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Stakes & Spurs

(Venom Valley #2)

Hank Edwards (Goodreads Author)

4.10 · Rating details · 81 ratings · 22 reviews

Dex Wells, former deputy of the prairie town of Belkin’s Pass, awakes to the sound of screaming. He is chained to the wall of a cave, prisoner of the powerful vampire Balthazar, who has turned many of the residents of Belkin’s Pass into vampires like him, and used most others as food. Balthazar keeps Dex as bait, hoping to lure Dex’s lover, Josh Stanton, into the caves and ...more

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ebook, 159 pages

Published August 21st 2013 by Wilde City Press (first published October 11th 2012)

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Start your review of Stakes & Spurs (Venom Valley, #2)

Aug 25, 2013 Susan65 rated it really liked it

I have to admit, I was really worried...about a LOT of things!!!!!!

Was Dex gonna be saved or turned, was something going to happen between Dex and Balthazar, was something going to happen between Josh and Sgt. Walker, how could they possibly fight off legions of vampires and killer wolves? And now the Army too?

Well, some of these were answered, some are still on going, and yet again I'm left to wait breathlessly for the next book.

After Cowboys & Vampires, Dex was captured by Balthazar. Most of t ...more

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Sep 18, 2013 Ann rated it it was amazing

Shelves: all-time-favorite-mm, country-boys-and-small-towns, for-sharknado-and-zombie-reasons, mm-rereads, mm-series, pnrs-shifters-ghosties-scifi-etc

Can't stop now, on to book 3 - I' pretty sure I know what's coming and it's going to be EPIC!

ETA - IT WAS EPIC!!!!!!

Reviewed at the end - couldn't stop until I was done!

...more

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Dec 11, 2019 Mimi rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.5 stars

Book Two starts right where Book One left off so please read the first to get the full effect of this Cowboy paranormal series.

Dex is being held and seduced by Balthazar while Josh and Glory are trying their hardest to stay alive to rescue Dex. The action is fasted paced and I love where the author is taking us!

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Apr 23, 2015 Don Bradshaw rated it liked it

It's not looking good for Josh, Glory and their small band of survivors. ...more

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Sep 04, 2013 Sammy Goode rated it it was amazing

Author Hank Edwards adds a second excellent installment to the Venom Valley series with Stakes & Spurs. Picking up where the first book left off, this is definitely a novel that needs to be read in order--and what a novel it is!

Dex has been captured by the vampire Balthazar and chained in his underground lair. In the meanwhile, Josh and Glory are in pursuit, hoping to get to Dex before he is either killed or worse, turned into a vampire as well. Josh's power to manipulate the dead by reanimating Author Hank Edwards adds a second excellent installment to the Venom Valley series with Stakes & Spurs. Picking up where the first book left off, this is definitely a novel that needs to be read in order--and what a novel it is!

Dex has been captured by the vampire Balthazar and chained in his underground lair. In the meanwhile, Josh and Glory are in pursuit, hoping to get to Dex before he is either killed or worse, turned into a vampire as well. Josh's power to manipulate the dead by reanimating them and having them do his bidding is still beyond his reach to control but he fights back against the onslaught of turned townsfolk by discovering their bodies during the day and driving stakes into their hearts. When he and Glory discover that the local smithy is still alive, they devise a plan to melt silver down and make bullets--the only thing that will stop someone as powerful as Balthazar.

But as time ticks away, Dex falls further and further under the throes of the vampires powers and seeds of doubt as to whether Josh truly loves him are planted. The vampire Balthazar uses Dex in unspeakable ways, causing Dex to fear that Josh will ever want him again. Now Dex must find a way to escape before he is bitten a third time which will turn him into the very creature he hates. Along the way another person is discovered in Balthazar's lair and who they are will cause such a stir that by novel’s end, revenge is the only thing Josh and Dex have on their minds.

I could not put this book down--there were many times I wanted too, trust me. Not because it was disappointing or poorly written--no, not by a long shot, but because my heart was in my throat and I had to calm down in order to continue on in the story. It was a wild ride from beginning to end. The creepiness of the undead, the way in which poor Josh had to stake entire families, the insidiously evil Balthazar, all these elements added up to make Stakes & Spurs a real nail biter.

