Book Reviews

Book Blurb

What happens in the desert stays in the desert…
 
Or does it? On tour in Iraq with other SEALs teams, Lieutenant John Tucker from the Skins holds a tenuous line of defense with Lieutenant Commander Alex Jackson of the Water Dogs. With four days wait until the Army shows up, and the pock-fire of insurgents ever-present, fight or flight urges are put to the extreme. So when Tucker shocks the LC by making a play for him, and he reluctantly gives in, it’s not like Ajax is going to have to face the fire when he returns home.
 
Except the mutual devastation of the SEALs teams prompts the military to combine them. Now Tucker is serving under Ajax in a brand new way, and the desert isn’t keeping the secret.

Book Review

One soldier falling for another must be one of the toughest scenarios for a love story there is. Tucker knows he is gay, but Ajax hasn't got a clue. The initial encounter gives him a hint but then the denial sets in for him and desperation for Tucker as they muddle through trying to come to grips with their situation. Realistic in terms of the military side of things, this story focuses on the real problems of two men trying to determine how they can relate to each other on and off a very demanding job. One that could cost them their lives if they mess up.

 

Alex Johnson, or Ajax for his SEAL team mates, has got a huge challenge to deal with. He is trying to figure out whether he is gay or not, when he's never even thought about another man in that way. Not until a desert encounter with a sexy SEAL from another team challenges his understanding of himself. He quickly finds out that being in the military and a tough SEAL commander doesn't help. Especially since his idea of "what a gay man should be like" has nothing to do with reality.

 

Tucker may know how to deal with the physical side of being gay, since he has never denied the fact, but falling for the man who becomes his boss, his commander, complicates things. He pushes very hard for Ajax to be honest with himself, but ultimately realizes he cannot "force" the man to admit he is attracted to Tucker. Dealing with a closeted guy is not Tucker's thing, and he wants to give up, but the attraction is just too strong.

 

This is not a fluffy love story. There is no sap, and there are no discussions about emotions. This is a story about two soldiers in a fight of the heart and mind, one they find difficult to deal with. Each has different issues and watching them deal with their own preconceptions and assumptions was definitely interesting. If you like reading about men in uniform, if you enjoy stories about men who would rather not talk about their emotions despite the fact they very much have them, and if SEALs have a special place in your heart, you will probably enjoy this novella.

 

 

 

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

 

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 81 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	03-July-2012
Price	$3.99 ebook
Buy Link	http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/m8/475-201-118-440-16--water-dogs-by-mia-watts.html