.5 smoking stars
This review is being written by Justin's ghost. The mortal Justin spontaneously combusted while reading this book and is now just a pile of ash.
The mortal Justin would want me to tell everyone to read this damn book! It's very well written, incineratingly hot and has just enough tender to make it all work.
If you want to read a real review, read Ann's review.
*Thanks for the rec, Peach! I wish I'd listened to you a loooong time ago.
This review is being written by Justin's ghost. The mortal Justin spontaneously combusted while reading this book and is now just a pile of ash.
The mortal Justin would want me to tell everyone to read this damn book! It's very well written, incineratingly hot and has just enough tender to make it all work.
If you want to read a real review, read Ann's review.
*Thanks for the rec, Peach! I wish I'd listened to you a loooong time ago.
Want to read
August 10, 2017
I keep singing "Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do..." everytime I see this title.
*shrugs and sings loudly*
November 12, 2015
A kinky western.... YEE HAW!
September 20, 2016
Didn't really connect with both of the MCs or the story unfortunately....
Fine, it was smutty(not hot) and a lot kinky(that last scene especially had my jaw dropping).
However, I found it very difficult to believe the emotional aspect of their story. As for the I love you's that were thrown around at the end? Made me roll my eyes...
Fine, it was smutty(not hot) and a lot kinky(that last scene especially had my jaw dropping).
However, I found it very difficult to believe the emotional aspect of their story. As for the I love you's that were thrown around at the end? Made me roll my eyes...
October 17, 2016
This book was SO good! I've never read this author before but I love the style and am going to be looking for them again asap. Fantastic characters, amazing sex scenes, terrific plot - a really fast paced fun read.
February 26, 2010
It's been a while since I read a good M/M BDSM book, and the average ratings are too low on this one, so it's getting an unexpected 5 stars from me :) A truly pleasant surprise. I didn't read the others in the series and it works great as a stand alone. I could have read more of these two for certain, I loved the dynamics- they are a very sexy pair!
did-not-finish
October 1, 2022DNF @ 36%. No rating.
This is my fault and I shouldn't have bothered picking it up. It clearly markets itself as erotica and it's not trying to be anything else but MM historical western romances are very rare and I love enemies-to-lovers so I wanted to give this a try. Unfortunately, it's not my thing at all.
Even though it's tagged as MM romance, historical romance and erotica, I wouldn't classify this as anything except erotica. There's very little attempt at historical authenticity with both characters talking and acting like they're living in 2022 and the authors leaving gaping plot holes everywhere (like how the two men spent days chasing each other across the desert but somehow they never had to stop for sleep, water or food and their horses didn't require any rest or food either?). You could have removed the horses and old-timey clothes and stuck the two MCs into a contemporary setting and nothing would have changed. Actually - things would have made way more sense in a contemporary setting.
I also wouldn't classify this as a romance because there is none. The characters meet and they start having sex right away. That's it. There's no build up, there's no character development and the characters getting it on together made zero sense and wasn't realistic at all. I felt nothing for either MC or their so-called romance. However, a lot of this is standard in erotica, which is partly why I didn't rate this.
Another nail in the coffin is that the smut wasn't even that great. It was pretty standard but what eventually turned me off completely is how unhygienic and unpleasant the sex is. The authors did know that condoms didn't exist in the late 1800s and people generally didn't go around with bottles of lube in their pockets. But the authors took the approach of not including condoms or lube but they kept everything else about the smut scene the same, which didn't work for me. For example, using precum as lube, doing very little prep and having the guy on the bottom having his pants just below his waist doesn't equal a good time IMO. Never mind doing bareback on Day 1 and then having that same dangly bit getting a blow job on Day 2, when there was absolutely no bathing/cleaning done in between. Not my cup of tea. Hygiene is a big issue in historical romances, which is why I expect authors to do a bit of research and use some common sense when writing smut scenes.
