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Sometimes the best thing about living in New York is leaving it.

When January Bell takes a risk on a business trip to Denver and introduces himself to the hot as fire cowboy across the bar, he has no idea what he’s in for. Hawk is like nobody he’s ever met, and Jan finds he is intrigued enough to want more than just one night with the deceptively complex man.

Hawk Destry is working hard to wring every moment he can out of his bull riding career. He’s used to beating the eight second clock, but a life-long degenerative disease is causing him to slowly lose his sight and he doesn’t have a lot of years left in the sport.

None of that seems to matter, though, when Hawk meets January, who treats him like he’s worth more off a bull than on one, and who’s willing to work just as hard to be with him.

The two men have to deal with the distance, unexpected challenges when Hawk visits New York, family on both sides, and neither of them sees any of it coming. Eventually even Hawk’s dangerous job is thrown into sharp relief when tragedy strikes. How will January and Hawk find their way when they’re flying blind?

426 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 26, 2020

106 people are currently reading
105 people want to read

About the author

Jodi Payne

89 books400 followers
JODI spent too many years in New York and San Francisco stage managing classical plays, edgy fringe work, and the occasional musical. She, therefore, is overdramatic, takes herself way too seriously, and has been known to randomly break out in song. Her men are imperfect but genuine, stubborn but likable, often kinky, and frequently their own worst enemies. They are characters you can’t help but fall in love with while they stumble along the path to their happily ever after.

For those looking to get on her good side, Jodi’s addictions include nonfat lattes, Malbec and tequila however you pour it. She’s also obsessed with Shakespeare and Broadway musicals. She can be found wearing sock monkey gloves while typing when it’s cold, and on the beach enjoying the sun and the ocean when it’s hot. When she’s not writing and/or vacuuming sand out of her laptop, Jodi mentors queer youth and will drop everything for live music. Jodi lives near New York City with her beautiful wife, and together they are mothers of dragons (cleverly disguised as children) and slaves to an enormous polydactyl cat.

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5 stars
229 (66%)
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86 (24%)
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24 (6%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
Profile Image for Denise H..
3,244 reviews269 followers
September 9, 2020
In Denver, the bull rider met the suit and tie man at the bar and electricity filled their space. A fantastic night of hot sex, which led to the suit seeing the rodeo for the first time.... then dinner and more scorching sexy nights. These two were made for each other, which they both realized.
Hawk, 27, our small bull riding champion, is nearly blind,

which he's hidden, but he's lean and tough. He's a great character, strong brave and lively, from a large, close rodeo family.
January/Jan is a rich, businessman

who has a foundation that helps charities investments, and his family is cold.

He is a perfect fit, with his easy wit, loose schedule and his open emotion. January has the smarts to go for it with cowboy Hawk.
Even amidst the doubts and fears, the men can do anything they set their minds to.



Our men navigate the relationship well, even though neither man has ever been in one. They kept up with the important talks, shared the immense feelings and decisions, too.
It's a bond, irrevocable as time passes, and events fill their time, where January meets and fits in with the rodeo folks.

There is no shortage of sexual activities and cuddling afterward.


We get injuries, and when a tragedy hits the rodeo men,


they pull together and January is right there to support and console. Our guys have the serious conversations about possible retirement and what comes next.

I highly recommend this delicious cowboy fest ! I loved this story !
ENJOY !


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I'll Fly Away...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYyyf...

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Profile Image for Lyndy Ann ♫.
672 reviews
September 24, 2020
When I read the blurb for Flying Blind I was excited about it, as I can currently binge watching Heartland on Netflix so I know what a Bull Rider is and I understand all the cowboy lingo plus I love a cowboy.

I liked January and Hawk and I was enjoying their story until about halfway.

After that all the chapters seem to merge into one, have sex, talk about food, eat chicken, broccoli or pizza, talk about family, friends or Rodeo and repeat.

It was also too sickly sweet for me with all the endearments and a thirty year old man calling his parents momma and daddy, maybe this is me.

