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Sagebrush Cowboys #3

Blood and Bravado

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Eight seconds to glory. One second to lose him forever.

Eli Dallas chewed me up and spit me out. I was supposed to be a corporate legend. Instead, I’m back in my childhood bedroom, licking my wounds and hiding from my failure. I just want to survive the humiliation. Then I run into Colt Dawson. He’s dust, denim, and bad decisions. He’s the high school rival I swore I’d left in the rearview. He represents everything I escaped—risk, dirt, and small-town stagnation. But the hate feels a lot like desire. And when we cross the line from enemies to lovers, I realize the danger isn't the rodeo. It's falling for a man who risks his life for a living.

Colt The arena is the only place I make sense. The noise. The pain. The adrenaline. It’s simple. Eli isn't simple. He’s sharp suits, wounded pride, and judgment. He thinks I’m reckless. He doesn't see that he’s the only thing that actually scares me. We used to trade insults. Now we’re trading sweat in the dark. He wants me to be safe. I need to be a champion. But when the dust settles and the ambulance lights flash, I have to decide if the title is worth the cost of losing him.

Welcome to the chute. Where the ride is rough, the falls are hard, and the only thing scarier than a bull is a broken heart.

Blood and Bravado 🤠 Corporate Exile x Rodeo Star 🔥 Rivals to Lovers 🤕 Hurt/Comfort & High Stakes ❤️ Second Chances

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2025

82 people are currently reading
135 people want to read

About the author

Atreus Rosewood

24 books49 followers
Atreus Rosewood is a gay romance author living in Michigan with his two boyfriends, two cats, a spoiled dog, and all the beaches he could ask for. He writes constantly to the detriment of all else and that's just the way he likes it. If you happen to find him wandering a beach and mumbling to himself, iced coffee is how you’ll lure him back to civilization.

Atreus writes under three separate Pen Names:

--Blake R. Wolfe -- Gay Paranormal Romance

--Atreus Rosewood -- Gay Contemporary Romance

--Eoghan R. Cunningham -- LGBTQ+ Fantasy

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5 stars
145 (53%)
4 stars
95 (35%)
3 stars
23 (8%)
2 stars
4 (1%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Axalia.
1,173 reviews114 followers
April 6, 2025
Eli et Colt avec un Culomètre à 🥵

J'avais vraiment besoin d'inaugurer les romances de cow-boys pour 2025 et voilà chose faite !

Eli revient à Sagebrush après avoir perdu son emploi dans la grande ville et il va y retrouver Colt, son ancien ami et rival du lycée qui est devenu cow-boy de rodéo, qui l'a laissé blessé et sur une pente raide. Leur retrouvaille va être aussi troublante que pimentée !

Qu'est-ce que j'aime cette saga, entre cow-boys, gars de la ville, animosité et coup de foudre, on a de tout pour passer un bon moment !

Ici, nous avons Colt qui doit faire une pause dans les compétitions de rodéo parce que sa prochaine blessure pourrait lui être fatale, et la proposition d'enseigner aux enfants est une aubaine pour se reposer, même s'il voudrait retourner monter les taureaux aussi vite de possible. Eli, lui, s'est fait remercier de son travail après que son patron s'est révélé être un escroc. Il doit retomber sur ses pattes et réfléchir à la suite. Évidemment, quand il va apprendre que Colt est en ville, toutes les questions sont restées en suspens avec leur séparation après le laisser vont être remises sur le tapis !

Je me suis régalée à suivre leur romance, malgré l'animosité, ils se vouent un désir sans bornes et, même si le placard de Colt est grand, l'attraction est plus forte, ce qui va nous faire des scènes de sexe folles, en montrant un Colt qui chevauche Eli encore mieux que les taureaux ! Il va sans dire : cette romance est pour public averti !

Il ne faut pas s'attendre à un tome qui révolution les romances du genre, mais il a tout ce qu'il faut pour retourner dans sa zone de confort et poser son cerveau comme il se doit !

Bref, du pur Astreus Rosewood comme on les aime !

