Title and Link: Stars & Stripes
Author: Abigail Roux
Cover Artist: L.C. Chase
Publisher URL: Riptide Publishing
Amazon Buy Link
Genre: Contemporary M/M, Action/Adventure
Length: Novel/99K words/275 pages
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
Review Summary: Ty’s and Zane’s romance blooms, but not before some really scary felines make Ty their love interest. However I thought that the action and adventure were not at the usual high octane level.
THE BLURB
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.
THE REVIEW
It’s been a few months since Armed & Dangerous ended and Ty’s & Zane’s personal relationship has evolved – a lot, as they are now living together. Their cover story is that they are shacking up because they’re sharing the cost of Ty’s mortgage. I thought it was very funny that they were hiding their sexual relationship in plain view of their colleagues and friends, having public displays of affection apparently with no concern about being seen, and going home every night to take care of — and get ravished by! — their house guests, Julian Cross’s two cats, Smith & Wesson. In the midst of all this love and togetherness Ty’s mother calls to tell him that she had cut off Earl’s (his father’s) pinky finger, [probably more by design than accident] 
and she needed his help to repair the roof of the shed since Earl couldn’t do it with his injury. He and Zane rushed to West Virginia to do her bidding, only to walk into some fireworks as Ty’s best kept secret is exposed innocently by the least likely person. Ty ends up with a broken hand and Earl with a black eye after the fisticuffs were over, while the “innocent” exposer remains ignorant of the deed — or maybe not.
No sooner had the excitement abated that Zane’s sister Annie phoned to tell him his father had been shot, so he took off for the family ranch in Texas leaving Ty all by himself, something neither man could tolerate even for a few days, so Ty showed up at the ranch a week later. When they investigated the shooting, which seemed on the surface to be tied to a simple poaching operation, it turned into something much bigger involving some big cats on an exotic animal sanctuary.
In Stars & Stripes Ty’s & Zane’s relationship is even more romantic and caring than what it was in book 5. If you’re a fan of the series mainly because of the romance you’ll be very happy with this book because the guys can’t stay away from each other. However, on the action /adventure front, although there is a lot of shoot-em-up action at the end, the sustained, non stop action and adventure throughout the story, a series trademark since the beginning that I call “action/adventure on speed,” with lots of tension and chills and thrills, were not as evident.
I felt that the tone of this book was quite different and the pace was much slower than most of the others in the series. This is a seismic shift from the norm of an incredible action/adventure series starring two competitive Special Agents who fell in love with each other over the course of several books, and tried to balance their professional and budding personal relationships. I loved how Ty and Zane disliked each other initially in Cut & Run and worked their way through their combative professional relationship to eventually fall in love. They had always been fiercely loyal to each other but Ty was unpredictable, high strung, short tempered, acerbic and irascible and I never knew when he would react physically to something Zane said or did. I miss the flawed, snarky, tough as nails Special Agent who took offence at almost everything and everyone. I enjoyed the oneupmanship in Ty’s and Zane’s friendship and the way they kicked each other’s butt, but most of this seems to be missing here. Ty changed from a tiger who growled at any slight, imagined or real, to someone who went with the flow and sometimes even took it on the chin when he was insulted, which didn’t seem consistent with his character. Zane’s character did evolve a bit but he remained basically the same temperamentally as he was always the more easy going of the pair. Best of all he was no longer stressed and his alcoholism was a thing of the past as he moved on from grieving about his dead wife Becky and committed himself fully to Ty.
If I seem to be dwelling a lot on Ty that’s because IMO he became a different person from the character in Cut & Run, Divide & Conquer and Sticks & Stones. In Stars & Stripes he’s too laid back, mellow and passive. I expect characters to grow and change, especially in a series, but their basic personality should remain the same. Here Ty seems to have lost his edge, something that made him so much fun as he got into trouble and fights at the drop of a hat and didn’t seem to care that he was pissing off everyone. I also miss the conflict and excitement in Ty’s & Zane’s relationship, as everything is too perfect between them in Stars & Stripes and all the conflict is external.
Although Stars & Stripes has the usual shoot ‘em up violence at the end of the book, in my assessment the plot was not as strong as the other books in the series, but of course that could be because my expectations were so high. It’s tough to maintain the excitement in a series and keep all the balls in the air. The perpetrators here weren’t the high rollers we’ve seen in other books (and none too bright, either! ), and there was no opponent of the stature of a Julian Cross capable of outwitting Ty & Zane and taking things up several notches to edge-of-your-seat excitement. In addition, the real action didn’t get going until about more than half way into the book, which is a change from the previous books that started off with a bang and kept on accelerating like a runaway train.
This has been a tough review to write because, as all of you know, I absolutely adore this series and the characters. The writing is always excellent and Abi Roux did her usual great job as the one liners and zingers kept on coming. In terms of the new characters, I loved Zane’s sister Annie and his father Harrison; his mother Beverly was so well drawn I felt like smacking her. I can’t wait for the next book to see where the story arc is headed. Most fans of the series will enjoy Stars & Stripes because of the focus on Ty’s & Zane’s romantic relationship. Action/adventure fans, however, may feel that this aspect of the book was not as high octane as in previous books, although there were some exciting moments, including those with Ty and his favourite feline. The sex was probably hotter in this book as our heroes took full advantage of their down time together. Loved Ty’s Stetson action. 
I don’t know how much longer this series will continue as we seem to have reached a crossroad in book 6, but I look forward to the next adventures of my favourite Special Agents.
Highly recommended.
