| Title | : | Break en montagne (Cut & Run, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1627984941 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781627984942 |
| Language | : | French |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 377 |
| Publication | : | First published January 25, 2010 |
La Série Ty et Zane Tome 2
Six mois après avoir presque perdu la vie face à un tueur en série à New York, les Agents Spéciaux du FBI Ty Grady et Zane Garrett souffrent de quelque chose de presque aussi effrayant : la monotonie du travail de bureau. Quand ils reçoivent l’ordre de prendre des vacances pour le bien de la santé mentale de tous, Ty encaisse le coup et amène Zane avec lui en Virginie-Occidentale, en espérant que la paix et le calme de la montagne leur donneront l’occasion d’explorer l’attraction explosive qu’ils n’étaient pas en mesure pour l’instant de concilier avec leur association professionnelle.
Ty et Zane, accompagnés du père et du frère de Ty, se dirigent dans les montagnes des Appalaches pour une belle randonnée de détente dans la profondeur des bois... où personne ne les entendra crier. Ils se retrouvent face à des dangers venant de toutes parts : une météo imprévisible, la montagne qui n’en finit pas, des animaux sauvages, des randonneurs qui n’ont rien à perdre. Et le défi le plus terrifiant de tous : se retrouver l’un en face de l’autre.
Break en montagne (Cut & Run, #2) Reviews
-
Doing another series re-read...need my Ty and Zane fix !! 2/2020
Holy shit...it just keeps getting better. I think I may have a Ty and Zane addiction going on. Damn those two are awesome. This book was milder on the action and more focused on the emotions of the two men. There were some steamy scenes that made my face blush and my toes curling. Wow...can't wait to read the next one. I'm hoping this one will be just as good. I love this new addiction I've got going !! 5 stars -
4.5 Stars
Re-read (#2): November, 2017
It seems I never reviewed this one the first time around. I must have been too excited about continuing the series to stop and get my thoughts down.
I feel like this is one of those series that you actually benefit from a re-read. I noticed so many more little details along the way and I was better at analysing the conversations for deeper meanings. I found myself enjoying this more because of the insight I already had; I guess this insight comes easy with the foreknowledge of what’s in store for Ty and Zane.
During my original marathon of this series,
Sticks & Stones was the book I considered my least favourite of the bunch. I’m not sure why that was/is but I think it may have a lot to do with Ty’s father and the fact that I blame all the action and drama that unfolds (while the boys are hiking) on Earl Grady and his stubborn, arrogant, overbearing bullshit.
If his father hadn’t bullied Ty into following his decision to investigate what was going on in the mountains, then everyone would have been safe and happy and unhurt by beatings, near drownings, animal attacks, and even harsh (unforgivable) words. Sure, there may not have been a story here had Earl Grady not gotten his way, but the whole situation (still) enrages me and makes me want to smack him around a bit.
On the plus side, the more I read about Ty and Zane the more deeply I fall down the fangirl rabbit hole. I love the slow-burn pace that unfolds regarding their feelings for one another, and I especially love getting inside Ty’s mind and witnessing his Zane related revelations towards the end.
Ultimately,
Sticks & Stones proved to be another exciting read, with plenty of action and adventure, as well as some solid relationship progression that we all know leads to the most epic of love stories.
******************************
Re-read (#3): March, 2024
The more times I read this instalment, the more I appreciate it. It may still not be my favourite within this personally beloved 9-part series, but it plays a damn important role in terms of exemplary character development and relationship progression for Ty and Zane.
Also, the writing is notably improved from book one, which is a HUGE relief.
It’s been ten years since I first read this series (and a further five years since it was first released) but I can confidently say that this book and this series still holds up today—so much so, that it’s making me realised how little I connect and adore book couples nowadays (no offence), compared to the way I fawned and obsessed over genre-legends like Ty and Zane (still unmatched).
I’ll leave you with a favourite quote from Deacon “Deuce” Grady, Ty’s brother and shrink extraordinaire:“As a unit, they are largely uncooperative, unorganized, antagonistic toward each other, stubborn when problems arise, and they conceal their weaknesses from each other and sometimes from themselves. But somehow, it works for them. They trust each other. They’re fiercely loyal to each other, as well. When there’s an outside force working against them, they pull it together in one way or another and defend one another. Viciously, if need be. Zane Garrett stood up to my father, Dick. More than once.” He paused to allow that information to sink in and then continued. “In my professional opinion, they aren’t fit to be partnered with anyone but each other,” he said wryly. “They’d drive anyone else crazy.”
Cut & Run Series
Book 1 -
Cut & Run (4 Stars)
Book 2 -
Sticks & Stones (4.5 Stars)
Book 3 -
Fish & Chips (5 Stars)
Book 4 -
Divide & Conquer (5 Stars)
Book 5 -
Armed & Dangerous (5 Stars)
Book 6 -
Stars & Stripes (5 Stars)
Book 7 -
Touch & Geaux (4.5 Stars)
Book 8 -
Ball & Chain (4.5 Stars)
Book 9 -
Crash & Burn (5 Stars) -
I’m on
BookTube now! =)
”Zane felt the knot in his chest relax as Ty touched him. They so rarely shared tender moments like this. When they came along, they were at the same time welcome and disturbing. Zane was never sure whether he wanted more of them or wanted to run from them.”
Ahh, damn!!! Those two are killing me and I’m loving every second of it. I dunno what that makes me. A masochist? A person who likes to suffer alongside their MCs? Someone who seeks heartache in their romance? Hurt/comfort? Maybe? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ What I DO know, is that I’ve waited four freaking years to finally continue with this series and boy, was it worth the wait!!! I just loved to read about Ty and Zane and it was so nice to be back in their world and to see how they fared after the events of the first book. Which is to say, not all too well.
Their first case did quite a number on both of them and our MCs are still struggling and fighting their inner demons at the beginning of “Sticks & Stones”. Their physical examinations always go well, but their psychological evaluation leaves much to be desired, which is the main reason their boss sends them on vacation. Neither Zane nor Ty know what to do with their off-time so Ty decides to visit his family and asks Zane if he wants to come along with him. Since Zane’s options are limited, he agrees to go with him and that’s when we get to know Ty’s family.
“This is Special Agent Ty Grady, who was raised by wolves, if that makes any of you feel better about getting your asses kicked,” he said, pointing at Ty.
And no, Ty wasn’t raised by wolves… but it’s pretty close. *lol* Just kidding! I really loved to get to know his family and no matter if it was his grandpa with his shovel, his brother Deuce or his mom Mara, I loved them all. I liked Earl too, but boy was he a piece of work. I totally get why Ty is the way he is and that statement at the beginning of the book was probably truer than Ty wanted to admit.
“Why do you need a shrink?” Earl asked him again.
“I have daddy issues,” Ty answered with a smirk.
Earl pointed his fork at him and narrowed his eyes as he chewed, though there was a hint of amusement in his expression.
It was extremely interesting to see Ty interact with his family and they had quite an intriguing dynamic. It was obvious that Ty loved them all dearly and this alone was such a change to the Ty we got to know in the first book. He might be a daredevil that always goes his way and doesn’t allow things to get too close to him, but this definitely didn’t apply to his family. The respect he had for his parents and the love he felt for Deuce and his grandpa showed his softer side and I was so here for it. Well, and yes, I admit it; I was here for the funny banter as well. *lol*
"I don't do too well sleeping in strange places lately, but..."
"Well, Ty's bed is about as strange a place as you can get," Deuce offered under his breath. He followed it with a muffled grunt as Ty kicked him under the table.
"Don't mind them, we dropped 'em both on their heads when they was little," Mara assured Zane as she moved back to her stove, where two different skillets sizzled.