The ending was flat as well no big finish, disappointed.
Profile Image for Zee♥.
307 reviews
September 18, 2020
Review: Wow, this book was an emotional journey and I could not put it down. There was so much love in this book. Jan and Hawk were very loving and kind to each other and to their friends. I really liked the sweet way their relationship developed. The bull riding was intense and I had to do some research to really comprehend how dangerous the sport is. I’m amazed at how Jan supported Hawk through his injuries, his deteriorating vision, and that terrible tragedy without trying to force him to retire. Beck and Sky from Wrecked were also a nice addition to the story. 4.5 stars
Profile Image for Leelah&#x1f341;♋️ Orion.
1,441 reviews52 followers
August 17, 2020
What a journey

Oh this was a journey I’m not ready to leave. I’m gonna have major book hang over. I’m not ready! Please don’t make me leave Jan and Hawk’s world. Le sigh. What a wonderful story. Full of fun, cowboy emotions a love. A book that had me laughing and shedding some tears. A book about a love that you didn’t ever know you were looking for but once you found it knew it was right. Thats what this book was. Two men’s journey of love. I enjoyed the everyday. I enjoyed just being a part of the couple getting to know each other and fall In love with each other. I enjoyed that there wasn’t drama about rather or not to stay together or something splitting them a part. The writing in this book was amazing, I could hear hawks voice just by the conversation. The smexy was HAWT! And the side characters were amazing! Please please tell me Jax gets a cowboy or at least a story, and I know they need time but I would love for someone else to get a love in the future when their heart is healed. I shall go pout now that I have to leave I really wanted to be a part of that conversation had with dad.
Profile Image for Carol.
3,773 reviews137 followers
November 17, 2023
The progression of the relationship between January and Hawk started with a meeting in a bar where neither of them really wanted to be. It quickly went from a “one-night stand” to “a sexy weekend fling” to “casually meeting up across the country” to “Hey, what happened? I think we’re dating”, to “I'm pretty sure that we’re in love and all into one another.” The story has lots of highs and one really, really, gigantically big low, but it's also filled with so much heat and spice...along with some stunning and overwhelming reveals and twists. The book is on the long side, almost 500 pages, but I never felt that the story dragged or what I was reading could have easily been left out. It's turned out to be another book that I just didn't want to end. I'm so glad I bought it as I have almost all these two ladies' books, so I can revisit Jan and Hawk whenever I want. It was great to revisit again with Sky and Beck from the "Wrecked" book #1 of the series, that I had just read. B A Tortuga does indeed love her cowboys and portrays them so beautifully. In this one we learned again about the dangers that these riders face every time they compete. I don't see how Hawke could ride at all with his eyesight so rapidly disappearing. I don't know much about the "sport"...is it even considered a sport??, but I guess riding bulls must pay well or else the riders really have a fondness for 8-seconds of rearranging their bones and dirt. From reading the first book in this rodeo romances series, I thought I knew what the "dark" moment of this novel was going to be. However, Jodi Payne and B A Tortuga must have thought that would be too much to put the reader and Hawk through, considering his other hurdles... but I was not prepared for the "dark" moment when it barreled out of left field, even though when thinking back the clues leading up to it were in-your-face obvious. A word of warning...If you have read enough to have learned to love all these characters, it will be brutal when it hits. Have the tissues handy. In spite of all the feelings the "dark moment" produced, it was the perfect catalyst for January and Hawk to finally admit what they want and what will work best of them both as individuals and as a couple...and go for it.
Profile Image for Ana  Nimity.
1,302 reviews62 followers
July 17, 2020
I'm swooning over these two opposites-attract guys whose relationship grows and expands and the two of them grow emotionally and closer together. I fell in love with both of them. Also, as a Texan, I appreciate how accurately the Texans in this book are represented.

There's some drama, and some tears, but they come naturally from the story. You'll appreciate this book more if you've read Wrecked, but it's not necessary. Flying Blind stands alone solidly.
Profile Image for Denise GremoryKohta.
4,246 reviews7 followers
March 20, 2024
Wow!!!

