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!

Real World by B.A. Tortuga Dual Review

Title: Real World

Series: Love is Blind 02

Author: B.A. Tortuga

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (290 Pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (August 15, 2016)

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.

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.

ISBN: 978-1-6347-374-4

Product Link: Dreamspinner Press | 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.

Real World by B.A. Tortuga

B.A. Tortuga - Real World CoverTitle: Real World

Series: Love is Blind 02

Author: B.A. Tortuga

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (290pgs)

ISBN: 978-1-63477-374-4

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (15th August 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate – Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 ½ Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

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.

Purchase Link: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/real-world-by-ba-tortuga-7360-b

Review: 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.

Real World by B.A. Tortuga Guest Post & Excerpt!

B.A. Tortuga - Real World Banner

Hi peeps, we have B.A. Tortuga by today with her upcoming release Real World, the second book in her Love is Blind series. B.A. chats about what she misses about Texas and we have a great new excerpt, so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~

B.A. Tortuga - Real World Cover

Real World

(Love is Blind 02)
by

B.A. Tortuga

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.

Release date: 15th August 2016

Continue reading “Real World by B.A. Tortuga Guest Post & Excerpt!”

Real World by B.A. Tortuga Cover Reveal & Excerpt!

B.A. Tortuga - Real World Banner

Hi peeps, we have B.A. Tortuga popping in today with the cover to her upcoming release Real World, the second book in her Love is Blind series. We have a great excerpt, so check out the stunning cover and enjoy the excerpt! <3 ~Pixie~

B.A. Tortuga - Real World Cover

Real World

(Love is Blind 02)
by

B.A. Tortuga

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.

Release date: 15th August 2016

Continue reading “Real World by B.A. Tortuga Cover Reveal & Excerpt!”