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Surrender #1
Surrender
Dale's been in love with Brandt – his best friend and sometime boss – from the moment they met on the ranch. For nine years, they've lived and worked side by side. It hasn't always been easy and they've had plenty of words and fights, but one thing Dale is sure of is that the stubborn man he admires is someone he doesn't ever want to be without.
But Brandt is straight. Or so he wants Dale to believe. He can't seem to see his way through years of fear and hiding to tell Dale the truth. Better to let him think all they'll ever be is friends. One night, however, Brandt crosses a line and everything between them changes – and not for the better.
Fighting's easy. Making up is the hard part. Can they see eye to eye before it costs them everything?
Originally published in Cowboy Up!
But Brandt is straight. Or so he wants Dale to believe. He can't seem to see his way through years of fear and hiding to tell Dale the truth. Better to let him think all they'll ever be is friends. One night, however, Brandt crosses a line and everything between them changes – and not for the better.
Fighting's easy. Making up is the hard part. Can they see eye to eye before it costs them everything?
Originally published in Cowboy Up!
39 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 13, 2005
2 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Jourdan Lane
21 books317 followersJourdan Lane is a full-time author from Central Texas. She drinks too much coffee and is contemplating changing her permanent address to that of the local coffee shop. She likes her fiction like she likes her chocolate—Dark and Spicy. To stay updated about upcoming releases, please sign up for Jourdan's newsletter or follow along on Patreon.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 30, 2014
This started off pretty badly for poor MC Dale and I really, really wanted MC Brandt to grovel for weeks, but Dale is too kind of a soul for that. Still, a hot read and worth your time.
September 22, 2018
3.5 stars
August 20, 2014
Damn, what a bastard. lolz I almost gave the book 2 stars before they made up. The seck was hawt tho. :DDD
August 18, 2020
Friends to more!
This was a very nice short friends to more story. We have an MC who is hot tempered and crazy in love with his best friend. Then, we have the other. c who is mean but really so very afraid of what he is feeling for his best friend it took some rocky roads but everything soon planned out for the best, all in all it was a good read.
This was a very nice short friends to more story. We have an MC who is hot tempered and crazy in love with his best friend. Then, we have the other. c who is mean but really so very afraid of what he is feeling for his best friend it took some rocky roads but everything soon planned out for the best, all in all it was a good read.
June 23, 2011
Review: A hot cowboy short, written with good style, although not a plot that will ultimately remain in my mind or heart as special.
Review for Brief Encounters Reviews: http://briefencountersreviews.com/201...
Dale and Brandt are bunkroom mates, suffering from a misunderstanding familiar in fiction: Dale lusts after Brandt whom he believes is straight. Brandt hassles Dale about being gay, apparently hostile to him. And of course, being rough, tough cowboys, they come to blows over it!
The characters were appealing and well drawn, and there was some very powerful and sensual description of firstly, the characters – The muscles in his back and arms jumped as he worked and sweat covered his naked back. He turned slightly and I could see the dark hair of his chest wet and matted – and secondly, the striking Texan setting: The rain was soon coming down in heavy sheets, thunder rolling, and the lightning flashing so close that it made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
The first time they had sex it was explosive and harsh, yet it served as the first sign that Dale’s interest was returned, and just as passionately. The characters were fierce and sexy, evident through their actions rather than words. I especially liked the way the author took two bites at the cherry (no pun intended!) of their getting together, acknowledging the misunderstandings and admissions they had to face along the way. But after that, I felt the gritty realism slipped away. Brandt accepted coming out far too easily, after spending his life acting straight. Not only that, he was suddenly happy with public demonstrations of affection. That, and the rather facile HEA, didn’t ring true to me after all the struggle.
The sex scenes were hot and the writing style a pleasure to read. I already like this author’s other work and knew the standard would be good overall. There was a rather odd use of semi-colons in the middle of sentences, and over-use of the characters’ names in dialogue. Some of the dialogue felt too mannered to be from rough-tough cowboys, though I admit I don’t know any personally! I also found it strange that David was used as the name for both a ranch hand and a driver, when there were so few characters in the story. Dale’s friend Evan was a decent character,though with little to do except nurse Dale through a night’s misery.
