Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5

Four men in need of a helping hand….

When a cowboy finds he has grit in all the wrong places, what is he to do? Meet the man of his dreams, of course. But what will save two cowboys from getting bogged down in the mire?

An ex-rodeo cowboy who hates working with Hollywood actors meets a movie star who is looking for something real. Will they get a happy ending, just like in the movies?

A redneck ends up injured and stranded, and his old friend comes to the rescue. It’s the old story of the one that got away. What will they do to keep each other in their lives—and will it be too late?

A professional bull rider is starting to feel his age. When he’s injured far from home and his career is threatened, it’s up to his best friend to step in and point out the other options. Both men have plans—but will they include each other?

If you asked me who is one of my favorite authors, I would reply B.A. Tortuga for a number of reasons, the first coming to mind is her ability to bring regional voices vividly to life in a way that makes you feel that you are seeing them laugh, love and yes, sometimes cry across the pages of her stories.  Books like Mud, Movies, Bullets and Bulls which are a collection of some of my favorite stories are a wonderful way to either discover this author or remember why you love her writing so much.

Stories in the order you find them in the book.

Mud On Tires – 5 stars out of 5

When Lee strips naked to rescue a cow stuck in the mud, last thing he expects is another cowboy named Collin to come to his.  This story has it all,  dialog full of regional twang and zest, laughter and love, dogs that have as much character as the men they follow and of course, pie!  Its not just Tortuga’s love for her cowboys but the locations and people.  Those small steakhouses low on decor and high on some of the best steaks you’ll ever eat?  I’ve been there and they are on these pages.  So are the waitresses that know your name and your eating preferences.  How I love this story.

Just Like in the Movies – 4.5 stars out of 5

Dooley Robinson, horse wrangler to the movies meets closeted movie star on the rise Tyler David Garrison and begins a relationship like no other.  This was a different sort of  Tortuga story but one I liked just as well as the others oddly enough.  Why?  Because she was able to convey a relationship between the  men, and the love and affection without there actually having a lot time on the page together.  You could feel them missing each other so in just a couple of words or phrases.  Perfect.

Ricochet – 5 stars out of 5

What can I say? I’m such a sucker for these sorts of stories.  Friends to lovers, a man finally returning home where he belongs.  A hilarious mom and dad welcoming party and a best friend like no other.  At 36, Holt takes a hard look at his life, and doesn’t like what he sees and decides to make a change.  He’s headed home where he belongs.  But he needs to extract himself from his current situation first and that comes with a cost.  It will be his best friend since forever, Teague, coming to his rescue and bringing him home to make it right.

Every part of this  story rings true.  The deep friendship, the “knowing” that comes of years of growing up together as boys that telegraphs  across the pages, the funny and sharp scenes with Momma and Daddy when they see what’s happened to their boy.  Tortuga manages to bring both the humor and the angst out in a situation where you want to cry and laugh and you know both emotions are exactly right.  As is the relationship between Hold and Teague.  It doesn’t come easily, it comes with some sharp words, but it works and its wonderful and its my favorite story of the group.

No Bull – 4.75 stars out of 5

No Bull finishes the collection and its probably the right one to do so as the men finish out their careers as bullriders, a favorite theme of B.A Tortuga’s.  But it starts in a hospital with the aftermath of a bull ride gone horribly wrong.  Joss is in the bed and wired up with more broken bones than his best friend and rodeo partner, Mackey, can count.  What follows is a tale of friendship that turns into something deeper than neither man fully expects and yet it happens so naturally.  Again its told beautifully, with men who have known each other for some time and are now at the end of their respective bull riding careers.  A lovely tale and a great way to end this collection.

I just love this book and highly recommend it.  Not familiar with B.A Tortuga?  I can’t think of a better way to make your introduction to this wonderful author than with Mud, Movies, Bullets and Bulls by B.A. Tortuga.   It will make you laugh, its sexy, full of itty bitty cowboys and the men who love them and you won’t want to put it down.

Cover Artist: Alexandria Corza does a great job with this cover.  I love it.

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press | ARe | Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 2nd Edition, 206 pages
Published June 24th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 1634771605 (ISBN13: 9781634771603)
Edition LanguageEnglish
1st Edition of Mud on Tires published by Torquere Press, 2006.
1st Edition of Just Like in the Movies published by Torquere Press, 2007.
1st Edition of Ricochet published by Torquere Press, 2007.
1st Edition of No Bull published by Torquere Press, 2006