Hi guys! We have B.A. Tortuga & Jodi Payne stopping by today with their new release Heart of A Redneck, we have a brilliant guest post and a great excerpt so check out the post and enjoy! ❤ ~Pixie~
Heart of A Redneck
by
B.A. Tortuga & Jodi Payne
Colby McBride is a blue-collar cowboy trying to make ends meet laying tile in Colorado. A loner by choice, Colby works hard with his hands and finds his peace camping in the mountains outside Boulder. Gordon James is a white-collar restaurateur who owns not one, but two successful establishments in downtown Boulder. He’s a sophisticated urbanite who is devoted to his work and is accustomed to getting what he wants.
The men are friends, but sparks fly when Colby falls in love and decides to show Gordon how much fun a good old boy can be. They’re just beginning to explore their relationship when Gordon’s sister’s suicide leaves him with custody of his five-year-old niece.
Colby comes from a huge family and is eager to help with the girl and to prove his worth to Gordon. But neither of them is ready for the tremendous changes to their already busy lives, or for how this new relationship with Olivia challenges them, complicating the way they interact with each other.
They say opposites attract, but can these two very different men work together to join their disparate lives and form a strong, if highly unlikely, family?
Once upon a time, Trey Williamson and Ap McIntosh had quite the whirlwind romance—but that was before family tragedy left them the guardians of five kids. Their lives have changed quite a bit over the last six years, but Ap is still on the rodeo circuit, doing what he does best in an attempt to feed all those extra mouths.
That leaves Trey back on the ranch, isolated and overworked as the kids’ sole caregiver. Something has to give, and when Ap comes home, they’re reminded how hot they burned once upon a time. But is it a love that can withstand wrangling over time, money, and the future? They have to decide what kind of family they want to be… and whether what they share can stand the test of time.
Review:I’m fast becoming a fan of BA Tortuga, particularly her cowboy/western novels. Because seriously, a story about a hot but flawed cowboy is just wonderful. Tortuga, for the most part, does justice to a story with at least one cute kid in addition to the cowboys. I love it! (I think my favorite is still Two Cowboys and A Baby).
I have to admit, when I first read the blurb to this book I was left in two minds about how much I wanted to read it. I’m not sure if I was too sick and didn’t concentrate when I read it, or if the blurb to the book is genuinely too busy packing too much information in. Nonetheless, in the end, I really enjoyed this story. It is sweet, charming and has a heck of a lot of heart. Both MCs are relatable guys and for me it was impossible not to feel bad for Trey and get a bit annoyed at Ap for missing too much.
So that means I better actually tell you a bit about the story.
Trey Williamson and Ap MacIntosh met years ago when Trey’s sister and Ap’s brother got married and then proceeded to have five kids. They are both quite young – in their late twenties – and so six years ago when tragedy struck and Trey and Ap became the guardians to their nephews and nieces they were just at the start of their own adult lives. Trey had been saving to go to college and Ap had been on the road competing rodeos since he was approximately sixteen. While their siblings had been alive the two men had shared a couple of special moments but could never explore a serious relationship once they became the guardians to the kids. Trey stayed behind on the small ranch looking after the kids day in and day out, while Ap stayed on the rodeo circuit making money to raise the kids. In fact, Ap leaves very little money for himself, leaving it all for the kids.
However, after six years Trey is burning out. Six kids between the ages of six (I think) and sixteen takes a lot of energy and he has basically been a single parent the entire time. So Ap has to come back and be more than the uncle who rings up while on the circuit and go back to visit for special occasions. Ap learns some important home truths as he finds out just what Trey sacrificed to raise the kids and work his exhausting schedule. And so years after they had started to explore an intimate relationship, they are finally together under the same roof and no longer just passing ships in the night.
As I said, I really adored this story. There was a lot of emotion and while I felt a bit of resentment at Ap for never trying to be more than the bread winner and the cool uncle who drops in every now and again, I really did like Ap and liked how his character matured.
Blurb: Everything’s bigger in Texas, including weddings. And misunderstandings.
Colorado wedding planner Mason O’Reilly lands a major contract: a 200-guest wedding at the Leanin’ N Ranch, where his friends Ford and Stoney are working to provide a safe space for LGBT events. The Wright/Preston ceremony is a destination wedding, and as the grooms are from Texas, everything is done over the phone and email. There’s no way that could lead to trouble, right? Oops.
Oil tycoon Noah Wright isn’t happy about the impending disaster, but he admires Mason’s quick thinking and grace under pressure. And that’s not all he likes about the out-and-proud wedding planner. Even though Mason’s interested in Noah, his Mr. Right can’t possibly be a rancher from Dallas.
Review: Finding Mr Wright is the second book in BA Tortuga’s series, Leaning N Ranch. It is not entirely necessary to have read or heard the audio of book 1 (Commitment Ranch), but I’ll admit that I went and tracked it down after finishing this audio. Before Dreamspun Desires, I had a little knowledge of BA Tortuga’s books, but within Dreamspun Desire’s found that I enjoy and look forward to reading Tortuga’s work, especially if there are cowboys involved!
Noah Wright is the titular Mr Wright. He’s a Texan oil tycoon, but he is not some old crusty, bombastic guy. He is a loving brother, family man on top of being a brilliant businessman. He is the contact for the wedding that is to take place at the Leaning N Ranch in Colorado. I’m not going to go into any detail because what happens within the first couple chapters is pivotal to the rest of the plot and how Noah interacts with his love interest for the book, the wedding planner Mason O’Reilly. And I’m not going to spoil the whole thing.
The narration of this audio was done by Robbie Nelson. This is the first time I’ve heard Nelson’s narration, but I did like what I heard. He had the right tone, and accent, to ensure that I was engrossed by the story. I have to say that it took me a bit to get on board with the accents used on some of the Colorado native minor characters on the ranch. However, on the whole I was happy and most importantly the characters were just wonderful in his voice.
Series: Turquoise, New Mexico 01 / Dreamspun Desires 53
Author: BA Tortuga
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense, Western
Length: Novel (232 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating:♥♥♥♥ 3.5 Hearts
Blurb:Once upon a time, a prince lived in a magical kingdom called Turquoise, New Mexico.
Well, really, TJ is a small-town police chief. Every Friday he holds court in the diner with the local holy roller, the art colonists, and the horsey people. But the Benes, who own the rodeo company, keep to themselves. TJ knows, because he was once hot and heavy with the oldest Bene son. When Wacey Bene gets trampled by a remuda and comes home to heal, he’s none too happy to run into TJ, or his two little boys and their momma. The story might end there—if it wasn’t for some pesky bastard trying to kill Wacey.
The law steps in, and the townsfolk are cross about somebody messing with one of their own. But once the bad guy is put away, can TJ and Wacey make their place in this wild and eccentric town a permanent one?
Review: I’m fast becoming a fan of BA Tortuga, particularly her cowboy/western novels. Because seriously, if it’s not a firefighter, cop, military man, then a story about a hot but flawed cowboy is just wonderful. Tortuga also usually does justice to a story with at least one cute kid as well (I think my favorite is still Two Cowboys and A Baby). So basically, if you like any of these things, you’ll at least enjoy the book, because despite my opinions I did enjoy the story overall.
Cowboy in the Crosshairs is the first book a new series called Turquoise, New Mexico. The story is about cowboy Wacey Bene. He’s been away from his family’s ranch on the rodeo circuit for ten years after having his heart broken when he was barely out of high school. The boy that broke his heart was TJ. He is now the police chief, but ten years before he was a confused young man who was scared of coming out of the closet and somewhere along the way in the past ten years also decided that he needed to marry a woman so he could have a family. TJ now has two cute little boys and an ex-wife he is good friends with, despite divorcing because he finally was able to come out of the closet to her. These guys need to get over past hurts, as well as TJ needing to help Wacey avoid being injured or killed by some mystery person.
I’ve got some really mixed feelings about this book. I liked the main plot points and as already stated, I enjoy Tortuga’s writing. The characters are good and for the most the story is well-paced.
My issue with this book comes down to the fact that I feel that the story was too glossy – as in it didn’t feel like there was a lot of detail in the main plot points. Furthermore, I also had an issue with how these guys treated each other with disdain at first, and to some extent some miscommunication. It was like they were still a couple of children. They were foolish young men ten years before and had a lot of growing up to do before they could truly be together. Also, it felt like the mystery of who was out to get Wacey was kind shoved in for a bit more drama. I suppose in this sense at least we know the guys do grow up in the end and get their HEA.
Regardless of my feelings of the plot, I do look forward to more stories in the series.
Blurb: Love is a fragile thing, and it can slip through your fingers if you don’t hold on tight….
