S.E.X. Review~ Leading the Blind by BA Tortuga

Leading The Blind by BA Tortuga

Book 7 in the Roughstock series

General Release Date: 8th June 2021

Word Count: 53,445
Book Length: NOVEL
Pages: 230

GENRES:

 ACTION AND ADVENTURE
CONTEMPORARY
COWBOYS AND WESTERN
EROTIC ROMANCE
GAY
GLBTQI

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Book Description

You don’t need the use of your eyes to see forever.

After his head injury leaves him blind, professional bull rider Jason Scott can only think of one thing. He desperately needs to win the title in the big leagues of bull riding so he can retire and start a new life—one he can live with his best friend and lover, Andy Baxter.

Andy—or Bax, as his friends call him—wants to keep Jason safe and alive, but he would never ask his man to be less than he is. With the help of their best friends, they start out on a path that will lead them back to the major events and to a deception that might lose them all their jobs.

There’s no way the league officials would let Jason ride if they knew he was blind, so Jason and Bax have to figure out how to get Jason back to the top of the leaderboard without any kind of advantage or cheating being called. Meanwhile, they have to figure out what their new life is going to look like and what they’ll be if they’re not bull riders any longer.

Will they get what they want? Or will the whole thing just be a case of the blind leading the blind?

Reader advisory: This book contains some bull riding-related injuries. There is a brief homophobic slur from a secondary character.

Excerpt

“Jesus fucking Christ! Open your goddamn eyes next time! That bull damn near rang your bell.” Bax shook his arm, and Jason swore that made the world swim before his useless fucking eyes again.

“Andy Baxter, you’d best back the fuck off. This ain’t the time.” He’d know Coke’s voice anywhere, the bullfighter as much a part of his family as anyone ever had been.

“Gramps, don’t.” Jason Scott leaned against the stall, breathing hard. The last thing he needed was Pa and Ma MacGillicuddy freaking out because he’d lost his cookies at a bull riding. Bull riding fans were a specific breed, and it didn’t matter one bit whether it was the big show or a tiny two-gate sheriff’s posse arena. They all talked.

“Well, someone has to,” Coke ground out. “He’s being an ass.”

“He needs to keep his eyes open.” But Bax lowered his voice, thank God.

“I know. I got dirt in ‘em. It’s not like I can wipe them, Bax.”

“For eight seconds, you can suck it up.”

“Right. ‘Cause you were always fucking perfect.”

Bax grabbed his shirtfront and shook him. “Every. Fucking. Ride.”

“Stop it,” Coke snapped, and they stopped. Gramps rarely spoke in that tone. When he did, well, they listened. “Y’all are being buttheads and I don’t need this shit, you comprende? Folks got phones.”

“Sorry,” Bax murmured, which made Jason snort.

“Don’t tease the bull, son. Tell Andy you’re sorry.”

Jason blew out a hard breath. “You know I am, butthead.”

“Good boys. Come on now. We got to get out of the public.” Coke tugged at his arm. Hell, Coke had to get back to work.

“Right. I’m going to get out of here, Gramps. I sure as shit ain’t making the short go.”

“Okay, son.” Coke clapped him on the back. “Be good.”

Bax laughed. “Right. He’ll be trying to drive off in the truck soon.”

“I’d do better than some.” His head was starting to pound like there was a damn mariachi band in there, playing away.

“You did okay last time,” Bax agreed, taking his arm and leading him out of the arena. “Until you didn’t.”

“Story of my life.” He rode like a champion, until he didn’t. He could see, until he couldn’t. He had a whole life, until it was over. Now? He was fixin’ to try and take some of it back.

“Hey, I just want you to be safe.”

“I know. I just want you to not have to babysit my ass forever.”

“I’m not your babysitter.” Bax lowered his voice. “I’m yours, and we’re in this together, Mini.”

Jason felt his fucking shoulders come down from around his ears. Okay. Yeah. ‘Together’ he could get behind. A burden? No, that he couldn’t do. “Right. Sorry. You want a beer?” An aspirin? Something to stop this pounding?

“Sure. Sounds good.” Bax led him out of the arena, the dirt changing to concrete.

