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Risk and Reward
Max Donovan is a no-nonsense businessman. He owns a company with his two brothers that buys distressed businesses and sells them at a profit. He comes to the small town of St. Martin, Michigan after purchasing the local bank. This bank has been locally owned and operated for decades, so the locals are distrustful of any outsider coming in and changing how they do business. Max is largely dismissive of the town’s attitudes and concerns and finds himself eager to finish the job and get back to Chicago. This attitude changes when he literally runs into a young man named Jeremy Ward and his world is turned on its head – he suddenly finds himself with an attachment in the last place he expected to find one. Max can feel that the attraction is mutual, but something always seems to get in the way. Whether it be unruly locals, business, or Jeremy’s own insecurities. Can Max convince Jeremy that his intentions are honest? Can he talk Jeremy out onto the limb with him?
Jeremy Ward is small town guy and he can’t quite believe or accept the possibility that someone like Max Donovan could seriously be interested in him. At first, he dismisses Max’s advances and then he distrusts his motives believing that he is simply entertaining himself. Jeremy wants to believe Max’s words, but the little voice in his head keeps tripping him up and encouraging him to expect the worst. Will he come to accept Max’s desire for him or will he miss out on his best chance of happily ever after?
A Sweet, Sexy Romance with a guaranteed HEA.
Previously Published as 'The Banker's Trust'
COMPLETELY REVISED, EDITED, AND UPDATED
Jeremy Ward is small town guy and he can’t quite believe or accept the possibility that someone like Max Donovan could seriously be interested in him. At first, he dismisses Max’s advances and then he distrusts his motives believing that he is simply entertaining himself. Jeremy wants to believe Max’s words, but the little voice in his head keeps tripping him up and encouraging him to expect the worst. Will he come to accept Max’s desire for him or will he miss out on his best chance of happily ever after?
A Sweet, Sexy Romance with a guaranteed HEA.
Previously Published as 'The Banker's Trust'
COMPLETELY REVISED, EDITED, AND UPDATED
- GenresM M RomanceGay
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 7, 2017
16 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
B.A. Stretke
179 books409 followersB.A. Stretke is a Gay Romance and fiction author who publishes through Dreamspinner Press, LLC, and Amazon.com
B.A Stretke began writing as a hobby. He read his first Jane Austen novel as a teen and was instantly hooked. The age-old dream of being a novelist took hold. Now long into adulthood, and a few years as an editor under his belt, B.A. is a full-time writer. B.A. spends his days reading, engaging in sarcasm, and plotting the next storyline, often leaving little headspace for much else. He loves hiking through the Northern Michigan woods he calls home, often finding inspiration for his books. Writing and finding that perfect cup of coffee occupy the rest of his time.
B.A. Stretke lives in Northern Michigan with one royally spoiled cat and his dear friends and family.
You can connect with B.A. Stretke on his website: www.bastretke.com
Follow me on twitter at https://twitter.com/BAStretkeWriter
Like me on Facebook! - B.A. Stretke
B.A Stretke began writing as a hobby. He read his first Jane Austen novel as a teen and was instantly hooked. The age-old dream of being a novelist took hold. Now long into adulthood, and a few years as an editor under his belt, B.A. is a full-time writer. B.A. spends his days reading, engaging in sarcasm, and plotting the next storyline, often leaving little headspace for much else. He loves hiking through the Northern Michigan woods he calls home, often finding inspiration for his books. Writing and finding that perfect cup of coffee occupy the rest of his time.
B.A. Stretke lives in Northern Michigan with one royally spoiled cat and his dear friends and family.
You can connect with B.A. Stretke on his website: www.bastretke.com
Follow me on twitter at https://twitter.com/BAStretkeWriter
Like me on Facebook! - B.A. Stretke
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 6, 2021
*** A simple tale of M/M romance that survives !
A talented artist, Jeremy, 24, is sheltered, naïve,
a sweet man/child. He's trying to make his way in the world, but keeps being taken advantage of. I never understood why his folks didn't guide him. His description nearly sounds Autistic. Rushing to the post office has him collide with
a tall wall of muscle with deep blue eyes.
Later when they meet again at his folks shop, he learns Max Donovan is in town for the Bank takeover. Max, 30's, is showing his interest in Jeremy, but Jeremy is skeptical, has no self esteem, and thinks Max couldn't possible want him, when he can have anyone. Besides they are complete opposites.
The tale begins to tangle when a hateful person begins to wreak havoc to steer Jeremy away from Max. Then, also, we know the jeweler is cheating Jeremy of his pay for the designs.
