All Play and No Work & Cattle Valley Mistletoe by Carol Lynne ... QC #235

All Play & No Work and Cattle Valley Mistletoe

by Carol Lynne

Books 1 & 2

Cattle Valley series

Total-E-Bound ~ 2007

(Gay Romance/Erotica)

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All Play & No Work by Carol Lynne

Book Blurb …..

When a three man partnership becomes too much for their small Texas town, Ryan Blackfeather knows it's time to head for greener pastures. With a new job awaiting him in Cattle Valley, Wyoming, he convinces his men, Nate and Rio to make the move. A community built on tolerance, Cattle Valley's one of the few places in the country where the residents won't bat an eyelash at the threesome’s relationship. Nate, Rio and Ryan fit right in. However, with Ryan busy in his new job as town Sheriff, Rio and Nate are left to wonder how they're supposed to make a living. What use were a highly trained mercenary and a private detective in a peaceful community the size of Cattle Valley?

This was a great set up for the series. We are introduced to the various residents in the community and there’s a nice little sub-plot with Nate helping the local clothier rid himself of an abusive ex. While the sex is explicit and definitely male ménage, it doesn’t over power the story. The love trio, Ryan, Nate & Rio are an interesting partnership and each man brings a different dynamic to the relationship. Ms. Lynne makes us believe in the depth of their love for each other. I’m looking forward to reading more about the residents of Cattle Valley.

Cattle Valley Mistletoe by Carol Lynne

Book Blurb ….

The Reverend Casey Sharp loves his church, his congregation and his community. He just wishes they loved him in return. Paying for the sins of his predecessor has left him feeling like an outcast. Contractor Halden Kuckleman, loves his quiet life. After a childhood trauma, Hal gave up on love and God. When hired by the church to finish work on a new meeting room, he tells himself it's just a job like any other. He's fine working on the addition as long as Reverend Sharp doesn't try to save him. With a tight deadline for getting the room finished, Hal begins to wonder how he's going to get the work done before the annual Christmas Eve party. When Casey offers to lend a hand however, he begins to wonder if the willowy minister will help or lead him straight into temptation.

In the first book of this series, Nate had helped a local with his stalking ex-lover who turned out to be the local Minister. Taking over his congregation is Casey Sharp, and unfortunately the community is still reeling from their betrayal and finding it hard to accept Casey. Casey takes his job very seriously and he’s good at it but he’s finding the stress is starting to affect his health. Hal fights his attraction to Casey fearing the man will want to convert him, but instead he finds that Casey is accepting and willing to wait for Hal to realize his anger isn’t really with God but on the grownups who had manipulated him as a child. Helping Casey with the church renovations, Hal begins to find some understanding. When Casey’s health takes a serious turn, Hal goes to the root of his stress, the congregation and makes them realize they are shunning a good man for the deeds of an evil one. I loved the way the Cattle Valley community comes together to finish the renovations in time for Christmas. Though the sex is very explicit and definite male / male, there is much more to this story. Reading about prior characters and meeting new ones for the stories to come, is also a treat.

Excellence: Good + ~ Steaminess: Inferno

My Totals = 80 ~ Harlequin Imprint = 71 ~ Other Publisher = 9

~~ KatherineT ~~ I'm a Harlequin Addict, and I'm proud of it!
~~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog