Review: Trial by Fire by BA Tortuga

Trial by Fire (Dreamspun Desires #6) by BA Tortuga
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 228pgs

2.5 Pants Off

Blurb: One Aussie. One Texan. One baby. One hell of a fight.

When his sister and her husband are killed in an accident, Aussie cattle station owner Lachlan McCoughney rushes to Texas to rescue their infant daughter, Chloe. He expects to find his niece living in squalor with the Sheffields, a rodeo family.

Instead, Lachlan finds Holden Sheffield, a salt-of-the-earth cowboy running a huge business operation. They want to explore their mutual attraction despite the many problems thrown their way, and together, they must find a way to give Chloe a new family and find a love that spans thousands of acres and two continents.

Review

SO MUCH GRAVY NOT ENOUGH BISCUITS

In all the years I’ve been reading m/m books and all the years B.A Tortuga has been writing m/m this is my very first time reading the author. If “Trial by Fire” is the usual fare can I honestly say that I haven’t t been missing much or is it a case that I might have been missing all too much. This book had melodrama coming out of its wazoo. Daytime soap opera type shiiiii…. 

Lachlan has been searching for his sister for many years, and when he finally gets a call that she’s been located, but it comes with news that he wasn’t really expecting. His sister has perished in a plane crash along with her husband leaving behind a daughter, a niece he wants to meet and become an uncle to. That means navigating the family his sister married into, one thing is for damn sure he’ll leaving the heart of Texas with his niece.  

What then transpires is drama of epic intents. My head was reeling with the amount of crazy that was going down. This book had the plane crash, a baby-napping for ransom for 10 million dollars (cue Dr Evil finger to the mouth), and straight up all out shooting. All this went down in the first 60% of the book.  

Then there is Lachlan and Holden. Holden being the legal guardian of the little girl and twin brother of the husband to his sister 😒. They be hating each other but they also be loving each other, because nothing brings two people closer together than a kidnapping. It’s a dramatic mess of epic proportions and kept reading for the sole purpose of how much more ridiculous can it get. Turmoil is thrown in from both Lachlan and Holden’s parents who can’t seem to compromise on how the baby should be raised, while also dealing with the budding relationship of love between Holden and Lachlan. Their love is fast like a mustang in the wind.  

Overall, this was a very harlequinesque type read with crazy thrown in for plot device while offering a very mediocre story. There was a lot somethings without any actual answers to most of it. I found the writing alright but I couldn’t take anything seriously, the dialogue was over the top and more comedic than entertaining. Cowboys speak is a hell of thing!! 

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Review Writing Songs
Redbone by Childish Gambino
MIC Drop by BTS, Steve Aoki
DNA by BTS

Review: The Lone Rancher by Andrew Grey

The Lone Rancher (Dreamspun Desires #4) by Andrew Grey 
Dreamspinner Press
Novella: 192pgs

2 Pants Off

Blurb:  He'll do anything to save the ranch, including baring it all.

Aubrey Klein is in real trouble—he needs some fast money to save the family ranch. His solution? A weekend job as a stripper at a club in Dallas. For two shows each Saturday, he is the star as The Lone Rancher.

It leads to at least one unexpected revelation: after a show, Garrett Lamston, an old friend from school, approaches the still-masked Aubrey to see about some extra fun… and Aubrey had no idea Garrett was gay. As the two men dodge their mothers’ attempts to set them up with girls, their friendship deepens, and one thing leads to another.

Aubrey know his life stretching between the ranch and the club is a house of cards. He just hopes he can keep it standing long enough to save the ranch and launch the life—and the love—he really hopes he can have.

Review

The Lone Loser 

Well here I am again with an Andrew Grey book…for the life of me I can’t figure out why his books just don’t work for me. It might be the absolute sweetness, with a mild plot that is easily solved. Something always just doesn’t work for me, and The Lone Rancher just didn’t work for me. 

Aubrey Klein is just trying to make ends meet, for his parents and to save his ranch. His parents' have gotten themselves in a whole lot of debt and with their health declining it's up to him to bring everything back into the green. Ranch stuff alone isn't going to cut it so Aubrey has to take up a side job, and that side job is dancing as The Lone Ranger. Aubrey would rather not be doing this, but he’s damn good at it and the money is well needed. When a chance encounter with a long time friend leads to a realization that he’s not the only one hiding secrets. Some secrets can’t stay hidden for long. 

