In the Morning Light

by B.A. Tortuga

Big-name bull rider Austin McPherson has no idea when he hits up a small-time rodeo in northern New Mexico that he’ll run into the man who ghosted him a year earlier. The man he thought might be worth leaving the rodeo for eventually. And he sure doesn’t expect to find out that same man has a brand new baby, either.

Jim Donoghue didn’t know what to say to Austin when his baby came along and he had to stop traveling to rodeos, following a man who wasn’t the settling down type. So he didn’t say anything. Now Austin is in his hometown, and things are getting more complicated by the minute. Can he make Austin understand why he was ready to settle down on his own? And can Austin make Jim see why he might look better in the morning light now than he ever did?

This book was previously a Your Book Boyfriend's Boyfriend title.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Westerns, Gay, Second Chance, Sports

101 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2022

About the author

Texan to the bone and an unrepentant Daddy's Girl, BA Tortuga spends her days with her hounds and her beloved wife, texting her grandbabies, 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. Following their own personal joys, BA and Julia heard the call of the high desert and they now live in the New Mexico mountains. BA's personal saviors include her wife, her best friends, and coffee. Lots of coffee. Really good coffee.

Having written everything from fist-fighting rednecks to cowboy daddies to werewolves, BA does her damnedest to tell the stories of her heart, which is committed to giving everyone their happily ever after. With books ranging from hard-hitting BDSM, to fiery passions, to the most traditional of love stories, BA refuses to be pigeon-holed by anyone but the voices in her head.

Reviews

[Denise H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Cowboy romance !

We begin at the Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo in Agua Azulejo, New Mexico. The two men hadn’t seen each other in a year… now… Jim has a baby !
Austin, Bull Rider, pocket cowboy, with a hard body, dark hair with a few grays and grey eyes, really loved Jim last year.
Jim, handsome, strong cowboy, has a ranch and now, sweet Rosie, three months old. He also has his business caring for rodeo stock, horses, bulls, etc., plus has his brother to lean on.
Once Austin gets the story, he can’t be mad at Jim, who he considers the love of his life, and will need to figure out how to have him back. They both need this second chance.
A loose bull ruins Austin’s rental vehicle, and Jm steps up to help Austin through the rodeo break time.
It’s an easy transition to lovers again, and it’s sweet domesticity.
From every day life, meals, taking care of the ranch and cute Rosie, to the hot lovin’, we see it work.
We like these men, the life they have, and the deep emotions. Plus Rosie really loves Austin.
Austin still has rodeo commitments to finish the year. Then, when there’s an accident and injury, Jim races to Austin’s side.
This is a tremendous story, and told so well. We get these fun characters, great feelings of their love and happiness, on this gorgeous land.
It will grab your heart.
ENJOY !

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[William Kibler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, Lordy, my head hurts.

Cute, but predictable tale. You can feel the love between the characters - and there's a baby! - but that doesn't justify the construction of this story. Underdeveloped characters. Disjointed, hard to comprehend sentences and sentence fragments. Unattributed dialog, so it was difficult to know who was speaking to who. Overabundance of southwestern cowboy slang/colloquialisms that made it difficult to understand what was being said for the uninitiated northern boys like me. It was a short, but difficult, read for me.

[Ed Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet short read. I rarely give such short books four stars , but B.A. Tortuga is probably my favorite author of cowboy stories. When I’m in the mood for a cowboy I always check out her books. Austin and Jim have been apart for over a year when they run into each other at a rodeo. Slow sweet love ensues.

[Alexis Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second chance novella

Nothing better than getting a second chance at love. Austin hasn't seen his on again, off again lover in a year, when Jim ghosted Austin for reasons he wasn't aware of. Their first face-to-face meeting answers some questions, but it's the escaped bull doing a number on Austin's truck that allows them to spend significant time together. Love rekindled.

Free read. Own. Contemporary, book in a series, standalone, cowboys, family man, second chance

[Melanie]

This is a DNF for me and I’ll not be rating it as most of my reviews contain the same content. Poor editing etc.

I stopped very early in the story after the characters reunited (another simplified element). One main character “winked “ twice in the space of several sentences at the other. An occurrence that, if it had happened in RL would have had that person asking if they had something in their eye or just twitching in stress.