When Zack Jung’s AA sponsor and friend commits suicide, he’s desperate to hold it together, and there’s only one place he can turn. He calls Josh and Kris, and they take him back to their ranch outside Santa Fe.
A cowboy to the bone, Cimarron Duran cherishes his orderly life and routine. He likes his neighbors, Kris and Josh, but he has less than no interest in the hipster personal trainer who comes to stay with them—or at least, he plans to fight his interest in favor of his solitary life and his art.
But some things are as inevitable as the weather, and when Zack and Cimarron finally come together, they find they don’t want to let go. It won’t be easy, though, for two men with pasts like theirs to forge a happy future together.
Review: Zack had once been Josh’s AA sponsor and a good friend. He was the only one that could help him when his own sponsor committed suicide. He was the one to find Ray and it tore at him each time he remembered. He knew the only way to hold on was through his friends. When Josh and Kris offer to take him home to Santa Fe with him, he goes for it. He had not expected Cimarron.
Cimarron has not had an easy life. He had lost one man he loved and wasn’t exactly the nicest guy. However when he spots Zack, he knew he was going to have a hard time ignoring the man. However there was just something to the man that called to him.
I will admit that the support these guys seem to give each other was pretty amazing. You don’t see that happening these days. I liked Zack quite a bit but Cimarron not so much. The story was missing quite a bit of details that would have made it easier, however it was a pretty well told story. However my problems with it was the fact that it was drawn out and boring. The connection between the two was easy to see but it was missing some major sparks for me to like. It also felt like certain parts of the story as thrown into it to make it longer. The animals made the story quite a bit better for me. They were sweet and funny as hell.
For this series I would suggest reading book one first because you will get to know Kris and Josh who are mentioned in this story quite a bit. It is not needed but would recommend it. For me the story was a good one but on the dull side. I hate to admit that this one was definitely not my kind of book.
Blurb: When Kris Cerny walks back into Two Spirits, the art gallery he owns with Josh McPhee, all he wants is a clean break. Austin’s booming real estate market means the building he bought years ago is worth a fortune, and with the sale, he and Josh can finally go their separate ways. They won’t be reconciling, right? Josh may be sober now, but an addict is always going to be an addict, and Kris can’t take that chance again.
Josh isn’t willing to sell. Not yet. He’s discovered a new artist in Santa Fe he knows will put Two Spirits in the black, and if he can just make a success of the gallery, maybe he can earn Kris’s respect, if not recapture his love. He need Kris to give him time for one more buying trip, one more gallery show. Josh wants nothing more than a final chance to make things right. Kris agrees to let Josh have this last ditch effort on one condition– he wants to go along for the ride. On the way Josh hopes they’ll find the next big thing in the art world as well as peace, forgiveness, and a love he thought was lost forever.
Review: Kris and Josh had been together for quite sometimes, but not all of it was good. Kris had wanted Josh to stop drinking but at the time Josh had not been ready. Now five years later, Josh had earned his five year sober pin. Yet it wasn’t enough for Kris. He didn’t trust Josh and it showed. Now someone was offering quite a bit of money for the building they owned, and Kris wanted to go for it. To bad for him Josh didn’t.
Josh didn’t want to let Kris go. He knew that no matter what he did it would never be good enough for the man. However he has found a new artist and he was going to go check him out. Buisness is good but the heart is not. So you can imagine Josh’s reaction when Kris tells him he is going to go along.
This was one long drawn out story. I am not even sure what to rate it and hell if I even like it or not. It was a bit on the dull side and almost put me to sleep. It was one man going on about his partner being a drunk, while at the same time he is on the wagon. Yet neither man had had a drink in some time, but it doesn’t seem to matter to him. They have a past that just doesn’t seem to matter, then turn around and in the end they are together. It just doesn’t work for me. Also the prologue was a bit strange and I didn’t catch on till the end of the story. A clay wedding vase meant for true love.
I could not connect with either character and lets face it Kris was an ass. There didn’t seem to be any heat or passion from either guy, but a few times of sex which made it even worse. I can’t say that it is not a good story because it is, but it was definitely boring to me. I am afraid that this story was definitely not for me.
Hi guys! We have B.A. Tortuga stopping by today with her upcoming release Rainbow Rodeo, we have a brilliant guest post from B.A. and a great excerpt, so check out the post and enjoy! ❤ ~Pixie~
Rainbow Rodeo
by
B.A. Tortuga
As a teenager, Dalton Jakoby made Tank an offer—one Tank turned down gently. It was still embarrassing as hell, so when Tank returns to the Jakoby Rodeo Company after a big-time bull riding tour, Dalton decides polite but distant is the best course of action.