This was so good. It warmed my heart, wrecked me, and then mended it. But the scars from that are still raw.
Profile Image for Megan.
1,469 reviews29 followers
August 3, 2020
There were a lot of directions this story could take in terms of the conflict and the journey of the relationship. What was lovely was that while those more predictable elements were there, none of them were allowed to escalate to disastrous proportions. Keeping the story simple and focused on the two men as they navigate their new "normal" and discover more about one another allowed a fantastic amount of depth to be achieved. Well, mostly. I'll get into that in a bit. For the most part this was so full of all the lighter feels, sexual chemistry, and determination you could hope for in a story with these particular tropes.

Being totally upfront, there was very little about January that truly felt deep in terms of character background and growth. He was the far simpler element of the story so while he played a central role, I felt the story really focused on Hawk. Hawk was the one with a whole lot more to work out and through in the story. Also, another reviewer said a content warning should have been included. I'm kind of in agreement because there's a tragedy that occurs that can make you feel totally blindsided, though I will say there are hints that something pretty bad is going to happen to one of the characters. So without giving a spoiler, just know that this is an incredibly dangerous sport and there are consequences, sometimes dire ones, that happen. Everyone going in knows the risks and the outcome can sometimes be as devastating as often as they can be euphoric.

Any and all angst in the story was reserved for the big issues, no petty arguments, lack of communication, miscommunication, jealousies, or unreasonable reactions. Most of that was for Hawk's specific situation regarding his health and his career. What makes this story different, and happily surprising, is all the communication. Every moment where something could have been said was expanded to true soul-opening conversations where nearly everything on the topic was hashed out. Sometimes there aren't any clear decisions made after them, but they nearly always end them on a positive note about recognizing the process of evolving as a couple, that there are possibilities they're willing to explore...it was so different and full of warmth and honesty that I can't find myself complaining about any of it.

These men, especially Hawk, have the biggest hearts and they fit so well together. Their sexual chemistry is absolutely there, though sometimes it gets a bit one-note, like they're just rewording most of their sexual encounters slightly and perhaps changing the location, but it's satisfying as a balance to the many, many in-depth conversations. Everything is really out in the open for both of them. Professionally Hawk is in the closet, but to everyone that matters he's completely out and only keeps things on the DL when in the cities and arenas of the competitions. That was another refreshing aspect to the story. Adding in compelling side characters that are varied, expressive, and supportive throughout everything and I'm crazy about the overall story. I want to read Jax's story next!
Profile Image for Anne Barwell.
Author 23 books108 followers
July 31, 2020
Wow. This is the first book I’ve read by these authors writing together, and it pulled me in and kept me reading. This is also my first Cowboy book and I’m hooked. I knew next to nothing about bull riding before I started reading, but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story. I could relate to January learning about it and being scared for the riders.

I thought this story was very bittersweet, with the relationship and romance between January and Hawk tinged with the tragedy that strikes later on in the book. Although I guessed what was coming before it happened, it still hit with a huge emotional gut wrenching impact, and I found myself sniffling. So happy that Jan and Hawk at least got their HEA, although I was seriously worried for Hawk riding bulls right up to the end.

I loved January and Hawk, and particularly them together. I loved how January is there for Hawk, and supports him, and how Hawk makes Jan feel loved, which he is. I thought the way Hawk works around his sight issues was amazing, and says so much for his strength of character. I really felt to him having to hide so much about who he truly is and his fear that Jan will lose interest once he stops bull riding.

The supporting cast is fabulous, and I loved the found family feel of the bull riders and cowboys. Hawk’s family is very large, and a little overwhelming and although his mother can be a little overprotective, it’s obvious he’s very loved. I love the way they bring Jan into the fold, and how he stands up for Hawk against his mother. Jax is wonderful, and totally needs his own HEA (hint). I liked Sky and Beck too. And how Nicole and Jan bond in the VIP seats. And then there’s Ben and Charlie... I loved the easy friendship between Jan and Jax, and Hawk and Charlie.