10% of the author’s first-quarter royalties for this title will be donated to the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Boyd, TX. To learn more about the important work the IEAS does, please visit their website at http://www.bigcat.org/
Hey Wave, great review. I’m kind of looking forward to the slow down in pace. This woman can write her butt off and I so look forward to anything she puts out. As long as Ty doesn’t turn into Mr. Hyde I can deal with the softer aspects of his personality. I love strong character development moreso than high octane action. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy my large dose of testosterone as much as any red-blooded woman, I just like a change of pace every once in a while. Looking forward to devouring this one.
Hi Deedles
I started reading this series after being dragged kicking and screaming to Cut & Run and it set the standard for me for the series except for the head hopping in that book and the overload on fighting. Now we have moved the yardstick all the way into the other direction.
Since Cut & Run the adrenaline has been on overload and I absolutely loved the excitement of the guys’ many adventures and their fights and make-up sex, as well as the development of their personal relationship.
In this book there are no fights between Ty & Zane and everything is so “comfortable” they are like an old married couple. But what I noticed above all was the incredible change in Ty’s character. This change actually started in Armed & Dangerous but the introduction of Julian Cross as basically Ty’s adversary (although he wasn’t the murderer,) worked as a foil by not allowing Ty to move too much into being too sentimental and mushy, although there was some of that.
Ty’s character in S & S is not the Ty I have come to know and love – and I do absolutely love him. (He’s my favourite character in the series). Now I wonder who is this person pretending to be Ty.
I think you will enjoy this book because of the focus on the romance even though there is a fair amount of action/adventure as well.
If anyone had asked me, I would have said I was in this series for the action and adventure, but I enjoyed this one a lot more than the previous one so I think I must be in it for the romance.
Hi Kim
As you said, you probably (unknowingly) were into the series because of the romance since you enjoyed S & S more than A & D, and maybe even the other books. Everyone has different reasons why they like this series and I’m happy that S & S came up to your expectations.
Even though I am in Southern California for work, I made time to read this and now for a quickie review before I head out to meet my peeps for a stroll around Harbor Drive in San Diego.
First, while I did like this installment – and I did, don’t let the rest of my words indicate otherwise – I didn’t love it. I mentioned in my mini-review of (and comments on) Armed & Dangerous that my hope is that Abi knows where to stop and for it to stop on a high note. I am fearful that I won’t get my wish based on this book.
Actually, Wave and I are in almost complete agreement about the whys. For me, the biggest issues were the seeming change in Ty’s core character, the “I can’t stop looking at/thinking about/touching you” Ty/Zane so-in-love interaction, and the lack of action that the previous stories contained. Like Wave, I was drawn in by the action in Cut & Run, stayed because of that aspect (as well as their growing (but back-burner focus on), tension-laden relationship), and that action was lacking here for most of the book. I’ll add that a) I found several continuity issues, both within this story and compared to other stories, which drew me out of Stars & Stripes, b) I felt the writing was off compared to other books, including Abi’s solo effort with Armed & Dangerous (I’m not sure, in this quick mini-review, how to explain that well other than it felt rushed, but I’ll think about it and expand later), and c) I felt the arc is losing focus (and I am not sure where this series is going and if it should go anywhere at all). I also had some believability issues with the acceptance of them as both (generally) gay and as a couple, but to expand would be a spoiler.
But there is some great stuff going on here as well. I always enjoy spending time with Ty’s family, and here was no different (Chester is a hoot!). I liked meeting Zane’s family and enjoyed his father very much, but felt his mother was not multi-dimensional. I loved Barnum and am interested to see if he has any presence in further books. Once the action did come into play, I thought it was good (our boys with guns and knives is always good
). Now, in direct contraction of my statement above, I did like watching our heroes interact in love and being comfortable in a relationship (I just wish there wasn’t so much of it and there was some tension between them, but this is at least partially related to my feeling that Ty changed here).
This one, like Wave said, is very focused on Ty and Zane’s relationship, as well as the theme of family. If you are a romance-lover, this book will be for you; if you’re action/adventure-y kind of person, you may be a bit disappointed. While I do love a good romantic book, I think I am falling in the latter category simply because Abi (and Madeleine, of course) spoiled me with the rest of this great series.
I shared your believability issues with the acceptance, so I appreciated GR’s option to include it behind a spoiler tag.
I might’ve been able to accept all the rest of it if one character in particular had taken much, much longer to come around. I betcha can guess who I mean, but I explicated behind the spoiler tag on my GR review if you want more deets.
When you have more time, I’d love to hear more of your thoughts on how the writing was off compared to the others (including A&D, so it’s not a solo vs joint difference). I agree but have been struggling to articulate it, so I look forward to you doing it for me.
IE ate my comment so I had to start over.
First, stop boasting about being in San Diego – I love the city and envy you because I wish I were there. I’ve always longed to return.
Now on to the review and your comments.
Thank you for agreeing with me – we don’t always agree about books so this is a rare treat.
This was a really tough review to write because I love this series so much and especially Ty who is my favourite character. There was so much more I wanted to say but some of it would be spoilers, and anyway the review was long enough.
There is no doubt that the series has changed direction. Some readers love this new direction since A & D because there’s more of a focus on romance. From a marketing perspective that could be a good thing, since there are so many more romance readers around the world than there are for the other genres. While I love the romance in this book I thought it was over the top and not consistent with what seemed to be the direction of the series, but maybe this was the plan all along.
It doesn’t seem as if there’s a whole lot more to say about Ty & Zane so maybe there is an opportunity to end the series here, unless fans want more romance and family stuff. Of course the guys have been together less than a year, so we don’t know if there are future conflicts already being planned that they will have to weather and overcome before their HEA. Based on Zane’s comments he’s already envisaging a future with Ty tied with little red bows, and the family issue has been resolved, so there’s nothing standing in their way. I’m not sure what else there is other than to have them star in more and more adventures because their romance seems to be the forever kind.
