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Contact Information:
Email Address: authorrbbartels@gmail.com
Books By RB Bartels
Word Count: 253511
Character Identities: Gay
Summary: About the Texas Sterling Collection Originally written as four separate books comprising a continuing story featuring the same two main characters, Wyl Sterling and Rod Bonner, it is now available as a collection. This enables readers to flow smoothly from one story to another. Many clues are dropped in the first two stories that lead to events in the second two stories. Those connections existed in the separately published stories but will be easier to follow in this collection. The four stories have been completely re-edited and revised. The story lines themselves remain untouched, but wording is clarified and any errors have been eliminated. Book One: Unexpected Retired Marine Wyl Sterling runs the family ranch with his brother. To better manage the business side, his brother encourages Wyl to get a college degree. But returning to college at 40 has Wyl filled with uncertainty. Then he walks into his first class and meets Dr. Rod Sterling. The attraction is immediate and mutual. Neither man can deny the spark between them, but numerous hurdles block their way, leaving friendship as the best route until a kiss ignites desire for more. But tragedy strikes and triggers challenges that test their resolve. They must face a past and a present that threatens to derail their future. Only one thing is certain, they want that future and want it together. Book Two: The Outing In the arid expanse of Blackfield, Texas, ex-marine turned rancher Wyl Sterling and retired college professor Rod Bonner Sterling find solace in their marriage and peaceful ranch life. Tranquility takes a turn when Mitzi, Wyl’s greedy sister-in-law, reappears, wielding threats to out them in a way that would harm their reputation, relationship, and sense of security. Now, Rod and Wyl must grapple with Mitzi’s relentless pursuit. Will they survive the prejudice, harassment, and eventual confrontation in the City Council Chambers? How can they outsmart Mitzi at her own game? Book Three: Emerald Mission The general’s voice on the answering machine means only one thing: Wyl was being called back into the Marines. When a cybercriminal in Ireland developed a scheme that could cripple the world’s finances, Wyl’s cybersecurity skills are needed. Under the guise of an extended honeymoon, he and Rod must ferret out the criminal and stop him before he succeeds. While Ireland, they discover there is more to it than a simple crime. Their lives are in danger, and stopping the criminal will take more than they expected. Wyl promised they would celebrate their first Thanksgiving together on Sterling Ranch in Texas, but first they need to make it out of Ireland alive. Book Four: Love on the Prairie Cleaning out the historic Bonner home in preparation for selling, Rod and Wyl come across an old trunk hidden in a dark corner of the full basement. Inside the trunk are items of clothing, and an old journal written in the late 1800s. In the journal, they find the histories of both the Sterling family and the Bonner family. They learn how their two great uncles connected in a way that was forbidden in that period, how they survived, and how they faced a threat neither wanted. They also discover modern day remnants neither expected. More Sterling stories are planned. Look for releases in 2026.
Word Count: 78967
Character Identities: Gay
Summary: The last straw was the stun gun. Dex knew it was either flee or die. Ross’s increasingly hateful treatment over the last two years was getting even worse. Leaving his job as lead platform dancer at Over the Rainbow was hard, but he’d find work somewhere else—somewhere far away—somewhere with friendly people and a chance to do what he did best. The job at Hill Country Hideaway seemed perfect. He would teach guests some of his moves. What could be easier? Then he meets Husker, and he’s in trouble again. How could he resist the gorgeous man? Husker was straight, that’s how. But maybe not. Then Ross catches up with him, and his ideal world falls apart. Imprisoned again, he wonders how he could escape Ross's even tighter rein. Would he ever see Husker again?
Word Count: 63,000
Character Identities: Gay
Summary: Cleaning out the historic Bonner home in preparation for selling, Rod and Wyl come across an old trunk hidden in a dark corner of the full basement. Inside the trunk are items of clothing, and an old journal written in the late 1800s. In the journal, they find the histories of both the Sterling family and the Bonner family. They learn how their two great uncles connected in a way that was forbidden in that period, how they survived, and how they faced a threat neither wanted. They also discover modern day remnants neither expected.
