The Gravedigger's Brawl by Abigail Roux

2.5 STARS

Welp. That was a book. *LOL*

I love Abi's books. Her Cut & Run series remains a huge favourite and her According to Hoyle is stellar. But this one... this book... I just don't know.

The premise is nifty. Ghosts, museum curators, a popular tavern in the historical district and on the surface, the characters seem like a cool bunch of folks that I'd want to get to know. But maybe that's the problem. I never got to know the main antagonists, Wyatt, the museum curator and Ash, the bartender, more than what they showed on their surface. I don't feel as if I'm coming out of the story knowing them any better than when I went in.

The story itself feels very jerky and I found myself often turning back a few pages because I thought I had missed something. But no, it was just a sudden jump to what felt like the middle of a new scene. The clues to what was going on seemed to be rather sparse up until the last ... oh... 2 chapters of the book, maybe even the last chapter and then all hell broke loose. I think I'd have preferred more depth throughout the story.

There were other things as well. I never understood why Wyatt's best friend, Noah, kept telling him he should stay away from Ash (all the while wanting them to get together.). Hell, I never really understood why Ash and Wyatt kept pushing each other away. And in the end, I don't really know why Ash and Wyatt fell for each other. I feel like I know more about the workings of Caleb and Noah's relationship than the MCs.

In the end, I think it feels to me that this book needs more work maybe?

I know a lot of folks love this book. I just find myself wondering why. :/

Crash & Burn by Abigail Roux

5 STARS

Cut & Run Series - Book 9

And after 9 books, Ty and Zane's tale comes to an end. And this book gets 5 stars because it was an extremely satisfying and delightful end to a much-loved series and I was so afraid that it wouldn't be.

Abigail Roux is one of my favourite M/M authors. Her characters are ones that I fall in love with, every time. Every damned time.

So, what can I say other than squeeing like a teenager? Well, loose ends were tied up quite nicely. I was on the edge of my seat, unable to do anything but continue reading until I finished. And you know what was cool? There was no, and I mean NO, publicity and advance marketing or anything for this book at all. If you pre-ordered it from Riptide, you got to download it last night and that was the first look that anyone got of it. And that was very, very, very cool. Kudos to Abi and Riptide for going that route.

Yeah, there were a couple of little things that bugged me and they are mostly things I wanted more of. There was not enough Deuce for me. I love Ty's brother, Deuce. He is one of my most favourite of all Abi's secondary characters and I wanted him actually IN the book. I actually wanted a bit more of the families - both the Gradys and the Garretts. Although the scenes between Zane and his parents left me very damp-eyed.

There was a lot of team Sidewinder, but I think that since that's where Abi's going to go next in this universe, I can deal with that - especially since I felt that there was a lot of unfinished business, personal stuff, between Ty and Nick that needed to be settled. I was pleased, though, that only Ty and Zane got sexytimes scenes this time. It's THEIR story, not Nick and Kelly's, and I was left feeling a little Irish/Doc overloaded in the previous Cut & Run book. And those scenes were HOT! One opens the book and OMG, it was AMAZING! *LOL* I wanted a cigarette afterwards! (And I quit almost 4 years ago.)

I was also pleased to see the FBI crew play more of a role in this story. I'd have liked more, but you know, if Abi gave me all that I wanted, this would have been as big of a tome as Patrick Rothfuss' The Name of the Wind. (722 pages).

I also totally enjoyed the little 'after the credits' scene included in my ebook. Very cute and very perfect. VERY perfect.

Is this the end of Ty and Zane's story? Well, I think we'll probably see or hear of them again in the future, but I think it's safe to say that they now have their HEA.

Thank you, Abi Roux for creating characters that I love to bits and giving them a finale that they deserve. :)

According to Hoyle by Abigail Roux

5 STARS

This was a reread of According to Hoyle, the re-issue that just came out this week from Riptide.

According to Hoyle has always been my favourite of all of Abigail Roux's work. Neither Ty and Zane from Cut & Run, or the Sidewinder boys have ANYTHING on Cage and Gabriel or even Wash and Flynn.

This is a thick, juicy story that pays as much, if not more, attention to the actual caper story than any sexytimes. The growth of the relationships between the MCs are shown in full force, but the actual sex scenes are few and far between. Which is JUST FINE! A wealth of emotion and meaning can be shown via a simple gesture or a turn of phrase and Abi does it SO well in this book.

My usual *SIGH* is in place, however, as most of the featured men are large in stature - I think Gabriel is probably a favourite because he's not a freakin' behemoth! *LOL* And I will admit that even though Cage is written as being a big fellow (think Hemsworth), I see him more as a Tom Mison (Ichabod in Sleepy Hollow) type. Mind's eye, it's a funny thing.