One of the things I admired about Josh Lanyon was his decision to end Adrien English Mysteries after 5 books, on a very high note, even though the fans were clamoring “more, more, more.” Continuing any series with the same characters after book 6 requires new strategies and a rethinking of what the characters would be doing in future books in order to keep the fans’ interest alive and cooking.
As I said in the review I’m not clear about the story arc at this point and maybe if there’s one more book (I heard that there are 9 books planned) all will be explained.
Loved the family action, and as you said Chester is an incredible character.
When the guys went to Texas I had many believability issues around their almost universal acceptance as a gay couple. Also I thought that Earl’s acceptance of Ty was too easy. I had the same continuity issues as regards previous books, but I had to end the review when I did or it would be a book.
Notwithstanding my issues I did enjoy S & S very much – I just wished I knew this Ty. I guess we’ll find out what the future is for the series in due course.
I hate saying “me too” but I agree with pretty much everything Wave and Lynn said! In my GR review I talked about it being an issue of the honeymoon phase being far more exciting to live than to read about.
I also found myself thinking they seemed a little less Ty and Zane-like, but had trouble articulating how or why. I think Wave nailed it that it’s really that Ty was less Ty-like. Zane was a happy-Zane, which was wonderful to see.
In many ways, this book felt more like a series-finale to me than a mid-series book. Everything is just so lovey-dovey-happy-happy and neatly tied up. I’m very glad there are more books coming, because I always love to read about Ty and Zane! But I do kinda wonder how much more is left to say… (I can think of a few things, but none of them seem critical to get to HEA from where this book left off)
Hi Jess
There’s a way to do so in comments here but everytime Lynn tells me I forget. *Must check*
I read your GR review. Great job. That’s the advantage of being able to post spoilers.
It did seem like a series finale to me too because I kept thinking after I read it . What else is left for Ty & Zane to do re their personal relationship? Unless something comes unglued there’s nothing new, except maybe a wedding.
Then this series would become like those I don’t read – weddings, the white picket fence, the dog, and kids, something that’s already been discussed. 
When I get back to the room, I will test the hide spoiler code, which I don’t remember the tag offhand (I know! It’s inconceivable!). I’l update here about it.
P.S. loving San Diego, though it’s hot and humid. But luckily sweaty is SUCH a great look on me!
I loved this one, despite Ty getting more and more mushy and everything
Anyone know when/if the next book is out? This kinda felt like a finale, but I hope the 9 books she mentions on her site are still true
Hey Majken
The thing is, when a character changes so drastically it triggers the “believability” meter.
No information about the next book.
I’m hoping it won’t be for a while because I think some of the continuity issues might be because S & S was released just a few months after A & D. Fact checking is very important, especially for a series.
Yeah, it feels a bit like there’s a book missing to explain the new Ty, but I still enjoyed it a lot
Hey Wave – Really great job on the review. I know how tough it is to write one where the characters don’t feel quite themselves.
Thanks Tj. Writing a rah rah review is a lot easier than one that straddles the line. I tried to be fair and highlight all the positives as well as a few of the areas where I had some problems. I’m hoping this comes off as a balanced review.
I think one of the thing is, we met Ty when he was adrift through life alone the best he knows how. He hadn’t dealt with his demons much with his abilities to shake it off. Only that when he sleeps that all of those issues haunted him. I think all those things made his personalities that way when we first met him.
Now that Ty is happy. Now that Ty has someone to open up to, someone to help share the loads of his mind I supposed he mellowed out a bit. Also, Abigail mentioned that she realized that Ty love Zane like the abominable snowman love Bugs Bunny. Also that this is Ty first time being in love with another person and in a relationship with that person. His interactions with Zane are probably through rose-tinted filter right now.
I can’t wait for the next one.
I do agree with your comment, Pete. One of the things about the change in Ty I had said to Wave before was something along the lines of “I am trying to decide if we’ve been seeing a subtle shift in him — the him in love and comfortable, maybe the man behind the mask — as the series has progressed. There has been growth in him that way — a softening, which adds depth — but this goes beyond the beyond for me.” It was too big of a jump for me. I honestly miss the pain-in-the-ass Ty.
For me Tys Change was natural one. I thought this cute guy always was hidden in him and he now is able to share this side of him.
But I’m also not sure where the Series goes, so I really can’t wait for the next vol, because I’m a bit worried, after reading this book.
But I loved it, really, really loved it.
Hi Moni
Thank you for commenting. Ty’s personality made such a sudden shift that I was wondering what happened. People and characters do change, but to do so and make a 180 degree turn in the space of two books seems unusual.
As I said in the review I did love the book but maybe not as much as some of the others. Fans who are into this series more for the romance than for the adventure probably will love this book as much as I’m sure you did.
No one but the author knows if or when there will be another book. Let’s just enjoy this one.
Thank you for response. Go on with this site. It’s my favorite for looking up new books to read
Thanks Moni. We love to have discussions about books because everyone has a different opinion.
Yes, I really need to move this up! You make it sound awesome. Gah, I need more reading time!
You know you have no time for another series, Larissa. Who are you kidding?
However if you ever find yourself with an entire week or two to devote to reading this series should be on top of your list. 
I agree. I liked the book – and boy did I REALLY want to get some of Zane’s history and meet his family – but it’s not my utter favorite of the series. Not every book can be – and doing the whole/meet the family can slow things down. So I’m very glad Abi gave us family and a little action, so that’s not my quibble at all.