1,392 reviews20 followers
June 13, 2025
The SEC has forced the closure of Eli's company due to his boss's embezzlement of funds. He has no alternative but to move back home to Sagebrush, Texas. Colt is a broken bull rider but refuses to admit to it even though if he rides a bull next time it may be his last. He could kill himself or be confined to a wheelchair. When Eli and Colt meet it's fireworks but not in a good way. They were friends and competitors in high school but became enemies. For them to succeed as friends or lovers they have to put the past behind them and talk.
Profile Image for Danica.
29 reviews
January 8, 2026
It was pretty good, honestly.

There were a couple grammar mistakes I noticed, but overall it was well written.

plus, we love a hot cowboy over here
Profile Image for la review bleu.
209 reviews3 followers
April 1, 2025
What a truly wild ride with Eli and Colt. A lot of Texan heat, some miscommunication, struggles here and there, and two hearts that embrace each other. Their HEA was well deserved after everything both of them had to go through. I love to see characters from the previous books again, and I honestly can't wait for the next book. I love this series.
Profile Image for Kurohagi.
88 reviews1 follower
March 3, 2025
Sagebrush is definitely a small town full of surprises!
I loved finding myself there once again for this third opus. The wild landscapes are always a pleasure to read and dream about.
In this volume, we meet two local children: Colt and Eli. The two best friends in the world, until life tore them apart on bad terms. Ten years later, they return to find refuge in the town of their childhood with deep wounds and broken dreams.
Their relationship is electric, full of misunderstanding and resentment. However, little by little, trust and friendship are rebuilt, opening onto something deeper.
I loved watching their relationship evolve over the pages, their fears and vulnerabilities laid bare, and seeing them confront them and sometimes make difficult decisions in order to move forward together.
Once again, Atreus Rosewood's writing is fluid and to the point, where we can't help but become attached to her main and secondary characters, and where the descriptions take us on a journey.
A book, no a series, that I recommend without hesitation! And I personally can't wait for the next one!

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Sagebrush est décidément une petite ville pleine de surprise !
J'ai adoré m'y retrouvée une nouvelle fois, pour ce troisième opus. Les paysages sauvages sont toujours un plaisir à lire et à rêver.
Dans ce tome, on fait la connaissance deux enfants du pays : Colt et Eli. Les deux meilleurs amis du monde, jusqu'à ce que la vie les sépare en mauvais termes. Dix ans plus tard, ils reviennent trouver refuge dans la ville de leur enfance, après de profondes blessures et des rêves brisées.
Leur relation est électrique, pleine de malentendu et de rancoeur. Peu à peu, pourtant, la confiance et l'amitié se reconstruit pour s'ouvrir sur quelque chose de plus profond.
J'ai adoré voir leur relation évoluer au fil des pages, leurs peurs et leurs vulnérabilités être mises à nues et les voir les affronter et prendre parfois des décisions difficiles, pour avancer ensemble.
Atreus Rosewood nous offre une nouvelle fois une écriture fluide et juste, où on ne peut que s'attacher à ses personnsages principaux et secondaires, et où les descriptions nous font voyager.
Un livre, non une série, que je recommande sans hésitation ! Et pour ma part j'attends le suivant avec impatience !
Profile Image for Theodore.
965 reviews14 followers
September 11, 2025
DNF @ 43%

I liked the animosity between Eli and Colt. I wish we got a bit more context on their history early on. The one conversation the had in Eli's car where it was revealed that Colt felt like he got left behind was much too little to justify their hatred. Also, it sort of contradicted with a lot of future chapters which made out seem like it was written afterwards and slotted in. Like they agreed to be civil in the car, but the next couple of scenes they still were sassing each other until they agreed to be civil again (as if they'd never agreed in the first place).

Also,the story needed to better define what exactly Eli and Colt's relationship was in high school. Chapters and dialogue made it seem they ranged from acquaintances to sports rivals to best friends. Would've been much clearer if the story had just used the "ex-best friend" label consistently because when Colt panicked about , him suddenly calling Eli his ex-best friend felt life it came out of nowhere.

Logan outing Colt like that was a dick move and I'm surprised it wasn't a bigger issue considering how strongly Colt wanted to hide his sexuality.