Anyway, I loved this book again and probably even more than before. I think it's Abi's best work, her best characters, her best writing and her best... everything. *LOL* A very good way to start off my 2015 reading. :)

Cross & Crown by Abigail Roux

4.5 STARS

Sidewinder - Book 2

First thing - this has got to be one of the most beautiful covers I have seen in a long, long while. Especially on a M/M eBook where the covers often tend to the cartoonish or headshots of two bare-chested men.

Secondly - the magic is back! I love Abi's books, don't get me wrong. There's not one that I've read that I've not liked, a lot. But with Crown & Cross, everything that I love about Abi's stories is here - two distinct, different, still surprising, fun and sexy main characters; a cast of supporting characters that's not too unweidly nor do they intrude on the story, fun banter back and forth, twists and turns, no over-the-top emotional or physical cliffhanger, wonderfully hot and steamy sex scenes, affection and love. I had become worried over the past few releases if Abi was losing her steam for this whole universe. If felt more like she had written this book saying, "Look here, look what the characters did, isn't it fun?" instead of "Look here, look how I wrote this for all of you. Did you see I gave you what you wanted?" I don't know if that makes sense to anyone but me though. *LOL*

So... the book...

I never saw - even after going back and re-reading - the instant connection between Nick and Kelly that many other fans of Abi's Cut & Run series did. It seemed like wishful thinking to me and continued to do so through the beginning or their relationship in Shock & Awe. There was a glimmer of fun for me to find in Nick and Kelly's appearance in the latest Ty and Zane, Ball & Chain, but I was too annoyed to really enjoy it because I felt they were taking screen time away from the real stars of the story, Ty and Zane.

But in Cross & Crown, the first full novel of the Sidewinder Stories, it all clicked for me. I've been in love with Kelly since day one and I have to admit, and I've always enjoyed Nick, even when he was being the tragic, love-lorn figure in Ty and Zane's relationship. *LOL* And now? THEY WORK!! And I want them together and I'm rooting for them to be together, to fight and love and dream and tease and get into trouble and out of trouble.

The plot of C&C is interesting and fun. There's an amnesiac who gets a crush on Nick (and I wonder if we've seen the last of him), a lost treasure, a historical puzzle, some mob interaction and a couple of murders to start things off. It all hangs together fine enough for me, and doesn't get overwhelmed by Nick and Kelly's romance. And we have a visit, well more than a visit, from Julian Cross, one of my favourite Abi characters.

And it's the perfect springboard to the adventures of the New Sidewinder Team the boys (and another surprise erstwhile team member) are going to embark on with Ty's sister who we met in Ball & Chain.

In the end, I had a hard time putting C&C down, it's one of those page-turning books and when I finally finished it, I had a huge smile on my face.

Ball & Chain by Abigail Roux

4.5 STARS

Cut & Run - Book 8

Ty and Zane are back and this time they've brought along Nick and Kelly as they head off to a secluded Scottish island in the Hebrides for Ty's brother, Deuce's wedding.

I love the whole Cut & Run series. I love Ty & Zane and I love their families, the whole Sidewinder crew and the folks they work with. Abi has done a masterful job of bringing the secondary characters to vivid life and we revisit many of them in these pages, much to my delight.

The mystery works. It's a circuitous puzzle indeed, with more winding tracks and side trips than the tunnels that play such a big part in the story. And the series continuity is excellently done, something that isn't so easy to get right. I love how Abi is able to weave in the information we need reminding of without having to do a whole info dump. It's a gift. *g*

The sex is hot and the romance is even hotter. All these big guys with their gooshy mischievous guy hearts and flowers just make me happy. I loved the running theme of the proposals and I swear to God, Kelly Abbott was created to make me laugh. And Abi certainly knows how to bring in the surprises and make them work.

The ONE thing I had issue with was a scene that I kinda think was probably put in just for the myriads of Abi's 'minions' as her big fans call themselves. :) A scene with the four, Ty, Zane, Nick and Kelly just shooting the shit and being all glib and clever with their banter. I don't know that it served the story in any other way, nor did it contribute to any character growth, per se. It just felt out of place... extraneous to me. It was a hefty scene in length and I think it's the main reason I didn't give Ball & Chain that last half star.

But really, there is so much good and fun and heart-tugging in this book, I honestly think it's one of the better ones in the series. I haven't been able to put it down, that's for sure, so, I can highly, highly recommend it.

Now as I understand things, this is the second to last of the Cut & Run series and it does indeed feel as if we're getting there with Ty and Zane's story. There will be plenty more Team Sidewinder stories though, never fear. The one BAD thing about all this is that I don't know if we'll ever see a sequel to my very favourite Abigail Roux - According to Hoyle.