Lastly, the captor-captive situation really bothered me. I tend to avoid this trope because the resulting non-con/dub-con situations make me uncomfortable. Especially because in 99% of the cases, the author wants readers to ignore any consent issues and think the scenes are sexy. The situation was the same here and that made me uncomfortable. Their first sex scene is flat out non-con IMO and the later scenes that I read were definitely dub-con but you could make the argument for them being non-con as well. It didn't matter that Leon found the situation sexy. He had zero input on when and how sex happened and that's not my thing. I should have known before getting into it that I'd stumble across this scenario but I was too excited to have found a historical western enemies-to-lovers to think more about my choice.
Anyway - it's not for me but I'm happy so many people liked it.
This is my fault and I shouldn't have bothered picking it up. It clearly markets itself as erotica and it's not trying to be anything else but MM historical western romances are very rare and I love enemies-to-lovers so I wanted to give this a try. Unfortunately, it's not my thing at all.
Even though it's tagged as MM romance, historical romance and erotica, I wouldn't classify this as anything except erotica. There's very little attempt at historical authenticity with both characters talking and acting like they're living in 2022 and the authors leaving gaping plot holes everywhere (like how the two men spent days chasing each other across the desert but somehow they never had to stop for sleep, water or food and their horses didn't require any rest or food either?). You could have removed the horses and old-timey clothes and stuck the two MCs into a contemporary setting and nothing would have changed. Actually - things would have made way more sense in a contemporary setting.
I also wouldn't classify this as a romance because there is none. The characters meet and they start having sex right away. That's it. There's no build up, there's no character development and the characters getting it on together made zero sense and wasn't realistic at all. I felt nothing for either MC or their so-called romance. However, a lot of this is standard in erotica, which is partly why I didn't rate this.
Another nail in the coffin is that the smut wasn't even that great. It was pretty standard but what eventually turned me off completely is how unhygienic and unpleasant the sex is. The authors did know that condoms didn't exist in the late 1800s and people generally didn't go around with bottles of lube in their pockets. But the authors took the approach of not including condoms or lube but they kept everything else about the smut scene the same, which didn't work for me. For example, using precum as lube, doing very little prep and having the guy on the bottom having his pants just below his waist doesn't equal a good time IMO. Never mind doing bareback on Day 1 and then having that same dangly bit getting a blow job on Day 2, when there was absolutely no bathing/cleaning done in between. Not my cup of tea. Hygiene is a big issue in historical romances, which is why I expect authors to do a bit of research and use some common sense when writing smut scenes.
Lastly, the captor-captive situation really bothered me. I tend to avoid this trope because the resulting non-con/dub-con situations make me uncomfortable. Especially because in 99% of the cases, the author wants readers to ignore any consent issues and think the scenes are sexy. The situation was the same here and that made me uncomfortable. Their first sex scene is flat out non-con IMO and the later scenes that I read were definitely dub-con but you could make the argument for them being non-con as well. It didn't matter that Leon found the situation sexy. He had zero input on when and how sex happened and that's not my thing. I should have known before getting into it that I'd stumble across this scenario but I was too excited to have found a historical western enemies-to-lovers to think more about my choice.
Anyway - it's not for me but I'm happy so many people liked it.
November 8, 2014
Great book, just read in one night. Always trust these writers, instantly became my favorite book by them.
Been three years since I read this time for another go
November 3, 2022
The swedish website I bought this on has a very different cover for the book, one where you can only see a classic western saloon and someone holding a gun up to the viewer, and what I read from the summary made it sound like it was just your average spaghetti western, but a book. On page 7 I quickly realised that I had just spent 50kr on gay western porn. As a lesbian it did absolutely nothing for me, but since a friend of mine almost bust a rib laughing when I told her of my mistake I decided to follow it through and read all 90 pages of this. It’s more well written than it has any right to be, and if your thing is kinky cowboys BDSM-ing it up by a campfire without lube, this is the book for you. I’ll give it 3 stars based on overall quality rather than because of my own enjoyment of the book, since it was very much ironic from my side once I realised what I was in for. But I will give 0 stars to the website I bought it from bc it bamboozled me so.
