"Paxton’s Winter is emotional, sweet, and thoroughly western. It features two cowboys, one with a heart broken with grief and one that has the power to heal and learn about love. I really enjoyed both of these characters. Pax has a devil-may-care attitude, because he is trying to protect his heart. Zane starts out the story thinking only of money, not of the man he is taking in. Witnessing his awareness of Pax and his feelings develop is like watching a flower open. Slowly they nurture each other, and the love they find is sweet. It draws the reader in and keeps your interest throughout. I loved the descriptive details in this story. Ms. McKinney describes the clothing and characters so well, it makes the reader feel as if they are right there in the book. I found myself immersed in her novella. I will definitely be reading more of her work."—Teagan Boyd, Book Wenches
"5 Stars!...Author T.D. McKinney, who has penned several exciting gay-themed novels, has a deft touch with delineating a well-researched historical period, turned to a new perspective that has not traditionally been explored: that of the gay experience, and of multiracial love, in the American Old West. I really enjoyed this novel, both for the new historical view, and also for the interwoven lives of the protagonists, Paxton, Zane, and the absent deceased Maddox, who is also a major part of the novel. The M/M sex is steamy and is thoroughly grounded in heartfelt emotion which grows realistically as Zane and Paxton spend time together, first involuntarily while snowbound, later by choice. I highly recommend this fine novel..."--PermaFrost, Rainbow Reviews
"4.5 Nymphs!...A story rich in details and history...The love scenes are brilliantly done for the time period. They're not purple prose, but they aren't highly explicit. They hit a wonderful medium that keeps up the heat while remaining true to the overall tone...I've become quite a fan of T. D. McKinney's, and I would love to see more historicals like Paxton’s Winter."--Satyr Vael, Literary Nymphs Reviews
"...I really liked the depth these characters had. There was layer after layer to uncover in Paxton, particularly...I like my love stories to showcase an enduring love, which this does nicely. I also liked the way that T.D. interwove a cast of interesting characters into the story...Oh yeah--and the sex was hot..."--Jaya, Wordpress.com
"5 Angels!...Recommended Read!...T. D. McKinney thoroughly quenched my hunger for a gay western romance...Paxton is anything but your average handsome rancher, with a great deal hidden below the surface...With the vivid description of the valley and the picturesque view of the ranch, I could almost feel the snowflakes melting on my cheek and the blistering wind having me seek out warmth. Paxton's Winter delivers action, mystery, and romance for our enjoyment. I'm looking forward to reading more from this talented author in the near future."--NeNe, Fallen Angel Reviews
"4 Stars!...Set in late 1800s Colorado...A well-written and plotted tale of rediscovering the capacity to love and trust, as well as finally saying 'enough is enough'...A solidly written, well-paced...tale. I recommend it to anyone who likes historicals--especially Old West--or those who like a good romance without tons of angst."--Aunt Lynn, Reviews By Jessewave
...Pax chose his most fulminating glare to turn on the bounty hunter. “I’m thrilled you approve of my taste in cuisine.”
The other man had the audacity to laugh. “I’m happy any time I manage something more than beans and bacon.” He set about preparing just that, however, scooping snow from outside to melt for coffee.
Pax enjoyed watching him move around. Even more so now that he had Mr. Zane Steadman figured out. The possibilities for tormenting his captor expanded in the most splendid fashion now that Pax knew dear Zane had a definite attraction to his fellow man.
He considered the hard want pressed against his hands while Zane helped him in the privy. That wasn’t just a little bit of desire, but full out needing-to-take-a-man-to-bed hardness. Under other circumstances, Pax would have been happy to oblige. But considering his current situation, he’d rather make Zane squirm in a way that had nothing to do with pleasure. Pax intended to extract embarrassment and discomfort in revenge for his aching shoulders.
He’d just have to use any opportunity that arose to his advantage. In the meantime, he settled for smirking and watching Zane do his best to pretend Pax didn’t exist.
His next chance came as his captor set plates of beans and bacon on the table. Zane also set the can of peaches close at hand.
“I generally take my hat off before I eat.” Pax wasn’t about to let Zane get by without seeing to his least need. It helped that the bounty hunter only sighed and did as asked. Good, let him get comfortable with what he thought Pax would do.
Zane unbuttoned his coat, sweeping one side behind his gun as he started to settle into the other chair.
Pax grinned to himself. Oh, just too good to pass up. “You got a nice piece yourself.”
“What?” Zane froze halfway to the seat. “What you’d say?”
The innocents of Heaven couldn’t have been any more bland or harmless than the face Pax presented to his captor. “That’s a nice piece. Sam Colt’s a fine smith. I think your barrel’s a little longer than mine.”
Zane dropped into the chair every bit as hard as Pax hoped he would. “I…”
“Of course, I’ve found it isn’t the size of the gun but the talent of the man wielding it. The correct twist of the wrist, the ability to squeeze the trigger just so, it all makes a huge difference in the outcome. You can’t just jerk things and expect to get what you want. You have to squeeze nice and gentle.”
Pax let his voice settle into a slightly lower register as Zane’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “It’s all in the touch. A man who knows how to use his fingers just right can make a gun do anything he wants. Just pull back slow and easy, hold tight when it jumps in your hand, squeeze it again. Keep it under control when it wants to stand up on you, squeeze it again. Just keep doing that over and over and over. Next thing you know your gun’s empty and you’ve hit everything you wanted to.”
Pax fought down the urge to laugh at Zane’s wide eyes, but he let his gaze stray to the other man’s crotch. Oh yes, just what he wanted. The bulge in black wool proved that. “So, let’s eat before it gets cold.”
Zane swallowed again before lifting a spoonful of beans.
“Ahem. It’s rather cruel to eat in front of me, don’t you think?” Pax knew he really shouldn’t be enjoying this as much as he was. “After all, hunger is a terrible thing. That wanting deep in your belly can make a man consider all sorts of things he wouldn’t normally contemplate.”
Pax wasn’t sure if Zane wanted to flee or punch him. Both options seemed equally possible. Instead the man held out the spoon for Pax to eat.
Poor thing. Pax almost felt sorry for him. Almost. Instead he contented himself with minding how he ate. When Zane held out a piece of bacon, Pax let his tongue wrap the tip of the other man’s finger for just an instant. He thought Zane might come out of his chair. Just enough. He settled back, content to let Zane calm down a bit. Best to keep him wondering...