The tension that author Hank Edwards creates with this race against the enemy made this novel even better than its predecessor, Cowboys and Vampires. While that novel focused on setting the back-story and pulling off the cliffhanger, this one was all about the growing plot line and developing the characters. I really liked how author Hank Edwards gave both men serious competition for their affections. Yes, I admit that the vampire Balthazar was pure and simply evil and manipulated Dex but the soldier that Josh encounters, while so exhausted and hurting from not being able to save Dex, was an interesting twist in an already action-packed story.

Author Hank Edwards adds a second excellent installment to the Venom Valley series with Stakes & Spurs. Picking up where the first book left off, this is definitely a novel that needs to be read in order--and what a novel it is!

Dex has been captured by the vampire Balthazar and chained in his underground lair. In the meanwhile, Josh and Glory are in pursuit, hoping to get to Dex before he is either killed or worse, turned into a vampire as well. Josh's power to manipulate the dead by reanimating them and having them do his bidding is still beyond his reach to control but he fights back against the onslaught of turned townsfolk by discovering their bodies during the day and driving stakes into their hearts. When he and Glory discover that the local smithy is still alive, they devise a plan to melt silver down and make bullets--the only thing that will stop someone as powerful as Balthazar.

But as time ticks away, Dex falls further and further under the throes of the vampires powers and seeds of doubt as to whether Josh truly loves him are planted. The vampire Balthazar uses Dex in unspeakable ways, causing Dex to fear that Josh will ever want him again. Now Dex must find a way to escape before he is bitten a third time which will turn him into the very creature he hates. Along the way another person is discovered in Balthazar's lair and who they are will cause such a stir that by novel’s end, revenge is the only thing Josh and Dex have on their minds.

I could not put this book down--there were many times I wanted too, trust me. Not because it was disappointing or poorly written--no, not by a long shot, but because my heart was in my throat and I had to calm down in order to continue on in the story. It was a wild ride from beginning to end. The creepiness of the undead, the way in which poor Josh had to stake entire families, the insidiously evil Balthazar, all these elements added up to make Stakes & Spurs a real nail biter.

The tension that author Hank Edwards creates with this race against the enemy made this novel even better than its predecessor, Cowboys and Vampires. While that novel focused on setting the back-story and pulling off the cliffhanger, this one was all about the growing plot line and developing the characters. I really liked how author Hank Edwards gave both men serious competition for their affections. Yes, I admit that the vampire Balthazar was pure and simply evil and manipulated Dex but the soldier that Josh encounters, while so exhausted and hurting from not being able to save Dex, was an interesting twist in an already action-packed story.

...more

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Oct 09, 2017 Christine rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ebooks, m-m-read

A much better story than the 1st. This one picks up right where the 1st left off but with much more of a depth of feel in the characters and story. Definitely a series that needs to be read in order.

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Dec 11, 2012 Tim Brehme rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

It has been a long time since I wanted to be a cowboy in the old west. Josh and Dex have reignited that desire. Great suspense, great characters and lustworthy muscles from the cowboys to the blacksmith. And let us not forget the cliff hanger ending that has me lusting for more. Thanks to Hank Edwards for another great read.

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Oct 31, 2017 Katherine rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Wonderfully atmospheric

In this next book in the Venom Valley series, all of the ground work has been laid and we get right into the meat of the story. And boy is that ever a good story; between the tense and fearful atmosphere, with the continual loses and challenges to the few remaining humans, this book leaves you on edge wondering who will make it out alive.

After the last encounter with Balthazar, Dex was kidnapped and Glory and Josh teamed together to save him. But Dex is hidden away and Glo Wonderfully atmospheric

In this next book in the Venom Valley series, all of the ground work has been laid and we get right into the meat of the story. And boy is that ever a good story; between the tense and fearful atmosphere, with the continual loses and challenges to the few remaining humans, this book leaves you on edge wondering who will make it out alive.

After the last encounter with Balthazar, Dex was kidnapped and Glory and Josh teamed together to save him. But Dex is hidden away and Glory and Josh run into troubles of their own.