All in all a fabulous read, and not the last I’ll be reading from these authors.
Profile Image for J.L..
Author 14 books72 followers
March 15, 2022
I loved the progression of the relationship between January and Hawk in this book. It boils down to “one-night stand” to “sexy weekend fling” to “casually meeting up across the country” to “oops, I think we’re dating” to “okay, I guess we’re in love and all-in now.” This arc includes plenty of highs and lows, the right amount of heat and spice, and a few stunning reveals and twists. The book is on the longer side, but I never felt that the story dragged or what I was reading could have been left on the editing room floor.

The novel Wrecked by the same authors is set earlier in the same universe, though both can be read as a stand-alone. I appreciated that I was lucky enough with my reading choices to read them in order because it was lovely to see Sky and Beck again, and it emphasized the danger that Hawk faces every time he’s in the arena. For how many books I’ve read by these authors featuring rodeo cowboys, this is the first one that features any actual rodeoing! Despite little to no knowledge of the sport, I was always swept up in the drama of the rides and never felt lost or like I didn’t understand what was going on. I still think it’s hilarious that I’m not into sports romances or cowboy romances, but that I’m delighted by the “cowboy-sport” romances by these particular authors!

From reading those rodeo romances, I thought I knew what the dark moment of this novel would be. However, Payne and Tortuga must have thought that would be too much to put Hawk through, considering his other hurdles. I was not prepared for the moment that came out of left field, even though the clues leading up to it were obvious in retrospect. It may have been brutal and hit me in all the feels, but it was the perfect catalyst for how January and Hawk finally get to their “all-in.”
Profile Image for Dixiecowgirl.
1,437 reviews25 followers
August 1, 2020
Engaging story of a philanthropist and a bull-rider finding passion, acceptance, love and a future.  I enjoyed this story where a night of passion became more over time and they both found the love they hadn't expected.  Jan was recently out of a relationship where he got cheated on and his heart was recovering from that relationship so he was hesitant to trust his own judgement. Hawk could only focus on the present because he saw no future that he could have. Learning to live with a disability is really challenging and this story really handled that well.  Two men who are deserving of much love, find each other and I really like how they didn't create unnecessary drama.  They really act like adults and talk about their fears and have a wonderful honesty with each other.  

The story-line is engaging and the characters are well done.  I thought both Jan and Hawk were developed with enough background for me to connect with them.  We got to see a lot more of Hawk's family and that was an important part of the story.   This was an emotional story and I was laughing and crying as they worked their way through life.  There is the death of a friend that has a huge impact and I found my heart hurting as they grieved the loss of their friend.  

I really like Jan's friend Jazz and i would love a story about him.  He seems like an amazing person who has their own journey to find love waiting for them.  

This is a stand-alone story, however the characters from Wrecked are supporting characters and if you enjoyed this story you will enjoy theirs.  

I was gifted this book from Gay Romance Reviews and i freely give my honest opinion and review.    
Profile Image for Danna Iuliana.
1,109 reviews2 followers
November 25, 2020
This is such a hard book to rate bc even now I don t know if I liked it or not. Considering I finished it I ll choose like but, boy did it have cringe worthy moments. It was definitely way too long, it got so boring in some parts, there was nothing done just same old day to day stuff. The MC's were endearing and for the most part made me want to know how their story ends. I m not a fan of "darling" as a nickname and by God was it overused here, every other sentence had darlin' in it, I almost forgot January's name although with a girly name like that it was hard. Maybe it s just me but a grown man calling his parents momma and daddy turns me off, add to that their nicknames for eachother:darlin and angel it was way too womanly sweet for me.
Other odd bits: Hawk wasn t intending on living past retirement, he wanted to die on the arena bc he couldn t take the idea of living with his parents until old age. What grown man, rich I might add thinks like that. What was that whole creepy relationship with his mother. Don t get me started on her attitude when she met January, what the.... I thought the story was all-over the place bc you have ridiculous things like this so you d think Hawk was an idiot mama s boy, but on the other hand when alone and on tour the guy was amazingly self-sufficient for a guy with his sight problems. He was smart, witty and very aware so what the hell was all the rest when his family shows up. All and all, I describe this as weird, and yet couldn t DNF it. Something kept me going till the end.
3,546 reviews38 followers
July 24, 2020
I read 'Wrecked' and thought wow...that was wonderful, filled with love and great characters. How could a series get better? But then I experienced the melding of hearts and lives in 'Flying Blind'. In which I found an equally deep connection between Jay and Hawk...two men who each met through a chance encounter which quickly deepened into a passionate need for each other's presence. There was more than sex and lust, there was love and a deep desire to care for each other.

