James Killian learns the hard way that smaller towns are full of bigots. When he comes out to his father he is not only kicked out of his home but off the Quadruple J where he works as the ranch foreman. With nowhere to go and little money, his savior comes in the unlikely form of his older brother’s best friend, the man he’s been in love with for over half his life.
Ethan Whitehall is a successful rancher and a well-respected man in his community. His ranch the Tin Star has been in Ethan’s family for generations and affords him a certain prestige and power in the small town he calls home. Ethan knows without a doubt that all of that could shatter if his sexual orientation were to ever become public. But when he learns his best friend’s younger brother’s banishment and the reasons behind it, Ethan can’t help but get involved. He’s always had a soft spot where Jamie Killian was concerned, and it may very well be his downfall.
Review
The Tin Star by J.L. Langley is a great book and well written. This is a cowboy love story that gives you a lot of the usual stuff and then some ~ hatred and homophobia, family bigotry and even a sniper. You never know, literally, who’s gunning for Ethan and Jamie.
Ethan runs the Tin Star. Jamie is the foreman on his father’s ranch. That is until he comes out to his father and is immediately thrown off the ranch. John, Jamie’s big brother and Ethan’s best friend since way back when, can only stare in stunned silence as this unfolds. Of course he goes to talk to Ethan, who in turns calls Jamie and offers him a job on the Tin Star ranch. Immediately sparks fly as Ethan and Jamie admit to their mutual attraction. And thus begins our journey with this delightful cast of characters. Add in sister Julia and Aunt Margaret and you have half of a loving family.
As for father Jacob Killian, well, you never know what he’s involved in. Since his wife died, he has barely paid attention to Julia and Jamie. Is he behind the hate crimes against Jamie? Did he have Jamie’s truck shot up? And who gets shot? How far will he go to get Jamie to leave town? And why? Are there some family secrets that are not so secret anymore? Take the time to read this novel. You are sure to enjoy it.