Anyway! Moving on! XD Ty and his family decide to go hiking on a trail in the mountains and take Zane with them. It’s supposed to be a nice trip in nature, so what could possibly go wrong? Well, let me answer that one for you: Basically everything?! The moment they set foot on the trail, something doesn’t feel right and they get into a storm that makes it hard to follow their route. They manage to get through it, though and come across a ranger that tells them to return home because some people recently got missing in the mountains. Earl, Ty’s father who must have passed on his stubbornness to Ty, decides to continue on their way, though and from there on out it’s madness. Let’s just say they find out what happened to the missing people the hard way and suddenly survival becomes the most important thing.
”You pull that trigger, and you won’t live to regret it,” Zane told them quietly. “That’s a promise.”
He was aware of Earl’s attention focusing on him, and Deuce’s, too, but Zane didn’t care what they thought. If Earflaps shot him, Zane had no doubt Ty would kill him. Ty would kill him, and the others, too, in front of his father and brother. It would be messy. And Ty would regret it later, if only because Earl and Deuce had to watch.
Both, Ty as well as Zane, go through a lot in this book and in addition to the outside threat on their lives and in Ty’s case, the threat on the people he loves and cares about, they also have to fight their own traumas and fears. I swear the authors did this so well, it was outstanding and marvellous to watch! To read about their struggles felt so real and I could empathize with both of them. Ty is forced to deal with his PTSD and his father’s harsh words (I will never forgive you for that Earl!!!) and Zane is pressured to face the problems that caused him to go on an ordered vacation. It was hard to read about their problems and I felt so sorry for Ty. I think one of the most interesting things about this trip was the fact that Ty goes into it sane and that the reader actually worries about Zane, but then the balance shifts and the reader realizes that there’s so much Ty has suppressed and ignored that it gets him closer to the edge than Zane ever was. This trip certainly had it in it. >_<
"He'd never seen Ty behave this way, as if someone had just taken all the spirit and fight in him and crushed it to dust. It was acutely painful to see, especially after seeing him so relaxed and carefree just a few hours ago."
Not only when it came to fighting their inner demons but also when it came to them constantly trying to downplay their feelings for each other. No, seriously, it was so painful to watch. You see how much they care about each other, how much they love each other, yet they are both worried to show their affection openly. Sure, Ty’s father is a huge part of it because they don’t know how he’ll react to them being together, but they also don’t even dare to hope that the other would love them back. It hurt. So, so, so much. Please someone put me out of my misery and tell me that they’ll be happier in the next book! They are so good for each other and I just want them to know that too!
”Strong enough to take care of yourself,” Zane added pointedly.
Ty rolled his eyes. “You think I could have taken care of myself after being shot in the back with a twelve gauge?” he posed.
“That’s why I killed him,” Zane said bluntly.
I just love how Zane tried to be there for Ty while at the same time giving him room to figure out things for himself. Also the way he supported Ty was such a stark contrast to how Earl treated his son. With Earl it was tough love, but Zane provided a nourishing environment full of trust and encouragement. It was just so beautiful to see how this helped Ty to find his footing once again. And I have to mention it here: It was also lovely how Deuce helped Zane to address his issues and to face his fears. He did it in such a sensitive manner that Zane wasn’t even aware of being psychoanalyzed. XD Way to go, Deuce! Ty’s brother has definitely become one of my favourite side characters in this series.
”His fingers dragged slowly across the back of Zane’s neck, as if he didn’t want to forget what the contact felt like. Deuce felt a pang of anger and sadness as he watched them. As sick as Ty was, the two of them were still careful of showing too much intimacy for fear of how Earl would react to it. Deuce swallowed against a knot in his throat and gritted his teeth.”
Give me amazing, open-minded, brave and supportive siblings like Deuce every day!! I love that Deuce realized them loving each other faster than they even did themselves. Well, to be fair Zane is still getting there, which is the reason it broke my freaking heart when Ty started to acknowledge his feelings for Zane. My poor and precious Ty, hurt and in so much pain, going through even more pain because of his father and then in addition to all that, he’s confronted with the undeniable fact that he actually loves Zane.
”You’re okay,” Zane said quietly but clearly. “Just focus on me for a few minutes. What’s the first thing that comes to mind?” While talking, he was gently wiping away the blood.
Ty blinked at him, opening his mouth as he thought the very first thing that came to mind when Zane prompted him: I love you. He snapped his mouth closed and stared at Zane, unable and unwilling to answer.
THAT MOMENT IN THE BOOK!!!! I think I died and came back to the living in the same moment. ARGH, the pain! It’s not like Zane doesn’t feel the same way, though! I know he does, we have enough moments in his mind to see that he cares about Ty more than he wants to admit, but that’s exactly the problem. Ty finally arrived at the point where he can admit, at least to himself, that he loves Zane, but Zane isn’t there yet and still tries to reason his feelings away. Ty is already at the stage of “I love you and want to be with you”, while Zane is at “I don’t want to lose you, but I don’t know why I care so much.” XD It’s driving me crazy! Especially because Zane does things like THIS:
Zane lifted his hand and cupped Ty’s cheek, turning Ty’s chin so he couldn’t look away. “You listen to me, Beaumont Tyler Grady. You are a wise-cracking, stubborn, annoying pain in the ass who lives to cause trouble. You’re also a brave, courageous, and valiant Marine who puts his life on the line for what he believes and for those he loves. There is no way you have ever been or ever will be a coward. It simply isn’t you.”
My heart!!!! Rip it out, Zane, will you?! I’m still feeling all the feels here and I’ve finished this book a month ago!!! A. Month. Ago! They’ll be the death of me, I know it. And I honestly can’t help but wonder when Zane will come to the realisation that he loves Ty, too. His gestures already speak volumes, so I hope it’s just a matter of time until he’ll be able to admit that he’s head over heels for his partner as well. I think Deuce has a very clear picture of their dynamic and I can only agree with him and his thoughts. Maybe we’ll see more of Deuce in the next books? I hope we will, because he’s a really interesting character and one I’d love to read more about.
”They were a study in extremes, and as much as they denied it, they seemed well matched. After watching Zane take Ty’s face in his hands and lean forward to speak to him – when it had very much looked like he’d been about to kiss him – Deuce suspected they were better matched than they knew themselves.”
And heaven help me, if Earl doesn’t apologize in one of the following books of this series, I’ll kick in his door and drag him to his son so he finally tells him the truth!!! I’m still so mad at Earl, I can’t even. I just want to hug Ty’s pain away. <3 I think I felt this so hard, because I can relate to Ty so much. We’re very similar in the way we act around others and behave. Always brushing off things and trying not to let them get too close to us, but we take the words of our loved ones seriously, and sometimes they hurt more than anything else does. >_< Fingers crossed Earl will come around and see the error of his ways.
Conclusion:
After waiting four years to finally get my hands on a copy of “Sticks & Stones” I can say that it was worth the long wait! I’m so glad the books of this series are available again and I can’t wait to dive into the next instalment! I just love everything about those books, from the characters and their struggles to the way they interact with each other and fight for what is right. Plus, every book is extremely suspenseful and the mixture of spicy scenes and plot is always balanced! Ty and Zane are two very complex characters that have taken my heart by storm and I don’t want to have it back. At least not until I’ve read all the other 7 books of this series at which point they’ll no doubt, be an indispensable part of my heart already.
All the stars in the world, and then some. ;-P
______________________________
I swear one day Ty and Zane will be the death of me!!!
Those two men and their suppressed feelings! UGH! *dies*
I can’t say much right now because I need to digest this but boy, for a vacation plot this was extremely suspenseful! >_<
Also Ty Grady has my heart and soul. I love him so much it’s not normal anymore.
