Sticks and Stones

Title: Sticks and Stones
Author: Madeleine Urban & Abigail Roux
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Publisher URL: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/

ISBN: 978-1-61581-383-4
Genre: {M/M}, Contemporary, Mystery
Rating: 5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Critter Nymph

Back at the FBI after their last and first big case together, Zane and Ty are trying to move on. When the men are forced to take some time off, they end up in West Virginia. What should have been a nice couple of weeks with Ty’s family soon turns into the vacation from hell. Will the men be able to survive this time or is their relationship finally coming to an end?

Let’s get the big question out of the way first. YES, you do have to read Cut and Run, the first book in the Cut and Run series, before you can read Sticks and Stones. There is too much history between Zane and Ty for a reader to come into the sequel cold. The past these men share plays heavily into their relationship. In fact, their last case has had such an effect readers will wonder if they have a chance to survive as a couple. The authors do such a wonderful job bringing these men to life that I could not put this story down. Zane and Ty, who are forced into taking a vacation, head to West Virginia where we get to meet Ty’s family. This gives the reader a look into Ty’s life and explains why he is the way he is. This forced vacation also serves to bring the men closer together. While both are still afraid of the L word, in Sticks and Stones, the authors have moved the men from being friends with benefits to lovers. The many secondary characters enrich this story, as well. Whether it’s coming from Deacon or some other family member, the snappy dialog will cause the occasional chuckle and the way the brothers react to their father screams military upbringing. Many times Ty’s grandpa almost steals the scene, especially when the garden hose gets involved. I was also intrigued by Zane’s reaction to Ty and his family. I hope in future stories we will get to meet Zane’s family and, therefore, come to understand what makes him tick as well.

As the vacation moves from a peaceful one to the one from hell, the action and adventure will keep you glued to the book. Several times, while reading, I thought this would make one hell of a movie as the action keeps going and going. As this story comes to an end, and with a hint of the next chapter in Zane and Ty’s life, authors Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux will not only leave the reader satisfied but waiting for more.