Title: Riding Double
Author: Anthology
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Buy Link (paperback): Buy Link Riding Double (Kindle):Buy Link Riding Double
Genre: Historical/Contemporary M/M
Length: Novella (298 PDF pages)
Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5
A guest review by Tj
Summary Review: A very enjoyable and varied collection of both historical and contemporary cowboy stories.
The Blurb: The romantic allure of the cowboy is unparalleled. These sweaty, dusty icons of the West, past and present, still melt hearts and raise pulse rates, whether the man’s wearing a ten-gallon hat, chaps and spurs, or nothing at all. In these stories of romance with a Western flair, love softens the most hardened range rider and passion fires the most stoic ramrod’s blood. Fate may throw a few twists in their path, but at the end of the day, these men will be riding double into the sunset.
The Review: To be quite honest, I have never been a big fan of anthologies, as I have been disappointed a few times before by promising collections. One of my favorite books was originally packaged in an anthology, where the other stories paled in comparison. So I was a little hesitant at first as I started to read this latest cowboy themed anthology, but I can now gladly report that this collection was well worth my time.
There are some real gems between these pages. I was pleasantly surprised at some of the interesting characters that sprang to life. The stories offer a variety of both perspective and writing style that blend well together. Some are contemporary “lust-at-first-sight, so let’s get it on” stories, while others are gently developed historical pieces that were like snapshots of the past. I found something in each one that I enjoyed, though due to personal taste, I liked some better than others. Because of the sheer quantity of stories contained in this anthology, I’ll just talk about a few of them to keep this review readably short.
Trial By Fire by Lacey Anne Frye – (Circa 1920) Cord was not happy to find a man sleeping in his barn, and doubly so when he discovers he’s the man who, first stole his heart, then his best horse and some valuables before disappearing years ago. This was a very enjoyable story where the two main characters are thrown together again after years apart only to find the attraction is as strong as ever. Cord fights his feelings and tries like crazy to hold onto his anger, as Russell tries to make things right again. Really well done.
Rode Hard and Put Away Wet by Kate Sherwood – Cooper, who is on the downward side of his rodeo bull riding career, has been having a secret affair with up and coming Tyson. To Cooper it is just a sexual release, with no complications. They only get together when they are both competing, never in between. But something is different this time around. Tyson seems to be asking for more than just sex. This was a really nice character study of Copper.
Mr. August by K.R. Foster – We meet Colby as he, for some unknown reason, is avoiding the annoying “city slicker” knocking on his front door. For much of the story, we don’t know what that man wants from Colby, nor why Colby is so angrily refusing. This whole mystery aspect had me turing pages at a frantic pace trying to get to the answer. I really enjoyed what the author did with this story, especially when we find out who this city slicker is.
Surviving the Crossing by Maria Albert – This story really surprised me with the amount of character development that Ms. Albert squeezed in. Both main characters seemed very well drawn and even some of the secondary characters were sketched out as part of their story. While on a cattle drive, Grady is injured, falls in a river and is separated from his brothers. Wade, who is running from rejection by his father, and struggling with where he will fit in, discovers Grady unconscious and bleeding, and nurses him back to health. I thought this story was well written and very sexy. Grady is what my cowboy fantasies are made of!
All in all, I sincerely recommend this anthology. If you like cowboys, there should be at least a few stories that you will enjoy.
This sounds an interesting collection to follow up on. Thank you.
You’re welcome Rachel! I hope you enjoy it.
I just bought it after reading your review. Hope it’s as good as it sounds… I am looking foward to reading it.
Hi Suzi – I think you’re sure to find several stories that you’ll enjoy in this anthology. There’s a nice variety. Happy reading!
TJ, thanks for the review. Im not a big fan of anthologies, either. Cost vs. what I read being the main reason. I read “Shifting Sands” awhile back and I dont know if it is considered an anthology. All the stories were connected by a common theme. It was done really well. I enjoyed every story and found new authors that I liked.
The “Mr.August” story sounds interesting.
You’re very welcome Hannah – Yeah, I know what you mean – as I said, I’ve never been a big fan either. It’s always a bit of a gamble to buy an anthology. But like you, I’ve now discovered several new (to me) authors that I’ll be following. I did like this bunch of stories, not that they were all my favorites, but I liked the majority and some were very well done. Yeah, Mr. August kept me guessing.
Hi Tj
I love the way you described these stories and I’m very happy the anthology turned out to be enjoyable since I persuaded you to try it. 😎
This is definitely going on my TBR because I love cowboy stories. Thanks for a well done review Tj. You get time off for good behaviour. 😉
Thank you Wave! This was a good one, so thank you for persuading me to read it. Since you love cowboys like I do, I’m confident that you’ll like most every story here. And they’re all written in your favorite format – pamphlet short! Oooh, time off!! Too bad you didn’t tell me yesterday. I could’ve gone to Mardi Gras!
Okay, Teej. I’m putting my trust in you again. (You remember what happened last time I did that? I woke up with rope burns on my wrists, a massive hangover, and other assorted sore parts.) I love me some cowboys (almost as much as cops and serial killers :p –and almost as much as I hate anthologies!) so I’m going to go for it since you liked it this much.
PS – I know the collection of which you spoke early in the review and I have to confess I couldn’t get through any but the one we both love. One more reason to approach these anthologies with extreme caution.
Oy! Buda, don’t remind me! I’ll never be able to drink Tequila again! :fish: I can’t remember a bloody thing after the 5th shot.
I usually shy away from anthologies, but Wave twisted my arm, so I gave in. Luckily there were a lot of good stories this time. I know you like your novels, but I think you’ll enjoy these, even though they may not measure up to your size requirement. 😉
Oy! Always trying to make me out to be the size queen! You saw she’s had me reading pamphlets lately, right? She’s an evil one, our Wave!
And why the hell are you throwing up fish? I thought you didn’t swing that way? 😉 Tequila = Bad stuff, but margaritas taste so good!
Teej
I did not twist your arm. 🙂 I asked you gently if you would like to review this anthology. 😀
He always was a size queen. 😀
Buda
Okay what party did I miss. Was this a gay party? Is this why I wasn’t invited? This is definitely not fair that gay boyz have more fun. 😥
Hey Tj, I was wondering how someone might use that :fish:
😆
Great job on the review, thank you! The last anthology I bought hit me like that fish! This sounds like it might be fun. I’m going to pass though. My TBR pile is tumbling over as I write! :computer:
Hey, where is our green ball for frantically reading?!
:cow:
Since anthologies are so tricky is always good to have recs :help:
Thank you for your review 😎
You’re welcome Helena.
Hi Reggie – I only thought of it when Buda mentioned hangovers.
Seems that many if us have had a bad anthology experience. This one is good, but I completely understand the huge TBR pile. I think we all think we can get through more books than there are hours for. Thanks for the comment. Now get back to that frantic reading. 😀