Review: ~ Review by Leisa
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 17, 2014
4.5 of 5 starsFor original review see The Prism Book Alliance Blog onlineSage is a damaged cowboy recently released following an unjust eight year prison stint. He was sentenced for contributing to the death of five people when an explosion killed his boyfriend, Angel, and four others inside of a meth house, while Sage was actually asleep in his truck sitting outside of the house because Angel had stolen his keys. As a slight, beautiful 18 year old in a maximum security prison, he was immediately the victim of severe physical and sexual abuse. Sage comes home to Texas to help run his family’s small ranch due to his father’s increasingly poor health.  Angel’s family and friends are angry that Sage has returned to their Texas hometown, and they work to make Sage’s life miserable and try to lure him into violating his parole. Angel’s father also blames Sage for Angel being gay. Fortunately, Sage meets Angel’s cousin, Adam (Win), a police officer who thinks Sage has paid his debt to society. Adam gets to know Sage, and soon falls in love with the hard working and kind man. Adam intervenes with his increasingly volatile uncle (Angel’s father), and helps support Sage and Sage’s family as they defend his right to reclaim his life.I am a true sucker for a good cowboy story — there’s just something about sexy, manly cowboys who have an air of fragility about them. Tortuga does a wonderful job portraying Sage as a hurt, yet stoic and loyal man. Sage isn’t looking for sympathy for the wrongs done to him; he merely wants the opportunity to live his life quietly without the harassment of Angel’s family and friends. The story line is filled with action, and it is impossible to not fall in love with Sage, who seems almost surprised that someone as decent as Adam would want him. Adam is also a wonderful character, who is willing to fight to do the right thing in defense of Sage, even in the face of his family’s hostility.The only issue with the book that bothered me is that the author alternately refers to Adam as both Win and Adam, which is needlessly confusing. Overall, The Terms of Release is a great cowboy love story with a hurt/comfort theme. Come on … Cowgirl or Cowboy up and read this fine story, and revel with me in Sage and Adam finally getting their happy ending!