Review: Cowboys, bears, romance - oh my
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 1, 2012
The rodeo life isn't easy.  It's especially hard for those on the Gay Rodeo circuit - little money, homophobia, being away from your loved ones so much of the time.  But Ken Marsh has a vision.  He sees his rag-tag group, the Rainbow Rough Riders Rodeo, as having huge possibilities.  Along with Cheyenne Wheeler, he's put together the nucleus of a team with possibilities.Rob Grafton and Victor Sarita, two bears who not only feed the guys, carry equipment and serve as roadies, but keep the cowboys on track.  And the potential star of the group, Mike 'Clint' Wolcott, is young but so willing to learn, and wants a career on the circuit.But as with all men and their dreams, the road to success is never a smooth one.  Ken hates being separated from his boyfriend, Country-and-Western singer Lyle Jackson, and fears the life they have being on the road may never end up with a commitment from Lyle.Clint was the victim of a hate crime, and still suffers physical and emotional repercussions from his hospitalization.  And his crush on Cheyenne?  The man won't pay him the time of day.Cheyenne is just out of a relationship that drained him and left him with a distrust of men in general.  When he sees young Clint lusting after him, it tempts him but sends up all his warning signals too.The bear couple, Rob and Victor, paired up almost immediately and seem to have found love.  A home.  Maybe they can serve a a source of inspiration for the others, they think.After leaving out for their first event, the men will all face trials that will test their commitments.  To their loves.  To each other.  Where will they all stand after the weekend ends?This books is a slight departure for G.A. Hauser, and I have to say, it is fantastic.  The thoughtful examination of three different relationships and how these men fit together within themselves and with each other was remarkable.Ken and Lyle appear to be at cross purposes with each other, and it seems they have different goals.  Ken, the leader of the group, is an astute businessman but at that point of life, in his forties, where he wants to be someone's world.  Lyle is a musician, and at first glance a player.  We get to watch as Ken struggles with what to do, how to be, and what he wants.Cheyenne has been burned, and doesn't think he's ready for a relationship.  But along comes young buck Clint with his charm, his swagger, but most of all, his young vulnerable heart.  What man can resist that?But Rob and Victor are the emotional heart of the story.  These two men settle into a loving and caring relationship and show the other guys how love can be.  It's not flashy and showy, not hot and muscular bodies pounding each other, but it's sexy, loving real men who lead with their hearts.And that's what Ms. Hauser has done so well with this book.  She let her men lead with their hearts and find what's true for them and each other.  From hot-shot Clint and his cocky-ass attitude to Rob and his MamaBear love, these men fit one another and are a family.Another hit for Ms. Hauser.  One of her best.Tom