Stars & Stripes by Abigail Roux (Cut & Run #6)
M/M Romantic Suspense
August 13, 2012
Riptide
Reviewed by Mandi
Favorite Quote: “Oh Jesus Ty. Are you okay?”
Ty closed his eyes again. He tried to speak, lips barely moving.
“What?” Zane asked as he leaned closer.
“I hate Texas.”
If I had to write a one sentence review of this book, I’d probably say, “Ty wears a Stetson while doing dirty deeds to Zane.” Is there really anything else you need to know? Seriously, some hot cowboy sex takes place in this book.
I think we are in such a great place in this series. Ty and Zane are in love, and I can’t get enough of it. In this installment, we head to Texas, as Zane’s father has been shot on his ranch. Zane has a rocky relationship with his mother in particular, but feels like he is needed down there to investigate what is happening on the extensive ranch his family owns. After a few days, Ty can’t stand being away from Zane and so he pulls a few strings and finds himself in Texas as well. They soon learn Zane’s dad didn’t get shot randomly. Exotic tigers are missing from the neighboring wild life sanctuary, and the mystery unfolds from there. Let me just say, Ty plus escaped tigers will bring on many, many laughs. For such a tough dude,Ty has many animal issues:
“How is it that you can love cats so much and hate all other forms of animals?”
Ty Frowned. I don’t hate all other animals.”
“Horses. Dogs. Chipmunks.”
“They’re twitchy, Zane. And chipmunks have shifty eyes,”
“Moths?”
“They have erratic flight patterns!”
Besides the mystery, we get a lot of really good one on one Ty and Zane time. Before they go to Texas, they make a quick stop in West Virginia to visit Ty’s parents and although they are only there a short time, their visit makes a very big impact. I’ll let you uncover why yourself. But I have to say, Mara Grady made me laugh and laugh with this conversation:
“We wouldn’t need your help normally, but this morning I cut your daddy’s finger off, and he says he can’t hold a hammer.”
Ty shot his head up. “You what?”
“Cut his finger off,” Mara said again, as if she hadn’t realized the news would be shocking.
And once they get up there, her abrasive humor still made me laugh:
“Whatever it takes,” Mara said. She stood and went to the refrigerator. “All of you shitheads need Jesus so far as I’m concerned.”
Zane almost chocked on his tea.
And while she might be crazy, she loves her boy and became one of my favorite supporting characters.
Down in Texas, Zane isn’t quite as lucky. His mother does not approve of her son, before she even knows he is gay. They have a very cold relationship, one that wears heavily on him. Ty is there to lighten the mood, but there are still a lot of issues Zane must work out.
Best of all being in Texas make Zane and Ty mighty horny! Not that it takes a lot. But Zane’s southern accent comes into play, as well as Ty walking around in a cowboy hat. Now that Zane and Ty are in love, we start the process of telling their friends and family and of them thinking of the future. I seriously can’t get enough of these two when they are alone and they talk to each other from their hearts. Abigail Roux does such a great job at giving us tons of mushy time between them, but with enough erotic sex and funny one-liners that it isn’t corny.Their love is so overpowering, sexy and sweet. I can’t help but grin during the entire book. I’m not sure of another romance couple out there that affects me the way these two do. I try to savor every book because I know one day Roux will say, no more. But until then, enjoy this series everyone. It’s special.
Rating: B+
Recent Reviews:
Jessewave – 4.5/5
Under the Covers – 5/5
Goodreads
Author’s Website l Series Listing (read in order)
Loved this book. Love Ty and Zane. Got to be one of my favourite series to read.
Was great to meet Zane’s dad who was awesome :)))
This is def a fav series of mine. I adore Ty and Zane. Adore.
His dad is awesome.
Also Chester? <3
Yeah Chester was great
I started this one last night, had to go to sleep after reading one sexy phone call, damn morning meeting… I think I’m obesessed with Ty and Zane, haven’t been that obsessed since the early BDB books… Sooooo good!!!