Either way, it’s indicative of the types of narrative choices being made by the author. The recent releases , mostly, and my similar reviews have me deciding to take a break from reading any further books to get a clear perspective.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

BA has written another fun, feel-good Cozy Cowboys novella. This time, Jim and Austin has been on-and-off again lovers for a few years, traveling on the rodeo circuit. When they parted ways, Jim had been asking about settling down together to raise a family. When Austin couldn't see how it would work, Jim ghosted him without explanation. Now, they've bumped into each other again at a small rodeo, but Austin is shocked to see that Jim now has a 3 month-old daughter, adopted from his young cousin who wasn't ready to be a mother. This is their second chance at love and now the picture is clearer. Can two former lovers make it work this time? This cowboy romance has all of the family, New Mexican culture, passion, and forever love, including one delightful baby girl.

[Johnn Mccarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bull head man and his Man's Daughter and the Man

A true Romance with bull rides and Lost Love Then Finding it Again and A Sweet Little Girl that Tied The Two men Together and Make A loving family.
And The Little Girl falls Hard in Love With the man that Will be her Papa .but Loves her Daddy just as Much but Has it Hard when Her Papa leaves her To Follow his Rodeo dreams then end Up Settling down and Becoming A Great guy and Husband to The Little Girl's Daddy

[Katy Beth Mckee]

I really love the fact that these two really had a relationship even if they hadn’t given it a name in the past. I also like how Austin can freely admit that he hadn’t really listened to what Jim was really saying at the time. This is a sweet story with the building of a family.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rodeo Cowboy Romance

A short, classic cowboy rodeo romance, with all the anticipated pieces bundled into a decent storyline. Acceptable character development for the length of the story and the positive ending we expected.

[Chris Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a FAST read. The story is pretty typical of the former rodeo cowboy finding love. This one moved a bit too fast and things fell into place too quickly. It was nice that they had history however there were points where more explanation was needed. More tension would have been nice. More will he, won't he. There was nothing to connect me to the characters. Nothing that made them stand out.

[Shelley Chastagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim and Austin messed things up the first time around because there was no communication. Lust and hookups are not a foundation. They loved each other, that was clear from the beginning. Really talking to one another cleared the air and put them where they should have been all along. I liked that Jim trusted Austin to make his own decisions about his career. Austin impressed me with his reaction to being there for all of their little girl's firsts; pure joy.
Highly recommended author

[DC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh! The dialogue! Do people really talk like that? Austin’s use of the endearment “honey” was just way too much. And their whole manner of speaking; half the time I had to stop to figure out what they were saying. I guess I’m too much of a city boy. But underneath it all was a very sweet romance. And I don’t know whether that is Austin or Jim on the cover, but totally Yum!!!

[llv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars

While I enjoyed this book for the most part, I felt it suffered from being too short. I thought the events that happened were a bit rushed and a bit predictable.

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Austin McPherson runs into Jim Donoghue, he wants an answer about why Jim ghosted him. Surprisingly, Jim is now raising a baby. When Austin gets a chance, he moves into Jim’s place. Will the three get there HEA?

[Denise GremoryKohta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes!!!

I love BA Tortuga’s cowboys and her bull riders. Jim and Austin had to realize some things before they could be together. I think Rosie was so adorable. I love these Cozy Cowboys books.

[Jack Harkness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, Sweet Read

This is a good story. Almost nonexistent angst and PG-13 (very light steam). Baby Rosie is adorable. I've read better stories by this author, but this is still enjoyable.

[Damian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story.

Austin is finally getting his stuff together and trying to patch up things with Jim. Jim is trying to do the same. Bull riders don't ride forever and Austin is about to find that out. Thank you BA for another great story!

[Kobie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, of course, but felt like a quick wrap-up.

[David J. Belliveau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I thought this book was very entertaining. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters were fun to get to know.

[Jeremy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable and interesting book, I found it was brilliant to read and couldn't put it down until I finished it 😀 👍 👏

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5-4 - This one kinda grew on me ;)

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the dialogue in this cowboy novella. The frequent use of ‘man’ and ‘honey’ sounded realistic and chill. This was a well written story of second chances. The MCs were attractive and the heat was good.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Tina J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another enjoyable read from BA Tortuga. Cowboys with kids. Heart and Heat. Ticks all the boxes!

[Anne]

3.5*