I DNFed because of the instalove. Eli suddenly wanting to start a relationship with (and being mad at Colt for not wanting to come out) was so unjustified. They kept on touting the fact that they didn't know each other and had drifted away after high school, so I did not understand why Eli wanted to get with Colt so much. There was no indication that Eli had been pining for his ex-best friend until Eli had just internally dialogue'd himself into somehow magically realizing previously nonexistent feelings for Colt after their BJs. This really just goes hand in hand with my earlier problem of their history not being clearly defined. If there were clearer signs that Eli had been holding a candle for Colt all this time or that he was strongly pining for him (even if it was only in the past) then his feelings would've been justified. As it is, Eli basically just grows feelings after the sexy, closeted cowboy gives him a BJ and suddenly Colt is worth fighting for. Where's the romance in that?
1,079 reviews8 followers
March 26, 2025
4.5 stars!

This is book three of the author’s Sagebrush Cowboys series and features Colt, the famous bull rider who’s trying to help his friend Caroline (who appeared in book two, Whiskey and Wildfire) get her rodeo school up and going and Eli, his school friend turned enemy.

Eli thought he’d escaped Sagebrush when he left for college but circumstances beyond his control have caused him to lose his big city job and suddenly he’s back, living with his parents, in his childhood bedroom—complete with twin bed, Disney comforter and puppy posters. As if all that wasn’t enough, running into Colt, his ex friend, was the proverbial cherry on top of a craptastic sundae.

Being friends, Colt would have helped Caroline anyway but the opportunity to help with her rodeo school came at the perfect time to allow him to recover a bit from his previous injuries with no one being the wiser. Too bad he couldn’t control his mouth when he runs into Eli…now he’s in even MORE pain and stuck with Eli and his not so tender mercies for two weeks.

Somehow, the time spent together during his recovery has drawn them closer together but his secret, if it’s revealed, will ruin his career. Can he live with that?

Although it can be read as a standalone (though I’m not sure why you would want to), I read it in order, as part of the series so I can’t say it was my favorite of the three but I still loved it and recommend it wholeheartedly, especially if you like cowboy romance but also even if you just love plain ol’ romance.

I received a copy of this book for free but am voluntarily leaving a review.
115 reviews2 followers
March 10, 2025
In the third installment of the Sagebrush Cowboys series, “Blood and Bravado”, we are greeted with an emotional journey as the two characters return to their roots. Eli, an accountant who once thrived in Dallas, is now defeated and back in his hometown of Sagebrush, Texas. Simultaneously, Colt, a renowned bull rider, confronts his demons after a painful injury. This returning duo ignites a captivating tale that intertwines friendship, rivalry, and romance.

The rekindling of Eli and Colt’s relationship is at the heart of this story. After a meaningful friendship in high school, years apart have left their mark, and their reunion is far from simple. Living under the same roof in Eli’s house presents challenges and undeniable chemistry. With the arguing and bickering, you can feel the tension shift from animosity to attraction. This evolution provides a raw yet relatable undertone that makes Blood and Bravado an emotional rollercoaster.

What sets Blood and Bravado apart is not just the primary storyline but the inclusion of beloved characters from the previous books in the series. Their presence adds depth and continuity, immersing you into the Sagebrush community. With highs and lows, laughter and tears, this book captures real-life experiences that resonate deeply. Fans of the series will undoubtedly appreciate the intricate development of each character and the fantasy world they inhabit.

Blood and Bravado is a must-read that promises to leave you eagerly anticipating what comes next in Sagebrush.
600 reviews6 followers
March 7, 2025
Eli and Colt have a history - childhood best friends, competitive in high school, then going their separate ways full of anger after graduation due to Colt not explaining things to Eli. Both men have returned home to Sagebrush after ten years - Eli due to the loss of his job and Colt is there to recover from some serious injuries.
Both men still hold on to their anger, but after some much needed communication, their friendship is renewed. As the attraction between them grows, they cautiously take the next step towards intimacy as Colt - due to a bad experience as a teen and the macho stigma of a bull rider - is extremely wary. Everything is going so well, there are plenty of steamy sexy times and their connection has quickly deepened into love, but their history of lack of communication almost ruins things again. After some tense situations, they finally get their HEA.
There are secondary characters from previous books in the series that make an appearance and add depth to the story - Dolly is, as always, quite the character - and the situation with Eli's dad and his PTSD is heartbreaking.
Overall, this is an enjoyable book and I look forward to the next.

I received an ARC, this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Cara.
587 reviews24 followers
March 19, 2025
Blood and Bravado is the third book in the Sagebrush Cowboys series.