He tried to make sure his face was thunderous, keeping anyone away who might want to talk. He was getting better at that part—the talking to fans—but not much. Right now he thought he might die if someone stopped them. Bax kept him moving fast, and soon enough he was in the cab of their truck, the sudden quiet shocking his senses.

“I’m taking you to the travel trailer, okay?” Bax sounded either pissed or scared. He wasn’t sure which.

“Okay.” Jason didn’t want to fight no more, so he folded his hands and sat quiet as a mouse.

They didn’t play music, they just drove, and when they got to the gravel road, Jason knew they were at the weird little campground.

The truck rocked a bit when Bax hit the brakes. The engine cut off, and they sat there.

“You okay?” Bax finally asked.

“My head hurts some,” he admitted. “I need some time to not worry about shit.”

“Well, come on. We’ll get you some pills and watch a movie.”

Listen to a movie, more like, but whatever. “Works for me.”

“You sure? I could put on one of those audiobooks.”

“I just want to be somewhere I”—can see—“know.”

“It’s cool and quiet in there.” Bax climbed out of the truck, then came around to help him out.

“Yeah.” He sighed. “I’m sorry, Bax.”

“What for, Mini?” They stepped up into the trailer, the smell oddly homey inside.

“Being blind?” Having you take care of me when all I want in all the world is to take care of you.

“Well, that’s stupid. Ain’t like you asked to be blind.”

“No.” No, not a bit. “Good thing we cleared that up.”

“You know it.” Bax snorted loud, then guided him to sit back on the bed thingy. “Let me get us a cold drink, then we can kinda float.”

“Thanks. I’ll get the next one.” He toed his boots off and stripped out of his sponsor shirt and his baggy, filthy work jeans.

“No problem.” Bax opened a couple of bottles, the bottle cap sound unmistakable.

He took the bottle when Bax offered it and drank deep, the lemon-lime bubbles suiting him to the bone.

“Mmm. It was dry as dirt out there, huh?”

“Yeah. Yeah, and I’m pretty sure my mouth was open when I hit the ground.” His molars were a little gritty.

“Ew. No cow shit, Mini.”

Jason snorted, tickled shitless. “No. Although God knows how much we’ve eaten accidentally over the years.”

“Stop.” Bax pinched his hip. “That’s nasty.”

“No pinching!” He rolled toward Bax, trying not to spill his drink. “You’re such a wuss.”

“I am not. I swim with you at your momma’s place. There’s snake poop in there.” Bax had a point there. Jason wasn’t real sure what the point was, but Bax had one.

“I don’t even want to think about what all is in that pond, Bax.”

“Nope.”

They kinda…lounged. Just sat there and breathed like great big lazy gators. He laughed a little at that. Gators did okay blind, according to Beau Lafitte.

“What’s funny, Mini?”

“Alligators.”

“That ain’t funny. That’s a lot of teeth.”

“You’re just grumpy. Most days they’re funny.”

“Kinda, yeah.” Bax took his hand. “Sorry I yelled, Mini.”

“I’m trying. I swear to God. I’m trying hard to do this.” And God knew there were more than a few days when he just wanted to give up, to go home to Momma’s and admit defeat. Shit fire and save matches, what the fuck was he thinking, riding blind? He’d got his bell rung when he could see.

“I know. I know it.” Bax sighed. “I want— Shit, Mini, I want you to be happy, and you’re not.”

“I don’t want to ride the little events forever. I don’t want to be a has-been.” He didn’t want to be a burden.

“You’re not. You’re doing amazing.”

Now, Bax wasn’t one to blow smoke up anyone’s ass, so the words perked him up a little bit.

“You think so? I feel like a fuck-up.”

“That’s because we’re all always telling you what to do.”

He traced Bax’s fingers, one after another. Lord have mercy, those calluses felt like heaven when they touched him. The fact that they’d never touched him when he couldn’t see wasn’t lost on him. Bax had saved him. Completely. Fucker.

“You’re pouring smoke, Jason. Out of your brain.” Bax chuckled. “Thinkin’ ain’t what we do best.”

“Fuck no. We do stupid shit and drink beer.” It was the cowboy way, after all.

“See? I knew it.” Bax rolled to kiss his cheek.

“Knew what?” He could meet Bax halfway.

“That we’re better not thinking.” Bax laughed, poking his ribs.

He chuckled. “No shit on that, man.”