Full RTC soon! I need to gather my thoughts.
_______________________________
I’m totally giving into my mood reader heart right now, which apparently means I’m on a m/m romance reading binge. There’s no other explanation for me starting with “Sticks & Stones” even though I made my way through two other m/m books recently. *lol*
Anyway! I’ve waited four long years to finally be able to buy and read “Sticks & Stones” so I’m not gonna wait a single minute longer. ;-P
Plus Ty Grady is my hero and I just need him and Zane back in my life. XD
Here goes nothing! =)
Find me on:
My Blog
Instagram
________________________
OMG!! OMG!!!
My prayers have been heard & answered!!! I can buy all books now!!!
Holy! Oh my! This is the best thing that happened today!
Legit the best! <333
After 4 years of waiting for this series to be available again it finally is!
*faints of happiness*
________________________
How come this isn't available on Amazon anymore?
You gotta be kidding me, Amazon! =(((
Ahhh please someone tell me this will be available again!
I wanted to read this for ages and now that I decided to go for it I can't. T_T
Apparently they don't even have it as an e-book?
What kind of evil sorcery is this?
Not fair. *sniff* -
Forth re-read: 09.09.2021
Someone wrote this "I didn’t understand their dynamics. They were fighting one moment and fucking the next. Yeah I know, this sounds like the usual enemies-to-lovers fight but trust me, it was bad" in their review for another book and I somewhat felt that this was fitting for this book as well. Sometimes I'm struggling with Ty and Zane's dynamics; one second they are smiling, the next fists are flying, and I'm like; what just happened? But other than that, I do now remember why I love Ty. He's a great character. I love him. Zane.... unsure. He hides so much, even from himself, that I feel a bit detached from him. Overall, I still enjoyed this book, I still absolutely love Ty and I will continue this re-read. Probably until I've read book six.
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Ty. Enough said.*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
Third re-read: 09.04.2018
GR is fucking up again; my status updates didn't show up/got deleted. This has actually happened to me once before. I hope they fix it. And soon. Now, to the book, I'm in a real struggle to find books that seems interesting these days and I'm feeling short of book to re-read. I decided to just re-read this one because it's Ty. I love Ty with all my heart. He's my favorite character and I just want to hug and protect him from the world. Overall, I liked the re-read, but something is stopping me from really enjoying it. I'm so damn picky that it isn't even funny.Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
Other characters:
↦ Richard ‘Dick’ Burns, the Assistant Director of the Criminal Investigative Division
↦ Deacon ‘Deuce’ Grady, Ty's brother and a psychiatrist, aka a shrink (though he doesn't like to be called that).
↦ Earl Grady, Ty's father and Mara Grady, his mother.
↦ Chester Grady, Ty's grandpa.What he was afraid of, he’d come to realize, was not dark spaces or falling from great heights or being buried alive. His greatest fears, in the end, were letting down those he loved and saying the words “I love you” without any hope of hearing them in return.
He knew, deep down somewhere, that if he fell for Zane Garrett, he’d be falling alone.
――――♥TY IS MY BABY AND WILL ALWAYS BE MY BABY!♥――――
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*MY BABY TY*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
Second re-read: 08.06.2017
I have no clue why I suddenly found myself re-reading this one. It's probably because I love FBI Special Agent Beaumont Tyler ‘Ty’ Grady with everything I am. It might also be that no new books interested me anymore, specially not M/F books. Shit, I'm screwed. What to read next....I have a feeling it's gonna be yet another one from this series. I kinda want to re-read book #6 again. A book I read last week...Sticks and stones may build your homes,
but words will lift your spirits.
Anyways, I still kinda hate Earl. I adore Deacon, and FBI Special Agent Zane Garrett is awesome and I love his protectiveness towards Ty, even though I wish he had stepped up a little more when it came to Earl but I understand why he didn't. I don't think I need to mention Ty, do I? Just in case: HE IS MY WHOLE WORLD. Oh and the story was still interesting, the more Ty, the better.
First read review:
This book was a lot better than the first one. I liked the story; action filled with heartbreaking moments and even some hot ones. I loved how we are getting to know Ty and Zane more, and how closer they are getting. And damn, Ty just had to steal my heart, didn't he. He went through so much and he's still standing. Amazing. On to the next one then...Ty Grady: I love you!
Zane Garrett: I have quite some mixed feeling about you... The verdict is still up.
Deacon Grady: You're awesome.
Earl Grady: I want to slap you. Fuck you for hurting my Ty.“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Contemporary Romance (M/M)
Series: - Series, Book Two
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Beaumont Tyler ‘Ty’ Grady.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Sure.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Sure.
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - 3.5 stars. -
5 Stars! - Reread 3/12/24
This.
This right here.
The denial the longing the fear the caring the need the struggle the antagonism the chemistry the fighting the snark the lust.
And yes, the love.
Heady stuff, this imperfect duo. *sigh*
———————
5 Stars!
*Update - Reread 2/5/15*
The boys are back again, and despite becoming official work partners, each wonders how theirromanticfeelings fit in their new dynamic, if at all.
As Ty and Zane soon find out, their forced vacation is anything but a nice escape. They're faced with extreme life and death situations, all of which solidify their trust in each other and strengthen their new partnership. It also forces them to reflect on feels they don't want to have or are too afraid to look at closely.
What's not in question is their insatiable lust for each other, and their chemistry is combustible. Actions do speak louder than words, and it's an exciting ride as we watch these two fall more for each other despite their own hang ups and reservations. Though they don't know it yet, neither stands a chance at the inevitable,and we wouldn't have it any other way.
Cut & Run Series
1.
Cut & Run - 5 Stars
2.
Sticks & Stones - 5 Stars
3.
Fish & Chips - 5 Stars
4.
Divide & Conquer - 5 Stars
Warrior’s Cross - 4.5 Stars
5.
Armed & Dangerous - 5 Stars
6.
Stars & Stripes 5 Stars
7.
Touch & Geaux - 5 Stars
Shock & Awe (Sidewinder #1) - 5 Stars
8.
Ball & Chain - 5 Stars
Cross & Crown (Sidewinder #2) - 4.5 Stars
9.
Crash & Burn - 5 Stars
Part & Parcel (Sidewinder #3) - 5 Stars -
I enjoyed this one but I think I enjoyed the first book more. I have already started book 3 and I have already had some real LOL moments so, for the moment I am going to rate this 4 stars.
Loved meeting Ty's family. Liked Deacon (Deuce) a lot.“Once you admit to yourself that you are or aren't something, then you can begin searching for the reason why," Deuce went on. "And once you've found that, you can begin to take steps toward making it better. So, tell yourself you're an asshole, stop being an asshole, your problem's solved," Deuce said in a pleased voice.”
“Hell would be more relaxing than this," Zane muttered as he glared at the water. "And I could get a tan.”
"Your family is ... nice."
“Sticks and stones may break my bones,but words will never hurt me.”
One kiss from Ty never failed to make Zane want more.
And Grandpa Grady was a hoot.
Mr Grady Snr. Mmmm, not sure what to think of you just yet.
ZANE
TY
-
TY and ZANE TY AND ZANE TY AND ZANE!
I am so into this series it is not even funny.
What I love, other than hot hot hot M-M romantic and sexual tension, is the sloooow build. It is such a nice change of pace from the PNRs I've been reading where it is love at first sight and declarations of undying love in the first chapter. I like the complexity of their relationship and the baggage they bring. It makes the series so interesting and engaging. It reminds me in some ways of the buildup in the Kate Daniels series. I seriously can't wait to see how their relationship unfolds.
This book was wonderful and well written and jam packed with adventure. On to the next one.... -
Cross-posted at
Shelf Inflicted and at
Outlaw Reviews
It’s just as well FBI agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett are required to take a mandatory vacation after failing their psychological evaluations. Six months later, they are still haunted by the Tri-State murders. A relaxing hike, a chance for the guys to explore their simmering attraction, and spending time with Ty’s family is just what they need.“If Zane could survive a trip to West Virginia to meet the Gradys, he could live through anything. Like a cockroach.”
It’s not that easy, though, as both guys are great at keeping a lid on their emotions. On top of that, they are each dealing with issues from their pasts. Zane is hurting from the death of his wife and recovering from an addiction to drugs and alcohol. Ty is a former Marine who is suffering from PTSD, troubled by nightmares and flashbacks.
While this story is not as action-packed as the first, there are very gripping moments that had this reader flipping pages well into the evening. It began with the mysterious ATV tracks and ended with Ty’s sorry encounter with a cougar. Though they have to deal with bad guys on the trail, the focus of this story was on Ty’s and Zane’s deepening relationship and the interaction with Ty’s family.
I especially liked Ty’s brother, Deacon, who is a psychiatrist and more aware of how Ty and Zane feel about each other than they are themselves. His mother, Mara, is warm, loving, protective, and bakes amazing pies. Ty’s father, Earl, has a gruff, military bearing. The complicated relationship he has with his sons made it difficult for me to warm up to him, but there was no question his love was strong, especially when Ty’s life was in danger.
Just like in the first book, there were unbelievable scenes and stupid mistakes made. The writing style seems a bit more controlled, or maybe I’m just getting used to it. I love the slow-burning romance, the humorous banter, and the tension in Ty’s and Zane’s relationship.“What he was afraid of, he’d come to realize, was not dark spaces or falling from great heights or being buried alive. His greatest fears, in the end, were letting down those he loved and saying the words “I love you” without any hope of hearing them in return.”
I’m enjoying this series so far and look forward to more danger and thrills, as well as seeing Ty and Zane overcoming their fears and insecurities.
Thanks to
Barbie from
Bookie Nookie's Erotic Lending Group for lending this to me. -
Ty & Zane can't seem to catch a break... The quest to get their heads straight quickly turns into the worst vacation in the history of vacations...
(All Spoilers are Hidden)"How about after this we agree not to say the word 'vacation' again, okay? Actually, no, we agree to not even think the word 'vacation' again."
After the action-packed fiasco that was the Tri-State Case from
Ty glanced sideways at him. "We'll use code," he agreed. "Call it time off. time off from hell."
"Hell would be more relaxing than this," Zane muttered [...] "And I could get a tan."
Cut & Run, Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett have been languishing behind desks at the DC Bureau. There was a lot of paperwork to catch up on and healing to do before Burns would send our boys back into the field...
Unfortunately mental scars don't heal as fast as broken bones... Ty and Zane are on the verge of being forced into early retirement if they don't pass their psychological evaluations. Burns has no choice but to force the pair into taking a long vacation, andorderssuggests they make the journey to West Virginia to visit Ty's Family.
Zane wondered if Ty was a mama’s boy. He tipped his head to the side, watching them as he picked out a piece of warm bread, and thought maybe so. Not that he would ever voice that opinion to Ty until he was good and ready to die.
We've been fed bits and pieces of information regarding Ty's family - specifically that they're close with Director Burns. This book opens the floodgates to information from Ty's past and his complicated relationship with his family. All of the information served to round out Ty's character into one whose motives and actions (particularly toward Zane) become clearer.
Side Note: I adored Ty's Mom and Grandfather. They weren't necessarily featured players in this book, but
Abigail Roux has a way of making her secondary and tertiary characters into vibrant individuals...
After visiting with the family and resting up from the long drive, Ty, Zane, Earl (Ty's Father), and Deuce (Ty's bother) set out for a leisurely trek across the hostile mountains... Because there's no way that could possibly go wrong...
THIS BOOK WAS AL ABOUT THE BATTLES WE WAGE...
The group battled against the mountain...
Weather,
wildlife,
trails,
time...
The Grady's battled against each-other...
Father vs. son,
expectations vs. reality,
brother vs. brother,
concern vs. pride...
Ty and Zane battled against their own minds...
Dealing with their pasts,
overcoming fears,
finding their easy connection again,
re-establishing the trust they had built...
Warning: this part is going to be spoilery if you haven't read the first book in the Cut & run series
In my review of
Cut & Run I failed to mention how much I liked that the author used that particular title. The phrase was repeated by Ty and Zane throughout the book - they could always cut and run. Together they could leave all the danger behind. I thought it was a charming addition to an already awesome book. I feel obligated to mention this now, because
Sticks & Stones was perfection in a title.
As I mentioned previously, the battles waged on the mountain were more about mental obstacles even in the face of physical danger. Ty and Zane have already proved that they can cheat death and come out on the other side. They have no problem with "sticks and stones" (or bombs, bullets, car chases, or serial killers) it's the "words" that hurt them.
Words which remain unsaid:
Words said without thought:
Regarding the specific obstacles they faced:
On the trail...
Outside of camp...
I have two tiny complaints:
One -
Two - Why didn't Ty have this T-Shirt?
Some of My Favorite Moments:
My Other Reviews in the Cut & Run Series:
Cut & Run -
My Review
Sticks & Stones - You're Reading It
Fish & Chips -
My Review
Divide & Conquer -
My Review
Armed & Dangerous -
My Review
Dine & Dash -
My Review
Stars & Stripes -
My Review
Touch & Geaux -
My Review
Ball & Chain -
My Review
Crash & Burn -
My Review
My Reviews in the Cut & Run Universe:
I will update the list as more books are published.
Warrior's Cross -
My Review
Shock & Awe -
My Review
Cross & Crown -
My Review
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Did I ever mention that I worked at Caesar's casino when I was younger? Okay, so we had Diana Ross come to perform (all of the room service people were terrified of her) but she still had less baggage than the two guys in this book have. Holy crap are they messed up in the head!
Since they are failing their psych evaluations to go back in the field, they get ordered to take a vacation and end up going to Ty's childhood home to hang with the family. Now, I don't know about you, but as far as I've seen family usually makes people crazier, not less crazy, but whatever.
This leads to them deciding to go hiking in the mountains for a week. I mean, yeah, I got that they were one stop shy of Crazytown, but this lead me to believe they were already there. Or, were fixin' on hiking there. Oh yeah, it's also in West Virginia - you know, the place where sister-wives have nothing to do with Mormonism and only involve one sister.
I liked the book and would have been fine with them just doing their thing without a mystery getting involved, but that's not how these things work. Where they go, trouble follows.
"How about after this we agree not to say the word 'vacation' again, okay? Actually, no, we agree to not even think the word 'vacation' again."
Ty glanced sideways at him. "We'll use code," he agreed. "Call it time off. Time off from hell."
"Hell would be more relaxing than this," Zane muttered "And I could get a tan."
And there is nothing better than angsting your way through the mountains, dirty, no bathrooms or running water, eating MRE's, and dealing with people trying to kill them than also having your dysfunctional family along. Yeah, Ty's dad? Total dick-head. I mean, dude seriously deserves a date with those Deliverance boys.
So, it was my frustration at the incredibly stupid decisions that were made because of the father's assholishness that led me to marking this book so low. Decisions that were laughable, and a situation utterly contrived and idiotic. I still love the guys, but the whole daddy-dearest thing in this book was just terrible.
Also, the author needs to realize that adult human bodies can only take so much damage. If these guys are going to keep living they will need to maybe not get seriously injured for a book or two.
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*This is a review of the audio book*
This was my first audio book, and it was fantastic! I simply LOVED it!