Family members meet and some loosen (but don't cut) the apron strings while others make immediate connections. Love is explored in new places and promises are made. You'll be taken on a road trip that is beautiful in and of itself. Tragedy happens. A deeper understanding leads to even deeper conversations.

I came to the end of the story wishing for more...more about their futures...more about their friends and families...just more. I'm thinking there is going to be at least one more book in this series so I'll get my answers.
Profile Image for LeeAnn.
817 reviews
July 17, 2020
Such a great story!
The authors brought a wonderful couple to life within the pages of this book.
Fate , with a little help from a smart bartender, brought January and Hawk together at the perfect time for them both. Their chemistry was off the charts from the beginning.
I loved watching them create a relationship, go through amazingly wonderful times and heartbreaking bad times . Seeing how they handled both sets of circumstances as a solid couple made me go through a lot of emotions. There was plenty of heat, laughter, and tears in the story. Together with amazing friends and family they got through it.
Highly recommend this !
I received an Advanced Readers Copy for my honest review.
5/5 Buzzers!
Profile Image for llv.
2,319 reviews14 followers
May 31, 2021
Flying Blind by Jodi Payne B.A. Tortuga
Rating: 3.5 stars
This book takes place in the same universe as Wrecked and it was good to see Skyler and Beckett make an appearance. I must say that I didn’t totally buy into the fact that Hawk was able to ride bulls and fool people into believing he could see, but then luckily, I’m reading fiction so a book doesn’t have to be totally believable. I did love how January believed in Hawk and helped support him without being overprotective. My only complaint was the ending. I ended the book feeling let down and due to the events in the book, it didn’t really feel happy to me. So overall I enjoyed it, I just wish that the authors hadn’t made me feel so sad at the end.
23 reviews
October 29, 2025
Another great collaboration

I really enjoyed this book, being completely drawn to the two main characters. I would have given it five stars, but felt that it was somewhat too long. Maybe 50 or 75 pages shorter. I'm not meaning to be snarky here, I would thoroughly encourage you to read it. I especially enjoy these stories where a character has a difference(almost wrote 'flaw'), emotional, physical or whatever it may be. It enriches the story for me. A slight pet peeve of mine is the cover art. To me the two models couldn't appear more different than the description and feeling of them in the story. Again, just me. Please give it a go, as Tortuga and Payne have produced another great story.
28 reviews
July 29, 2020
Oh My Heart

Jodi and BA ! You know how to write 'em. The happy highs the heart breaking lows... I can't remember the last time I laughed, smiled and cried reading the same book. This book took me two days to read. It was amazing.
This book takes you into the world of rodeo bull riding. The close knit group of people who become their own family. Fantastic! I truly hope that the descriptions within the story are close to being factual. Hawk and Jan meet and fall in lust, like than love. I was rooting for them from the get go. This is a must read cuddled up with a blanket and a hot cup of tea..


