Eli
Returning to my small hometown in Texas wasn’t part of the plan. After years of clawing my way up the corporate ladder in Dallas, I was supposed to be celebrating a promotion, not recovering from the public implosion of my career. But here I am—licking my wounds in my childhood bedroom, trying to figure out what’s next. The last thing I expected was to run into Colt Dawson.
Colt is everything I left behind—rugged, fearless, and still chasing dreams that don’t fit in a boardroom. He’s a rodeo rider with a swagger that gets under my skin and a grin that makes my chest ache and my jeans tight. We were rivals in high school, always circling each other like two bulls in an arena, but now? Now, I can’t look at him without wanting more.
What starts as an uneasy truce turns into late-night conversations, shared whiskey, and heated moments in his bed I’ll never forget. But Colt’s world is dangerous—eight seconds on the back of a bull can change everything. The closer we get, the more I see the risks he takes, and it terrifies me.
Colt
The rodeo is my life. It’s in my blood—the bruises, the adrenaline, the applause. But when my old rival Eli turns up back in town, all sharp suits and wounded pride, I realize there’s one thing I’ve never dared to face: the feelings I buried for him years ago.
Eli’s everything I’m not—polished, ambitious, and hopelessly out of place on a ranch. He’s also exactly what I want, what I crave in the dead of the night. But when he looks at me, it’s like he sees through all the bravado, straight to the part of me I’ve always tried to hide.
Eli thinks I’m reckless, but he doesn’t understand what it’s like to live for something bigger than yourself. I’ve spent my life fighting to prove I’m good enough, strong enough, brave enough. Falling into his bed wasn’t in the plan, but now I’m facing the toughest ride of all: letting someone in. When a devastating accident threatens my rodeo career and Eli is offered a second chance at his corporate dream, we’re forced to make an impossible choice. Can we find a way to bridge the gap between our worlds, or will the pull of our separate lives tear us apart?
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.
About the author
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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See my other reviews of the Sagebrush Cowboys series:
Book One Rust and Stardust
Book Two Whiskey and Wildfire
