Genre: Contemporary
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Harlan is only in Vegas for two nights for his brother’s wedding. His parents want Harlan married, too, and not to a man. What would people say?
Not that Harlan cares. He doesn’t like most people, and he enjoys making sure they dislike him in return. He can play nice long enough to finalize a contract or get laid, what more does he need? He definitely doesn’t need a date with his smart-mouthed waiter.
But he wants one. Maybe more than one.
The Review
Whiskey and Salt is a short, sexy read, but there’s more to it! Mere Rain brings Harlan and Apolo together to make a very entertaining story.
Harlan is thirty, has a law degree and owns his own brokerage firm. He’s made his fortune without any help. He doesn’t rely on anyone but himself, doesn’t care to make friends, and is most definitely not into commitments. One-offs work fine for him. He says what he feels and doesn’t hold back. His parents and brother think they can just run his life but Harlan doesn’t let them rule him.
After the Las Vegas wedding rehearsal for his brother, Harlan goes in search of an out-of-the-way bar. He’s had it with the unsupportive family confrontations. He finds a bar and is ready to just get wasted, but little does he know he’s about to meet his match.
The young waiter, Apolo, holds his own when it comes to Harlan’s snarky and brash comments, and it becomes a competition between them.
Harlan doesn’t realize what potential Apolo has. He’s a hard worker, with two jobs putting himself though college a little at a time. When Harlan propositions him, he’s up for the challenge.
This is my first read by Mere Rain and even though it’s a quick one, it is well written and brings out the right amount of emotion and family drama to let us understand Harlan’s feelings. As for Apolo he was just a fun, easy going but very smart character, and I loved him. Rain makes it easy to read so much more into her characters with her writing.
As sexy as Whiskey and Salt is, Harlan and Apolo hold this story together with their different personalities. They are really likable – snarky, prickly, abrasive, or whatever you choose to call it – but never physically or mentally abusive to each other. Harlan’s plans for revenge actually benefit Apolo with a severance package.
Apolo is not naive or whiny, and knows how to take care of himself. He has friends, something that Harlan doesn’t.
And although the author doesn’t express every thought or feeling of her characters, we see Harlan slowly start to change.
Well done – I really enjoyed this tale!
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.