“Mmm.” Bax settled in right against his hip. “I got you, Jason. You just scared me, is all.”

“Scared me too. I hate being this way.”

“I know.” Those fingers moved over him, Bax stroking his belly.

Goosepimples climbed up his skin, heading from hips to nipples. “Mmm. I don’t hate this, though.”

“No, sir. I love this. Holding you. Touching you.”

“Good deal.”

Bax was breathing, steady and sure, and the rhythm liked to hypnotized him. “That is a good deal,” Bax agreed.

“We are. I mean, this is. Us. Christ.”

“It is what it is.” That was right down Zen of Bax.

He nodded and let his eyes close. It was the only way he could see colors. Sometimes he thought he could see Bax. Sometimes he knew he could.

“You’re smiling.” Bax rewarded him with a kiss.

He didn’t say why, and it didn’t matter. Nothing he did would change his world. No sense getting Bax’s hopes up.

Together, they’d get through today. Tomorrow too.

The day after that would just have to take care of itself.

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About the Author

BA Tortuga

Texan to the bone and an unrepentant Daddy’s Girl, BA Tortuga spends her days with her basset hounds and her beloved wife, texting her buddies, and eating Mexican food. When she’s not doing that, she’s writing. She spends her days off watching rodeo, knitting and surfing Pinterest in the name of research. BA’s personal saviors include her wife, Julia Talbot, her best friends, and coffee. Lots of coffee. Really good coffee.

Having written everything from fist-fighting rednecks to hard-core cowboys to werewolves, BA does her damnedest to tell the stories of her heart, which was raised in Northeast Texas, but has heard the call of the  high desert and lives in the Sandias. With books ranging from hard-hitting romance, to fiery menages, to the most traditional of love stories, BA refuses to be pigeon-holed by anyone but the voices in her head.

You can check out BA's website and blog, and follow her on Pinterest and Instagram.

Giveaway

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BA Tortuga's Leading the Blind Giveaway

ENTER HERE AND GET A FREE EBOOK FROM THE AUTHOR! Notice: This competition ends on 22nd June 2021 at 5pm GMT. Competition hosted by Totally Entwined Group.

Every time I read another Roughstock series book by BA Tortuga, I learn more and more about the bull riding life. Leading the Blind was no exception. Andy, Mini, and the entire crew were back for another installment in this larger than life series.

Since Mini went blind in a riding accident, he was still determined to compete and take the championship purse. Together with Andy, Dillon, Coke and a bunch of the crazy crew, they devised a plan to bring it to fruition.

What I most loved about the series and each book, was the camaraderie that prevailed throughout and the love these men have for each other- in the circuit and out. The hard life they all lived was tempered by their optimism for their profession and their never-ending desire to do right by each other.

Andy and Jason were challenged by Mini’s lack of sight, and their desire to forge a family in a world that may not always be gay friendly. But together they succeeded and life looked good.

I hope Ms. Tortuga continues this series, as I know there is another chapter somewhere rolling in her head for these rough and tumble men with hearts of gold.

Definite S.E.X.

A five handcuff review

 

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2021 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

S.E.X. Review~ Pulled from All Sides by B.A. Tortuga

Balta is all fire and fury, Joa is his haven. What happens when Raul becomes their third?

Joa is an anomaly on the bullriding circuit—he’s Brazilian but grew up in Texas, so he’s not sure where he fits in. Champion Brazilian rider Balta knows just where he wants Joa to be, both in his life and in his bed.

Raul is new to the bullriding circuit and needs their help learning the ropes. From the start, Raul knows that Joa belongs with Balta, but he also knows that Balta’s career is on its way down and the world is ripe for another champion from Brazil.

When Balta decides that Raul is just what he and Joa need to even out the balance of power, they have to find common ground—professionally, publicly and, most importantly, personally.

Publisher's Note: This book has been previously released elsewhere. It has been revised and re-edited for re-release with Pride Publishing.

Pulled from All Sides by B.A. Tortuga was a nice addition to the Roughstock series~ a series of cowboys and rodeos and the men who loved them. Pulled from All Sides was a sexy ménage starring Balta, Joaquim, and newcomer, Raul.

The men were sexy and the portrayal by Ms. Tortuga grabbed my attention, with her wicked knowledge of the rodeo, and the uncanny ability to spin a story with substance. The infusion of American cowboy with Brazilian speak added depth and character to the book.