YES. Obsessed. I reread Cut & Run last night just because. LOL
I love Zane’s dad! Love him. I hope we see more of him in the future. Your last sentence in your review says it all – they are special. I don’t think there is another series I’ve re-read as much as this one. I can’t get enough.
I reread Cut & Run last night. <3.
I caved and bought it. Now I have to know it’s on my Kindle while I’m finishing this DEADLINE! I have a book due and can’t curl up with Ty and Zane yet. Sob.
THE HORROR!!!!!!!
Oh, but thanks again for the review! I still thank you, thank you for introducing me to these books. ;)
I’m so glad you tried them. I love talking about them with everyone :)
I think this one is the BEST one in the series so far.
Ride ’em cowboy!!!!!
I have a few highlights of this series – there is a scene around 60%ish mark in Fish & Chips that is an absolute favorite. D&C has some good moments, I adored A&D because of Julian Cross. This one is right up there.
I just started reading the series and finished Sticks & Stones this morning. I can’t wait to start the next one! Your review makes me think that this series will only get better as the books go on :)
They do – I think 4,5,6 are the strongest..although #3 has some great moments.
Yes…they only get better. 4,5,6 are my fav:)
I can’t even think about the day she says “no more.” God, I love these books so, so much.
Oh god..I can’t either.
*sigh* Love them!
Big, lusty SIGH! :)
(gasp) I need this one RIGHT NOW. Seriously, it’s probably borderline unhealthy on how much I heart this series.
Oh KC – I love that you popped up for this book!!!
I LOVE THESE TWO SO MUCH MANDI!!! They are one of my all time favorite romance couples, I just can’t get enough of them. These last two books have felt like gifts, just because we’re getting to see them as an actual couple rather than fighting one another every step of the way. Like you, I find myself grinning the whole way through every chapter of every book.
Yes..total gifts. I LOVE that she can write them completely in love and still write an intriguing story and with so much emotional depth. They are my fav romantic couple.
Ohhhh “overpowering” is a good word to describe them!!! I love that this book is hilarous and sweet and hot at the same time! Yay Abi!
This one has a lot of sweet moments. It was nice they weren’t constantly running for their lives. LOL
So, I dnf’d the first book in this series. The pacing was driving me nuts, Ty and Zane seemed to talk in circles, and the dialogue had an unnatural rhythm and stiffness that frustrated me to no end.
But, I went ahead and read the sample for this one and everything seemed much more polished and smooth. I’d really like to try another entry point into this series but book one just will not work for me. Can anyone suggest an alternate starting place? Obviously, I’m not picky about reading out of order. If I get hooked sonewhere along the line, I can always go back.
I totally agree that the first few has pacing issues and the dialogue scenes last waaaay too long.
I think things start to tighten up in book 4, but some big emotional moments happen in book 3..so maybe start there?
Thanks for the recc! I started book 3 and things are looking good.
Yes, the first book was choppy, but I liked it enough to purchase all of them. Ty and Zane are a great pair!
I’m worried I will need psychological help at some point b/c i really want these men (and their families) to be real!
Thanks Abigail for creating a wonderful love story!
I’m so with you…LOLOL
Gosh I doubt I can ever truly convey what these books do to me. Ty and Zane are so….captivating. Their dynamics just reel you in hook,line and sinker…no other couple I’ve read about feels so true and…and ….gah… I’ll stop. It was nice to see them be all romantic and have some ‘down time’ (their version of it anyway). AMAZING SERIES!!!
I totally understand how you feel
I know I’m a little late to the party on this one, but I bought S&S through Riptide so I was able to read it a few days early. I LOVE Ty and Zane. Favorite romance couple ever! I’m pretty sure Roux could write a whole book of Ty and Zane sitting on a porch holding hands and I’d still read it and love it.
Although, Ty doing dirty deeds to Zane wearing a Stetson.. definitely not to be missed! ;-)