A gay western love story. Plenty of story to go with the action.
Had a rough start but about a quarter way through the book I realized I was anticipating getting back to reading to find out what happens next with the characters. ( )

I'll admit at first I was undecided whether or not to review this book, simply because I am not a fan or erotica. So why did I did I even buy this book in the first place? Because I am a fan of westerns. And more to the point: gay westerns. For those of you who are fans of erotica, you won't be disappointed. There's plenty of hot, steamy blow-by-blow action to sate your appetite. But that is not what I'm reviewing here. What I was more interested in was the story itself. It's a good one. No, it's not deep, or historically accurate, but it's not meant to be. Instead Ms. Smith has given us a light, escapist diversion. The tension, drama, and narrow-escapes will keep you riveted. Lettie's back-story will touch you, and the kindnesses of a prostitute and a surprisingly tolerant Sheriff will warm your heart. I also had to smile at the alias Deke chose, as it was an affectionate kudos to "Gunsmoke." ( )

Deke McAllister lives on the family ranch in the Dakotas, he is nearly eleven years old, the youngest of four sons; but even at that age he knows he is somehow different from his brothers, he doesn’t feel the same about girls as they. When a drifter turns up at the ranch looking for work, Deke recognises in the stranger’s eyes that they share the same secret, and that night sneaks out to the barn where the stranger is sleeping. When Deke’s father catches the two in a compromising position, he shoots the ranch hand and dispatches his eleven year old son with just a horse.
Around the age of thirty Deke is working on a ranch in California when he is caught by a fine young lad while enjoying himself with his pants down. Later he sees the young lad mounted on a handsome palomino; the lad has sky blue eyes that reveal the same secret Deke harbours, palomino locks to match his horse’s protruding beneath his hat, and is about the most beautiful boy imaginable. The lad, teenage Wyatt, is the ranch owner’s son. In a repeat, only with roles reversed, of what happened to the young Deke, Wyatt’s father catches the two of them at it in the barn. After a considerable set to, Wyatt and Deke escape, and so begins a series of dangerous adventure as the pair try to elude the pursing posse.
The relationship between Deke and Wyatt (endearing called Sweetlips by Deke) develops imaginatively, and eventually they are deeply in love. Of course they have their ups and downs, and some of the exchanges between the two are quite funny, the age difference allowing for interesting possibilities. Their devotion is undoubted, but is it enough to withstand all the trials they encounter?
This is a perceptive and truly heart-warming story, pure escapist romance, but never cloying; I thoroughly enjoyed it. ( )