STRUNG UP (Blacktop Cowboys #7.5) by Lorelei James-Review and Book Tour
STRUNG UP
Blacktop Cowboy #7.5 / 1001 Dark Nights
by Lorelei James
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, M/M romance
Release Date: September 13, 2016
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 13, 2016
Rancher Creston Grant retreats from the world after he loses the love of his life… Can his former flame, rodeo cowboy Breck Christianson prove he’s a changed man who can give Cres a second chance at love?
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REVIEW: STRUNG UP by Lorelei James is the latest novella in the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights series, and #7.5 in the author’s contemporary, adult BLACKTOP COWBOYS erotic, romance series focusing on rancher Creston Grant, and former rodeo cowboy Breck Christianson. STRUNG UP can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Some of the characters from previous installments in the Blacktop Cowboys series play secondary and supporting roles.
NOTE: STRUNG UP is a M/M story line with sexually graphic scenes of same sex encounters.
Told from dual first person points of view (Cres and Breck) STRUNG UP looks at the second chance relationship between rancher Cres Grant and rodeo cowboy Breck Christianson. Two years earlier Creston Grant lost the love of his life to a roadside accident and in the ensuing time has kept to himself pushing away family and friends. Fast forward to present day our hero is invited to the grand opening of Grade A Farms rodeo school arena he meets up with an old flame Breck Christianson and the attraction is immediate. What ensues is the rekindling of a friendship, romance and relationship between two men whose experiences as part of the LGBTQ community has been polar opposites. Breck has suffered numerous atrocities at the hands of fellow rodeo riders, and has been ostracized by family and friends. His career on the rodeo circuit has all but been destroyed because of his sexual orientation. Cres has been accepted for the man that he has become.
The rekindling of the relationship between Cres and Breck is quick to develop but Breck’s time working for the Grade A Farms has an expiry date-one that will force another separation between our leading couple, and an expiration that both are struggling to ignore. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense. The sexual tension is high; the energy level is off the charts.
STRUNG UP brings together many of the previous story line characters, updating the reader about their lives and families. We witness the ongoing loving family dynamics, as well as the cautionary emotions towards Cres’s new love. The premise is entertaining; the characters are broken but slowly healing with one another; the romance is hot and heavy. STRUNG UP is an emotional read with issues of sexual discrimination, grief and acceptance.
Copy supplied by the tour promoter
Reviewed by Sandy
“Why? I get that he’s your younger brother, but he is an adult.”
“Cres has had a rough go of it and I don’t want you takin’ advantage of him.” Sutton’s gaze hardened. “Like you did a few years ago when I sent him to you to deal with my horse.”
“Cres was an adult then too. He made his own choices. And fuck you if you think his bein’ with me back then somehow turned him gay.”
“Whoa. I never said that and I sure as hell didn’t mean to imply it.” He paused. “Let’s start over. This isn’t meant to be accusatory. But when you were talkin’ with Cres last night, did you tell him about bein’ outed and all the crap that happened afterward?”
“Yeah. I always thought you were bein’ humble when you said not everyone in your family rabidly followed rodeo.” I sipped my coffee. “He didn’t know anything about it.”
“Not surprised. People outside the world of rodeo would likely shrug and wonder why it’d been such a big deal.” He folded his arms on his chest. “So part of me wonders why you’d willingly put yourself back into this world, Breck.”
My cheeks heated. “It’s not like I have another skill set. And besides, don’t think I don’t know that you’re the one who suggested me as a possible instructor for the Gradskys’ rodeo school. Macon made the call, but that happened at your urging, Sutton.”
He grinned. “I figured if they couldn’t have me, they’d want the second best champion bulldogger…which is you.”
“You’re hilarious. And if I haven’t said it, I appreciate your faith in me.” Before things got sappy or awkward, I added, “So why didn’t you take the job? Since your wife is here all the time anyway?”
“After I survived that last run, during my stint in the hospital I swore that I was done throwing myself off the back of a galloping horse onto a steer. It’s a promise I’ve kept.”
Lorelei James is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of contemporary erotic western romances set in the modern day Wild West and also contemporary erotic romances. Lorelei’s books have been nominated for and won the Romantic Times Reviewer’s choice Award, as well as the CAPA Award. Lorelei lives in western South Dakota with her family…and a whole closet full of cow girl boots.
From Lorelei: “Why do I have a particular fondness for all things western? Well, I’m a fourth generation South Dakotan, living in the Black Hills, which is chock-full of interesting characters, including cowboys, Indians, ranchers, and bikers. The geographical diversity of the surrounding area showcases mountains, plains, and badlands. Living in and writing about rural settings gives me a unique perspective, especially since I’m not writing historical westerns. Through my fictional world, I can show the ideals and the cowboy way of life are still very much alive.”