I’m a little worried about what will happen next – since this did feel like the end of a series where you tell the parents and plan the future. The nervouness: is ‘break up/make up’ next? That’s a plot device that I really, really hate.
Word.
I am such a FANGIRL!
I loved the book and I do not have a favorite in the series. 
I deeply respect the creators of this series for writing each book differently. Each of them have a different relational dynamic. Each of them have a different use of humor, and a different type of adventure.
The reason so many series are “cookie cutter” is so audiences get what they have come to love about the series in each book.
I have never seen this type of flexibility in Mainstream Romance. I love it. But yes, this book will have fans enjoying it but some will LOVE it and some will enjoy it.
I don’t see any reason to think Abi will stop switching things up now. I look forward to seeing what she will torture us with next!
Hey Reggie
Thanks for coming by.
As I said in the review, if you’re looking more for romance this will be your favourite book in the series.
I was really surprised, maybe shocked is a better word, at how much Ty’s character had changed. For some readers this is welcome, for me it’s unexplainable. Sure, characters, like people, do change and evolve as they should but it was the suddenness of Ty’s evolution that shocked me.
I do know that authors must experiment and tweak their characters because you wouldn’t want them to be stagnant, but usually a character doesn’t change so drastically in such a short time. Regardless, we now have a new Ty.
I did like this book or I wouldn’t have rated it 4.5 stars but I didn’t LOVE it.
Although S & S seems like the final book in the series the way that the romance was wrapped up, it’s quite possible that there could be as many as 3 or more adventures. I would be happy either way.
PS Thank heavens we are not all alike.
I read it, I mean I read the last chapter (don’t judge
) but will read every one of them eventually hehe, but I wanted to express my opinion about Ty’s supposed personality change anyway 
.
Even though I do not know what my opinion will be, I am torn about it. As you said characters grow and change, that is why I would not have been happy if Ty stayed the same guy who was snipping at Zane because of the barest possibility of the insult – real or imaginary. Having said that, there is change and there is change IMO. Remember Jake and Adam from Four corners? I think we can both agree that both of these guys changed by the time book ended. But I did not get the impression that any one of them got a personality transplant either. Does it make sense? I will be annoyed if I decide that Ty had a personality transplant, but if he is still the same guy who is just happy now because he has Zane in his life and does not need to be so angry and defensive about every small thing, I would be very happy.
Hi Sirius
(there’s got to be a way that I can remove the end of the book whenever you order one). 
After you finish S & H then tell me if you think Ty has had a personality transplant.
Why don’t you read the entire book rather than your usual
This is not the same as the guys in Four Corners who evolved after 5 years. This happened within a very short period of time and there’s no explanation for the 180 degree change. This started in A & D but to me it wasn’t as noticeable then because Julian Cross was an excellent foil for Ty who had to step up and be his usual self, for the most part.
Hey I had to make sure there is no cliffhanger ending. See I do have legit reason
. I will let you know absolutely.
You’re such a liar Sirius. You knew if there was a cliffhanger I would say so in the review. What’s your next excuse?
Eeeeeeh, I could not help myself? Oh, wait, no, I know, I know. I got the book before your review went live and I did not have the patience to wait for the review?
Yes, that must be it.
I will admit that this book has a different feel than the previous books. I think that is partly because there was not as much case work in this book as opposed to the others. There was very little time spent on it or figuring out the bad guys.
I think it is normal for a bit of personality shift or rather when alone with Zane, Ty is sweeter.
I like long series because you get to really know the character. It is like spending time with old friends. I hope that the series keeps on coming. With Ty and Zane’s cases on and off the job and just their wacky personalities I’d think their story is far from over.
I did like meeting more family in this book. It is always interesting to see how outside forces see them. Where i don’t think this was my favorite book I am still eagerly awaiting the next story. (i say think because i only read it once and sometimes change my mind about favorites on the next reread.)
Hi Tara
I definitely felt that Ty was not the same character and I wondered throughout S & S if the real Ty would ever stand up. There were many situations in the book where he acted uncharacteristically, even when he was insulted he never retaliated.
I understand that in some situations it wouldn’t have been a good move for him to do so, but the old Ty wouldn’t have cared.
Anyway it looks like I have to try to like this new Ty because the old one isn’t coming back.
Most series have a shelf life because after a while there’s nowhere for the characters to go and there are no more stories to be written. It seems to me that this story arc may have reached its zenith after S & S and it’s a not clear what’s next, if anything. You can only have so many adventures in any series without a clear focus.
However, I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough whether the series will continue.
Just finished this and loved it every bit as much as the previous 5 in the series.
(If any of the books have a slight edge for me, it’s Divide & Conquer, as Zane finally “got his numbers crunched” in that one, and how that all occurred).
For me, Ty and Zane have both come to the shifts in their behaviors quite organically over time. Past events in their lives have obviously molded them into who they are (with some not so pretty results), yet each man has been significantly calmed and settled by having embraced the other as such an important part of his life. I don’t see Ty as having changed much,it’s more that being with Zane has smoothed his edges and brought many qualities to the surface. And Ty has quite simply given Zane a reason to want to embrace living again.
I really enjoyed the family interactions and felt it was time for that, as well as to find out more about Zane’s background and how people were going to accept he and Ty as a couple. (Don’t want to get too spoilery over that…) Loved seeing Ty’s reactions to watching Zane go all Texan and conversely Zane’s reactions watching Ty do, well, anything
Quite honestly, their love, trust and admiration for each other had me giddy.
Look forward to finding out what Abi has in store for them. There is still much to be resolved and many adventures that could be waiting for them. I have a hunch about something….we’ll see if I’m right.