Word Count: 61494
Character Identities: Gay
Summary: The general’s voice on the answering machine meant only one thing, Wyl was getting called back into the Marines. When a cybercriminal in Ireland works on a scheme that could cripple the world’s finances, Wyl’s cybersecurity skills are needed. Under the guise of an extended honeymoon, he and Rod must ferret out the criminal and stop him before he succeeds. But while in Ireland, they soon discover there is much more than a simple crime. Their lives are in danger and stopping the criminal will take more to survive than they expected. Wyl promised they would celebrate their first Thanksgiving on the ranch as married couple, but first, they’ll need to make it out of Ireland alive.
Word Count: 52000
Character Identities: Gay
Summary: In the arid expanse of Blackfield, Texas, retired marine turned rancher Wyl and retired college professor Rod find solace in their peaceful ranch life. Wyl and Rod Sterling, a devoted married couple, led a peaceful ranch life after settling with Mitzi Sterling, Wyl’s sister-in-law, for half a million dollars. Tranquility takes an unexpected turn when gold-digging Mitzi, in a bid to extort yet more of the Sterling riches, reappears wielding threats to out them in a way detrimental to their reputation, relationship, and sense of security. Now, Rod and Wyl must grapple with Mitzi's relentless pursuit and schemes that challenge their hard-earned reputation and relationship. Will they survive the unfolding prejudice, harassment, and eventual confrontation at the City Council meeting? Will they be able to preserve their relationship, ranch, and personal dignity amidst an unforgiving spotlight?
Word Count: 74000
Character Identities: Gay
Summary: 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?
Word Count: 18000
Character Identities: Gay
Summary: Walking home in the pouring rain one dark evening, Hank wished he had driven his old pickup to work that morning. Suddenly his shadow stretched out before him, and he turned to see a speeding car. He jumped off the pavement just in time to see the terror-stricken driver’s face as the car skidded off the rural road and collided with a tree, landing on its side in the rain-swollen ditch. Naked in a strange room, the man thought he must have died and gone to hell. A large man appeared in the doorway and spoke in a calm voice. “You were unconscious. I brought you home.” The naked man could remember nothing, not even his name. Two men from opposite ends of the social spectrum formed a strong bond, but can love span the chasm between a poor sawmill worker and a billionaire’s son?
Word Count: 78,163
Character Identities: Gay
Summary: Brody knew nothing about being gay. He hoped escaping small-town living to a new life in Fort Worth would give him a chance to be himself. On the first day of graduate classes, he met Gage. Was Gage the one? Gage lost his lover to suicide. Transferring from Houston to Long Horn University in Fort Worth would let him recover in an environment that held no memories. Then he met Brody. Maybe he could get over the tragedy more easily than expected. When she discovered he was gay, Brody’s mother intervened. He would marry a nice Christian young lady and give her grandchildren. No other option was on the table. Would Gage ever get his Brody back?
Word Count: 70,751
Character Identities: Gay
Summary: Danny lost his husband to a tragic accident. He couldn’t face another relationship. Then his dead husband’s deadbeat brother shows up and demands the estate, saying, “You ain’t family.” Andrew spent his teen years on the streets, homeless and hungry. He cleaned up his life, finished his education, and hoped to meet that special someone for the happiness and security he missed as a teen. Phil’s bad luck was always the fault of everyone else. He was determined to get his dead brother’s estate from Danny in any way he could. Then he discovered his old street buddy Andrew was part of the picture. Jackpot!
Word Count: 95000
Character Identities: Gay
Summary: Sometimes…things aren’t always what they seem. For Trevor, being away from home for the first time was difficult enough. Add being gay and completely inexperienced and the difficulty jumps a notch. Top it off with being disowned by your family and being uncomfortable in new situations, and life seemed impossible. Then he saw the man of his dreams across a crowded restaurant, then he noticed the guy was with another man. Oh well…he’s keep looking. Then the attack happened. For Philip, recovering from a breakup was hard, and a good reason to swear off relationships. Counseling other LGBTQ individuals through their struggles was rewarding, but practicing what you preached was a challenge. His eyes caught the most handsome man he’d ever seen across a crowded restaurant, but the guy disappeared. Then he remembered his vow to remain unattached. Never did he expect a threat from years ago surfacing to plague him.
