Favorites of 2016 ~ New-to-Me Authors

I decided it'd be fun to bring 2016 to a close by listing some of favorites from the year. I hope you enjoy reading about some of my favorites and I'd be happy to hear about any of your favorites!

*~*New-to-Me Authors*~*

• Vi Keeland - I listened to two from Keeland and am eager for more. Her stories have it all - complex characters, compelling story, and all the feels!
• Sarina Bowen - I continue to collect Bowen's books after the greatness that was her combined effort with Elle Kennedy, Him.
• Jandy Nelson - I was so impressed with I'll Give You the Sun...the complexity of the story and characters and the brilliant delivery, I'm excited to read more from her.
• Colleen Gleason - meeting Victoria Gardella from Gleason's Gardella Vampire Hunters series was a highlight for me in 2016!
• Darynda Jones - I know! Better late than never! Charlie and Reyes and Cookie and Bob...need I say more?
• Scarlett Cole - She delivered a riveting story and managed to incorporate Dante...loved it!
• Heidi Cullinan - She writes M/M beautifully and realistically. I've procured quite a collection of hers so be on the lookout for reviews in 2017.
• Joanna Bourne - I listened to Bourne's The Spymaster's Lady and then proceeded to add more of her to my library. She delivered a wonderful story with fantastic characters.
• Amy Harmon - A Different Blue dazzled me early in 2016 with it's complexity and characters I came to love. 
• Tiffany Reisz - Again, I know! I can't believe I put off reading Reisz for so long but I'll be reading her more and more...

Review ~ Nowhere Ranch ~ Heidi Cullinan

Nowhere Ranch by Heidi Cullinan
Release Date: March 3, 2015
Genre: Adult, M/M Contemporary Romance
Source: Gift from Robyn
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #COYER B2B, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
Love will grow through the cracks you leave open.

Ranch hand Roe Davis absolutely never mixes business with pleasure--until he runs into his boss, Travis Loving, at the only gay bar within two hundred miles.

Getting involved with the ranch owner is a bad idea, but Roe's and Travis's bedroom kinks line up against one another like a pair of custom-but rails. As long as they're both clear this is sex on the side, no relationship, no interfering with the job, they could make it work.

Shut out by his family years ago, Roe survived by steadfastly refusing to settle into so much as a post office box. As his affair with Travis grows into more than just sex, Roe's past catches up with him, threatening the thin ray of happiness he's found, reminding him it's well past time he went on his way.

But even a loner gets lonely, and at this point, there's nowhere left to run. The shame and sorrow of what he's lost will stay with Roe wherever he goes--until he's ready to let love lead him home.

Nowhere Ranch is one of the most beautiful love stories I've read. It was by turns heartbreaking and heartwarming. It's a story of acceptance and the healing power of love.

Roe Davis is a man on the run. Having been kicked out of his home and shunned by his family for his sexual preferences, he's been running from place to place ever since. Then he lands at Nowhere Ranch. He enjoys the work and the peace. But when he runs into his boss at the only gay bar in a 3 hour radius, things get a little weird.

Nowhere Ranch is narrated by Roe as he tells his story of meeting Travis, making friends for the first time in his life, and finally finding a home full of love. The prose is - stark is how I think I'd describe it. Neither Roe nor Travis are big talkers. Their actions and few words say so much though. Roe has always felt dirty, unworthy of love in any form. So seeing Travis and the others at Nowhere Ranch love him and seeing Roe work at accepting it was incredibly satisfying.

Travis is an amazing man. Quiet but loyal and loving. He really did work at giving Roe everything he needed. Love, stability, support - all the things you desire from a significant other, friend and family. And then there's Haley. Oh my was she full of piss and vinegar. I adored every second with her - especially when she told off one of Roe's family members and her pastor. And while I agreed with Roe that you can't fight hate with hate, I appreciated her rant all the same.

Nowhere Ranch is not a read for everyone. There are some fairly graphic love scenes - with interesting kinks - and while they did serve to move the story forward - proving trust - they aren't going to be for everyone. But overall, I'm so pleased with my introduction to Cullinan. She crafted a lovely story that will break your heart and then mend it and she just might restore a little of your faith in humanity.

That's What HE Said #50 ~ Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts #30

That's What He Said is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely ladies @Chapter Break. Here's the deal: every Thursday, post a line from your book boyfriend to his heroine. Keep in mind, these are direct quotes from dialog in the books. The quote doesn't have to be romantic - just something our hunky hero said to his lucky lady. Be sure to link up over at Chapter Break as well.

My pick this week for That's What He Said is from:

Nowhere Ranch by Heidi Cullinan

I'm kinda bending the rules this week with my quote. See, Roe and Travis, they're more men of action rather than men of words. But their actions spoke volumes, so I'm sharing that.

***

"But the circlet with the brand he gave back to me. He put it around my neck and told me it was to remind me I belonged at Nowhere Ranch and Nowhere belonged to me. Which I knew was his way of saying he belonged to me."

*~*~*~*~*~*

When Roe came to Nowhere Ranch, he only had a hotplate and a mini-fridge in his little apartment. As he got closer to Travis, he was able to flex his culinary muscle in Travis' kitchen. And the meals he made did great things for them both. :)

"I cooked for him quite a bit. First the roast, and then I did some pork chops and some steak. I found out the way to Travis's heart was a casserole. Scalloped potatoes about had the man coming in his pants. He was a real pleasure to fee, I'll tell you. Soon I was cooking for him every night."