Tank is hurting from some tough injuries and ready for a lighter workload. He’s also ready to admit Dalton is an adult now, one he wants to get to know much better. While Dalton’s past makes him suspicious of Tank’s attention, he can’t stay standoffish for long… not with Tank.
The new romance burns hot, but problems inside and outside the arena threaten what Tank and Dalton might have together.
Hi guys! We have B.A. Tortuga stopping by today with her upcoming release Things That Go Bump In The Night, we have a brilliant guest post from B.A. and a great excerpt, so check out the post and enjoy! ❤ ~Pixie~
Things That Go Bump In The Night
by
B.A. Tortuga
This collection of paranormal erotica will give you goose bumps, make you shiver, and keep you up at night… though maybe not with fear.
In these tales are Alpha werewolves, a literal cat burglar, a cougar-shifter with self-esteem issues, a blind vampire, a wounded angel, a psychic, and more… and they like to play with their prey. From humorous to dark, these stories show there’s a perfect lover out there for everyone, no matter who—or what—they are. With their mates by their sides, they’re heating up the world unseen by most… and making lots of things go bump in the night.
Stories included:
Guapo Bad for Business Home Fires Instinctive Harmony Pinyon Ring My Bell The Mind’s Eye Cats in a China Shop
Blurb: Dan White is trying to acclimate to civilian life after a long career in the military with multiple combat deployments.
Now he’s home in the Austin area, living with his brother Dixon, Dixon’s husband, Audie, and their two nine-year-olds. During the New Year celebration, Dan meets Abraham Weldon, and the connection is instant.
There’s a kiss. There’s a dance. There’s a proposition.
Then Dan finds out Weldon is bisexual.
And a dad.
With five kids. Five kids, one of whom is a blind fifteen-year-old.
Weldon has been in love twice in his life—with his high school best friend, Blake, and with his wife, Krista, who he met in a Dairy Queen as she was crying over a positive pregnancy test. Love number three hits Weldon like a hammer when he meets Dan.
But since Dan isn’t interested in a guy with kids, they might only get one night together.
Now I have to admit that I am not a fan of bisexual characters nor with children or female parts. Also every time I read a story where the wife tragically died leaving her husband and children behind just drives me nuts. Also the fact that she was his best friend in highschool doesn’t really connect with me either. It seems to be used quite a bit which for me is a dull moment. I want something unique and I hate to say it that this was not unique. What was unique was he married his wife, when he found her crying over being pregnant with another man’s child.
Abraham was in love with his best friend and the mother of his children. However that all changed when she passed away and left him alone with their five kids. Although the fact that his oldest is a blind teen who is not biologically his child, and as a normal teenager wants his real daddy. That was the only unique part of the whole story. It does show that Abraham is a nice guy. So his hooking up with Dan was not all that new for me. He hangs out with his friends and meets Dix’s brother Dan and of course something happens. However he just could no resist the temptation.
Dan is a military man who has been in for most of his life and is dealing with his memories. Now as many military personal he has PTSD and has trouble dealing with being a civilian at times. Now what caught my attention was the fact that his brother is blind, and Abraham’s oldest son was blind, see the theme going there. The he meets his brothers friend Abraham, and sparks fly. The problem seems to be those five kids that he has. And according to Dan, he doesn’t like kids. Really were going to go there, just seems a bit to cliche again.
Now over all this story was quite good and I did enjoy reading it. I am surprised by the amount of heat these guys have going on, even when they are fighting with each other. I liked the fact that the kids were so active in this book and even though I don’t much care for that aspect of the story it felt good. Now I will be the first to admit that I didn’t read book one so I was missing parts of the story. Which means I will have to go read the first book to check it out. It was a very catchy story that did intrigued me quite a bit. The flow was even paced and made for an enjoyable read.
Pixie’s Review: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 1/2 Hearts
Dan is recently out of the military, staying with his brother Dix and wondering what he will do with his life now. While celebrating New Year Dan meets Weldon Dix’s neighbor and its instant lust, but Weldon has five children and Dan isn’t ready for that type of commitment. Weldon is looking for permanence from any person he has a relationship with, but there’s something about Dan that he just has to have a taste of, they might only have one night together but it’s a night that neither man will forget.
