Gage Powell's older brother Marty died in the bull-riding ring. An aspiring bull-rider himself, he left the USA and went to work on the oil rigs in Scotland after his father made it clear that he wished Gage had died instead. Now, years later his father has Alzheimer's and Gage has returned as a rookie to try to get his father's approval one last time. The only trouble is, his father thinks he's Marty.

Sierra Montez is trying to make her name in the family denim business. Montez Denim sponsors and promotes the rookies on the AEBR circuit and she has been half in love with Gage ever since he first joined the circuit all those years ago. Can they parlay one night of passion into a relationship?

I liked this but I didn't love it. The sex to plot ratio seemed a bit off (too much of the first and not enough of the latter) and I found myself a bit lost as to why Gage pushed Sierra away and WHO knew that his father confused him with Marty (and why it made any difference anyway) and there seemed to be a miracle transformation at the last second. Also, Gage kept saying that Sierra had pushed him away, or walked away, when as far as I could see it was him that did those things not her.

I have read all of the American Extreme Bull Riders Tour but Gage grabbed my attention the fastest with the heartbreaking first scene as he returns home after many years away. The most poignant of the series, also being the bull rider’s story I was most hoping to see end well. Not just the love interest part but also for his family situation.

Katherine Garbera ended this series with an amazing story of adults’ self-identity and parental approval. While Sierra and Gage have very different families their struggles parallel, affecting their relationship with each other. All of the series is great but this finale is even more so. Finding out who wins the championship is the icing on the proverbial cake.

I've thoroughly enjoyed this series so far, but Gage's story has been my least favorite. The characters lacked depth and personalities...their dialogues seemed forced and not natural. The bull riders until now were larger than life, and even though their focus was chasing and winning that elusive gold buckle, they could also focus on what else was more important to them, the people they loved and who loved them back in return.

Gage appeared to have no backbone, to stand up to his father, or to treat the woman he supposedly loved with any respect. He acted more like a boy instead of a man. I felt for Sierra, having her love for Gage pushed back at her at every turn...yet she kept coming back for more of Gage's hot and cold emotions.

I was disappointed that there was no bull riding to add the element of thrill and drama the story needed...especially if Gage comes out winning that buckle, his ride to do so would have added the dimension the story lacked. The ending was tied up much too quickly and neatly...after all the pushing away that Gage does to Sierra, just because he comes out on top and his father finally accepts him, he now wants Sierra in his life and she falls neatly into his arms and they agree to marriage??? There was no romance involved, just matter of fact statements, "I'm thinking about marrying you." and then, "I'm thinking about marrying you too." I just couldn't feel the connection between Gage and Sierra. There was no believability at all in their HEA ending.

I truly hate trashing a story, I recognize and appreciate the effort an author puts into his/her work, in this instance, the same level of writing in the previous stories was not seen here. I'm sorry to only be able to give three stars.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

I've really enjoyed this series. Each book in the series has focused on one bull rider and the woman he falls for. In Gage's book, he meets Sierra, one of his sponsors and it's instant attraction. Despite that attraction, Gage is focused. He's out to prove himself to his father and he doesn't need the distraction Sierra causes. Because of this, there is a lot of pushing away by Gage. Personally, I prefer the Hero to know what he wants and to go for it, so that's why this was a good read, but not my favorite out of the series. This will appeal more to readers who love the angst of the push/pull dynamic. ARC provided by NetGalley.

4.5 Understanding Who You Are Stars
* * * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
We knew Gage was carrying a heavy, emotional load...but to have his book address all that he is... it was something to behold. We had a tragic figure who was wanting to be loved...to receive love and appreciated from his father...and the way he thought he had to achieve it was heartbreaking.

But I am getting ahead of myself...

This is a story of two people who need to be seen for who they are... not what they were or how others have seen them...And each person is on a collision course with those who have their doubts.

Gage has been running for a long time...He wasn't always that way... years ago he was a brother and son... part of a family held together by a strong, loving woman who had a hard man for a husband. The first boy, Marty, was the apple of his father's eye... it seemed he doted on him and when he started riding bulls, his father was cheering every move.

