Stars & Stripes (Cut & Run) [Kindle Edition]

Abigail Roux (Author)

Book Description

Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett have managed the impossible: a few months of peace and quiet. After nearly a year of personal and professional turmoil, they're living together conflict-free, work is going smoothly, and they're both happy, healthy, and home every night before dark. But anyone who knows them knows that can’t possibly last.

When an emergency call from home upsets the balance of their carefully arranged world, Ty and Zane must juggle family drama with a perplexing crime to save a helpless victim before time runs out.

From the mountains of West Virginia to a remote Texas horse ranch harboring more than just livestock and childhood memories, Ty and Zane must face their fears—and their families—to overcome an unlikely enemy and bring peace back into their newly shared world.

Product Details

• File Size: 565 KB
• Print Length: 294 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 193755158X
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Riptide Publishing (August 11, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B008WNVJNO
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,247 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolute Favorite of the Series August 12, 2012

By Quillen-Gesell

Format:Kindle Edition

*SPOILERS!!!!*

I've said in other reviews that my expectations change with each book in the Cut & Run series. This is book 6 and I keep expecting the quality to decrease, as I've experienced in several other series.

I really need to learn my lesson because Stars & Stripes has easily replaced Sticks & Stones as my favorite book in the series.

I took my time to read and enjoy it. I don't speed through and skim it for the bits I like, I read word for word and there is SO much that you'll miss by rushing through it. The dialog and emotions that are portrayed are really gripping and worth the experience.

Ty travels home over the weekend to help his parents repair a shed and he takes Zane with him. While there he and Zane are outed in an intensely emotional scene that has become my favorite in the book. I could feel Ty's fear radiating through the pages and the entire moment is so gripping that I found myself already rereading it again before I could continue. I loved how Deuce always knows the right thing to do.

While in West Virginia, Zane gets a call that his dad has been shot and he decides to return home. We learn that he has a decent relationship with his dad and sister but it's his mom that causes tension. Extreme tension.

Ty makes a trip to Texas to surprise Zane. Soon Zane admits to his relationship with Ty and word quickly spreads. This is the first time that we really experience what it would be like to have Ty and Zane live openly as a couple. Most people are okay with it and just relieved to see Zane happy. Of course, others aren't okay and we also get to see what kind of harassment they'll run into.

While trying to solve how and why his dad was shot, they realize that a big cat sanctuary nearby is losing cats and they suspect poachers are the ones responsible for the shooting. The case is just enough to provide mystery and suspense but Ty and Zane's relationship is what the book is really about, IMO. I noticed that as their relationship becomes more stable the more each book becomes about them. They both are willing to give up so much for the other and it was just wonderful to experience that with them. We also get an awesome climax and I'm relieved that everything worked out as I hoped.

There are some funny moments but nothing lame and I'm relieved to say that this is definitely not a comedy book. There's also some angst and plenty of drama and fluff. There's plenty of hurt Ty moments and protective Zane.

There's also another hint at how different Ty was in the marines. One book mentioned how much Ty missed being a real bada** and in Stars & Stripes Mark comments on how different (and crazier) Ty use to be. I'm definitely interested in hearing more about that. I love how the author resolves some issues and brings up new ones.

The biggest surprise, to me, is how seriously Zane thinks about marriage and even the potential of future kids. I could never picture it at first but the interaction between Ty and Sadie just stole my heart. I still don't expect kids any time soon but the prospect of marriage is sounding extremely appealing. I also expect Zane to get Ty a little kitty in the future!

I feel compelled to provide at least one thing I didn't like about every book I review. In Stars & Stripes the only thing I didn't like is a matter of personal taste and it didn't affect my rating at all. For me, the love scenes were a little too down and dirty but I know most fans will love it. I really liked the feelings and emotions connected to love scenes like in Armed & Dangerous. In Stars & Stripes the boys had been separated for several days, though, so a heated reunion is only to be expected. It's also clear that it's not a regular thing. With the same two men in nine books, of course the love scenes will have to change in order to stay original. So I'm not complaining and this isn't a criticism, simply something of personal taste and certainly nothing major to affect the score.

Stars & Stripes is Abigail's second solo Cut & Run book and the first under a new publisher. I'm extremely pleased with this addition and I'm both looking forward to the next book yet dreading the end to this wonderful series.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! August 12, 2012

By Center

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I cannot begin to express how much I loved this book. If you are a fan of the series, you will not be able to put it down. While different than past books in the series, I actually enjoy the fact that the books are not formulaic. THere's great romance and humor in this one. The relationship gets the most attention, dealing with issues of coming out and being openly gay. Also, there is one scene in this book that is one of the hottest I've ever read.

I've read a couple of reviews which expressed disappointment that the action was not as high octane as in previous books and that Ty is more mellow in this one. I appreciated the book, their relationship, and their growth so much in this latest installment BECAUSE of how much angst we witnessed in the previous ones. I felt exhausted for Ty and Zane at the end of A&D and wished them some much earned peace. And while the peace was shortlived, I was ECSTATIC that readers get to witness their confidence growing in their relationship in this book, rather than reading that it happened in a few short paragraphs. As for Ty being a bit more mellow, to me that just shows his own growth and happiness in being in love and loved back. Considering how convinced he was that his heart was going to be broken in S&S1 and F&C, it was great to see him enjoy his relationship with Zane so much. These books chronicle an epic journey, and it's a pleasure to read about it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best in the Series October 30, 2012

By xxsewnlipsxx

Format:Paperback

I read it in a day I was so excited. I took in every word, even re-read a few parts that I really liked. If you're a fan of the first five, don't miss out on this one. It's quickly becoming my favorite. Ty is just the best in this, and Zane's family is really quite interesting! Abigail Roux did a fantastic job with this book, and I'll be waiting anxiously for the next one.

More About the Author

Abigail Roux was born and raised in North Carolina. A past volleyball star who specializes in pratfalls and sarcasm, she currently spends her time coaching middle school volleyball and softball. Any spare time is spent living and dying with every Atlanta Braves and Carolina Panthers game of the year. Abigail has a little girl they call Boomer, four rescued cats, one dog, a certifiable extended family, and a cast of thousands in her head.