There’s Garrett and he’s just there. Of course it can’t be a romance without a love interest and Garrett is that love interest but for me he was just there like boring wallpaper. There were inconsistencies with his character, and his personality was like a leaf in the wind. So forgettable I had to go back to check his name. 

I don’t even know what to say apart from none of this worked for me. I didn’t like the dialogue, the overall premise was lukewarm, and the romance just didn’t have a good feel. I wanted to believe it and just couldn’t. The plotty device with Aubrey’s dancing was supposed to be the carry all for the story, but the big deal was made about it just didn’t ring true. Mans was just doing some dancing not running a prostitution ring, it was OTT. 

The family dynamic of the infantilism of their grown ass son and Aubrey just going along with it. Nothing irks me more than that shit, it’s not cute and it really bothered me through the entire book. I can understand the need for a smooth sailing romance, the need for happy and roses, but there’s a fine line between realistic and out of this world unbelievable.  

Overall, this one didn’t do anything for me. For this one I think I’m going to have bring back my SSDB (Same Shit Different Book) though it pains me to do so. That’s my feeling right now, The Lone Ranger was a A Lone Loser for me.

FYI- I cannot stand this cover. Hate it!!

Review: Winter Cowboy by R.J. Scott

Winter Cowboy ( Whisper Ridge, Wyoming #1) by R.J. Scott
Amazon, Kobo
Novel

4 Pants Off

Blurb: Micah Lennox left Whisper Ridge after promising the man he loved that he would never return. But the only way he knows to keep his pregnant sister and nephew safe is to go home. Spending winter in Wyoming opens too many old wounds, but he's on the run from justice which can't be far behind, and this is his last chance at redemption.

After a hostage situation leaves Doctor Daniel Sheridan struggling with PTSD, he returns to Whisper Ridge. Joining his dad in family practice is a balm to soothe his exhausted soul, and somehow, he finds a peace he can live with. That is until he meets Micah in a frozen graveyard, and the years of anger and feelings of betrayal boiling inside him, erupt.

Two broken men fight and scratch for their lives and that of their families, and somehow, in the middle of it all, they find each other.

Is it possible that love can be rekindled and become a forever to believe in?

Review

The Winter Blues

The rating for this book (4 Pants Off) 

How this book made me rage (Fucking Priceless) 

I really enjoyed reading this but my enjoyment is minor in compare to my rage. Winter Cowboy had me feeling all depressed and what seems to be my M.O from this year, being pissed at small town people and their hating ass selves. I was just sooo…pissed and that ending did nothing to alleviate my ire. 

Micah Lennox has had his fair share of pain after leaving the only home he’s ever known. An accident that happened as a teen has shaped his entire life, its left him broken and consumed by guilt. When he gets a call from his sister he knows that she’s in trouble and he never got to be the big brother she deserved in the past. His rescue mission turns into something you’d only ever see in the movies, and he now has to protect his very traumatized very pregnant sister, his traumatized and abused nephew. The option available is to go home back to his ranch, back to the place where the people hate him, where his first love hates him, and where he caused the death of a boy.

Dr Daniel Sheridan has dealt with his fair share of pain and guilt. He’s also dealing with PTSD and anxiety after being held gunpoint and watching a friend get killed. He’s barely hanging on by a thread and he just wants everyone to leave him alone but family can really be pain in the ass. When he hears that Micah is back in town his already fragile temper is near bursting and when he sees Micah in his sights his dam finally breaks. Micah gets him going and brings him to life, but he can’t forgive or forget but what Micah meant to him is like a tattoo on his heart. 

Micah and Daniel, they have some stuff to work on and finally get rid of their anger and guilt. There are glimpses into their budding romance as young men and then how it all came crashing down. My initial reaction to all hate on Micah was that he was drunk perhaps, and did something awful but when the truth finally came to light all I was left with is a “are u freaking serious”. This whole goddamn town persecuted a boy over an accident. I was in so much rage mode, I don’t know if I enjoyed the story after finding out and I’m still on the fence about whether Daniel deserves Micah or if their relationship is a good thing because it's based on so much awful. 