Gage came along and even as a little boy, he sensed his dad just didn't want to be around him or see what ever he accomplished... like nothing was ever good enough. As the boys grew into men, the way Gage interacted with Marty changed, too...It went from hero worship to a hidden feeling of wanting to top his brother...to show his dad once and for all he was just as good... or could be better...

It was the event where Gage was to make his debut as a Bull Rider when everything went to hell...Marty rode just ahead of him and everything that could go wrong did...There are no words to describe seeing your brother killed in the ring...Everyone went to the hospital and it was there where things could get worse... with words said to Gage by his father...

Gage took those words, filed them away and traveled the country and then the world. He became one of those men who worked on oil rigs. He would still be in Scotland if he hadn't received the call from his mom, pleading with him to come home. She explained what was happening with his father... and he couldn't turn her down...

It was that fateful "reunion" which had Gage out on the AEBR tour. He was one of the oldest "rookies" they had and so far he has been totaling up the points. He is making a name for himself and working to win it all. Nothing will stop him from obtaining this goal... there is too much at stake.

Sierra Montez has her own goals with this current season of AEBR. She came up with a new campaign for Montez Jeans and she's making sure all of her ideas are translated into the photo shoots and meet and greets with the Rookies of the tour. Her problem is her father refuses to see her as the woman she is... capable, smart and not needing a babysitter from the corporate office.

These are the issues these two are juggling when they cross paths. Sierra has an older sister who has made no excuses for enjoying and hooking up with the different bull riders over the years and seasons. She knows what she likes and goes for it. Sierra is the complete opposite...not a prude at all, just knows she isn't comfortable doing one night stands.

Sierra has had her eye on Gage, though... She remembers that fateful night when Gage was supposed to ride for the first time... and how shocked and broken he looked standing by the chute... and then trying to get to his brother. She felt something then... and she is fighting the feelings she is having now.

But Damn, it is hard... with him having their jeans cupping that rear and with him standing with no shirt on....Sierra has to talk to herself and stop the drooling ....

Gage doesn't look forward to these sponsor deals but it is a way to make the money he needs and also bring the fans to the events. He sees Sierra, admires who she is... how smart and in charge she is with the photo shoot. She is different... not Buckle Bunny material at all... but a man can look....

It is a perfect storm when these to cross paths after the ride...She is pissed that her dad once again set a corporate spy to watch and see how the promotion went...The One Sierra Created, no less....
She told off the guy and sent him packing...

Gage is tired and drained from his ride... it went well but the response he got from his family and everything it drudged up...made him wanting to fight... to take it out on anyone so as to forget all that was going on in his head...

As both of these pissed off people leave the area, they bump into each other and start to get pissy...They then see they both need to blow off some steam and just not think about anything....
Gage suggests Sierra come with him and go honky tonkin' with him...go to a dive bar and just let loose...

Hell, Sierra decides why not... she needs to lighten up and live a little... her sister is always telling her to... so fine... She is going to let things play out and see what happens...

Well, what happens is the Earth moves for the both of them...Gage is stunned... for the first time he knows this was no buckle bunny experience... this was something different and he does not know how to handle it...Sierra deserves a better man than him...

Sierra knows in her soul this was special for her... and no matter how much she self talks and tries to push it aside...she cannot...

I loved this book. I started it and before I knew it, I was half way through.That's how fast it read. Gage was so broken... and so willing to try to make things good for his family. When he talked about losing himself, my heart broke for him. His attraction to Sierra was real and he saw the woman she was... she was not a plaything to him at all. Sierra was strong but at the same time victim of the regular insecurities women have had for the ages. When the both of them committed to each other, it was everything I wanted.

This may be the last in the series...and if so...it makes me a little bit sad. I have enjoyed all of these books. Each brought something different to the table. I learned how these riders risk their lives every time they go out there. I learned how they prepare their ropes, the way they grip and how long 8 seconds can feel when on the back of a bull.