Glory has such a complicated time at all of this. She still has a bit of hatred for the town; they killed her father, barely accept her, and as a saloon girl she hasn't exactly seen the best of people. Glory finds herself conflicted, as she now is in a position of power above that town, and yet it does not make her happy. Though Glory has never been the type to seek revenge, she is clearly living through the fact that it does not always help.

Josh has to spend this book dealing with his own issues with the town. Though he was brought in by Agnes and best friends with Dex, the rest of the town always kept him at a distance. Now, being blamed for the murders, they are willing to turn on him without a second thought. Even as the town is dismantled and turned by vampires, people look at him with distrust. As his powers over the dead grow it makes him a bit uncertain of himself, while also thrusting him into a position of authority despite the fact that people don't trust him. Josh has to find a way to be confident and lead these people, even as they seek to tear him down.

Dex is in the most compromised position of all in this book. Captured, chained, and kept at Balthazar's mercy, his mind is manipulated both by the torture and deprivation, and by the vampire's mind tricks. Dex has to work hard to hold to his beliefs and his love, but in the face of this ordeal it is a constant wonder if he can come away unscathed.

An excellent book that promises to lead to an exciting end in the last book in the trilogy! ...more

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Jan 19, 2021 Michelle rated it liked it

Shelves: abuse, action-adventure, cannibalism, cheating, childhood-friends, dark, dubcon-rape, fantasy-scifi, horror, ku

The second book is a rough climb and not as action packed as the first book, nor I suspect the last book. It's fairly typical of the second book of a trilogy where most of the build up occurs and not much else. Rape/dubcon elements in this book might make you flinch as I did and silently long for Anne Rice's vampires that don't have sex because they don't have fluids. Introduction of a secondary romantic interest character feels a bit cliché and leaves me with hopes that it doesn't fall into a p ...more

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Oct 05, 2017 Shannon rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: gay-lesbian, kindle, kindle-loan

Continuing adventures of Josh, Dex, and Glory.

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Aug 10, 2017 DeWanda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: kultd

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Mar 23, 2018 Erica rated it really liked it

Another great installment. Even darker than the first, which is impressive considering all the zombies and vampires running around.

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Nov 13, 2020 Stacy T rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Great read

Loving this series. Has me hook on every word and unable to put the book down! On to the next!

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Sep 17, 2013 Pixie Mmgoodbookreviews rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal, historical, western, vampires

4 Hearts

Review written for MM Good Book Reviews

This story is part of a series and must be read in order. Dex awakens to find himself the prisoner of Balthazar, the powerful vampire, but he isn't alone. Somewhere in the depths of the cave he is chained in someone is screaming and Dex is determined to escape. Balthazar is using Dex as bait, he wants to know Josh's secrets and lure Josh into a trap, Dex has the answers but a stubborn will and Balthazar will use any means to wear down Dex's defenses 4 Hearts

Review written for MM Good Book Reviews

This story is part of a series and must be read in order. Dex awakens to find himself the prisoner of Balthazar, the powerful vampire, but he isn't alone. Somewhere in the depths of the cave he is chained in someone is screaming and Dex is determined to escape. Balthazar is using Dex as bait, he wants to know Josh's secrets and lure Josh into a trap, Dex has the answers but a stubborn will and Balthazar will use any means to wear down Dex's defenses. Josh wants to rescue Dex desperately but with the wolves and vampires chasing them Josh and Glory find themselves in the hands of the sheriff of Belkin's Pass unable to convince him of the danger that is coming. Trapped in a town where the residents are falling victim to the vampires and wolves and their hopes of rescuing Dex dwindling, Josh and Glory with the few remaining townspeople prepare to face the vampires.

Well, we left Cowboys & Vampires as Balthazar snatched Dex from the Indian's camp, now we rejoin Dex, Josh and Glory as they try to find a way to reunite while in the midst of vampires, wolves and a town that is being destroyed. Dex is left facing Balthazar as the vampire tries to break him, his hope of rescue dwindling as Balthazar tries to twist his mind against Josh and seduce him to Balthazar's needs. Josh is desperate to rescue Dex but he has many obstacles to face when the sheriff catches up with him and Glory and they are returned to Belkin's Pass, convincing people of the danger is hard to do until they are faced with the horror that has overtaken the town. Glory discovers from her spirit guide that she holds the means to help Josh with the dead, and she still longs for those moments when her spirit guide protects her.