Micah is a character I really enjoyed. He’s loyal, caring, sensitive, and strong. He’s been through some things and could have remained bitter, but he stepped up when his sister needed him and was willing to put his entire life on the line to make sure she was safe. Daniel, is a whole other ball game. I understand that he has been through something traumatic but the way he was so very dismissive of Micah and then went ahead and lied which made an already bad situation worse, I’m just not here for him. He was mister doom and gloom and a freaking liar that lies under oath (like perjury dude…you weren’t thinking about that). Together…I’m not sure about their relationship or if I buy them as a couple. There are feelings there but its surrounded by young love, heartache, and pain. They aren’t even properly a couple yet but they need couples therapy.  

Overall, a solid angst ridden story by R.J Scott. I’m a fan of the authors writing flow, and a way with writing stories I will remember. While I didn’t love everything, I enjoyed a majority of the story telling. Sprinkled with the right amount of angst and enough drama to keep you entertained, all fans R.J Scott will surely be delighted by this offering. The classic I’m hating you right now but will be loving you soon trope.  

SideNote- Seriously though, this year has been a time of hating ass small town folks who can hold a grudge like nobody’s business.

 

Similar Read: Locked in Silence by Sloane Kennedy

Review: The Stolen Suitor by Eli Easton

The Stolen Suitor (Dreamspun Desires #3) by Eli Easton
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 270pgs

3.5 Pants Off

Blurb: His future was set until a thief stole his heart.

All of Clyde’s Corner, Montana, knows local dandy Chris Ramsey will marry Trix Stubben, young widow and heir to the richest ranch in the area. But one woman isn’t too keen on the idea. Mabe Crassen wants to get her hands on that ranch, so she sets her older son to court Trix, and her younger son, Jeremy, to distract Chris and lure him astray.

Jeremy Crassen thinks his mother’s scheme is crazy. But he wants desperately to go off to college, which Mabe will agree to—if he seduces Chris. How will shy, virginal, secretly gay Jeremy attract Chris, who seems determined to do the right thing and marry Trix? Jeremy can’t compete with a rich female widow. Or can he?

Review

A Suitor For Everyone 

The Stolen Suitor, or what I’m dubbing as The stolen story-line. While I enjoyed the writing, and realizing that I like Eli Easton’s style, in no way did this book deliver on what I was expecting. What is it with this series that be giving so an amazing start and then disappointing you towards the end. This one had it all until it didn’t.

Jeremy Crassen had to just listen to his mom tell him about how he’s going to steal Chris Ramsey from the girl he’s dating because she can’t allow him to inherit a ranch. To make matters worse she’s also pulled in his older brother to do some seducing of his own. Jeremy can’t quite comprehend why his mom would have him seduce a guy unless she’s figured out that he’s gay. He’s sure he hadn’t been given off any vibes, he just moves quietly through the town knowing that no one ever sees him. 

One thing is for sure he can’t deny his mom and so he puts himself to the task of seducing Chris Ramsey. Chris Ramsey with his college education, town charm good looks, and the fact that he’s dating and will most likely marry his dead best friends wife (the small town crazy is real). Downside Chris is doing all this dating out of a sense of responsibility, upside Jeremy Crassen has caught his eye and he’s most definitely not married yet.  

Now the story continues with so many POVs of people falling in love it becomes such a chore. But in all honesty, I didn’t completely hate it. I liked Jeremy he was super sweet and shy. I liked Chris with his hometown boy vibe, and together they were adorable. My problem lies with how all this love shit began with a seducing plan, it all began with a lie. In no way does the book even bring that up again, it all gets swept under the rug. I know the whole “what you don’t know won’t hurt you” thing is a good idea, but I didn’t like or appreciate it. 

The writing and the flow was good and I enjoyed it, but there was too much going on and I couldn’t get a feel for the overall story. Who and what this story is about got lost sometime in the middle and this book became everyone’s story. 