This book is a friends to enemies to lovers, second chances, smal town romance. The town provides many pleasant surprises.

Colt is a rodeo cowboy who is forced by injury to return to Sagebrush to recover, make a living and try to ride professionally again. The first night after his return he runs into Eli, his childhood friend and teenage enemy.

Eli has lost his job in Dallas and has to return to his hometown to meet Colt.

The romance between the two is spicy and at times angst-filled, mostly because of Colt's insecurities, who gives off a cocky image, but deep down has a lot of insecurities. It is also full of miscommunication and misunderstandings. First they recover their friendship and then they start to develop feelings.

I'm looking forward to reading the fourth, especially since I'm waiting for Dustin's book.
Profile Image for Yvonne.
608 reviews10 followers
June 8, 2025
We are back on Logan's farm and Colt has been hired to help at Caroline's rodeo school, still injured from his last rodeo appearance, he takes this time to heal ready for his next rodeo show. Eli returns to Sagebrush after his life falls apart in Dallas. Still feeling sorry for himself, his first interaction with Colt whilst not right surely felt satisfying.
As you follow this pair more of their rivalry and whilst they now hate each other is revealed as Eli and Colt spend a lot of time together. The longer they are together, the closer they get and it is not just hot from the Texas heat. But like the others in the series there is the miscommunication but I loved how it was all revolved. The storyline with Eli's dads PTSD was handled with sensitivity and it was emotional reading.
We catch up with former character and Dolly is a character I love to read about but Caroline is annoying as ever.
I wonder who next gets the Sagebrush treatment
10 reviews
June 22, 2025
Two hot and hard headed cowboys finally find themselves and each other.

I liked how it started with them thinking they both hated each other for running away from their true feelings for each other. Them finally figuring it out with all the drama and angst was well written and at times very hot. It was a great read and certainly kept me captivated. I think it would be great read for anyone who is having a hard time coming to except their sexuality especially any cowboys out there that are in love with their best buds but are living in denial about their feelings . Don't live your life in desperation just open up to that person and let them know how you feel, you might be surprised how it turns out . If it turns out they don't feel the same way it's not a total loss just stay friends but move on to someone else.there are a lot to chose from out there.
326 reviews5 followers
March 29, 2025
The third Sagebrush Cowboys story has made me fall even harder for this town. Atreus has a way of writing these guys with such character that you want to hug them and be their best friends while they fall for their man.
Colt and Eli were friends growing up until a misunderstanding, family circumstances and pride pulled them apart, as the years went by the hurt they each felt turned to anger and hate until Eli returns home to regroup after his career imploded and Colt literally collapsed at his feet. Circumstance or fate have thrown them together but can they finally start communicating and stop misunderstanding each other?

A bumpy ride that's full of steam and thankfully a much deserved happily ever after, I loved every moment of Colt and Eli's story.
104 reviews3 followers
July 17, 2025
Spicy cowboys under the sun and stars

Ya can’t help but feel the heat between these Texas boys. Despite wrestling with their pasts and their feelings, their attractions are obvious. Interesting note about the author’s style: we read the story in the characters’s voices. Including less than perfect grammar, repeated phrases, and sometimes blunt feelings. Once we understand that, we get drawn into the story even more. And then you can really feel the heat. Even out under the stars 🌟
56 reviews1 follower
April 7, 2025
I enjoyed this book. It is the first of the series that I have read. I would have liked to see more of the romance and connection between the characters instead of so much spicy.

The characters are very believable and likeable. The setting was realistic.

The connection between Eli's parents and Colt could have been written about.

I would definitely suggest this book to anyone who needs a good romance.
Profile Image for Kat.
90 reviews
August 2, 2025
Way too many repetitive conversations and sex scenes.
The ‘drama’ was just… painful. It could so easily have been avoided or quickly cleared up.
Caroline needs to butt out of other people’s relationships.
Not fond of the nonconsensual “outing” by a queer person who should know better, nor the punching your sort-of-boyfriend because you’re angry…

I liked the first book well enough but the last two just have not done it for me. Likely will not be continuing with this series.
Profile Image for Denise H..
3,245 reviews269 followers
October 21, 2025
Colt and Eli…

Rodeo Bull rider, Cowboy Colt, got injured very badly, and now he’s home. Eli had a big city job that blew apart in a flash, and he’s back home, in shock.
Folks are welcoming, but Eli is in turmoil and Colt isn’t happy to see him. They had a history.
We see ups and downs, deep thoughts, unique characters, super hot sexiness, and a story that makes us want to know what will happen.
ENJOY !