It's really an experience, so much different than reading. The narrator has a really great voice, and the way he did Ty and Zane just made me melt
And this way I enjoyed every single part of the book, even the ordinary conversatinas were
for me XD
And listening to the sex scenes
I just felt naughty XD It's really different when you imagine that stuff in your head, and when you listen to the guy telling you what was happening
But the best parts were the emotional scenes (there weren't many, but still) when Ty says in that soft voice "Thank you, Zane", or the BEST part so far I simply melted when I heard that
OK so enough with the audio parts XD
This second book is a few weeks after the first one. Both Ty and Zane are having problems, slowly drifting from one another because they still haven't dealt with the horrible things that happened to them. Zane is especially having problems, so much that he's failing his psych evals. Ty keeps everything inside, but is having problems as well. So Burns sends them on forced vacation XD They both go to Ty's place in the mountains, Zane meets the family, and they go on a trek through the mountain. There comes trouble
I love the fact that there wasn't any big case in this story, they found trouble in the mountains and dealt with it. Actually, the way I see it, the main story here was Ty and Zane's state of mind, them dealing with their problems and realizing their emotions
They are both SO complex, I could read about them forever! There is so much that we still don't know about them, and we are slowly discovering all their layers. They're both a little wrong in the head hahahahah but they deal with it the best when they're together, that's why they're the perfect partners
I think a lot of time will pass untill they both come to terms with their feelings to one another, but I'm looking forward them slowly discovering it <3
BTW, I loved Ty's brother
His father was an ass sometimes, I wanted to kick him
But it's nice to see Ty with his weird family heheheh XD
The ending left me misty-eyed and happy
it was just perfect
I'm jumping to book #3
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3.5*
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4.5 Stars!
I think I liked this one about as much as the first one, maybe a little bit more. I loved how this one was completely different from book 1.
Stick & Stones didn't exactly revolve around a case, but there was no shortage of action and suspense.
Still very little romance, which would have to be my only complaint. However, there is enough sexual tension and attraction there to really keep me invested. And as always, Ty and Zane's banter is lol funny.
We get introduced to Ty's family...some of which I liked more than others.
You can see Ty and Zane's relationship growing and developing. It's these little moments that really keep me hooked and wanting to see where things go.
A really good series so far! -
*3rd read 2020*
Every time is just as good as the first time. 🥰 LOLOL, “Meow Mix”. 😂😂 God, I love them!!
*re-read 2018*
OMG, these guys slay me. That will never change and I'll never get tired of it. <3
*1st read 2012*
Frankly, after skimming a few of the reviews for this book before starting it, I was prepared to be a little disappointed. The general consensus seemed to be sort of "not nearly as exciting but we still love Ty & Zane". But that's not how I felt at all.
So, ok. The guys were not chasing killers around. Ty & Zane have been given desk jobs after catching the Tri-State killer in New York, kind of to allow them to decompress. Zane is in really bad shape mentally after all the things that happened to them there, he's having a really hard time dealing. Director Burns makes both of them take a vacation before evals to send them back out in field work, and since he's a personal friend of Ty's dad, suggests that Ty should go home and see his family. And Ty takes Zane with him. Though it did sound a lot less exciting reading the blurb, it was so much more emotionally intense. I was floored, both by the things that happen and the things that come out between them.
Ty takes Zane home to Bluefield, West Virginia. There Zane meets Ty's dad Earl, his mom Mara, his brother Deacon and his Grandpa Chester. Ty's family is really close. I loved how they treated Zane like he was family too, and from the things he's said he doesn't have that with his own family. But not only are they all close, they're funny as hell, you can see where Ty gets his sense of humor. Zane is talking to Earl and tells him they're all "something else" and Earl tells him the boys call it the "galloping crazies". I laughed my ass off, because that's about right.
Ty, Zane, Deacon & Earl are going to make a trail hike over the mountain they live on. This is something they apparently do all the time when they manage to be home together. That sounds pretty cool, huh? Should be nice and relaxing. Except that it's not. I swear to God, these boys can't catch a break. I really can't say too much about what happens but by the end of the book, I can't blame Zane for hating the word 'vacation'.
This book really focused on the relationship between Ty & Zane, the chemistry and the emotional intensity that's there. It's still not a romance. But there is so much between them and they're both having a hard time coping with it. They are so fiercely protective of each other. The times that they have to look after each other on that mountain, both of them do whatever it takes, no matter what the threat is.
In
Cut & Run, I formed so many suppositions about what Ty felt and what Zane felt. Both of them play it pretty close, they don't show too much. But this knocked all I thought I knew right out. These guys are pretty freaking hardcore badasses, so each bit of tenderness, every thought they have that makes my heart clench (and there are quite a few), just twists me right up.
Ty's family were great characters (not even going to use the word secondaries, they SO were not), every single one of them were very vividly drawn. Mara was an awesome mom, I loved how she was with Zane, he needs that a lot. Chester cracked my ass up, I hope I'm that much fun when I get old(er). And Ty's brother Deacon was so great, I loved him. I loved how he was with Ty, I loved how he helped Zane. Earl, well. I didn't him love so much, he was kind of a hard man. He damn sure made my shit-list. Meeting him did explain a lot of what made Ty who he is though.
Before I started this I saw one review that said something like this: "These books are inaccurately titled. They should be "become addicted to Ty & Zane" and I have to say that's pretty apt. I don't usually stick with a series one book after the other because there's too much I want to read. But these guys....I don't know. The authors have made Ty & Zane so raw and damaged, yet so damn funny and sweet that you don't just love them, you're invested in them, in what happens to them, in their happiness and them being ok.
Loved the ending, loved! I was really, honestly surprised. But happy! So, I'm off to read
Fish & Chips. *After I re-read the ending, one more time* :) -
Oh the things I have to write about this wonderful book!!! It makes me all giddy inside thinking of them both :)
In this book you really get to know Ty and Zane even better and fall in love with them even more! The emotions within the book vary from hurt, anger and stubbornness to concern, gentleness and LOVE!
Ty and Zane both have their issues, which are better explained as the story unfolds. They admit that they can read each others minds as partners, yet as lovers/friends they barely know each other.
I felt the song Ache by James Carrington
http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=re... best describes Ty and Zane's relationship with each other. Their lives have changed since meeting each other, they have many things which are unsaid between them and they both ache for each other in a response to the pain their partner is feeling and their love for the other person.
In the book you meet Ty's family. Ty has a very strenuous relationship with his Father Earl, due to the high expectations he has of his son.
The title 'sticks and stones' comes from when Ty is chastised by his Father; the hurt he feels crushes his spirit. I agree with Ty when he said
'sticks and stones may break my bones, but words may never hurt me! Whoever came up with the that deserved a few sticks and stones to the head'
Ty shoulders a lot of blame for things, failures hit him hard and he feels very protective of those he cares for around him. His tough outer skin is a protective mechanism in place to guard his feelings, yet underneath it the hurt he feels for those he loves, when they are hurting is felt deeply by him.
Zane feelings for Ty are strong and when he is hurting Zane feels it and try's to protect him from it. Zane being the more open of the two still struggles to know when to open up to Ty as he is never sure if the response is going to be sarcastic, yet he understands that is a reflex Ty uses.
Their relationship together is deepening and they protect each other at all costs even compromising their own safety. The gentle way they touch each other is EVEN better than the sex and that is saying something. There is one scene in the woods which had me panting for breath haha!
I LOVE the way they touch each others faces, brush hands together, calm each other down and hold each other. Their gentleness with each other makes my heart melt.
Favourite quotes (although there were many) are-
Zane- 'I need it...I need you'
Zane- 'I'm here for you. You know that right? I won't let you fall'
Ty- 'I like being able to wake up to you. I like knowing you'll be there if I need you!'