February 21, 2010
I think the story is really good and sexy as well. I enjoy the story of one being taken captive, only later to discover that both the hunter and the target fall in love. I can feel the attraction between Thomas, the bounty hunter, and Leon, the target, all the way from the very beginning. The way Thomas uses Leon for his pleasure, when the young man is in his captive is VERY delicious (one of my favorite scene is the one when Thomas gives Leon a bath and a shave *wow*)!!! The BDSM part is done with style and leave me wanting for more.
May 3, 2014
I love my reading challenges – especially when they help me whittle down my TBR list and I find a really unexpected surprise in something that has been sitting on my shelf for a while. I loved the D/s dynamic between these guys, but it had a little extra oomph because it started more on the dubious side of consent but wasn’t necessarily unwelcome. I wasn’t sure how this could end well – a wanted man with the bounty hunter trying to take him down. However it did (end well) and I really enjoyed it!
September 25, 2011
Great book. I loved the relationship between Leon and Thomas and how it developed and changed throughout the story. I wasn't ready for the book to end. I want to read more about them. I want to read more about this new relationship that they have formed. When will there be a Stealing East or Stealing South? Please?
October 23, 2016
in this book:
-a really good beginning - a bit sad, a bit action. soon, our heroes meet when leon is bested by the bounty hunter.
and then, sadly, the plot is as follows:
-fucking
-fucking
-fucking
-finally, a bath!
-fucking
-a fucking induced change of heart.
-someone is shot
-more fucking and a random fisting.
the end.
-a really good beginning - a bit sad, a bit action. soon, our heroes meet when leon is bested by the bounty hunter.
and then, sadly, the plot is as follows:
-fucking
-fucking
-fucking
-finally, a bath!
-fucking
-a fucking induced change of heart.
-someone is shot
-more fucking and a random fisting.
the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2023
At least it's off my TBR now - Felt like this could have ended after chapter 6 when they had their little you belong with me moment, but it continued. If it was going to continue not sure why it didn't add some sort of update with Leons partner. Just felt like there needed to be some closure there.
October 16, 2020
Wow...Hot cowboys who know how to use their ropes...
I was a little surprised, its a lot of story in 100 pages. Leon is on the run with Thomas hot on his tail...😉😉 then he catches Leon's tail...lol
Its hot without being too smutty but really could have skipped the fisting..
I was a little surprised, its a lot of story in 100 pages. Leon is on the run with Thomas hot on his tail...😉😉 then he catches Leon's tail...lol
Its hot without being too smutty but really could have skipped the fisting..
April 12, 2022
As part of the e-novella subgenre of M/M romance, Stealing West steals the show. It's a solid short story with well written sex. It lulls towards the middle but its otherwise brisk - even brusque - style lends itself well to western and BDSM erotica writing alike.
September 18, 2020
2.75 maybe
July 4, 2010
This is the bonus of having books recommended to you by someone else, as I had absolutely no preconceived ideas about this book and therefore was completely and pleasantly surprised when I started really enjoying it! This is as far away as you can get from contemporary mm fiction; you hit the ground running with this m/m western, the opening chapters landing you in a chase scene between our two protagonists; Leon, the outlaw, has an earthy, ‘take me as I am’ sensuality about him and Thomas is the dry, dominant bounty hunter, seeking payment for Leon’s head.
I was surprised by the heat that the early love scenes generated, as normally this aggressive type of sex turns me off, but it was something to do with the raw honesty they both approached each other with, firing wise cracks back and forth, sensing and meeting the others’ needs. The aggression in a way was two sided, with the more submissive Leon still drawing Thomas to him like a moth to a flame; although he enjoyed Thomas’s dominant nature, his own character wasn’t swallowed up in the process. The only part about this side of their relationship that annoyed me was when they progressed to the typical need of the dominant to be called ‘sir’, to be expected in a D/s relationship I guess, but something I thought they could have done without in this western context.