Slowly Max discovers these plots. The men spend more time together, where deep feelings are emerging. Jeremy is inexperienced, stunted socially, and seemed childish, but Max seems determined and sees Jeremy as a talented man with great potential, but even he seems blindsided by everything.
There are misunderstandings, jealousy, and the hurt causes problems, but when they talk, like men, communicate, they clear the air and realize the truth. We see Jeremy and Max in sexy times, where they are passionate and erotic.
Jeremy seems to grow, get some backbone, and gain strength within.
So, I'm glad I stuck with it, though there were times I nearly quit.
There is no cheating, hot sex, and a HEA.
=================================
A talented artist, Jeremy, 24, is sheltered, naïve,
a sweet man/child. He's trying to make his way in the world, but keeps being taken advantage of. I never understood why his folks didn't guide him. His description nearly sounds Autistic. Rushing to the post office has him collide with
a tall wall of muscle with deep blue eyes.
Later when they meet again at his folks shop, he learns Max Donovan is in town for the Bank takeover. Max, 30's, is showing his interest in Jeremy, but Jeremy is skeptical, has no self esteem, and thinks Max couldn't possible want him, when he can have anyone. Besides they are complete opposites.
The tale begins to tangle when a hateful person begins to wreak havoc to steer Jeremy away from Max. Then, also, we know the jeweler is cheating Jeremy of his pay for the designs.
Slowly Max discovers these plots. The men spend more time together, where deep feelings are emerging. Jeremy is inexperienced, stunted socially, and seemed childish, but Max seems determined and sees Jeremy as a talented man with great potential, but even he seems blindsided by everything.
There are misunderstandings, jealousy, and the hurt causes problems, but when they talk, like men, communicate, they clear the air and realize the truth. We see Jeremy and Max in sexy times, where they are passionate and erotic.
Jeremy seems to grow, get some backbone, and gain strength within.
So, I'm glad I stuck with it, though there were times I nearly quit.
There is no cheating, hot sex, and a HEA.
=================================
January 25, 2021
Interesting plot but it needs serious editing.
June 1, 2017
Rating: 3 stars
I want to start off my review by saying that I enjoyed this story. It just had a couple of things that bothered me a bit. First, the writing style. The POV in this book shifted often and in odd places. It wasn't exactly difficult to follow, but you had to pay attention because it shifted on a dime.
Second, those that have read my reviews know that a story's likeability for me begins and ends with the characters. I loved Max. I thought he as a great character and loved the way he treated Jeremy for the most part. He could be a little heavy handed, but I forgave that. It was Jeremy that bugged me. I found him to be a bit annoying. Don't even get me started with the main antagonist, Mrs. Wallace. She was way over the top and more than a bit unbelievable.
All that being said, I do recommend this story. Especially if you are part of Amazon's KU program. It's a good read as long as you don't take it too seriously.
I want to start off my review by saying that I enjoyed this story. It just had a couple of things that bothered me a bit. First, the writing style. The POV in this book shifted often and in odd places. It wasn't exactly difficult to follow, but you had to pay attention because it shifted on a dime.
Second, those that have read my reviews know that a story's likeability for me begins and ends with the characters. I loved Max. I thought he as a great character and loved the way he treated Jeremy for the most part. He could be a little heavy handed, but I forgave that. It was Jeremy that bugged me. I found him to be a bit annoying. Don't even get me started with the main antagonist, Mrs. Wallace. She was way over the top and more than a bit unbelievable.
All that being said, I do recommend this story. Especially if you are part of Amazon's KU program. It's a good read as long as you don't take it too seriously.
April 20, 2021
Cute m/m romance
Jeremy is a small town jewellery designer trying to make out a living and keep his house which needs so many repairs and he is behind in his mortgage. Enter Max the man who has just bought the local bank and has the town a'twitter about how tough he is going to be about bad loans in the bank's books. Jeremy runs into Max by accident. Max is intrigued with Jeremy and wants to date him. Jeremy is highly suspicious that a rich sophisticated man would seriously want him. Add to that a really nasty female bank employee who wants Max for herself, we have lots of tender moments interspersed with confusion and angst. We do finally get our HEA as one would expect from the pen of B A.Stretke. This book is a standalone and a good read.
Jeremy is a small town jewellery designer trying to make out a living and keep his house which needs so many repairs and he is behind in his mortgage. Enter Max the man who has just bought the local bank and has the town a'twitter about how tough he is going to be about bad loans in the bank's books. Jeremy runs into Max by accident. Max is intrigued with Jeremy and wants to date him. Jeremy is highly suspicious that a rich sophisticated man would seriously want him. Add to that a really nasty female bank employee who wants Max for herself, we have lots of tender moments interspersed with confusion and angst. We do finally get our HEA as one would expect from the pen of B A.Stretke. This book is a standalone and a good read.