Zane- 'just focus on me...what's the first thing that comes to mind?' Ty thought 'I love you' but he was unwilling to answer' -
Zane & Ty are on vacation in west-by God-virginia!! and YEAH for them vacation is as close as hell !!
"How about after this we agree not to say the word 'vacation' again, okay? Actually, no, we agree to not even think the word 'vacation' again."
Ty glanced sideways at him. "We'll use code," he agreed. "Call it time off. time off from hell."
"Hell would be more relaxing than this," Zane muttered [...] "And I could get a tan."
GOD, How much i adore Ty & Zane would be anyone's guess. I'm so screwed!! Again Abigail Roux made me swoon on these both howties!! & the adventure & thrill was a bonus itself :) with both ty & zane with ty's family on the mountains of virginia is a quite thrill to READ!! And we JUST got to see a Relaxing side of Ty which was as charming as his usual cranky behaviour!
In the book you meet Ty's family. Ty has a very strenuous relationship with his Father Earl, due to the high expectations he has of his son (Which was really annoying the hell out of me).'sticks and stones may break my bones, but words may never hurt me! Whoever came up with the that deserved a few sticks and stones to the head
Stick & Stones was merely a title chased with the relatioship of Ty with his father, when he blow Ty off with such useless and frankly bitch words. (i justt wanted to kick him)
But as always Zane was with his partner, whenever Ty needed him!
The MAIN thing which i ABSOLUTELY LOVED about this book was that TY FINALLY MANAGED TO GET HIS BRAIN OUT OF GUTTER AND AGREED THAT HE LOVE ZANE!! *aaawwww swooon*What he was afraid of, he’d come to realize, was not dark spaces or falling from great heights or being buried alive. His greatest fears, in the end, were letting down those he loved and saying the words “I love you” without any hope of hearing them in return. He knew, deep down somewhere, that if he fell for Zane Garrett, he’d be falling alone"
And AHHHH the ROMANCE was at the peeeek!! Steamy *Smirk*
SO THIS BOOK HAS EVERYTHING I HAVE EVER WANTED! NOW I CAN DIE PEACEFULLY ! DUH! NOT BEFORE I GOT TO READ ZANE & TY GOT MARRIED.. FIRST !!
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These boys are my most favourite ever m-m couple.
I couldn’t resist. After completely falling in love with Ty and Zane in Cut & Run, I had to go straight onto Sticks and Stones. I am so enamoured with these two – their characters are so vividly drawn, I feel like I’ve known them for years and am rooting for them to finally accept and admit their feelings for one another.
We find the boys on ‘enforced vacation’ as Zane is flunking his psych evals as they’re both still traumatised by the events that took place during the hunt for the Tri State Killer in the last book. Ty takes Zane to stay with his folks in the West Virginia Mountains just as his partner – his parents have no idea about his sexual orientation.
So, we get to meet Ty’s mother Mara (a sweetheart), Ty’s father Earl (a tosser), Ty’s brother Deuce (a very likeable shrink) and Ty’s Granddaddy Chester (a slightly senile, eccentric old fart). Ty, Zane, Earl and Deuce all decide to go off hiking or a few days in the mountains but this is Ty and Zane and you just know that they’re not going to follow the script – cue booby traps, explosions, grenades, shootings, kidnapping, mountain lions to name but a few.
I had real issues with Earl in this one - the way he spoke to his boys, especially Ty. To brand a man as noble and brave as Ty as a coward is reprehensible and I would kind of like to shoot Earl. You have to wonder what kind of upbringing on his behalf brings out immediate and unquestioning obedience in his sons. How difficult will it be for Ty to finally 'come out' to his Dad - it's hard to imagine how Earl will cope with that kind of knowledge.
This book reads more like an interlude in the bigger story of Ty and Zane’s relationship. They’re still both living in their own heads, unable to truly give words to their feelings but we the readers can see how much they mean to each other and I am willing them to finally open up and admit how they feel to themselves and to one another. Surprisingly, Ty is more in touch with these feelings than Zane. As they’re camping with Ty’s family, they really don’t get a lot of alone time so there’s not so much steam going on in this one but, what there is, is toe-curlingly hot, especially the scene in the mountains in the cold.
So, I very much enjoyed this as a further exploration of their relationship and as a means to learn more about Ty and his background although, I have to say, there’s still a whole heck of a lot that we don’t know. The thriller storyline was nowhere near as dynamic as that in book 1 but the connection between Ty and Zane is what keeps this book ticking over and it’s nice to see them take a few more steps down that road, all the time wanting more.
I’m very much looking forward to book 3 and seeing them back in action with more ‘alone’ time.
4 stars m-m romance -
Re-read again, 2022 January 7th
The love story continues.. Somehow this one is one of my favorites. I just love Ty's family. They are a crazy bunch. I loved Ty & Zane coming together professianally and becoming more closer.
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I'm on a Ty & Zane marathon train. Can't be stopped. I may need help....
Ty and Zane going on "vacation" to West Virginia.
I loved seeing Ty coming to terms with his feelings for Zane.
“I like being able to wake up to you. I like knowing you’ll be there if I need you,
I like being with you, Zane. And I’d like to keep that up now that you’re here.
I want you.”
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4.5 Awesome Ty & Zane Stars!!!
Ty and Zane are back! They are on a mandated ‘vacation’... to Ty’s family’s house in West Virginia.
“And FYI, Deliverance took place in Georgia. In West Virginia we kiss our cousins.” -Ty
“Hell would be more relaxing that this. And I could get a tan.” -Zane
I LOVE TY AND ZANE! Okay, now that that’s out of the way... lets get to the story! (A short summary)
Ty and Zane are at Ty’s home. Everything is good so far. His family thinks Zane is only Ty’s work partner (except his brother, who knows), but they all treat Zane like he is one of theirs and they really are a crazy and funny family! Ty and Zane go on a hike throughout the mountains with Ty’s dad and brother Deuce (who I adored!). Everything is all good, until they run into some REAL crazies- then the action happens!!!! This is the WORST vacation ever!
I loved the ending... although I really wanted them to just COME OUT AND SAY IT!!!
What they did convey/say to each other was beautiful though...
Zane had his moments-
He couldn’t tear his eyes away from Ty, even knowing Deuce was watching, and Zane knew right then and there that he wouldn’t be giving Ty up without a fight. Ever.
“You listen to me, Beaumont Tyler Grady. You are a wise-cracking, stubborn, annoying pain in the ass who lives to cause trouble. You’re also a brave, courageous, and valiant Marine who puts his life on the line for what he believes and for those he loves. There is no way you have ever been or ever will be a coward. It simply isn’t in you.”
As did Ty-
I loved watching their relationship grow and evolve! Even though they didn’t admit all of their feelings to each other, they admitted them to themselves, and thats a huge step for these two guys. I’m really looking forward to learning more about both men and watching them grow as the series continues.
Both guys were really yummy, per usual, and even though Ty is my man, I found myself loving Zane much more in this book... Perhaps it’s because he would do anything to protect Ty. Can’t wait to get further into this series! Love it!
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
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“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
3.5 stars.
I rounded up to four stars because Ty and Zane are just great! Again, loved all those witty dialogs and I really liked Ty’s brother Deacon (Deuce)! However, I had a huge problem with Ty’s father, Earl. He is such a stupid jerk! And I had issues with the plot. When I was 46 % done with Sticks & Stones I got rather annoyed. In fact, Ty’s father was causing a substantial clusterfuck. He insulted his son in a way that I found totally disrespectful! I got all worked up because what happened afterwards...jeez, so stupid! The author used this situation to induce a bit of suspense. I was so not happy with the plot at that time.
