Modern Adventure Novels That Are Worth Reading

The final installment in the <i>Stallions and Studs</i> series sees wrangler and riding instructor Rio Cody enjoying the single life. He can -- and often does -- have a different guest in his bedroll every night. Despite the urgings of fellow ranch hands, most of whom have found partners, Rio sticks to his motto of “monogamy is monotony.”<br><br>However, Rio’s resolve to stay foot-loose is severely tested when he locks horns with New York college student, Mark Wembley, at a local Quarter Horse show. Mark is not at all Rio’s type, and he’s a pain in the butt to boot. Rio returns to his job at the gay dude ranch and manages, mostly, to put Mark out of his mind.<br><br>What happens when Mark shows up at Stallions and Studs as a guest and Rio is forced to face the fact that despite all his efforts to the contrary, he finds himself having feelings for Mark? Will Rio dig in his boot heels and continue to ride life’s trails alone, or will Mark do what no other man has, rein in Rio?

Harry Lennon and Zeke Hodge spent many wonderful years together, but five years ago, Harry made the grim decision to admit his life-partner to a permanent housing facility at Saint Keller’s Nursing Home for the Aging. Riddled with Alzheimer’s, Zeke barely recognizes Harry anymore. As he tries to help Zeke recall small occurrences in the forty-two years they shared together, Harry wrestles with his worst fear: watching his partner slowly deteriorate in front of him.<br><br>During Zeke’s last months at Saint Keller’s, Harry notices his partner gradually slipping away. Zeke grows more violent and disruptive with the orderlies, and becomes a stranger with whom Harry cannot identify. When Harry succumbs to one of life’s harsh realities, what reason can he find to keep living?

Jesse Cisneros and his best buddy Tanner fly for Mile High Airlines, which is every bit as classy as it sounds. When Dr. Willis rings his call light on a flight from New York to Denver, Jesse is so taken with the good doctor’s looks and charm, he forgets all about the inflight medical crisis that prompted him to call for a flight attendant in the first place. Willis is handsome. Willis is helpful. And wouldn’t you know it? Willis is someone else’s husband.<br><br>Jesse can hardly believe his luck when their paths cross again on the patio of a popular gay bar. It’s been nine months, and Willis has been busy: now he’s single, he’s out, and he’s <i>very</i> interested in getting to know Jesse better. It all seems too good to be true! And you know what they say about that ...