Boy Meets Boy Reviews: Review: Mountain Prey by Lyn Gala

Review: Mountain Prey by Lyn Gala

Stewart Folger lives in the Appalachian Mountains, where people take care of their family and follow the Bible. He feels that Appalachian pull in his blood, but that hasn’t tamed his wild side. A youth full of pranks left him with the nickname Stunt and a preference for danger in and out of bed. Other than a few contrary moonshiners who hate him for philosophical reasons since he’s a forestry technician and federal employee, he doesn’t have a problem in the world. Then one day he runs into Alex Soto, a man out for revenge.

Just out of prison, Alex knows firsthand that the justice system doesn’t treat poor and rich equally, so he’ll have to go outside the law to avenge his brother’s death. When an innocent man lands in the middle of his plans, he doesn't know what to do… other than take him hostage. Unfortunately, he never planned on having to deal with Stunt or with the twisted logic that passes for reasonable in Stunt’s mountain home.

Lyn Gala!

She's the type of writer that could probably write about a tree stump with a need to be dominated and a pine cone that likes to dominate falling for one another and I'd read it in a heartbeat. Some writers have a signature sign, or tell, that once you read a story, you know it's 100% them. This was definitely a Lyn Gala read with her sub that was tethered from time to time. I love reading about it. *grins* And the words are like a favorite treat that savor every time I read.

Set in the Appalachian Mountains in Tennessee, Mountain Prey is a romance between a forestry technician (Stunt aka Stewart) who was at the wrong place at the right time and Alex, an ex-con criminal with a mission. They meet from chapter one and start a whirlwind affair that includes hill folk, mountain logic, drug dealers, a beautiful, vivid background, kink without being too heavy, light suspense and a fun time. Alex kidnaps Stunt and gets a lot more than he bargained for. What happens when a city boy and a hill boy that share a compatible D/s bond get together? One helluva story.

Stunt! Yes, his nickname is Stunt (It actually fits him) He is my brother from another mother based on his smart mouth alone.

"Wham, bam, thank you, man with the big cock, that's how Stunt tried to love his life."

"I'm starting to wonder if you're having second thoughts with all the stupid that keeps falling out your mouth."

I have tons of quotes especially Stunt's. When I can claim to have oodles of quotes from one book, you know it was a great story. Stunt was unapologetic for who he was and how he chose to live his life. The adrenaline junkie likes to be dominated, likes being tied up and is not ashamed of being gay despite the Southern mountain town he grew up in. I could hear him with his twang in my head. If you think he's just a characters for laughs or dumb, think again. He's intelligent and plucky to boot. His logic, based on mountain logic was a joy to read. I was surprised he was so free with who he was especially where he lived. It made for a better read in my opinion.

The story is told from Stunt's POV but we get a good sense of Alex. He's damaged, has a chip on his shoulder and also not a stereotype just because he's an ex-con. Plus being a caretaker Dom doesn't hurt. I liked his scenes lots. And the geeky twist made him dreamier.

"Sometimes it scares the snot out of me that I can't understand you. How am I supposed to make sure I'm not doing something monumentally dangerous when I'm in the middle of some backward land where good is bad and suicide is a choice and killing someone you've known since they were born makes sense?"

The two have to include a local moonshiner, Elijah in their plans which totally changes the entire scheme. We get a glimpse into Appalachian life without of cheapening its people. A little suspense is added to the mix, nothing ulcer inducing, but it was a nice touch.

Stunt has a special...gift or talent, if you will. Those scenes between Dom and sub were extra special. I totally bought their connection.Was it a little insta-lovey? In terms of the shotgun wedding...yes. But it totally fit their dynamic. This is one story I am not going to gripe about their speediness. Hello, there's a frigging shotgun wedding! Literally!

The secondary character, Elijah! I thought he was going play into the hillbilly stereotype, moonshine making, bible thumping, shotgun toting anti-government promoting...wait he does these things, come to think of it. BUT he's more progressive than I originally thought he would be. And I fell for the curmudgeon. Many favorite quotes from him:

"Wait", Alex said, "you don't mind that we're gay?"
Elijah shrugged. "I figure you'll go to hell, seeing as how the Bible calls that one of those abominations. But until you get yourself dead, it ain't none of my business. Actually, it ain't my business even after you're dead, seeing as how I don't intend to be down in hell with all the fornicators and such."

and

"Barefoot and pregnant. After the ruckus last night, I suppose I wouldn't be all that shocked if you managed it," Elijah muttered as Stunt passed him.
Stunt was officially in hell. It was like getting caught by his parents having sex. Worse...kinky sex.

The old man made me want to call him my Peepaw. Definitely a memorable secondary character.

The BDSM was not extreme. (Some bondage and spanking fun, yum!) I had to stretch reality for a smidge to even consider a shotgun wedding in Tennessee between men possible. (And after reading, I kinda wish it was a possible thing) For someone who has never been to this part of the country, it read authentic and I felt like I visited through the words alone. I learned about forestry technicians and Appalachian mountain life. The ending was great. I do love a solid HEA. I can actually picture this couple many years together, imagine their bond becoming even closer in the future.