higher groundRating: 4.75 stars
Buy Links: 
 Amazon | All Romance
Length: Short Story


After his dad passed away, Charlie Turner moved home to take care of his mother and brother. Nine years later, he’s still living in his mother’s home and doing his best to keep his father’s business running and successful. To help out his friend, Siggy, Charlie takes a job in town to expand an art gallery. Then he meets Amos, owner of the art gallery. Amos is sleek, sexy, and gorgeous. He’s also an ass.

Everything changes when his mother tells Charlie it’s time to move out. He finds a cabin at Mountain Shadows, along with a handyman position. But he’s worried about his crumbling relationship with his younger brother who is on the edge of self-destruction. And then there’s Amos, the man who wants to use him when he wants him. With everything changing around him, Charlie works hard to keep his life from falling apart while trying not to upset the balance.

It’s been too long since I’ve read a T.A. Webb story. I crave them. Seriously crave them. This author has a way of telling a story that makes it not only creative and new, but down to earth and real. Higher Ground is the forth 2014 Pulp Friction story and the first in his series entitled Earthquake. I can hardly wait to see what comes next.

Let me give you an example of why I love this story, these characters, and this author so much. In this particular scene, Charlie introduces Damon to Amos:

Standing, I pulled Damon to his feet. “Mr. Greene, this is my brother, Damon. He’s agreed to assist me as part of the help.” My lip twitched as I stressed the word. “That’s why it’s Turner and Sons, not Son.”

“Well, it’s good to meet you, Damon. I may call you Damon, may I not? Your brother finds it hard to loosen up and let me call him Charlie, what with the stick up his…rear end that he carries around.”

My hackles rose, and I knew Amos was just screwing with me so my brother would laugh, but he didn’t count on Damon being Damon. He looked back and forth between Amos and me, then put his hands on his hips. “You fucked my brother, didn’t you?”

Amos’s jaw dropped, and I started sputtering. “Damon! What the hell kind of question is that, kid? You can’t just go around asking things like that!”

“The hell I can’t. And you, Mister-whatever-your-name-is, there are laws against harassment and that kind of stuff. My brother might be gay, but he doesn’t have to put up with getting dicked around like that. Yeah, he’s a big old bottom, but I’ll kick your suit-wearing ass if I have to.”

As always Webb has created the most intriguing characters. This short is written in Charlie’s POV so I know the most about him. Charlie is a do-gooder. He turned away from his life and his love in college to take care of his family. I’m certain there is more to it than that, but we’ll probably learn it further down the line. He’s the kind of guy who needs to make everyone he loves happy, puts everybody else before himself. I have a feeling everything is going to blow up for him before he finds his happy place. I’m looking forward to learning more about Amos. He comes off as a self-righteous ass, but I know there’s a story behind it. Every now and then we get a glimpse of the real man, but he’s quick to cover it up with his assholery. And you guys know my love of all things interracial. Well, these boys blow it up. Strong, sexy, and extremely hot, I cannot wait to see more of them together.

There’s a storyline that interests me involving Damon, Charlie’s brother. The kid has spirit and he cracks me up. He’s a good kid mixed up with the wrong people. I’m curious to see how his actions affect this story. He’s proven to be a pivotal character in Charlie’s life in this story, so I’m looking forward seeing how his part plays out.

So the story is simply the beginning of what promises to be a wonderful tale. Within this short, this author gives us romance, outrage, intrigue, mystery, and drama. Webb’s voice is strong and sure, giving me so much to look forward to. I’m dying to see what happens next.

I’m excited about this story from Webb, not only because it’s the first of the year, but also because it’s good… very good. I can’t wait to see what is next for these characters and this story. I highly recommend Higher Ground by T.A. Webb.

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