Saddle up with three all-new gay MM cowboy romances from some of the most up-and-coming queer romance writers right now. Wild Blue Yonder contains a trio of novellas inspired by the open range, and the cowboys who are frequently secretly fond of each other to be found there. From historical romance of love on the range, to outlaws on horseback, to a contemporary twist on the Omegaverse. These three novellas are full of love, sweetness, sauciness, and strapping cowpokes. Take a trip out west, and find love - under the wild blue yonder.
Rena Butler is a woman of discerning taste, which has led her to a small collection of hippos, a larger collection of novels, and frankly far too many blank books and colorful pens. A native of the Eastern US, she likes her drinks bubbly and her desserts decadent. Her preferred vacation involves hot weather, good company, and not rising before noon.
1st June Release Day 1. The Heir and the outlaw -Rena Butler 4 stars A good story. Emmett was watching his kidnapped victim approach two of his men hoping they didn't stuff up. Yip they do. Archie was the son of the town's banker and didn't really get along. I had to laugh at Archie’s attempts of getting free as the non brightest member fell for his trick. A good story of a historical themed cowboy story, included with the forbidden for men being together in a romance.
2. You be the flower - Augusta Connor. 3.5 stars, includes time jumps which I’m not fond off. When Nat answers John’s ad for Jaime for a wife he was passing himself off to be a lady. Jaime’s in for a huge surprise. A good story as it reminded me of a similar story of Robbie but different of an arranged marriage. Close proximity with one bed, surprise twist, LGBTQ persons featured as secondary characters. This has a switching difference for POVs in some scenes that threw me out of the story. Mother nature has a plan to test Nathaniel and the other ladies.
3. Welcome to the blue blaze ranch - opal moritz 3 stars A new author for me with this story. An omegaverse alpha romance story. Kieran was an alpha who'd been in the military but now had a ranch with other alphas. A friend, Arturo (an beta) he hadn't seen in years was visiting. An okay story told with Kieran’s pov, this had a fair amount of narrated story that I didn't connect with.
I received an advancer reader copy and this is my honest thoughts.
If you be in the mood for cowboys, then this book will certainly give you some great variety!
This book has three different novellas with one common theme - cowboys !! I enjoyed each story - two of them are based on historical timeframe and the third is modern with A/B/O dynamic. The authors on each story have done a great job with world building and settings of the stories. And the characters are very well written - no grand dramatics or anything, they are all low angst and sweet and about novella length, just perfect for a relaxing afternoon read. Overall, I just found them to be an entertaining read.
Kiernan had a rough time when he was in the army. It was the discovery of being an Alpha and facing the “rut”. He was hospitalized and put on suppressants. It was all too much for him. Once he was out of the army he faced alcoholism but finally went to AA meetings and met his sponsor Jack. He had to learn how to control his urges and manage his life with the “rut”. He was very conservative and avoided connecting with people but he did a good thing. He opened the Blue Blaze Ranch, where Alpha’s could come and take better care of themselves. The ranch was not a place for Beta’s or Omega’s. He took in trainee’s to learn the ranch, and they had those who came to camp, hike and enjoy the outdoors. But the people of the town still spread rumors and gossip of sex parties and fistfights at Blue Blaze. Kieran always made it a point to go into town for either a hair cut or supplies just to quell all the rumors but Alpha’s still got a bad reputation.
Kiernan is expecting one of his army buddies, who he reconnected with because of the encouragement of his sponsor Jack. It had been six years since he last saw Arturo. Arturo had been busy with a fantastic profession, traveling and his educational studies. He’s working on his Doctorate and has no problem getting grants and can work from anywhere. Over the last year he and Arturo had reconnected by emails, phone and text. Arturo had seen Kiernan at his worst and he wanted to show Arturo that his life now is great. He has a ranch that keeps him busy and he’s learned to control his “rut” without suppressants and is careful to protect others and himself.
As Arturo and Kiernan re-kindle their friendship and get closer, will Kiernan be able to handle this unique situation or will he turn Arturo away?
Just what is going on between, old, grumpy Corgan and Emilie. Emilie is a female Alpha. She takes care of the kitchen duties and has an animal therapy program. Corgan is the backbone of the ranch. He’s helped Kiernan get the Blue Blaze Ranch up and running. Both Corgan and Emilie are stubborn and always arguing and it’s just another headache for Blue Blaze Ranch.
Opal Moriz created a unique tale about being an Apha, with “Welcome to Blue Blaze Ranch”. It’s a little sad as Kiernan gives his POV of all the troubles he’s had with being an Alpha. There’s lot’s of technical information on the issues of being an Alpha and the cycle of the rut. Even though Kiernan had worked hard to build his confidence he still had moments of self-doubt. At times he had to deal with his anger. He’s very opposite from his friend Arturo. Arturo is always enthusiastic and just enjoys life and he want’s more for Kiernan. He tries to support Kiernan as much as possible. The characters of Corgan and Emilie bring lot’s of humor to the story with their constant bickering.
The story also brings out: ranch life, helping others, making friends, humor and romance.
