Explore Written Worlds with Stephanie: Blog Tour, Reviews, and a GIVEAWAY ~*~ Wheels Up by Annabeth Albert

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Blog Tour, Reviews, and a GIVEAWAY ~*~ Wheels Up by Annabeth Albert

“Sexy, sweet and heartfelt, Annabeth Albert's Out of Uniform series is a fresh take on Navy SEALs that will delight and entertain romance readers.”

--Layla Reyne, author of the Agents Irish and Whisky series.

Title: Wheels Up

Series: Out of Uniform #4

Publisher: Carina Press

Release Date (Print & Ebook): November 6th, 2017

Subgenre: M/M Contemporary Military Romance

Links: Amazon | Apple | B&N | Kobo

Book Blurb:

Their love is forbidden, but their hearts aren’t listening to rules and regulations…

Lieutenant Dustin Strauss is a reformed man. No longer a twentysomething hell-raiser, he’s his SEAL team’s new XO—and a man with a secret. Or seven. He's kept his bisexual identity under wraps for years, along with his kinky side and a fondness for the military-themed semi-anonymous hookup website Joe4Joe. His latest chat buddy is more than a sexy online distraction—they're taking their very not-safe-for-work relationship into real time.

Petty Officer Wes Lowe has a smart mouth, a take-charge attitude and an uncanny ability for making things go boom. The life of an enlisted man isn't always enough to satisfy him, but one wild, no-questions-asked weekend with his online love comes close. When a transfer order comes in, Wes feels ready and centered. He'll make a good impression on his new SEAL team and keep his growing feelings for Dustin on the down low.

But as they log more time online and some very real emotions surface, Dustin and Wes struggle to pretend they're just a harmless fling. And when his commander introduces Dustin to his team's newest member, they're in for the shock of a lifetime…and a crushing disappointment: their difference in ranks means even a friendship without sexual contact could end their navy careers for good.

With their hearts on the line, Dustin and Wes may not survive their next mission, let alone find a way toward a future together.

Excerpt

I’m not sure how much longer I can do this. Dread, sick and sharp, pierced him right in the gut. He simply wasn’t prepared for dealing with this avalanche of emotions, this overwhelming need to ensure Wes’s safety. He’d done his duty for well over a decade now, and never, not once, had he been as freaked out as he was right then. Something’s got to give.

Reviews:

active-military-duty, bisexual, boys-who-love-boys, breakin-the-law, cops-military-badass, cyberlove, kinky-fuckery, sexuality-denial-coming-to-terms

4.5*

Dustin and Wes have been chatting for months under screen names on an app called Joe4Joe. Not really knowing their full names or even their faces fully, and definitely not their actual jobs.

When SaucerMan (Wes) learns hat Godzilla (Dustin) is young to be in his neck of the woods *let's meet* are he first words out of his mouth.

Dustin is this gigantic man. Built, broad shoulders, thick thighs, not to mention, a SEAL. So to see him so nervous is kind of endearing. To top it off, he likes his guy a bit bossy, and SaucerMan is definitely up for that job. It's also "unexpected". I love it when the "smaller" man is in charge, break that stereotypical mould.

Their online interactions and their commonality in things such as movies and documentaries is basically a nerdy wet dream. So it's only right that they would fit together naturally in real life. But after their DC trip and Wes goes ghost, only to show up in Dustin's squad, it's like the bottom drops out. You see, there's zero fraternizing especially with a leader and someone enlisted. So these guys have to find a way to just be teammates.

Only months of being basically besties with some bennies, it's a very tough situation. I was waiting for that other shoe to drop the whole time. Waiting for them to get busted, and Dustin to get sanctioned.

There were a lot of ups and downs and emotional highs and lows. Not even just between the guys, but Wes and his family and the turmoil Dustin feels because all he wants to do is comfort Wes.

I can't say this book is a HEA, but it is definitely a HFN, which is another aspect to the book that I really dig. It's a long road, and one they're fighting for in silence, but it will be well worth it once they get to be where they need to be. I think it also leaves a lot of story open for future books, even if they're not the sole purpose of said book.

I think Dustin and Wes are my current favorite OoU guys and I really hope they pop up in future stories. As for Curly.... I'm still kind of mad at him, but I hope he can be fully redeemed and I hope we get some Bacon in the future :)

Author Bio:

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. The #OutOfUniform series joins her critically acclaimed and fan-favorite LGBTQ romance #Gaymers, #PortlandHeat and #PerfectHarmony series.

To find out what she’s working on next and other fun extras, check out her website: www.annabethalbert.com or connect with Annabeth on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify! Also, be sure to sign up for her newsletter for free ficlets, bonus reads, and contests. The fan group, Annabeth’s Angels, on Facebook is also a great place for bonus content and exclusive contests.

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 active children.