I ended up giving this 3 and a half stars, mainly as I felt the book had a lot more story to tell but stopped short. The pace that was set early in the book could have been taken so much further and led to a longer telling of our character’s love for each other.
I was surprised by the heat that the early love scenes generated, as normally this aggressive type of sex turns me off, but it was something to do with the raw honesty they both approached each other with, firing wise cracks back and forth, sensing and meeting the others’ needs. The aggression in a way was two sided, with the more submissive Leon still drawing Thomas to him like a moth to a flame; although he enjoyed Thomas’s dominant nature, his own character wasn’t swallowed up in the process. The only part about this side of their relationship that annoyed me was when they progressed to the typical need of the dominant to be called ‘sir’, to be expected in a D/s relationship I guess, but something I thought they could have done without in this western context.
I ended up giving this 3 and a half stars, mainly as I felt the book had a lot more story to tell but stopped short. The pace that was set early in the book could have been taken so much further and led to a longer telling of our character’s love for each other.
March 31, 2015
So this was a huge straight out of no where surprise for me!! I expected this sexy little western with one of my favorite tropes - lawman and bad guy hook up. Personal catnip for me. It was that and a helluva lot more. Wow! Won't rehash the story as many others have done that but really hooked me was the deepening relationship between Thomas and Leon and how people find their connection and their sexual needs met on such a primal level. The movement into BDSM territory was smooth but did throw me a bit. I think one of my quibbles with this book and why I rated it 4 instead of 5 stars is because when I read a historical, I want to be surrounded in that time period. I want the language, I want the people, I want the clothing - everything - to be grounded in that time. I didn't feel that because the language used in the book, the descriptions, etc. sounded very contemporary. Leon says at one point "yes, I'll crash here" Oh yeah?! They said that in the old west?! Anyway, the whole BDSM thing was so well done but the I thought was a bit over the top. But I did really enjoy this book. The connection between Leon and Thomas and how Thomas becomes what Leon needs and the subtle movements, the changes in how they make love, just wonderfully done. This is book 2 but can definitely be read as a standalone. I also think this is the last in the series??? I would liked to have had an epilogue to find out how they fared in the future. But a dirty, filthy terrific read!!!
August 9, 2011
“Stealing West” is everything that I had wanted “Hot on His Trail” to be - an exciting adventure of the old west with the law hard on the heels of an outlaw. Oh, and some hot M/M sex! Leon and his partner Kenneth rob stagecoaches. At least until Leon broke his ankle and Kenneth fell in love with the young woman who took them in. But, after their last heist, they were falsely accused of murdering someone during the robbery. Thomas Grady doesn’t care. He’s a bounty hunter after the $500 reward on Leon’s head.
When Thomas catches up to Leon, sparks fly between them and Craig gives us several down and dirty sex scenes between the men. But, it is more than sex? Since this is erotic romance, readers can easily guess that it’s surely more, but how the men will deal with the price on Leon’s head isn’t so easy. When another, far more dangerous bounty crosses their path, Thomas and Leon will have to put trust in one another.
I really liked this story and read it through in one sitting. The characters are a little stereotypical, but since this isn’t a serious western, it doesn’t matter. Both men are sexy, fun and the story has more than enough adventure to maintain its length. This novel stands alone, but the conclusion leaves room for a sequel. Overall, highly recommended to fans of “The Tin Star” and other cowboy romances.
When Thomas catches up to Leon, sparks fly between them and Craig gives us several down and dirty sex scenes between the men. But, it is more than sex? Since this is erotic romance, readers can easily guess that it’s surely more, but how the men will deal with the price on Leon’s head isn’t so easy. When another, far more dangerous bounty crosses their path, Thomas and Leon will have to put trust in one another.
I really liked this story and read it through in one sitting. The characters are a little stereotypical, but since this isn’t a serious western, it doesn’t matter. Both men are sexy, fun and the story has more than enough adventure to maintain its length. This novel stands alone, but the conclusion leaves room for a sequel. Overall, highly recommended to fans of “The Tin Star” and other cowboy romances.
