The Backlot Gay Book Forum discussion

This was really something special. This was the kind of reading experience that makes you immediately look for other books by the author, that has you check to see if they have a website with news of more books coming, that makes you take a breath after reading it rather than rushing right on to the next one, that makes you go back and reread bits, the kind where scenes linger in your mind long after reading.

I knew right from that great opening line (I considered punching Forest O’Rourke in the face, the first time, about two minutes after making his acquaintance.) that I was going to like Sheriff Gene Grey and he did not disappoint. He’s funny and smart; a small-town sheriff who’s educated and well read, he has a removed from-the-fray, sarcastic tone that makes him the perfect person to show us around this place and its cast of characters. And his manner of speaking goes a long way to establish the wonderful period flavor.

At the heart of this story is the sweet romance between the two lawmen. Gene doesn’t think much of the brash young marshal at first, but you can sense his immediate attraction in the way he closely observes this young fellow. The way these two come together for the first time is one of the most moving depictions of this moment I have ever read. And I don’t mean the sex because, after the kissing, that’s all off page. This was about two lonely men taking a chance on each other. Forest is fighting all he’s ever been taught about his kind of love being sick and filthy. Gene has a healthier outlook, but he doesn’t seem to expect much in the way of happiness. Each needs the other and I felt their relief at having found each other like a giant, happy sigh.

For a while they are just goofy in love and you think maybe they can make this work, even in 1903. But in the sheer joy of being together, they aren’t as careful as they should be and the real drama begins. Can they survive and be together in a world that’s against them? I couldn’t stop reading until I found out.

I was thoroughly engaged and entertained for three days as I read this lovely surprise. I’m so thrilled to have found this author.


Note: This is not an old-west cowboy story, but does take place largely in Colorado in 1903, and the lawmen do indeed use horses as the cover depicts. But some of the book also takes place in Atlanta and Philadelphia.

Oh goody goody! Jax, your rec is a godsend since I've been seeking high and low for a good western read for a while. Off to Amazon now. :))

Well I hope this will satisfy your craving. This writing sure clicked with me. I really, really loved the voice of the narrator.

It does sound good. I've downloaded the sample from Smashwords. Looking forward to checking it out.

Dear lord, look what Lethe did to this cover:



I realize the old cover was lost when Cheyenne Publishing went under, but man that new cover is awful. It doesn't convey the very sweet tone of the book at all. This is not cowboy porn!

LOL - actually the bod looks hot but I'm not sure about that smirk.

Jax wrote: "Dear lord, look what Lethe did to this cover:



I realize the old cover was lost when Cheyenne Publishing went under, but man that new cover is awful. It doesn't convey the very sweet tone of the..."

Oh, that's awful! Especially considering the content and style of the book. Such a disparity! What a shame.

Jax wrote: "Dear lord, look what Lethe did to this cover..."

Actually, I find the fellow on the cover very attractive! Heh, heh, heh.... But---perhaps not the best match for the story you've described. Here's the original, for comparison purposes:

Men! Blinded by a pretty chest. Lol.

In spite of the wrongness of this cover, I do hope Lethe will be rereleasing his other western, A Hundred Little Lies, since it is currently not available as an ebook & I am anxious to read it.

He also has a fantasy that I'll get to when I'm in the mood for that: The Obsidian Man. That one wasn't a Cheyenne title so it's still available.

3.75 stars from me ... but I wished I could give it a resounding 4.

What I liked about it:
1. The sparse/laconic and no-nonsense voice of the narrator Gene - the telling of the unfolding storyline is consistently well done.
2. Everything to do with the small frontier town where Gene is the Sheriff. Interesting township characters and some humorous interactions.
3. The evolving dance of attraction between two men who are uncertain and conflicted about their sexuality and how to go about 'loving another man'.
4. The effective use of the symbols of each MCs role - sheriff and marshall i.e. badges.

What I did not like:
1. The roadblocks to the MC's relationship seemed a little contrived - Gene and Forrest would not have been so careless/cavalier with their acts of loving and PDAs - and their exposure seemed a little convenient to the plot progression.
2. I know relationships can take a turn for the worse before they come good, and misunderstandings and internal dissonance can wreak havoc - but most of the roadblocks to Gene and Forrest seem to be external to them - extended family, nosy township folks, ex-lovers, the law enforcement, hired thugs, societal disapproval. I think Chris O'Guinn would say the MCs had little sense of 'agency'. I was frustrated as he** by the time the final chapter came round and almost wanted them to move on and get over each other.

As characters, Gene and Forrest worked for me. As a couple who fought and deserved each other in the end - not so much.