Marathon Cowboys in Read with Pride Northwest

Nov 18, 2012 ttg rated it really liked it

Shelves: m-m, reviews

This is a beautiful book—richly told, filled with details that bring the dusty Texas scenery alive, and populated by very multi-dimensional characters that seem so real, they could be sitting on your porch right now, quietly drinking a beer and loving so fiercely, you can feel it through the pages.

I loved Lorenzo Maryboy’s first person POV—it was simple and straightforward, but still very evocative, whether he was describing his early morning runs though the small town of Marathon, or the irresi This is a beautiful book—richly told, filled with details that bring the dusty Texas scenery alive, and populated by very multi-dimensional characters that seem so real, they could be sitting on your porch right now, quietly drinking a beer and loving so fiercely, you can feel it through the pages.

I loved Lorenzo Maryboy’s first person POV—it was simple and straightforward, but still very evocative, whether he was describing his early morning runs though the small town of Marathon, or the irresistible charms of Jesse, the artist he ends up helping at a bar fight, or when he’s delving in deep into his comics and how he wants to create them. Lorenzo, Jesse, Jesse’s Grandfather (also named Jesse, so his nickname is The Original)—I loved reading about them, and Black did such a great job of creating these characters who felt so realized.

As someone who loves comic art, I especially loved the details about Lorenzo’s drawings and the history behind The Original’s own comic. It was little details like that, or about Lorenzo’s USMC background, or Jesse’s painting that added that extra layer of realism, so it was easy to slip into their cozy corner of Texas and follow along as they fell in love.

My only down points was that there were a few times the dialogue felt too lyrical, even for artistic Hurricane Jesse, who could get lost when he was in his zone with painting. At those times, I felt the book, more than if this was realistic dialogue between two people. That, and something happens during the last quarter that I thought might have been handed differently if it happened in real life. (view spoiler)

Besides that though, I really dug it—the writing, the characters, the setting. I thought it was beautifully told, and I would recommend this to anyone who was looking for a good contemporary romance with very interesting, developed characters.

Lastly, I got this as a freebie from Dreamspinner’s October give-aways, and this was definitely a good choice for a free book. It was the first book I’ve read by Black, but it won’t be the last. She’s definitely a great writer, and I look forward to checking out more from her. ...more

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Jul 10, 2014 Kristie rated it really liked it

If I'd not known that this was not a cowboy book, I probably would have been very disappointed. You see the title and expect dirty cowboy dudes on a ranch, doing cowboy things, and well, having lots of how cowboy sex. But read the blurb and you know that's not what it it. Still, you hope.

Thankfully, I was warned and was able to read this with a kind of clean canvas of sorts.

I really enjoyed it. The pretty words, the kind of lyrical way the story flows. It tugged at me and then left me wishing ...more

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Oct 31, 2012 Felicia (Ferishia) rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebook, kindle-format-ebook, m-m, contemporary, free-ebook, cowboys, lgbt-romance, military-soldier, 01-mr-candy-pants, romance

This is my first read by Sarah Black.

The story of Lorenzo Maryboy or "Mary" and JC3 or Jesse is started of slowly. "Mary" comes to Jesse's rescue in a bar fight and they both end up at the hospital. They later find out that they are headed to the same place, Jesse's grandfather's home. Lorenzo is a former USMC Marine working on his craft as a cartoonist. Jesse is an established artist in San Francisco. They are an odd couple, but I find that the odder the couple the better the relationship, usu ...more

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