This is a wonderful continuation of Venom Valley that leaves you guessing what will happen as you turn the pages, will Dex succumb to Balthazar? Will Balthazar take that last bite? Will Josh ever convince anyone of the truth? Will they survive through the night? What will happen with Josh's new found attraction to the army Sergeant? Will they be able to rescue Dex? And just how will they go up against so many vampires and wolves? This story is brilliantly woven, leaving you guessing and trying to figure out yourself how they will pull it off, has you murmuring 'resist Dex, resist Balthazar' and has you wondering what will happen next. The characters really make this story great, the difficulties they face bringing out the best and, in some cases, the worst in them and making you vested in their survival.

I have to recommend this to those who love western historicals, dark vampires, desperate men and women, pulling together in times of survival, desperate loving and hope, and an ending that prepares you for the adventure still to come.

...more

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Sep 03, 2014 Xing rated it it was ok

Shelves: biob

Stakes & Spurs is a direct continuation of Cowboys & Vampires. Due to circumstances following the end of book one, there actually isn't very much Josh-Dex interaction in this sequel. Dex and Josh are both separated by circumstances and distance, each having to overcome obstacles getting between them. As a fan of character interaction with the love interests, I had to say this was a disappointing (but necessary) development.

The cast of characters also broaden with the addition of Sergeant Walker ...more

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Mar 06, 2013 Nathan Sims rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Bait is the follow up to Hank Edward’s vampire/zombie/gay western musical: Bounty (just kidding - but with a description like that doesn’t it seem ripe for a Julie Taymor/Bono adaptation? I’m just sayin’).

Edwards turns up the burner on the small western town of Belkin’s Pass as his band of heroes realize that most of their neighbors have been turned into vampires. Or an aperitif.

Though the characters are tried and true staples, Edwards breathes fresh life into them. He focuses his lens through ...more

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Sep 21, 2013 Lisa The Novel Approach rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical, paranormal, vampires, zombies

4.5 Stars

The Venom Valley serial is the best sort of Old West episodic adventure, if you like books that crisscross realism and fantasy and history. It blends the sway in the saddle, gun-slinging charm of the time with the heaping helping of spooks and chills and things that suck blood in the night suspense of a paranormal thriller.

You can read the rest of this review at The Novel Approach ...more

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Sep 16, 2013 Janie rated it really liked it

Shelves: m-m-romance, m-m-vampire

OMG This one was just as great as book one. Dex was a naughty boy letting Balthazar lure him into doing something bad. But he is back with Josh now and Sgt. Maxwell is back, hmmm wondering what will happen there. Its very obvious that Maxwell has a thing for Josh, but how will he feel when he realized that Josh and Dex are an item? Will Josh still put Dex above all others? He freaking better!!! Poor Donegan dying, I was hoping him and Beatrice would be together, they seemed so sweet for one anot ...more

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Aug 27, 2014 Kathleen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: western, alternate-universe-reality, paranormal, favorite-series, cowboys

VENOM VALLEY series:

Zombies, vampires, and romance in the Old West! I loved this series. Original, atmospheric, with deftly drawn, likeable characters. Well written and edited. Highly recommended.

Now if only Mr. Edwards would be these produced on audio! 💚

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Jan 03, 2013 Terry rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Excellent follow up to Bounty but now because of the "cliff hanger" ending am left desperately waiting for the next in this series. ...more

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Feb 15, 2013 Dianne Hartsock rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Yes! They're not a zombie or vampire!! At least not yet... *shiver* I have no idea what will happen in the next book... ...more

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About Hank Edwards

Hank Edwards

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Hank Edwards (he/him) has been writing gay fiction for more than twenty years. He has published over thirty novels and dozens of short stories. His books fall into many sub-genres, including romance, rom-com, contemporary, paranormal, suspense, mystery, and wacky comedy. He has written a number of series such as the suspenseful Up to Trouble, funny and spooky paranormal out for you gay romance Cri ...more