As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Unexpected

by RB Bartels

Unexpected - RB Bartels - Texas Sterling
Part of the Texas Sterling series:
Editions:Paperback: $ 14.95
ISBN: 9781960371089
Size: 6.00 x 9.00 in
Pages: 290

Wyl Sterling, ranch owner, and retired Marine, is persuaded by his brother Walt to return to college at 40. There he meets Dr. Rod Sterling in his first class. Each man is immediately attracted to the other, but societal barriers and personal internal struggles prevent them from expressing their feelings for each other. An unexpected kiss derails their budding friendship, but Walt encourages Wyl to pursue Rod. They reconcile, and as their relationship deepens, they face threats from an anti-gay ex-Marine buddy of Wyl’s and a tragic accident that takes Walt. As if that wasn’t enough, Walt’s ex-wife Mitzi surfaces, threatening the ranch. Will their past challenges drive them apart permanently? Can Mitzi succeed in her plan to take the ranch? Will Dusty’s tirade push Wyl back into the closet?

Excerpt:

Wyl’s deep, resonant voice captivated me. During his intro, his eye caught mine as he shared words I missed. Nervous when he stood, he eased into his talk and turned in each direction to focus on each student in the room. If he remained as nervous as when I first noticed him seated in the back corner, it either vanished or he covered it. As he spoke, the long braid down his back showed. This guy pushed all my buttons…waking those buttons I thought long dormant. Damn, I longed to know him on a personal level. But college policy forbids faculty/student relationships. Besides, a man as handsome as Wyl Sterling is no doubt straight. He no doubt enjoys a beautiful wife and a couple of kids. I’m not about to hit on a married straight guy. It would be a long time before I could trust another man, handsome or not.

About the Author

Award-winning Texas author. Born and raised in the Lone Star State. Reading (and listening to audiobooks) is one of my favorite pastimes, especially gay romance. I live in the beautiful Texas Hill Country northwest of San Antonio with my precious little dog Missy. I'm retired, but I went back to work because I got bored. I am a widower (my husband of 20 years passed in 2004) who is surrounded by good friends and good times. I spend many hours laptop-in-lap working on my next book. I hope you enjoy the fruits of my labors.

My novel Red Truck (just published) placed third in the 27th annual writing contest of the San Antonio Writers Guild. My novel Husker (yet unpublished) placed second in the San Antonio Romance Authors Emma Merritt contest in 2016, and my novel Classmates (yet unpublished - due out Summer 2023) placed third in that same contest.

I have one published non-fiction book for which I was a co-author: "How the Internet of Things Is Changing Our Colleges, Our Classrooms, and Our Students" (Rowman & Littlefield, 2019), and one short story, "Use By", published in SoUneque magazine, Winter 2021 edition.