I have nothing but respect for the men and women who participate in the sport and it all due to the detailed and authentic writings of the authors who participated in this series... So thank you to all of them.

This series can be read in any order:
Tanner (American Extreme Bull Riders Tour, #1) by Sarah Mayberry Tanner (American Extreme Bull Riders Tour, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Chase (American Extreme Bull Riders Tour, #2) by Barbara Dunlop Chase (American Extreme Bull Riders Tour, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Casey (American Extreme Bull Riders Tour Book 3) by Kelly Hunter Casey (American Extreme Bull Riders Tour, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Cody (American Extreme Bull Riders Tour Book 4) by Megan Crane Cody (American Extreme Bull Riders Tour, #4)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Troy (American Extreme Bull Riders Tour, #5) by Amy Andrews Troy (American Extreme Bull Riders Tour, #5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Kane (American Extreme Bull Riders Tour Book 6) by Sinclair Jayne Kane (American Extreme Bull Riders Tour, #6)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Austin (American Extreme Bull Riders Tour, #7) by Jeannie WattAustin (American Extreme Bull Riders Tour, #7)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
Look at this Cover...
Have to say these covers of the series...
Are getting better and better...
●•●•●•●•●•●•●•
This is the Rider we all want to know about...
Got a little taste of this Tortured Soul in Kane's Book...
Have a feeling it is going to be Intense, Heartbreaking and Hot!

Gage (American Extreme Bull Riders Tour #8) - August 29th 2017

A gifted copy was provided by Tule Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review.

For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

This was a pleasant entry into the American Extreme Bull-Riding series with each book being written by a different author.

This version involves Gage Powell who is seeking some sort of personal redemption by joining the tour seven years after his older brother was killed while riding a bull. His father had always preferred his older brother and lashed out at Gage after his brother’s death. He left home and bull riding and spent the interim working on oil rigs. Now he’s entered the tour as a rookie where he encounters Sierra Montez who works for her family’s jeans business. Trying to prove herself to her father and uncles who run the company, she came up with a promotion featuring the rookie bull riders.

Gage and Sierra meet and the sparks fly. They hook up but both wonder if it could be something more. Gage feels unworthy and knows he doesn’t have a history of making relationships last.

Little in the book is a surprise and things work out about as you might expect, but it was still an enjoyable quick read.

I was given a free ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I can hardly wait for the next one. I love cowboys!!

Gage by Katherine Garbera
American Extreme Bull Riders Tour #8

In this, the final book of the series, we find out who wins the gold buckle and million dollars. It was definitely fun reading each of the books, learning more about bull riding and meeting some new authors in the process.

Gage has returned to the AEBR tour after seven years away. His mission is to ride and win while proving to his father that he is just as good as his brother was. Sierra, daughter of a wealthy jeans maker and AEBR Tour sponsor, is on the job when she meets Gabe. Sierra has had a bit of a crush on Gage for years but face to face finds him even more than she expected. The two have instant chemistry BUT Gage is all about winning. Is their relationship a help or a hindrance to his winning? Will they be able to open up and be honest with one another? Will they both be able to prove to themselves they are worthy with or without their fathers seeing it is so?

Thank you to NetGalley and Tule Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review. I found the book entertaining but not feel quite as invested in the H/h as I did in some of the other books of the series.

3-4 Stars

Mmmmm... a bit of my catnip in this one: both Gage and Sierra have family issues and feel unloved. It's a natural fit that they'd get together. But the push-pull on Gage's part drove me insane after a while.

By the end, I was tired of Gage constantly pushing Sierra away at the times he needed her most and she so needed to make him grovel a bit more than she did. Their respective fathers needed 2x4s taken to their heads, but par for the course in a lot of ways.

There was a lot of angst in this book and half the wounds were self-inflicted too. Of course, I like a lot of angst so, for the most part, I was lapping it up. Overall, a good book, even if it was too neatly tied up in a bow at the end.