Length: Novel
Requested
Blurb: In the rough desert country of New Mexico, Ben Johnson runs a horse ranch called the Bar J. More than a business, the ranch is home to a collection of drifters, gamblers, drunks, and gunslingers, all of whom have found a second chance at life. What’s more, the ranch is a haven for men who prefer the company of other men, like Ben himself.
He and his young lover, Obie, deal with the everyday running of the Bar J and try to keep their ranch hands out of trouble. But when the arrival of strangers brings threats from without and within, Obie and Ben find out who their friends truly are and whether the strength of their love can see them through.
Reviewed by Jamie: Speaking for myself, my standards for fiction are high. There are a lot of half baked westerns out there, and when I received this title to review, I took one look at the cover and thought, oh no, not another one...
Yet this book was a pleasant surprise. (At last!) It was well written and had aninteresting, unexpected story. Dare I say, a 'proper' plot line, rather than randomcowboys humping in the hay? The cover does not do the story justice.
I could easily see this book as a big budget film; exciting to watch as the action unfolds; like a proper western should be. There is the Bar J Ranch, where ranch owner Ben and his young lover Obie have made an unintentional safe haven for waifs and strays, often of the gay man variety. On the Bar J Ranch, it doesn't matter where you came from or what you did before, as long as you behave decently now.
It should be cheesy but it's not, as the characters are thoroughly fleshed out. The story starts with a funeral for a character we don't know (I'm wondering if this is part of a series?) and perhaps the first chapter or so was a little slow going. Stick with it. The story soon picks up speed, especially with the arrival of Arcady, the somewhat sneaky cowboy, and Temper, a young black man.
When another shady character, a Mexican general and his rabble, turn up, it is only then that the story is given a setting, with mention of the Confederate Army having pulled out it's troops from the area recently.
There were a few unexpected turns in this story, along with some romantic moments. This story wasn't boring or predictable, it was exciting and a joy to read.
The author captured well the feel of how men interact and speak with each other.The visuals of the story were interesting, and as I said I could see this fitting well to a scenic film.
A
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