BA Tortuga

I’ll admit that anything that BA Tortuga & her writing partner, Jodi Payne put their names on are 100% Okay with me right from the start...no questions asked. BA sure does love her cowboys, and while I'll also admit I usually am not a fan of cowboy or western stories, BA has made me a fan of her sweet rodeo men. Curtis and Stetson are her two cowboys in this one and, Yep...I was in love after the first chapter. Stetson only knows how to love one way…hard and without end. He has never show more stopped loving Curtis, but he knew that the man’s heart and his need to be free and on the rodeo circuit, would never let them be together. But as soon as he heard Stetson’s voice on the phone, Curtis knew he’d do whatever it took, whatever he wanted in order to help him, even if it meant breaking his own heart again. Love was never the issue between them, but figuring out how to communicate sure was. That caused them more problems than they could count on both hands. My heart literally ached for Stetson. While Curtis was on the circuit, Stetson remained at home because he loved the land and knew that it was where he belonged. He worked hard to keep things going and gave up everything, including the only man he'd ever love...Curtis. Curtis used to feel like being tied to one place was like being trapped, but life without Stetson has him rethinking the way he has lived his life. Their love for each other almost bleeds out of them and I became beyond frustrated when the communications kept breaking down and they ended up at odds...again. I just wanted to shake them both. Fortunately for them and me and the book...I didn't have to. Ms. Tortuga got them sorted out just fine. The acceptance that both men found made me smile at last, and I was so glad that homophobia from the people was never one of the issues they ever had to deal with. You will cheer for these two men and be swept up in their story and occasionally even shed a few tears. Stetson had a unique kind of bravery he showed as he was taking care of his dying mother and of Curtis as well. Thank you, Ms. Tortuga, for another wonderful, warm story where the characters actually talked things out and didn’t rely solely on sex to fix everything. What sex there was, was beautiful by the way:) I love this author's work and I’ve never been let down by her or Jodi Payne. show less

The men - ranchers and cowboys and bull riders alike – of the rodeo world own a special place in my heart. To see two of them attracted to each other, only to have them slowly figure out there may be more would be fun enough, but to have it happen over Christmas, a pretty magical time of the year if there ever was one, is a special treat. Add all of BA Tortuga’s cowboy lingo and lots of man-on-man loving, and ‘Adding to the Collection’ is a highly entertaining novella.

Derrick has show more been admiring Stone for a while – watching him ride is no hardship. Approaching him after an event takes a little more courage, but Derrick finds out that taking that step is well worth it. The two of them burn up the sheets, so to speak. Their first encounter(s) in Las Vegas are scorching, and it becomes clear neither of them will get fed up with the other anytime soon. Also, there is Christmas to consider…

Stone comes from a big family and has never had anyone’s single-minded attention over the holidays. Then there is a major fall off a bull, and the fact he has nowhere else to go. Derrick did sort of invite him over, so he decides to take the risk. Best decision he ever made!

If you like your cowboys hot and ready for action, if two lonely men who stick together for the festive season are your thing, and if you’re looking for a read that is funny, scorching hot, and very sweet, then you will probably like this novella.


NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. show less

I gave up on this at 51%. It was all over the place. I decided to give up when I realized I was just flipping past some pages.

The main problem is that the plot is very thin. Once the two men are reunited, the book feels more like wading through quicksand. There is CONSTANT description, discussion and fantasizing about food. Honestly, it approached the ridiculous. I read more about steak and pancakes than anything to do with the main characters.

Also, if you have ever worked on a farm or a show more ranch you’ll tap out. For one thing, it’s impossible for one person. To run a place the size of the one described. Second, you can’t just decide to take off for an evening and leave the place because “it will be fine”.

I’m sure these two men are happily eating somewhere together by the end of the book but I just found I don’t care.

If you have high standards for MM romance then don’t read this one. show less

3.5 Yee Haw Stars!

This story right here probably best represents what the Dreamspun Desires series is all about, with a surefire, enjoyable experience regarding all things cowboy!

As per the blurb, Bradley has been secretly in love with his best friend Hoss for forever, feeling a not so small shame for having reacted badly when Hoss first came out. At that time, he just couldn’t reconcile his own confusing feelings and pushed Hoss away. However, these two eventually made up and have been show more close ever since. Hoss in turn, secretly loves Bradley back but keeps their friendship on the level, believing Bradley’s straight and unobtainable.

So how do Bradley and Hoss get over themselves and confess their lurve?? Well, fortuitous happenstance drops a baby onto Hoss’s doorstep, which is the perfect, needed impetus to bring these two together. What starts out as ranch-hand-Bradley helping rodeo-lovin-Hoss keep his head above water (while they try to find the sweet girl’s mama) evolves into them meshing their lives more than ever. What a fantastic boon to realize how well they fit in all things work, play, and domesticity. Of course, it’s only a matter of time before the baby’s charm starts to work on both men, leading them to want things they never imagined and reveal desires believed to remain forever buried.

There’s just a teeny tiny wrench - actually a big misunderstanding - and their happily ever after is a bit delayed. Never fear though. Through it all, the OTT country twang to this was just so fun, silly, and heartwarming, making the aforementioned snafu easily forgivable.

Narrated by Dorian Bane, this was my second foray into him doing a Dreamspun Desires story. Though I’m still not completely sold on Bane specifically, the strong southern touch he brings to the various characters really added to the entertainment value of this little gem. Overall, quite low on the steam but high on the good feels, this was definitely a win for the series!

Thanks to the author/publisher for the audio in exchange for a honest review

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