Highly doubt she would consider the “break up/make up” scenario though – not after 6 books worth of getting Ty and Zane to this point and so much other material with these two to work with.
On a shallow(?) note…..the sex?!!
Hi Dianne
Sorry for the late response but I was out last night and came home very late.
I can understand why you love this book so much. I read it twice before I wrote the review because I loved the romantic tone which sort of started in A & D, but it wasn’t as noticeable to me because of Julian Cross who put Ty on his mettle and was an excellent foil for him. When I read S & S the second time I realized what was different was that Ty had changed so much that to me he was almost unrecognizable. He was always my favourite MC because he was such a renegade and I loved that in him and the fact that he wasn’t the usual hero type. Now he seems tame and has lost his edge.
Of course characters must evolve, especially in a series, or they and the series become boring, same old same old. However, what shocked me was the 180 degree change in Ty because it wasn’t gradual. It was like all all of a sudden there was this new character and I wondered where Ty went.
As Majken said, it seemed as if there was a book missing to account for the drastic change in Ty’s personality and I tend to agree.
There were lots of high points in this book for me. I enjoyed seeing Zane and Ty in love without having to worry about the reactions of others although it was a stretch to see the level of acceptance in Texas of two gay men as partners – almost like Texas was gaytopia.
Meeting Zane’s family and getting to know his dad and his sister was great, as well as reconnecting with Deuce, Earl, Mara and Chester, which was a real treat. Chester slays me.
Obviously there was a lot that I enjoyed in S & S or I wouldn’t have rated it as 4.5 stars – I just didn’t love it as much as say, Divide & Conquer or Sticks & Stones.
This book seems almost like the last one in the series with all the relationship and family issues having been resolved. For me that wouldn’t be a bad thing (don’t beat me up)
since all series must end at some point because there’s only so many new adventures an author can dream up for her characters, and the guys seem to have reached their zenith in terms of their personal relationship and personal growth. I have followed a few series which went on way beyond their past due dates, and I hope this doesn’t happen here because, without a doubt, this is one of my favourites and it would pain me to say “it should have ended with book 6 when we’re at book 15.” I sure hope that if the series does continue there’s no break up/makeup scenario. I would stop reading it then.
Yes, the sex – I really enjoyed the role that Ty’s stetson played.
We all love different types of books or different aspects of the same book, which is what makes reading so exciting for everyone and it’s probably one of the best ways to escape from our ordinary lives. As you probably figured out, I love talking about books and debating likes/dislikes, genres, characterizations and everything in between. The best thing about this series is that you and I and so many others absolutely love it.
Have a wonderful day Dianne.
Hi Wave.
The discussion here is great and I always find it interesting to read people’s differing reactions to the same story! Hope you don’t mind if I ramble some more…
Love that you take the time to respond to everyone’s responses
I started a re-read of Cut & Run last night (hadn’t re-read it since before Fish & Chips) and due to unexpected waiting in a tire store this morning, am halfway through it. The re-read has only served to shore up my reaction that I just don’t see a 180 in Ty. For me, the S&S Ty is there in C&R – granted, mostly buried under lots of attitude and baggage- but he’s there.
At the risk of getting overly analytical, I realized that to me, despite the reader getting the thoughts of both men, this series is tipped towards being about Ty, and we are experiencing him and learning about him exactly from the moment that Zane is doing the same(The reader only meets Ty 30 minutes before Zane does). I’ve always felt a bit more of an affinity for Zane, and I think maybe it’s because as I’ve read the series, in my mind I have sort of taken on the role of Zane, and lived the experiences through him. LOL, I sound really whacky now! I do love my reading
As for disbelief of some scenarios? Um, maybe, but if I were going “there” with this series the guys should be dead 10 times over…so I’ll leave it at that!
Thanks again for this place to share
Isn’t it amazing that everyone’s opinion is different? We all have our own ideas about Ty in particular, and we really needed a Zane advocate. I now know that he’s your guy. Maybe you can ask him for a Stetson
I do love Zane because he’s so even tempered but he does get overshadowed by Ty a lot because Ty is such a volatile character. Maybe that’s why Abi toned him down. hmmm…..
I agree wholeheartedly about the believability issues, which started with Cut & Run. I once asked Abi how could these guys get shot up and run down so many times and still live.
I don’t recall her response but I’m sure it was vague.
For me, the S&S Ty is there in C&R – granted, mostly buried under lots of attitude and baggage- but he’s there.
I’ll have to re-read Cut & Run again to see if you’re right about Ty
and THEN I’ll challenge you. I just love talking about my favourite books and series.
I think what this boils down to is that so many of us (check out the comments) have such incredibly different ideas about Ty & Zane and the series that it would probably take several months to sort through our different opinions. We’re probably all WRONG but what fun to find out how far off we all were.
I just re-read the Ty & Zane interview on the site almost a year ago, and what a hoot. It is THE most popular interview and the number of hits and comments are in the stratosphere. I just love these guys, but I want my old Ty back Abi.
I’ll disagree. I enjoyed the book a great deal, although it left me a little off kilter for a bit. (I had to ponder it a bit).
This was about Ty and Zane as people. I think throughout the books we get glimpses of who Ty is under all the unpredictable snark. We see pieces of this from Cut & Run on, in scenes with Zane, with his family, his coworker’s and his boss. When he makes the comment in Stars and Stripes that Zane saved him, too, he says it all. We get a glimpse of who Ty was, and why, when Zane and he met in Cut & Run through Mark’s tale of Ty’s reputation and seeing him at Lejeune.
