“A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.” ― John Lennon
Title: A Courageous Ride (The Bullriders: Book Three)
Author: Andrew Grey
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Pages/Word Count: 204 Pages
Rating: 5 Stars
Blurb: Aspiring orchestra conductor Marshall is exhausted after months of auditions without a single job offer. Marshall’s friend, Terry, recommends a change of scenery and points Marshall in the direction of a dude ranch run by former bull rider Indigo Santana. Marshall is understandably skeptical, but his friend is convincing, and Marshall needs a break, so he agrees to go.
Indigo captures Marshall’s attention but leaves him confused. Indigo’s confidence is shot after an injury ended his rodeo career, and he walks with a slight limp. He hasn’t been anywhere near a bull since he was hurt, and he’s not the most accommodating host. After all, the only reason he keeps guests is because his family ranch is all but bankrupt.
Marshall’s attraction doesn’t go unanswered, which leaves him with a huge dilemma. He’s torn between the possibility of love, something he’s searched for all his life, and the career he’s worked toward for as long as he can remember, which is miles away. From his side of the fence, Indigo doesn’t see how the ranch could ever be enough.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Review: In this latest book from Andrew Grey, one of the oldest questions is asked and answered: what would you be willing to give up for love? For Marshall, all he has ever dreamed of is being an orchestra conductor and for many months, he has been traveling the country auditioning for exactly that job. When his final audition is done, he finds himself exhausted and in need of a vacation. A good friend recommends a week on a dude ranch. Even though Marshall has his doubts, he decides that it couldn’t be any worse than where he is now.
Indigo is a former bullrider who suffered a career ending injury. When he could no longer ride bulls, he returned home to help out on the family ranch. After the death of his parents, he found out the ranch wasn’t making money, so he transformed it into a guest ranch to bring in some much needed income. With no real romantic prospects near the ranch, Indigo makes trips to the city when he can to “relieve stress”. When Marshall arrives at the ranch, it is instant attraction for both of them.
After a couple starts and stops, Marshall and Indigo decide to take the week for what it’s worth; for better or worse they would spend the time they have together and worry about the future, well, in the future. The two men are very happy to find that they have many things in common, and city boy Marshall is shocked to find that not only does he love the ranch but it is inspiring him to write the music that has evaded him up to this point.
When the end of the week is closing in, Marshall receives news he has been waiting for, but it doesn’t excite him the way he thought it would. At this point he believes he loves Indigo, but does he love him enough to give up his dream? Indigo feels closer to Marshall than he ever has to any other man, but he won’t let Marshall give up his dreams only to resent Indigo later.
The turning point comes down to a couple of men from very different worlds, and they have to find a way to mesh their opposing lifestyles if they have any chance at happiness.
I believe this is the best book of this series to date. The struggle these two men went through was heart-wrenching at the same time it is heartwarming. Watching them fight for what they wanted more than anything was very moving. The easy acceptance from Indigo’s employees, family and neighbors was also wonderful to see. I have been a fan of this series since it began, and it just seems to be getting better and better. Highly recommend this book and both of the previous titles in the series.
You can buy A Courageous Ride (The Bullriders: Book Three) here:
