Review: An Officer and his gentleman
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 7, 2013
The backdrop of this story is the beautifully written Okinawa, brought to life superbly in the words Witt uses as descriptives. I was literally transported by her descriptions of the land, islands and castles. I would close my eyes between paragraphs and I was there at Katsuren Castle with Eric and Shane!Eric is new to the island and not even remotely excited with his latest tour, having left behind his teenage daughter in the states with his ex wife for the next three years. He is a career military, enlisted MP and he's gay. Not necessarily openly gay, but he's not touring Okinawa waving his rainbow flag either. It doesn't take him long to begin his search for something, or someone, to help him pass the time.The first thing Eric see's when he walks into Palace Habu is the sexy, stranger at the end of the bar. Shane almost drops his drink when he lay's eyes on Eric. The attraction is overwhelming, immediate and mutual. And what should be a one night stand leaves both men wanting, no aching, for more. Okinawa is not the largest island on the planet, but it takes weeks before these two happen upon each other again. Sparks are soon flying again as these two trip over each other on there way back to the bedroom, quickly agreeing this should become a habit. Then Shane drops the bomb that he's an Officer. DADT has been removed, but the long standing rules against Officer's and Enlisted in a relationship still stands. This is one rule not likely to change, not even for this Officer and his gentleman.Not only do these guys have to deal with being gay in the military and all the side ways glances and hushed whispers that come from their narrowminded fellow soldiers; but Witt delved even deeper by including the forbidden Officer dating Enlisted taboo. Eric and Shane still manage to skirt the boundries of what they should and shouldn't do, neither one willing to admit just how emotionally attached they've become to one another. As they learn ways around the rules and explore the wonder that is Okinawa, as well as each other, they skirt dangerously close to breaking a rule that could have devastating consequences for both of them.I'm not certain what I liked more about this story. Watching the slow building love story between Eric and Shane as lust and fire become want and need; or the enthralling backdrop of Okinawa and the picture of perfection Witt was able to capture in this novel. This was the first book by L.A.Witt that I had the pleasure of reading, and have since read 4 more, I intend to eventually read all her books.  She has an ability to pay as much attention to the background of her story as she does to the characters, but not taking any of the interest away from the characters. The exquisite background just made me that much more eager to turn each page.I give this one 5/5, but that's just my two cents!