
The four men are forced into a life and death situation that bring out the best and worst in them.The conversations between Ty and Deuce were some of my favorites. They then stumble upon a group of treasure hunters who are hellbent on getting what they're looking for. As part of their vacation plans, Ty, Zane, Earl, and Deuce follow the trail up the mountains, and while Zane is a little out of his element, they begin to notice certain things that seem off. Ty also has one particular reason for taking Zane with him-Deuce is a psychiatrist and Ty hopes Zane will feel comfortable enough to talk to him about his issues. Naturally, where Ty and Zane go, trouble is sure to follow.Ty's family, composed of his parents, Earl and Mara, his younger brother, Deacon aka Deuce, and his grandfather, Chester, is a close-knit one but there are still certain things that have been left unsaid, one of which is Ty's sexuality (although Deuce knows about that particular tidbit). Ty invites Zane to visit his family in his hometown of Bluefield, West Virginia, hoping for some much needed downtime for both of them. Here we find our favorite partners against crime, FBI Special Agents Ty Brady and Zane Garrett, being forced to go on vacation by their superior, Assistant Director Richard Burns. Review 2: And the fangirling continues."Sticks & Stones" is the second book in the "Cut & Run" series by the duo that was Madeleine Urban and Abigail. All in all, the second installment had a more natural flow than the first. When the inevitable conflict does happen, it serves as a vehicle to explore the complexities of their bond rather than stealing the spotlight away from it.

It is a more intimate setting which allows these characters to start making more sense to each other and to the reader. Although they boys find themselves once again in harms way, the conflict occurs after the reader has been allowed time to see Ty & Zane in a more natural setting, back home with Ty's family. Review 1: This sequel to Cut & Run felt more natural and intimate than its predecessor.