Profile Image for Ida Umphers.
5,517 reviews47 followers
August 1, 2020
This book takes the one night stand that turns into more trope and twists it into an amazing story. I loved the two characters together and felt that their pairing made sense from their first encounter. The details about bull riding and what that is like both mentally and physically for the human participant was wonderfully handled. This book is perfectly constructed to move from the first attraction through the getting to know you and your friends and family period through to how a couple finds a way to deal with real pain and hardship. Also a treat to see previous characters show up from time to time, which I did not expect. Not a light read but a memorable one.
758 reviews4 followers
July 22, 2020
I loved Flying Blind. It was such a sweet love story. I thought Hawk and January were so great together. Their dialogue and banter was great, the story was interesting, lots of secondary characters that brought a lot to the story. I thought how they treated Hawk’s eye disease was done well. I loved reading about bull riders and the combination of a Texan and a Yankee, they are so perfect together. I loved their romance, it was sweet, hot and sexy. I definitely recommend this book.
Profile Image for Coline Peterson.
623 reviews6 followers
July 26, 2020
I just love me some cowboys, and Jodi Payne and BA Tortuga sure know how to write about some pretty terrific ones. I met him on a business trip to Denver, wow what a handsome cowboy, then we spent an evening together, then I got to watch him ride a bull the next day and I was hooked on this guy. But it was going to take a lot of work to figure out how to make a long distance relationship with him work but I think it might be the best ride I will get of my life, if he's by my side forever.
Profile Image for Fran.
1,054 reviews11 followers
July 28, 2020
Right from Page 1 both January and Hawk grabbed my attention. Here were two exact opposites in life looking for the same goal and both go straight to the point, no hemming or hawing. Their discovery of mutual passion stayed throughout the book. Emotions of sadness, love, angst, the circle of friendships, and facing loss were worth every word put to paper.
This was a good read and I appreciate being given the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Janet Hunt.
3,538 reviews46 followers
July 28, 2020
This was a wonderful, emotional story. Once I picked it up, I could not put it down. January is on a business trip when he meets Hawk. He completely captivated by Hawk. These two were complete opposites. The story will emotionally rip you up. So much love, lust, heartbreak, and laughter. Highly recommend!!!
I am voluntarily leaving a review form an ARC that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
Profile Image for Aimee .
1,175 reviews12 followers
July 29, 2020
First time reader of these two authors but I loved it so much!! It was emotional, intriguing, fast paced but also slow when it needed to be. January and Hawk are beautiful characters and so strong individually and amazing together. Their love was beautiful. I cried and laughed and felt all the things right along with the characters. I felt it ended too soon...I wanted a better ending but it was still a really good story.
Profile Image for Patricia Nelson.
1,739 reviews20 followers
July 31, 2020
This was such a sweet, grab-you-by-the-feels, poignant, sexy, delightful, fantastic, tug-at-your-heartstrings, engaging, heartfelt, adorable, lovely, wonderful, and totally awesome story. Hawk and Jan's journey pulled me in from the very first page, and I would DEFINITELY recommend getting this marvelous gem for yourself.
Profile Image for Susan Lewis.
55 reviews
August 1, 2020
Flying Blind is wonderful story -warm, funny, sexy romance.
Jan and Hawk are fun, sexy, hot, endearing, fierce, brave.. Keep tissues never by. My new favorite couple.
Family is not by blood only. I love the fun and strong bonds of Hawk’s family, his rodeo family, and Jan’s best friend, close as a brother, Jax.
1,488 reviews4 followers
August 2, 2020
As a fan of Jodi Payne and BA Tortuga, this new book of them was a must. I got caught since the beginning in January and Hawk's story. Full of romance, a wonderful plot, emotional dialogues and many interesting situations, their story is easy to read in spite some angst, making this book just perfect for a nice reading. Loved it!
Profile Image for Mary A Walters.
206 reviews
August 17, 2020
I could not stop reading this book! January and Hawk are opposites in so many ways. Their one night stand turns into so much more. Neither man knew what to expect but their journey together was beautifully written. Great characters too. I hope there will be more books about them. Highly Recommend!!
63 reviews1 follower
October 6, 2020
I loved seeing the relationship grow!

This was longer than I expected but it gave the authors space to show Hawk and January's develop. Readers see them talk about everything needed to make a relationship between people with such different lives work.

I would have loved to see them living their HEA but that's a personal preference.
1,391 reviews19 followers
September 29, 2022
This book tugged at my heart.

I started reading this one the same as the other books about bull riders but then, it turned bittersweet and I got choked up. Hawk was going blind. When Jan and Hawk were on trip it was hard for me to keep reading. Jan and Hawk found their love and would be forever in love.
Profile Image for Karen Rich.
740 reviews11 followers
July 25, 2020
I loved this story about Hawk and January. The romance between these two is amazing and it shows with the love flowing off the pages. January and Hawk meet up at a bar and it all starts from there they share love and also suffer a tragedy. I highly recommend this book .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews

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