Shock & Awe by Abigail Roux

4 STARS

Sidewinder - Book 1

Abi never disappoints. This was all kinds of sexy fun. :)

That being said, I was one of the few who never.. NEVER saw anything other than close friendship between Kelly and Nick in Touch & Geaux. I still don't, but that's okay. Many others did and were vocal about and Abi picked it up and ran with with it and we, the readers and fans, end up with another couple to cheer for, and Abi gets a terrific way to segue from Ty and Zane's story into the tales of the Sidewinder boys. And Kelly... dammit, he's on his way to becoming my all time favourite in the C&R/Sidewinder Universe. I love his crazy sense of fun and adventure, love his dirty, twisty mind and his utter boyishness.

Along with the ebook novella of Shock & Awe, came another shorty, Bait & Switch. For my money, this all could have been combined together in one Shock & Awe novella quite neatly. I don't know why Abi chose to do it this way, but she did. Both parts are terrific. Hot and steamy sexytimes. Men baring their emotions to each other as well as laughing and being silly together. This is Abi's world and she does it so well.

And Zane... baby... he came near to making me cry.

30 Day Challenge - Day 7

Day 7 - Most underrated book.

I don't know that According to Hoyle by Abigail Roux is the most underrated book ever, but I sincerely believe that it is underrated within the genre (M/M) and within Abby's own fandom. :)

Abigail Roux is best known for her Cut & Run series, featuring the adventures of a pair of FBI agents who also become lovers. GREAT books. I love them. There's a whole huge fandom that's been built up around this series and I think that According to Hoyle, which is not part of Cut & Run, suffers and languishes in the afterthoughts of many of Abby's fans.

It's a historical, western in flavour. The characters are full and flawed and very, very human. The story focuses on 4 of them, two US Marshals and two outlaws. Eli and William are the marshals and it's their interaction with the outlaws they're transporting, Dusty and Cage, that enables them to face their deep feelings for each other. And it's a mystery and an adventure and a love story and just so much fun! And Cage? The man is mute. Can't talk. And the way Abby is able to bring him alive is so very amazing. He's fascinating and I want... no NEED to know more about him

I understand the love for Ty and Zane from Cut & Run and the wish for more and more of their adventures and the adventures of their Team Sidewinder buddies, but I keep my fingers crossed for another book about the great characters in According to Hoyle and try not to think that they may have gotten lost beneath the hype of C&R.

Touch & Geaux by Abigail Roux

4 STARS

Cut & Run - Book 7

As always, it's the dialogue that makes the Cut & Run series for me. It's what brings Ty and Zane to life. And Nick and Liam Bell and Kelly and Digger... well, you get my drift. 

This installment of Ty and Zane's adventure was filled with lots of introspection and heartbreak among the action, adventure and danger and is quite the roller coaster ride. What we're left with at the end is one helluva cliffhanger, IMO. Not a BAD one though - it's how these things should be - the story is complete in this volume but you're left salivating for the next part.

And let me state here, I love the Sidewinders! Bring on #8!!!

Stars & Stripes by Abigail Roux

4.5 STARS

Cut & Run - Book 6

I really, really wish Goodreads had a 4.5 stars!

Okay, so this installment of the adventures of Grady and Garrett introduces (or reintroduces) us to members of their families. The first half of the book is very romance-centric, delving into the deepening feelings the men have for each other, their relationships with various family members and thoughts about the future. The second half focuses more on the action and the climax - whooeeee! I loved it!

While reading this book, I laughed out loud, I got choked up, I sighed happily and I bawled like a baby. Okay, maybe Ty and Zane were a little TOO mushy at times and maybe I shuddered every time one of them referred to the other as "my boyfriend". It just sounds wrong coming from men past the age of 25 - at least to my ears. Minor, minor problem though. I enjoyed the mystery and didn't have it totally figured out before I was supposed to. That's a big plus! I loved the tiger; seriously loved him. And the 'cameo appearance' of Nick was PERFECT!

In retrospect, I enjoyed the steamy sex scenes, but the parts that meant far more to me were the quietly romantic moments. Zane laying his head on Ty's stomach at the fireworks, Zane watching Ty sleep, Ty loving the Texas swagger in Zane's step. Those small moments, small things - they make the story for me and Abigail is a real pro at writing them. (And boy does she make the image of Ty in his hat and sunglasses HOT!)

This book was really more intimate than most of the previous books in the series. Funny, it felt more intimate while being set in the huge, wide-open spaces of Texas, how odd is that? :) I love Ty and Zane and Stars and Stripes didn't disappoint.