=====
Profile Image for Magda  | AnotherOneReadsRomance.
125 reviews4 followers
December 16, 2025
Another great installment in the series. I loved Eli and Colt's relationship journey, from rivals/former colleagues to lovers. After their initial animosity, Eli and Colt are forced to spend some time in the same house, which leads them to start talking and getting to know each other again. Colt has been through a lot, and I am so happy that he managed to find his happy ending, even though he doubted for a long time whether he deserved one. His relationship with Eli was sweet, but they also had great moments of banter, which felt different from the previous books. As always, I loved the side characters—I wish I could meet someone like Dolly in real life. I picked up the next book in the series as soon as I finished this one.
Profile Image for Simera.
1,794 reviews7 followers
March 28, 2025
Eli and Colt have history. Some good and some not so. Both find themselves back in Sagebrush. Eli because he lost his job and Colt because of injuries.
Both hanging onto old hurts but when they finally have a talk they realize there is so much more they could have.
This is a low/mid angst, second chance with a little bit of a bumpy ride and lots of emotions to that HEA.
Profile Image for lori forsyth.
801 reviews3 followers
April 20, 2025
Again freaking awesome

This is such a great cowboy series I don't have the right words & wish I could give a ten instead of a loly 5!!!! There is so much passion you face may turn as red as Eli & Colt's did!!!! These cowboys are so darned stubborn but I'll give credit for the new poppy copy got Eli!!
Thank so much now I've got to wait for the next book - Lori
Profile Image for Cristy.
Author 10 books32 followers
July 16, 2025
Eli y Colt vuelven tras diez años a Artemisa.
Me ha encantado como evoluciona su relación y volver a saber del resto de personajes.
También me ha gustado como la autora le da visibilidad al trastorno de estrés postraumático que sufren muchos militares a través del personaje del padre de Eli.
Una preciosa historia que me ha hecho pasar un buen rato con su lectura.
6 reviews
January 5, 2026
There are no spoilers in this review. Of course this is a must read in order series as the characters build on the previous characters and the plots build on the plots. At this point we, as readers, are thoroughly invested in Sagebrush. It is as if Atreus is from Texas. You just want more and more. I wanted the next book to come out after reading this one.
40 reviews1 follower
April 1, 2025
Riveting!

Love cowboys! Had one of my own a lifetime ago. He stayed in New Zealand when I had to return to the states. This book is well written with virtually no "slogging" spots. Just another great point that honest communication is so very important.
Profile Image for Dave.
631 reviews8 followers
April 1, 2025
Another triumph, Atreus. Eli and Cole are two tremendously likeable characters for all their fussing, and, despite some real problems (family and otherwise), they fall in love. I can't wait until your next book.
1,616 reviews11 followers
May 4, 2025
A lovely story in Sagebrush, Texas. two hometown boys return amidst some terrible bad luck on the rode circuit and the big city. Hating each other for some untold high school event, they end up getting stuck together and the heat begins.
120 reviews
July 6, 2025
Fan Kindle

Me encantó la novela sobre todo si sus protagonistas son sexys vaqueros
Está increíble historia de amor y segundas oportunidades de Colt y Eli es muy intensa y hermosa la recomiendo 💯
92 reviews
August 24, 2025
Algo mejor que el anterior libro. Creo que me está pasando factura el hecho de estar leyéndolos de seguido. Necesito un poco mas de chicha. Apenas sí hay algo de drama. Es todo demasiado dulce en esta saga.
Al menos esta traducción sí está bastante pasable.
Profile Image for Emma ~ a chapter of tea.
110 reviews42 followers
April 14, 2025
I’m loving all these Sagebrush cowboys and their adorable love stories🥰 they’ve got me hooked! I just really want Dustin’s story, he needs his own book!
9 reviews
July 16, 2025
I fell in love with all of these interconnected characters in this book series I laughed I cried I was invested in the characters
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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