Book Reviews

Book Blurb

You Were Born To Excel. Permission Granted is the enticing invitation on the Navy SEAL website. Lieutenant Shane Powell took that permission at face value, proving his excellence and earning a place on the foremost of the counter-terrorism special warfare SEAL teams. When traumatic physical injuries sustained in battle robbed him of the hard-earned excellence necessary for his job, however, he left the Navy. He slipped away, cutting ties with everyone he knew there to wrestle alone with his emotional turmoil.

Lieutenant Michael Fremont, Shane’s SEAL teammate and secret lover, is deeply hurt by the sudden silence and unexplained, abrupt end to their personal relationship. His search to locate the man he loves to demand answers turns up nothing, until a chance encounter brings about a reunion Shane resists.

Mike would be satisfied with a simple return to a platonic friendship if Shane isn’t up to anything more. But SEALs never leave a buddy behind, and Mike will not allow his former lover to withdraw from the wider world.

But considering Shane’s resistance to him, Mike’s success is up for grabs...

 

Book Review

Counter-terrorism activities and units are a sad necessity in today's world, and the men who pass the training of a SEAL are among the toughest on this planet. Both main characters of this story are SEALs, and seeing them deal with life outside their jobs, including dealing with PTSD, and after one was injured and had to retire, made for a very contemporary and realistic setting. Add to that emotions running high, and I was fascinated and very interested in "what will happen next".

Shane has a hard time dealing with the aftermath of his battle injuries. Physically, he is dealing well enough, though still in therapy two years later, but mentally and emotionally he finds it rough going. No wonder! He lost a teammate in battle, can no longer be on active duty, the nightmares are preventing him from having a personal life, and the man he loves deeply has deserted him. Or so he thinks. When Mike suddenly reappears, Shane doesn't know what to do or think. There is a lot of emotional baggage to go through.

Mike has no idea why Shane shut him out after his leg was damaged, but is determined to find out. Not knowing what happened is killing him, and anyway, he still loves Shane with all his heart. It takes him almost two years to find Shane (what with him still being on active duty and being deployed most of the time) but when he does, he is elated. In typical SEAL fashion he does some recon, comes up with a plan, and executes it with excellence. I really loved his dogged determination and willingness to do anything to get back with Shane!

The passion between Shane and Mike is amazing, and they clearly have a far deeper bond than most lovers due to what they've already been through together already. Best friends and lovers is a great combination as far as I am concerned, and a wonderful basis for a long-term partnership. If you like books about military men, if you enjoy reading about real struggles and emotions of those who defend our freedom, and if you're looking for a read that is deeply emotional and very touching, the you should give this novella a try. It does have some rough spots (in terms of violence), but that is justified, I believe, based on the storyline.

 

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Amber Allure for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 21000 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	18-August-2013
Price
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