The best bit for me was when Dale gave Brandt his birthday present. It was an unusually touching and precious gift for one ranch-hand to give to another, but this did illustrate the depth of Dale’s feelings. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come across you sitting just like that with Basco. You’ve got a way with horses Brandt, like no one else I’ve ever seen.
The story covered several interesting and realistic themes, and even if it’s not one I will personally return to, I recommend it as a well-written, enjoyable and hot cowboy read, and rate it B.
by pettyprose…my opinion alone.
Review for Brief Encounters Reviews: http://briefencountersreviews.com/201...
Dale and Brandt are bunkroom mates, suffering from a misunderstanding familiar in fiction: Dale lusts after Brandt whom he believes is straight. Brandt hassles Dale about being gay, apparently hostile to him. And of course, being rough, tough cowboys, they come to blows over it!
The characters were appealing and well drawn, and there was some very powerful and sensual description of firstly, the characters – The muscles in his back and arms jumped as he worked and sweat covered his naked back. He turned slightly and I could see the dark hair of his chest wet and matted – and secondly, the striking Texan setting: The rain was soon coming down in heavy sheets, thunder rolling, and the lightning flashing so close that it made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
The first time they had sex it was explosive and harsh, yet it served as the first sign that Dale’s interest was returned, and just as passionately. The characters were fierce and sexy, evident through their actions rather than words. I especially liked the way the author took two bites at the cherry (no pun intended!) of their getting together, acknowledging the misunderstandings and admissions they had to face along the way. But after that, I felt the gritty realism slipped away. Brandt accepted coming out far too easily, after spending his life acting straight. Not only that, he was suddenly happy with public demonstrations of affection. That, and the rather facile HEA, didn’t ring true to me after all the struggle.
The sex scenes were hot and the writing style a pleasure to read. I already like this author’s other work and knew the standard would be good overall. There was a rather odd use of semi-colons in the middle of sentences, and over-use of the characters’ names in dialogue. Some of the dialogue felt too mannered to be from rough-tough cowboys, though I admit I don’t know any personally! I also found it strange that David was used as the name for both a ranch hand and a driver, when there were so few characters in the story. Dale’s friend Evan was a decent character,though with little to do except nurse Dale through a night’s misery.
The best bit for me was when Dale gave Brandt his birthday present. It was an unusually touching and precious gift for one ranch-hand to give to another, but this did illustrate the depth of Dale’s feelings. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come across you sitting just like that with Basco. You’ve got a way with horses Brandt, like no one else I’ve ever seen.
The story covered several interesting and realistic themes, and even if it’s not one I will personally return to, I recommend it as a well-written, enjoyable and hot cowboy read, and rate it B.
by pettyprose…my opinion alone.
July 24, 2014
Wouldn´t mind if the story was a bit longer so everything that happens didn´t seem so rushed. I liked it and i would certainly reccomend this to anyone who likes to read a short story.
A day later i saw the second book (Stroke of Luck) on All romance and i bought it (i did get my wish on wanting the book longer) I hope the author is turning this in a serie. i would love to read more about Dale and Brandt.
A day later i saw the second book (Stroke of Luck) on All romance and i bought it (i did get my wish on wanting the book longer) I hope the author is turning this in a serie. i would love to read more about Dale and Brandt.
April 12, 2022
2.5 stars
Read as part of Cowboy Up Anthology.
Read as part of Cowboy Up Anthology.
December 21, 2014
Not a big fan of cowboys or short stories, since a lot is usually left unsaid. But this one was so intense, I couldn't help but love it :) 4 solid stars.
June 5, 2019
Reread this yesterday and I was reminded how much I loved it. Sooo good!
Want to read
December 22, 2015At first, I thought "New Jourdan Lane, but NOT Soul Mates series??" then I realized it's a rerelease. I want a new Soul Mates book!
May 22, 2015
Read as part of the Cowboy Up Anthology.
June 15, 2015
My library has been a buying spree again and this was one of the purchases. Quick easy read. Needed to be longer to have better character development.
September 10, 2011
It's more like 2.5*
November 4, 2014
2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews