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When James Killian comes out to his father, he finds himself banished from his home and fired from his job. His savior comes in the unlikely form of Ethan Whitehall, his older brother's best friend. Ethan has always had a soft spot where Jamie Killian was concerned, and he will do whatever it takes to keep his new lover safe. PUBLISHER'S NOTE: This book contains explicit homoerotic sex that some readers may find offensive.
Ethan leaned back in his chair and studied him. Jamie's body was long and lean, muscled without being bulky. At present, Jamie looked several years older than his twenty-one years. The Killian black hair that had a tendency to curl when it got long was hanging in his eyes, which looked tired. There were also bags under those pretty peepers, which were a paler version of his brother's, a crystal-clear blue so light they appeared almost colorless at certain angles. His dark eyebrows and high cheekbones emphasized his good looks, and he had a strong chin, complete with a shallow cleft. A bit of stubble that hadn't been there this afternoon covered his cheeks, and though he was tan from being out in the sun, his complexion was otherwise fair. John's younger brother had grown up into a damned fine-looking man, and the fact that he was exhausted didn't diminish those looks any.
Ethan's gut clenched at his thoughts. Why had he never seen the kid as a man before? Never mind. This wasn't the time.
"Jamie, I won't lie to you. I don't think your being gay should be anybody's business but your own. Still, you know how damned ornery your daddy is. You should have known what he'd do if he found out."
Jamie started to argue, but Ethan held up his hand. "Let me finish. I think you should have stayed in the closet, figuratively speaking, but you damn sure don't deserve how you've been treated. Not just by your daddy, but by Carl and Jeff, too. Hell, it even pisses me off that John didn't stand up for you to your daddy right away." Ethan suddenly grinned and took another sip of his coffee. "But he'd probably be living here and working with us, too, if he did."
Jamie smiled, but itdidn't reach those blue eyes. "Yeah. Hell, I was just surprised that John didn't take issue with me. I kind of expected Julia to be supportive, but I really thought John would be as mad as Daddy. I guess he probably feels like you ... that I should have kept it to myself."
Ethan nodded. "John's no bigot. Never has been."
Jamie seemed to mull that over a bit. He was quiet for several moments, then he whispered, "I couldn't ... I couldn't do it. Couldn't continue to pretend." Those baby blues looked like they were pleading with him to understand.
Ethan sighed. "I get that but, hell, you knew people here would never accept it, right? We live in the freakin' Bible belt, complete with bigots, racists and chauvinists. If you aren't a straight, white, Baptist male, you do your best to pretend you are and blend in."
Jamie stood up abruptly. "Putting your head in the sand don't make it right! How are people's attitudes ever going to change if they aren't forced to deal with it? I just don't get your and John's attitudes!" Fred ran from the laundry room to him, stared at him, then at Ethan, then back at Jamie, clearly trying to decide if there was a threat or not.
"Sit down."
Jamie shook his head, but he sat down anyway. "You just don't get it! It's easy for you to criticize me. You won't ever have to worry about hiding who you love. Hell, you can even get married! I can't! At least not legally and not here."
Ethan dropped his head into his hands. Shit! He did not want to get into this. Some other time and another place would be more appropriate. He knew where the kid was coming from. He did. He just didn't agree. Didn't make the kid's opinions wrong necessarily, just ... not his. He looked up at Jamie.
"I see what you are saying, I do. Believe it or not, I even understand. But you ever heard of the path of least resistance? The question you need to think about is, do you really understand what you've done? We live in a little hick town. You will now be fighting this prejudice until the day you die ... or until you move away. Some people will accept you immediately, some will accept you in time, but the majority of people hereabouts never will. The attitudes aren't going to change overnight or even in the next few years. In fact, I doubt we'll live to see the day when gay men can walk hand in hand down Main Street without taking a whole heap of shit for it."
"They have to be made to accept it. You don't get it! You and John will never have to hide what you feel for your wives in public."
Had he ever been this young and idealistic? Damned if the kid didn't bring out his protective instincts. He wanted badly to keep him safe and shield him from the hatred he was going to face. And that, almost more than anything else about this whole situation, bothered the hell out of him. He'd never been stirred quite this way before.
Ethan finally held out his hand to Fred, who was still glancing back and forth between them uncertainly. "'S okay, girl. We aren't going to start slapping each other around. Go lie down." She did--after she went back to Jamie--settling down beside her master's chair. That was one smart dog.
He faced Jamie. "Drink your coffee, kid. We'll agree to disagree. I may not see eye to eye with your methods, but I'll stand behind you. You have my word on it. I'll be damned if I let you get your ass kicked or get run out of town. You have a place here and a job as long as you want it."
"Thanks, Ethan ... for everything."
"You're welcome."
They sat there drinking their coffee in silence. Ethan wanted to pull Jamie into his lap and comfort him, then felt like kicking himself for the impulse. But the image of Jamie in his lap wouldn't go away. His cock evidently liked the idea, too; he groaned and shifted a little in his seat. That was one of the worst ideas he, and his cock, had ever had. Not only was Jamie a good eleven years younger than him, not to mention his best friend's kid brother, but he had also outed himself.
"You okay?"
He looked up into a set of curious blue eyes. "Huh?"
"You groaned. Did you pull something fighting? You probably aren't used to that kind of thing anymore at your age."
Great! He was getting a boner over the kid--who thought he was too old to be fighting. He sighed. "Nah, I'm good. Listen, I'm going to bed. You and Fred make yourselves at home. Mi casa es su casa and all that." He stood up and saw Jamie's gaze slide down his naked chest to his groin and widen. The kid got a dreamy look on his face and his tongue darted out to wet his lips. He blinked up at Ethan, then quickly looked away, blushing, then glanced back.
His interest did nothing to cool Ethan off. His cock jerked and his balls pulled up at the avid attention. He knew he was hard, but was it really that damned noticeable? His jeans weren't all that tight. Ethan looked down and, yes, it was that noticeable. He didn't know whether to blush along with Jamie or laugh. Instead, he got a sudden urge to pay the kid back for his comment about his age.
He grinned down at Jamie and said, "Don't start that! My willpower is pretty good, kid, but it ain't that good. That's all I need, for you to out me, too."
Jamie's eyes opened so wide, Ethan was afraid they were going to pop right out of their sockets. Then Jamie dropped his coffee cup on the table. He hastily jumped up to avoid spilling the hot beverage on himself, sending the chair clattering to the floor.
His gaze shot back to Ethan. The blush was gone, now he was pale as a ghost. He stared at Ethan as if he'd sprouted two heads.
Ethan barely held in a satisfied grin. He went and put his cup in the sink. As he walked out the kitchen door, he called over his shoulder, "Night, kid. Clean that up before you go to bed."
n2nook
Posted February 28, 2011
This book grabs you from the first few pages and keeps you interested through the last. Touched in a special way by the storyline and characters. Very well written!!! After finishing this book I just had to purchase the next in this series, The Broken H, which happens to be another excellent read by this author. :)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 10, 2009
I couldnt put it down. The writing is wonderful and it is full of romantic and touching moments between the two main characters. The writing is so good and it is just a wonderful story about love and overcoming prejudices.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 11, 2009
ok..this is my first book i read that is m/m romance...i loved it! it opens your eye about how people can still be so naive. its actually really sad.... Also read the Broken H..not as good as The Tin Star, but still good.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 10, 2007
When Jamie told his father and brother that he was gay, he expected yelling and screaming. What he didn't expect was getting thrown off the Quadruple J with no job and no where to go. However, Jamie's brother John and his friend Ethan are supportive and understanding. So Ethan calls Jamie and offers him a place to stay and a job at his ranch, the Tin Star. As soon as Jamie arrives, Ethan starts to see him for the man he has become instead of his best friend's brother.***** Jamie has always had a crush on Ethan and working so closely with him at the ranch is going to be hard when he can't touch him like he wants to. But Jamie is pleasantly surprised when Ethan tells him he is gay too. Things are hard for Jamie the townsfolk and fellow ranch hands don't approve of gay men, and Jamie's own father is the worst of the lot. At the same time Jamie and Ethan start a secret affair, the threats against Jamie are increasing. Now the cowboys have to try and make a life for themselves amongst the danger and prejudice surrounding them.***** Ethan and Jamie have a really comfortable, passionate relationship right from the start. These cowboys had me flushed and panting every time they touched! They are so sexy, yet the chemistry between them is more than just sizzling sex, they are also really romantic. I just adore Ethan and Jamie together. They fit each other like a glove. The Tin Star is a terrific story!*****Reviewed by Nannette for Joyfully Reviewed
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 8, 2006
This was a great book. It had it all, humor, drama, intrigue and romance. It was well written. The many characters stories were interwoven nicely. I got a real feel for the people. There were two reasons I gave it only 4 stars. Firstly, the relationship between the main characters seemed to develop a little too quickly and easily. They just slipped into the relationship with an ease that I found a bit unbelievable. My other problem was the end. It came too abruptly. Too many ends were left untied. What happened to the father? Did the other siblings find out about their younger brother's parentage? These questions weren't answered by the end. I guess that makes a good set up for a sequel, though.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 28, 2012
I have read this book multiple times and it never stops being absolutely amazing. It grasps you and it's so easy to sympathize with the characters. You cannot help to love Jamie's sweetness and Ethan's strength of character. I would absolutely recommend this book to any and all willing to open their minds to this romantic and yet realistic novel.
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Posted December 16, 2011
This is the frist book of jl langleys that i had read. This is the the day after i bought it. This reads very well a love story and over coming bigotry together. A good book that keeps you wanting to know more. Well worth the purchase. Can not wait to read her other books!
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Posted November 26, 2011
This was gorgeous loved the charactefs
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Monki_1992
Posted October 21, 2011
I Also Recommend:
I put off buying this book for a long time and I really regret having done that. I love The Tin Star. It's a refreshing take on the ole gay cowboy story. Love the characters and the believable plot. My only regret is the somewhat abrupt ending, but that's probably just me lamenting the end of a great story.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 9, 2011
I loved this story! Cant wait to read more from this author.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This was a great gay love story. The characters and their personalities were well flushed out and put together. The ending was especially good! I found it hard to put down at times.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I read this book in one sitting!! Yes it took several hours but i could not put it down!!! If you like romance this book has it!! If you like gay romance this book is a definate must must read!! It was tender, funny (surprisingly i couldnt stop laughing at certain parts!!), it has adventure and angst. i would recommend this book to anyone. J.L. Langley definately knows her stuff!!!
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Posted April 19, 2011
this is not my first gay story but it is definetely one of the best. Well written with good emotional plot. Characters are well develop. Smoking hot sex scenes! all around a must read.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I absolutely loved The Tin Star. The writing was good and the plot kept me interested until the very end - which I hated to see coming because I fell for Ethan and Jamie. These two characters were so in love with each other from the moment they met on the page (even if they didn't know it yet!) and we as readers were treated to their boiling desire for one another - in the form of SUPER HOT sex scenes!
I couldn't put this one down because every scene left me wanting more and turning the page to find out what happened. Well done!
VampireReaderCA
Posted November 13, 2010
This is a must read. I read this book last week, just finished the sequel and OMG, what a read. I simply loved it. Great story-line and great chemistry between character. When I look in my nook library I have to smile when I see the cover of this and the sequel...LoL what a find. Both are now included in my favorites of all time! and considering Im really a paranormal romance reader I just have to LoL :-)
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Posted October 31, 2010
This story will make you laugh, make you cry and also make you very HOTT!!!! I enjoyed this story of the two young cowboys very much! Thanks J.L. Langley!
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Posted October 4, 2010
This is one of my favorite books. The love that is shared between Jamie and Ethan is heart warming. This is a must read book if you are looking for a good romance.
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Posted September 6, 2010
Gay Fluff at it's best. You just want to curl up with Jamie & Ethan and stay there. Who knew Texas could be so gay friendly. Okay so it wasn't a super deep piece if lit. Who needs that all the time?
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Posted June 22, 2010
This book is mostly about the lives of two men who fall for each other. Ethan and Jamie are tossed into one another by a turn of fate when Jamie's father kicks him out. Just from the get go you know things are going to be tough for Jamie. It is very passionate and I wish it had been longer. The scenes are very descriptive (making me thinking about them over and over again in my head) and the characters are amazing. Perhaps a bit cliche because they are cowboys (and gay), but I liked it more than I thought I would. I rate this book 5 out of 5.
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Posted May 6, 2010
I started this book today and could not put it down. I was pulled into it from the beggining and loved how it ended. If you are crazy for romance and mocho men who are not afraid to hold you close. This book is for you. I'm a sucker for love and romance and this one is full of it. The love seens are perfectly written and reflect how much Jamie and Ethan love each other. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
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Overview
When James Killian comes out to his father, he finds himself banished from his home and fired from his job. His savior comes in the unlikely form of Ethan Whitehall, his older brother's best friend. Ethan has always had a soft spot where Jamie Killian was concerned, and he will do whatever it takes to keep his new lover safe. PUBLISHER'S NOTE: This book contains explicit homoerotic sex that some readers may find offensive.