Genre: Western, Romance, Historical
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
Get It On Amazon
About The Book
Nathaniel knows that he is not the blushing bride-to-be for which the newspaper was advertising, but it is 1877 and he is desperate for a way to move to the frontier and start a new life.
What he finds is Jamie Landry, a farmer not expecting a spouse to arrive by train, let alone for the bride to be a groom. But Nat makes himself useful in the kitchen of Jamie’s Kansas farm, finding an outlet for his love of domesticity and beauty. He also finds something unexpected in Jamie, the quiet, sincere, and handsome man who has Nat’s fate in his weatherbeaten hands.
Thrown together, will Jamie and Nat find a way to live – and love – on the open range?
The Review
Nathaniel Smith has learned about a certain opportunity, through an ad for a “wife.”
He has also learned many things about Jamie Sylvester. A thirty-year-old farmer, Jamie spends summers on the cattle trails across the Great Plains. He’s originally from Louisiana, and his father died in the war and his mother remarried. He moved far away – to the end of Kansas. He has two good friends, Henri and John. John has been trading letters with Nathaniel.
When Nathaniel arrives at the station, he notices one man left at the station. John is frantic as he looks for the young lady that didn’t arrive. Nathaniel approaches John and explains who he is. He also pleads his case – that he can do just as much as a “wife” can. He was taught to sew, cook, and clean house, and he’s just not that good at men’s work. He apologizes to John for lying to him, but it was a chance he had to take.
John decides they will just have to work it out, and takes Nathaniel with him to the homestead, with its three houses. Already waiting to welcome the new wife are Henri, Inge, Maggie and Jamie.
Jamie is shocked when he finds out what’s going on, and an argument breaks out. Will poor Nathaniel ever find a place where he truly belongs?
Augusta Connor has penned a short but sweet story of the 19th century, and a man who wants to find a place where he’s comfortable and accepted. Nathaniel learns about the others, and the special connection that they all have. Although, he’s happy with his situation, he just isn’t sure how Jamie feels about their companionship. He misses Jamie when he’s gone, but he questions himself and the choice he made.
I liked Nathaniel’s character. I felt sorry for him but he made himself an important factor in the others lives. He used the knowledge that he had to make a great home life for himself.
This is the first time I’ve read a story by Augusta Connor. You Be The Flower is the story of different people who come together to build a family, where they can be their true selves. It’s a cozy read with a little sadness, the dangers farm life, budding friendships, different types of love, and so much more. I recommend this for anyone who likes entertaining short stories.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
