Title: AT ATTENTION

Series: Out of Uniform, book 2 (but stands alone well--different couple for each book)

Author: Annabeth Albert

Publisher: Carina Press

Release Date: April 10, 2017

Heat Level: 4 - Lots of Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 73,000

Genre: Romance, Military romance, contemporary, age difference, may/december, SEALS

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Synopsis

Lieutenant Apollo Floros can ace tactical training missions, but being a single dad to his twin daughters is more than he can handle. He needs live-in help, and he's lucky a friend's younger brother needs a place to stay. He's surprised to see Dylan all grown up with a college degree…and a college athlete's body. Apollo's widowed heart may still be broken, but Dylan has his blood heating up.

It's been eight years since the teenage Dylan followed Apollo around like a lovesick puppy, and it's time he showed Lieutenant Hard-to-Please that he's all man now—an adult who's fully capable of choosing responsibility over lust. He can handle Apollo's muscular sex appeal, but Apollo the caring father? Dylan can't afford to fall for that guy. He's determined to hold out for someone who's able to love him back, not someone who only sees him as a kid brother.

Apollo is shocked by the intensity of his attraction to Dylan. Maybe some no-strings summer fun will bring this former SEAL back to life. But the combination of scorching desire and warm affection is more than he'd expected, and the emotion between them scares him senseless. No fling lasts forever, and Apollo will need to decide what's more important—his past or his future—if he wants to keep Dylan in his life.

Book Two of the Out of Uniform series

This book is approximately 73,000 words

Excerpt

Thank you so much for having me today! My newest release AT ATTENTION features a widowed navy SEAL dad and his best friend’s little brother. I brought an excerpt today of one of my favorite scenes. I love this short scene because it shows how different Apollo is around Dylan, and it’s also the first scene where he’s really noticing how all grown up Dylan really is now.

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“Why don’t you have ink if you like it so much?” Apollo sounded like a cranky bear but couldn’t be bothered to try to moderate his tone. He did with everyone else. All day. Every day. And it was just hard. Somehow he just couldn’t seem to put up the same front with Dylan.

Dylan laughed like he either hadn’t noticed or didn’t care about Apollo’s biting tone. He waited until after he’d lowered himself into the water to answer. “Honestly? I’m scared of needles. Also, not all schools and programs look kindly on ink. I want to wait until I’ve got something permanent jobwise. Then I might take the leap. I’ve got an idea for a War Elf-themed one right here.” Dylan pointed at his forearm.

“The needles aren’t such a big deal. And it’s a hell of an adrenaline rush. You’d like that. If you get up the courage, wait until you come back down to visit Dustin. I’ll take you to my guy. He does quality work.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.” The smile Dylan gave him made Apollo feel even more like a heel for how he’d been acting much of the day. Dylan tugged his shirt down as it ballooned up in the water.

“What’s up with the shirt? It’s not that sunny out.”

“I…uh.” Dylan looked away, a dusky flush creeping up his neck. “You didn’t seem to like me shirtless earlier. Thought I’d cover up until I had a chance to manscape a bit.”

“I didn’t like it?” Apollo blinked. That wasn’t how he remembered it—only that he hadn’t been able to stop staring at Dylan’s sculpted body. Dylan didn’t have a twink’s body like the smooth young things Ben kept bringing around. His was a man’s body, with a surprisingly furry chest and chiseled muscles. And Apollo had been powerless to do anything other than stare, unwelcome heat traveling to some very underused locales in his body.

“Oh.” Dylan gave him another knowing grin and shucked the shirt. “In that case…I hate wearing shirts in the water.”

“Suit yourself.” Apollo tried to sound indifferent.

“You trim though.” Dylan was just not letting this subject drop, damn him.

“Habit.” Apollo shrugged. He just did head, chest, pubes all on the same setting on the trimmer, beard too when he wasn’t on duty and required to be clean shaven. “And I’m kind of a gorilla without it. But you…you’re fine.”

“Just for the record, I don’t mind a little…monkey action.” Dylan gave a sassy smile and swam away to the far end before Apollo could do the only sensible thing and dunk his insolent ass. The air was mild, but Apollo wasn’t deceived—it was going to be a long, hot summer.

Reviews

I knew when we were getting a story about Apollo that it wasn't going to be an easy one. One can't expect losing their significant other is easy, especially when children are involved.

I think Annabeth did a FANtastic job portraying all of those conflicts and emotions. I also loved how Dylan never lost his patience. Not in Apollo or the girls or the situation. He was a very strong and vibrant character. It was a great balance to Apollo's dark and stoic ways. Apollo.... oh, Apollo. So structured and "by the book", it seems. Very dark and mysterious, and likes to suffer in silence. But ohhhh, he gives such great dirty talk!! Its a beautiful thing. And even more beautiful when he breaks out of that shell and starts living again. Tears man, tears!!! from about 75%-85%!!

The girls were completely adorable and I melted every time they called him "baba".

This was a fantastic follow up in the series with a great HEA and I can't wait for Ben and Maddox

Annabeth Albert you have done it again!!! At Attention is book 2 in the Out of Uniform series but can be read as a standalone, however i highly suggest you read Off Base book 1. Not so much for feeling like you are missing something, but because this series is just that good.

Apollo is man who lost his husband and is raising their twin girls with the help of his mother. She is going on a vacation of a lifetime and now Apollo needs help. His best friend all but pushes his little brother Dylan into the role of Apollo’s live in manny. Of course this is the same Dylan that had a major crush on him when he was a teen.

There is no denying that there is instant attraction for Apollo, but he just can’t do anything but fantasize about the man for because he doesn't feel like it would be right. And not just because it's his best friend's kid brother. He still feels that he is married to the man he loved for so many years, even though he is gone.

Dylan falls into the manny role effortlessly. The girls love him, and he is able to follow the strict military style binder that Apollo has set to run his family. Well other than some of the kitchen duties..lol.

I knew that this book would bring out the feels for me. I just honestly didn't think that my black heart would break like it did and get stitched together so wonderfully. It took a lot of work and patience for these two to get their HEA, but when they did it was so incredibly sweet.

I give this book 4 SEAL stars.

Purchase

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Meet the Author

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two children.