No Going Home (original 2006; edition 2012)

Six years ago, a hoof to the head ended Leslie Hardin’s showjumping career and his relationship with the man he loved. Broken, hurt and rejected, Les has focused his energies on rebuilding his life.

Les’ accident has shown him that the most valuable treasures are usually found under an imperfect surface, and his reputation for taking in strays starts to grow. But it’s one of these strays in particular, injured rodeo cowboy Randy Hersch, who captures more than just his compassion.

Between his disapproving father and his chosen career path, Randy has always felt the need to deny his passion. When Les takes him under his wing, Randy begins to realise that he is truly strong enough to admit his true self—to himself and to the rest of the world. But in the arms of a broken man, can he find acceptance...and love?
This is Book one in the upcoming "Home Series."
This was a very sweet story, filled with angst and heartbrake, but just as uplifting.
I am looking forward to the next book. ( )

I really enjoyed this book. A damaged (both physically and emotionally) guy is a great hero. It was well written.

The first couple of chapters were tough going, T.A. Chase's sentences and dialog were short, rough and not descriptive enough for me. However, after chapter four the book began to flow more evenly and in the end, I enjoyed this book about two broken cowboys falling in love.

The main drawback that I found slightly unrealistic - even for a romance novel - was how quickly Les and Randy got together. They have one meeting and on the second Randy moves in with Les. I found that highly unlikely and threw me out of my enjoyment of the story for awhile. But the storyline for this genre was well-written and the character development was better than other books I've read in the m/m arena.

One of my favorite characters was Tony, Randy's bull riding friend. I hope T.A. Chase gives him his own novel. This secondary character was a delight!

All in all, I'd give this book 3.5 stars out of 5. ( )

Another novel, set in the world of the cowboy, about homosexual love... at this point I’m wondering if all the cowboys are gay (Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx, Bareback by Chris Owen, The Tin Star by J.L. Langley... the examples are increasing). By the way I have read of a new reality in which a girl has to live with a bunch of beautiful cowboys, gay and not, and her goal is not to fall in love with the wrong cowboy!

But this romance, like the others I have mentioned, is a tender and enthralling novel: Les and Randy are characters that’s hard to classify. According to the common standards Les would be the alpha male and Randy the beta, but has their story develops and Randy grows more self-aware and confident in his strength, parts seem to exchange.

Les comes from a wealthy and happy family of the East. Before the accident he was a good looking and well mannered guy, with a tall and slim figure; and even now that he carries the scars from the terrible accident that ended his career, his carriage and manners still distinguish him amid a crowd. But his handsome former partner has abandoned him telling him that he was 'useless', and that’s why Les developed a sense of inadequacy.

Randy instead is the typical cowboy, quick and muscular (he rides bronco horses), with his swarthy sunburnt face, he is not attractive in a standard way. Also he is as screwy as an abused thoroughbred, and he has to learn to trust once again, or even better to start trusting somebody.

At first Randy is the one, rejected by his family and society, looking for shelter in Les arms. But Les protective and reassuring attitude, hides a past of pain and rejection. Randy is an outcast because of his homosexuality, Les, since he has being physically injured. Two lost souls who meet and share their loneliness.

Les’ healing is almost completed , his bruised soul is recovering and he is ready to love again; Randy still aches for his father’s rejection and he is indifferent to everything. Because his father didn’t accept him, he his sure that no one else will, so he guard himself by being in the closet. But when he meets Les, he slowly understands that life can be something more than clandestine meetings, and little by little he leaves the shades. But his way will be long and difficult, but Les is waiting for him and supporting him. Les doesn’t push him, he doesn’t force him “to come out”; he understands that as his wounded horses need time to heal physically and trust men again, Randy needs time to experience love, again.

And when finally Randy starts coming out from his shell, he understands that Les also has an extreme need of love, and he is ready to satisfy such it.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1595783938/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

If you enjoyed "The Tin Star" by J.L. Langley, then you will definitely enjoy this. The story is about a rodeo rider, Randy, taken in after an injury by his neighbor Les. Randy's father will have nothing to do with him because he's gay. Of course, Les and Randy begin to have feelings for one another. But, can Les overcome a tragedy in his past that is keeping him from opening his heart to Randy?

The story isn't that orginal, but it is well written, and the author makes a reader care for the characters. Plus, the background story on Les makes him interesting and very three-dimensional. Randy's sister adds a good bit of humor to the tale as well. If you love cowboy romances, don't pass this up! ( )