Review: Awesome story - real, romantic, riveting - you won't put this one down.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 22, 2014
I was a bit miffed at the price I was charged for this one - over $3.50 for only 120-odd pages - but I'd seen an excerpt of the sequel and wanted to read it, so figured I had little choice.Well, I'm pleased to say I got more than my money's worth - it was far and away the best 'short' story I've read in a long time. Despite the limited number of pages, the author has brilliantly crafted the setting and populated it with characters who are so credible you begin to wonder if they might actually exist outside the author's imagination.The military backdrop is unflinchingly real and makes for a great read, yet it doesn't in any way distract from the focus of the story, being the growing attraction between Gabe, a US sergeant, and Alexis, a college girl participating in a UN program. There is an element of insta-lust, which quickly morphs into love, but there are absolutely no credibility issues here.The whole story is told from the hero's perspective - which isn't usually my thing. However, Selena Laurence excels where so many fail by perfectly capturing the male voice. She is one very talented writer. Not only did I believe it was Gabe telling the story, I was convinced I'd met him, or a guy like him, and I was fascinated by the opportunity to see the world through his eyes.Fantastic story - brilliantly crafted, credible characters, authentic dialogue, realistic setting, romantic and a little bit spicy. Running out of superlatives, so I guess I'll just say, I LOVED IT!Note that it is a prequel and can't be regarded as a complete story without reading the next (and final) instalment, "Concealed - Hiding from Love", which is already published. I was only half-way through the first story when I took time out to purchase the sequel. (And, yes, it was just as good.)