This is a superb story where love sneaks in and knocks both men for six. Dan is still finding his feet after being in the military for years, he’s finding it difficult to find a job and he suffers from the occasional nightmare from his time in combat. A relationship is something he isn’t looking for but he gets knocked off his feet by Weldon and his family. Weldon has a fantastic family; it’s been over three years since his wife died and he’s now looking for someone to share it with, Dan is honest and caring and Weldon wishes he was ready for more than just hook-ups.
Weldon’s children Jakob, Emma, Madison, MacKenzie & Caleb are little stars of this story; they are absolute holy terrors/cherubs and make you grin. While Weldon and Dan are dancing round the relationship dilemma and Dan accepts that he might want more than just a fling with Weldon the kids are all in the background and have an impact on Dan that he never thought would happen… they wormed their way into his heart.
The story is very easy going for the most part, Dan and Weldon fall into a relationship after Dan sorts himself out, but danger lurks when Jakob keeps secrets. This story isn’t just about Dan and Weldon, it’s about building a new family, dealing with settling into a new way of life and helping children deal with growing up.
I loved how this story was written, there is angst but it isn’t really coming from the adults (except parenting angst, there’s plenty of that!), we see how Dan and Weldon deal with their relationship (really easy going), we see the children dealing with a new man in their dad’s life, we see the normal sibling teasing & secrets and how it affects them and we see a strong family being built before our eyes.
I recommend this to those who love fantastic characters, who adore rambunctious children, who love a dash of tension and angst, and love characters who become exceptional when they love the right man.
Hi guys! We have the cowboy lovin’ B.A. Tortuga stopping by today with her upcoming release Road Trip Vol II, we have a brilliant guest post from B.A. and a great excerpt, so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
Road Trip Vol II
by
B.A. Tortuga
Road Trip Collection
The course of love is a rough ride, but for ecoterrorist MJ, ridge runner Sonny, physicist Paddy, psychic Neil, genetically enhanced English professor Duncan, and the assassin known as Cowboy, the road to romance is a heart-stopping trip—one full of kidnappings, explosions, secret programs, and supersoldiers. They’re an awful ragged bunch to be considered heroes.
Under Pressure
Sonny and MJ’s retirement may be in jeopardy, but at least they’re together on a new boat—with no annoying hostages. Then Cowboy, MJ’s old friend, gets in touch, bringing with him a host of complications, including Professor Duncan, who has ties to the Program. A call for help from Paddy sets them all on a collision course with a deadly specter from the past. As MJ makes his plans, Sonny is shaken by the possibility of losing everything.
Walking on the Sun
Sonny is determined to raise hell to hunt for MJ—problem is, will MJ know anyone, or himself, once they catch up to him? Neil and Paddy are healing but reluctantly join the effort, as Cowboy and Duncan help Sonny prepare for a showdown. Sonny might be ragged, but he’s MJ’s hero, and he is not about to give up on the most important thing in his life, even if it kills him. Will everyone survive the last epic battle, or will they go out in a blaze of glory?
First Edition of Under Pressure published by TOP SHELF: An imprint of Torquere Press Publishers, March 2009.
First Edition of Walking on the Sun published by TOP SHELF: An imprint of Torquere Press Publishers, September 2010.
Hey guys, we have the brilliant B.A. Tortuga stopping by today with her upcoming release Fighting Addiction. We have a fantastic guest post from B.A. and a great excerpt, so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
Fighting Addiction
by
B.A. Tortuga
Country hat act Markus Kane is skeptical when he’s asked to do a joint tour. He hasn’t seen Sebastian Longchamps since he gave up drinking—and since their compulsion for each other nearly cost them both their livelihoods. But Markus’s career is on the downhill slope, while the country-fried Cajun rocker’s star is still rising. His label thinks it’ll be a match made in ticket-sales heaven.
Sebastian knows better. One wrong move and Markus will break his heart all over again. This time he has much more to lose.
Time has changed both men, though, and while Markus and Sebastian try to fight their addictions, the big music industry machine has plans for them that don’t include a quiet retirement. Can Markus convince Sebastian that there are things in life more important than adrenaline and control? And can Sebastian make Markus understand that all he really wants is his music and his man?
Hoss McMasters has a working ranch, a bull riding career, a nosy momma, and a best friend he’s been in love with since he can remember. He’s a busy, happy cowboy, living the good life.
Then one morning he discovers a baby on his doorstep.
Well, Hoss does what any reasonable man would do – he calls his momma and his buddy, Sheriff Pooter, and they head to the clinic to see if Doc knows of any suddenly not-so-pregnant girls.
In the meantime, Hoss and his best friend, Bradley, have their hands full trying to care for an infant, run a ranch, and deal with the sudden confession that Bradley doesn’t hate Hoss for coming out to him in high school. In fact, Bradley’s been trying to catch Hoss’s attention for damn near a decade.
Review: For me, BA Tortuga has always been an author I can take or leave. I don’t dislike any of her books, really, but more the writing style sometimes leaves me feeling a bit nonplussed. But still I keep on going back because the type of stories Tortuga writes are what I like. I know, I’m a person of many contradictions and whatnot.
Now see, here’s a funny thing. I read and reviewed this book and gave it a 3.5/5… then I forgot about my opinion and listened to the audio and rated it a 5/5. For some reason I just loved listening to the audio, whereas I merely enjoyed reading the book. No idea why, but that’s how it goes. I’m fairly sure that a good part of the reason was because of the narration by Dorian Bane – I loved the voice he gave the cowboys and made me feel a new level of emotion which I don’t remember from when I simply read the book myself. The actual idea of the story and the whole “cowboys looking after a baby and finally reveal their feelings for each other” plot device – absolutely perfect. I also loved the touch of soap opera type of drama introduced when it comes to said baby’s paternity.
The story is about Hoss (ok, as it had done when I read the book, the nick name Hoss seriously rubbed me the wrong way again) and his best friend since childhood, Bradley. They are both cowboys and have been secretly in love with each other years. One day, Hoss finds a baby randomly left on his door step and through some convoluted reasoning, he ends up looking after the baby girl with the help of his friend. The story works in two parts, 1) Hoss and Bradley getting together, where one is out and the other is in the closet still, and, 2) looking after the baby and the mystery of where she came from.
There was a twist at the end that came from nowhere, it’s a bit unbelievable, so people that like things to be more relatable may need to enter with an open mind. Seriously, when I say this is something you would see on Days of Our Lives /Neighbours/Coronation Street, believe it.
Hey guys, we have the brilliant B.A. Tortuga stopping by today with her upcoming Dreamspun Desire release Finding Mr Wright. We have a fantastic guest post from B.A. and a great excerpt, so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
Finding Mr Wright
(Dreampun Desire 42 / Leaning N 02)
by
B.A. Tortuga
Everything’s bigger in Texas, including weddings. And misunderstandings.
Colorado wedding planner Mason O’Reilly lands a major contract: a two-hundred-guest wedding at the Leanin’ N Ranch, where his friends Ford and Stoney are working to provide a safe space for GLBT events. The Wright/Preston ceremony is a destination wedding, and as the grooms are from Texas, everything is done over the phone and email. There’s no way that could lead to trouble, right?
Oops.
Oil tycoon Noah Wright isn’t happy about the impending disaster, but he admires Mason’s quick thinking and grace under pressure. And that’s not all he likes about the out-and-proud wedding planner. Even though Mason’s interested in Noah, his Mr. Right can’t possibly be a rancher from Dallas.
Hi guys! We have B.A. Tortuga popping in today with her upcoming re-release Road Trip Vol 01, we have B.A.’s Road Trip playlist and an excellent excerpt, so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
Road Trip Vol 01
by
B.A. Tortuga
The road to love is notoriously bumpy, full of twists and turns that can throw even the best driver. With obstacles around every corner, Sonny and MJ try to keep it between the lines in two tales that blend steamy romance with high-stakes action and intrigue.
Racing the Moon
Sonny runs moonshine the old-fashioned way. Too bad some fool blew up his road in the Carolina mountains, keeping him stuck, high and unfortunately dry.
Explosives expert and ecoterrorist MJ’s mission is to protect the environment by shutting down a logging company. An encounter with Sonny in the misty forest sheds a new light on his quest, but it’s not until Sonny drugs and kidnaps him for an impromptu holiday that their engines really start to rev.
Steam and Sunshine
A mission they can’t resist lures Sonny and MJ out of retirement when they get word of a man creating dangerous weapons for the government. They head to California to take him down.
What they find is Paddy, a physicist who doesn’t understand the scope of his own discovery, and Neil, his bodyguard. During a wild and unpredictable cross-country ride, an uneasy partnership develops between kidnappers and targets when the four men discover they have a common enemy.
First Edition of Racing the Moon published by Torquere Press, 2006.
Second Edition of Racing the Moon published by Torquere Press, 2007.
First Edition of Steam and Sunshine published by Torquere Press, 2007.
Blurb: Don’t people know that cats and dogs don’t mix?
Connor Ragbone finds things. Sometimes it’s gold, sometimes jewels, sometimes people. Set in his hippie ways, he never thought he’d find a pack, but with Sam and Gus and their goofy shifter family, he fits right in. Then he finds Brock.
Shifter Brock Herman is undercover alone, working to break up a poaching ring. The last thing he needs is for Connor to wreck his sting. And now the crazy bobcat just won’t go away!
The poachers lead Brock and Connor on a merry chase all over Western Colorado, looking for shifter bears, but it’s a lost pup who brings them back to Nevada and the pack Sam and Gus are building. That’s when Brock has to decide whether he still travels alone or if Connor and his crazy family are where his heart belongs.
Review: Each book in the Sanctuary collection features a new romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order.
Just like the first book, I looked at the title and new I had to check it out. Then I read the blurb and new I had to read it. It has a serious tone to it but it is mixed perfectly with the humorous side to it as well. There is nothing better than a book with a lot of humor in it, especially if it is about two very sexy shifters. I love the idea of a cat and dog as mates.
Connor is a blast and funny as hell. He has this gift that he uses to find things and people that are lost. There is just something about him that makes you want to grab him up and hug him tight. He got the call to find someone lost and it leads him to Brock.
Brock is a wolf shifter who goes undercover to break up poaching rings. Right now the focus is on bears. At first he finds this bobcat shifter with dread locks who just won’t leave him alone. Tells him that he must stay with him till he gets him to where he truly belongs. Connor and the poachers sure do take him on a twisty adventure.
I love the twists that this story has going on. Connor is a character that I would not have expected. He looks like a hippy and the way he talks is so damn funny. Brock is more of a serious guy, but you mix these two up and you are in for one hell of a good time.
I enjoyed reading this book and cannot wait to find out what is in store for them all.
Hiya guys! We have B.A. Tortuga popping in today with her upcoming long awaited Sanctuary release What the Cat Dragged In, we have a great excerpt and a brilliant guest post, so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
What the Cat Dragged In
(Sanctuary 02)
by
B.A. Tortuga
Don’t people know that cats and dogs don’t mix?
Connor Ragbone finds things. Sometimes it’s gold, sometimes jewels, sometimes people. Set in his hippie ways, he never thought he’d find a pack, but with Sam and Gus and their goofy shifter family, he fits right in. Then he finds Brock.
Shifter Brock Herman is undercover alone, working to break up a poaching ring. The last thing he needs is for Connor to wreck his sting. And now the crazy bobcat just won’t go away!
The poachers lead Brock and Connor on a merry chase all over Western Colorado, looking for shifter bears, but it’s a lost pup who brings them back to Nevada and the pack Sam and Gus are building. That’s when Brock has to decide whether he still travels alone or if Connor and his crazy family are where his heart belongs.
This follow-up to Just Like Cats and Dogs is a feel-good shifter romance novel where cats and dogs prove they can be way more than the enemies nature has made them.
Hi guys, we have B.A. Tortuga stopping by today with her upcoming release Best New Artist, we have a brilliant guest post and a fantastic excerpt so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
Best New Artist
by
B.A. Tortuga
Kasey “Tuff” Tuffman just told Nashville to kiss his you know what. After winning Best New Artist at an award show, he knows it’s time to head back home to Texas. So after a very public meltdown, Tuff makes his way to Austin, where the Red Dirt music lives large.
Jonah Littlejohn once loved KT more than anything in the world. When KT loses it on national TV, Jonah knows he has to reach out and offer his home studio as a place to heal and make music. A bad relationship has left Jonah broken and wary of romance, but he wants to help his old lover out.
Seeing Jonah again proves to Tuff that he’s made the right decision. Now all he has to do is convince Jonah that they’re the most perfect duet there’s ever been.
Hiya guys! We have B.A. Tortuga popping in today with her upcoming re-release Seashores of Old Mexico, we have a brilliant guest post from B.A. and a great excerpt, so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~
Seashores of Old Mexico
by
B.A. Tortuga
After a bar fight gone horribly wrong, Clint is on the run, tired, hungry, and desperate to get out of Texas and across the border as fast as he can. But more than anything, he needs a place to relax and feel safe—at least for a little while. Searching for work, he stumbles into a cantina on the beach and runs into its owner. Jack might be a little older and a little worldlier, but the two men have enough in common to form a fast friendship that soon spills over into the bedroom.
But Clint isn’t the only who’s done things he isn’t proud of, things he’d rather keep hidden. Both of them have to be ready to drop everything and run if the past gets too close, and that’s no foundation for a relationship—especially since the truth always comes out eventually.
Blurb: Some ancient secrets are better left buried….
When Jacob Keys gets the call every man dreads, he leaves his Wyoming home to find his mother’s killer. A whole archaeological team in Sardinia is dead, all of the bodies accounted for—all but Caleb Paulsen, consummate scholar and Jacob’s former lover. In Italy, Jacob sets out to discover the cause of the tragedy. And to find Caleb.
Meanwhile, a shipment arrives for Jacob in Wyoming. Jacob’s friend, Ben Walking Turtle, and his partner, Sam MacDougal, retrieve the box… and with it, a ruthless and cunning entity that’s been biding its time.
From Sardinia to Wyoming, Phoenix to Denver, this lethal ancient evil travels toward its bitter last stand, leaving death and destruction in its wake.
None of the men who touch it will ever be the same.
First Edition published as Diggers by Dallas Coleman, from Torquere Press, 2008.
Review: A man on a mission, Jacob sets out to Italy to discover what happened to his mother and Caleb. Unbeknownst to him an ancient evil is about to invade Ben’s lover Sam and cut down all in its path in brutal fashion. While I love horror stories this one was confusing at times.
There some confusion on my part at times to where exactly the location was referring to as it changed suddenly with no warning. As with all horror books there is a lot of death in brutal fashions throughout.
There were also a lot of POV’s throughout the story. Some I felt were unnecessary to have. Sam was super scary at times in his possession but he also confused me before he was possessed. Ben was sweet and seemed to care for Sam a lot.
I really liked the plot of this story but the delivery was a little wrong to me so it made it impossible for me to enjoy it as much as I should have. It was an ok read.
Hoss McMasters has a working ranch, a bull riding career, a nosy momma, and a best friend he’s been in love with since he can remember. He’s a busy, happy cowboy, living the good life.
Then one morning he discovers a baby on his doorstep.
Well, Hoss does what any reasonable man would do—he calls his momma and his buddy, Sheriff Pooter, and they head to the clinic to see if Doc knows of any suddenly not-so-pregnant girls.
In the meantime, Hoss and his best friend, Bradley, have their hands full trying to care for an infant, run a ranch, and deal with the sudden confession that Bradley doesn’t hate Hoss for coming out to him in high school. In fact, Bradley’s been trying to catch Hoss’s attention for damn near a decade.
Review: For me this book was a war between absolute love and being rather annoyed.
I know the reason for it and that is, quite simply, that the writing style of BA Tortuga has always been something that I have trouble connecting with. But still I keep on going back because the type of stories Tortuga writes are what I like. However, the actual idea of the story and the whole “cowboys looking after a baby and finally reveal their feelings for each other” plot device – absolutely perfect. I also loved the touch of soap opera type of drama introduced when it comes to said baby’s paternity.
The story is about Hoss (seriously, this name, totally rubbed me the wrong way for reasons unknown) and his best friend since childhood, Bradley. They are both cowboys and have been secretly in love with each other years. One day, Hoss finds a baby randomly left on his door step and through some convoluted reasoning; he ends up looking after the baby girl with the help of his friend.
The story works in two parts, 1) Hoss and Bradley getting together, where one is out and the other is in the closet still, and, 2) looking after the baby and the mystery of where she came from. There was a twist at the end that came from nowhere, it’s a bit unbelievable, so people that like things to be more relatable may need to enter with an open mind. Seriously, when I say this is something you would see on Days of Our Lives /Neighbours/Coronation Street, believe it.
Regardless of my feelings of the author’s writing style, this was nevertheless an enjoyable read. I loved the plot, I loved the characters and I loved the setting.
Title: Two of a Kind
Title: Finding Mr Wright
Title: Cowboy in the Crosshairs
Title: Slip
Title: Refired
Title: Real World
Title: Two Cowboys and a Baby
Title: Unearthed (2nd edition)