Title: Crooked Tree Ranch
Series: Montana #1
Author: R.J. Scott
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: November 16, 2015
Series: Montana #1
Author: R.J. Scott
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: November 16, 2015
On the spur of the moment, with his life collapsing around him, Jay Sullivan answers an ad for a business manager with an expertise in marketing, on a dude ranch in Montana. With his sister, Ashley, niece, Kirsten and nephew, Josh, in tow, he moves lock stock and barrel from New York to Montana to start a new life on Crooked Tree Ranch.
Foreman and part owner of the ranch, ex rodeo star Nathaniel 'Nate' Todd has been running the dude ranch, for five years ever since his mentor Marcus Allen became ill. His brothers convince him that he needs to get an expert in to help the business grow. He knows things have to change and but when the new guy turns up, with a troubled family in tow - he just isn't prepared for how much.
"... This is a beautiful love story between two men, each with secrets they are afraid to reveal. ..."
Foxy Rating = 4.5 stars
This is the first in the Montana series where city boy meets
cowboy. One of my favourite scenarios.
After losing his marketing job in the city, Jay is at a loss
of what to do next to ensure he can continue to support his sister and her two
children after her escape from her abusive ex. Then he comes across an advert
for a job on a dude ranch in Montana. It loosely gives a job description that
fits Jay but the other details are a bit hazy. One thing it does offer is a new
start for him and his family.
Nate and his brothers, Gabe and Luke, are the owners of the
dude ranch but times are hard and they need to secure new business, hence them
agreeing to hire a business marketing type person. With the little they can
offer in pay, who would turn up to take on the mammoth task to help save their business?
When Jay and Nate first meet they seem to get off of the
wrong footing, both taking a dislike to each other. But eventually after
needing to spend time together the dislike turns to something more.
I loved how the story was gradually built and the
introductions of each character was smoothly pursued so the reader was able to
get a firm understanding of each character’s quirkiness. The backgrounds of
each family was simply described so this first book in the series set the scene
for future books in the series.
This book offered all that I am looking for in a good sexy
country romance, and in this one there wasn’t a need for instalove as the
relationship between Jay and Nate was paced with an even flow and gave just the
right tempo for a romance of opposites. It was believable and the chemistry
that gradually built lead to a heated passionate encounter that then lead the
way for the rest of the book. I did think the match up of the three pairings
from each family was a little twee but no matter as the focus of the romance
was on Jay and Nate.
I liked the mystery of the sub plot of Marcus’ son which I
presume is being picked up in the next book with Ethan. It will be interesting
to see how this pans out and to finally meet the elusive Ethan.
The plot was nicely balanced with suspense, comedy, romance
and passion. I would have expected a little more bigotry for a small town m/m
romance but maybe that is yet to come in the next books as most of the story
took place on the ranch. Overall a really good enjoyable read and I look
forward to the next book The Rancher’s Son. Four and a half stars.
“This series is a winner because of it's cowboy theme - who can resist a gorgeous cowboy!” - Because Two Men Are Better Than One
“I always enjoy cowboy stories and, as you would expect from RJ, this one is smoothly well-written and pulls you forward chapter by chapter.” - Goodreads Reviewer
“This story pushed every button that makes me fall in love with a book.” - Goodreads Reviewer
“ This wonderful story reminded me of exactly why I fell in love with RJ Scott's storytelling.” - Goodreads Reviewer
At one point, when he was trying not to stare at the dancing, he spotted Liam across the room and they exchanged heated looks. Nate recalled the young guy bending over for him the last time he was here. Maybe he could get some more of that tonight. Maybe fucking Liam into the mattress would stop the irritating thought that he wanted to fuck Jay instead. Or that he wanted Jay to do the same thing to him.
Jeez.
Jay made it through three tracks of music, and when he made no sign of moving from his place alongside two men, Nate had to make a move. He sucked it up and joined the fray.
Nate was immediately swallowed into the crowd and instinctively began moving to the beat of the song as he walked closer. When he finally made it to Jay’s side, he patted him on the shoulder. Jay spun on his heel and Nate held out a hand to steady him.
“Cowboy!” Jay shouted over the music.
In a sinuous movement, Jay gripped one of Nate’s shoulders and shuffled closer so that very little separated them. The two men dancing with Jay drifted off to face other dancers, and suddenly it seemed like it was just Nate and Jay swaying to the music.
“You need to be careful!” Nate shouted close to his ear.
“Why?” Jay shouted back.
His breath smelled of beer and his body scent was a mix of the infuriating aftershave mingled with sweat and dust. Suddenly Jay became a four-course meal and Nate was very hungry.
“Keep your eyes open,” Nate warned.
As if to make that comment mean nothing, Jay deliberately closed his eyes and moved to the beat of the music. Somewhere along the line, Jay had lost his bottle of beer, or finished it, or whatever. He had both hands free, and he used them to steady himself by gripping hard to Nate’s shoulders. He had closed his eyes and was mouthing the words along with the song. Was he aware it was Nate holding him? He’d said “cowboy,” they’d spoken, but there were a lot of cowboys mixed in with the bikers and the other varied clientele.
“Open your eyes, Jay,” Nate shouted over the music.
Jay did as Nate had asked, and Nate was suddenly seeing brown eyes glazed with emotion. Then Jay smiled and closed his eyes again.
Instinctively Nate steadied Jay and that meant his hands rested on Jay’s hips. The feel of the man beneath his touch was intoxicating and Nate held hard. Jay fit into his arms perfectly: a little shorter, a little slimmer, just the right height, and his lips, damp with sweat or beer—Nate didn’t know—were what he zeroed in on. Jay swayed with the music. The move took them closer and fuck, Jay was hard. Nate gave in to the temptation and pressed them closer still until he was sure Jay could feel how hard he was as well.
All thoughts of impropriety or fears of rejection flew out the window. Nate was lost in the smile of pleasure that curved Jay’s damp lips. What would he taste like? Would Jay return the kiss? Would Jay push him away? How could he risk this? He eased his hold on Jay’s hips and slouched a little so that their groins aligned—suddenly they were frotting firmly and rhythmically to some Eminem mix. There was no way he could stop himself.
“Can I kiss you?” Nate said into Jay’s ear.
Jay smiled at him, but it wasn’t clear that he’d heard what Nate said. Hell, he should kiss Jay and stop all this delay in taking what he really wanted. Someone jostled him from behind and the movement threw him off his spiral of the pros and cons of denial. When the person who jostled them attempted to insinuate themselves between Nate and Jay, abruptly everything was clear.
“Fuck off,” Nate shouted clearly to the interloper, and in a quick move, he got his first taste of the sexy city boy. The press of his lips against Jay’s was intoxicating, and they kissed and swayed to the beat of the music. Their hard cocks pressed together and—finally—the kiss deepened. Jay let him in and Nate took every advantage. Fuck the fact Jay worked for the ranch, fuck that they had absolutely zero in common, forget that Jay had a degree and a life that would take him far away from Nate’s world sometime soon.
RJ Scott has been writing since age six when she was made to stay in at lunchtime for an infraction involving cookies and was told to write a story. Two sides of A4 about a trapped princess later, a lover of writing was born. She reads anything from thrillers to sci-fi to horror; however, her first real love will always be the world of romance. From billionaires, bodyguards and cowboys to SEALs, throwaways and veterinarians, she writes passionate stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and more than a hint of happily ever after.
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