“Wild Blue Yonder: A Collection of Three MM Cowboy Romance Stories” is a well done anthology with very talented authors: Rena Butler, Augusta Connor and April Moritz. All three stories take readers to various historical times in the old west. The three novella’s will follow: a young man’s first love, a kidnapping gone wrong, and a ranch of Alpha’s. Each story is unique in it’s own way. “You Be the Flower” by Augusta Connor and “The Heir and the Outlaw” by Rena Butler can also be found as stand alone stories. All three stories are a first time read for me by each author, very entertaining and are perfect for those who like quick, short stories.
omg, I LOVED this??? all three stories are so different, which I think is really surprising for such a specifically themed anthology! the first story is such a fun and hot heist romance, which is a real kick of a opener. the second one had me absolutely swooning - I'm a real sucker for tenderness and found family, and Augusta Connor always has my back on this! and the third story, my goodness!! that's all I'm going to say about that! absolutely terrific, each in their own way, and the combo together is just ::chef's kiss::
Wild Blue Yonder: A Collection of Three MM Cowboy Romance Stories is, as the title suggests, a collections of three cowboy romance novellas.
The Heir and the Outlaw: A Historical MM Cowboy Heist Romance by Rena Butler - This was a super fun, spicy historical romance. I thought the balance between the romance aspect of the story and the heist aspect worked really well. Archie and Emmett are both great characters and I loved their HEA! 4 stars
You Be the Flower: A Sweet Historical MM Cowboy Romance by Augusta Connor - I really wished I had enjoyed this story more. I thought the concept of the story was very cute (a request for a mail order bride is answered by a man instead) but the execution did not work for me. I am not really sure why but I just did not really connect with the characters either. 2 stars
Welcome to Blue Blaze Ranch: An Alpha/Beta MM Omegaverse Romance by Opal Moritz - This is an Omegaverse story. I went into this story with a bit of trepidation because of that. However, I actually ended up finding this story pretty cute. 3 stars
I am giving the collection overall 3 stars. I wish I had enjoyed the other two stories as much as I enjoyed the first story but I suppose that's how most story collections go.
This was a really sweet read. Wild Blue Yonder: A Collection of Three MM Cowboy Romance Stories is exactly what it says it is. Three novellas revolving around three gay couples and all set in the wild west.
Novella 1: The Heir and the Outlaw by Rena Butler3.5 stars I liked this one. Emmett and Archie were a good couple and while I felt their attraction was a little awkward, their chemistry was solid. I also quite liked the cast of support characters – I’m not sure why, but I surprisingly invested in the heist because I wanted Marty and Stanton to be comfortable. They’re criminals, but for some reason, I thought they were just sweet guys?
Novella 2: You Be the Flower by August Connor4 stars This was my favorite out of the three novellas and in my opinion, the best paced. I loved the premise and the slow-burn(ish) romance between Nat and Jamie fit perfectly. Their little flirtations and gradual attraction was a lovely journey and it was great to read about a man in the wild west who wasn’t just a stereotypical cowboy.
Novella 3: Welcome to Blue Blazes Ranch by Opal Moritz2 stars Personally, my toughest read. I’m not sure why but I couldn’t connect with Kieran, or Arturo. I typically quite like alpha / omega / beta books, but this one didn’t draw me in at all. An okay read for me, but wasn’t a huge fan of this one.
Overall, I’d give this book 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. A lovely read and am definitely interested in a couple of the authors.
Thank you Voracious Readers for my copy! I received an ARC of this collection and am voluntarily leaving a review. All above thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thrilled to wander the open range from the comfort of my home (fictional westerns? Yes. Actually being out on the plain with the beating sun, cranky horses, dust & whatnot? No thank you), with these three cowboy love stories.
First is Rena Butler, a writer who has a gimlet eye for character and very funny lines, with The Heir & the Outlaw - a historical story about a kidnapping going wrong. Archie the rich kid in peril was adorable.
Next, Augusta Connor's atmospheric You Be the Flower, which had a lot of domesticity (I'm such a sucker for a character making a house a home), and felt really authentic. So sweet.
Then to round it off an omegaverse story set on an all-alpha ranch - I mean, you're going to read that description and know if it's your thing or not! The author (Opal Moritz) definitely let their imagination run wild.
Wonderful collection of three cowboy stories including The Heir and the Outlaw, You Be the Flower and Welcome to Blue Blaze Ranch. These stories are all different (meeting during a kidnapping/gay, bi and sapphic/omegaverse), but all wonderfully written and heartfelt. Can be read as stand alones but do yourself a favour and read all three.
Three wonderful western romances, from historical to modern omegaverse alternate universe. The first is a classic train heist with enemies (sort of) to lovers, rich man/working man. Second is a terrifically sweet mail-order bride(groom) scenario, surprise it's a guy, surprise-surprise that's probably even better for the groom, with a happy-poly extended family situation that really warms the heart. Last is a super hot 'oh no I'm going into rut while my old bestie is here' alpha/beta romance set at a rehab ranch in Arizona. So so fun, all three reads.
Full transparency, I am in this, but indulge me - I want to review the other two stories:
Rena Butler's The Heir & the Outlaw - a rollicking adventure story, this has enemies-to-lovers (MY FAVE!) and it's funny af, there's plenty of action but it never feels forced or cluttered, and the core pairing Emmett and Archie are just dynamite together.
Augusta Connor's You Be the Flower: A Sweet Historical MM Cowboy Romance - there is a genuine tenderness and delicacy to this story, which has a "Mail Order Groom" theme that feels authentic. It's got a historical setting which doesn't feel like make-believe, it feels real.
So worth checking it out for those two stories, and if you want you can read my omegaverse fancy!
I really loved the diversity of stories in this collection, and it was an honor to have my own story included. The Heir and The Outlaw, by Rena Butler, is a rollicking period heist story, and Welcome To Blue Blaze Ranch, by Opal Moritz, is a lovely, sensitive, and unexpected take on the omegaverse trope. A terrific set of three stories that balance each other well, from sweet to spicy, from period to contemporary.