Zero conflict mostly apart from that one thing there at the end that was working ok, until another aspect of it makes it way into the storyline. That part wasn’t needed and another overwhelmingly plotty device bites the dust. 

The Stolen Suitor with its excellent writing, turned into a Suitor for everyone and it took away from the story. Seriously, so much shit going down!! 

Review: The Terms of Release by B.A. Tortuga

Reviewed by Whuppsy
The Terms of Release by B.A Tortuga
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 24opgs
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
They say a man can always come home. So after doing hard time, Sage Redding heads to his family’s northeast Texas ranch to help his ailing daddy with the cutting horses. 

Adam (Win) Winchester is a county deputy and the cousin of one of the men killed in the incident that sent Sage to prison for almost a decade. While Win's uncles, Jim and Teddy, are determined to make Sage and the entire Redding family pay for their loss, Win just figures Sage has paid his dues and maybe needs a friend. Maybe he needs more than a friend. In fact, Win’s counting on it. 

No one’s denying Sage is an ex-con who went to prison for manslaughter. Regardless of the love he has for his father, he’s returned knowing things will likely go badly for him. Maybe a man can always come home, but he may not be able to stay.

Review
Well, this book was so…wow. I’m not really sure how I can put into words what I’m feeling right now. This book had me just all over the place.

Sage Redding is this young man who has been out of prison for about a year. He’s trying to do the best he can living and surviving. He has served his time and now he’s just trying to survive. He gets a dreaded call from his Momma to come home to help with the family ranch. He’s this really sweet, loving guy who just wants to work with horses and help his family. He knows that going home is going to be hard, but it’s his family and he is going home.

Adam “Win” Winchester is this deputy in the small Texas town. He’s a bit of an outsider himself as he doesn’t automatically hate Sage the way the men in his family does. He’s always thought for himself and he’s going to go his own way and not be bullied to do something that he doesn’t think is right. He’s this really kind and loving guy who is just looking to have a life of his own. Adam has a heart and isn’t afraid to follow it.

The secondary characters in this book just made my heart just beat a bit faster. Sage’s family is just wonderful. Their love and acceptance of who he is was just beautiful to see. Wilma and Bulldog are so accepting of Sage and it’s beautiful to see people just showing kindness and their good hearts. I loved Adam’s Momma. She was a hoot and a half. She had such unconditional love for Adam and stood up for those who tried to hurt her son. Jim and Teddy were such horrible men, yet it what you’d expect from Old fashioned men who aren’t ok with anything that wasn’t their way. But the good in this story sure outweighed the bad.

I like that Adam felt that Sage needed a friend. Even though he was attracted to Sage, he wanted to let him know that he thought that he was ok and that someone else was on his side. That meant a lot to Sage, who figured being back there would be hard and would test his resolve, but he knew that he had to go. It was nice to see that as Adam fell in love with Sage, it became more than keeping him safe, it was about being together staying together as a couple. Facing their troubles together and knowing that there would be someone there to love and support them. It became about making a life together and not allowing anything or anyone to tear them apart.

This story had me reeling. I felt so much for Sage. All he went through just for wanting to come home again going to prison and the horrible things that happened to him there. Sage is a bitty thing. Adam calls him his pocket cowboy. So, you can just imagine the horrible things that he faced. Yet, he did what was necessary to survive and I can’t fault him for that. When he spoke to Adam about the things that had happened to him and the way he sounded was just so heartbreaking. Adam was furious on his behalf. I think most of it was because the Man that he loved suffered and had to go through that made him so very angry. I totally understood. Hell, I was pissed as hell and it was over a fictional character. There was love and hope and strength in this story. There had to be. Sage showed that he was stronger than anyone ever thought he is. To survive what he did, that says a bunch. His biggest thing was that he couldn’t go back to prison, so some of what he took, was with that fear of going back. I think that anyone understand those thoughts. I sure did.

I will say that I enjoyed this book a lot. It was nice to see that Adam and Sage as different as they seemed to be were so very alike where it counted. That love and compassion overruled those that had hate in their hearts. It was a story about hope. I think that was one of the most important themes that rang strongly throughout the entire story.

Read this book and go on this wonderful journey that at times will break your heart, but it will also show you love and hope and true courage.

4 Pants Off