Although the story revolved around the three sexy Brazilians, many of the men from previous books had star roles, as the story runs parallel with others in the series.

Ms. Tortuga wrote of turmoil and doubt as she waded through the acceptance of cowboys whom were gay, but also of Latin culture. She delivered the message with tact and allowed the men to grow and flourish in their own time and with each other. A must read.

Book provided in exchange for an honest review

Definite S.E.X.

A five handcuff review

Pride Publishing Buy Link

~~~~~

2016 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

S.E.X. Review~ Back to Back by BA Tortuga

Landon knows who he wants, he’s been dreaming about Adam Taggart his whole life. Tag, though? He thinks Landon’s too poor, too young, too wrong to be his.

Landon Gaudet may not be the best bull rider on earth, but he knows that’s where the money is in rodeo. His Cajun heart is more involved with horses, though, and with finding the cowboy he’s been dreaming of all of his relatively short life. Adam Taggart has been around the block more than once, and while he thinks Landon is special, he also thinks the kid deserves better than a safety man with more than his share of notches on the bedpost.

Adam does everything he can to resist Landon, but there’s not a man alive who doesn’t love being loved, so eventually he gives in. Landon can’t believe that Adam is finally with him, that his cowboy has finally come around to his way of thinking. The only problem is that Adam isn’t sure he deserves love, or that he really has any to give. He questions everything from his need for Landon to his family’s assertion that he can do better than a boy from the bayou. Can Landon show Adam that sometimes magic is real, and that all you really need is to have a little faith?

Landon finally got his man~ Adam Taggart~ in BA Tortuga's Back to Back. I enjoyed each and every one of the Roughstock series and Back to Back was no exception. 

I immediately fell for Landon- his tenacity, spirit, and love of life. Adam was rough around the edges but still had a quiet demeanor and strength which added spice to their relationship and the will to make life better.

Ms. Tortuga always does a nice job of creating realistic characters in true cowboy fashion. My only drawback was that I had difficulty following the 'speak' of this book and found myself re-reading parts of the story.

Past character interwoven throughout added to and enhanced Landon and Adam’s story. 

A nice addition to the series.

Book provided by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review

Sexy and Sizzling

A four handcuff review

Pride Publishing Buy Link

~~~~~

2016 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

S.E.X. Review~ Coke's Clown by B.A. Tortuga

How does Dillon take care of Coke when Coke’s destroying himself?

Bullfighter Coke is having a rough time in the Roughstock universe. When his dear friend Sam Bell is injured at the finals of the bull riding season, he takes that and his injuries pretty hard. His very own clown, Dillon, is determined to take care of Coke, which is tough when Coke is usually the one to care for everyone. Coke has a huge secret from his past, though, and, when Dillon digs to discover what it is, the skeletons in Coke’s closet threaten to destroy both men.

Publisher's Note: This book has been previously released elsewhere. It have been revised, re-edited ansd significantly expanded for re-release with Pride Publishing.

General Release Date: 12th April 2016

I always enjoyed the Roughstock series by BA Tortuga and Coke’s Clown did not disappoint. Book 4 continued the saga of the bull riders and clowns and the lives they led both in and out of the arena.

Coke is the self-proclaimed patriarch of the group- always helping others while doing little for himself. His lover Dillon had lots to say about those incidences. Dillon and Coke made a great couple~ loving and secure in their relationship.

Ms. Tortuga clearly does a nice job of sticking to the rodeo reality in her Roughstock series~ the way the men speak, the rodeo appeal, the authentic-ness~ although, at times in this particular book I had to reread a section more than once, confused as to what exactly the character was saying.

The story gave the reader more insight into the comradery and family atmosphere of the rodeo; bringing in characters from previous books.

Always enjoyable~ Coke’s Clown was worth the read.