This book was about Zane, his past, family, his relationship with his Mother, old friends, Becky and growing up in wealth on a family ranch going back several generation’s. What went into making Zane. Something we Zane fans have been wanting, and there was the promise that a whole book would be about Zane.
As for Chester innocently letting the cat out of the bag? I don’t think that old coot does much ‘innocently’. I think it was the calculated move by an old man more firmly in control of his faculties than he lets people see–maybe to some extent he hides behind that facade of craziness. And I think he meant it for the best.
Hi Kelly
Thank you so much for stopping by. Another very different (and thoughtful) perspective about what this story is all about.
This was about Ty and Zane as people. I think throughout the books we get glimpses of who Ty is under all the unpredictable snark.
This book was about Zane, his past, family, his relationship with his Mother, old friends, Becky and growing up in wealth on a family ranch going back several generation’s.
Well put and I agree that all that is in the book and more, and it’s definitely not as much about Ty and Zane as Special Agents, but focuses on a different aspect of their lives. I do feel that S & S emphasizes a different Ty, a more loving and “settled” individual and I hope he doesn’t become dull. I thought that previously he was one of the most complex characters that I have ever encountered and he was always vibrant, unpredictable and never dull.
I love the emphasis on both families but Chester is my fave – he’s such an interesting character. Like you, I thought on the one hand it seemed as if he’d lost his mind and then you realize that he was pulling your leg all along and knew exactly what he was doing.
Definitely not crazy 
A month from now when we reread this book for the umpteenth time we’ll be struck by another anomaly
and will say to our online friends “WOW, I never saw that before” 
Like you, although I enjoyed the book it did leave me off kilter, but maybe for a different reason.
It’s me again. I just got this book thru amazon and I am half-way into it. So far I absolutely love it! It is wonderful how the same book can read so differently to different people. I love seeing everyone’s perspective. Now for my two cents. I have always seen Ty like this from the get go. It doesn’t feel like a sudden change to me. This part of his personality showed up in each book gradually building up to this. I was glad to see these two really show their love for each other without all the hang ups. To me this is progress. I would now like to see them having more conflicts from the outside and fewer from each other as they go forward. Boy did that sound pretentious! I love this site so much. It is fun to see who’s tastes and mine mesh and who’s doesn’t.
Hey Deedles
I hope you finished the book by now and are basking in the love and togetherness, with perhaps wedding bells in the future. As Lasha said, maybe a shotgun wedding?
I can’t say that I noticed the change in Ty’s personality until A & D where it was really obvious. Clearly, like Zane, Ty’s character evolved throughout the course of the series which is normal in every series.
Seriously, everyone has his/her own impression of this story which is what makes books so interesting.
As for the conflicts – I can’t enjoy a romance without some internal conflicts and in S & S Ty & Zane were on the same page throughout and all the conflicts were external. While I didn’t always enjoy the constant bickering in the earlier books, especially C & R where they had just met and were getting to know each other as professional partners, and maybe even a love interest, it did make for some exciting situations.
Maybe Abi will read some of our comments and incorporate a few of them in the newest edition of this series (if there is another book) and give us a new opportunity to rewrite her book for her.
You were right, Wave I did love the relationship stuff, but had my usual issues with realism in the book. My grade: 3.375.
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/333946756
I am looking forward to the next book though. Maybe shotgun wedding? *g*
Hey Lasha
I just read your review and agree with a lot of it except for the rating.
The bit about Mark at Camp Lejeune, unless you’re in the military that’s not something a reviewer would know but a writer should have done her research.
The one thing that bothered me about Mark was why did he expose Ty? What were his reasons except to make Zane distrust him? Also, Ty’s suspicions about Mark weren’t resolved (unless I missed the explanation) so what’s his story? (Can’t say anymore because of spoilers although it seems that we’ve practically given most of the plot points away.
Shotgun wedding? Who’s pregnant?
This wasn’t my favorite of the series, but a non favorite of Abi’s is still head and shoulders above a lot of other books I read. It’s really hard for me to get my hands around the words for a review.
What bothered me the most about this as I went in thinking it would be about Zane (finally!) but it felt like it was all about Ty…again. I realize why that might be.
Interestingly there are many different places the series could go from here. Very excited to see where she takes it.
Hi Issa
You’re right. Abi is an excellent writer and any book of hers, even a non-favourite, is still better than most of the rest.
I think the book is about both MCs as I felt that Zane was profiled a whole lot more in S & S than in most of the other books in the series. However there will always be a lot of emphasis on Ty because he’s such a volatile character (or he used to be)
It’s difficult to predict what’s next as the MC’s personal relationship seems to be as tight as a drum, and professionally there’s no place to go but up or out. Someone mentioned a wedding but it seems to me that that would be too much like a het romance.
We’ll have to wait and see. Maybe the next book will be about Ty & Zane 10 years from now, a happily married couple living on the ranch in Texas with two adorable kids and a dog, spending their holidays in West Virginia. Your guess is as good as mine. 
I think over the course of the novels both Ty and Zane are finally to a point where – yeah, this is IT. Their relationship is rock steady.
Ty was a bit too animated and less quick to jump the gun in this one, but still I loved it. I’ve read so many wretched novels of late that were either poorly written or the characters annoyed or they went back and forth from one misunderstanding to the next – sigh – this was just what I needed:) I, too, am a big fan of the action that has readers sitting on the edge of their seats so I hope the next installment has more of that. But I’ll be really pissed off if Ty and Zane go back to doubting each other.