December 10, 2015
Stunning Turn of Events
I did not read the first in this series, indeed I did not even know it was the second until I bought it and then went back and saw it was a sequel. I glanced at the blurb for "Stealing Northe" and lowered my expectations for this one because the first was an M/M/F romance.
After a rollicking first chapter, however, I changed my mind and saddled up for one of the best Old West MM festivals I have read. The great thing is that we learn everything about what happened in the first book (well, almost everything) in the first chapter of this one, and then we are left with two protagonists who start as antagonists but wind up in the same bed.
This book is full of sex but each scene is carefully sketched and played out as another erotic step toward something very special.
There are two serious characters here in outlaw Leon Stroud (disappointingly but reasonably depicted on the cover), and bounty hunter Thomas Grady, both of whose back stories are laid out before us as we go on toward fitting shoot-outs--one with a gun, the other with body parts and entwined hearts.
I wonder if another will follow--I don't think it's necessary, but if these two are in it, I'll get it.
I did not read the first in this series, indeed I did not even know it was the second until I bought it and then went back and saw it was a sequel. I glanced at the blurb for "Stealing Northe" and lowered my expectations for this one because the first was an M/M/F romance.
After a rollicking first chapter, however, I changed my mind and saddled up for one of the best Old West MM festivals I have read. The great thing is that we learn everything about what happened in the first book (well, almost everything) in the first chapter of this one, and then we are left with two protagonists who start as antagonists but wind up in the same bed.
This book is full of sex but each scene is carefully sketched and played out as another erotic step toward something very special.
There are two serious characters here in outlaw Leon Stroud (disappointingly but reasonably depicted on the cover), and bounty hunter Thomas Grady, both of whose back stories are laid out before us as we go on toward fitting shoot-outs--one with a gun, the other with body parts and entwined hearts.
I wonder if another will follow--I don't think it's necessary, but if these two are in it, I'll get it.
August 13, 2012
This was decent. It's a short read and only cost a few dollars. It was on a list of MM non-con books and I definitely don't feel it fits that category. There's some bondage and a bit of a D/s relationship but it's not really non-con.
It's set back in the time of stage coach robbers and bounty hunters on horseback. I think that could have been a much more interesting twist than it actually was. Probably due in part to the rushed nature of the story, it just seemed like this was lacking somewhat.
It was well written. It wasn't fantasy. There were no werewolves. Seriously, please someone explain the werewolves thing to me because it's nearly impossible to find MM stories that don't have werewolves. Anyway, it was nice that it was firmly grounded in reality, I just would have enjoyed it if the story was more developed, if they'd drawn things out a little further. It had the potential to be 4 or 5 stars but the brevity and rushed story keeps it at 3.
It's set back in the time of stage coach robbers and bounty hunters on horseback. I think that could have been a much more interesting twist than it actually was. Probably due in part to the rushed nature of the story, it just seemed like this was lacking somewhat.
It was well written. It wasn't fantasy. There were no werewolves. Seriously, please someone explain the werewolves thing to me because it's nearly impossible to find MM stories that don't have werewolves. Anyway, it was nice that it was firmly grounded in reality, I just would have enjoyed it if the story was more developed, if they'd drawn things out a little further. It had the potential to be 4 or 5 stars but the brevity and rushed story keeps it at 3.
July 14, 2013
I wanted to like this one ... I really did ... BUT ... I could almost smell the boys given the vivid writing style & that just made me gag & wrinkle my nose ... lack of personal hygiene in the era is the main issue I have with historical erotica ... some writers can make me forget the fact that your average pig was cleaner than people hundreds of years ago ... unfortunately, every time Jamie Craig described a HJ the morning after sex, I just went *gag* because there was no descriptions of convenient mountain streams & lye soap! ... if you don't mind this aspect of historical romance/erotica, then you'll probably love this book.
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