I’m going to switch to a brief synopsis.
The book starts out with a merry FBI training session. I did enjoy this start! Later, Ty and Zane are seeing Assistant Director Burns and he says “Garrett is going on a little vacation...” Yes, and Ty is on leave, too. Burns is not so pleased about their psych evaluations and therefore both of them have to relax a bit more and are expected to pass the next evaluations with flying colors. Ty decides to go home and see his family. Naturally, Zane comes along...
It was fun to read about Ty’s family and their banter. I can relate to this hiking tour as well, but that’s as far as it goes because what happened there...tsk, tsk, tsk. They had to deal with a few bad guys, rain and cold, and dangerous animals.
I liked the first 45 % of this book and then the shit hit the fan. I got all worked up about the next 15 % of Sticks & Stones. And this whole fallout Ty had to deal with...not nice. I could have smacked his dad. All his fault – ok, the author’s fault. Gosh, I was so angry! Anyway, I have to say that it was interesting to see how Ty and his dad had to sort out their issues. And it’s yet more interesting to see how their 'relationship' is developing. It grows slowly but steadily. I enjoyed to read about their thoughts and how protective they are about each other.
Memorable “quotes”:
[...]“Are you still pissy about the rubber band cannon?” Ty asked him in exasperation.
“Ugh.” Zane started unbuttoning the BDU blouse. “You’re lucky that guy from accounting didn’t know it was you when his toupee went flying. He might have rerouted your next paycheck to Greenpeace.”[...]
Zane to Ty’s father:
[...]”You owe him a hell of a lot more than just pretty words.” Zane paused, his banked anger melting into a quiet, pained sadness. “I don’t know what you thought you were doing, but you couldn’t have said anything that would have hurt him more.”[...]
[...]What he was afraid of, he’d come to realize, was not dark spaces or falling from great heights or being buried alive. His greatest fears, in the end, were letting down those he loved and saying the words “I love you” without any hope of hearing them in return. He knew, deep down somewhere, that if he fell for Zane Garrett, he’d be falling alone.[...]
I’m going to cut and run because I need a little break. I’ll be back for sure, though and I’m going to read book 3 and 4. -
5 BRILLIANT ACTION-PACKED STARS!!!!!!
I LOVED THIS BOOK EVEN MORE THAN THE FIRST!!!!! (if that is even possible).
I LOVE THESE BOYS!!!!!!!!
Sticks and Stones basically begins about 5 months after the conclusion of their first case together. Ty and Zane had been apart during this time on separate assignments.. and recovering from their ordeal with the Tri-State murders. Both guys have been suffering mentally, not only from a bit of PTSD, but also from their separation. It is apparent to both men that they are developing feelings for the other, but neither is willing or able to share this information with the other. Whether it be for the obvious reasons of their FBI partnership, or out of fear of rejection...neither one is anywhere near sharing.
Zane in particular is suffering. He is repeatedly failing his mental evals for the bureau, and is being threatened with early retirement if he can't get himself together soon. He has been forced into therapy, and is not having much success. And it's not helping that he has been pining for the company of a partner that he's not even sure wants to work with him anymore. He had tried to contact Ty over the 5 months of their separation, but was unable to reach him.
Ty on the other hand, was doing his best to cope. Working covert side jobs for his boss, Richard Burns, and sleeping around to try to drive Zane from his thoughts, Ty had almost convinced himself that he was coping. But his well-known craziness has even taken on new levels of bravado. So much so, that he has started taking too many chances, and has started to worry his boss. He is usually much better at covering-up his inner struggles, but lately, not so much.
Brought back together after 5 months apart, the two fall right back into their fail-safe mode of coping, with the verbal sparing and evasive nature of communicating. It is clear that they still feel the pull and the mutual attraction, but they are both apprehensive about sharing feelings. They are both obviously suffering, and now begin to realize that their struggles have become apparent to their boss.
So Richard Burns places them both on mandatory vacation for 2-3 weeks, and has withheld their evals for their return, in order to try to salvage Zane's career, and Ty's mental status. He has also ordered Ty to return home to visit his family in West Virginia. And he has strongly suggested that Zane get some therapy in order to pass his mental eval.
Ty then decides to ask Zane to join him on his trip home. Zane does accept the invitation but not without misgivings. And here is where the story takes off. Once in West Virginia, the two decide to go on a prolonged hiking trip through the Appalachian Trail with Ty's overbearing father Earl, and his Psychiatrist brother, Deacon. The Grady boys do know the mountains well, but none of them are prepared for the adventure that they encounter on their trip.
And let me tell you, the interactions with Ty's family at the farm are absolutely priceless. And his Grandfather, with that shovel....HILARIOUS!!!
Ty struggles with his feelings for Zane, and also fights his insecurities where his father is concerned. Meanwhile, Deacon "Deuce," tries to psychoanalyze Zane and his mental struggles and fears along the way. Well eventually the trip starts to go south... and bad things start happening... and happening.... and happening. Things really get intense, people might die, and Zane and Ty are suddenly struggling to keep them all alive. It is a riveting story. Often intense, sometimes funny, but NEVER a dull moment!!
"Sounds like lions and tigers and bears, oh my," Zane said..
But through their struggles, Ty and Zane are forced to face their feelings for each other, and both, while silent, realize their unspoken need for the other. So many great lines, and tender moments, this book was a masterpiece!! The author has completely hooked me on these two guys!!!
You listen to me, Beaumont Tyler Grady. You are a wise-cracking, stubborn, annoying pain in the ass who lives to cause trouble. You're also a brave courageous, and valiant Marine who puts his life on the line for what he believes and for those he loves. There is no way you have ever been or will be a coward. It simply isn't you."
From the "Butch and Sundance scene at Quantico, to the literal "DELIVERANCE" from the mountain, I was loving every moment. Such great witty writing, and so intense at times, I felt like I was up their on the mountain with them....heart racing, cold and wet at times, I felt like I lived it right along with them.
"You're okay," Zane said quietly but clearly. "Just focus on me for a few minutes. What's the first thing that comes to mind?" While talking he was gently wiping away the blood.
Ty blinked at him, opening his mouth as he thought the very first thing that came to mind when Zane prompted him. I love you. He snapped his mouth closed and stared at Zane, unable and unwilling to answer.
But honestly, what really has me hooked is the strong bond these guys are forming. I absolutely love their relationship.
What he was afraid of, he'd come to realize, was not dark spaces or falling from great heights or being buried alive. His greatest fears, in the end, were letting down those he loved and saying the words "I love you" without any hope of hearing them in return.
And I can't wait to see where they go from here. I cannot recommend these books enough. Excellent writing!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!
No less than 5 STARS
My pics...
Ty Grady
Zane Garrett
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4.5*
Re-read 20th April 2018
While I originally read this back in 2011 I’ve never actually reviewed it until now.
The first chapter is one I always remember and chapter 3 is where I fully rediscover exactly why I love these books so much. Ty takes Zane to West Virginia to meet his family and the conversation and easy humour pulled me straight back in.
I love Chester and his shovel, Ty’s brother Deuce and the whole Grady clan, although reluctantly at times where Earl is concerned.
As always with these guys they can’t catch a break and their easy vacation turns into something else entirely.
A shout out to Ty’s T.shirts again.
“Schitt Creek Paddle Co”
And so it’s straight onto Fish & Chips for me now. -
4,5 WANTING MORE stars!
I don't need to say a lot. It is the second sequel of the Cut & Run series and if you have already read the first book there is no way you can go past this one.
I have already my favorite M/M-Genre-guys. But Zane and Ty are almost as good as my Vadim and Dan.
It is impossible NOT to fall in love with them!