Ty in a black cowboy hat? Zane line dancing? Seriously, what more could a fan ask for? LOL. Oh, and Smith and Wesson – love them. The first scene with them in the guys’ bedroom had me laughing out loud. Actually, Ty has made me laugh out loud a few times in this novel.
Again, love these guys (and would love to see them working with Julian again.)
Hi Madonna
I, too, am a big fan of the action that has readers sitting on the edge of their seats so I hope the next installment has more of that. But I’ll be really pissed off if Ty and Zane go back to doubting each other.
I’m with you on both those points. If all we get in future books is more of the “honeymoon” scenario, without any tension or internal conflict between Ty and Zane (NOT break up/makeup plots please), and a reduction of the action and adventures, I probably would have a hard time continuing to follow the series.
The reason I love this particular series is because it’s unique. No other series has managed to hold my interest like this one for 4 years, because of the mix of adventure, characterizations (and this includes “badass” Ty and laid back Zane), great writing and plots that always surprise me. I’m hoping that these characteristics won’t change should there future books.
Ty in a black cowboy hat? Zane line dancing? Seriously, what more could a fan ask for? LOL. Oh, and Smith and Wesson – love them
These are some of the reasons I adore this series.
I’m loving reading all the different opinions and interpretations of this book! I love being able to discuss books with people and getting new perspectives.
Isn’t it great? I truly love how different we all are.
Whenever I post a review about a well loved series all the differing opinions never cease to amaze me. I absoluely love it.
my question is: why was ty so lost (several times in this ook ty references zane’s saving him)? the shift from zane’s issues to zane’s saving ty was a weird and frustrating switch. i just think ty was much less fleshed out in this book; especially when compared to the prior a & d – where i felt i was reading a smooth transition between equals. this in no way means that i want the series to end – i want them to be exposed at work… i am enjoying the books and eagerly await their arrival! :0)
-kkm
I really enjoyed this one, I liked that there was no conflict in their relationship for a change, threats were external and that the whole theme of the book was about family…….with the guys having that unexpected conversation.
My only quibble was the about the very forgiving tiger who I adored but I felt his homing act around Ty happened rather too often.
I fell a bit out of love with this series after the silly cliffhanger, but I liked the last one, mainly I confess becos of Julian Cross, with S&S I’m back in the game.
Great Review Wave, I find it almost impossible to review books I’m very emotionally invested in.
You could be right Raine, that maybe it was time to slow things down a bit and have a book devoted mostly to love and togetherness and family.
This is just strange for me because I originally started reading this series because it was mostly about action and adventure with a bit of hot action between the guys thrown in. I miss the adventure and action. I know there was some but not at the level I’ve grown accustomed to. Guess I’ve been spoiled.
I’m very happy you enjoyed S & S so much Raine. You have lots of company.
This was a tough review to write especially since although I like the book it wasn’t my #1 in the series. I knew that fans would line up on either side of the discussion and they did… in spades.
I’m even getting emails from readers who don’t want to comment on the post because they are afraid of being verbally beaten up. 
One of the sure signs of the success of a series is when so many readers are emotionally invested in it.
I don’t think Ty had a “personality change” at all. What we see in S&S2 is what was there all along. It was the “Ty” Ty buried when he ran away to the Marines. And also, remember, he’s at his beloved’s family in this book. He’s on his best behavior.
I’ve been married for over 2 decades, and can still remember my bro-in-law’s incredulity at my husband’s behavior change after we were together for a few months.
Before me, he was always the guy that had it “together”. Broke a lot of hearts because he kept his to himself. He was the guy that fought hard, and played hard, but you always knew you were being held at arm’s length emotionally.
Within a few months, his real, warm, kinda dorky, patient, sweet side came out and his family was shocked. They never saw that side.
“What did you DO to him?” Moi?
Oh, he still can slam down the walls to his heart, and can be a badass when he needs to be, but he’s still the man I met. So, no issues with the way Ty is in S&S2.
I completely agree on why Ty was “different”.
He was essentially on vacation. Yes, there was a mystery theme going on, but it wasn’t heavy and fraught with danger until the latter parts of the book. There was no big case, no co-workers or bosses to hide from. Ty could be mellow, he could be out, he could be affectionate.
He is also just….happier. He and Zane are finally in a secure place. Nothing seems to be waiting to jump out and tear them apart. He knows he loves Zane, and he knows that love is really, genuinely returned. His family knows. Really, the only stress left is work, and they weren’t at work in this one.
Also, it was Zane’s family, and I felt Ty curbed a lot of his “Ty-ness” with Beverly and the people at the bar, because he didn’t want to make things tougher on Zane than they already were. Zane seems to have a hard enough time with his family, without Ty being his most Ty.
I do admit to some of the same worry though. I missed the breakneck speed, the back and forth, the fighting, the tension. I don’t want some silly misunderstanding-breakup thing to cause unnecessary conflict, but I do want more than just this lovey dovey honeymoon phase.
I want the series to keep going, but I don’t want it to get stale either.
Bitchie
You may have something there about why Ty was different in this book, i.e. he was on vacation and there was no stress. However I did notice this change in his characterization emerging in A & D (and I mentioned it in my review of the book), although it wasn’t as apparent because Julian Cross provided a whole lot of action and Ty had to be on his game. In this book there was action but even then Ty seemed to be “off”.
I do admit to some of the same worry though. I missed the breakneck speed, the back and forth, the fighting, the tension. I don’t want some silly misunderstanding-breakup thing to cause unnecessary conflict, but I do want more than just this lovey dovey honeymoon phase.
