The Cowboy and the Dom Series by Jodi Payne, B.A. Tortuga

When a killer strikes, Texan and former rodeo cowboy, Sam O’Reilly, loses his older brother. Unbeknownst to Sam, James was also the lover and sub of a sophisticated New York City Dom named Thomas Ward. Sam comes to the city determined to stay until he can bring the murderer to his own brand of justice, while Thomas’ more ordered mind is hoping for a legal solution... moreWhen a killer strikes, Texan and former rodeo cowboy, Sam O’Reilly, loses his older brother. Unbeknownst to Sam, James was also the lover and sub of a sophisticated New York City Dom named Thomas Ward. Sam comes to the city determined to stay until he can bring the murderer to his own brand of justice, while Thomas’ more ordered mind is hoping for a legal solution. Neither man expects their connection to the other, but having each lost someone irreplaceable, their hearts are crying out for comfort almost as loudly as their bodies are screaming for each other. Some yearnings refuse to be ignored, but transcending their differences to explore the fragile connection between them will prove to be a steep a hill to climb--the first of many. As Sam and Thomas take the first tentative steps on the rocky path that might lead to a relationship, the killer steps out of the shadows...And this time, his sights are set on Sam. Note to our readers: Each of the three books in The Cowboy and the Dom Series has a fully realized, romantic ending. However, the overarching suspense element will leave readers on a cliffhanger after books one and two, to be fully resolved in book three. less

Winter Love knows how to give. He gave himself his own name after all, and he’s given love to many young men who later moved on with someone they wanted more. Too many. So he’s stopped putting himself out there to be hurt by the young little birds he prefers, though he does still enjoy going to the gentlemen’s club where he has a membership. He’s older, old-fashioned, eccentric, and content to be more about people watching these days... moreWinter Love knows how to give. He gave himself his own name after all, and he’s given love to many young men who later moved on with someone they wanted more. Too many. So he’s stopped putting himself out there to be hurt by the young little birds he prefers, though he does still enjoy going to the gentlemen’s club where he has a membership. He’s older, old-fashioned, eccentric, and content to be more about people watching these days.Harley McBride is new to New York City, having left his home in Texas for a more welcoming town. He’s hard-working, friendly, and has a curious nature, which means he’s having a great time meeting people. When his roommate takes him to an interesting new club, he decides to introduce himself to a man who is fascinating to him, even from across the room.Caught off-guard, Winter takes a chance in return, and asks Harley to let him make up Harley’s dark eyes. Things begin to heat up, and the two of them connect in ways that neither of them could have anticipated. But Winter knows he needs to tread carefully, and Harley is used to being independent and handling things on his own. Will they be able to find a path that suits them both, or will their relationship stay simply sin deep? Sin Deep is set in The Cowboy and the Dom universe and features an opposites attract, May-December relationship. less

Razor blades left by a murderer continue to remind Sam and Thomas of James, the man they lost to violence… whose killer is still out there and seems to be watching them constantly, biding his time. Meanwhile, their carefully built relationship also teeters on the edge of a knife... moreRazor blades left by a murderer continue to remind Sam and Thomas of James, the man they lost to violence… whose killer is still out there and seems to be watching them constantly, biding his time. Meanwhile, their carefully built relationship also teeters on the edge of a knife. Sam’s efforts to be the kind of full-time sub he thinks Thomas wants fail miserably, and Thomas must accept the fact that Sam is unique and his lover’s needs don’t lend themselves to the typical high protocol BDSM lifestyle. They contend with jealousy, confusion, arguments and stress, and when communication starts to break down, they struggle to reconcile their massive differences and learn what it means to be a them. An emotional misunderstanding might be the last straw--or the opportunity the killer has been waiting for to take Sam out of Thomas’s life once and for all. less

Months after James’s brutal murder, Sam gets an opportunity to help Thomas find closure. That means leaving New York City to travel to the O’Reilly’s Texas home, to meet Sam’s parents and get a taste of how and where the O’Reilly brothers grew up.Their vacation is also an opportunity for Thomas and Sam to move beyond the past, drop their remaining baggage, and finally solidify their tumultuous relationship... moreMonths after James’s brutal murder, Sam gets an opportunity to help Thomas find closure. That means leaving New York City to travel to the O’Reilly’s Texas home, to meet Sam’s parents and get a taste of how and where the O’Reilly brothers grew up.Their vacation is also an opportunity for Thomas and Sam to move beyond the past, drop their remaining baggage, and finally solidify their tumultuous relationship.But that may be easier said than done given that Thomas has a secret he’s been keeping from Sam, and Sam is sick and tired of everyone in his life knowing what’s going on but him. It’s the worst time for their trust to break down, because their final confrontation with James’s killer looms, and if they’re going to walk away, they’ll have to do it together.Note to our readers: Each of the three books in The Cowboy and the Dom Series has a fully realized, romantic ending. However, the overarching suspense element will leave readers on a cliffhanger after books one and two, to be fully resolved in book three (this book). Readers should begin the series with book one, First Rodeo. less