Book provided by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review

Sexy and Kinky

A four handcuff review

Pride Publishing Buy Link

~~~~~

2016 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

S.E.X. Review~ File Gumbo by B. A. Tortuga

Beau is riding like the two-time champ that he is, but nothing is assured in the world of bull riding–not happiness, not wealth, and not survival.

Beau is a two-time champion bullrider who is working on his third title. Sam is his long time lover and traveling partner, who is feeling the sting of having just about the worst season he can remember. The two of them are on the road together twenty-four seven, and it's starting to get to them a little, between the constant injuries Sam faces, and the relentless press that Beau has to put up with. Add in friends on the circuit who need their help and the fact that they have to hide what they mean to each other, and it's no wonder that Sam and Beau's relationship starts to wear a little from the friction. When things blow up in their faces, Sam leaves the bullriding tour for awhile, but the boys find out they're far more miserable apart than they are together. Beau and Sam may agree to disagree in order to make peace and help out their friends Jason and Coke, but in the unpredictable world of extreme sports, nothing goes as it's planned. Can Beau and Sam recover from what just might the last ride of Sam's life?


Publisher's Note: This book was previously released elsewhere. It has been re-edited for re-release with Pride Publishing.

Wow! Sam and Beau were electric in File Gumbo by B.A. Tortuga. The ease in which the two men wore their skin and interacted was nothing short of a sensual escapade.

Working the rodeo circuit was back-breaking work for the cowboys, riders and clowns. And it’s no different for the long-time partners, Sam and Beau. Hard ache and tragedy befell the men and patience and love from each other and their friends uplifted them~ turning misfortune into riches.

Ms. Tortuga delivered a beautifully written story of love and friendship and the sacrifices made for those that are most important in your life. I loved the down home feeling which radiated through the author’s writing as she transported this reader to the hardships of rodeo life and the agony the men endured.

The cowboy speak at times confused this city girl, but I got the hang of it and fell into the characterization and dialogue.

Tickled that Sam and Beau got their story, File Gumbo was a sure-fire winner.

Book provided by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review

Definite S.E.X.

A five handcuff review

 Pride Publishing Buy Link

2016 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.

S.E.X. Review~ And a Smile by B.A. Tortuga

All Coke Pharris wants is for his cowboys to be safe—all of them. When rodeo clown, Dillon, sets to prove that there’s more to the bullfighter, people could get hurt.

It’s Coke Pharris’ job to save bull riders from bulls, and he takes his work very seriously. Which is why he’s devastated when one of his favorite riders gets hurt, and he’s determined to help the young man ride again. Dillon Walsh is the arena entertainer for the bull riding tour, and he wants to help. He also wants Coke, has been admiring the man for a long time. He hasn’t made a move on Coke for fear of messing up their friendship, but when he finds out Coke might feel the same way, Dillon has to try to win Coke over.

Coke thinks he’s too old for Dillon, too beat up and scarred, but he can’t resist when Dillon finally makes a play for him. Dillon is like a wet dream for Coke, and the two of them have a great time getting to know each other better, at least until the danger of their job threatens to come between them. Will Dillon and Coke be able to help their friend and weather the problems that blow their way?

Publisher's Note: This book was previously released elsewhere. It has been re-edited for re-release with Pride Publishing.

And a Smile by B.A. Tortuga was a down-home book of cowboys, bull riders and the men that kept them safe. The second book in Ms. Tortuga’s Roughstock series kept me enthralled and enamored.

Rodeo clown, Dillon has finally snared his cowboy, Coke and has no intention of letting the man go. Coke, on the other hand needed a bit of convincing, always claiming he’s too old for Dillon, (yet he was only three years his senior~ something which perplexed me).

I loved the chemistry between the two men and was glad that Coke received his own book after being introduced to him in Blind Ride. Dillon and Coke were perfect for each other and melded in personality and desire.

The synergy created by Ms. Tortuga radiated through the pages as she delivered true cowboy dialogue with attitude and flair.

Ms. Tortuga wrote of the unflappable bond between the men on the circuit and the feelings they have for each other~ always looking out for the next man with care and love.

 And a Smile was more than a” book two” in a series. It was the continuation of a difficult life for the rodeo troupe; all the characters intertwining throughout the stories. Jason’s blindness, Blind Ride, was furthered discussed with possible resolution for getting him back in the ring, thus leaving the door open for further books to follow his story.

All the men of the Roughstock series have hutzpah and guts, making them endearing and charming. Tough stock with a dose of love and sexy~ the men of the Roughstock series are enough to make any red-blooded American swoon.

Book provided by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review

Definite S.E.X.

A five handcuff review

Pride Publishing Buy Link




2015 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.