January 27, 2020
I liked this book except for the language used with the dialogue between the two MCs. I know not everyone in the world uses slang, but I find it hard to believe that two men that live in this modern time always have complete and proper language. This book had romance, sex and an evil bank employee that became obsessed with the lives of two gay men. I enjoyed the book but I'm not sure if I'll go back to it.
February 10, 2020
Don't Risk It
Had high hopes for this and fell flat on my face.
This book had no depth and was insipid to read l just wanted to torture to end.
Whilst the storyline itself was great, the MCs were so one dimensional it was difficult to like them.
I'm all for multiple points of view when reading a story but l don't need to know everyones.
If you are after a story with no character to it, then this is for you. Don't waste your money.
Had high hopes for this and fell flat on my face.
This book had no depth and was insipid to read l just wanted to torture to end.
Whilst the storyline itself was great, the MCs were so one dimensional it was difficult to like them.
I'm all for multiple points of view when reading a story but l don't need to know everyones.
If you are after a story with no character to it, then this is for you. Don't waste your money.
February 16, 2017
Very sweet
Lots of up and downs with turmoil. The characters are sweet and at times difficult it felt like the typical older man any young man story some of was hard to read very slow and boring it did have a happy ending
Lots of up and downs with turmoil. The characters are sweet and at times difficult it felt like the typical older man any young man story some of was hard to read very slow and boring it did have a happy ending
October 23, 2017
Good
Good and sweet, if not slightly annoying in where as you want to smack the character LOL! Seriously, i get being unsure, yet communication goes a long way lol
Good and sweet, if not slightly annoying in where as you want to smack the character LOL! Seriously, i get being unsure, yet communication goes a long way lol
January 17, 2017
Loves it
This author gives you characters that you fall in love with. Max's love for Jeremy and his drive to show him that he loves him.
This author gives you characters that you fall in love with. Max's love for Jeremy and his drive to show him that he loves him.
February 24, 2017
What do I have to do?
Jeremy, small town young man, meets Max, one of Chicago's handsome eligible bachelor's. Obviously Jeremy has trust issues...Max knows what he wants. Can Jeremy allow real love to conquer his fears? Take the time to enjoy this roller coaster ride...you won't regret it!!!
Jeremy, small town young man, meets Max, one of Chicago's handsome eligible bachelor's. Obviously Jeremy has trust issues...Max knows what he wants. Can Jeremy allow real love to conquer his fears? Take the time to enjoy this roller coaster ride...you won't regret it!!!
January 10, 2017
This is kind of a cinderella story. I have the impression that the writer is very young. Reading it felt like sitting by a fireplace an someone is telling a story. And it goes ...an there was a bad bad witch..
Sometimes it was way over the top and I had to skip some pages.
But despite all this I couldn't put it down and had to finish reading.
I like the story and want to tell the writer I wish you all the best (success comes to people who persist).
Sometimes it was way over the top and I had to skip some pages.
But despite all this I couldn't put it down and had to finish reading.
I like the story and want to tell the writer I wish you all the best (success comes to people who persist).
January 31, 2017
Max & Jeremy are adorable!
Sometimes people are their worst enemies, the things you think up in your mind can create so many doubts. This is a very sweet story where Jeremy is so naive but tries hard to go against his own true trusting nature to think that worldly Max wouldn't have any true feelings for him. Of course this causes so many problems. Lovely story!
Sometimes people are their worst enemies, the things you think up in your mind can create so many doubts. This is a very sweet story where Jeremy is so naive but tries hard to go against his own true trusting nature to think that worldly Max wouldn't have any true feelings for him. Of course this causes so many problems. Lovely story!
January 15, 2017
Oh my
Oh my goodness I wanted to shake the crap out of Jeremy. Jesus wept --the extent of Jeremy's insecurities were killing me. I liked Max no nonsense take charge attitude. A nice story that showed the importance of good strong communication.
Oh my goodness I wanted to shake the crap out of Jeremy. Jesus wept --the extent of Jeremy's insecurities were killing me. I liked Max no nonsense take charge attitude. A nice story that showed the importance of good strong communication.
April 18, 2017
An extraordinary book
It's a book with everything, mystery, humor, love, excitement I really recommend to read this book it is the happy ever after everyone seeks of. Although the story is about a gay couple I as a women look for that happy ever after.
It's a book with everything, mystery, humor, love, excitement I really recommend to read this book it is the happy ever after everyone seeks of. Although the story is about a gay couple I as a women look for that happy ever after.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews