Tag: Turtlehat Creatives

Real World by B.A. Tortuga *Dual Review* (2nd Edition)

B.A. Tortuga - Real World Cover njx74aqTitle: Real World

Series: Love is Blind 02

Author: B.A. Tortuga

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (344 Pages)

Publisher: Turtlehat Creatives (10th October 2019)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 4 – 4 1/2 Hearts Combined

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.

Widower Weldon has been in love twice before 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.

ISBN: B07YYX1ZWC

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewers: Lisa & Pixie

Lisa’s Review: 💖💖💖💖 4 Hearts 

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.

Ever the Same by B.A. Tortuga (2nd Edition)

B.A. Tortuga - Ever The Same Cover cdbsh64Title: Ever the Same

Author: B. A. Tortuga

Genre: Contemporary, Western/Cowboy

Length: Novel (287 pages)

ISBN: B07YR25T9F

Publisher: Turtlehat Creatives (4th October 2019)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Cat

Blurb: Audie Barrack is in it up to his elbows with a sick calf when his son’s school calls. Seems Grainger has gotten into yet another fight. When he walks into the principal’s office, he’s shocked to find his son has been fighting with a little girl named Randi.

A little girl with one blind dad and one dad who recently passed away.

Goddammit.

Dixon has lost his sight, his career, and his husband. Thank God for his brothers, Momma and Daddy, and his little girl, or he would simply give up. The last thing he needs is for Randi to start trouble at school, especially trouble that puts him in contact with another dad who might expect him to be a functional human being.

Dixon is struggling to live as a blind man, Audie is terrified someone might see he has a closet to come out of, and everyone from the school to both men’s families is worried for the men and their children. Unless they get themselves together and commit to change, neither of them stands a chance.

Purchase Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: Audie is gay though no one knows except his family and they prefer he keep it secret thinking it will go away. He is surprised in more ways than one when he gets a call from school that his son has been fighting. When he gets there he finds out Randy is Randi and a girl. She just lost one dad and the other dad is gay. Oh yeah and most importantly blind. He never had any idea how much one little phone call could change his life.

Dix feels useless and wishes he had died in the accident t times if only it was t for his daughter Randi. She is also struggling with the loss of one dad all the changes of moving and her other dad not being able to see and do anything.

I loved this story. I loved that neither man is perfect and how much each man loves their child. I also liked how it seems as if fate brings them together through their children. It is a beautiful story of love, tragedy, and need.

I am a big character lover and I loved every single character in this book including the children.  Each one played their parts well giving the story interest.

 The one issue I had was it switches quickly from one view to the other. I was able to follow but at times I had to read back a bit to figure out who was talking or thinking.  It didn’t slow me down or keep me from enjoying the story.

 I applaud B. A. for making Dixon blind and not where he magically gets better or can even be surgically fixed but permanently blind and Dixon having a child as a teen and taking responsibility showing some men do actually do what is necessary and life changing. I have to say that I really enjoyed the cute baby talk on occasion from the kids it lightened up the sadness. (I can’t wait to see if Dan gets a story)

If you live a sweet romance with a touch of angst, some tragedy, cute kids, cowboys, musician’s horses, damaged men, handicapped men and some pretty sensual and hot man-sex this is definitely for you!

Just Like Cats and Dogs by B.A. Tortuga (3rd Edition)

B.A. Tortuga - Just Like Cats and Dogs Cover bwe439Title: Just Like Cats and Dogs, (3rd Edition)

Series: A Sanctuary Novel 01

Author: B.A. Tortuga

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Novel (213 Pages)

Publisher: Turtlehat Creatives (9th October 2019)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Blurb:  Can cats and dogs ever get along, let alone fall in love?

Sam knows you can never go home again. As an orphaned feline shifter raised by wolves, being an outcast is nothing new to him. But the pack is still his family, and when one of them passes away, Sam returns to the New Mexico desert to say good-bye.

Gus is a loner who rarely returns to his pack, but as fate would have it, Sam is there when he chooses to visit. The history between Gus and Sam is tumultuous, to say the least, but when Gus gets an eyeful of the grown-up and gorgeous version of his childhood bully, he can’t control his reaction. And he isn’t alone.

The attraction is powerful, but so are their differences. And with trouble brewing in the pack and danger surrounding them, Sam and Gus might not have the opportunity to seek common ground.

First Edition published by Torquere Press, 2011. Second Edition published by Dreamspinner Press 2017.

ISBN: 978-1-951532-25-3

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa

Review:  When I first saw this book on the list, I thought the title very quirky and fun.  However I wasn’t paying attention to what kind of book it was going to be.  So when I started reading you can imagine my surprise at some of the words they called each other and the scratching.  So I ran to the site to take a look at the blurb, and from there did the happy dance of the century.  

This is a very unique shifter story that was very surprising to say the least.  Where one of the families in the pack loves to take in strays but the pack is a bit full of asshats.  Sam is a cat shifter who is one hell of a dancer and lives in the city because the pack is not really into shifters unlike them during the moon.  He had to be locked into the basement during those times, but now he doesn’t have to be.  He knows that he will never be safe coming home, but when his ma called about pop’s death he came home.  

Gus is a wolf shifter and a bit of a loner.  He loves to dig in dirt for some nice gems.  He never really gave Sam the time of day other than to pick on him.  But in his heart he knew that was because he wanted Sam and he knew it would never be allowed.  Then he sees Sam for the first time in a very long time, and damn if the man isn’t hot.  Danger seems to follow Sam everywhere and he has always felt that he would never belong.  It looks to be like Gus might just be willing to help.  If you want to know more then read the book, you won’t be disappointed.

Now I have to admit that I didn’t much care for the pack dynamics or the other cat shifter’s attitudes.  It wasn’t as fun as the title made it seem to be though. Other than those minor problems, this book rocked.  I can’t wait to read the rest of this series.

Midnight Rodeo : Belonging by Julia Talbot, Kiernan Kelly and BA Tortuga

511qoKoGFXL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_Title: Midnight Rodeo: Belonging
Series: Midnight Rodeo 2
Author: Julia Talbot, Kiernan Kelly, BA Tortuga,
Genre: Paranormal
Length: Multi-Author Anthology – 240 pages
Publisher: Turtlehat Creatives (January 11, 2016)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Blurb: What happens when rodeos start to get too tough for humans to compete in? Midnight Rodeo, of course, where supernatural creatures work for the prize money, and for the awe of their audience.

ISBN: 978-1-94283-107-5

Product Link(s): http://amzn.to/1pfjrGk

https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-midnightrodeobelonging-1974129-145.html

Reviewer: Lisa

Anthology - Midnight Rodeo 02 - Belonging RCReview: I have never actually been to a rodeo but if they come with the supernatural then I am sure to be there. I had not expected this to be so much fun. I wasn’t a fan of the cover which is usually what catches my eye, but damn I am glad to read this fun little anthology.

I have not really read anything by these authors before so I wasn’t really sure what to expect but they were pretty damn good. I mean you get werewolves, feline shifters, vampires and many others.

Although I am not really sure about ghost riders, they always make me think of a song.

Light a Rocket by Julia Talbot ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Rocket is probably the worst rider in Darque and Knight Rodeo. This cheetah shifter is fast, but he only has so many lives in his cat body, and he spends more time injured than not. Raven Walkingman is the number one cowboy, at the top of his game. The two seem an unlikely match, but Raven enjoys doing things no one expects him to, including Rocket.

Raven likes his relationships casual and when Rocket starts talking mates as shifters do, Raven pulls up the stakes. He has his animal spirit guides, his good friends, and his fancy trailer. He doesn’t need a ragtag cheetah falling for. His spirit guides know better. They adore Rocket and are more than happy to support him, and abandon Raven, until the stubborn fool does the right thing.

Poor Rocket is at the bottom of the pile and somehow always manages to get injured. Which for a cat shifter is bizarre. Which actually made me laugh, because one knows cats are so elegant and graceful. Raven is one of the top cowboys and damn the man is fine.

These two hook up and I have to say that it is hot. Rocket is a cheetah shifter and is damn fast running. He is just trying to not only fit in but make it financially. Raven is his mate, but Rocket is a player. That is until Raven thinks Rocket has stolen his spirits. It isn’t until he realizes what is going on that things heat up.

I had a blast reading this and have to say that Rocket is my favorite so far.

Freaked Out by Kiernan Kelly ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Gargoyle-shifter Killian has spent his life living and working with all different sorts of supernatural folk, but because he had three forms instead of two like most other shifters, he feels like a freak. His habit of minding his own business has been his shield against being hurt, and to aid in that endeavor, he’s adopted a stony personality.

When a troupe of sideshow performers are hired by Darque and Knight to augment the rodeo, he’s forced to redefine his ideas of what constitutes beauty and what defines a freak. Meanwhile, the hard, protective shell he’s erected around his heart threatens to crack wide open under the tender touch of Micah, the sideshow’s hideous Snake Man.

You don’t come across many gargoyle shifters in stories and they are probably my favorite by far. Not so much the snake shifter though. Killian is the gargoyle and Micah is the snake man.

Now I am not too sure about these two but they do pull at your heart strings. Micah has been stuck between his shifts and is trying to figure out how to get to one or the other. When Killian goes there and finds out what is going on things are going to get heated up.

I had a blast reading this and would like more stories like this one. I would also like to hear more about these two characters in the near future. They are fun to learn about.