I am concerned and I hope it doesn’t happen. Every series must change and evolve or it would become boring. Obviously I want the characters to evolve as well or they will become stale but I’m sure Abi is too good a writer to let that happen. This was such a huge difference (to me anyway) that I couldn’t relate to this Ty. Maybe if there are future books I will become accustomed to the new Ty – he is my favourite MC in this series. Even though I love Zane Ty stole my heart.
Hi Orange Pekoe
Thank you for stopping by and giving us your perspective, using the analogy of your own relationship.
It’s amazing the different scenarios that fans of this series have come up with for what seems to me to be a 180 degree change in Ty’s personality.
I know which Ty I love and I’m hoping that at least part of him will return once the “honeymoon” is over. If not, I guess I’ll have to suck it up.
First post, so I’m a little nervous!
I had several thoughts after reading all the reviews so here goes!
First of all, I love this series and I really enjoyed this book, though I agree it wasn’t necessarily perfect.
If I had to chose a book in the series I liked less than the others I think I would say A&D, not S&S2. Partly this is because I never connected with either character in Warrior’s Cross, but mostly because I thought the changes that Ty was going through previously were not highlighted enough. At the end of D&C he is so stressed he runs away, but this is glossed over more in A&D than I would have liked.
I personally think the big Ty shift started in F&C. He didn’t get to really try out the revelations he had in that book in his own life until S&S2 because of the stress piled on him in D&C and A&D.
I think here we are finally seeing the Ty that Deuce grew up with and that is hinted at in S&S1, the fun loving, happy-go-lucky Ty from before the marines. I was very happy to see him finally emerge.
In all honesty, I personally am more surprised by the shift in Zane. Several people remarked that they found him more laid back than Ty throughout this series, it honestly made me wonder if we were seeing the same character. There is a major shift from someone who is self destructive and can only cope with life through drugs and alcohol to the more relaxed character that hardly seems to be struggling with his alcoholism and doesn’t seem to be going to AA anymore. Am I the only one who finds this hard to believe?
I understand and am pleased that loving and being loved by Ty has given him a new lease on life, but I think that the man we are seeing here is completely new. I don’t think this Zane ever existed before and to me this is a more major change in personality than we see with Ty.
As far as a continuation of the series, I think there is more left unresolved than we think. This was more of an interlude before they have to deal with possibly being outed at work.
Hi Mems
Thanks for being courageous enough to post your first comment.
Congratulations!
Based on the comments from everyone, about half of the commenters disagreed with everyone else and we all have our own thoughts about Ty and Zane, characters that we love A LOT obviously, and we’re probably all WRONG.
I understand and am pleased that loving and being loved by Ty has given him a new lease on life, but I think that the man we are seeing here is completely new. I don’t think this Zane ever existed before and to me this is a more major change in personality than we see with Ty.
There is no doubt that Zane is different from the character we first saw in Cut & Run, but IMO his evolution happened throughout the series, not like Ty’s, starting in A & D and then completing his transformation in Stars & Stripes. We saw Zane in his drug addicted stages in the beginning and gradually he weaned himself off the drugs and alcohol through several books because of his love for Ty. He is still going to AA (as indicated in S & S) and like everyone who is an addict, that’s a lifelong process. We got his perspective in this book as to why he didn’t find it too difficult to stay off his addictions. The answer was simple – Ty.
I think here we are finally seeing the Ty that Deuce grew up with and that is hinted at in S&S1, the fun loving, happy-go-lucky Ty from before the marines. I was very happy to see him finally emerge.
Of course Ty is not one dimensional and he was always changing his personality when he was not running after crooks, but I see him now as an almost completely different person. What I miss is the volatile, flawed, flaky person he used to be – he’s way too perfect now. Anyway, that’s my take.
I hope you’re right that perhaps there may be a book about Ty & Zane coming out to their work colleagues. That would be something.
Don’t be a stranger. Come back soon to talk books again.
I just have a couple of comments. Am I the only one that noticed the excessive use of the word messy? I wanted to get them some wet wipes! Second, I missed Ty. I missed his snark and attitude. That is what I fell in love with and that’s what I expect from him. Both of those things decreased my enjoyment of the book.
Hi M
I must admit that I was so engrossed in the changes to Ty’s personality I never noticed the overuse of the word “messy.” However I will definitely be on the lookout when next I read this book.
You and I are on the same page about missing our Ty. Many fans try to tell me that he was this person all along, but I don’t buy it – this is a massive shift. I want my Ty back.
You nailed it! I liked it, but I didn’t love it! Ty & Zane, year 25 maybe-not year 1. Yawn!
Hi Lisa.
Thanks for commenting. Some fans of the series disagreed with my assessment of S & S but I could not, in all conscience, say that it was up to the standard of the earlier books in the series. As you said, I liked it a lot but I didn’t love it.
4.5 stars instead of 5? We’ll see. Starting it tomorrow.
Hi Kathleen
It’s all Ty’s fault.
Let me know if you think I’m way off the mark. 
WAVE, YOU WERE VERY BRAVE! It’s a great book. However, I miss the cranky, cantankerous, irritable B Tyler Grady. I loved his rapid mood swings, and his take it or take it attitude! I am hopeful he will be back, along with the action, which I missed! I want Ty the trained weapon, and Zane the ruthless killing machine!
P.S. I also read Cut & Run reluctantly as well because of the perceived violence, and it quickly became one of my favorite books! After that, I read everything that Abigail Roux wrote because she has such a distinct voice!
Lisa
I love it when characters evolve and change but this was WAY too much change in such a short time. Ty was always my favourite because of his characteristics. Now that they’re gone I’m left with someone I don’t really know.
It took me a while before I read and reviewed Cut & Run, not because of the violence but because it was almost 400 pages.
Now it’s one of my most read books in the series.