Title: Over and Back
Series: Bronco's Boys: Book 5
Author: Andrew Grey
Publisher Dreamspinner Press
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 194
Author: Andrew Grey
Publisher Dreamspinner Press
Category: Contemporary
Pages: 194
Synopsis
Sequel to Round and Round
Bronco's Boys: Book Five
Opposites attract on an overseas holiday, but trouble has hitched a ride.
While Bronco’s nightclub is closed for renovations, the owners invite the staff on a trip to Italy. Bartender Hank needs a roommate, and he’s had his eye on waiter Grant for a while, even if he’s had to keep his distance. But sharing such close proximity means sparks are sure to fly….
Grant has a problem saying no, and it’s led him into some less-than-healthy relationships. While he’s determined not to repeat his mistakes, it’s clear Hank is different.
They’re both willing to take it slow and explore the feelings building between them, but even in a foreign country, their pasts are catching up, and that could hurt more than just their budding romance.
Buy links: Dreamspinner | Amazon
Cat gives this one 4 Meows with a 4 Purr heat index...
Over and Back is book five in the Bronco's Boys series. Each book is about a different set of characters connected to Bull and his Friend Harry's nightclub Bronco. This book is about the bartender Hank and Grant one of the waiters. Hank and Grant eye each other but Hank seems to be ignoring Grant and short to him. Grant thinks he likes Billy which is Grant's total opposite and a trouble maker. Grant has just come out of a bad relationship and doesn't want a controlling man so he has sworn off the big buff types like Hank. That doesn't stop his attraction.
Hank too has his secrets and his feelings for Grant is one of them and he can't act on his feelings for him or he could lose everything.
Bronco's is closing down for a month for renovations and the group is going to Italy for two weeks vacation. Hank had tickets for him and his ex but now he is stuck with hotel reservations needing a roommate since he can't cover all the expenses himself.
Zach, Bull's Boyfriend, and a cute twink tells Grant he should go that it would be fun. Grant wants to but isn't sure how he can share a room with Hank for two weeks and not show how he feels. He ends up going and Grant and Hank hit it off well as good friends. But not only Hank and Grants past catches up with them but so does Bull's and not only do they have fun in Italy but they have some danger too.
I loved all of these characters and though I have read a book or two in this series I haven't read in order and it is easy enough to follow. Of course, as with any series, it would enhance the experience knowing all of the characters by reading in order.
Each character has a depth to them that drew me in and I loved getting more of Bull, Zach, Spook and the others.
The story was like getting a tour in Italy and I loved it. At times I felt like I was along with them.
The suspense of the danger following them and trying to figure out why and how it connects Grant and Bull broke up the trip and added a layer of depth to the book so it didn't feel like just a tourist guide.
There is a lot of hot sex scenes between Hank and Grant too.
The ending was happy and I loved it but I felt like there were a few loose ends.
If you like great characters, Bartenders, bouncers, waiters, mystery and intrigue, a beautiful setting, vacation getaways, and hot man-sex you will like this book!
Excerpt…
Chapter 1—Three Months Until TakeoffGRANT BANNERMAN grabbed an empty tray, hurried over to the tall table, and placed the empty glasses on it while the guys were away. This was the only table in the place that no one was going to take. It was permanently reserved—especially on a Friday night—no matter how busy Bronco’s was. Once the empties were cleared, he wiped the tabletop and was about to leave when the usual occupants returned.
“I don’t know what we’re going to do,” Zach said as he hopped up onto his stool. “Thanks so much for clearing the table, Grant. You didn’t need to do that. I could have taken care of it.” He flashed a smile.
“It’s no problem,” Grant said over the thump of the bass that vibrated the floor under his feet. Then he hurried to the next table. “What would you like to drink?” he asked the three men who had claimed the table as he cleared the glasses, used napkins, and something he wished he’d had rubber gloves on before touching. Thankfully it turned out to be part of a balloon and not a… well, he had encountered those on occasion too.
“How about you?” one of the men asked, leaning too close to Grant. The scent of alcohol on his breath told him this guy had already been drinking a while. “I think you’d look wonderful under me, screaming my name as you come.” He slid his hands down Grant’s back, cupped his butt, and squeezed a little too hard.
Grant started forward and nearly lost control of the tray, but managed to catch it at the last minute. “Sorry, I’m not on the bar menu this evening.” Keep it light, and a little flippant, but tell the guy no, he told himself. That’s what he needed to do, no matter how tempted he was to be mean or say what he wanted—that he didn’t go anywhere with drunk idiots with obnoxious pickup lines.
“Aww, come on, sweetheart. We’ll have one hell of a time.”
“Knock it off,” one of his companions said, swatting away Mr. Handsy’s arm. “That’s enough. You need to behave.” The man shook his head as the third guy at the table put his arm around him. Dang, why were the good guys always taken, and why did the jerks always end up at one of his tables? “Bring him a beer and a cup of coffee,” he said to Grant. “He and I will both have a Grey Goose martini and a glass of water.” He flashed a warm smile.
Grant thanked him and hurried away with the tray, weaving around the edge of the throng of dancers to the bar, where he placed his order and took care of the dirty barware.
“Are you okay?” Zach asked from next to him. “I saw what that guy did, so I mentioned it to Bull when he stopped by the table.” Zach got this dreamy expression for a second as he looked over at the intense bald man standing near the bar. Bull owned the club with his business partner, and the guy was scary as hell most of the time. At least he appeared that way. Grant knew him mostly as a good boss who watched out for his people. He’d even seen him smile at least three times, though each time it had been when he was talking to Zach. The two of them had been together five or six years, but to Grant, they still looked like newlyweds sometimes.
“I’m fine. He got touchy, and the guys with him took care of it, but thanks.” Then Grant checked with Hank, the bartender who served the runners. Hank was a big guy, and sometimes, when Hank wasn’t paying attention, Grant liked to watch him and the way he filled out his tight black shirt. It was enough to make Grant forget where he was, even as guys jostled around him. Not that he held any hope that there could be anything between them… for so many reasons. Hank was mixing drinks for one of the other waiters, so Grant figured he had a few minutes. He turned back to Zach. “It happens sometimes, you know that. But tell Bull he might want to keep an eye on the guy, just in case.”
Andrew Grey is the author of nearly 100 works of Contemporary Gay Romantic fiction. After twenty-seven years in corporate America, he has now settled down in Central Pennsylvania with his husband, Dominic, and his laptop. An interesting ménage. Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He is a recipient of the RWA Centennial Award, has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and now writes full-time. Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing). He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
great excerpt and review
ReplyDeleteThank you for the review and excerpt!
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