Tails and Whiskers by BA Tortuga ♥♥♥♥4
Tiger shifter Dmitri loves the rodeo. Darque and Knight has become his home, and he adores all of his new friends. His past as a circus animal makes him hate injustice, so when he meets a trick rider and fox shifter, Dmitri is appalled to find that the hot little kit isn’t allowed inside the rodeo unless he’s working .

In fact, none of the entertainers are allowed in, all being contractors and thus bound to a greedy goblin. As Dmitri and Isaac fall in love, they find growing dissatisfaction with the status quo, and they go to their friends for support in forcing a policy change. Too bad there’s a certain goblin who doesn’t want to give up control of his workers.

Can Dmitri and Isaac find a way to be together, and to make a change for the better of everyone at D&K?

Although I love gargoyles, tigers have always been my top favorite of the shifters. They are powerful, big and just so gorgeous. Dmitri is a Siberian tiger shifter and tigers are normally loners. However when he comes across a cute little fox shifter he is intrigued. Isaac is just as cute as can be and he is so damn quirky that he has me smiling the whole time. When Dmitri finds out that Isaac and his brothers are being hurt, he is going to start knocking heads together.

These two are gorgeous together and are perfect mates. I feel horrible about the pain Isaac and his family is going through but I love the fact that Dmitri will do everything for his mate. What a wonderful read this was and I can’t wait to read more like this from an amazing author.

Way to go BA Tortuga.

Overall
Even though I would say that you could read this as a standalone anthology I would suggest reading book one first. It will give you an insight into this amazing world. I really loved the rodeo them but it just seemed so damn strange. I must admit that it was missing something to make it perfect but it was still a pretty damn good book.

I would recommend it to everyone.

Anthology - Midnight Rodeo 02 - Belonging BannerTemplate

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *

Midnight Rodeo: Belonging Anthology, Excerpt & Giveaway!

Anthology - Midnight Rodeo 02 - Belonging 960x350

Hi guys, we have Kiernan Kelly, Julia Talbot and B.A. Tortuga stopping by with their new release Midnight Rodeo: Belonging, we have a great excerpt and a fantastic giveaway, so enjoy the post and click that giveaway link! <3 ~Pixie~ 

Anthology - Midnight Rodeo 02 - Belonging Cover

Midnight Rodeo: Belonging

by

Kiernan Kelly, Julia Talbot & B.A. Tortuga

What happens when rodeos start to get too tough for humans to compete in? Midnight Rodeo, of course, where supernatural creatures like shifters and vampires work for the prize money, and for the awe of their audience.

Light a Rocket by Julia Talbot

Rocket is probably the worst rider in Darque and Knight rodeo troupe. This cheetah shifter is fast as the wind, but he only has so many lives in his cat body, and he spends more time injured than not. Raven Walkingman is the number one cowboy in the Midnight Rodeo, at the top of his game. The two seem an unlikely match, but Raven enjoys doing things no one expects him to, including Rocket.

Raven likes his relationships casual, though, and when Rocket starts talking mates as shifters are wont to do, Raven pulls up the stakes. He has his animal spirit guides, his good friends, and his fancy trailer. He doesn’t need a ragtag cheetah falling in love with him. His spirit guides know better. They adore Rocket and are more than happy to support him, and abandon Raven, until the stubborn fool does the right thing.

Tails and Whiskers by BA Tortuga

Tiger shifter Dmitri loves the rodeo. Darque and Knight has become his home, and he adores all of his new friends. Still, his past as a circus animal causes him to hate injustice, so when he meets a trick rider and fox shifter, Dmitri is appalled to find that the hot little kit isn’t allowed inside the rodeo ground except when he works. In fact, none of the entertainers are allowed in, all being contractors and thus bound to a different boss, who happens to be a greedy goblin.

As Dmitri and Isaac learn to love one another, they find growing dissatisfaction with the status quo, and they go to their friends for support in forcing a policy change. Too bad there’s a certain goblin who doesn’t want to give up control of his workers. Can Dmitri and Isaac find a way to be together, and to make a change for the better of everyone at D&K?

Freaked Out by Kiernan Kelly

Gargoyle-shifter Killian has spent his life living and working with all different sorts of supernatural folk, but because he had three forms instead of two like most other shapeshifters, he’s always felt like a freak. His habit of keeping to himself and minding his own business has been his shield against being hurt, and to aid in that endeavor, he’s adopted a stony personality.

When a troupe of sideshow performers are hired by Darque and Knight to augment the rodeo, he’s forced to redefine his ideas of what constitutes beauty and what defines a freak. Meanwhile, the hard, protective shell he’s erected around his heart threatens to crack wide open under the tender touch of Micah, the sideshow’s hideous Snake Man.

ARe | Amazon

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