CANDYLAND THUNDERDOME Review: Nowhere Ranch by Heidi Cullinan

Roe Davis is a man who works hard, keeps to himself, and never mixes business with pleasure — until he takes a weekend away from his new job at Nowhere Ranch and runs into the owner at the only gay bar for two hundred miles. Getting involved with the boss is a bad idea, but Travis Loving is hard to say no to, especially when it turns out their kinks line up like a pair of custom-cut rails. As Loving points out, so long as this is sex on the side, no interfering with the job, they could make it work.

The truth is, there’s good reason Roe never settles down and always spends his birthdays and holidays celebrating alone. Shut out in the cold by his family years ago, Roe survived by declaring he didn’t need a home. As his affair with Loving grows into more than just sex, Roe finds out what happens when he stays put a little bit too long: the past always catches up with you. Eventually, even a loner gets lonely, and home will grow up through whatever cracks you leave open for it — even in a place called Nowhere.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Male/male sexual practices, strong BDSM theme and elements, fetish play.

I lay many thanks on the feet of my dear Cupcake because she gave me the most needed boot in my ass to finally read Heidi Cullinan. We've been discussing (maybe I've been pushing her onto the Tali train - but I mean well) for months, guys. Long months. And I have a list of other books we need to read. The CANDYLAND THUNDERDOME event was created from that by the excellente idea of a few unicorns.

Nowhere Ranch is one of those books that has a reputation. You know its number is written on the bathroom wall, so to speak - 'for a good time, dial Nowhere Ranch, ask for Roe' kind of rep. Very popular. Some parts I've heard all about *coughs*fisting*coughs*pony play*coughs*puppy play*coughs.

Excuse me, I must of had something in my throat.

This book is so well known I won't rehash the plot too much - damaged ex-con who doesn't value himself enough is toss to the side by his homophobic family. He finds his work on a ranch in Nebraska. And his self. Yes, this is a romance. It also has some yummy kink for readers who enjoy public exhibition, rimming, the puppy & pony plays, bondage, cumeating, dirty talk or fingering. Monroe and Travis love ass play.

Let's say I really enjoyed when Roe and Travis played together. *shudders* If you told me this book that started off so hotly, ended the way it did, I'd have told you no way.  But it did. The personal growth that Roe takes (it's told from his 1st person POV) was even more delicious to me than the kink. And I think this is why Cupcake knew this one was for me.

I got a novel with depth. I got characters I cared about (#teamHaleyFTW). I got the smut. But I also got the HEA romance.

You want to know what my most favorite part of "Nowhere Ranch" was? Actually, it's parts.

No, it most certainly was not that part. I do love a good Crisco scene, it's been well documented on GR, but it wasn't that. (In fact, fisting makes my insides cringe. Then I whimper for all the loosened orifices out there) It wasn't the kink (though it was might-tee fine), it wasn't the characters (though they were well fleshed out) or the setting (who knew a city girl could come to appreciate Nebraska farm life *shrugs*).

It was the way the author could emote with a handful of words. Some of the simplest sentences and I'm captured, my attention was fully engaged and I am there with Roe.

Baby loves the filthy, raunchy things. But she loves a good story even more. Put those two together? Woo-wee!!! You have my attention.

Highly recommended. Totally reading more from this author (I actually have a pile of her stuff...I'll try to cut down the lengthy gap next time) Don't be like me and wait years to crack open a Heidi Cullinan book.

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