Dine & Dash by Abigail Roux

4 STARS

Cut & Run - Book 5.5 (Ficlet)

Who doesn't love a Ty and Zane sex scene? :)

Armed & Dangerous by Abigail Roux

5 STARS

Cut & Run - Book 5

This is the best Cut & Run book yet! I was so sad when I heard that Madeleine Urban - co-author of the first 4 C&R books - was retiring from writing, thinking that there would be no more Ty & Zane adventures. Then I read that Abigail Roux was continuing the series on her own and I was thrilled! Then I got concerned, worrying that the tone of the books wouldn't be the same, that the things I had come to love would't be there any longer, that Ty & Zane wouldn't be the same any more. In the end, worries were all for nothing! Abigail exceeded every expectation I had. :)

Yes, the overall tone of the book was different from the previous 4; it felt different, almost more friendly, I think. And the 'caper' part of the book actually was the most logical of the adventures since the boys' initial outing. 

So... the major guest-starring roles of Julian and Cameron (and Preston) from Warrior's Cross were PERFECT!!! Oh the four of these men together was a beautiful thing to read! And where Cameron could have come across as pretty baggage, in the end, he more than held his own with the three macho men. :) Nick O'Flaherty, Ty's best friend, also returns and his scene with Zane in the early morning hours brought me to tears. And Deuce! Deuce was back too and this made me very, very happy. As did Smith and Wesson. :) 

Anyway, I am totally in squee-heaven over this book. We learn so much about Ty and why he's the way he is, and we see so very clearly why Zane loves him so much. There were moments that made me laugh out loud and I swear, I'll never think the same way about antique dealers. There were moments that touched me, moments that made me mad and want to smack those men, moments that had me on the edge of my seat and moments that actually made me pause, sigh and go "Awwww!". 

I could not put this book down - well, the ereader - *LOL*. I started it last night and read until I couldn't keep my eyes open and then did absolutely NOTHING today in order to finish it. I loved it!

Divide & Conquer by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux

4.5 STARS

Cut & Run - Book 4

It's really 4.5 stars, damn you Goodreads!

So this latest installment of the adventures of Ty and Zane was everything I needed it to be. It was filled with action, sexytimes, humour, angst and a bunch of handsome men. The action/suspense part of the story, the bombs going off throughout Baltimore served its purpose as the background of the love story of Ty and Zane and served it well. It didn't distract me with odd questions, nor did it leave me scratching my head at any point. 

There were wee glimpses of Deuce, one of my favourite characters in this series, but definitely not enough. We gt to meet Ty's Sidewinder squad (not sure if I have the actual military terminology correct) and he has some intense dealings with them. Manly men being manly. We get to meet Nick, a Very Important Part of Ty's life. We get to see Zane tie himself up in knots, get badly injured, come to some pretty big realisations. All in all, a lot went on in this book and it was all good. 

And then came the last paragraph. 

I wanted to throw my ereader across the room and scream! I HATE these types of cliffhangers - and that's why D&C didn't get 5 stars. :) And that's also why I went online right away and bought myself Armed & Dangerous. And that's why my reading list has been thrown all out of order. *LOL*

I love Ty and Zane and I loved this book! Go! Read the whole series!

Warrior's Cross by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux

4.5 STARS 

I want it to be 4.5 stars, really. :)  (2016/05/29 - So I updated from Goodreads. *g*)

I loved this book and wonder why I haven't read it before, seeing as Abigail and Madeleine are among my most favorite m/m authors. 

I will state it right here and now, I am in love with Julian Cross. I want to mother Cameron, but I am madly in love with Julian. *LOL* I loved how they met, I loved how their relationship grew, I loved the trials and tribulations of their relationship and I loved the climax and denouement of their story. 

Not only were Julian and Cameron gorgeously drawn characters, bordering on stereotype, but not tumbling into the abyss, they both held a sweet charm that grabbed me from the beginning. And the supporting cast, the waitresses, Blake, Preston, the animals, even the villain of the piece were wonderfully drawn, helping out the story, fleshing out Cameron and Julian's lives and just being 'right'. The sex was hot, the love and affection heart-warming and affirming, the humour chuckle-inducing and the mystery well done enough to give one pause. 

I loved it.

Fish & Chips by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux

4 STARS

Cut & Run - Book 3

It's Ty and Zane for heaven's sake! Of course I loved it! :) Especially the last couple of chapters. 

The only reason that I've given this 4 stars instead of 5 is because I was confused about the case. It never really made sense to me other than a being a vehicle for the charade that Ty and Zane were forced to create. But as always, the action was great, the dialogue real, the sex hot and yummy and when the boys stumble into being romantic, well, I loved it. :) 

The secondary characters were nicely fleshed out and I really wish I could have seen more of the Italian couple. The tango scene? Well, I'm a big Dancing With The Stars fan and I may have done a little bit of squeeing. :) Ty and Zane remain one of my favorite pairings as are Madeleine and Abigail. I will totally recommend them anytime, anywhere.

Caught Running by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux

5 STARS

Loved, loved, LOVED it!

A Tale from de Rode by Abigail Roux

3 STARS

I wanted more of the story. :) But I really enjoyed it.