They are a perfect team, the perfect partners for each other, they are without any hesitation one of the best if not the best mm-couple, and the second book in the series was a best proof for it.
Three-week vacation for Zane and Ty!
Hiking in West Virginia! WOW!
As I have read it I prepared myself for the nightly hot conversations with a lot of campfire romanticisms and a healthy portion of the good sex scenes!
What have I got:
♥ I got to know the Ty's family and where he was grown up.
♥ I have to reduce my expectations for a lot of hot actions to a minimum because they went on the trail not alone but in the company of Ty's Dad and his brother Deuce.
♥ Bad guys who came across the WRONG hikers.
♥ Dangerous and serious consequences with wildlife encounters in the mountains.
♥ A healthy portion of suspense.
♥ Great steamy moments...
♥ They need a really good vacation after this one!!!...ALONE!
And without anything that reminds them of their JOB!!!!
♥♥♥♥♥ I.WANT.MORE!!!!♥♥♥♥♥
Run on the next book!!!! -
Ty and Zane have been relegated to desk duty for the past six months, and they're seriously chafing at their restraints. Unsurprisingly, this shows in their psych evals, especially Zane's. So their boss very kindly forces them to go on vacation to Ty's home town. An excellent opportunity for Zane to see that Ty's craziness runs in the family. For maximum impression, a bit of dangerous hiking is added, with a generous serving of therapeutic chatting courtesy of Ty's psychiatrist brother. Just a bit of Grady family hospitality.
The story itself didn't impress me too much. There's a lot of hiking, hiding their relationship from the parents (the brother has a 6th sense), and getting pissed off at Ty's authoritarian father. A far cry from the action-packed investigating of the prequel, but we can't have it all.
On the plus side, there's a ton of character development to be had, along with some important changes in Ty and Zane's relationship, even with their relatively sparse interaction. Plus Ty's family's idiosyncrasies are hell'a funny. In a, you know, these people should be certified kind of way.
"It's not that weird. I sleep with a gun," Zane said with a shrug, though he was bemused. "You used to sleep with any number of weapons. Why not a shovel?" He paused and bit his lip. "What kind of damage can he do with that thing?"
"Broke my nose when I was fifteen," Ty answered with a fond smile. "He can hit a snake from ten yards away. Moving target's iffy since his eyesight started going," he added seriously.
Score: 3/5 stars
Not quite at binging level, but there's noticeable improvement in the writing and the character development fronts. Also, Deuce is brilliant and should feature more prominently in future books.
All in all: the series shows definite promise.
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Review of book 1:
Cut & Run -
05/20/2024 reread
It looks like Ty and Zane are one of those couples that attract danger anywhere they go, and they manage to save the day! My favorite kind of couple. When the book started with vacation I wondered to myself:"What could possibly happen in the woods?" Well, boys did sure have themselves a VACATION!!!
But first, I want to say how much I loved the Grady family, well, most of them. Earl Grady is in the dog house! The gall of the man!!! But Chester Grady! Oh wow, he is one of those family members each family must have - he is so funny! I loved Deacon and Mara too! I hope they will feature in the coming books more.
The danger that the boys find themselves in this time is not official, it takes a lot of courage and lack of common sense to get out of this pickle. There were moments when I doubted they even could get out. But never have I doubted that something serious and lasting was developing between Ty and Zane. Even in danger and hurt they still looked out for each other, even seeing each other at their worst it could not stop them from trusting and leaning on each other even more than before.
I loved the last chapter. Ty was so shy and endearing. *sigh* And Zane it seemed was in the right place to start putting himself back together to be the man he was always supposed to be. I am so looking forward to their adventures! I highly recommend it! -
My, my, my.
I think I might have liked this one a teeny, tiny bit more than the first book. I guess it is true what everyone says, it does gets better and better.
I love Zane and Ty.
I want more Ty and Zane.
There will never be enough of these two.
You can quite literally write a whole book of them just sitting around doing nothing and I would still read it. I have caught onto the Zane and Ty fever y'all. And I ain't regretting nothing. The only thing I regret is that I didn't caught onto this train sooner
*wink*
Anyways. While I enjoyed this book, it feels like nothing is really going on in this one. I'm not complaining. It's nice to be able to get to know Ty's family and see Ty and Zane's relationship grow, but at the same time, it kinda feels as if a lot of things are going on all at once, but then again, it feels as if nothing is really actually progressing. I don't know. This book kinda feel more like an intermezzo, like a novella, rather than a full novel if you get what I mean
I love Ty's family, all but that one motherfucker Earl . That man is so annoying sometimes I feel like I want to go into the book and strangle him myself. There are all kinds of love in the world, and Earl is supposedly the definition of #toughlove. But man, that ain't no tough love. He's the epitome of that one dumb character in the book who has too much pride, yet not enough brain to back it up and the only reason he has the sway that he did was because he was a senior.
Like no.
Things don't work like that, Earl . Not to mention, this man went around and apologize to quite literally everyone but Ty. Like bitch? Ty was the one who was truly hurt from what Earl's dumbass self said and yet Earl could not swallow down his big-ass pride to apologize face to face?
Shoo satan. Get away from my precious babies.
Other than that, I have no complaints. As a lot of you know by now, I'm pretty much trash for Ty and Zane. So I mean
Please bear with my fangirling self for a little bit longer?
Blog:
I write reviews on my blog too! :D -
Reread in January 2022: It's funny - this second reread gave me a whole new sense of this book in the series. Yes, it's an epic hike up a mountain complete with armed bad-guys, armed good guys, and a huge animal. But it's also a very small story - a story of the Grady family and Deuce and Ty's upbringing.
I love the little nuances of Ty's love for his mother ("Zane wondered if Ty was a mama's boy ... and thought maybe so. Not that he would ever voice that opinion to Ty until he was good and ready to die. He supposed, though, with a father was imposing as Earl Grady seemed to be, his sons would need a protective and loving mother.") as well as the dynamic between the two Grady brothers. And grandfather Chester and his shovel. ("Grandpa fought in the Pacific Theatre in WWII .... Grandma always said he came home with a shovel and never put it away. [...] We always figured something broke up there .... the shovel made him feel ... whole.")
it's like a little bit of the curtain has been drawn up, revealing a little bit about Ty .... but Zane remains a mystery. A totally badass, savant-level number crunching mystery.
Reread in March, 2020: And yes, I still love this book and think it's pretty goddamn epic. I liked it even better upon rereading because it brings Ty's personality into better focus and gives us such a good sense of his upbringing ... which explains a lot. Chester Grady is a great character! 5 stars.
Read in 2015:
Sticks & Stones is goddamn epic. End of review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews -
If you're a fan of m/m romantic thrillers, then you can't beat the writing pair of Urban and Roux for incredible fiction, and in Sticks & Stones, the sequel to one of my favorite reads of 2009, Cut & Run, the irresistible and at times irascible FBI Special Agents Zane Garrett and Ty Grady are back with a vengeance. They're still toting around all sorts of personal and professional baggage and struggling with the aftereffects of a case that nearly killed them both, not to mention struggling with their relationship with each other, and yet - thanks to incredible writing and exquisitely detailed characterization - this second book drives home just how amazing a read can be when you transcend the idea of character and plot and start to experience in a profound way these two men's lives.
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![moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1645500038i/37448930._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
4.5 stars ☆
“I don’t know,” Ty said. “I don’t know if I love him or not. I think… I think I could if he let me,” he said, admitting more to Deuce than he’d even been willing to admit to himself.
i loved Ty’s family so much!! i kinda had a love/hate relationship with Earl but, at the end of the day, i do believe he means well. he’s just the type of father who shows tough love so it can be hard to tell sometimes his love for Ty and Deuce but, deep down, i know he loves them in his own way.
